Source Refrigeration & HVAC, Inc., was chosen by SUPERVALU INC., one of the nation’s largest grocery companies, as a key team member on the company’s first all-natural refrigerant store project: a remodel of an Albertson’s grocery store in Carpinteria, CA. The store's refrigeration systems use carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia, and propane.
“This project is a testament to SuperValu’s commitment to natural refrigerants and sustainability,” says Richard Heath, director of energy innovations and projects for SUPERVALU. “We selected Source because of their extensive experience in planning, phasing, installing, executing and sustaining mission-critical refrigeration and HVAC systems. Source’s commitment to system optimization and energy efficiency is very much in line with SUPERVALU’s overall sustainability efforts.”
According to Heath, Source was critical to the majority of key project stages, including the design/review process, project phasing and scheduling, technology implementation, installation, operational review and validation, and operational/functional sustainability.
Under the direction of Senior Vice President of Operations Brad Person, Source provided a comprehensive team to support the project.
Source team members included:
- Vice President of Engineering Bryan Beitler, who was responsible for reviewing phasing loads, designs, system capacity validations of a phased remodel program, and key component and operations review.
- Director of Construction Fred Stockert, who planned and deployed resources to meet critical open-store customer expectations and safety needs. He also developed and implemented safety training and awareness involved with the application of the natural refrigerants used on the project (CO2, ammonia, and propane)
- Customer Account Lead Bob Burns, who coordinated the internal Source resources and external project partners
- Director of Energy Optimization Pete Cuneo, who reviewed and implemented the controls functions needed to efficiently operate the new system.
- Director of Service Greg Thurston, who developed and executed a service and preventative maintenance program to ensure store performance and operational sustainability. He also provided technician and resource training and information. Of course, as Heath explains, a project of this size requires many resources and much collaboration.
“Key to the success of a project like this is a strong partnership between all suppliers,” he says. Source was part of a comprehensive team that included CTA Architects/Engineers, Hill PHOENIX, Mayekawa Manufacturing Company, Danfoss, and Eleven Western Builders, Inc.