Energy – measure to reduce

As part of the EU GREENFOODS project, we have been involved in audits of the quantity and type of energy used for the production of different foods and beverages within Europe, with the ultimate goal of reducing CO2 equivalents emissions from these processes. Information regarding energy generation, transfer equipment and relevant operating temperatures were also collected to determine potential measures of decreasing energy consumption by increasing efficiency, implementing heat recovery, and installing renewable energy technologies.

Critical to the success of this project was the assessment of the primary fuels consumed in the manufacturing process and, as such, the amount of CO2 subsequently released into the environment. Annual energy consumption totalled over 4,400 GWh, with coal predominating with 2,100 GWh, followed by natural gas (1,085 GWh), electricity (917 GWh), and oil (349 GWh).

In most countries, natural gas was the predominant fuel used, followed by electricity. Virtually all the coal used was by Polish audited companies, and coal was their most dominant fuel source. In Spain, however, oil was the predominant fuel, closely followed by natural gas. Other fuel sources (biogas, biomass, and district heat) constituted less than 1% of the analysed energy.

Contact: Catharine O'Shaughnessy
+44(0)1737 824267
catharine.o'shaughnessy@campdenbri.co.uk