Axiom Energy started in its founder’s Amrit Robbins garage in 2014. Today, the firm has contracts with Whole Foods. The “refrigeration battery” system that the firm boasts is what has made it so attractive.
The technology makes use of pre-existing refrigerators that the clients would already own to implement long-scale thermal energy storage solutions. The system created by Axiom takes excess energy from the fridge to freeze a tank of salt water overnight. Then, later the next day, during electricity hours in the afternoon, the refrigeration battery uses the frozen salt water to provide refrigeration to the units, instead of demanding more energy from the grid. This reduces the need for compressors or condensers.
Robbins is optimistic about the outlook for the firm, specifically because the solution provided to their main target audience: grocery stores. According to Robbins, the margins for these grocery stores are razor thin at around 1.3% on average, meaning they are desperate for any cost saving measures. Moreover, on average they spend three times more on energy per square foot than other retailers. Even a few basis points in savings would be huge. Energy may be the area to target for these savings, especially given the opportunities presented by Axiom.
Up to 60% of energy consumption from typical supermarkets comes from refrigeration expenses, a problem which is heightened by the volatility of energy demand and the high prices that have come to be associated with it. Taking the old refrigeration units and transforming them into intelligent energy storage assets could be the way of the future.
The hype surrounding Axiom comes from the short time it took for the company to go from a start-up, to landing major contracts. The three years taken by the company shines when compared to the sometimes decades-long research and development process undergone by emerging battery and fuel cell chemistry companies. For example, Aquion, Imergy, or Enervault – all of which are now defunct.
The advantages for Axiom are expansive. The ability to use existing infrastructure to innovate solutions saves a ton of money on manufacturing. Moreover, Axiom sells directly to the end consumer, eliminating a middleman. Other battery companies must first sell to battery and energy system integrators.
Another huge advantage, simply put, is Whole Foods. Axiom’s largest client seems to be willing to undertake the risk that comes with trusting a start-up – a risk that perhaps other supermarket chains will not be so eager to engage with.
However, Whole Foods is ready to give a full endorsement of Axiom. Using this technology, according to them, future-proofs their stores against what could happen in the energy market in the coming years, especially given what has happened in the last 15 years. The next stage of regional rollouts between Axiom and Whole Foods is currently being developed.
There has been no growth or change in the “refrigeration” industry in the last 50 to 60 years, according to the director of sustainability and facilities at Whole Foods, Tristam Coffin. For this reason, he supports any initiative to shock the “stagnant” sector.
A reporter for GreenTechMedia had the opportunity to visit a Whole Foods location with an Axiom system in place, and got to see the compressor room. The visit came during peak electricity hours in mid-afternoon with peak outdoor temperatures. The compressor rack that normally powers the refrigeration system was completely off. According to Robbins, it is probably the only one in America that could do so during such times.
