Skip to main content

Photo Friday: Efficiency saves big $$ in Walmart Distribution Center

This photo was taken in Balzac at Walmart’s fresh food distribution center. The engineers and construction workers who designed and built this facility – located in the southern portion of the Canadian province of Alberta – used infrared camera to identify energy waste points throughout the center, including at all of the loading docks. Today, this [...]

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American



On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


This photo was taken in Balzac at Walmart's fresh food distribution center. The engineers and construction workers who designed and built this facility - located in the southern portion of the Canadian province of Alberta - used infrared camera to identify energy waste points throughout the center, including at all of the loading docks. Today, this center is home to 71 hydrogen fuels cell powered vehicles, 2 wind turbines (30-kW each), and solar thermal panels - but, the project started with efficiency first. According to Walmart press releases, the facility uses 60% less energy compared to their previous "standard" design.

Photo Credit: Walmart Corporation via Creative Commons.