Danfoss Smart Store ADC demonstrates the journey towards a net-zero supermarket

A unique supermarket

On June 29th the COOP 365 Smart Store opens for the public for the first time. In the Danfoss Smart Store the cooling and heating technologies are in operation 24/7. It’s not a laboratory simulating real-life operation. Customers open cabinet doors hundreds of times a day and every time it puts demand on the cooling and heating of the supermarket. The Danfoss Smart Store demonstrates our available solutions in action.

BALS, Brugsforeningen for Als and Sundeved, Denmark’s largest independent supermarket association, will rent the building from Danfoss and will install a COOP 365discount supermarket. BALS, which works together with COOP, has a total of 13 stores in the area around Sønderborg in Denmark and since 2015 has consistently reduced the consumption of energy in its stores. So far, they have cut 44 percent of their total CO2 emissions. Therefore, it was a natural next step that BALS became a partner in the project.

Lars G. Andersen, managing Director of BALS, says:

“We already have a lot of experience, but the energy price spikes have put further pressure on the need for change. Our 13 supermarkets have been modernized, and we have nearly no cost for heating in the stores because the heat comes from our freon-free refrigeration systems, solar cells, and heat pumps. It is an advantage with the current energy prices, and it reduces our CO2 emissions. We are proud to be part of one of the most energy-efficient supermarkets in the world and test the solutions that can help buildings become climate neutral.”

Scalable technologies

The installations and technologies in the supermarket are scalable. They can be applied in the smallest store up to the biggest hypermarket.

The supermarket cooling (refrigeration and comfort cooling) systems run exclusively on natural refrigerants (CO₂). CO₂-based refrigerants do not deplete the ozone layer and have the lowest possible Global Warming Potential (GWP) score. In addition, CO₂ refrigerants outperform traditional HFC-systems when it comes to energy efficiency in different weather conditions.

The supermarket is equipped with a heat recovery unit capturing excess heat from the cooling systems to provide space heating for the entire store as well as the surrounding community through the district heating network. The heat recovery unit, can by re-using the excess heat from the cooling system, reduce the external heat requirement with up to 89,7%. Furthermore, the energy pack can supply additional heating and cooling when needed.

Smart energy systems applied

100 KW solar panels on the roof help to optimize store operations. On sunny days, solar energy can be accumulated in the freezers. Turning the temperature in the freezers further down from e.g., -18 to -25 help accumulate solar energy ( while reducing battery storage). When the solar panels are less efficient due to no sun the temperature rises back to normal settings.

Co-developing with customers

The supermarket has two separate refrigeration systems installed that run independently of each other. Therefore, operations of a supermarket continue while Danfoss co-develops new solutions with customers. And when future applications are being tested, the cooling cabinets and freezers stay cool.

The final certifications can only be obtained after six months of operations.

The Smart Store provides inspiration for building DGBN / LEED certified supermarkets showcasing that it does not require a lot of extra resources to ensure that the building is healthy, future proof, and positively impacting the surrounding community.

Biodiversity

In order to positively impact the local biodiversity several initiatives have been taken. Very visible mega pergola surrounding the building which will be watered by use of collected rain- and surface-water. Also, different native grasses as well as a ‘green roof’ will be planted to create a micro-environment for biodiversity.