McCains offset power grid reliance

THE operations at McCain Foods’ Ballarat factory continue to grow more sustainable, with the implementation of a cogeneration system.

Waste from the site’s processing plant is becoming biogas, a new power and heat source.

McCain Engineering project manager CO2 Reduction Scott White the process is new for Australia and a “most efficient” way to promote carbon dioxide emissions reduction.

It’s expected the processes will annually reduce CO2 by 15,100 tonnes, prevent the production of 23,000 tonnes of waste, produce 9.64 million kilowatt hours of power and just under 79,000 gigawatt hours of gas.

“The electricity generated from this system is used to offset our reliance on the grid and the heat is used in our steam generation process to offset our reliance on natural gas,” Mr White said.

“The way we approach reducing our CO2 emissions needs to be innovative, future-proof and work within a circular economy, and our team is leading the way to identify the best opportunities at each of our sites.

“This new approach also gives us the ability to optimise our total energy usage by being able to match the output of the system based on solar production, factory consumption and biogas generation.”

McCain Foods Ballarat cogeneration system is also expected to reduce their reliance on the power grid by 19 per cent.

In 2023, McCain’s plan to build an 8.2-megawatt solar carpark in Ballarat which is expected to generate 4500 houses’ worth of electricity, and further reduce emissions by over 12,100 tonnes, by having solar panels on its roof.

Their plan is to also generate power for two electric car chargers.