Wood chips – not electricity – will be used to refrigerate an ice rink on Hudson Bay in Quebec. The wood chip heater supplies 194°F (90°C) glycol to a Thermochiller ammonia absorption refrigeration unit. The unit converts the heat to 60 tons (210 kW) refrigeration at 3.2°F (-16°C), which is delivered to the ice rink coils as chilled brine.

Manufactured by Energy Concepts, the Thermochiller is built into a standard 8’ by 20’ container for ease of shipment and installation. It rejects all the driving heat plus the refrigeration heat. Part or all of that heat can be used to heat the ice rink, adjacent buildings and hot water.