The principal objective of this paper is to see if incorporating alternative energy sources in Big Box Retail Stores in South Western Canada will lower operating cost enough to offset the costs of installation and if the public’s perception of these types of green initiatives by retailers has an effect on where consumers shops. Canada has a very diverse climate so this project will be concentrating on South Western BC in particular as certain aspects of sustainable design must be planned accordingly for individual regions.
This research report will look at existing big box stores in Kamloops and the new construction of similar projects for examples of how incorporating solar and/or wind energy generators could benefit the profit margin within that market. Public surveys regarding this green approach and how consumers will react to such green initiatives will be conducted within Kamloops and the data will be compiled with results of such surveys being reported in the final research paper as well as the calculations to support the effectiveness of the design. Commercial sites such as the Kamloops Town Lodge will be interviewed regarding their switch a number of years earlier to a green hotel, converting to geo-thermal & amp and a 3 Green Key rating to see how those green initiatives have impacted the public’s perception, room bookings and cost offsets for the switch. Many other academic sources will be sited in the final research document.
The results of this research project are expected to find switching to green energy will increase the profit margin of businesses willing to make and incorporate these changes to existing buildings and will defiantly offset any additional expenses if incorporated at the design stage for new construction. It is expected to find that the consumer is conscious of green alternative energy sources and will be more apt to shop at green locations. This project will show that public perception will equate to consumer dollars more readily spent at green businesses rather than businesses using conventional methods of energy sources.
About Me
- Graham Doherty
- Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
- 2nd year student at TRU in the ARET program.
Hey Graham,
ReplyDeleteElectricity used for lighting accounts for somewhere up to 40% of the utility bill for commercial retail businesses according to studies I have been reading. If you want any information regarding solar lighting to add to the list of ways that big box stores can reduce there costs, let me know and I'll forward on that information. Solar lighting is as much as 40% more efficient than solar panels at supplying electricity, then converting to light energy again.
Cheers,
Tony.
Your topic is really starting to take shape. This is an important issue, as many big box stores like WalMart and Home Depot are going to extremes to make their stores green so that they can get planning approval to move into urban areas like Vancouver, but is this just "green washing" or will this really make a difference to the environment? Is it just as good for these stores to look green rather than actually being green? Will the shoppers who are motivated to shop at these stores due to these green initiatives be looking for green products and in turn applying these green living principles to their own lives?
ReplyDeleteYour abstract is well structured, but I would take a second read and try to iron out some of the grammar.
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