Abstract
SuperSmart is an European Union (EU) project aiming at speeding up the uptake of energy-efficient refrigeration, heating and cooling solutions for Europe's food retail sector, reducing its energy use, lowering its environmental footprint and increasing its economic benefits. The project pursues the removal of non-technological barriers to efficient heating & cooling in the European food retail sector and supports the introduction of a new EU Ecolabel for food retail stores.Non-technological barriers have been mapped and categorized by preliminary interviewing food retail sector stakeholders. While highlighting a general positive attitude towards energy efficiency of the sector stakeholders, the results of the survey reveal the need for specific actions focused on improving the knowledge level of technical staff, from the planning and design stage down to servicing and maintenance. Raising awareness about available technology and financial support is also required. In general terms, barriers are always perceived as stronger when moving North to South, and West to East in Europe, thus emphasizing the need for homogenization of virtuous practices and attitudes throughout Europe.
Highlights
Food retail stores play a key role in people’s daily life, having a significant relevance in the cold food chain
A survey was submitted to stakeholders within the European food retail sector, focusing on groups that are related to energy systems (HVAC&R)
The survey aimed at identifying their attitudes towards energy efficiency, obstacles to the adoption of state-ofthe-art technology, problems with the European regulations and feelings towards a future European Union (EU) Ecolabel
Summary
Food retail stores play a key role in people’s daily life, having a significant relevance in the cold food chain. The number of grocery stores with a size ranging from about 400 m2 to 2500 m2, generically called supermarkets, has been increasing over the past decades across Europe mainly due to urbanization, to the emerging middle class and to the globalization of markets. Changes in household composition, ageing population, interest in new health issues and environmental awareness have had an impact on the grocery retail market in Europe. The economic crisis, starting in 2008, has set new priorities such as lower price product availability (EY, Arcadia International, 2014). S. Minetto et al / International Journal of Refrigeration 86 (2018) 422–434
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