Energy, environmental, and economic (3E) analysis of a dynamic ice storage system based on ice slurry for a super high-rise building in subtropical climates

The building sector has overtaken industry and transportation as the largest global energy consumer, with Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems accounting for the highest energy usage within buildings. Enhancing the energy efficiency of HVAC&R systems is therefore critical for achieving energy conservation and global carbon neutrality. This paper introduces an innovative dynamic ice storage system based on ice slurry designed to shift electricity demand and improve energy flexibility for consumers in subtropical climates, thereby reducing energy consumption and contributing to decarbonization. The proposed system was implemented in a high-rise office building in southern China and analyzed through energy, environmental, and economic perspective. On-site measurements demonstrate that the dynamic ice storage system is significantly more energy-efficient and has lower carbon emissions than traditional cooling systems. Specifically, the system achieved a 50 % reduction in operational energy costs, and its equivalent cooling coefficient of performance (COP) reached 9.07, nearly double that of standard cooling systems. Life cycle assessments indicate that the system could reduce equivalent CO₂ emissions by 127 600 tCO₂e, and carbon emissions by approximately 37 000 tons, equivalent to planting 75 421 trees over 20 years.