Heineken uses 100 MWh thermal storage battery to create steam to produce beer
A thermal energy storage battery is set to generate the necessary steam COâ‚‚-neutrally at a Portuguese Heineken brewery. Steam supply is similary to electricity.
(Image: Rondo Energy)
The Dutch brewing group Heineken has signed a contract with energy systems specialist Rondo Energy and energy provider EDP to install a 10 MWh thermal energy storage battery. The facility is to be built at the Portuguese brewery and malt house Central de Cervejas e Bebidas and will supply steam produced from renewable energies for brewing processes.
The planned 10 MWh thermal energy storage battery is a development by Rondo Energy. The battery is charged with intermittent electricity from renewable sources. This happens during the six hours of the day when electricity is cheapest. Times outside of peak load periods can also be used for energy absorption. EDP provides the necessary solar power from an on-site solar park, ensuring sufficient COâ‚‚-free energy is available.
“Green” steam for brewing beer
The electricity is stored as heat in refractory bricks. The heat is used to generate steam at a continuous pressure of 100 bar. This allows either the steam to be used for brewing processes or the heat to be released again Energy in the form of electricity. In the latter case, the thermal energy storage battery serves as a type of electricity storage. At the same time, round-the-clock operation of the facility is guaranteed.
Fossil fuels are not burned in the process, which is intended to bring Heineken one step closer to its self-imposed goal of being climate-neutral across the entire value chain by 2040. The decarbonization of all Heineken production sites is scheduled to begin in 2030. Boilers fired by fossil fuels or combined heat and power plants are to be replaced.
The project at Central de Cervejas e Bebidas foresees the supply of “green” steam as Heat-as-a-Service (HaaS). Rondo and EDP will supply the steam similarly to electricity.
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The project is supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Breakthrough Energy Catalyst with 75 million euros as part of an EU investment program. This is intended to enable Rondo thermal energy storage batteries to spread more quickly in Europe and contribute to the decarbonization of industry.
(olb)
