Tesco has implemented artificial intelligence (AI) technology to slash its energy costs by 10% and save over 385 tonnes of CO2e across its refrigerated distribution network.
The pilot programme saw supplier Star Refrigeration roll out its ‘Ethos AI’ data-led performance optimisation and smart monitoring service to three of the grocer’s sites initially, followed by an additional five, with Tesco having saved 4GWh on energy costs over a 21 month period.
Using Ethos, the grocery retailer was able to better address gaps in energy performance, improve reliability and predict issues in refrigeration equipment before they became a threat to operations.
The Ethos data also allowed Tesco’s maintenance team StarCare to find the optimal balance between operational efficiency and energy consumptions and make improvements including changing set points, purging air from condensers and making repairs.
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Star Refrigeration said these measures resulted in “significant” improvements in energy optimisation.
As part of the changes, Tesco also decided to raise chill temperatures by 1°C across its estate, which it said, “challenged conventional practices” and helped the supermarket to “achieve substantial energy savings”.
From January 2022 to September 2023, Tesco achieved 4GW of energy savings and recorded an 835-tonne reduction in CO2 emissions as the sites which included Livingston, Doncaster, Hinckley, Widnes, Avonmouth, Daventry, Dagenham and Southampton.
Tesco group energy manager Rob Redfern said: “As the UK’s largest retailer, Tesco is committed to operating responsibly and sustainably. Reducing our energy consumption and CO2 emissions across our distribution network is just one way we’re taking action.
“The insights that Ethos and the Star Refrigeration team have delivered have been invaluable and allowed us to make targeted changes at each of the eight distribution sites in a strategic manner, often with no additional spend required.”
