The use of articulated arms to extract dust and fumes is a system that optimises dust collection.
Dedicated profiled nozzles must be placed as close as possible to the points generating dust or fumes.
It is necessary to set up a heat recovery system on the extracted air flows with air reinjection to balance the pressures.
By installing these technologies, which have been available on the market for over 5 years, companies can save up to 20% on electricity costs and reduce their carbon footprint. This measure is quite simple to implement and would entail a medium-to-long term return on investment. However, this measure requires a production shutdown during installation.
Some older machines do not have standby mode or energy-saving mode. Companies need to purchase new machines equipped with automatic shutdown functions to save money during periods when their equipment is not in use. Here are some examples of equipment requiring ECO mode: lubrication pumps, cooling fans, hydraulic pumps, servo motors and display standby (screens).
Installing this new technology can save businesses up to 5% on electricity consumption and reduce their carbon footprint. This measure is not easy to implement and cannot be justified by the cost of energy alone. This measure requires a temporary shutdown of production during installation.
Unclogging of dust filters using a differential pressure sensor rather than a timer
Most filter unclogging installations are equipped with a timer which injects compressed air against the flow to remove the sawdust. However, this practice is energy-intensive and does not work if the filters are clogged. Instead of ordering filter unclogging, it would be better to install pressure sensors upstream and downstream of the filters. The operation entails controlling filter unclogging by differential pressure sensor (pressure difference upstream and downstream of each filter), i.e. only when the filter bags are saturated with sawdust and when unclogging is really necessary.
The use of this technology, which has been on the market for over 5 years, can save businesses up to 5% in electricity costs and reduce their carbon footprint. This measure is quite simple to implement, can show a rapid return on investment, and does not require a production shutdown during installation.
The project consists in controlling the quantity of exchanged air required in an oven, by installing a speed variator on the exhaust fan controlled by an O2 sensor and a humidity sensor.
By installing this new technology, the company may save up to 20% on gas or fuel oil consumption and also reduce its carbon footprint by around 20%. This measure is rather difficult to implement, has a quick return on investment, but requires a production shutdown during installation.
Replacement of a gas or fuel oil oven with an electric oven (baking ovens)
The project consists in replacing an existing oven running on gas or fuel oil with an electric oven using infrared to bake the product.
Installing this technology, which has been available on the market for over 5 years, can save a company up to 80% on the oven’s energy consumption, as well as considerably reduce its carbon footprint because of its transition to a new energy source (from gas/fuel oil to electricity). However, this measure is rather difficult to implement, would entail a medium-to-long term return on investment, and requires a production shutdown during installation.
Waste heat recovery in oven exhaust system (baking ovens)
The project consists in installing a heat exchanger to capture the waste heat from the oven to heat the bakery store and to produce domestic hot water.
Installing this technology, which has been available on the market for more than 5 years, will allow the company to save up to 20% on its electricity consumption as well as reduce its carbon footprint by up to 20%. This measure is rather complex to implement, would entail a medium-to-long term return on investment, and requires a production shutdown during installation.
The project involves replacing hot steam generation with humidification based on ultrasonic low-temperature water mist.
Installing this technological innovation can allow the company to save up to 95% on electricity consumption during the humidification stage, as well as 5% during the cold generation stage. This measure is not easy to implement and would entail a medium-to-long term return on investment. The measure does not require a production shutdown while the technology is being installed.
Reflective coatings can be applied on the plates as well as on the interior walls and burners of existing ovens or on new installations. The coatings are made of high-emissivity ceramic materials which increase the energy efficiency of the oven by absorbing heat and returning it to the product in the form of infrared radiation, thus reducing the heat input via the burner.
By installing this new technology, the company will save up to 20% on gas consumption and also reduce its carbon footprint by around 20%. This measure is easy to implement, has a quick return on investment, and does not require a production shutdown during installation.
Replacement of a traditional oven with a multi-level oven (baking ovens)
The project consists in replacing a conventional oven that does not allow to bake different products simultaneously with a multi-level oven that optimises the capacity of the oven, thus reducing its operating time for the same production.
Installing this technology, which has been available on the market for more than 5 years, will allow the company to save up to 10% on its electricity consumption as well as somewhat reduce its carbon footprint. While the cost of energy alone cannot justify this measure, it allows greater flexibility and potentially an optimisation of baking time and therefore an increase in yield. This measure is not easy to implement and requires a production shutdown during installation.
Grosbusch benefits from its location in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a key European hub, which is ideal for the importation of fresh produce from various regions across Europe and beyond. Thanks to its strategic location, the company efficiently distributes its products throughout the Greater Region.Marcel Grosbusch & Fils has been in the business of importing and trading fruit and vegetables since 1917 and has since grown into a leading supplier in the Luxembourg and the entire Greater Region.
Idea
Grosbusch invests in the future by installing a photovoltaic system
As part of its long-term strategy, Grosbusch invested in the sustainability of its activities by installing a 1,500 kWp photovoltaic system. This initiative is part of the company’s response to the ever-increasing electricity costs. The initiative also ties in perfectly with the company’s commitment to developing sustainable practices.
Design
Partnership with SOCOM
The project began with the identification of a suitable 1500 kWp photovoltaic system and subsequently started a collaboration with SOCOM. This was followed by a process of soliciting quotes to assess the available market options. The company also registered its participation in a call for tenders for the development and operation of new photovoltaic power plants. At the same time, the necessary steps were taken to obtain the required permits, and possibly to adapt the operating permit (Commodo).
Implementation
Seamless implementation: How Grosbusch maintained its activities throughout the construction work
The installation phase was expected to take two months. Works were conducted across an area exceeding 8,000 m2, facilitated by the flat design solution for module placement without the need for a supporting structure. Fortunately, no unexpected events impeded the process allowing for the seamless integration of the photovoltaic system with the existing roof structure. Importantly, the daily operations of the company remained unaffected throughout the project, owing to its nature.
Results
Grosbusch harnesses electricity from its own photovoltaic system
As a result of the new installation, Grosbusch management can proudly report that 50% of the company’s electricity requirements are now covered by its new photovoltaic system. It’s also worth pointing out that the company’s main consumption period coincides with daytime electricity generation, making the system highly efficient.
