Estimating the impact of climate change and local operational procedures on the energy use in several supermarkets throughout Great Britain

M.R Braun,S.B.M Beck,P Walton,M Mayfield

doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.11.038

M.R Braun, S.B.M Beck + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.11.038

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Abstract

Possible changes in gas and electricity consumption in supermarkets throughout Great Britain have been investigated for the 2030s in order to assist decision makers with choices relating to energy use. In addition to this, two operational procedures, which vary between supermarkets, were investigated to see if a link between them and differences in energy consumption could be established. To achieve these aims, seven similar supermarkets were identified and their data analysed to derive their energy signatures through simple and change point regression analysis. These models were then combined with data from climate change prediction project UKCP09 for different probabilities (10%, 50% and 90%) of temperature increase in order to calculate changes in future energy use. In addition it was investigated if a linear regression model between the selected operational procedures and electricity use could be established.The results showed that, compared with the base period 1961–1990, the mean values of the annual average temperature for these seven supermarkets was predicted to rise by 2.0°C or 20% for the central estimate. This led to an estimate of an increase in average electricity consumption of 2% and an average drop in the gas usage of 10%. The result also showed that differences in operational practices seem to have little impact on the in-store energy use. Differences in gas use models between stores can be more credibly explained by the building volume.

Highlights

The main purpose of a supermarket is the sale of goods and services from suppliers to end users for their personal use [1]
Tassou et al [2] reported that UK supermarkets and similar organisations are responsible for 1% of the total UK greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions
To remedy the deficiency shown above this study primarily aims at exploring the change in supermarket energy use owing to climate change at various locations in the UK

Summary

Introduction

The main purpose of a supermarket is the sale of goods and services from suppliers to end users for their personal use [1] While engaging in this activity a supermarket interacts with other organisations, the natural environment and the community it is located in. One example of this interaction is the use of energy supplied by utility companies; the UK sector that supermarkets belong to accounting for approximately 3% of total electricity use [2]. Through this energy usage and other emissions, supermarkets have an impact on the environment, e.g., the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). The bilateral interaction with the community includes employing people, and their staff influencing how the supermarket is operated, having an impact on its energy consumption

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