Reducing stores’ environmental impact
Reducing stores’ environmental impact
Sobeys West
Sobeys West is testing a system that automatically reduces power consumption while maintaining predetermined light levels. This system can reduce lighting energy consumption by up to 25%. The results of the test are now being assessed.
The MR 16 lamps traditionally used in the fresh departments have been replaced with brighter, more energy efficient, high-intensity discharge (HID) fixtures at 52 stores in Alberta. This has reduced related energy demand by approximately 50% and carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by approximately 60 metric tonnes per store per year. The fixture’s long life also reduces replacement and related maintenance costs.
The region also has an energy management program in 42 new stores that combines refrigeration monitoring and optimization to ensure equipment is operated efficiently. This maximizes refrigeration and energy savings while improving the ability to preserve the quality of perishable products. The program specifies refrigeration system set points and temperatures, calibrates the refrigeration equipment, sets automatic on/off lighting control, and specifies the HVAC’s system temperature and dehumidification set-points.
This program reduces refrigeration system operating costs, enables verification that equipment is working within allowable limits throughout its life, provides for remote monitoring and, if settings are altered, enables remote system resetting to optimum settings.
Sobeys West Energy Management Program monitors and optimizes refrigeration equipment to ensure it is operated efficiently to maximize energy savings.
