Cold Link Africa March | April 2024 | Page 17

INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
FEATURE
This isn ’ t the future – it ’ s happening right now . Between them , these five approaches can help retailers cut costs , minimise environmental impact , and find a competitive advantage , while safeguarding food safety .
They ’ re best used in combination , according to Danfoss ; for example , heat recovery is much easier with a
CO 2 system , and smart case controllers maximise the benefit of monitoring online .
Danfoss calls this joined-up approach Smart Store . Food retailers around the world are already using it to improve efficiency , find new opportunities , and meet the sector ’ s current challenges head on .
• Electrification is a challenge … and an opportunity : Bloomberg estimates 57 % of all new cars worldwide will be electric-powered within the next 20 years , and many retailers are already providing charging facilities . But there are also significant opportunities to benefit from energy arbitrage . What this means in practice : as well as infrastructure , retailers need to find ways to prevent expensive shortterm spikes in energy use as vehicles charge . But those who can find flexibility in their energy demand may be able to proactively cut costs .
These five trends influence each other . For example , says Danfoss , the opportunity to reduce energy tariffs by optimising electricity demand is all the more compelling because of the need to find cost savings wherever possible . In the same way , the changing food retail energy landscape needs a coordinated approach . We ’ ve identified five technical strategies which , when combined , will help supermarkets to stay ahead of — and in some cases benefit from — society ’ s emerging demands . 1 . Use smart refrigeration case control to reduce operating costs 2 . Connect to the internet to eliminate food waste and cut service costs 3 . Treat refrigerant selection as a long-term decision 4 . Integrate each store ’ s systems to gain economies of scale 5 . Reduce energy prices by optimising demand
NEW ‘ SMART STORE ’ PAVES THE WAY FOR 21ST CENTURY SUPERMARKETS
A new ‘ smart store ’ will work as Danfoss ’ test centre for energy efficiency technology . It is expected to be approximately 50 % more energy efficient , compared to a typical supermarket with a first-generation CO 2 refrigeration system .
As the world ’ s population continues on its course to reach 10 billion people by 2050 , investments in sustainable food retail and storage are urgently needed to ensure that we are able to feed the growing number of people on the planet . The pressure is growing , both on energy demand and costs , and on the need to cut down on food loss . If food waste was a country , it would be the third largest emitter behind the US and China , contributing to up to 10 % of the world ’ s greenhouse gases .
To address these problems directly , Danfoss has announced the opening of a new , flagship supermarket which is expected to be approximately 50 % more energy efficient compared to a typical supermarket with a first-generation CO 2 refrigeration system and no energy efficiency solutions . It is also expected to be approximately 20 – 30 % more efficient than an equivalent local store already fitted with multiple energy efficiency solutions .
Climate-friendly , super-efficient and loaded with automation solutions , the new smart store is providing inspiration for food retailers in a world of rising energy costs , emissions and worsening food losses .
Commenting on the launch , Jürgen Fischer , president of Danfoss Climate Solutions , said : “ We have developed this
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Traditionally , there has been a psychological barrier associated with installing doors on refrigeration units .

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