Energy And The Foods Processing Industry

Abstract

There are approximately 970 food processors in northern Illinois. These customers include numerous meat packing facilities, bakeries, dairy processors, and packaged foods facilities. These facilities range in age from turn-of-the-century to mid-1990's construction. Energy utilization within these facilities is often critical to the profitability of the company. In the modem era of deregulation, manufacturers are looking for supply side solutions to high energy costs; however, it is often more beneficial economically to look within the facility for cost savings through energy efficiency and load management. Opportunities for energy efficiency improvements will vary with the particular facility; however, refrigeration systems and steam systems typically have the highest potential for cost savings. In many cases, addressing these systems alone can provide a return on efficiency investment of 30% or better.