J.C. Penney HQ shaves energy costs with one of world’s largest ice storage systems

J.C. Penney’s corporate headquarters in Plano, Texas, saved more than $100,000 in 2015 by using an ice-based energy storage.



The system, IceBank from Calmac, is one of the largest in the world, producing and storing nearly 4MW of cooling or 2.4 million pounds of ice each night. The technology has been in place at the retailer’s 1.8 million sq.-ft. headquarters for 25 years. Due to its design, it is still as efficient now as the first day it was incorporated.



While the system has proven its versatility in helping to reduce operating costs over the years—despite the changing utility landscape Penney is currently faced with a ratcheted demand charge from its utility along with coincident peak charge, which make up a large part of the company’s montly utility bill.



By using the energy storage technology Penney is able to flatten its electricity load profile and significantly reduce energy consumption during peak demand periods. Cooling is created and stored in the form of ice at night, when demand is at its lowest. The next day the ice is used to cool the building.



The system has provided Penney with several benefits as the chain negotiates , including the ability to enroll in an emergency response service program, which requires the facility to keep peak demand below 4.5MW daily and 2MW on demand response days. As a result of its participation, the peak demand calculated during both of JCPenney’s coincident peak and ratchet demand charge periods were reduced by 56%.



“When the tanks were originally installed the utility pricing was less complicated,” said Kyle Wilkes, energy and engineering director construction services at J.C. Penney. “Now, with ratcheted rates and the programs available to us, we have a much more strategic plan for the ice tanks to target demand charges.”