A Cool Idea

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (Bentonville, Ark.) has opened its most energy-efficient U.S. store, dubbed the HE.5 prototype, that’s expected to use up to 45 percent less energy than the retailer’s traditional supercenters.

Building upon learnings from previous high-efficiency stores Wal-Mart opened in 2007 and 2008, the HE.5 begins a new series of prototypes designed for specific climates. The first HE.5, in Las Vegas, is western climate-specific, meaning the efficiency gains are made possible by innovations designed for the conditions of the region.

“Wal-Mart is piloting new technologies, driving innovation and leveraging advances in building design to better align our stores with the communities we serve,” said Charles Zimmerman, Wal-Mart vp, prototype and new format development.

The HE.5 store features advancements in heating, cooling, refrigeration and lighting to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, the store takes the integrated water-source format system that Wal-Mart piloted in its previous high-efficiency stores and adapts it to the local climate by adding evaporative cooling and radiant flooring technologies.

The new HE.5 system 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. Together, the systems provide a comfortable shopping environment while using less energy.

“This project recognizes the very significant opportunity to integrate advanced natural cooling features in dry climates, thereby reducing the need to build new peak power generating plants,” says Richard Bourne, associate director of the Western Cooling Efficiency Center at the University of California.