Mobile emergency power for supermarkets

Local and limited regional outages caused by maintenance, construction damage or attacks on the power grid.

Large-scale blackouts, nationwide emergency coverage and services that no insurance policy can cover are excluded.

No. We propose 1:10: one generator for every 10 stores. Where greater availability is needed, 1:5 is an option: one for every 5 stores.

During local outages, additional equipment can be delivered from unaffected regions through retail groups, associations or partners. We plan for several operating levels. The priority is to maintain the cold chain during the first few hours. This buys time to obtain additional generators or redistribute stock.

We use our internal risk tool to analyse priorities before the outage. Ad hoc triage—deciding under pressure which stores get scarce equipment—must be avoided under all circumstances.

Stores that are easy to prepare, hold the most valuable stock, face the lowest risk of unrest or matter most to local food supply.

We use our internal risk tool to analyse which stores are suitable for mobile emergency power and which should take priority. You determine each store’s strategic importance within your business. Together, we review the findings and decide which stores to prepare and in what order.

With 1:10 or 1:5, stores share equipment costs. Each suitable store needs a prepared connection.

A substantial fixed installation can cost several hundred thousand euros, including the generator, construction, fuel tanks and associated requirements. A PowerLock connection typically costs a few thousand euros.

Sharing avoids buying, maintaining, testing and storing fuel for a complete fixed installation at every store.

Europe’s energy supply situation gives retailers reason to prepare. Political and economic conditions could improve or worsen over 24–60 months.

Mobile equipment offers a measure of security while keeping you flexible. Renting or leasing can preserve liquidity by avoiding an upfront purchase.

Once the site is prepared and tested, compatible generators or batteries from different providers can be connected. Rental, purchase and leasing remain options.

Prepare PowerLock with switching and protection, an equipment position and a playbook.

Have the installation tested and approved. Instructed, authorised personnel can then connect preconfigured equipment without an electrician on site, where regional rules allow. Check the qualifications and laws in your country.

The prepared plug connection is comparable to connecting an electric car.

Have store IT install and test backup connectivity, such as Starlink, for the POS system before an outage.

Protecting stock comes first. Our target is to supply the cooling systems with emergency power within four hours and operate the agreed store functions for 72 hours. This gives time to arrange further generators and fuel, relocate goods or resume full operation. Continuing on emergency power until the grid operator restores supply is another option.

The playbook sets out which store functions continue and what needs to be prepared: refrigeration while the store remains closed, limited trading or full operation.

Our background is in quality management, with many years of experience in the food sector and retail, including IFS and certifications. The emergency power concept must always be integrated into existing quality management concepts.

The playbook sets out what to do during maintenance outages, accidental damage and deliberate attacks: who acts, when to request equipment, what gets power first, how to check temperatures and when to move goods or close.

Crises can lead to looting and unrest. Our criminologists include these risks in the site assessment and develop measures to maximise the safety of staff and goods. These measures form part of the overall plan.

Providing a place to charge phones is a simple way to involve the neighbourhood.

Equipment can be arranged through our partners, rental providers, retail associations or regional agreements between companies. Rental, purchase and leasing are possible.

Involve regional partners for delivery, fuel and on-site support. Bring your central facility management team in from the outset, if you have one. If you do not wish to keep drivers on standby and store generators yourself, we coordinate this for you with our partners.

We recommend retail distribution centres as deployment hubs: they already organise transport and supply. Equipment must reach the right store in time, be connected and have enough fuel throughout operation.