Perfect Ice Conditions for Olympic Performance

Danfoss delivered integrated, efficient refrigeration for the Cortina bobsleigh track

Courtesy of Danfoss

**AMMONIA SOLUTION:** Danfoss provided a pre-engineered ammonia refrigeration system for the Cortina Olympic bobsleigh track.

When the new bobsleigh and skeleton track in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, was built for the Olympic Winter Games Milano–Cortina 2026, consistent ice quality, high energy efficiency, and safe operation were non-negotiable requirements.

To meet these demands, an advanced ammonia-based refrigeration system was designed to produce chilled glycol distributed along the track. The plant concept was developed in collaboration with the Italian engineering firm Energytech and installed by Longofrigo, an Italian company with decades of experience in winter sports refrigeration.

Danfoss contributed with a fully integrated refrigeration solution and application expertise to help ensure reliable, Olympic-level performance.

Stable Cooling

The Olympic track required a highly efficient refrigeration system capable of maintaining precise and uniform ice temperatures along a long and technically complex course. Energytech needed a solution that could:

Maintain consistent ice quality for safe and fair competition;
Prevent efficiency losses caused by non-condensable gas accumulation;
Minimize downtime and manual maintenance;
Ensure operator safety by reducing ammonia odor and leak risks; and
Integrate seamlessly with control and monitoring systems.

Reliable, automated operation was critical to meet strict environmental, safety, and performance standards.

Danfoss delivered a complete, pre-engineered solution designed specifically for large-scale ammonia systems — supporting the project from design through commissioning. The solution provides:

Higher system efficiency and optimized energy performance;
Stable cooling capacity and uniform ice conditions;
Improved safety through reduced ammonia presence in machinery rooms;
Automated operation with minimal manual intervention; and
Seamless integration with plant control systems.

A central element of the installation is the IPS 8 purging system, which automatically removes non-condensable gases from the refrigeration circuit. Continuous removal of these gases is essential to maintaining high efficiency and stable cooling capacity.

In addition, a comprehensive portfolio of valves, sensors, safety components, and variable-speed controls ensures precise regulation and dependable operation under demanding conditions.

“What set Danfoss apart was its ability to combine automated purging technology, advanced control components, and deep expertise in natural refrigerant (NH₃) applications into one integrated package. This ensured regulatory compliance, long-term reliability, and optimized system performance,” said Manuel Pallua, project manager at Energytech.

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World-Class System

The refrigeration system now delivers the stability, efficiency, and safety required for world-class competition. Key benefits include:

Stable and uniform ice quality across the entire track;
Optimized system efficiency through continuous gas removal;
Increased operational safety and improved working conditions;
Reduced maintenance thanks to automated purge operation; and
Reliable performance designed for continuous high-demand operation.

The customer expressed high satisfaction with the solution’s ease of installation and dependable performance. “The Danfoss IPS 8 system was easy to install and provides a flexible solution that can be reused for future installations,” says Francesco Longo, head of purchasing at Longofrigo.

The collaboration between Longofrigo, Energytech, and Danfoss demonstrates how integrated technology, application expertise, and strong engineering partnerships can deliver safe, efficient, and high-performance refrigeration — even on the global stage.