A visit to a supermarket is actually a very revealing insight into how China has been focusing on energy efficiency over the past few years. In a Carrefour ’hypermarket’ in Shanghai, China – a big one of more than 10,000m² – you will find an area with Danfoss controlled freezers and refrigeration counters.
Harry Chen, who is responsible for the Carrefour chain’s mechanical and electrical equipment, explains that, just like other retailers, Carrefour was directed in 2006 to save 15% on its electricity bill in line with the objectives of China’s 11th five-year plan. Since then, the supermarket chain, having 182 stores in China, has partnered up with Danfoss. The 15% target was reached in 2008 using a locally adapted ADAP-KOOL system, which was paid back in less than two years. Subsequently, a 20% reduction has been made, and Harry Chen is all set to cut more from the power bill in future.
A more advanced refrigeration system from Danfoss is currently being tested in five selected businesses. Later, electronic expansion valves might follow.
”Danfoss is a well-known supplier of energy-efficient products, and I hope that Danfoss will come up with more ideas for saving energy,” Harry Chen says.
Focus on transportation to avoid large food losses
While the Chinese government has put great focus on energy savings in cold-storage rooms and supermarkets, this is not the case with the transportation of the food. Unlike the refrigeration chain in the Western world, which covers all foods, by far the majority of foods in China are still not cooled during transport – despite the progress that has already been achieved. This results in large losses: 12% of meat perishes, the same goes for 15% of fish and shellfish, and the annual loss of fruit and vegetables amounts to an astronomical figure of approximately 109m EUR.
The government’s response to this is a sharpened focus on the whole of the refrigeration chain: for example, the number of cooling storage trucks will be doubled along with cooling storage capacity.
”Once the plan is introduced, we think there will increasingly be a growing focus on saving energy,” says Zhang Anning, Sales Director of Food Chain in Danfoss China.
About Carrefour:
There are a total of 1,000 hypermarkets in China – twice the number in Spain – of which 182 are Carrefour, and the French chain will this year alone open an additional 25.
Picture to the right:
Harry Chen, responsible for Carrefour’s mechanical and electrical equipment, is satisfied with the energy savings which have been achieved and is ready to cut more.