Fans of the perfect snow flock to Aspen in Wilrijk 365 days a year. How they 'make' their snow there, use energy as efficiently as possible and also buy that energy intelligently, you can read in this article.
The Aspen indoor snow track opened in November 2017, just in time for the winter season. Ski enthusiasts were eagerly waiting to put on their skis and zipline down the 240-meter-long slope. Whoever visited Wilrijk just a little before that was O.[Odot]. Snow slope = freezing = energy needed: Chris and Tom therefore made an appointment with Yves Champagne, initiator and today 'father' of the indoor ski slope.
Yves: "Our freezing plant uses 85% of our energy needs. We have 6,000 cubic meters of snow on the slopes here, which is the equivalent of 300 full swimming pools." In total, there is a snow carpet of 50 cm. The first 20 cm is a layer of ice in which the pipes sit and temperatures as low as -18 prevail. Then follows a layer of about 10 cm of highly hardened snow. The last 20 cm is "the real stuff" according to Yves. It is churned and milled by the snowcat every day after closing time. And just like on natural slopes, that snow has time during the night to transform into a soft carpet of snow.
300 pools of snow, that consumes a lot of energy to keep those cool you think?
Yves: "From the beginning of the project, we thought thoroughly about all the energy aspects. For example, contrary to what you might assume, we do not consume more energy in the summer, with higher outside temperatures, than in the winter. We "only" let the facility freeze to -12 in the summer months. This is possible because we use the track less intensively and our opening hours are more limited. The ultramodern freezing installation is also an important element that allows us to use energy economically. In fact, we use the residual heat from this installation to heat the accommodation, air treatment and operation of the sanitary system. Did you know that Aspen uses less energy than an average municipal swimming pool?"
Focus on green energy
Yves: "we also use green energy. To take this philosophy even further, we are looking into generating our electricity ourselves with solar panels. We have 15,000 m2 of roof available here, it will soon be an investment of 1.5 million euros. In these exercises we also involve our energy partner Odot.
So why partner with Odot? Yves, "we needed a partner at our start-up very quickly to complete our connection from the grid operator. With Odot, we concluded an agreement in confidence in two days. But apart from the speed, the fact that they could offer green energy at an attractive price was important. We know what we are paying per kilowatt and that is ok. Odot groups large users like us and snaps up that energy package to the right market at the right time. The better they do their job, the better for us! I look at it a bit like an insurance broker, they have to select the best policies too."
Top suppliers = top experiences for your customers
But at least as important is the service, according to Yves. "An example, the bread in our restaurant comes from a real baker. It's more expensive, but we want to make that difference for our customers. To offer them a top experience, you need top suppliers with whom you can work loyally. That's why Odot is a logical choice for Aspen. We don't have the energy expertise they have. And the collaboration is inexpensive and runs comfortably."
Interested in working together?
Also discover what Odot can do for your business? We would be happy to come and explain.
Odot reduces your energy costs through a unique procurement model, supported by AI and innovative software. Our knowledge of the energy market, assures you the most advantageous rates, continuous price tracking and a contract that suits you.
Fans of the perfect snow flock to Aspen in Wilrijk 365 days a year. How they 'make' their snow there, use energy as efficiently as possible and also buy that energy intelligently, you can read in this article.
The Aspen indoor snow track opened in November 2017, just in time for the winter season. Ski enthusiasts were eagerly waiting to put on their skis and zipline down the 240-meter-long slope. Whoever visited Wilrijk just a little before that was O.[Odot]. Snow slope = freezing = energy needed: Chris and Tom therefore made an appointment with Yves Champagne, initiator and today 'father' of the indoor ski slope.
Yves: "Our freezing plant uses 85% of our energy needs. We have 6,000 cubic meters of snow on the slopes here, which is the equivalent of 300 full swimming pools." In total, there is a snow carpet of 50 cm. The first 20 cm is a layer of ice in which the pipes sit and temperatures as low as -18 prevail. Then follows a layer of about 10 cm of highly hardened snow. The last 20 cm is "the real stuff" according to Yves. It is churned and milled by the snowcat every day after closing time. And just like on natural slopes, that snow has time during the night to transform into a soft carpet of snow.
300 pools of snow, that consumes a lot of energy to keep those cool you think?
Yves: "From the beginning of the project, we thought thoroughly about all the energy aspects. For example, contrary to what you might assume, we do not consume more energy in the summer, with higher outside temperatures, than in the winter. We "only" let the facility freeze to -12 in the summer months. This is possible because we use the track less intensively and our opening hours are more limited. The ultramodern freezing installation is also an important element that allows us to use energy economically. In fact, we use the residual heat from this installation to heat the accommodation, air treatment and operation of the sanitary system. Did you know that Aspen uses less energy than an average municipal swimming pool?"
Focus on green energy
Yves: "we also use green energy. To take this philosophy even further, we are looking into generating our electricity ourselves with solar panels. We have 15,000 m2 of roof available here, it will soon be an investment of 1.5 million euros. In these exercises we also involve our energy partner Odot.
So why partner with Odot? Yves, "we needed a partner at our start-up very quickly to complete our connection from the grid operator. With Odot, we concluded an agreement in confidence in two days. But apart from the speed, the fact that they could offer green energy at an attractive price was important. We know what we are paying per kilowatt and that is ok. Odot groups large users like us and snaps up that energy package to the right market at the right time. The better they do their job, the better for us! I look at it a bit like an insurance broker, they have to select the best policies too."
Top suppliers = top experiences for your customers
But at least as important is the service, according to Yves. "An example, the bread in our restaurant comes from a real baker. It's more expensive, but we want to make that difference for our customers. To offer them a top experience, you need top suppliers with whom you can work loyally. That's why Odot is a logical choice for Aspen. We don't have the energy expertise they have. And the collaboration is inexpensive and runs comfortably."
Interested in working together?
Also discover what Odot can do for your business? We would be happy to come and explain.