ShareUnited Kingdom: evaporative cooling for Tesco superstores
Tesco has signed a deal with HVAC contractor Cosaf which will see the UK retailer implementing evaporative cooling technology in preference to refrigerant-based air conditioning in its superstores and distribution centres by 2025. Tesco expects to lower the energy usage of its environmental systems by 80% and to reduce significantly its capital, running, and maintenance costs.
Air2O is a packaged system combining both indirect/direct evaporative cooling technologies. During the first indirect stage, outdoor air is passed through the evaporative cooling section, and as the warm air is cooled, so is the water. This cool water is then transferred to a high efficiency heat exchanger (over which the primary outdoor air is passed) to deliver the first stage of cooling with no additional moisture. The air is then further cooled as it passes the second cooling stage.
Developed in California, and refined in the extreme climates of Arizona, the middle east and Australia, Cosaf maintains that Air2O is perfectly suited to thrive in the UK’s moderate climate.
The Air2O system was first trialled by Tesco in its Henley-on-Thames superstore in December 2016. Despite June’s heat wave, which included the UK’s hottest five consecutive days in 25 years, and the hottest individual day in 15 years, the system performed beyond all expectations. Tesco then ordered further Air2O units for its distribution depot in Reading, which are now fully installed and operational.