Advertising Feature
Using On-Site Power Generation And CHP Flexibility To Boost Sustainability Strategies
Jamie Storry, UK Commercial Lead, describes the work that Enel X has done to support the sustainability initiatives and on-site power generation efforts of a major food company, through innovative use of CHP within the energy flexibility markets.
A global, farmer-run cooperative with significant operations and brands in Great Britain and Ireland is boosting its sustainability initiatives and on-site power generation to meet its Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) sustainability goals.
The production and processing of dairy products have thermal energy intrinsically built into their processes. Clarification and pasteurisation require temperatures of up to 95°C, and cooling and refrigeration are crucial parts of dairy storage and distribution. As a result, dairy manufacturers require resilient, robust, flexible and efficient energy sources to support the production process.
One particular food producer has ambitious sustainability plans and targets in place, which have been approved by the Science- Based Target Initiative. It aims to have transitioned to 100% renewable electricity by 2025 and reduce its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 63%, and scope 3 emissions by 30% per kilo of raw milk by 2030. The company has already implemented numerous sustainability projects, from investing in renewable energy to converting its heavy and long-distance vehicle fleets to run on alternative fuels, through to replacing over 80% of its UK site lighting to energy efficient LEDs.
“ Unlocking More Power From CHP
Combined heat and power (CHP) plants are core to the business’s on-site operations. These are an efficient way to harness wasted energy from the heat and steam that is needed for dairy processing. CHPs capture thermal energy that would otherwise be lost and repurposing it for additional heating, cooling, or generating electricity for other critical assets. Using on-site CHP plants is more efficient and less carbon-intensive than importing power from the grid.
As a form of on-site power generation, the firm’s CHPs put it in a strong position to support grid flexibility by participating in the Capacity Market. This means it can help to balance energy demand to stabilise the national grid, while reducing emissions and creating an additional revenue stream.
Since 2020, the dairy manufacturer has partnered with Enel X to capitalise on the flexibility that its CHP plants make available to the grid. As its initial participation was at a single site that processes and produces a significant proportion of the UK’s milk, it was essential that the whole solution did not disrupt operations.
Turning CHP Plants Into New Revenue Streams ... meet ambitious science-based sustainability goals,
reduce carbon emissions and generate new revenue streams from participating in grid flexibility programs, all while maintaining efficient production processes.
34 fmuk ”
Enel X worked closely with the business to ensure that its existing infrastructure at the initial site met the requirements for Capacity Market access. This avoided having to install expensive new equipment and helped to minimise the cost of participation.
The continual process and operational requirements of dairy production mean it cannot curtail
its load. This makes the
Capacity Market the most appropriate market to participate in as it presents an opportunity to create revenue from CHPs without having to turn down production.
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