At the end of 2023, Lemon Energy carried out the first assessment of an Energy Performance Contract (CPE) for Compagnie des Fromages & RichesMonts (CFR), a project that provides a reduction of almost 2000 tCO2eq per year. This assessment was carried out after the first year of operation of an installation for heat recovery from cold production at the Vire site. An opportunity to take stock of our long-standing collaboration with the CFR Vire teams.
We spoke with Patrice Mette, head of maintenance and new works at the CFR Vire site. Since his arrival in 1992 as a maintenance technician, he has gradually climbed the ranks while keeping up with changes at the plant. Patrice is accompanied by Kenza Bouksil, a Master 2 student in thermal energy at Amiens University. Kenza is currently on a work-study program at CFR Vire, responsible for coordinating and monitoring energy performance indicators in the context of ISO 50001. She is preparing to defend her thesis in July 2024.
When did the collaboration between the CFR Vire site and Lemon Energy begin?
Patrice - In 2015, we had collaborated with teams from the PS2E Institute to carry out measurements on our soft cheese production lines. It was on this occasion that I met the founders of Lemon Energy. By taking readings in the field, I was able to observe their method for carrying out analyses and studies of energy requirements.
At the time, they had given us an energy audit report that drew up an inventory. Subsequently, we called in Lemon Energy for a pre-study with a view to installing a hybrid heat pump, which enabled us to obtain financing from ADEME. In 2021, Lemon Energy carried out our regulatory energy audit, which we are now exempt from thanks to obtaining ISO 50001 certification. In 2022, we entered into a Contrat de Performance Énergétique (CPE) with an OEM for a chiller heat recovery installation. Lemon Energy had determined the reference situation and level of commitment for this EPC. At the end of the first year of operation in 2023, Lemon Energy completed the annual review.
How do you work with Lemon Energy?
Patrice - Over the years and with the different Lemon Energy team members we've met, we've noticed a consistency in the way they work, their seriousness and the evolution of their reports, which are increasingly supported by relevant graphics.
Our issues are clearly highlighted in Lemon Energy's reports, particularly when there is no cooling demand on Sundays, resulting in no heat production by the chillers.
Kenza - Thanks to Lemon Energy's reports, we were able to identify the needs of our pasteurizers for Sunday morning start-up. Based on these results, we will be able to balance the distribution of our hot water (at 85°C) to best meet the needs of the pasteurizers and thus avoid the use of steam, which is more energy-intensive to produce.
Lemon Energy's graphs and comments serve as a basis for us to improve. Contact with their team is always easy and fluid when I have questions.
Patrice - This relationship is indeed based on long-standing trust. These days, many tasks are done remotely, which is why I appreciate it when Lemon Energy teams come to visit in the field.
What are the challenges of installation and commissioning for an EPC?
Patrice - It's essential to ensure effective coordination with the various stakeholders, and for this, to have a pillar in the company to act as a point of contact. To monitor an EPC, it's important to have indicators managed by a trusted third party who can analyze the data neutrally. That's why we called on Lemon Energy to monitor the CPE.
Despite the limited room for the unexpected, the installation of the machines has to adapt to many contingencies. For example, at the end of the week, we're waiting for milk deliveries, which means there'll be no production: so we have to adjust machine operation. There are also production contingencies: we had planned to increase our production capacity, but raw material supply problems prevented this from happening. Lower capacity means less cold production, and therefore less heat rejection.
In addition, the new plant will be able to produce more heat than ever before.
In addition, commissioning can be complex, as equipment suppliers have to adapt to technological developments. Whereas they used to deal only with refrigeration, they now manage heat pumps (PAC). Mechanical stress is hard to bear due to the high levels of temperature and pressure on our PACs. Although heat pumps are proven technologies, their operation at these temperature and pressure levels is fairly recent.
The additional challenge was to postpone commissioning of the plant covered by the EPC due to delays in equipment supply and the COVID crisis.
Given these unforeseen circumstances, the initial calculations for the Energy Performance Contract need to be updated.What are the challenges of measuring energy performance for you?
Patrice - We have to be accountable to Operations Management, particularly with regard to our gas consumption. Operations Management is asking for quantified answers to questions : How much can we earn ? How much should we have earned ? How much will we earn as a result of the modifications ? In some cases, it's necessary to explain concrete situations, such as when there's an incident on one of the machines. How much more does this cost us in gas?
It's difficult to answer these questions, because many parameters have to be taken into account, such as outside temperature and production. Giving a precise figure is therefore impossible. Even providing estimates requires a great deal of research. If we were to use rated power, for example, this would not be at all representative. I prefer to provide concrete elements, with solid figures to back them up.
It's a real communication challenge, because when we talk technical and energy, the Operations Department talks numbers. Lemon Energy helps us establish these figures to find common ground with Operations.
Thanks to Patrice and Kenza for this exchange. The Lemon Energy team is delighted to support CFR Vire in achieving their energy performance objectives.
