Innovative business models for energy retrofitting in supermarkets with the engagement of customers

Abstract

The European Union aims to cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and to be climate neutral by 2050. In order to achieve this goal, it’s fundamental that all actors across all sectors take their part in the transition by triggering investments in renewables and energy efficiency. Supermarkets could play a key role in this process, both for the high energy consumption related to their buildings and for the particular attention they pay to corporate social responsibility, including sustainability. In this context, the Super-Heero project has aimed at providing the supermarkets with innovative tools and models to deploy energy efficiency investments to cut energy consumptions and costs and, at the same time, improving their corporate social image. Moreover, Super-Heero explores new schemes to leverage on energy efficiency projects to engage customers and increase their loyalty through specific reward schemes and dedicated communication campaigns. This paper summarizes the concepts, models and approach developed in the project.