Retail and supermarket · Cooling
Cooling in retail and supermarket: what the SRI measures
Cooling mirrors heating: control per room, prevent heating and cooling from fighting each other, store cold when electricity is cheap, and let the chiller follow actual demand.
In short
- 1This page shows how smart cooling systems in shops and supermarkets are controlled according to the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI).
- 2For this building type, the cooling domain counts for 3 of 3 points, because cooling cabinets and climate installations consume a lot of energy.
- 3The tables show per service which functionality levels are possible, from no automatic control to fully grid-driven cooling.
Weight of this domain for this building type
Which services count
| Service | Lowest level | Highest level | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling emission control C-1a · A · 5 levels | No automatic control | Individual room control with communication and occupancy detection | highest level |
| Emission control for TABS (cooling mode) C-1b · 4 levels | No automatic control | Advanced central automatic control with intermittent operation and/or room temperature feedback control | – |
| Control of distribution network chilled water temperature (supply or return) C-1c · 3 levels | Constant temperature control | Demand based control | – |
| Control of distribution pumps in networks C-1d · 5 levels | No automatic control | Variable speed pump control (external demand signal) | – |
| Interlock: avoiding simultaneous heating and cooling in the same room C-1f · 3 levels | No interlock | Total interlock (control system ensures no simultaneous heating and cooling can take place) | – |
| Control of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) operation C-1g · 4 levels | Continuous storage operation | Cold storage capable of flexible control through grid signals (e.g. DSM) | – |
| Generator control for cooling C-2a · A · 4 levels | On/Off-control of cooling production | Variable control of cooling production capacity depending on the load AND external signals from grid | highest level |
| Sequencing of different cooling generators C-2b · 5 levels | Priorities only based on running times | Sequencing based on dynamic priority list, including external signals from grid | – |
| Report information regarding cooling system performance C-3 · A · 5 levels | None | Central or remote reporting of performance evaluation including forecasting and/or benchmarking; also including predictive management and fault detection | highest level |
| Flexibility and grid interaction C-4 · A · 5 levels | No automatic control | Optimized control of cooling system based on local predictions and grid signals (e.g. through model predictive control) | highest level |
Worked example
If everything in this domain is at level 0, the domain contributes nothing. At the highest level for all services, the indicative total score for this building type rises by about 17 percentage points (from 29 to 46 percent, with all other domains at level 1).
Why does cooling weigh so heavily for shops and supermarkets?
Shops and supermarkets have continuous cooling demand. Lighting warms the space, cooling cabinets run constantly and customers enter and leave through open doors. This makes cooling one of the largest energy items in this building type.
In the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) methodology, the cooling domain therefore carries the full weight of 3 of 3 points. Every improvement in cooling system control has a direct effect on the overall score.
Which services fall under the cooling domain?
The domain consists of multiple smart-ready services. They regulate cold delivery to spaces, the temperature of the chilled water network, the pumps that circulate that water and the cooling generator itself.
For supermarkets, control of the cooling generator (C-2a) is particularly relevant, because cooling cabinets often share the same installation as climate control. Sequencing between multiple generators (C-2b) can then increase efficiency.
The interlock function (C-1f) is also important. This prevents heating and cooling in the same space from working against each other, which otherwise wastes energy without comfort gain.
What do the functionality levels mean in practice?
Each service has levels from 0 to 4. Level 0 usually means no automatic control. The highest levels add communication between controllers, occupancy detection or coupling with grid signals for demand response.
With thermal energy storage (C-1g), the scale ranges from continuous storage operation to cold storage that can flexibly respond to electricity grid signals. This highest level makes it possible to store cold when electricity is cheap.
Reporting services such as C-3 show whether the system only displays current measurements, or also offers forecasts and fault detection. The latter helps plan maintenance before a failure occurs.
What does this mean for the obligation above 290 kW?
Larger shopping centres and supermarkets with an installation above 290 kW may fall under future regulations. The European Commission must adopt a delegated act by 30 June 2027 that is expected to make the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) mandatory for this type of building.
Until then, the indicator remains voluntary. Building owners can already choose to have their cooling system assessed, in preparation for future requirements.
What this means for you
- Owner
- Have the cooling installation assessed on the services within this domain, particularly the control of the cooling generator and the interlock between heating and cooling, because cooling carries the full weight in the score here. A higher functionality level can reduce energy consumption and prepare the building for a possible future obligation above 290 kW.
- Tenant
- As a tenant, you will notice a better-controlled cooling system mainly through a more stable indoor climate, without heating and cooling working against each other. Cooling cabinets that operate more efficiently also contribute to lower shared energy costs in the building.
- Advisor
- In your assessment, pay particular attention to the presence of an interlock between heating and cooling systems and the level of sequencing with multiple cooling generators, as these are often underestimated improvement points in shops and supermarkets. Take into account the full weighting of this domain, because every step in functionality level counts more heavily here than in building types where cooling plays a smaller role.
Next step
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