Energy management in a dairy-products plant

A computerised energy-management system is used to control the steam supply in a dairy-products firm: prior to its introduction and use, more than 58% of the steam generated was wasted. With the aid of the devised computer program, steam is allocated to the various items of the plant in a near-optimal manner, without any disruption of the production schedule. The computer is used to monitor and control the amount of steam output from the boilers, so that a sufficient supply is provided to every item of equipment, yet ensuring the total peak demand is reduced. This system achieves an annual saving of more than £11 800 and so results in a pay-back period, for the financial investment made, of less than 42 months.