Wal-Mart Unveils High-Efficiency Supercenter
Not one to ever stay out of the news for one reason or another, Wal-Mart this week unveiled what it calls its most energy-efficient U.S. store yet: the HE.5 prototype.
The store, located in Las Vegas, is said to use up to 45 percent less energy than your basic Supercenter. It’s also designed specifically for the Southwest’s typical climate conditions.
Among the store’s features: a system that pumps water through rooftop cooling towers, then uses that water to provide evaporative cooling underneath the floors. The structure also builds upon energy-conserving and emissions-reducing strategies for heating, lighting and refrigeration that were tested in the previous prototypes, HE.1 and HE.2.
Because of the climate-specific nature of the design, the HE.5 store will be built only in areas with similar conditions, Wal-Mart said. By next year, the retailing giant aims to complete design of a “viable store prototype” that is 25 to 30 percent more energy-efficient than regular stores.
Despite its ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move toward greener construction, Wal-Mart continues to see its overall emissions rise because of its ongoing growth around the globe. At a conference last week, CEO Lee Scott Jr. acknowledged he had no idea when the company could actually meet its professed goals of 100-percent renewable energy and zero waste, and stated, “We are not green.”
This story seems to want to report on “progress” that simply doesn’t amount to anything. The headline should read “Wal-Mart’s Total Green House Gas Emissions Increase Despite Marginal Design Improvements”. That would “unveil” the facts.
Frank, I posted this essentially as food for thought … the prototype is interesting, though — I agree — ultimately not a plus for the environment overall.
I personally tend to view Wal-Mart as the poster child for the conventional economy’s limitations to going green: you can boost energy efficiency, recycle and reuse as much as possible, but if the goal is to continually expand, grow and increase market reach (and profits), there’s no way to do that sustainably with the Wal-Mart/Big Box model.
Shirley, I see that you’re posting from Las Vegas. Are there any truly sustainable developments in your local community? I would love to hear about folks doing something that’s truly efficient and locally relevant. Are there “Green” business/government/community efforts in the desert?
Actually, Frank, I’m based in northwest Florida — just scour for environmentally related news across the U.S. to keep things interesting here. There are actually several interesting developments in my neck of the woods: I’ll post some info about those tomorrow, and will let you know when those are up.