A study, supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and published last week by the German magazine Kälte Klima Aktuell, reports that, “according to estimates, several hundred [CO2] ejector systems are currently in use, the majority of which are in Europe”.
End users are driving the use of ejectors in Switzerland and throughout Europe, according to the study, called ‘Ejector cooling system conquers the market’.
Three years ago a Migros supermarket in Ibach, central Switzerland opted to install a new CO2 refrigeration system with an ejector, reducing electricity consumption by 23%, the study shows.
Migros, the largest retailer in Switzerland, now boasts 60 stores fitted with CO2 refrigeration technology using ejectors and plans to add 30 more every year.
“Today, ejectors are integrated into the planning of cooling technology as standard for the renovation and new construction of Migros stores whenever they are economical,” said Daniel Duss, head of construction and technology at Migros Cooperative in Lucerne.
Coop, Switzerland’s second-largest retail chain, also has opted to use ejectors, according to the study. “Refrigeration needs in food markets accounts for about half of the electricity consumption, which is why the ejector makes a significant contribution to the reduction of energy consumption,” said Thomas Häring, head of energy and technology at Coop.
“Today, ejectors are integrated into the planning of cooling technology as standard for the renovation and new construction of Migros stores whenever they are economical.”
Daniel Duss, Migros
“Particularly worthwhile is the investment in the ejector in medium and large markets,” it states.
“While we achieve savings of 20 to 30% in Switzerland thanks to an ejector, 30 to 40% are possible at sites with less mature predecessor systems, depending on the building, the load profile, the waste heat recovery and the site climate,” Frigo Consulting Project Manager Jonas Schönenberger notes in the report.
German retail giant METRO Cash and Carry is also investing in this technology.
“METRO AG has formulated a technical guideline to establish ejector technology as a standard throughout the supermarket chain,” Olaf Schulze, director of energy Management at the retailer, states in the report.
So far METRO AG has two large supermarkets (in the Netherlands and France) using ejectors and will equip two more in Poland in 2018.
