Lack of knowledge is one of the largest obstacles to selecting best-available refrigeration and heating technology, find suppliers and optimise the building of new and the refurbishment of existing stores.
SuperSmart have developed new training material for food retailers and technology suppliers, to raise the expertise level of all involved in delivering and deciding about HVAC&R technology. The project has given free training sessions to supermarket owners and chains, manufacturers, installers and consultants all across Europe.
The background material for the dissemination and training events have been based on SOTA technology and a survey on mapping non-technical barriers. The scope of the survey was identifying attitudes towards energy efficiency, obstacles to the adoption of state-of-the-art technology, approaches to existing regulatory instruments (F-gas Regulation and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive(EPBD). EPBD is one of EU's main legislative instruments promoting the improvement of the energy performance of buildings within the EU and providing a stable environment for investment decisions to be taken) and feelings towards a future EU Ecolabel. The results show an increase in the perceived obstacle in each barrier when moving from North to South. The legislative barrier is considered the most difficult to remove, together with the social one, although they are not classified as the most impeding ones. Awareness and knowledge barriers are evaluated as the easiest to remove. The social barrier is considered the one that, once removed, could have the highest positive impact; the second most positive impact would be obtained by removing organisational and awareness barriers. Financial incentives are suggested as a possibility to promote energy efficiency in the food retail sector and initial cost as a barrier. The lack of awareness of financial support to implement energy efficiency measures seems to be the most important awareness barrier, especially in South-West Europe.
The EU Ecolabel is Europe's leading voluntary label promoting environmental excellence which can be trusted. It helps identify products, services and facilities that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle. The criteria have been developed and agreed upon by scientists, Non-Governmental Organizations and stakeholders to create a credible and reliable way to make environmentally responsible choices. Draft criteria for a new "EU Ecolabel for Food Retail Storesas has been prepared. Food retailers, as well as technology providers can benefit from the recognition effect the EU Ecolabel has, highlighting their environmental credentials while saving energy, money and other resources. A preliminary report providing background information needed for the development of a new EU Ecolabel for food retail stores have been performed. In detail, it investigates the market, technical, operational, and sustainability aspects of food retail stores, with the aim to develop a robust evidence base and prioritise key environmental and social issues. The technical report describes inter alia, the product scope and definition; a technical and environmental analysis in addition to describing an improvement potential areas.
The impact of SuperSmart is reflected by the intensive publication, dissemination and training activities obtained over the course of the project life-time by utilising the competence held by the SuperSmart partners. The R&D partners are in the forefront of the research area and highly compatible for teaching of cutting edge HFC free HVAC&R solutions for the supermarket sector. In addition, shecco and IIR are leading in marketing of climate friendly technology for the industry, also SuperSmart partners.
In total more than 300 publications in magazines, journal papers and press releases regarding energy efficient and environmentally friendly technical solutions and maintenance management for the supermarket sector has been developed, in addition to 135 dissemination activities performed by the SuperSmart partners. The estimated total number of people reach by dissemination and communication activities of SuperSmart is approximately 1.6 million people by the project end. Approximately 750 persons have received dedicated trainings, mainly people within the food retail chain, system manufacturers and consulting engineering related to the supermarket sector, and the feedback from the stakeholders state that it gave them new insight for strategic decisions and paving the ground for investment.
SuperSmart have had a positive impact and helped reaching the international 2ᵒC goal in climate change mitigation. During the project duration calculated energy savings are 210 GWh and a cost reduction for the stakeholders of 43 million euro. In the same period 1.274 Mt CO2 is reduced due to SuperSmart.
