A remarkable solution for Remarkables Ski Field in Queenstown, New Zealand

Monday, 10 August 2020

The Remarkables Ski Field is one of New Zealand's premier ski fields, located at a longitude of 45.05 degrees South, elevation 1,586 m and situated near the North end of the Remarkables range. The base building has approximately 2,500 m² of heated outdoor patio at a density of 200 W/m². The heating of the patio matches the needs and requirements to prevent the surface accumulation of ice in a modern and highly efficient way.

The Challenge:

Property damage and increased injuries due to winter conditions

In recent years there have been plenty of news stories about human and financial costs caused by harsh winter weather. Property damage, increased maintenance expenses, productivity losses, rising insurance premiums, personal injuries and even worse. Installation of electric heating for melting ice and snow ensures a steady solution to address cold-weather-related problems. The main purpose of electric heating is to melt and remove snow and ice from ground surfaces. The Remarkables Ski Field also faces these challenges.

Solution:

Electric heating system connected with BMS

The electric heating system was wired as 22 x 230 V zones and controlled by multiple DEVIregTM 850 / ECtemp 850 controllers. The controllers work in conjunction with the base building's BMS and include a manual/auto bypass control. It enables the operator to select auto, manual on, and manual off. This had been a design requirement that permits short notice manual changes in the event of rapidly changing weather conditions.

Result:

Prevented surface accumulation of ice

A snow and ice melting system was installed on the outdoor patio of the base building, divided into 22 zones. A mixture of 3 x 680 W and 4 x 110 W DEVIreg™ Snow 30T / ECsnow 30T cable elements were fixed to reinforcing mesh which was seated on 50 mm chairs onto which 100 mm concrete slab was poured.

Project Overview:

Project size: 2 500 m²
System output: 200 W/m²
Installed power: 504 kW
Products: DEVIsnow™ 30T /  ECsnow 30T - 230V 16.8 km
Year of implementation: 2018

Facts about electric heating:

Electric heating is energy efficient and environmentally friendly, meeting your needs in various applications. It enables great comfort and convenience while ensuring user-friendly solutions with lasting effects and the highest quality standards.
 
Electric heating solutions are supported by legislation in key European countries. Directives that are coming into force in the biggest European markets give the green light for this technology: use eco-friendly systems and new materials to ensure energy saving.