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hard-wired system, while installation times can also be reduced by around 75%. The system also uses a frequency below regular range to avoid interference with other office or retail wireless equipment, and a narrowband signal that gives the distance required (up to 8km) to cover even the most challenging of building structures. At the centre of the system is
WEMSprogrammer. This features an embedded Linux-based computer that hosts WEMS’ building management software, and the bespoke energy saving strategy required to control plant and reduce energy consumption. The programmer communicates with wireless controllers and sensors placed throughout the estate to create a virtual ‘mesh’ network across the controlled space. It is constantly receiving valuable environmental data from sensors that enables the building stock to consume energy in as lean a manner as possible. Matalan estimated financial savings of £761,441 (taken from its April 2013 report), while annual savings once all 206 stores are live, were projected to be in excess of £1.7 million. Darren Blower, WEMS project manager, said:
“Information collected at an early stage site survey allows us to pre-configure a large proportion of the equipment.” The retailer has also signed a three-year support and management contract with WEMS International and also plans to formalise its approach to energy management by seeking ISO50001 energy management systems certification. “One of the key factors with Matalan is to
treat each site individually,” Blower added. “For instance, some are much further north than others so there isn’t a single temperature that’s applied to all stores. Once a site is ‘comfortable’, through our WEMSupport service we can help make adjustments remotely (online) and maximise savings year-on-year. “We’re committed to reducing our energy
consumption across our entire estate,” explained David Derbyshire, environmental manager at Matalan Retail. “Matalan has made the commitment to install WEMSystem in all our retail outlets. The installed stores have shown a considerable reduction in energy consumption of circa 18% and this is reflected in our energy bill, which has decreased dramatically since implementation. “We’re continuing to work with WEMS to optimise our estate and drive further savings.”
44 Winter 2014
ROUNDUP Retail Technology highlights the emerging
areas likely to shape retail technology energy investments throughout 2014 for greater store and operational benefits
STORE LIGHTING Soaring energy costs
are leading retailers to re-evaluate their store facilities
While lighting accounts for one fifth of the electricity used in the UK, research
estimates it can be as much as 40% of a retailer’s yearly electricity costs (Energy Works, August 2013)
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
The rise of building energy management systems (BEMS) adoption
New software platform
development is predicted to drive BEMS market growth from $1.8 billion (£1.1bn) to $5.6bn (£3.4bn) by 2020
(Navigant Research, August 2013)
OPERATIONS ECO INITIATIVES Drive waste out of the
supply chain and promote efficient working practices
New product design,
packaging and more effective waste management and recycling has reduced retail
energy and resource use by more than 20% in the last
three years (Centre for Retail Research, Green Retailing 2012)
GREEN ENERGY Lower cost LEDs, solar
panels and heat and water recovery systems
Over half (52%) in the retail industry are considering clean technologies as a way of cutting costs to
reach their growth targets (Energy Works PLC survey, November 2013)
GREEN DRIVE Transport routing and
scheduling software can dynamically adjust to requirements
Companies can reduce transport costs by up to
20% through more efficient deployment of distribution and delivery vehicles and drivers (Paragon Software Systems, 2013)
TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTIVITY Shared value models,
extended asset lifecycles and promoting re-use
UK business could secure £92 billion in annual
productivity gains generated by innovations designed to address environmental and
social challenges (Accenture, July 2013)
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www.retailtechnology.co.uk
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