Case Studies in Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions Through Electrical Efficiency in Brewing Operations
Electricity efficiency projects offer significant opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from brewing operations. Bell's Brewery conducted a series of energy efficiency projects over a 2 year period that reduced total annual electricity use at the brewery by 5% despite growing production volumes by 3% over the same period, a reduction in total energy per barrel packaged of 10.35%. These reductions in electricity consumption curtailed greenhouse gas emissions by 293 tons per year. The following series of case studies examines the four projects that contributed the greatest reductions in energy use: ultrasonic leak detection, LED retrofitting, floating head pressure control of refrigeration systems, and glycol-heated vaporization of carbon dioxide. Individual case studies explain how each technology reduces electricity consumption, the payback period, emissions reductions, and lessons learned in project execution and commissioning. Consideration of these projects as a group reveals best practices in strategic identification of energy efficiency projects. It also demonstrates the potential of electricity efficiency projects to reduce environmental impact of operations in a cost-effective fashion.
Keywords: energy efficiency, sustainability, greenhouse gases, electricity
