GHG Emissions, Solar, Sourcing Renewables - January 27, 2022
PepsiCo Launches Solar Plant to Lower GHG Emissions
PepsiCo implemented a solar thermal plant that captures sunlight and converts it into thermal energy for heating process water in its Sete Lagoas (MG) snacks operation. The process reduced natural gas consumption by 140,000 m³ in the unit and will also reduce GHG emissions by almost 280 tons.
This plant will allow PepsiCo to move towards its global goal of reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 (2015 baseline) and net zero by 2040.
The thermo-solar plant is made up of high-vacuum solar thermal flat panels and initial results show that the plant generated about 3.9 kWh/m²/day of thermal energy during the summer months, providing hot water at 60-75°C, even in the dry climate of Sete Lagoas.
The water heated by the system is used in several factory processes.
“To give an example, we use the water heated by the thermal solar system to cook the corn in our snacks,” said Bruno Guerreiro, Sustainability Manager at PepsiCo Brazil, in a statement. “The difference is that the water is already heated to the process, so we have to use less flame time to reach the temperature we use at this stage of production.”
The solar thermal plant at the Sete Lagoas site is the result of a partnership between PepsiCo and TVP Solar, a Swiss company specializing in solar thermal technology.
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