Refrigerators are the largest consumer of power in supermarkets and, in their present design, lose significant amounts of cold air, creating inefficiencies that demand increased energy use. This leads to greater carbon emissions and colder aisles for shoppers. 

Aerofoil, a new device from Aerofoil Energy, is influenced by Formula One aerodynamics from Williams Advanced Engineering and is similar in appearance to the rear wing of a Formula One car. It uses aerodynamics to guide cold air down the fridge more efficiently, meaning substantially fewer carbon emissions and warmer shops. Initial results from tests in the US also show an increased shelf life of produce, helping to reduce food waste.

Brian Churchyard, senior manager for Construction Design Standards at Asda, said: “Like all the Walmart family, we’re committed to lowering our energy use, with a target of a 30 percent reduction in energy intensity by 2025 from our 2010 baseline.

“The roll-out of Aerofoils, alongside other initiatives we’re undertaking, such as moving to 100 percent LED sales floor lighting this year, will significantly help us in achieving this target, as well as improving the shopping experience for our customers.”

Aerofoil has won multiple awards recognising its innovative nature and was most recently a finalist with the Royal Academy of Engineering for its MacRobert Award, the UK’s most prestigious and longest-running engineering prize.

“The teams at Williams and Aerofoil Energy are delighted that Asda has recognised the benefits that installation of the innovative Aerofoil device can deliver to the company and its customers,” said Craig Wilson, managing director of Williams Advanced Engineering.  “Using state-of-the-art aerodynamic capabilities here at Williams, we have worked with Aerofoil Energy to design and develop Aerofoil to deliver multi-million pound energy savings, tons of CO2 emission reductions and an improved climate in stores for shoppers.”

Aerofoil Energy worked closely with Williams Advanced Engineering to refine the original Aerofoil concept, using Williams’ proven expertise in aerodynamic design and testing from four decades of success in Formula One racing. The Williams Advanced Engineering division uses computational fluid dynamics to model and simulate new designs before testing them at the Williams technical facility in Oxfordshire.

Paul McAndrew, chief executive of Aerofoil Energy, said: “It is great to see such a well-known and respected brand as Asda choosing to install Aerofoils. From an idea I had a few years ago, through working with Williams to refine and produce it, to now seeing Aerofoils in operation in supermarkets, this is a proud day for me and the Aerofoil team.”