Delivering energy efficient innovation across the food and drink industry

This event will be an excellent opportunity to discuss how innovations in direct electrification can play in supporting a sustainable low carbon transition across the food and drink sector.   

An expert panel and keynote speakers will join to discuss how advances in heat pump technology is playing a key role in the achieving greater energy efficiency and lower carbon intensity across the food and beverage industry.  

This event will also showcase the successful installation of industrial heat pumps at the Ahascragh Distillery in Ireland, that already delivering cost savings up to 50% for the business. 

Background: Industrial-scale heat pumps and direct electrification innovation in the food and drinks industry can have a transformative force in the pursuit of energy efficiency, cost saving, increased resilience, carbon emissions reduction, ultimately leading to a greater industry competitiveness.  

Industrial-scale heat pumps, powered by clean energy sources, have the capacity to efficiently produce high-temperature heat for various manufacturing processes, replacing traditional energy-intensive methods. In particular, the sector that promises the greatest potential with the lowest cost is the food sector, where heat pumps can meet the needs of numerous processes: drying, cooking, heating/cooling of water (e.g., washing water), heating/cooling of steam (e.g., for sterilization).  

Additionally, direct electrification innovations enable the direct use of electricity in heating applications, minimizing energy loss, recycling waste heat and providing a more sustainable alternative. These advancements not only contribute to the industry's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint but also serve as a crucial step towards achieving broader environmental sustainability goals across the sector.  

The path to achieving decarbonization targets is not easy given the complexity and constant change in the framework conditions. In industry in particular, the topic of energy has been implemented in-house. The approach is increasingly to outsource this to an external partner on an equal footing. The innovative aspect here is that the external partner not only takes over and is responsible for the topic operationally, but also as part of the corporate strategy.  

Organizer: European Climate Foundation, Riviervismarkt 5, 2513 AM The Hague, The Netherlands 
DLG e.V. – German Agricultural Society, Eschborner Landstraße 122, 60489 Frankfurt am Main, Germany