Improving energy efficiency through Cooling as a Service (CaaS)

This case study examines the implementation of a Cooling as a Service (CaaS) model at a Pick ‘n’ Pay supermarket in Ceres, Western Cape Province. By replacing an inefficient, end-of-life simplex refrigeration system with a high-efficiency multiplex rack configuration provided by Energy Partners Refrigeration (EPR) via a shared savings model, the store reduced average refrigeration energy consumption by 35% and overall cost per refrigeration-hour by 30%.

• The installation of a new refrigeration system at Pick ‘n’ Pay Ceres resulted in a 35% reduction in average refrigeration energy consumption and a 30% reduction in the overall cost per refrigeration-hour.
• The technical solution employed an air-cooled, direct expansion multiplex rack configuration using R407F refrigerant for medium temperature components, which has a lower global warming impact than the R22 refrigerant it replaced. The system utilized variable speed drives on lead compressors to stabilize capacity control and lower start-up currents.
• To maximize efficiency, the system implemented electronic expansion valves to minimize evaporator superheat, maintained suction pressures at the highest possible level while meeting temperature set points, and floated condensing pressures down during favorable ambient temperatures.
• The project utilized a Cooling as a Service (CaaS) shared savings model where Energy Partners Refrigeration (EPR) owns, maintains, and optimizes the system. This removed upfront costs for the client, who instead pays a portion of the monthly cost savings over a term of approximately 10 to 15 years.
• The document notes that replacing end-of-life plants with holistically designed systems can offer energy savings of approximately 15-35% for commercial and retail businesses.

APA

Poorun, A., & Kriel, D. (2021). Improving energy efficiency through Cooling as a Service (CaaS). GreenCape. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ENERGY_EFFICIENCY_CASE_STUDY_18_3_21b-1-v2-3.pdf

Chicago

Poorun, Argon, and Dawie Kriel. Improving energy efficiency through Cooling as a Service (CaaS). GreenCape, 2021. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ENERGY_EFFICIENCY_CASE_STUDY_18_3_21b-1-v2-3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Poorun |first1=Argon |last2=Kriel |first2=Dawie |title=Improving energy efficiency through Cooling as a Service (CaaS) |publisher=GreenCape |date=2021 |url=https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ENERGY_EFFICIENCY_CASE_STUDY_18_3_21b-1-v2-3.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{poorun2021improving, author = {Poorun, Argon and Kriel, Dawie}, title = {{Improving energy efficiency through Cooling as a Service (CaaS)}}, institution = {GreenCape}, year = {2021}, url = {https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ENERGY_EFFICIENCY_CASE_STUDY_18_3_21b-1-v2-3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }