By utilizing solar panels, wind turbines and
geothermal technology, engineers anticipate the new store will
produce energy equal to or greater than it consumes
Sporting two wind turbines, nearly 850 solar panels and a
geothermal system burrowed 550 feet into the ground, Walgreens
(NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG) today celebrates the official opening of
what is believed to be the nation’s first net zero energy retail
store, anticipated to produce energy equal to or greater than it
consumes.
Located at 635 Chicago Ave. in Evanston, Ill., the store opens
to the public at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, following store tours
for invited guests by the Walgreens sustainability team and a
ribbon cutting by Walgreens executives, government dignitaries and
sustainability advocates.
“As we celebrate the grand opening, we begin a one-year effort
to operate a retail store that will generate more energy than it
consumes. Using the best technologies available, we believe we can
accomplish our goal of having the first net zero energy retail
store in America,” said Mark Wagner, Walgreens president of
operations and community management. “Currently, we have facilities
that utilize wind turbines, solar installations and geothermal
technologies. This is the first time we are bringing all three of
these technologies and many more together in one place. Our purpose
as a company is to help people get, stay and live well, and that
includes making our planet more livable by conserving resources and
reducing pollution.”
Walgreens plans to generate electricity and reduce its energy
usage in the store by more than 50 percent through several
technologies including:
- nearly 850 roof-top solar panels,
generating enough energy to power 30 Illinois homes for a
year;
- two 35-foot-tall wind turbines, using
Lake Michigan breezes to generate enough power to offset annual
greenhouse gas emissions from 2.2 passenger vehicles;
- geothermal energy obtained by drilling
550 feet into the ground below the store, where temperatures are
more constant and can be tapped to heat or cool the store in winter
and summer;
- LED lighting and daylight
harvesting;
- carbon dioxide refrigerant for heating,
cooling and refrigeration equipment;
- and energy efficient building
materials.
Engineering estimates -- which can vary due to factors such as
weather, store operations and systems performance -- indicate that
the store will use 200,000 kilowatt hours per year of electricity
while generating 220,000 kilowatt hours per year.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn said, “I am proud that an
Illinois-based corporation like Walgreens is taking the lead in the
use of green technology, which will be a model for all retail
operations across the country. The best energy sources are free,
renewable and have little environmental impact – and that’s exactly
what Walgreens is doing in Evanston.”
“Evanston is thrilled to celebrate the opening of the new
Walgreens on Chicago Avenue and is pleased to welcome the nations’
first net zero energy retail store to Evanston,” said Evanston
Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl. Anticipating a possible platinum
certification from the U. S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in
Energy & Environmental Design program, Tisdahl added, “By
delivering a LEED Platinum building, Walgreens has exceeded
Evanston’s green building goals and is a strong partner in our
commitment to sustainable development and responsible use of
natural resources. The new Walgreens store is a model for green
building innovation and will serve as an excellent demonstration of
next generation technologies and forward thinking
eco-leadership.”
Thomas Connolly, Walgreens vice president of facilities
development, said, “We are investing in a net-zero energy store so
we can bring what we learn to our other stores and share what we
learn with other companies. Because we operate more than 8,000
stores, anything we do that reduces our carbon footprint can have a
broad, positive impact on the nation’s environment.”
The store is seeking platinum certification through the U.S.
Green Building Council LEED program, Net Zero Certification through
the Living Building Challenge, and has received GreenChill platinum
certification through the U.S. EPA. GreenChill’s Store
Certification Program was designed for supermarkets, and this is
the first time a GreenChill certification is being awarded to a
small-format store, such as a convenience store or pharmacy.
“EPA’s GreenChill Program is very pleased to award a
platinum-level certification to the Evanston, Illinois Walgreens
store for its state-of-the-art refrigeration and air-conditioning
system,” said Sarah Dunham, director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric
Programs.
Over the past year, Walgreens engineers have worked with the
city of Evanston and vendors, including Trane, CREE Lighting,
Acuity Lighting, Cooper Lighting, CalStar Products, GE Lighting, GI
Energy, SoCore Energy, Osman Construction, Wing Power Energy and
Camburas and Theodore Architects.
The project is the latest of many green initiatives for the
company. Walgreens currently operates two stores that have achieved
a LEED certification level of gold; 150 stores utilizing solar
power; a store in Oak Park, Ill., using geothermal energy; a
distribution center in Waxahachie, Texas, that generates energy
though the use of wind; and 400 locations with electric vehicle
charging stations. Walgreens stores use 25 watt fluorescent lamps
(lowest wattage in the industry), LED cooler and freezer lighting
and energy management systems in more than 5,000 locations. In
addition, 15 Walgreens distribution centers have achieved net zero
waste, which means revenues from recycling exceed waste
expense.
The Evanston location also showcases the new Walgreens “Well
Experience” store format with features that include an enhanced,
state-of-the-art pharmacy designed to encourage greater interaction
between pharmacists and patients. At the core of the Well
Experience format is an effort to bring the pharmacist out from
behind the counter so they can provide more counseling to patients,
offer clinical services and answer questions. The pharmacy also
features an “Ask Your Pharmacist” desk, consultation rooms and an
Express Rx kiosk for swift checkout.
The store will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through
Friday and 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The pharmacy
will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9
a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. To follow the new store’s
journey to achieve net zero status and the company’s other green
initiatives, visit the Net Zero Facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Walgreens-Net-Zero-Community/.
(Note to editors: downloadable high-resolution video and
photographs will be available at
http://news.walgreens.com/Net+Zero+store/)
About PURE Walgreens
Walgreens corporate sustainability program, “PURE Walgreens –
For the health and wellness of our planet,” focuses on helping
customers get, stay and live well through innovative leadership in
corporate sustainability. In support of “People Using Resources
Efficiently,” PURE Walgreens programs focus on making Walgreens a
leader in resource conservation, carbon emissions reduction and
waste diversion.
About Walgreens
As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2013 sales
of $72 billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to be the
first choice in health and daily living for everyone in America,
and beyond. Each day, Walgreens provides more than 6 million
customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer
goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and
wellness services and advice in communities across America.
Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty,
infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory
services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs
for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health
systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The
company operates 8,131 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Take Care Health
Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most
comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers,
provider practices, and in-store convenient care clinics, with more
than 750 locations throughout the country.
WalgreensEmily Hartwig,
847-315-3316http://news.walgreens.com@WalgreensNewsfacebook.com/Walgreens
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