Karnot Permafrost P5 Thermal Battery
Low-temperature cooling storage using Plentigrade P5 phase-change material
The Karnot Permafrost P5 delivers highly efficient, low-temperature cooling storage for commercial and industrial applications. Using Plentigrade P5 PCM, it provides on-demand cooling down to −40°C in a compact, modular form factor. Ideal for cold chain logistics, process cooling, and demand-side management of refrigeration loads.
Key Features & Advantages
Engineered for ultra-low-temperature performance and operational flexibility — the Permafrost P5 delivers powerful cooling storage with exceptional efficiency.
Low Temp Operation (−40°C)
Charges at temperatures as low as −40°C, enabling deep-cold storage for demanding refrigeration and process cooling applications.
High-Performance Circuits
Features two independent hydronic circuits (High Power and Low Power) that can be configured to suit any cooling application and load requirement.
Rapid Response (50 L/min)
High flow rates of up to 50 L/min on the HP circuit allow the battery to respond rapidly to peak cooling demands and recharge quickly.
Exceptional Efficiency
Industry-leading standby energy loss of just 0.91 kWh per 24 hours ensures stored cooling energy is retained for when it is needed most.
Technical Specifications
Comprehensive specifications for system design and installation planning.
Performance & Capacity
| Nominal Storage Capacity | 38 kWh129.7 kBTU |
| Standby Stored Energy Loss Rate | 0.91 kWh / 24h3.1 kBTU / 24h |
| Design Discharge Outlet Temperature | 6°C42.8°F |
| Charging Source Temperature | −40°C to 3°C−40°F to 37.4°F |
Operational & Physical
| Max Flow Rate (High Power Circuit) | 50 L/min13.2 gal/min |
| Max Flow Rate (Low Power Circuit) | 40 L/min10.6 gal/min |
| Maximum Working Pressure | 1.6 MPa (16 bar) |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 1200 × 1000 × 1470 mm47″ × 39″ × 58″ |
| Weight | 1,152 kg2,540 lbs |
Additional Advantages
Beyond core performance, the Permafrost P5 delivers system-wide benefits that transform how you manage cooling energy.
System Benefits
- Decouples cooling generation from cooling demand for maximum operational flexibility
- Enables demand side management and shifts cooling loads to cheaper off-peak electricity tariffs
- Modular and scalable — thermal batteries can be connected in series or in parallel to increase cooling storage capacity
- Reduces peak electrical demand by storing cooling energy during low-demand periods
- Integrates with existing chillers, heat pumps, and HVAC&R equipment
- Supports cold chain resilience with stored cooling reserve for backup during power interruptions
Lower Costs
A Karnot Permafrost P5 thermal battery is clean and fast to install. Running costs are low because the exceptional 0.91 kWh/day standby loss minimises energy waste, and mandatory annual maintenance and inspections are not required.
Note: As an innovative company committed to continuous improvement, our products are subject to change without prior notice. Always refer to the latest version of this document.
Ready to Optimise Your Cooling Storage?
Contact our technical team for system design assistance and detailed project specifications.
Contact SalesFrequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions most commonly raised by engineers and facility managers evaluating the Permafrost P5 low-temperature cooling battery for cold chain and frozen storage applications.
What is the Karnot Permafrost P5?
The Permafrost P5 is a low-temperature phase change material (PCM) cooling battery with 38 kWh nominal storage capacity. It stores cooling energy: charged at -40°C to 3°C and discharging at 6°C through two independent hydronic circuits. Footprint is 1200×1000×1470 mm and weight is 1,152 kg.
What cold-chain applications use 6°C discharge?
The P5 is suited to refrigerated and lightly frozen applications: meat and dairy chilling, ice cream pre-cooling stages, fresh fish handling, pharmaceutical cold rooms, vaccine storage backup, supermarket walk-in chillers, and pre-cooling for blast freezers. The wide charging range (down to -40°C) also lets it bank ice/glycol cooling for later dispatch.
How does the Permafrost P5 pair with Karnot iCOOL CO2 refrigeration?
An iCOOL CO2 system charges the P5 during off-peak tariff windows or daytime solar generation. The stored cooling is then discharged at 6°C during peak demand or after dark. This load-shifts cooling away from peak tariff hours and trims demand-charge spikes — on Philippine commercial bills, demand-charge management is often a larger win than the kWh saving.
Why use a thermal cooling battery instead of a lithium battery for refrigeration?
For sites whose load is cooling (cold storage, food processing, ice plants, supermarkets), storing cold directly is typically 5–10× cheaper per kWh than storing electricity in lithium and using it to run the compressor on demand. There are no rare earths, no fire risk, no chemistry that degrades, and no thermal runaway.
What is the difference between Permafrost P5 and P11?
Both are PCM cooling batteries in the same physical cabinet. The P5 dispatches at 6°C and is suited to refrigerated cold-chain. The P11 dispatches at 12°C and is suited to commercial HVAC chilled water (offices, hotels, malls). The P5 also accepts a wider charging range, including sub-zero charging for frozen applications.
Can multiple Permafrost P5 units be cascaded?
Yes. The P5 is modular and scalable. Multiple units can be connected in series or in parallel to extend total cooling storage capacity. This allows the system to be sized to actual load profile and expanded later as demand grows.
Is the Permafrost P5 suitable for tropical Philippine conditions?
Yes. The PCM medium is non-flammable and unaffected by high ambient. The cabinet is rated to 1.6 MPa (16 bar) working pressure and standby loss is only 0.91 kWh per 24 hours. The P5 is suited to cold storage warehouses, food processing plants, supermarkets, and hospital cold rooms across Luzon and Visayas.