New propane based refrigeration technology, which will be simple to install and service, will be introduced in every new and major refitted branch of Waitrose starting in 2010. The UK food retail company plans to invest in additional training to ensure that the system is rolled out effectively. Update: System details and suppliers of the R290 (propane) chillers and R1270 (propene) based integrated cabinets.

Last week, UK food retailer Waitrose announced it has developed a new R290 refrigeration technology which will reduce its carbon footprint by 20%. “The technology will be introduced in the new Waitrose Altrincham branch in 2010 and in every new and major refitted branch thereafter”, reads the press release. The effective date of initiating the roll-out has been pushed back by a few months, with earlier Waitrose documents stating that the Altrincham branch would be due to open in October 2009.

The announcement comes a few months after Waitrose was ranked 7^th out of 11 major UK food retailers with regards to its efforts to use hydrocarbons and other natural refrigerants in the “Chilling Facts” survey conducted by the Environmental Investigation Agency.

The system design

The system is based on a combination of high efficiency air-cooled chillers supplied by Klima-therm and manufactured by Geoclima that utilise R290 propane and uses water as the condensing medium to supply the Carter Retail Equipment integrated cabinets operating on R1270 propene hydrocarbon-based scroll compressors. It  makes use of split coils to keep the propene charge under 400 g, together with liquid pump amplification and floating head pressure and conventional free cooling below 18˚C.

The system design allows for the harnessing of heat from the integral refrigeration units to deliver warmth into the space between cabinets, in order to offset the in store “cold aisle” effect. This helps boost efficiency and overcomes the need for a separate heating system.


Simple installation and additional training to be offered

According to Waitrose the R290 refrigeration technology will be simple to install and easily serviced by retrained engineers. Waitrose also intends to further invest in additional training to ensure that the system is rolled out quickly and efficiently. Cool Concerns, run by the former president of the Institute of Refrigeration's Jane Gartshore, will provide training for the retailer's new refrigeration system. These attributes will help overcome the lack of technical know-how that has often in the past impeded the quick adoption of other HFC-free refrigeration technologies.

Waitrose’s commitment to reducing emissions from refrigerants

The development and roll-out of the propane based refrigeration technology is part of Waitrose’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the refrigeration used in its stores. To tackle the issue, the company set a target for a 50% reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions resulting from refrigerant losses. Over three years the 50% reduction will be achieved by:

• introducing a leak reduction programme - requiring a considerable industry change - together with  
• the replacement of very high global warming potential refrigerants with new, lower global warming potential refrigerants, where possible in Waitrose’s existing estate.

The commitment will enable Waitrose to meet its wider commitment of reducing carbon dioxide emissions for all UK operations by 10 per cent by 2010, 20 per cent by 2020 and 60 per cent by 2050 relative to its trading pattern in 2001.