Xcel Energy Funds Colorado Cold Storage Technology Upgrades for Thermal Energy Storage
The technology inside commercial and industrial freezers such as warehouse management systems, warehouse automation, artificial intelligence, and Thermal Energy Storage (TES) is advancing quickly. The ripple effects across the food industry from COVID-19 have further exposed the needs for facility upgrades and have accelerated the adoption of many of these technologies.
As utilities across the state continue to invest in infrastructure upgrades and more sustainable generation methods as mandated by the state, energy markets in the state will soon be changing. Utilities continue to implement new rate structures, tariffs, and incentive programs that benefit customer facilities that have energy flexibility.
CO Utility Funding TES for Cold Storage Cost Reduction & Resiliency
Now is the perfect time to join other cold storage operations and finance professionals upgrading cold storage facilities in Colorado (or Minnesota). The good news for frozen food producers and cold storage operators is that Xcel Energy is currently funding technology upgrades that can safely reduce energy demand in facilities with large energy needs (like those of us in the food & beverage and cold storage industries).
Viking Cold’s Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems and their installation costs could be covered up to 90% by Xcel Energy’s custom efficiency program. The TES system’s intelligence platform optimizes refrigeration energy use and temperatures in refrigerated environments across the cold chain by making real-time decisions and leveraging the unique thermodynamic properties of TES (See how it works in the video above).
With TES technology cold storage facilities can save on energy now and have the energy flexibility to adapt to changes in future energy tariff structures or utility programs.
TES Benefits for Colorado Frozen Food Storage
1. Cut energy costs:
a. Reduce overall kWh consumption.
b. Safely shift refrigeration load to avoid up to 13 hours of demand or time-of-use charges.
2. Upgrade your facility’s energy flexibility for today and tomorrow’s energy landscape in Colorado.
3. Stay ahead of your competitors by reducing operating expenses.
4. Extend temperature resiliency 3X during unplanned power outages or equipment failure.
5. Better protect food quality and shelf life.
6. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach sustainability goals faster.
7. TES does not require any additional real estate, maintenance, or grid interconnectivity.
8. Viking Cold facilitates utility applications for funding up to 90% of TES system and installation.
To determine how TES can improve your facility’s energy use, temperature stability, and resiliency plus be funded up to 90% contact us for a free consultation.
More videos, case studies, white papers and other resources here.
Food Processing – Emerging Food Safety Technologies
Food Processing Magazine has published an eHandbook outlining new technologies that food processors can use to improve food safety and food quality in their operations. A number of new food processing technologies and their benefits are described including the food quality and energy-saving benefits of thermal energy storage.
Food Logistics – Should Frozen Food Be a Battery?
The May 2019 edition of Food Logistics includes an article outlining the risks of using frozen food as a battery for flywheeling. The article also discusses using Viking Cold's Thermal Energy Storage systems as an alternative temperature capacitor to achieve even better flywheeling results, reduce the risks of flywheeling, and provide additional benefits. Utility-sponsored programs that can subsidize or entirely cover the system and installation costs are also discussed.
ProFood World - Transform your operation from energy consumer to energy producer
ProFood World, a leading food and beverage manufacturing publication, recognized Viking Cold's Thermal Energy Storage technology as one of the technologies empowering food producers to lower energy costs and to help reach corporate responsibility and sustainability goals.
