C-Store Exhibitions | Energy Management (electricity)

Service stations and convenience stores are huge consumers of electricity. SS&CSN takes a look at how to manage energy usage efficiently not only to reduce day-to-day operating costs but to do the environment a favour as well.

Service stations and convenience stores are huge consumers of electricity.

Take a quick minute and think of all of the electric-powered gear in a service station: lights, fuel pumps, cash registers, fridges, freezers, airconditioning, hot water systems ... and thatís a site without a food outlet, grocery section or bakery.

BP Solar currently leads the way with the most visible approach to energy management in service stations. There are a number of BP Solar sites already in operation with solar systems capable of providing enough power to operate the fuel pumps and under-canopy lighting.

But the use of alternative energy sources is not the only way to minimise the quarterly power bill.

Whether you operate a new site with the latest energy-saving equipment or an old site with fluorescent tubes under the canopy, there are numerous ways that you can minimise your power consumption.

Lighting
The simplest way to minimise lighting costs is to ensure that the lighting system is properly maintained and only in use when required.

Keep all lamps, fittings and windows clean and if a fault is detected it should be rectified straight away.

Often thereís no need to leave the under-canopy lighting on during daylight hours, so staff should be instructed to switch off the outside lights during the day. Alternatively, install an automated system to switch off the lights when enough ambient light is available.

Mr Phil Cawther is a service-station designer with Tam Farragher and Associates. He emphasises the importance of locating under-canopy lights in the right places.

"Canopy lighting is a large consumer of electricity. Many canopies have a lot of light under them, but itís not over the work site," said Mr Cawther.

By locating lights where theyíre needed, such as over fuel pumps and at tyre pumps, you can minimise the amount of canopy lighting required.

"Canopies with skylights or clear sheeting are also a simple way of reducing lighting costs during the day," added Mr Cawther.

Once the basics such as maintenance and light location have been covered, take a look at the more efficient lighting systems that are available. According to Mr Karsten Larsen of Advanced Recycling Australasia, "Most service-station canopies in Australia are fitted with mercury-vapour globes that use up to 250W of power each.

"Advanced Recycling Australasia has a product called Flexlight 4000 that consists of two compact 55W tubes that emit the same light as a 250W mercury-vapour globe, resulting in a 60 per cent reduction in lighting costs," claimed Mr Larsen.

"The Flexlight 4000 can be used in conjunction with an automated system called Lightcontrol 4000 that automatically dims the lights according to the amount of ambient light available. Lightcontrol 4000 can also be used inside the shop," Mr Larsen added.Another way to reduce interior-lighting costs is by installing motion detectors in infrequently used areas such as store-rooms and toilets. Fitting skylights in these rooms will reduce the need for additional lighting during the day and also provide some ventilation which will reduce airconditioning costs.

Heating/airconditioning
There are ways to reduce heating and airconditioning costs and, as with lighting, regular maintenance is the first step. Clean airconditioning filters regularly and re-gas the system when required.

The use of solar shades on the windows is a favourite among service-station designers as they reduce the amount of heat entering the shop during the day, but can be retracted at night to allow a clear view of the forecourt.

Some of the options available range from canvas awnings on the outside of the building to retractable solar film on the inside of the windows.

"External shades are more efficient than interior solar films because they prevent the shop windows from heating during the day," said service-station designer, John Kirk, Director of Team Design. "Another alternative is solar-control glass. Although it is clear, it reflects a large amount of long-wave solar radiation and therefore reduces the amount of heat entering the shop.

"One such product is called Solar E and is manufactured by Pilkington," said Mr Kirk.

Pilkington claims that Solar E eliminates up to 65 per cent of solar transmission and provides a 30 per cent improvement in insulation over standard glass. Low reflectivity allows views and transparency to be maintained.

As well as the windows, heat can enter a building through the walls, doorways and the roof.

Most service-station shops sit on a concrete-slab floor, which is a relatively good insulator, but to keep building costs to a minimum, the walls and floors often miss out on insulation. Installing some form of insulation in at least the roof will reduce the power consumed by the airconditioning system considerably.

The use of motorised doors can also reduce the load placed on airconditioning as the doors are only open when some one is entering or exiting the shop. But donít place displays next to motorised doors where traffic will cause them to open and close unnecessarily.

The sun isnít the only heat source that can place additional loads an airconditioning system. Lights, fridges and other electrical products all generate heat that can be circulated around the shop. For example, Mr Larsen claims that, "an iron-ore ballast as used on many fluorescent lighting systems operates at around 80†C where as an electronic ballast (dimmable type) operates at just 30†C to 35†C, reducing the load on airconditioning."

"The initial cost may be more, but savings will be made in the long term," concluded Mr Larsen.

Refrigeration
Many modern service-station sites have a large cool-room to keep drinks and perishables chilled. Not only is a cool-room convenient for displaying and circulating stock, itís also more energy efficient than running a number of separate refrigeration units.

Mr Tam Farragher, Director of Tam Farragher and Associates points out that to cool products on the inside, fridges generate heat on the outside.

"Complete fridge units generally have the motor and condenser located underneath the unit, so any heat generated by the fridge is circulated throughout the shop," said Mr Farragher.

"The beauty of a cool-room is that the condenser can be located outside the shop so that unwanted heat doesnít place any additional load on the airconditioning system," he said.

Of course, the heat generated by the cool-room condenser can be redirected back into the shop during winter or linked to a water heating system.

If the budget doesnít extend to a new cool-room, there are other ways to minimise the energy consumed by a refrigeration system. "Rather than placing warm stock directly into the fridge, let it cool in an airconditioned room first," advised Mr Cawther of Tam Farragher and Associates.

If a supplier wants to put a fridge in a service station or convenience store, check if thereís a choice of units based on energy consumption. And make sure that the supplier will service the unit regularly.

In summary, energy management is high on the list of priorities for a service-station designer, but there are many simple ways that any operator can reduce power consumption in a service station or convenience store.

Other things to look at include hot-water systems, cooking equipment and electric motors. Again, regular maintenance is the key to saving energy.

Dripping taps not only waste water, but also energy. Hot-water systems should be located as close as possible to the usage point and shouldnít be any bigger than necessary. Low-flow shower heads reduce water-heating costs.

Thaw food before cooking it. Use appliances designed for specific cooking requirements. Again, regularly maintain all cooking equipment.

Electric motors must be regularly maintained. Listen for unusual noises or feel for excessive heat and service when necessary. Ensure thereís adequate ventilation around electric motors.

Lights
ª Keep lamps, fittings and windows clean
ª Rectify any electrical faults immediately
ª Only use lights when necessary
ª Upgrade lighting systems (motion detectors, more efficient lights)

Airconditioning
ªClean airconditioning filters regularly
ª Re-gas airconditioning system when necessary
ª Ensure stock or displays donít cover airconditioning ducts
ª Install insulation and window shades
ª Set airconditioning system to suit standard or summer time
ª - Install motorised doors

Refridgeration
ª Service equipment regularly (check door seals, hinges and catches)
ª Keep fridges as full as possible
ª Clean glass doors to ensure maximum product visibility
ª Add air curtains or plastic-strip curtains to cool-room doorways
ª Reclaim wasted heat from refrigeration systems
ª Make sure that externally located motors are protected from direct sun and weather

Hot Water Systems
ª Locate system as close a possible to outlet
ª Repair dripping taps
ª Use low flow shower heads

Cooking Equipment
ª Use the right equipment for the task
ª Thaw food before cooking

Electric Motors
ª Service equipment regularly
ª Inspect for faults
ª Ensure adequate ventilation