Ameren Illinois deploys innovative cooling technology to Schnucks supermarket

Working with the Schnucks supermarket chain, Ameren Illinois recently deployed a new cooling technology based on rooftop radiative panels to the former’s Fairview Heights store.

It’s a first of its kind for Illinois, seeking to combat the high costs inherent to commercial-scale refrigeration. The system works through panels layered with radiative cooling films, all integrated into the store’s existing cooling systems. In theory, the system could reflect up to 97 percent of sunlight back into the atmosphere, while cooling the fluids used in air conditioning and refrigeration to improve the operating efficiency of said units by up to 40 percent. That would make a marked reduction in electricity use and a major carbon footprint reduction.

“Refrigeration consumes more electricity than any other component of a grocery store’s operation, with freezers and coolers having to run 24/7/365, so any chance to improve performance helps keep operations costs down and lower our customers’ cost at the register,” Ike Eichenlaub, Manager HVAC/R & Energy for Schnucks Markets, said.

Only 20 such SkyCool cooling systems have been installed worldwide, produced by the company of the same name. Unique among cooling technologies, it requires no water, produces no emissions and requires only a small amount of electricity to power its circulating pump.

“In its mission to help customers improve comfort, manage energy usage and reduce costs, the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program is proud to be the first in our region to offer this innovative energy-saving system for our business customers,” Pat Justis, director of energy efficiency for Ameren Illinois, said. “As global temperatures continue to rise and refrigeration systems and air conditioning become more important in our communities, radiative cooling may play a key role in meeting the energy needs of the future.”