Where sustainability works: innovative facility management in METRO stores
12 November 2024
The energy efficiency requirements for buildings, especially commercial properties, are continuously increasing. Regulatory requirements such as the European Union's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) are setting increasingly stringent standards to reduce CO₂ emissions. In view of its ambition to become climate-neutral in its own operations by 2040, METRO is therefore implementing a comprehensive package of measures in its facility management that includes both investments in innovative technologies and sustainable construction concepts.
Important areas of action in the field of technology include measures to increase energy efficiency, the use of natural refrigerants in cooling, the installation of photovoltaic systems and the electrification of the company car fleet. Sustainability also plays a central role in the conversion of existing stores and the construction of new ones. Since 2017, METRO has been implementing the so-called ‘Green Store’ concept for environmentally friendly conversion measures or the ‘Zeus Project’ for sustainable new buildings.
A pioneer in sustainable new buildings is the METRO wholesale store in St. Pölten, Austria, which was the first zero-energy store to be built. During its construction, pioneering changes were made to the construction and technology that enable sustainable and cost-efficient operation. Instead of the typical industrial construction, METRO relies heavily on natural materials such as wood and the use of daylight. Window areas that surround the entire store significantly reduce the need for artificial lighting. At the same time, these windows can be controlled and opened centrally to ensure natural cross-ventilation. This means that the store does not need an energy-intensive ventilation system and fulfils the requirements of a zero-energy building. Another centrepiece of the St. Pölten store is the photovoltaic system on the roof. It generates more energy than the wholesale store consumes over the course of a year. In addition, the waste heat from the refrigeration units is used for heating and hot water, which further reduces energy consumption.
This sustainable construction concept impressively demonstrates that energy-efficient construction does not necessarily mean higher costs. The environmentally friendly technology used in the store means that its operating costs are significantly lower than in conventional buildings. The new stores in Hamburg-Rahlstedt and Düsseldorf on Ulmenstraße will be built according to this concept, showing that climate neutrality in retail is not only possible, but can also be economically viable.
