Future-ready energy efficiency and economic success in retail
by Julia Pott (exclusively for EuroShop.mag)
Energy efficiency is a topic that will define the future. Not only due to an extensive global need for resource-conserving and sustainable solutions for energy production and consumption, but also because there is a huge, untapped potential of technological advances in this area. Smart energy management for building and equipment is also of growing interest to the retail sector – and will consequently be featured at EuroCIS starting next year.
Energy demands from buildings and retail stores
The increasing attention this topic has merited for several years has made energy efficiency no longer just a “nice-to-have” for corporate marketing. Smart and efficient energy use is a core issue of corporate social responsibility and is an economic factor that affects success and should not be underestimated.
“Smart energy management gives companies from all industry sectors including retail intelligent control capabilities to manage their energy consumption. Combined with energy storage systems, this helps lower energy costs and decrease CO2 emissions – and in doing so supports industries in combating climate change while reaping great economic benefits,” explains Dr. Andreas Moerke, Head of Energy Storage Europe trade fair. There EuroCIS visitors will get a great overview on the potential applications of retail energy storage systems. “Energy costs are understandably a major factor for retailers, even more so for food retailers versus non-food retailers. HVAC and refrigeration systems are two key areas in this setting,” says Moerke. “The retail sector already started years ago to take counteracting measures by making energy-saving improvements and implementing energy-efficient technologies and lighting.”
Elke Moebius, Global Head of Retail / Retail Technologies, Messe Düsseldorf (© Messe Düsseldorf)
This results in an increasing demand for smart energy management solutions. Elke Moebius, Global Head of Retail / Retail Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf, explains: “Artificial intelligence is already indispensable in retail and will continue to shape the retail landscape in the coming years. At EuroCIS, AI has long been present as a comprehensive technology. So it stands to reason that the use of intelligently networked systems will also be used for optimal energy control.”
Smart energy management
Not surprisingly, Smart Energy Management will be reflected in the EuroCIS Product Categories from now on. As the No. 1 trade fair for retail technology in Europe, EuroCIS and its wide variety of innovative products, and retail technology solutions, is the perfect setting for applications that promote smart and efficient energy consumption.
Added to this mix are improved and sophisticated options for the analysis, monitoring, and optimization of energy consumption in companies and retail stores, including IoT cockpits, AI-based software, or automated control systems for energy-intensive applications. “Energy monitoring allows companies to analyze their consumption patterns, and use this information to implement energy production and energy storage systems. Smart energy management gives them tools for intelligent control of these processes,” says Moerke.
© EuroCIS
Of course, this will also be reflected in the Product Categories for Smart Energy Management at the next EuroCIS trade fair:
- Intelligent facility control systems
- Refrigeration system control
- Energy monitoring
- Cloud-based system control
- IoT platforms and cockpits
- AI-based forecasting systems
Elke Moebius offers an outlook on the highlights from this product area at EuroCIS: “We expect solutions such as intelligent analysis and monitoring tools, mobile applications for store personnel and intelligent appliances for refrigeration units and lighting. Also, you shouldn’t miss the exciting presentations during EuroCIS.” These subjects will be addressed by international and renowned experts on the EuroCIS and Connected Retail Stages. Trade fair visitors can expect to learn a lot from contributions that run the gamut from practical to visionary topics and use this new knowledge to maximize their own business development. For companies, a smart and mindful approach to energy is not only relevant to costs but also a decisive factor for customer acceptance.
That’s why it’s very smart that EuroCIS, the leading platform for retail technology, includes smart energy management in its service spectrum. This is how the retail sector helps shape sustainable energy management. “Smart Energy Management, that means orientation towards the future, complex networks and a USP for retailers in relation to their competitors”, Elke Moebius sums up the significance of the new EuroCIS product segment.
