PX G1300® Improves Efficiency of CO2 System by up to 30% in Northern Italy Supermarket

The Challenge

Transitioning to a Climate-Friendly Refrigeration System While Improving Efficiency

Transitioning from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to low global warming potential (low GWP) natural refrigerants for use in commercial refrigeration equipment is one of the most impactful ways to address climate change globally. A supermarket in Northern Italy, where regulation limits HFC use, chose to install a carbon dioxide (CO₂)-based system to drastically reduce its emissions. While CO₂ is a leading natural refrigerant, CO₂ systems can consume large amounts of energy, increasing operating costs.

The Solution

Energy Recovery’s PX G1300 Lowers Energy Consumption of CO₂ Systems

In collaboration with Epta, an independent global player and leader in commercial refrigeration, the supermarket became the first in Europe to incorporate a PX G1300 energy recovery device into its CO₂ system.

BENEFITS OF THE PX G1300

Energy efficiency improvement of 25% at 35°C (95°F) with up to 30% at 40°C (104°F)
High temperature rack stability
Simple design and operation

The installation occurred in a new 1,500 square meter store. This was the first field deployment of Energy Recovery’s PX G1300 technology by Epta, which is now integrated into Epta’s new XTE (Extra Transcritical Efficiency) system, the company’s next generation CO₂ refrigeration technology. The PX G1300 was chosen for this green supermarket due to its ability to recycle pressure energy, allowing the system to run more efficiently. This enabled performance improvements at temperatures between 20°C and 40°C (68-104°F), increasing annual efficiency as it allows the system to operate for longer periods. Epta also chose the PX G1300 for its simple design, low maintenance needs, and potential for improving rack stability at high temperature, an increasing challenge the location was facing.

Energy Recovery granted patents:	Energy Recovery published patents:
Patent No.: US 11,421,918	Pub No.: US 2023/ 0106860
Patent No.: US 11,397,030	Pub No.: US 2022/ 0397310
	Pub No.: US 2022/ 0397324

*The recorded efficiency improvement compares a PX-enabled CO₂ refrigeration system to a CO₂ refrigeration system without an energy recovery device at temperatures above 40°C (104°F).

The Result

Supermarket Future-Proofs Refrigeration Operations While Reducing Operating Costs and Emissions

After the PX G1300 was installed, the supermarket saw efficiency improvements of more than 25% at 35-40°C (95-104°F) with projected improvement of up to 30% at 40°C (104°F), compared to a standard CO₂ booster system. CO₂ refrigeration systems typically lose efficiency as temperatures rise. The PX G1300 solved this issue by providing free compression power, increasing efficiency levels.

By integrating the PX G1300 into the C0₂ refrigeration system, high temperature rack stability was also achieved, which was important to the store when facing increased extreme weather conditions, including heat waves. Additional capacity provided by the PX G1300-enabled CO₂ refrigeration system ensured smooth operation even beyond its original design point. The new Northern Italy store is now prepared for future extreme energy variations, ensuring protection against refrigeration failure and revenue losses.

The efficiency improvements of the PX G1300 system are more than 25% at 35-40°C (95-104°F) and projected to be up to 30% above 40°C (104°F) compared to standard CO₂ booster systems.

PX G1300^® Improves Efficiency of CO₂ System by up to 30% in Northern Italy Supermarket

Case Study / CO2 Refrigeration

The Challenge

Transitioning to a Climate-Friendly Refrigeration System While Improving Efficiency

The Solution

Energy Recovery’s PX G1300 Lowers Energy Consumption of CO₂ Systems

The Result

Supermarket Future-Proofs Refrigeration Operations While Reducing Operating Costs and Emissions

Questions? Let’s Talk.

The Challenge

Transitioning to a Climate-Friendly Refrigeration System While Improving Efficiency

The Solution

Energy Recovery’s PX G1300 Lowers Energy Consumption of CO2 Systems

The Result

Supermarket Future-Proofs Refrigeration Operations While Reducing Operating Costs and Emissions

Questions? Let’s Talk.

Energy Recovery’s PX G1300 Lowers Energy Consumption of CO₂ Systems