Times are changing and with it our way of shopping. Although a few clicks in an e-shop are enough to make a purchase, shopping centers have not ceased to enjoy great popularity. This is proof that personal contact with staff and the opportunity to see and touch products are still in demand.
In order for shopping centers to retain tenants for the long term, rental conditions must be attractive. Especially when it comes to rent. The price is closely related to operating costs, and energy costs make up a significant part.
Tenants, on the other hand, need clientele. But consumer behavior has also changed. Customers are not only interested in the selection of goods and services, today's consumer expects more. Therefore, shopping centers must also focus on sustainability, which visitors are no longer indifferent to.
The Gallery shopping mall has taken a clear stance on this, solving both problems via the Smart battery storage brAIn as a Service model provided by its electricity supplier, Slovenské elektrárne – energetické služby, s.r.o.. Today, the shopping center happily saves money and nature without changing its core function in any way.
What distinguishes the operation of the Galéria shopping mall?
This relatively new shopping center has been operating in the very heart of Martin since 2017, quickly becoming an integral part of the city. By providing space for various shops, services, a supermarket and a food court, the operation consumes approximately 2.2 gigawatt hours of electricity annually.
Despite its lucrative location and accessibility, customers can also take advantage of a spacious rooftop parking lot with charging stations for electric cars. Unfortunately, this roof parking significantly hinders the possibility of installing a local energy source - solar panels. And so the Galéria was forced to look for other energy optimization solutions.
Solution design and installation process
In the first step, we carefully looked at the amount of reserved capacity and the maximum reserved capacity at the delivery point, i.e. at the customer site. We also checked the possibilities to regulate energy consumption through energy-intensive devices, as well as the operation’s diagram of electricity consumption. This complete energy audit enabled us to design an ideal brAIn battery storage, with a battery capacity of 108 kWh and 100 kW of inverter power.
Following a site inspection, we determined the best location for installation to be near the main switchboard, and next determined the need for any additional wiring or construction modifications. We chose an interior version of the storage, which is possible thanks to the use of non-flammable LiFePO4 batteries.
As the room in which the storage was to be located is adjacent to an unheated corridor, we suggested using the excess heat from the batteries through a two-way exhaust. This draws cold air into the storage room cooling the batteries, while blowing warm air into the corridor. Galéria employees will certainly appreciate this bonus, especially in winter.
For the next step, there is an option to install the brAIn flexibility software solution for cooling technology and air conditioning by connecting to the existing MaR system. The brAIn flexibility solution can be installed independently or as a supplement to the brAIn storage and will enable Galéria to achieve even better economic and ecological savings.
What did the Galéria shopping center get?
A battery storage brAIn for free and an annual financial reward.
Zero investment costs and a share of the financial effect for the Galéria shopping mall was all achieved by the Smart battery storage brAIn as a service model. The technology was financed by Galéria’s energy supplier, Slovenské elektrárne – energetické služby, s.r.o.
Reduction of Greenhouse gasses CO2(e)
With a consumption of 2.2 gigawatt hours, the Galéria shopping mall produces approximately 352 tons of CO2(e) emissions per year. In 2022, the Galéria was a proud holder of the "Green Energy" certificate, issued on the basis of guarantees of the origin of electricity from renewable energy sources. However, buying pure green energy is financially demanding compared to regular electricity from the power grid.
Today, the shopping center reduces greenhouse gasses with the brAIn smart battery storage. With properly timed consumption, which effectively relieves the load on the power grid at the time of the greatest demand and thus replaces fossil-fuel sources, brAIn can save approximately 100 tons of CO2(e) annually. This represents a reduction of the total emissions of the shopping center of up to 28%. The carbon footprint of the storage itself is only 14.3 tons of CO2(e), so altogether it will pay off its carbon debt in the first year of its operation.
Zero worries
With the Smart battery storage brAIn as a Service model, the Galéria shopping mall had nothing to worry about. All permits, installation, management and subsequent care of the storage is managed by FUERGY with the supplier Slovenské elektrárne – energetické služby, s.r.o.. Thanks to perfect cooperation on the part of the customer, this process was a pleasant experience for all involved.
Timetable
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