Energy Audits & Decarbonization Strategies for Refrigerated Grocery Distribution Facilities

Project Details:

KERAMIDA was retained to assist a U.S. online grocery retailer with identifying energy and GHG reduction opportunities at two of its distribution facilities, in support of the Client’s science-based GHG reduction goals. The Client operates refrigerated and frozen storage warehouses that support its nationwide distribution network. KERAMIDA completed ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Audits at two facilities in the Midwest and Northeast, each approximately 360,000 square feet.

KERAMIDA’s tasks included:

  • On-site energy audits, including equipment inventories and analysis of historical utility data

  • Identification of energy conservation measures (ECMs), with estimated energy savings, cost savings, simple payback, and savings-to-investment ratio for each measure

  • GHG reduction estimates for each ECM using EPA eGRID emission factors

  • Preliminary solar analyses for both facilities

  • Electrification analyses comparing air source heat pump pathways against existing natural gas heating systems, plus an evaluation of electrifying diesel backup generators

  • Whole building HVAC scenario analysis comparing the lifetime energy use, cost, and emissions of planned cooling upgrades

  • Utility rate reviews to confirm each facility’s accounts were on the most cost-effective tariffs

Results:

Together, the identified ECMs are expected to reduce annual energy use by approximately 162,000 kWh of electricity and 2,950 therms of natural gas. This represents about $23,400 in annual cost savings and about 75 metric tons of CO₂e avoided each year.

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