Danfoss Smart Store achieves 60% lower net energy use in real-world supermarket

# Overview

Danfoss's Smart Store, at its Nordborg headquarters, is a working supermarket that also functions as an Application Development Centre (ADC). Opened in 2023, the 1,500 m2 site operates as a COOP 365 discount supermarket run by BALS and is used by Danfoss engineers to test and optimise integrated energy technologies under normal retail conditions.

# What the store integrates

The Smart Store brings together proven technologies into one operating system rather than testing each element in isolation. Key components include:

• CO2 refrigeration.
• Heat recovery that supplies onsite heating, hot water, and surplus heat to the local district heating network.
• Electronic controls and sensors with cloud-based monitoring and energy management.
• Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels covering part of the store's electricity demand.

# Performance and measured results

Danfoss reports the Smart Store delivers 60% lower net energy use than benchmark stores. Measured contributions include:

• Heat recovery: 130,000 kWh used to heat the store since opening, plus 50,000 kWh exported to the district heating network.
• Solar PV: supplied 38% of total electricity demand. In 2025 the panels produced 100,000 kWh, of which 25,000 kWh was fed back to the grid.

An independently verified Danfoss case study projects emissions over a 15-year system lifetime using Danish grid factors. The results show:

• 39% lower emissions than a modern CO2-based reference store.
• 68% lower emissions than an HFC-based reference store.

# Economics

Danfoss reports the heat-recovery solution has an average payback time of three years. The store functions as a live demonstration site where payback and operational performance can be validated in a retail environment.

# Operational and outreach aspects

The Smart Store remains open as a retail outlet (COOP 365) while hosting the Danfoss ADC. Since its 2023 opening more than 4,500 customers, partners, policymakers and students have visited, allowing stakeholders to see integrated systems working under real operating conditions.

# What Danfoss says

Kristian Strand, president of Danfoss Climate Solutions, stated that the Smart Store shows the technologies to cut supermarket energy use and emissions already exist. He highlighted the benefits of integrating refrigeration, heating, controls and energy management for efficiency, lower operating costs and competitiveness, and noted that larger stores and more carbon-intensive grids could see greater potential through closer grid integration.

# Practical takeaways for retailers

• Combining CO2 refrigeration with heat recovery and controls can materially reduce net energy use.
• Onsite solar PV can cover a substantial share of electricity demand and export surplus to the grid.
• Heat recovery projects can reach short payback periods when applied at this scale.
• Demonstration sites like the Smart Store provide measurable, real-world performance data that can inform investment decisions.

# Bottom line

Store reports significant energy and emissions reductions by integrating established refrigeration and energy technologies in a real retail setting. The combination of CO2 refrigeration, heat recovery, controls and solar produced measurable energy savings, exportable heat, and a relatively short payback on the heat-recovery installation.