Business & Tech
Wind-Powered Walgreens Opens In Evanston This Week
The nation's first "net-zero energy" retail store is expected to generate as much energy as it uses, if not more.
The wind turbines are already spinning at the new Walgreens on Chicago Avenue, which will be the nation's first "net-zero energy" retail store when it opens this Thursday.
Besides two wind turbines, the Walgreens at 635 Chicago Ave. also has geothermal technology, 800 solar panels, LED lighting and low-energy food refrigerators, according to Walgreens spokesperson Emily Hartwig. Being "net-zero energy" means that the store will produce at least as much energy as it consumes, if not more.
Engineers estimate that the store will use 200,000 kilowatt hours per year of electricity, and generate 220,000 kilowatt hours, according to Hartwig.
"We are investing in developing a net-zero energy store so we can bring what we learn from it to our other stores," she said in a release. "Because we operate more than 8,000 stores, anything we do that reduces our carbon footprint can have a positive impact on the nation’s environment."
Evanston's new green Walgreens opens with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21.
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