Radiative Cooling Material “SPACECOOL” Adopted by HOKKAIDO GAS for Outdoor Monitoring Panels. -Enhancing Supply Stability by Mitigating Summer Heat-Related Equipment Failures-
SPACECOOL INC. is pleased to announce that its radiative cooling material, SPACECOOL, has been adopted for outdoor remote monitoring and control panels used in gas supply facilities owned by HOKKAIDO GAS CO., LTD.
To ensure the safe and stable delivery of gas to customers, it is essential for gas suppliers to control gas pressure and operate valves at supply facilities. These operations are typically carried out remotely. These monitoring and control panels are typically installed outdoors. Direct sunlight in summer raises internal temperatures, which can trigger alerts or cause failures.
Comment from Hiroki Taketaka, Senior Staff, Supply and Safety Department, Gas Supply and Disaster Prevention Center, HOKKAIDO GAS CO., LTD.
The remote monitoring and control panels we have decided to adopt are essential for ensuring the safe and stable supply of gas to our customers.
In recent years, the number of days with summer-like or extremely hot temperatures has been increasing in Hokkaido. Especially for outdoor monitoring panels, high-temperature alerts have become more frequent, and the risk of electronic component failures has risen, making urgent countermeasures necessary. Electronic devices are generally vulnerable to heat, and batteries in particular may experience a lifespan reduction of up to 50%.
With the aim of improving equipment conditions while minimizing environmental impact, we came across SPACECOOL during our investigation into countermeasures and proceeded with a field test⁽*¹⁾. The results showed a temperature reduction of up to approximately 14°C. After comparing the cost-effectiveness and ease of installation of this product with other options—such as retrofitting sunshades, applying heat-shield coatings, or relocating panels—we decided to move forward with its adoption. With an extremely hot summer expected this year, we look forward to the performance of our outdoor control panels equipped with SPACECOOL.
| (*1) | A field test was conducted using three types of control panels: one with SPACECOOL installed, one without it, and one coated with thermal insulation paint. The panel with SPACECOOL showed an internal temperature reduction of up to 14°C compared to the others during daytime hours. The test confirmed that the cooling effect increases with longer sunlight exposure and higher ambient temperatures. Weather: Clear Ambient temperature: approx. 27°C Inside panel with SPACECOOL: approx. 24°C Inside panel with thermal insulation paint: approx. 38°C |
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