Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage  -  March 5, 2019

Boston food bank installs thermal energy storage

The Greater Boston Food Bank has posted a 75% reduction in energy use during targeted peak hours and substantial cost savings since the beginning of the year after installing a new thermal energy storage (TES) system for the refrigeration units at its 117,000 square-foot, high-efficiency Yawkey Distribution Center in South Boston.

“As the largest hunger relief organization in New England, our goal is to provide healthy meals to those in need across Eastern Massachusetts,” said The Greater Boston Food Bank SVP of Supply Chain and Food Acquisition Cheryl Schondek in a release. “We strive for cost-saving operational efficiencies, and our partnership with Eversource and the installation of the Viking Cold TES system better enables us to achieve this goal. We appreciate their commitment to our mission to end hunger here.”

The new TES system, developed by Viking Cold Solutions, has reduced electrical consumption at the Greater Boston Food Bank’s energy-intensive, cold storage facility while improving temperature stability inside their freezer. Cold storage facilities, such as frozen food warehouses and grocery store walk-in freezers, have the highest energy demand per cubic foot of any category. During peak energy use periods, they can account for up to 70% of the total electric bill for commercial and industrial organizations.

The energy cost savings delivered by the TES system will allow the Food Bank to provide an additional 10,500 meals per year. The system was installed in partnership with Eversource, which has worked with the Greater Boston Food Bank since 2015 on several lighting upgrades that have saved the nonprofit approximately $42,000 annually. They are currently working together on more energy efficiency projects, which include refrigeration, lighting, and HVAC upgrades.

Share this valuable information with your colleagues using the buttons below: