Smart energy use, green solutions in SPAR stores

“Our company pays particular attention to minimizing the harmful environmental effects arising from operations. One of the cornerstones of this is environmental awareness and the wide application of closely related procedures. SPAR Hungary’s energy consumption comes primarily from the use of electricity. The lighting and cooling-heating systems as a result of its modernization, we are constantly reducing the consumption resulting from the use of electricity. Thanks to the company’s energy-saving measures and the modernization of the stores, the total GHG emissions in the network have decreased by 49 percent by 2021 compared to the values ​​of 2017, and during the last 10 years We also reduced the amount of emissions from purchased electricity by 4 percent. Our efforts are confirmed by the fact that in 2020 our company won the title of Green Retailer of the Year thanks to the environmentally conscious corporate management and the introduced sustainability measures audibly.” – said Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.

Greater energy demand, less consumption

Although each supermarket typically adds additional functions during the rebuilding that require higher electricity, thanks to the new technologies used, electricity consumption does not increase, and in many cases it can even decrease by 10-15 percent. The explanation for this lies in the solutions used during construction and the energy saving measures. During one reconstruction, the company replaces the entire store’s fluorescent light fixtures with LED lights, but it also applies this technology if it is not modernizing the entire building, but only its electrical system. When the shops are closed, all lighting fixtures – including the lighting of the sales area – are turned off, only the guard lighting remains. And in the late night and early morning hours – with the exception of frequented places – the lights of the parking lot and advertising lights are turned off.

Heat recovery from cooling systems

Four years ago, in 2018, SPAR Hungary switched to the so-called transcritical CO2 cooling techniques, which are more environmentally friendly than before, more efficient and can be operated economically in the long term. And this year, the first transcritical CO2 cooling technology system based on ejector technology was completed: the domestic chain expects an additional 10 percent savings in the electricity consumption of the cooling technology from this. Heat recovery also results in significant savings. The integrated transcritical CO2 cooling technology system utilizes the heat extracted from the refrigerators and cold rooms for domestic hot water production in most cases, but also for heating the building in certain stores. And in more severe cold, the system heats the building in heat pump mode, while providing comfort cooling in summer. Since the heating/cooling medium is water, there are many additional utilization possibilities: such as fan-coil heating/cooling, floor heating/cooling, air preheating/cooling in air handling units, and the production of domestic hot water. In some stores, the company uses a so-called VRV-based cooling technology system, which intelligently operates technological and comfort heating and cooling. Thanks to the integrated cooling technology system, in addition to a better feeling of comfort inside the building, it also means lower energy consumption. The VRV-based system uses waste heat in the same way and, if necessary, also heats it in heat pump operation, but it does not need to build a water circuit for its operation.

Thermal insulation, replacement of windows and doors

It is also important to insulate the building and replace the windows. SPAR Hungary primarily replaces outdated portals with modern types with good thermal insulation capabilities, and in justified cases performs thermal insulation when replacing roof waterproofing, and also applies facade thermal insulation.

Solar panel, electric car chargers

With every investment, be it a new building or a conversion, the company examines the possibility of using a solar panel system effectively, taking into account the characteristics of the building, to help meet the electrical needs of the given unit. The company is constantly setting up electric car charging stations in its stores with parking lots, and has so far created 168 such points across the country. The following link provides information about SPAR’s available network of electric charging stations: https://www.sparafenntarthatojovoert.hu/e-autotolto