Sainsbury’s has teamed up with Williams Advanced Engineering to fit its fridges with aerofoils – the same technology used to help improve the performance of Formula 1 cars on the road.
Aerofoils, used to streamline the flow of air around an object, are now being fitted to Sainsbury’s fridges – and making radical changes to its energy use.
The technology works as follows: cold air streams down from holes in the top of the fridge cabinet to keep products cold, some of this cold air is blown out of the front of the cabinet, into the store, instead of remaining inside, as this wastes energy. The new aerofoils direct the cold air back into the fridge, so less is wasted. Additional draw-down blinds are used on the fridges at night time to keep cold air in.
Commenting on the innovation, John Skelton, Sainsbury’s head of refrigeration, said, "We’re proud to be giving our fridges a turboboost with this fantastic aerodynamic technology. Aerofoils help the airflow around F1 cars and can improve their performance – and that’s exactly how they help the fridges in our stores, by keeping the cold air in. This F1-inspired innovation has already shown it can cut carbon produced by major refrigerators."
Craig Wilson, managing director of Williams Advanced Engineering, added that the company takes the best of Formula 1 technology and know-how, and then works with a range of industries to help improve their products and services.
"Much of our work focuses on improving energy efficiency, and the collaboration with aerofoil energy is a perfect example of how Formula 1 innovations can have a tangible benefit to ordinary people and the environment. This technology has global potential, and the savings in operational costs and emissions are extremely promising," he said.
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