18 September 2018
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 | Supermarket Asda is to install F1-inspired Aerofoils in 187 of its supermarkets, with the aim of reducing electricity consumption from refrigeration by an estimated 17% and cutting CO2 emissions. Many supermarket refrigerators lose significant amounts of cold air, creating inefficiencies that demand increased energy use. This leads to greater carbon emissions and colder aisles for shoppers. The Aerofoil device, from Aerofoil Energy, is influenced by Formula One aerodynamics from Williams and is similar in appearance to the rear wing of a Formula One car. It uses aerodynamics to guide cold air down the fridge more efficiently, meaning fewer carbon emissions and warmer shops. Initial results from tests in the US also show an increased shelf life of produce, helping to reduce food waste. |
Brian Churchyard, senior manager for construction design standards at Asda, said: “Like all the Walmart family, we’re committed to lowering our energy use, with a target of a 30% reduction in energy intensity by 2025 from our 2010 baseline. The rollout of Aerofoils, alongside other initiatives we’re undertaking, such as moving to 100% LED sales floor lighting this year, will significantly help us in achieving this target, as well as improving the shopping experience for our customers.”
Craig Wilson, managing director of Williams Advanced Engineering, said: “The teams at Williams and Aerofoil Energy are delighted that Asda has recognised the benefits that installation of the innovative Aerofoil device can deliver to the company and its customers. Using state-of-the-art aerodynamic capabilities here at Williams we have worked with Aerofoil Energy to design and develop Aerofoil to deliver multi-million pound energy savings, tons of CO2 emission reductions and an improved climate in stores for shoppers.”
Aerofoil Energy worked closely with Williams Advanced Engineering to refine the original Aerofoil concept, using Williams’ expertise in aerodynamic design and testing from four decades of success in Formula One racing. Williams’ Advanced Engineering division uses computational fluid dynamics to model and simulate new designs before testing them at the Williams technical facility in Oxfordshire.
Paul McAndrew, CEO of Aerofoil Energy, said: “It is great to see such a well-known and respected brand as Asda choosing to install Aerofoils. From an idea I had a few years ago, through working with Williams to refine and produce it, to now seeing Aerofoils in operation in supermarkets, this is a proud day for me and the Aerofoil team.”
Aerofoil has won a number of awards and was most recently a finalist with the Royal Academy of Engineering for their MacRobert Award, the UK’s most prestigious and longest-running engineering prize.
It was announced last year that Sainsbury's would install Aerofoils in all 1,400 of its UK outlets. The devices are also used by retailers including M&S, Waitrose, Tesco, the Co-op, Aldi, Boots and Shell.
Craig Wilson, managing director of Williams Advanced Engineering, said: “The teams at Williams and Aerofoil Energy are delighted that Asda has recognised the benefits that installation of the innovative Aerofoil device can deliver to the company and its customers. Using state-of-the-art aerodynamic capabilities here at Williams we have worked with Aerofoil Energy to design and develop Aerofoil to deliver multi-million pound energy savings, tons of CO2 emission reductions and an improved climate in stores for shoppers.”
Aerofoil Energy worked closely with Williams Advanced Engineering to refine the original Aerofoil concept, using Williams’ expertise in aerodynamic design and testing from four decades of success in Formula One racing. Williams’ Advanced Engineering division uses computational fluid dynamics to model and simulate new designs before testing them at the Williams technical facility in Oxfordshire.
Paul McAndrew, CEO of Aerofoil Energy, said: “It is great to see such a well-known and respected brand as Asda choosing to install Aerofoils. From an idea I had a few years ago, through working with Williams to refine and produce it, to now seeing Aerofoils in operation in supermarkets, this is a proud day for me and the Aerofoil team.”
Aerofoil has won a number of awards and was most recently a finalist with the Royal Academy of Engineering for their MacRobert Award, the UK’s most prestigious and longest-running engineering prize.
It was announced last year that Sainsbury's would install Aerofoils in all 1,400 of its UK outlets. The devices are also used by retailers including M&S, Waitrose, Tesco, the Co-op, Aldi, Boots and Shell.
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