HEINEKEN N.V., EDP Comercial (EDP) and Rondo Energy have made it public that they will jointly implement a wide-scale heating-battery system in Heineken Vialonga Brewery and Malting Plant which is located not far from Lisbon. The Renewable energy project Portugal will gradually shift a significant part of the brewery’s operation from fossil fuels to renewable-powered steam which is one of the most important steps in Heineken sustainability journey.
Rondo Energy was established in the year 2020. The company is involved in the development of technology for industrial heating that transforms intermittent renewable electricity such as solar or wind, into a continuous high-temperature heat. The collaboration between these companies has been a significant milestone in making industries that are dependent on gas or other fossil sources of heat truly carbon free, driving the goal of decarbonising industrial heat sector.
How the Technology Works
Large breweries like Heineken Vialonga Brewery consume enormous amounts of steam and very hot heat as part of their production processes, and going back, these have always been produced by burning fossil fuels. But with Rondo Energy’s technology, there comes a revolutionary method. The Industrial heat battery utilizes renewable power to generate electricity and then stores it in the shape of heat at high temperatures, which is then used for steam production like that of a regular boiler, minus the carbon emissions.
The project will primarily be carried out by EDP Comercial through the installation of a 7 MW-peak solar power plant at the brewery. Besides this, the company will deliver 25 GWh of green energy through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement that is flexible and partially prepaid. On the other hand, Rondo Energy will install a 100MWh Industrial heat battery, thus becoming one of the largest heat storage facilities in the beverage sector worldwide.
This setup is based on a Heat-as-a-Service concept. EDP Comercial will take care of the design, construction, and operation of the whole system while Rondo Energy will provide the battery. Heineken Vialonga Brewery will get steam made with renewable energy without needing to handle or upkeep the infrastructure. This approach guarantees reliability and effectiveness while cutting down the operational difficulties triggered by the energy transition in Europe.
Why It Matters for Heineken and the Industry
This collaboration is a significant step for Heineken sustainability towards the complete elimination of greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2030 and eventually from the entire value chain by 2040. Besides, it acts as a safety net against the volatility of fossil fuel markets and at the same time it enhances the company’s image as eco-friendly.
To the less favored side, the Vialonga project is a trailblazer in showing that industrial-grade heat generation can return to cleaner sources of energy without hampering production. Rondo Energy and EDP Comercial anticipate a bright future for the Iberian peninsula, which comprises Spain and Portugal, as it has the sunniest and most renewable-friendly regions in Europe. The project is a clear cut argument of the heat-intensive sectors slaughtering their emissions being both possible and economical, marking Portugal’s first Heat-as-a-Service project and strengthening Heineken sustainability.
The Impact and Timeline
The system is anticipated to be fully operational by April 2027. The complete implementation is believed to be able to emit around 6,600 tons less carbon dioxide per year through the reduction of natural gas consumption. Even though the number may be small in the context of the whole world, it still has an important meaning because it points out the successful use of a very modern Industrial heat battery in a real industrial place.
Not only that, but also the project paves the way for a more extensive installation of the technology in the food and beverage, chemical, and pulp and paper industries, among others. The European Union energy transition funding and Breakthrough Energy Catalyst have backed the Renewable energy project Portugal with 75 million euros as a part of the European Union energy transition funding, thus marking the project’s importance in the ecological aspect of Europe, through its various support sources, and investment banks. This highlights Heineken EDP Rondo partnership for renewable heat and the larger movement of decarbonising industrial heat sector across the region.
What This Really Means
Heineken sustainability has taken a bold and sustainable step by incorporating renewable-powered steam, which could be the beginning of a new trend in industrial energy applications. The Industrial heat battery is a perfect example of renewable electricity that can be stored in two distinct forms: power and heat; which makes it suitable for even the most difficult-to-decarbonise processes.
Heat-as-a-Service facilitates the transition by taking care of the operational hassles and letting the industrial players work on their core business, while at the same time enjoying the benefits of renewable energy solutions. The Renewable energy project Portugal also reflects how Heineken Vialonga Brewery is moving toward renewable-powered brewery operations, aligning closely with Heineken sustainability targets.
The launching of such a project comes at a very strategic time since Europe is still very much involved in demanding tougher emission cuts and going for eco-friendly energy habits. It shows the power of technology and the right constellation of partners in providing the world with solutions that tackle climate issues and enable the energy transition in Europe.
Heineken EDP Rondo partnership for renewable heat is not only about the new system’s installation. It marks Portugal’s first Heat-as-a-Service project as the industrial revolution’s next step, with the decarbonising industrial heat sector shifting from the realm of theory to that of practice. Heineken’s investment in carbon-free production methods and a more robust Heineken sustainability pipeline is the company’s side of the story. The scenario of the world’s energy transition in Europe is that it has come one step nearer to being less reliant on fossil fuels and more characterized by renewable innovations and renewable-powered brewery operations driven by Heat-as-a-Service and Rondo Energy.
