# 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 ahead of the rest of Japan in demonstrating energy conservation and social implementation of new energy sources. In the background were the enormous amount of snow that accumulates in winter, the cool climate, and the burden of heating and cooling costs. Taking advantage of these regional conditions, experiments with snow and ice cooling, which uses snow as a summer cooling resource, have been conducted in various regions since the 1990s. In the year following the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, the attempts to make this technology a regular part of daily life came to fruition in Bibai.
The West Palace, built by the Bibai Natural Energy Study Group, uses snow collected on the site during the winter and stored in insulated snow storage to produce cold water in the summer, which is then circulated to each dwelling unit. The system uses heat exchange instead of an electric compressor, which significantly reduces power consumption. The cooling is soft and dehumidifying, and the interior of the room in summer is cool and calm. The idea is to regulate living temperatures with modern plumbing and controls, while learning from the theory of the ice house.
The key lies in snow storage and plumbing design. Snow piles shrink over time. Therefore, a thick layer of insulation is provided to cut off heat penetration, and a layer structure is devised to suppress the capillary rise of drainage water. If local biomass is used in conjunction with the insulation, it is resistant to moisture and easy to maintain. The heat from the snow tank is transferred to the building using a plate or tube heat exchanger to separate the primary and secondary sides, and a circulation pump with a minimum capacity. Straw grids and groundcovers are used on bare slopes and exterior areas to reduce dryness and fly sand. The framework of the facility is simple, but the accumulation of details tailored to the climate and ground is effective.
From an economic standpoint, the investment at the time of introduction is heavy, with the initial cost expected to be nearly three times that of an electric system, while operating costs are 40% lower. That is why the subsidy system at that time gave a boost to the project. Depending on the project, subsidies of one-half or one-third were applied, and debt guarantees were also available. If the equipment is well standardized and local procurement of seedlings and construction materials is involved, it will spread to local employment and technology. Shoveling snow would not be a burden, but a collection of resources. The weight of winter turns into lightness in summer.
Another strength of this method lies in maintenance. The amount of snow stored, the resistance of the pipes, and the heat exchange area are fine-tuned from year to year so that the supply and demand of cold water is met during the peak summer season. If the operating point is adjusted through maintenance such as pruning, equipment life is extended and noise and vibration are reduced. The health benefits should not be overlooked. Quiet, dry, cool air reduces condensation and mold, easing the body through the long rainy season.
Creating a cooling system that is not dependent on oil, wind, or sun, but rather on the local seasons. West Palace was a model for such a small revolution. Snow is not an obstacle. It is white energy waiting for spring. It is collected in winter and returned in summer. If this cycle is built into the body of the city, the city will gradually become lighter. The summer in Bibi was quietly cool, a testament to this.