Stop & Shop Fuel Cell: A Milestone in Energy Efficiency

Pioneering Sustainable Supermarkets: Stop & Shop’s Commitment

In the ever-evolving landscape of retail innovation, Stop & Shop, a prominent supermarket chain, has taken a significant stride towards sustainability by unveiling a groundbreaking fuel cell installation at its Torringford Street store in East Torrington, Connecticut. This pioneering move not only underscores the company’s dedication to environmental stewardship.  However, it also sets a precedent for energy-efficient practices within the industry.

As a company that continuously seeks to minimize its ecological footprint.  That’s because Stop & Shop has embraced cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to build more sustainable stores. The integration of a 400-kilowatt fuel cell system, a first for the supermarket chain, exemplifies their unwavering commitment to lowering their impact on the environment in every community they serve.

Harnessing the Power of Fuel Cells

The fuel cell installation is a state-of-the-art UTC Power PureCell® System Model 400.  For it is a remarkable achievement made possible through a grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund’s On-Site Renewable Distributed Generation Program. This cutting-edge technology is also poised to generate an astonishing 90% of the store’s electric energy requirements.  Therefore they are significantly reducing their reliance on traditional power sources.

Since its commissioning in June 2010, the fuel cell has produced an impressive 1.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.  Best part is that it’s accounting for a staggering 95% of the store’s total electric energy consumption. Moreover, they are harnessing the thermal energy generated by the fuel cell.  So Stop & Shop has managed to reduce the store’s combined electric and natural gas utility bills by an impressive 50%.

Environmental Benefits of Fuel Cell Technology

By generating a substantial portion of its power on-site, Stop & Shop has effectively alleviated the burden on the local power grid, consequently minimizing its environmental impact. The fuel cell operates without fossil fuel combustion, rendering electricity production virtually pollution-free, a remarkable achievement in the realm of sustainable energy.

Stop & Shop anticipates preventing the release of more than 523 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, an environmental impact equivalent to planting over 120 acres of trees. Furthermore, the annual reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions is projected to be comparable to removing 88 vehicles from roadways, a significant contribution to improving air quality.

Designed to operate in a water-balanced state, with no consumption or discharge of water under normal operations, the fuel cell at the Torrington Stop & Shop store is expected to save an impressive 3.5 million gallons of water compared to centralized utility-generated electricity.

Maximizing Energy Efficiency with Fuel Cell Integration

Dale Hedman, the acting president of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, commended Stop & Shop’s exceptional integration of the fuel cell into its new, energy-efficient supermarket in Torrington. He highlighted the store’s ability to maximize the energy attributes of the fuel cell, benefiting not only from the electricity produced but also from the waste heat generated, which will be utilized for heating, cooling, and refrigeration purposes.

Expanding the Fuel Cell Fleet: Stop & Shop’s Contribution

The fuel cell installation at Stop & Shop in Torrington, Connecticut, joins a growing fleet of UTC Power’s PureCell® System Model 400 units. In 2010, UTC Power installed dozens of its stationary fuel cells at locations across California, Connecticut, New York, Wisconsin, and South Korea. As the company continues to expand its portfolio of fuel cell partners and implementations, it recently completed a major upgrade to its production facility in South Windsor, Connecticut, to accommodate an increasing demand for orders from customers.

Stop & Shop’s Pioneering Sustainability Initiatives

Stop & Shop’s commitment to sustainability extends far beyond the fuel cell installation. The company has been at the forefront of energy-efficient practices in the retail industry, implementing various innovative solutions to reduce its environmental impact.

Energy-Efficient Supermarkets: A Chronological Journey

1. November 2001: Stop & Shop opened its first energy-efficient store in Foxboro, Massachusetts, also known as the Low Energy Super Store (LESS).
2. August 2007: The company unveiled its first Energy Star® store in Southbury, Connecticut, which utilized approximately 35% less energy than average buildings.
3. December 2008: Stop & Shop installed its first photovoltaic (solar panel) system at its Fairfield, Connecticut store, generating around 8% of the store’s electricity needs.
4. 2009: Stop & Shop had over 50 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified stores, with all new stores designed and built to meet the LEED NC (new construction) standards for new construction by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Energy-Saving Features in LEED-Certified Stores

Stop & Shop’s LEED-certified stores incorporate various energy-saving features, including:

1. White roofs to reflect sunlight and reduce heat gains, requiring less energy for space cooling during summer.
2. Skylights to harvest daylight, reducing electricity consumption during peak daylight hours.
3. LED lighting in various areas, including overhead track lights, spotlights on specialty areas and displays, exterior store signs, and frozen food cases.

Expanding Solar Power Initiatives

1. May 2010: Stop & Shop installed photovoltaic systems in three stores in Dedham, Dorchester, and Somerville, Massachusetts.
2. July 2010: The company completed the installation of additional photovoltaic systems in four stores in Aberdeen, Franklin Park, Somerset, and Whiting, New Jersey, generating around 8% of each store’s electricity needs.

Embracing Sustainable Refrigeration Technologies

1. December 2010: Stop & Shop opened its second store in West Hartford, Connecticut, featuring refrigeration systems that utilize natural refrigerants. This innovative technology helps reduce the store’s carbon footprint by an equivalent of 500 tons of CO2 per year, making it the first supermarket in Connecticut to operate with this sustainable technology.

By generating most of its power on site, Stop & Shop is able to reduce the burden on the local power grid and its impact on the environment. The fuel cell operates without fossil fuel combustion which in turn makes electricity production virtually pollution-free. Highlights:

1. Stop & Shop anticipates it will prevent the release of more than 523 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually – the equivalent of planting more than 120 acres of trees.
2. The annual nitrogen oxide emissions reduction will be equivalent to removing 88 cars from roadways.
3. Designed to operate in water-balance, with no consumption or discharge of water under normal operations, the fuel cell at the Torrington Stop & Shop store will save 3.5 million gallons of water compared to central utility generated electricity.

Stop & Shop Torrington, CT

“Stop & Shop did an outstanding job integrating this fuel cell into its new, energy-efficient supermarket in Torrington and maximizing the energy attributes of the fuel cell,” said Dale Hedman, acting president of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. “The store will not only benefit from electricity produced by the fuel cell but will also benefit from the fuel cell’s waste heat, which will be used for heating, cooling and refrigeration.”

Fuel Cell Stop & Shop Torrington, CT

Source: CT Clean Energy Fund