Energy efficiency in food & beverage
The food and beverage industry features an intensive and diversified energy matrix, where thermal and refrigeration processes account for a large portion of total consumption. Cooling generation, steam production, compressed air systems, ventilation, pumping, and auxiliary services such as lighting and air conditioning are the main energy consumption hotspots within the plant.
Particularly in frozen food, dairy, meat processing, and beverage plants, industrial refrigeration systems represent between 30% and 50% of the electrical energy used. Improvement opportunities in this sector focus on optimizing compressors, evaporators, and condensers, adjusting setpoints to minimize temperature differences, implementing variable frequency drives on pumps and fans, and automating operations based on actual thermal demand. Additionally, heat recovery from compression systems allows residual energy to be used to preheat process or HVAC water, reducing fossil fuel consumption.
Particularly in frozen food, dairy, meat processing, and beverage plants, industrial refrigeration systems account for 30% to 50% of total electricity consumption. Improvement opportunities in this sector focus on the optimization of compressors, evaporators, and condensers, adjustment of setpoints to minimize temperature differences, implementation of variable frequency drives in pumps and fans, and automation of operations based on actual thermal demand. Additionally, heat recovery from compression systems allows the reuse of residual energy to preheat process or HVAC water, thereby reducing fossil fuel consumption.
In thermal processes, steam and hot water generation remains significant, especially in cooking lines, pasteurization, CIP cleaning, and container washing. Improving boiler efficiency through burner regulation, economizers, blowdown heat recovery, and partial load control helps reduce both energy consumption and associated emissions. Furthermore, in facilities with high organic residual loads—such as juice plants, meat processors, or oilseed facilities—cogeneration using biogas from anaerobic digesters emerges as a sustainable alternative, capable of supplying part of the plant’s thermal and electrical demand using by-products from the process itself.
Compressed air systems, which typically account for between 10% and 15% of total electrical consumption, offer significant opportunities through leak elimination, pressure adjustment, incorporation of variable frequency drives on compressors and dryers, and compression heat recovery. Additionally, network sectorization, scheduling management, and automation help reduce their energy impact.
In thermal processes, steam generation and sanitary hot water maintain a relevant role, especially in cooking lines, pasteurization, CIP cleaning, and container washing. Improving boiler efficiency through burner regulation, economizers, heat recovery in blowdowns, and partial load control helps reduce consumption and associated emissions. Moreover, in facilities with high residual organic loads, such as juice, meat, or oilseed plants, cogeneration using biogas obtained from anaerobic digesters emerges as a sustainable alternative, capable of supplying part of the plant’s thermal and electrical demand using by-products from the process itself.
In pumping and ventilation, the incorporation of variable speed drives allows motor operation to be adapted to the actual demand of each process, avoiding unnecessary consumption during low-load periods. Automation and remote control of these systems enable their integration into a plant-wide energy strategy.
Energy digitalization and continuous consumption measurement by system and process have become essential tools for detecting deviations, optimizing operation, and planning improvements. The incorporation of energy management systems, integrated with real-time monitoring platforms, allows for identifying opportunities and making decisions based on accurate information.
Together, these energy efficiency strategies help reduce consumption, optimize operational costs, improve plant competitiveness, and lower the associated carbon footprint in a context of increasing regulatory requirements and market demand for more sustainable industrial practices.
Fill out the form and our team of experts will provide you with personalized solutions to optimize your company’s energy consumption.
We help you reduce costs, improve efficiency, and move towards a more sustainable future, aligned with your energy efficiency goals and environmental commitment.
We are a multinational energy services company with experience in the implementation of solutions for saving and generating electrical and thermal energy.
© Copyright 2025 – Enef – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
