Tesco has hired UK technology company Aerofoil Energy to improve the performance of refrigeration cabinets in its stores via the application of Formula One-derived aerodynamics.
As well as installing the Aerofoils in their supermarkets throughout the UK and Ireland, Tesco will also be adopting Aerofoil Energy’s Vortex future-fridge technology, that claims to deliver energy and carbon emissions savings to rival that of fridges with glass doors.
Open-fronted fridges are a large consumer of power in supermarkets. The Aerofoil systems uses aerodynamics developed with Williams Advanced Engineering to guide cold air more efficiently down the front of the fridge. This results in substantially less cold air being lost from the unit, resulting in lower energy use, fewer carbon emissions and warmer aisles in stores.
Vortex is a future-fridge technology project of Aerofoil Energy. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling with technical partner Williams Advanced Engineering, Aerofoil Energy’s Vortex technology delivers enhanced energy and temperature improvements in refrigerated cases, applicable to both existing and new-build cabinets.
Paul McAndrew of Aerofoil Energy said: “Rolling out Aerofoils across an estate the size of Tesco’s will have a tangible impact on energy consumption at a national level and confirms Aerofoil Energy as the number one choice for shelf-edge technology. But that’s only half the story – adopting our Vortex technology for Tesco’s new-build cabinets will set a new standard for energy and temperature performance in supermarket refrigeration generally.”
Sainsbury’s, Asda, Marks & Spencer and WH Smith are among the UK retailers already using the Aerofoil technology in their stores.
