A fundamental goal for the Norwegian Ski Federation and the Norwegian Biathlon Association, together with their partners, is to contribute to a future where snow is easily accessible for the next generation of skiers and boarders, regardless of if natural snow only exists in the high mountains.
To make this goal possbile, the project “Snow for the future” was started in 2017, and first marketed through the city of Trondheim’s Nordic World Skiing Championship bid. The project is led by SINTEF og NTNU, both World renown research institutions, and with financial backing by the Norwegian Ministry of Sport and Culture. Phase I of the project focused on mapping today’s existing technologies for snow production (especially temperature independent technology), and the potential for improvements.
More detailed information about phase I of “Snow for the future” can be found in it’s final report .
Phase II of the project was financed in 2019, with the goal of researching and developing technologies that can make snow production and snow preservation even more energy efficient, simpler and less expensive. It is also a goal to communicate the project’s knowledge, learnings and new technologies – and with this in mind the “Centre for Snow Competency” was initiated.
The Centre is however just one of the several original “Snow for the future” project goals.
Develop a novel technology for efficient and environmenly friendly temperature independent snow production with solutions for interim storage in various cases
Increase the number of skiing days in local communities and centralized facilities to aid in further development of the skiing tradition and culture in Norway and Europe
Increase the predictability of organizing events, competitions, and activities pertaining to skiing in Norway and Europe
Secure the future value creation for new technology manufacturers to sustain and further develop skiing destinations in Norway and elsewhere in Europe
Establish a research platform and competency centre for snow technology and its practical applications, Center of Snow Competency, that will give lasting effects both nationally and internationally
Generate new jobs and improve public health
For phase II, the main goal is to develop a novel technology for energy-efficient production of artificial snow, including snow production in plus degrees and production independent of the outdoor air temperature. The project focuses on systems and solutions that ensure a sustainable snow production with a limited environmental footprint. Heatpump technology based on environmentally friendly natural freezing elements will be developed, with the focus on utilizing the cold side for snow production and the warm side for the purpose of using or storing heat.
One possibility is to use the surplus heat from the snow production to heat adjacent buildings, swimming pools, etc. Contrary, it is also possible to use surplus heat from industrial processes or district heating during temperate months of the year for snow production. Such an integrated system also includes storage and reuse of snow.
In a combined system for snow production and utilization of surplus heat, the produced snow becomes a by-products with minimal use of extra energy. This enables cost efficient snow production in centrally located areas. An illustration of an integrated system with temperature indepedent snow production, storage and reuse of snow, and utilization and delivery of surplus heat is shown below:
A fundamental goal for the Norwegian Ski Federation and the Norwegian Biathlon Association, together with their partners, is to contribute to a future where snow is easily accessible for the next generation of skiers and boarders, regardless of if natural snow only exists in the high mountains.
To make this goal possbile, the project “Snow for the future” was started in 2017, and first marketed through the city of Trondheim’s Nordic World Skiing Championship bid. The project is led by SINTEF og NTNU, both World renown research institutions, and with financial backing by the Norwegian Ministry of Sport and Culture. Phase I of the project focused on mapping today’s existing technologies for snow production (especially temperature independent technology), and the potential for improvements.
More detailed information about phase I of “Snow for the future” can be found in it’s final report .
Phase II of the project was financed in 2019, with the goal of researching and developing technologies that can make snow production and snow preservation even more energy efficient, simpler and less expensive. It is also a goal to communicate the project’s knowledge, learnings and new technologies – and with this in mind the “Centre for Snow Competency” was initiated.
The Centre is however just one of the several original “Snow for the future” project goals.
Develop a novel technology for efficient and environmenly friendly temperature independent snow production with solutions for interim storage in various cases
Increase the number of skiing days in local communities and centralized facilities to aid in further development of the skiing tradition and culture in Norway and Europe
Increase the predictability of organizing events, competitions, and activities pertaining to skiing in Norway and Europe
Secure the future value creation for new technology manufacturers to sustain and further develop skiing destinations in Norway and elsewhere in Europe
Establish a research platform and competency centre for snow technology and its practical applications, Center of Snow Competency, that will give lasting effects both nationally and internationally
Generate new jobs and improve public health
For phase II, the main goal is to develop a novel technology for energy-efficient production of artificial snow, including snow production in plus degrees and production independent of the outdoor air temperature. The project focuses on systems and solutions that ensure a sustainable snow production with a limited environmental footprint. Heatpump technology based on environmentally friendly natural freezing elements will be developed, with the focus on utilizing the cold side for snow production and the warm side for the purpose of using or storing heat.
One possibility is to use the surplus heat from the snow production to heat adjacent buildings, swimming pools, etc. Contrary, it is also possible to use surplus heat from industrial processes or district heating during temperate months of the year for snow production. Such an integrated system also includes storage and reuse of snow.
In a combined system for snow production and utilization of surplus heat, the produced snow becomes a by-products with minimal use of extra energy. This enables cost efficient snow production in centrally located areas. An illustration of an integrated system with temperature indepedent snow production, storage and reuse of snow, and utilization and delivery of surplus heat is shown below:
1
About snow
Physical properties
From the mechanical point of view, snow is a complex material. Its behavior depends on a number of parameters. The various types of snow are characterized by their mechanical properties. For example, the resistance to pressure of newly fallen snow is lower than that of mechanically processed (groomed) snow. Snow deforms under its own weight, depending on its temperature and density. Its viscosity increases at lower temperature and with greater density.
From an optical point of view, the snow absorbs only part of the short-wave radiation received from the sun. For example, up to 95% of the sun’s radiation is reflected by new snow. The albedo (the reflectivity of an object) depends on the condition of the snow surface (grain shape and size, contamination and water content). Dirty snow has low albedo and will melt faster.
The snow’s thermal properties appears clearly when the temperature difference between the various layers of snow strongly influences the properties and the metamorphism (change of form) of the snow layers. Temperature changes are greatest at the surface and smallest close to the ground.
The properties of machine-made snow are distinctly different from those of natural snow. The basic difference is that natural snow freezes from water vapor while machine-made snow freezes from water droplets. In the latter case, water droplets freeze on the outside before the core does. The thermal differences contribute to the fact that compacted natural snow on the surface stays colder than equivalent artificial snow (which melts easier and thereafter freezes)
Compacted natural snow stays ca. – 3 to -5 °C colder than artificial snow during equal condition in the the winter.
Meteorological factors
Solar radiation varies throughout the year. It reaches it’s maximum level in the summer and it’s minimum level in the winter. It depends on the time of the day, the slope of the terrain and the altitude of the location. In December, a 30 degree gradient slope facing south will receive almost two and a half times as much radiation as a horizontal surface.
Wind causes a rapid thermal exchange between the surface of the snow and the surrounding air. The stronger the wind, the faster the exchange. A warm wind accelerates the melting process on the surface rapidly and a cold wind accelerates its cooling.
When the surrounding air is warmer than the snow surface, the temperature of the snow rises. With strong emission or pollution, a stable layer of air can form at the bottom of valleys, since cold air is heavier than warm air. Air exchange progresses at a much slower rate in this case.
When air humidity is high, water vapor condenses on the snow surface. Water then accumulates on the surface. With very low air humidity, air can absorb more water vapor from the snow surface. Snow cools down during evaporation. Low air humidity is therefore beneficial for the freezing of the snow surface. In dry air, ice/snow also sublimates (evaporates without turning to water first) and the snow surface cools down.
Rain or snow transfers energy to the snow surface, depending on the temperature of the precipitation. Due to its higher temperature and thermal exchange effect, free water (wet snow or rain) raises the temperature of the surface of the snow and causes it to partially melt. Rain has however not as much melting effect as wind. If it rains 10 mm and this rain is cooled to 5 °C in the snow, it will only cause 0,6 mm of snow to melt (from Wikipedia).
As energy is absorbed when the snow is at 0℃, the snow crystals/grains start to melt at the edges and corners. They become rounder and a thin layer of water forms around the grains. As melting progresses, pores keep filling with water. When water content is high, the bond between the grains will also dissolve causing the snow to soften. Heat intake and melting may frequently be interrupted by colder night temperatures, and water freezes again. Consequently, the water present between snow grains freezes, forming strong bonds again.
