Advancing energy efficiency and sustainability in supermarkets: A comprehensive analysis of integrated technologies and their impact on energy consumption
Sotirios Thanasoulas, Marco Molinari
Abstract
This study presents a detailed analysis of energy consumption in supermarkets, combining field measurement and parametric analysis to optimize efficiency using theoretical modelling. Using a 6780 m² supermarket near Stockholm as a case study, advanced technologies were integrated, including CO2 refrigeration cycle with heat recovery, ground boreholes as thermal storage , LED lighting, PV panels , and optimized ventilation. Energy data were collected through sub-metering, synchronized with temperature and pressure measurements of the refrigeration cycle, and analysed to validate EnergyPlus/Python simulations. Simulations used for evaluating refrigeration demands, HVAC loads, and overall energy consumption. Results show a 60 % reduction in energy use intensity comparing to a basic-reference supermarket, achieving 140 kWh/m² annually. Key findings include a 17 % reduction in electricity use with LED lighting, a 55 % decrease in medium-temperature (MT) cabinets’ refrigeration demand and a 64 % drop in space heating demand due by adding doors in the MT cabinets. Integrating heat recovery into the CO2 refrigeration system reduces energy consumption by an additional 7 %. Thermal storage further improved system efficiency by optimizing subcooling, while photovoltaic panels reduce grid dependency by 29 %. These results demonstrate the potential of modern technologies to improve energy performance and sustainability in the retail sector, offering actionable insights for designers and policymakers.