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IRI March 22, 2011 0 Comments

The German-based EHI Retail Institute has published the findings of its “Energy Management in Retailing 2010” survey, which investigates retailers’ engagement in energy-saving measures.

The survey spans the entire retail industry, with the companies participating in the survey totaling sales of some €165 billion, representing about 35% of retail industry sales in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Of the total of the surveyed companies 37% are coming from food retailing, including supermarkets/hypermarkets and self-service discount department stores.

EHI Report

In food retailing, refrigeration is the biggest consumer of electricity, with a share of 44 percent, followed by lighting with 27.6 percent and air conditioning with a share of 7.7 percent.

Hence food retailers are particularly interested in optimising their refrigeration. According to the report, measures with a high degree of implementation that have therefore passed the pilot project stage include:

 

Use of enclosed cooling paths (covers, doors, night rollers, etc.): This is a standard practice for all the surveyed companies when it comes to freezing. In chilling, closed cooling paths, which permit energy savings of up to 30%, are also gaining acceptance, with large chain stores in particular planning widespread use.

 

Use of systems for the recovery of heat: The use of waste heat from refrigeration to heat buildings or water is standard for all the companies in the survey.

 

Use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in refrigeration cabinets: LEDs are finding increasing use, as they emit less heat and reduce the need for cooling, as well as encompass low power consumption.

 

Visit www.ehi.org to purchase a copy of the report.