Each innovation focuses on reducing operating costs, enhancing food safety, and minimizing food loss. According to Danfoss, the installations and technologies used in the supermarket are the most energy-efficient solutions currently available. Moreover, they are flexible and scalable – from small convenience stores to large hypermarkets.
- Excess heat from refrigeration is repurposed, slashing heating costs by up to 90%: The supermarket employs innovative methods to reduce its environmental footprint and maximize energy efficiency. A heat recovery unit captures excess heat from refrigeration units and uses it to heat the entire store and the surrounding community via the district heating network. This not only promotes efficient resource utilization but also leads to significant heating cost savings.
- Sustainable cooling: The supermarket exclusively relies on the natural refrigerant CO2, which has a global warming potential approximately 4,000 times lower than conventional hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants (HFCs).
- Solar energy as the primary power source: The supermarket's roof boasts 100 kW solar panels, supplying green energy to support store operations.
- Energy-efficient storage and flexible energy consumption adjustments for optimal cost-effective tariff utilization: The supermarket's cooling system functions as a thermal battery, effectively storing cooling capacity in the store's freezers during periods of cheap energy or solar-generated power. During costly peak periods, the compressors are temporarily deactivated to minimize energy expenses and are reactivated only when peak demand subsides.
- Intelligent control of refrigerated display cases delivers 8-12% energy consumption savings at the system level: Precise cooling capacity adjustments based on current demand are crucial for maximizing cooling efficiency. Excessive cooling not only results in unnecessary energy consumption but also poses the risk of system damage, while insufficient refrigeration can lead to food spoilage.
- Integrated solutions for supermarket refrigeration, heating, air conditioning, and ventilation: Many retailers employ separate heating, hot water, and refrigeration systems, with excess heat released into the atmosphere. Treating these facilities as an integrated solution can not only reduce the store's carbon footprint but also effectively lower installation and operating costs.
- Installation of doors on refrigerators and freezers reduces energy consumption by one-third: Simply adding doors to refrigerated display cabinets can cut electricity bills by an impressive 32%.
- Use of LED lighting: LED lamps, with power consumption up to 85% lower than incandescent bulbs, not only offer an energy-efficient lighting option but also help preserve food quality, especially for items like fruits, vegetables, fresh meat, and fish. Additionally, LED lamps emit no heat, UVA, or infrared rays.
- Building and energy certifications: The store's distinctive 360-degree circular design and planted pergola set it apart from conventional rectangular supermarket concepts. Rainwater collection and solar energy use further emphasize the strong sustainability focus throughout the design.
Jürgen Fischer emphasizes that the Smart Store supermarket is just the beginning. "Because the new Smart Store supermarket will also serve as an Application Development Center (ADC), a 'living' test site for new technologies that will hopefully inspire grocers around the world to move towards zero-emission supermarkets – and do so in a commercially viable way."
Danfoss plans to share the initial results of its innovation center in Q3-Q4 2024. The Danish company will also provide updates on its latest technologies at EuroShop 2026. For those eager to learn more about the technologies used, Danfoss provides a webinar series offering a comprehensive look at the technology behind the Smart Store.
