Assignment 4 Semester 2 2025
Unique #
Due Date: 17 September 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
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, QUESTION 1
How Woolworths Uses Energy Responsibly & Efficiently
1. Green Building / Green Store Design
Woolworths has its own Green-Store rating model. Stores are rated Silver, Gold, or
Platinum depending on how many sustainable design features they incorporate.
These include automatic doors to manage temperature, LED lighting that adjusts
with natural light, natural ventilation, roof vents admitting daylight, under-floor heating
using waste heat from refrigeration, closed-door refrigeration and CO₂ or natural
gas-based refrigeration systems. The Palmyra Junction store in Cape Town is a
flagship example, verified as a 5-star Green Building by the Green Building Council
of South Africa.
2. Real-Time Monitoring of Electricity Use
Woolworths monitors electricity usage for most of its stores, distribution centres, and
head offices using online real-time monitoring systems. These systems allow them to
track usage, detect inefficiencies, and identify where energy savings can be made.
3. Refrigeration Improvements
Refrigeration is a large portion of a food retail store’s energy demand. Woolworths
has installed closed-door fridge/freezer units in its Food stores, which reduces
energy usage by about 25%. They are also adopting CO₂ / natural gas refrigeration
instead of synthetic refrigerants, which have a high global warming potential.
4. LED Lighting & Lighting Efficiency
The company is replacing older lighting (fluorescent, metal halide) with LEDs, and
using lighting that adjusts to natural light (auto-dimming or sensors). This helps
reduce energy use while maintaining good lighting for customer experience and
safety.
5. Commitments to Renewables & Low-Carbon Transition
Woolworths has set a goal: 100% of energy from renewable sources for its direct
operations by 2030. Also the company is pursuing net zero carbon impact by 2040
for Scope 1 & 2 emissions, with interim reductions by 2030. To achieve this, they are
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