Solar provides 50% of coldstore energy
20th May 2017
NETHERLANDS: Described as a record-breaking installation, 5,800 solar panels are supplying around 50% of the energy needs of a coldstore in Zoeterwoude Rijndijk, near Leiden.
Installed over 10.500m² of the roof of the Frigomundo coldstore, the system has a capacity of 1,577MWp. It produces 1.388MWh every year – enough to meet the average annual energy needs of 300 family households. With the Frigomundo facility consuming around 2.915MWh of energy a year, the solar panels will meet around 50% of its requirement. When the refrigeration systems aren’t running, the excess power will go back into the local electricity grid.
Owned by Dutch meat processor Zandbergen World’s Finest Meat, the Frigomundo coldstore was opened in 2008 and provides easy access to the Port of Rotterdam and Schiphol airport.
Providing frozen, chilled and ambient storage, the facility employs state-of-the-art, energy-efficient refrigeration systems running on ammonia and carbon dioxide. Residual heat is used to heat the floors of the freezing units.
“A reason to start this energy project, is that we see a growing necessity towards CO2 neutral production chains. By making the storage part more sustainable we positively influence the environmental impact of the total production chains of our clients,” said Frigomundo’s commercial director Adriaan Figee.
