E Hammond

Carbon reduction opportunities for supermarkets

Refrigeration is the largest load in a supermarket, accounting for 50-60% of the electricity consumption. Supermarket refrigeration systems also generate greenhouse gas emissions directly through refrigerant leakage. Technologies that can save direct and indirect emissions in a typical baseline UK supermarket were examined and the application timescales and cost per tonne of CO2abated were calculated using a model of the supermarket. Using the model, the technologies that could save the most carbon were identified. The work examined 81 different technologies and their potential to save direct and indirect emissions in supermarkets. Results from the work have shown that most technologies either save CO2eemissions from reduction in energy or from reduction in refrigerant leakage only a few technologies demonstrated savings from both.

Application of short air curtains in retail display refrigerators

In Europe, Ecodesign and Energy Labelling regulations for refrigerated retail display cabinets will come into force in January 2017 and manufacturers are seeking new technologies to maximise the efficiency of their products. Conventional multi deck cabinets have a single column of cold air from the top to the bottom of the merchandising envelope. The colder, denser air causes a stack effect and pressure builds at the base of air curtain causing cold air spillage from the cabinet and compromising temperature stability and energy efficiency. By contrast, with short air curtains the merchandising envelope can be divided into separate cells between shelves. The smaller cells have a shorter air column and independent management of air movement. The net result is a substantial reduction in cold air spillage from the case and improved temperature stability. This paper presents a technical and performance comparison between short air curtain technology and conventional cabinets.