Under China’s “dual carbon” goals, the integration of green energy and the cultural tourism industry is creating new opportunities for innovation. In recent years, with LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) receiving terminals being put into operation nationwide, the efficient utilization of cold energy released during regasification has become a key research and industrial focus. Against this backdrop, the concept of the “LNG Cold Energy Snow Park” has emerged. It not only represents a breakthrough in the comprehensive utilization of clean energy, but also provides the public with a sustainable and immersive ice-and-snow experience.

1. The Unique Value of LNG Cold Energy

LNG is formed by cooling natural gas to about -162℃ for liquefaction. During the regasification process, a large amount of low-temperature cold energy is released. According to estimates, regasifying one ton of LNG produces about 830MJ of cold energy, equivalent to the refrigeration value of more than 300 kilograms of standard coal. However, in conventional operations, most of this cold energy is vented directly into the atmosphere, leading to waste.

With proper engineering design, LNG cold energy can be applied in various fields such as air separation, food storage, seawater desalination, data center cooling, and the ice-and-snow industry. Among these applications, constructing a snow park powered by LNG cold energy stands out as one of the most innovative and socially beneficial solutions. It not only maximizes energy efficiency but also fulfills the public’s growing demand for recreational ice-and-snow activities.

2. Construction Concept of the LNG Cold Energy Snow Park
(1) Technical Pathways

Direct Low-Temperature Supply: Using LNG regasification cold energy directly to drive refrigeration systems for snowmaking and ice rink maintenance.

Cold Storage Adjustment: Employing cold storage tanks to retain excess nighttime cold energy, balancing temperature fluctuations and visitor traffic.

Smart Control Systems: Applying IoT and automation technologies to dynamically regulate cooling loads, ensuring stable and long-term park operations.

(2) Functional Zones

Sports Area: Ski slopes, real-ice skating rinks, snowmobiles, and other winter sports facilities.

Ice Sculpture Exhibition: Long-lasting ice art supported by stable cold energy, enabling year-round ice sculpture exhibitions.

Family Entertainment Zone: Snow castles, ice bumper cars, and other interactive facilities for children and families.

Energy Education Center: Demonstrations of LNG receiving stations and cold energy utilization technologies, promoting public awareness of clean energy.

(3) Cultural and Tourism Integration

The snow park is not only a cold energy project but also a cultural tourism destination. By integrating regional culture—for example, incorporating local elements into ice sculptures or hosting ice-and-snow festivals—the park can attract visitors, boost the local economy, and form a “Clean Energy + Tourism + Education” ecosystem.

3. Benefits Analysis
(1) Energy Efficiency

A receiving terminal with an annual regasification capacity of 5 million tons, if utilizing just 10% of its cold energy for a snow park, could replace tens of millions of kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, saving tens of thousands of tons of standard coal.

(2) Environmental Impact

By substituting conventional electricity-driven cooling with LNG cold energy, carbon emissions are significantly reduced. Moreover, the system avoids the use of harmful refrigerants such as Freon, further minimizing environmental impact.

(3) Economic Returns

The snow park generates revenue through ticket sales, events, catering, and souvenirs. At the same time, it enhances the corporate image of energy companies, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and innovation while broadening investment returns.

(4) Social Value

An LNG Cold Energy Snow Park provides year-round access to winter sports, allowing more people to participate in skiing and skating. It supports China’s national goal of “engaging 300 million people in winter sports” and helps promote a broader winter sports culture.

4. International and Domestic Practices

Internationally, LNG cold energy utilization has been explored in Japan and South Korea. For example, in Osaka Bay, cold energy has been used to operate large-scale refrigeration warehouses and data centers. Domestically, several coastal LNG terminals have already begun experimenting with cold energy applications, including small ice rinks and pilot demonstration zones. These early successes highlight the feasibility and potential of developing large-scale LNG-powered snow parks in China.

5. Future Prospects

Under the dual carbon goals, the LNG Cold Energy Snow Park is more than just an energy-saving engineering project—it has the potential to become a landmark for energy enterprises transitioning toward low-carbon development. Future directions may include:

Smart Energy + Smart Tourism Integration: Using big data and AI to simultaneously optimize energy management and visitor experience.

Extended Industrial Chain: Combining the snow park with winter sports events, e-sports, and cultural industries to create an integrated ice-and-snow economy.

International Collaboration: Promoting cultural exchange through green energy applications, showcasing China’s leadership in sustainable energy utilization on the global stage.

Conclusion

The LNG Cold Energy Snow Park represents a groundbreaking synergy between energy technology and cultural tourism. It improves energy efficiency, reduces emissions, and provides year-round recreational opportunities for the public. With more LNG receiving terminals being built and cold energy technologies advancing, LNG Cold Energy Snow Parks are poised to flourish across the country, serving as vital showcases of clean energy value and innovative applications in daily life.

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