Major Japanese Convenience Store Chains to Cut Electricity Consumption by 25% in Summer 2011

Seven-Eleven Japan Co. and Lawson, Inc., major convenience store chains in Japan, announced in April 2011 that they plan to cut annual electricity consumption by 25 percent from the previous year. Their aim is to prepare for the serious power shortage expected in summer 2011 in the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) service area.

Seven-Eleven plans to reduce electricity consumption 10 percent by switching to LED lighting and installing solar panels, 5 percent by adjusting the temperature settings for refrigerated shelves and air conditioning, and another 10 percent by visualizing energy consumption for equipment in the store using smart sensors. With these efforts, the company hopes to achieve a 25 percent reduction overall.

As for Lawson, it plans to introduce LED lights in all stores before the end of fiscal 2011. This would reduce electricity usage by about 40 percent for in-store lighting, which is equivalent to about 5 percent of reduction per store. Combined with other power-saving measures in store operation to eliminate electricity usage by about 20 percent, it aims to reduce electricity consumption by 25 percent overall.

Posted: 2011/07/28 06:00:15 AM