The refrigerators have been fitted with aerofoils designed and manufactured by Aerofoil Energy, and Williams has lent its expertise to the project to refine the design.
Aerofoils streamline the flow of air around an object, Sainsbury explained, helping F1 cars to grip the road and corner faster.
Wasting energy
Cold air streams down from holes in the top of the fridge cabinet to keep products cold. Some of this cold air was previously blown out of the front of the cabinet, into the store, instead of remaining inside, wasting energy. The new aerofoils direct the cold air back into the fridge so less is wasted.
At night, additional draw-down blinds are used on the fridges to keep cold air in. “We’re proud to be giving our fridges a turbo boost with this fantastic aerodynamic technology,” said Sainsbury’s head of refrigeration John Skelton.
“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.”
‘Best F1 technology’
Craig Wilson, md of Williams Advanced Engineering, added: “Williams Advanced Engineering’s mantra is to take the best of F1 technology and know-how and work 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 F1 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.”