27 May 2011

Sainsbury's - looking to geo-thermal energy to make savings
Sainsbury's is using innovative geo-thermal technology to heat the company's largest new superstore, tapping thermal energy 200 metres underground. A first in the UK, this system could provide retailers with a blueprint for the future

There have been some huge changes at the Crayford branch of Sainsbury's in south-east London.

Since the store reopened in September 2010, shoppers will, most obviously, have noticed that the store has more than doubled in size growing from 30,000 to 100,000 sq ft and making Crayford Sainsbury's biggest UK store.

There is far more space given over to clothing and a new home and lifestyle section, plus 55,000 sq ft dedicated to a much expanded food offer including new food-to-go lines.

But the most radical change remains well out of sight and may have passed many shoppers by. In fact, it sits about 200 metres underground.

Buried beneath the store is complex network of pipes drilled deep into the ground that are being used to harness the earth's natural thermal energy to provide the store's cooling, heating and hot water.

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