Brett Eades, Alliance Group’s energy manager, stated that the installation of three heat pumps is expected to result in a yearly reduction of over 6400 tonnes of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to removing 3250 cars from the road annually.
One of the standout features of this new system is its innovative use of heat extracted from the Mataura River, a pioneering move in New Zealand that enhances overall efficiency.
Mr. Eades emphasized Alliance Group’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and decarbonization, highlighting that this new heat pump system will slash the site’s carbon emissions by approximately 60%.
In addition to the heat pumps, significant enhancements have been made to boost the plant’s heat plant efficiency, such as reconfiguring the hot-water system. Previously operating independently, the refrigeration and heat systems have now been integrated, allowing for the recovery of waste heat from the refrigeration system and harnessing heat from the river.
The successful implementation of high-temperature heat pumps at Alliance’s Nelson, Lorneville, and Pukeuri plants paved the way for the Mataura upgrade. Despite utilizing similar heat pump technology as the Pukeuri plant, the Mataura integration process presented unique challenges that were expertly navigated thanks to insights gained from previous installations.
The next phase of the project is already in progress, focusing on developing a smaller, energy-efficient boiler system that can be powered by electricity or biomass. Once this phase is completed and the existing coal-fired boiler is retired, the combined system is projected to slash emissions by a total of 14,460 tonnes annually.
The Mataura project, which costs $6.2 million, received $750,000 in co-funding from the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry fund. — Allied Media
