A retrofitted resource efficient shop that saves energy has been opened by Scotmid Co-operative in Moredun in Edinburgh.
Scotmid Moredun has been fitted with a range of state-of-the-art technologies to reduce energy consumption. At the heart of the store’s eco innovations is a sophisticated building management system, which uses real-time data to make efficient use of its resources such as lighting, heating and refrigeration.
The store’s lighting uses special sensors near the windows to automatically adjust to natural daylight levels outside, switching off when sunny and turning on when dark to save energy.
Lights have also been upgraded from fluorescent to LED dimmable fittings, to reduce energy consumption, and will switch off when certain areas of the store are not in use.
Heat generated by the fridges is recovered to help heat the building, while an air curtain blows out ambient air to stop heat from escaping when the store doors are open.
The contractor on the retrofit, CBES, minimised the waste during construction, and recycled and reclaimed as much as possible to reduce the carbon footprint.
Support for the project was provided by Zero Waste Scotland through Resource Efficient Scotland, Post Office Limited that also has a post office in the store, and contractors CBES, Climate Electrical Services, Curve Energy, KB Refrigeration and Thermal Image UK.
Scotmid Co-operative chief executive John Brodie said: “We are immensely proud to be opening our first eco store in Moredun, which is also one of the first energy efficiency retrofits of its kind in the UK. From lighting that automatically turns off when it’s sunny outside, to drinks fridges that only switch on during licensing hours, we’ve worked closely with Resource Efficient Scotland and our contractors to introduce as many energy saving measures as possible into the store.
“We hope that Scotmid Moredun will be a model for what an energy efficiency retrofit can achieve for retailers, and we are very thankful to Resource Efficient Scotland and our other contributors for their support of the project.”
