WASHINGTON, DC — June 24, 2004 — Energy management, equipment maintenance, technology and other energy-related topics will be explored through case studies, open forums and general sessions at the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) 25th Annual Energy & Technical Services Conference, September 12-15 in Dallas, TX. The conference will also highlight legislative and regulatory issues such as utility deregulation and the state of the energy market.

The event is geared toward personnel involved in energy management, refrigeration, construction, engineering, maintenance and environmental issues, as well as those responsible for equipment purchasing, operations and utility cost control.

     
“The Energy and Technical Services Conference gives attendees the most up-to-date information available to the industry for conserving energy, reducing costs and utilizing environmentally friendly energy practices,” said Rob Uhl, senior refrigeration engineer, Safeway Inc. and chair of the conference’s planning committee. “The information provided at the educational sessions will allow supermarkets to meet the energy challenges of the future.”

     
Specific sessions at the conference will include:

• EPA Update — Information about legislation affecting the industry. An update on the requirements associated with leak-rate detection, repair, reporting and compliance will be provided.
• Converting Supermarkets Systems From R-22 to R-404a Refrigerants — Real-life case study that demonstrates how a leading retailer, Raley’s, converted 21 stores from R-22 to R-404a. Successes, failures and the step-by-step conversion process will be shared.
• Building High Performance (LEED) Supermarkets and Reducing Construction Costs — Presentation on how retailers can build supermarkets that are environmentally sensitive while still reducing construction and maintenance costs.
• Refrigeration Best Practices — Discussion on which system is the best solution for maintaining product integrity, minimizing energy consumption and controlling operating costs. The session will examine three different types of compressor systems that were installed by retailers and the thought process driving those decisions.

On Monday, September 13, the conference will feature concurrent breakout sessions on topics such as wireless technology and equipment maintenance, lifecycle costing of foodservice equipment and using co-generation to improve energy efficiency. These sessions will be repeated twice that afternoon.

     
The conference will also feature a golf tournament, store tours and manufacturer/retailer exchange sessions where questions about new equipment, products and services can be answered.

     
The corporate sponsors of this conference include Carlyle Compressors, Emerson Climate Technologies, Genetron, Hill PHOENIX, Honeywell Refrigerants, Hussman Corporation, I.R. Climate Control, Johnson Controls/PENN, KeepRite Refrigeration, Munters Corporation, Seasons 4, Verisae, Inc., and Zero-Zone.

     
For more information on the 25th Annual Energy & Technical Services Conference, please contact Aileen Dullaghan at energyfmi@fmi.org or visit the FMI Web site at http://www.fmi.org/events/.