Green transition through electrification of the Food Industry

The project Electrification of the food and beverage industry will use 20 concrete cases in selected Danish food companies to illustrate how industrial processes can be converted from fossil fuels to electricity.

More than 50 % of the energy consumption in the Danish food and beverage industry is based on fossil fuels. The project can accelerate the green transition of the industry that shows a significant potential. Many industrial processes can be converted from fossil fuels to electricity and thus simultaneously reduce the energy consumption and displace large quantities of CO₂ emissions. A decarbonization by electrification will be possible in Denmark, since the plan is to eventually base 100 % of the power production on non-fossil fuels.

Electrification of production processes supports the green transition of the food and beverage industry, and thereby the project is strengthening the Danish competitive position and promotes the Danish export of green products, technologies, and solutions.

Increasing electrification of the Danish food industry will improve the competitive position in 3 areas:

• Electrified processes often carry large economic savings which gives a direct improvement in competitive position by lower costs.
• Lower CO₂ emissions is a marketable advantage over foreign producers.
• Danish component suppliers are involved regarding development of new and adjusted technological solutions that can subsequently be exported.

The Electrification of the Food Industry project uses 20 different cases to demonstrate how Danish food companies can ensure a green transition and strengthen their level of competitiveness by changing the source of energy from fossil fuels to CO₂ neutral electricity. The potential is great as there are many technologies available, however, there is lacking some solid examples of such. Such examples are what this project offers. Here we map and find solutions to electrification for 20 Danish food companies.

Viegand Maagøe is responsible for the project, along with the Confederation of Danish Industry and DTU. The project is supported financially by The Danish Industry.

Viegand Maagøe is responsible for the project management, the advisory of the 20 food companies, and communication about the project and results. The technical advisory is done by our colleagues who have expertise within energy optimization in industry and communications.

Viegand Maagøe provides:

• The mapping of the production processes and suggestions for electrification
  We visit the company and make a thorough assessment of their current setup
• Business case as the basis for the decision making for the companies
  We provide several viable options to electrify current production lines, with cost-benefit analysis
• The dissemination of the results and project through the arrangement of technical workshops, conferences, project website and more
• Press work in both print and digital media
• Project management, which includes handling our several business partners who also participate in the project