Vallarta Supermarkets Seals New Energy Deal

Vallarta Supermarkets, a California-based company with more than 50 locations, has agreed to install Energy Recovery’s PX G1300 (PX G) energy recovery device in its store in Indio, Calif.

“As we’ve committed to doing all we can to reduce our impact on the environment, we have been hunting for new technology and solutions that will enable us to operate our current CO2 refrigeration unit more efficiently and use less energy,” said Vallarta CEO Miguel Gonzalez in a statement. “We are thrilled to find a solution with Energy Recovery, and the efficiencies made possible by the PX G will ultimately help us meet our sustainability goals.”

Over the last several years, Vallarta Supermarkets has implemented an energy efficiency program that has led to a 15% reduction of electricity consumption across the majority of its stores, says the company. In September 2019, Vallarta Supermarkets was awarded the 2019 Clean Energy Champion by Southern California Edison in recognition of the company’s sustainability efforts.

Vallarta Supermarkets will install the PX G in the Indio store’s carbon dioxide (CO2) refrigeration system. The PX G can reduce the energy consumption and operating costs of CO2 refrigeration in a broad range of operating conditions, says the San Leandro, Calif.-based Energy Recovery.

“While CO2 systems are more environmentally friendly than incumbent refrigerants, such as climate damaging hydrocarbons (HFCs), CO2 systems are more energy intensive to operate, especially in warmer climates such as Indio, where temperatures regularly reach above 100 degrees Fahrenheit/38 degrees Celsius. The PX G is designed to solve this challenge, making it financially attractive for retailers to make the switch to CO2 systems,” says the company.

“Left unchecked, HFCs are projected to increase global temperatures by a half-degree Celsius by 2100. With the PX G, our goal is to pave the way for the next-generation CO2 refrigeration system that allows retailers to save on energy costs while complying with regulations phasing out HFCs,” said Robert Mao, chairman of the board, president and CEO of Energy Recovery. “We are proud to work with a partner who shares our commitment to sustainability. We look forward to demonstrating the PX G’s performance in a real-world commercial environment. Our confidence in our technology’s ability to reduce energy consumption is high and we are putting our money where our mouth is. Under this initial deployment, we will only receive payments based off of the amount of energy we save.”

Founded by Enrique Gonzalez Aguayo in 1985, Vallarta Supermarkets has grown to a total of 53 stores and more than 8,000 team members throughout California. Its stores are located in Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Kern, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Orange and Fresno.