# West Palace in Bibai, a town where snowy storehouses cool down in summer, May 2003

# West Palace in Bibai, a town where snowy storehouses cool down in summer, May 2003
In 2003, Hokkaido was leading the nation in energy conservation demonstrations and the practical application of new energy sources. In the background were the large amount of snowfall in winter, the cool climate, and high heating and cooling costs, and research into the use of snow and ice for cooling had been spreading since the 1990s to take advantage of these factors. The year after the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, momentum was building for the spread of energy-efficient housing. West Palace," built by the Bibai Natural Energy Research Association, is the world's first snow-cooled condominium that stores snow collected in winter in insulated snow storage and uses the cold heat in summer for air conditioning through heat exchange. It does not use an electric compressor, saving electricity, and is characterized by soft cooling and dehumidifying effects. The snow storage facility will utilize biomass insulation with a thick insulation layer and moisture control measure
s. Piping is circulated by a small-capacity pump to improve heat exchange efficiency. Slopes and exterior surfaces are protected from drying and blowing sand by straw grids and vegetation. The installation cost is about three times that of an electric system, but the operating cost is about 40% less. Economic ripple effects were also expected through subsidy programs and local procurement. The quiet, dry, cool air contributes to good health, and the system has become a new cooling model that incorporates snow as a resource into the city's circulation.