ABB drives enhance energy efficiency in the HVAC systems of IKEA stores located in Alcorcón and San Sebastián de los Reyes. Reduction of CO2 emissions estimated at 425 tons per year.

IKEA is the world’s leading Swedish group in decoration and furniture with more than 276 stores in Europe and over 459 worldwide, with a clear mission: to generate a positive impact on people and the planet.

For IKEA, sustainability is one of its main drivers of innovation and growth. In this regard, and alongside a commitment to renewable energy, IKEA is installing energy efficient air conditioning systems optimized with ABB technology.

In two of its largest stores in Spain, in San Sebastián de los Reyes and Alcorcón, with a combined area of about 80,000 square meters, IKEA has opted for HVAC systems equipped with ACH580 and ACH550 ABB drives.

In total ABB has supplied 15 ACH580 low harmonic drives for these systems and a complete package of standard ACH580 and ACH550 drives, with an aggregate power of 600kW.

Energy efficiency improvements

The ACH580 is a device that stands out for its ability to guarantee air quality in the most energy efficient and cost-effective way in both normal and critical situations.

It is estimated that with the installation of ABB drives, an increase of 25% in energy efficiency of the system will be achieved, which will mean an annual reduction of around 425 tons of CO2 emissions, or equivalent to the annual emissions of 95 petrol-driven cars.

Shared sustainability goals

One of the fundamental pillars within Ikea’s sustainability strategy is the reduction of its carbon footprint. The company has set the objective of reducing emissions by 80% by 2030. Since 2010, IKEA Ibérica has registered a reduction in energy consumption of 37%.

On ABB’s side, the company has committed to helping its customers around the world reduce their CO2 emissions by at least 100 megatons, or the equivalent annual emissions of 30 million petrol-driven cars, as part of its goal of promoting a low-carbon society.

“At IKEA we are committed to sustainability and we strive to minimize the climate footprint of our operations. The implementation of energy efficiency solutions is a basic and vital element to continue growing our business while reducing our carbon footprint. These types of solutions will allow us to be more energy efficient by reducing our consumption, something that brings us a little closer to our aspiration to become a 100% circular business by 2030.”, explains Qi Kai Sheng, head of circularity and climate change in the Sustainability department of IKEA Ibérica.

“Energy efficiency has the potential to contribute to reaching 40% of the emission reduction targets set in the Paris Agreement, and steps such as those we are taking to improve the HVAC systems of buildings such as these IKEA stores may seem small, but together, applying similar solutions in many buildings, they can represent giant steps towards a much more environmentally sustainable society.”, comments Juan Bachiller, Lead Business Manager of ABB in Spain.