Refrigerant regulations are another reason why change is coming, as HCFCs will be phased out by 2020, and given their high global warming potential (GWP), HFCs will likely be phased down in the near future as well. At some point, supermarkets will need to start considering low GWP alternatives such as HFO blends, as well as so-called “future-proof” refrigerants such as ammonia, CO2, or propane.
A number of disruptors in the retail market and an active regulatory environment present obstacles for HVAC and refrigeration systems’ designers in foodservice operations, supermarkets, and cold storage facilities.
Emerson has created a cold chain organization focused on supporting temperature-sensitive and asset optimization solutions wherever commercial goods are moved, stored, or sold. According to Emerson, the organization will offer customers a total-channel approach to protect foods and other critical cargo at every step along the cold chain — from grower and processor to distributor and retailer.
Giant Eagle was recognized as the supermarket retail chain with the lowest corporate-wide refrigerant rate in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) 2017 GreenChill Partnership Annual Achievements. The Port Townsend Food Co-op was recognized for having the lowest emissions rate among small/independent grocers.
In supermarkets, humidity not only impacts energy savings and customer comfort, but it also can have a major effect on the performance of a store’s refrigeration equipment.
Axiom Energy has been honored with a Gold Stevie® Award for Energy Innovation in the 15th annual American Business Awards. The award recognized Axiom for its Refrigeration Battery, one of which is operating at a Whole Foods Market in Los Altos, California. According to Axiom Energy, other Refrigeration Batteries are scheduled for installation at a Walmart store in San Diego and planned for utilization by Con Edison in its Brooklyn and Queens New York territories.
The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) has released its latest benchmarking snapshot, “Commercial Refrigeration.” The snapshot which utilizes information from the latest PRSM Benchmarking Report, “Energy Benchmarking Initiative Study,” the 2016 IBISWorld report, “Walk-in Refrigerator in the U.S. – Procurement Report,” and the new U.S. Department of Energy Updated Rule to Energy Policy Act.
Refrigeration contractors don’t get many opportunities to “slam dunk,” but when it comes to energy savings opportunities for their supermarket clients, they can soar like NBA all-stars.
The Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI’s) 2016 Energy & Store Development Conference attracted more than 600 attendees and 105 suppliers and featured educational sessions on refrigeration, energy, and store development along with networking opportunities and a manufacturer/retailer exchange.