EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS |
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN |
|||
|
insulation performance. And many facilities don’ t routinely check for thermal leaks,” Weghorst said.
He added that specifying the right panel systems up front, including closed-cell solutions and proper installation standards, is essential to reduce moisture intrusion and energy loss over time.
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AS AN ENERGY STRATEGY
Van Ekris shifted the focus to warehouse management systems( WMS), illustrating how task optimisation reduces energy use and improves throughput.“ By reconfiguring warehouse activity to reduce door openings and consolidate movement, one of our clients increased throughput by 50 – 60 % without additional labour, while also lowering energy costs.”
CASE STUDIES WITH REAL- WORLD IMPACT
Thermal load shifting: Van der Merwe shared a successful project where refrigeration setpoints were adjusted based on tariff schedules and load shedding risk. Freezers were used as thermal batteries to shift energy use to off-peak periods, reducing cost while maintaining cold chain integrity.
Panel retrofit: Doyle described a retrofit project that replaced outdated EPS ceiling panels with high-performance modern insulation.“ Just by replacing those waterlogged panels, the facility gained a 15 % efficiency improvement,” he noted.
|
Biggest mistakes? Overengineering and inflexibility, the panel agreed. Asked what frustrates them most in energy management, panellists cited:
• Overdesigning for worst-case loads, leading to oversized and inefficient systems( Van der Merwe)
• Legacy infrastructure that lacks flexibility, making adaptation difficult without major cost( Doyle)
• Failure to repair or monitor insulation damage – a‘ silent killer’ of energy efficiency( Weghorst)
The panel.
The panel emphasised the importance of scenario planning, accurate load profiling, and open client engagement to avoid these pitfalls.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR COLD STORAGE OPERATORS
Each panellist left the audience with a final message:
|
• Jan-Cornell van Ekris:“ Balance labour and energy costs and invest in systems that allow for optimisation over time.”
• Petrie van der Merwe:“ Design is important – but intelligent, ongoing operation is what protects your investment.”
• Richard Doyle:“ The project ends, but the building’ s life begins. Make
|
sure design intent carries through operations.”
• Moderator Shane Brennan concluded:“ Making every degree count isn’ t just a slogan: it’ s a mindset. Across design, maintenance and operations, efficiency must be pursued with strategic intent and practical discipline.” CLA
|