Challenge 12. “Energy Management of Multi-Group Furniture”

About Exkal

EXKAL ( 2005) is the leader in commercial refrigeration in Spain and is currently expanding internationally. It offers a wide range of sustainable and innovative refrigeration units for the retail and foodservice sectors. As a global supplier, it works locally in each country with the industry’s leading companies. It believes in this family-owned, independent business model, with the capacity to make decisions and lead the market, and dedicates its efforts to this. Its goal is to create value for customers. Its path is sustainability through technological application, innovation, and continuous improvement. Furthermore, Exkal Concept and Horexkal have led to improvements in both the design of specialized products and the creation of more comprehensive solutions and services.

Learn about Challenge 12, which Exkal has submitted to the Open Innovation program.

Challenge 12.“Energy Management of Multi-Group Furniture”

EXKAL aims to advance its energy efficiency and sustainability strategy by developing innovative solutions for the energy management of multi-unit refrigerated display cases in commercial settings (supermarkets and hypermarkets). Currently, the simultaneous operation of multiple refrigerated and frozen display cases generates high energy demand peaks (both at the unit and facility levels), especially during critical phases such as startup, defrosting, or thermal load variations. This results in:
• Increased energy costs.
• Penalties for contracted power.
• Oversized electrical infrastructure.
• Larger carbon footprint.
The company is interested in identifying and developing advanced technological solutions that enable intelligent, coordinated, and progressive management of energy consumption, aligned with energy efficiency models and industrial digitalization.

Expected benefits

Identifying and developing advanced solutions for the energy management of refrigerated display cases will enable the company to make a positive impact at various levels. Specifically, the following benefits are expected:
• Reduced energy consumption and carbon footprint through the optimization of energy use in refrigeration systems, minimizing demand spikes, and improving the overall efficiency of the display cases.
• Operational optimization: improved energy management of equipment, preventing overloads and reducing costs associated with contracted power, as well as greater stability in the operation of refrigeration systems.
• New value opportunities: development of advanced technological solutions in energy management that can be integrated as new functionalities into refrigeration systems, providing added value to the end customer and improving the company’s competitiveness in the market.

What are they looking for in a collaborator?

EXKAL is seeking partners capable of proposing innovative solutions for the energy management of multi-unit systems that are feasible from both a technical and economic standpoint.
Proposals do not need to involve high-cost, disruptive developments, but they must be implementable on a phased basis, without requiring significant investment or disrupting the normal operation of the facilities. The following will be particularly valued:
• The ability to develop smart control systems that enable coordinated and efficient management of multiple units.
• Solutions adaptable to both new installations and existing environments (retrofit).
• Approaches based on digitalization, advanced monitoring, and data analysis.
• Strategies that enable phased commissioning and effective reduction of power peaks.
Although the primary focus is on the energy management of refrigerated and frozen display cases, EXKAL remains open to complementary solutions that optimize the overall performance of the refrigeration system.

Do you have any questions?