Potential

CHP potential in the food & beverage processing industry is significant and growing.
By looking at…
• the industry’s energy needs,
• installed CHP base,
• one analysis by Energy & Environmental Analysis, Inc. showing 276 MWe of potential after running technical and economic screens, and
• industry examples and a database of case studies,
…it is apparent and inevitable that end-users, the CHP industry, and the nation’s environment all stand to gain by an increased utilization of CHP.

Industry’s Energy Needs
• Food processing is one of the largest manufacturing sectors in North America
• Fifth largest industrial user of energy
• Accounts for 13% of all manufacturing output in the U.S.
• According to the National Food Processors Association the food processing industry is valued at $500 billion.
• American food processing accounts for 26% of world output

Installed CHP Base
• Fruits and Vegetables—2767 MW
• Grain and Corn Processing—784 MW
• Sugar, Candy, Gum, Nuts—699 MW
• Seafood, Ice, Prepared Foods—491 MW
• Beverages—340 MW
• Dairy Products—165 MW
• Oils—116 MW
• Meat—51 MW
• Bakery—25 MW

Assessment of Large CHP (2-50MW) Market Opportunity--EEA, ORNL, 2003

Source: EEA and IHS Energy Study shows 276 MW e of Potential

Industry Examples

Miller Brewing
Irwindale, CA (a suburb of Los Angeles)
• Uses ammonia as its refrigerant
• Plant uses two Frick screw compressors driven by 3512 turbocharged Caterpillar natural gas engines
• Each engine is equipped with heat exchangers which preheat boiler feed water, which offsets a portion of the boiler gas
• Heat recovery from the engines (34-38% energy recovery rate of fuel input) plays a substantial role in the energy economics of the Miller system; contribution that heat recovery makes to the bottom line in Miller's case is 32% or about $150,000 annually
• To find other relevant industry case studies, searchable by sector, subsector, prime mover, state, etc., see the Distributed Energy Program’s Case Study Database