April 11, 2008—Wal-Mart Stores has introduced its most energy-efficient US store to date, which also begins a new series of prototypes designed for specific climates. The HE.5 prototype is designed to use up to 45% less energy than Wal-Mart’s standard supercenters, using innovations based on lessons learned from the previous generation of energy-efficient supercenters, which reportedly achieved about 25 percent energy savings, according to the company.
The facility features energy efficiency innovations designed specifically for Western climate conditions, says Wal-Mart, including advancements in heating, cooling, refrigeration, and lighting to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The store takes the integrated water-source format system that Wal-Mart piloted in its successful high-efficiency stores and adapts it to the Western climate by adding evaporative cooling and radiant flooring technologies. The new HE.5 system reportedly reduces the temperature of water naturally by pumping it through roof-mounted cooling towers, then runs the cold water underneath the retail floor to cool the shopping area.
For more information about the technology used in Wal-Mart’s Sustainable Buildings, visit the company’s Web site.
