Energy Efficiency

This equipment has resulted in significant reductions that help lower energy usage, reduce costs, and support operational consistency and product quality.

The Challenge

When Agri-Mark retired its 30-year-old mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) system, the plant had to rely more heavily on a steam-based thermal vapor recompression (TVR) process that increased fuel use and raised operational time and expenses. With a longstanding, collaborative relationship in place, Agri‑Mark partnered with Eversource to help identify a path forward.

Solution

• Provided engineering support and led complex ex‑ante and regulatory reviews for a full system rebuild, including new Finisher TVR and next‑generation small‑orifice TVR technology

• Deployed a modern, electrically driven heat‑recovery system to serve a steam‑dependent evaporation process, previously fueled by natural gas

• Delivered over $990,000 in incentives through the Mass Save® programs to support an advanced MVR system, and an additional $100,000 in incentives to support the Finisher TVR

The Results

• Reduced natural gas consumption by an estimated 967,000 therms annually through the new MVR system, and by an additional 110,000 therms annually through the Finisher TVR project. This does not account for the increase in electric energy usage, which resulted in a net savings of 800,000 therms annually

• Over 1 million therms total combined natural gas savings – equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions that would arise from driving over 14 million miles in a gas-powered car

• Saved over 6 million gallons of water annually – enough to fill over 350 inground swimming pools

• Operational benefits are already evident through more consistent product temperatures, less maintenance, quieter operations, and longer batch times – improvements that translate into operational reliability, labor efficiencies, and better use of equipment.

The information in this case study is an accurate representation of this customer’s experience at the time of publication. Results, including cost savings, from heat pump installation and/or other energy efficiency measures can vary based on each individual customer’s situation.