GREENFOODS – energy efficiency in the food and beverage industry

Panel: 2. Energy efficiency policies – how do we get it right?

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Wolfgang Glatzl, AEE – Institut für Nachhaltige Technologien, Austria
Christoph Brunner, AEE INTEC, Austria
Jürgen Fluch, AEE INTEC, Austria

Abstract

Energy efficiency in industry is a key element of the envisioned future of a carbon free society. In order to close the gap from this aspiration to reality, successful implementations of energy efficiency measures must be investigated to evaluate the impact of currently existing energy efficiency policies.

Thus, in the course of the European IEE project GREENFOODS a branch concept was developed that allows the easy, quick and comprehensive evaluation of energy efficiency measures within a company of the food and beverage industry. The user is supported in setting up the energy balance and based thereupon evaluating process optimisation measures (via the GREENFOODS WikiWeb), system optimisation measures (with a Pinch analysis algorithm) and the integration of renewables. The optimisation possibilities are evaluated energetically, economically and ecologically and information on national funding programs is given. The user is strongly supported in all steps of the branch concept with links to the GREENFOODS WikiWeb.

The GF BC has been developed based on the insights of 204 basic audits that were conducted in 6 European countries. There, a total of 150,000 tCO2 savings were identified. In a subsequent step, the measures being in consideration for implementation were analysed in 45 detailed audits. This would mean savings in emissions of around 12,500 tCO2. Currently, 7 realizations of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy supplies are supported in the course of the GREENFOODS project, which will finally lead to a total of 2,200 tCO2. So called Virtual Energy Competence Centres have been installed in the 6 European countries Austria, Germany, Great Britain, France, Poland and Spain and fulfil their role as a one stop shop for energy related questions from industry