PepsiCo, one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, has implemented a thermal plant that captures sunlight and converts it into thermal energy for heating process water. Developed by Geneva-based TVP Solar SA, the technology will help to reduce natural gas consumption by 140’000 m³ and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by almost 280 tons.
TVP Solar designs, develops, manufactures, and markets high vacuum, mirrorless solar thermal collectors based on patented technology. Solar thermal energy is carbon-free and a cheaper alternative than that generated by liquid fuels. The solar thermal flat panels run automatically, without supervision and without the need for cleaning. The company has been installed across 9 countries and 3 continents, supplying carbon-free renewable heat, the cheapest thermal energy cutting OPEX and CO2 emissions while securing energy supply.
The installed solar thermal plant at PepsiCo’s Sete Lagoas (MG) snacks operation site is the result of a partnership between PepsiCo and TVP Solar, a Swiss company specializing in solar thermal technology with state-of-the-art solutions. The first results following the implementation of the solar panels show that the plant generated about 3.9 kWh/m²/day of thermal energy during the summer months, providing hot water at 60-75°C, even in the dry climate of Sete Lagoas. Through the project, PepsiCo saves 140’000 M³ of natural gas in the unit and also reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by almost 280 tons.
According to the project participants, the energy targets were hit. The water heated by the system is used in several factory processes. “To give an example, we use the water heated by the thermal solar system to cook the corn in our snacks. The difference is that the water is already heated to the process, so we have to use less flame time to reach the temperature we use at this stage of production”, describes Bruno Guerreiro, Sustainability Manager at PepsiCo Brazil.
Piero Abbate, CEO of TVP Solar, highlights that the partnership with PepsiCo is emblematic for the company because it highlights the importance of solar thermal energy for the food and beverage industry. “We hope this will be the beginning of a long-term collaboration with PepsiCo,” says Piero.
In 2021, PepsiCo announced the launch of the PepsiCo Positive (pep+) platform, which puts sustainability at the heart of how the company creates growth and value, operating within the limits of the planet and inspiring positive change for the environment and people. As a result, sustainability starts to guide the way PepsiCo operates its business: from sourcing ingredients, manufacturing and selling its products in a more sustainable way, to inspiring people to make choices that are better for themselves and the planet.
“Our solar thermal plant is another step on our journey towards sustainability. We are constantly evolving in our processes and innovating on several fronts to do our part to contain climate change, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout our value chain”, said the CEO of PepsiCo Brasil Alimentos, Alex Carretero.
(Press release/RAN)
Photo: Businesswire
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