Myvillagethailand
ENERGY SAVING PROJECT
Collaborating with Emerson and 7-Eleven teams, I conducted a “Energy Saving Project” case study in Thailand, with the aim of finding sustainable solutions to improve energy efficiency while reducing cost. Since refrigeration is a big investment for the 7-Eleven group as it consumes significant energy, it was evident that this needed resolving. Alongside engineers, designers, and environmentalists, we spent months collecting data to be analyzed for the optimum solution to be found that would enhance refrigeration energy efficiency in 7-Eleven stores. After six months, we came to a decision to develop and install one ZXD scroll condensing unit in place of the three existing ones. This allowed the reduction of power consumption, maintenance costs, and space occupied that leads to long-term financial savings. The numerical results excited me even more, showing a 13% reduction on power consumption, $718 USD potential annual energy savings per store, 27% freed-up floor space, and 1.5 years maximum payback period. As a result of these innovations, the 10,000+ 7-Eleven stores across Thailand had improved condensing units installed.
Working closely with the team on this project has made me realize the social and economic impacts caused by resource exhaustion. Without environmental sustainability strategies, companies would find more difficulties with staying afloat. However, it is not only to strengthen firm competitiveness, but more importantly, to minimize ecological impacts from human-made activities.
OPEN AIR COOLER
The open-air coolers are set to around 2°c to 4°c. They are more convenient for customers to choose food and drinks because there is no door blocking. However, it requires to use more energy since it is doorless and requires more energy to cool food and drinks that are newly added. The open coolers are also able to cool drinks that are placed outside as well.
VAULT
I have been lucky to see the inside of 7-11’s doored cooler or known as the vault, which is one of best-selling section at every 7-11 in Thailand. It has been one of the best-selling sections of every 7-11 because there is a great selection of drink to choose from. The reason why this is the best-selling section at 7-11 is because no matter what drink you pick up, it will always be cold. This is because there is a hidden cooler room behind the coolers which is always set to a temperature of around 2°C which will always make the drinks inside cold.