METRO Energy Management: First transcritical store put into operation in Russia

The cooling system which is put into operation in Aparinki now, combines state-of-the-art and highly efficient cooling technology with METRO's aspiration to minimize its own CO₂ footprint. By 2030, METRO aims to save 50% CO₂ per square meter of selling space worldwide (based on 2011 figures). By the end of the previous fiscal year, METRO had already reduced its own CO₂ emissions by 21%. Improving the energy efficiency of refrigeration systems is an essential part of achieving these goals.

"Today we are one of the most advanced trading companies using this technology in Russia. For us at METRO, the store opening in Aparinki is also an important milestone in our global F-gas exit program," says Olaf Schulze, Director Energy Management METRO AG. "We move forward step by step. More than 170 METRO stores worldwide already use natural refrigerants. This puts us well on track to achieve our company's own climate targets by 2030."

As part of METRO's worldwide F-gas exit program, not only new stores will be raised to the most modern level of cooling technology. Investments are also being made in the cooling units of existing stores. In Russia, for example, the last 5 cooling units operated with the hydro-chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant HCFC are to be replaced by transcritical cooling systems in the coming fiscal year. Another groundbreaking project has been launched at the METRO Store Nuremberg-Buch: METRO Germany is testing glass doors for deep-freeze shelves with special layer materials that make 24/7 glass heating, which avoids wetness and fog on the glass, obsolete. This can save 143 watts or around 600 kg of CO₂ per door and year. The Nuremberg store alone has 80 of these cooling doors.

METRO's F-gas exit program is a challenge for Olaf Schulze's team: "To implement these projects, we have to consider the entire supply chain, the technology, experienced installers and an efficient and safe maintenance and repair process. Our refrigeration systems are the backbone for the sale of food in our stores. We cannot afford to compromise here."