Cool Snowmaking Advance

[Tony S]

Post | ReNewSnow

ReNewSnow's technology cuts snowmaking costs by 30% and virtually eliminates its carbon footprint.

www.renewsnow.ski

 

[cantunamunch]

What is the point of novelty?

 

[dbostedo]

Here's the main link for the company: https://www.renewsnow.ski/

And the description of what they're doing: https://www.renewsnow.ski/solution

Pretty interesting... capturing runoff to put through snow guns and avoid having to pump water uphill.

 

[Tony S]

Here's the main link for the company: https://www.renewsnow.ski/

And the description of what they're doing: https://www.renewsnow.ski/solution

Pretty interesting... capturing runoff to put through snow guns and avoid having to pump water uphill.

Also it looks like it's designed so it can "just happen" when all the pre-requisites are in place. I.e., you don't have to have a human remember to check them, then check them in the field, then pull the switches.

 

[Tony S]

What is the point of novelty?

What bostedo said.

 

[dbostedo]

Also it looks like it's designed so it can "just happen" when all the pre-requisites are in place. I.e., you don't have to have a human remember to check them, then check them in the field, then pull the switches.

Sure... but that exists already. Vail's been installing tons of them (among others too probably, but they've been promoting them).

 

[cantunamunch]

Sure... but that exists already. Vail's been installing tons of them (among others too probably, but they've been promoting them).

Exactly - And the fully automatic feature wasn't coming through in the blog post.

Not to mention that eliminating one guy on a control board at, say, Wintergreen, is just not going to save anyone 30% snowmaking energy cost.

 

[Joshua S]

My understanding is that the biggest problem that ReNewSnow is trying to confirm with the prototype is whether or not they will be able to recover enough water to make the difference they believe is possible.

 

[Roundturns]

I read the profiles of the management team and these guys have impressive resumes. The concept makes slot of sense but the comment above regarding if they can in fact recover enough water to be effective and deliver the proposed savings will likely determine their success.
To me the fact they are willing to install the system with their money and bill the resort based on water volumes gives them “a lot of skin in the game” regarding the profitability of their system.
I wish them a lot of luck. They are looking for investors. It would take a real leap of faith I think to invest.

 

[tomahawkins]

Anyone know what percentage of water is lost to evaporation? A snow gun generating an endless cloud reminds me of my neighbors who water their lawns in summer mid day by spraying a fine mist up into the air. If the lost is substantial, I wonder if they can freeze the water in a closed environment to trap the evaporation. Going back to my idea for synthetic corn snow...

 

[cantunamunch]

Anyone know what percentage of water is lost to evaporation? A snow gun generating an endless cloud reminds me of my neighbors who water their lawns in summer mid day by spraying a fine mist up into the air.

But evap loss is good in this instance because it cools the rest.

If the lost is substantial, I wonder if they can freeze the water in a closed environment to trap the evaporation.

TechnoAlpin already have a system to do that - the Snow Factory:

Mt. Van Hoevenberg’s Snow Factory a ‘Game Changer’ – FasterSkier.com

fasterskier.com

 

[Joshua S]

ReNewSnow recently completed the installation of their prototype at Saddleback.

As this melt-cycle finishes, the ReNewSnow team is looking forward to performing their first test of their system. I anticipate a preliminary report of their test within the next week or so.

 

[Joshua S]

Following the current melt cycle, ReNewSnow finally got all their electrical connections completed and declare phase one of their system test a success. The photo shows their gun producing snow. How much and for how long are still TBD.

 

[Tony S]

Following the current melt cycle, ReNewSnow finally got all their electrical connections completed and declare phase one of their system test a success. The photo shows their gun producing snow. How much and for how long are still TBD.

I think I saw that yesterday. It's right below the base of the Kennebago, on skier left. Correct?

 

[Joshua S]

I think I saw that yesterday. It's right below the base of the Kennebago, on skier left. Correct?

I haven't actually been there, but if that's Green Weaver, you probably did see it.