About Facility
The Xcel Energy Center Ice Arena, located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, stands as a premier venue for ice sports and entertainment in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Established in 2000, the arena has garnered acclaim for its state-of-the-art facilities and world-class events, becoming a cornerstone of Minnesota’s sports culture.
As the home of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, the Xcel Energy Center Ice Arena hosts thrilling hockey games that draw fans from across the region. Its NHL-standard ice surface provides the perfect stage for intense matchups and memorable moments on the ice.
Beyond hockey, the arena showcases a diverse array of events, including concerts, ice shows, and community gatherings. With a seating capacity of over 17,000, the Xcel Energy Center Ice Arena offers an electrifying atmosphere for spectators to enjoy a wide range of entertainment experiences.
With its central location in downtown Saint Paul and its commitment to excellence in sports and entertainment, the Xcel Energy Center Ice Arena remains a beloved institution in Minnesota, enriching the lives of fans and visitors alike with unforgettable experiences on and off the ice.
“I CAN’T HEAR WHAT JEREMY SAYS BECAUSE I HAVE MY TWO STANLEY CUP RINGS PLUGGED IN MY EAR.”
Patrick Roy- 1996 Stanley Cup Playoff
Scope of Work
This project is currently under construction. The Xcel Energy Center opened in 2000 is the home of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. The existing R-22 based refrigeration system was reaching its life expectancy and the Owner wanted a high performing, long lasting replacement solution. The other major improvement needed for this facility was improvements to the Dehumidifier on system to allow the ice system to be extended without renting temporary dehumidifiers on units.
The B32 Engineering Group, Inc team completed an in-depth Refrigeration and HVAC System Replacement Study for the Xcel Energy Center in February, 2022. The study evaluated several options for replacing the refrigeration system including ammonia, CO2 and synthetic refrigerant based systems. Another, considering the advantages and disadvantages of each option in depth, it was determined that an industrial grade ammonia based refrigeration system would provide the most efficient, long lasting system for this facility.
The Xcel Energy Center personnel were already familiar with the ammonia based system which was installed in the TRIA Rink (Minnesota Wild practice facility) a few years ago. The B32 team worked closely with the City of St. Paul and the Owner’s architect to address all code concerns with the existing refrigeration in the room.
The study also included several options for improving the dehumidifier on in the facility including using the existing chilled water system and upgrade it with desiccant based dehumidifier on units and upgrading the dehumidifier on systems by lowering the temperature of the existing chilled water system and decoupling it form the District Energy chilled water system. The first option was selected to provide the best overall performance of the system. This option also included upgrades to eight existing air handling units and four new desiccant dehumidifiers on units.
This project was bid during the COVID pandemic adding additional challenges with schedule and budget. The B32 team worked with the Owner to achieve a budget and schedule that met the Owner’s needs and the busy schedule of the facility.
