32 | Seeking a sustainable solution Mataura Valley Milk general manager Paddy Mc Myler - helping to pioneer the future of dairy. Mataura Valley Milk T T Russell Fredeic REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The installation of Mataura Valley Milk’s new electrode boiler originated from the desire to be bold and challenge the status quo, recognising that burning lignite fuel did not align with its objectives. Fully commissioned in March this year, the new high-pressure electrode boiler (HPEB) provides all the process heat required in the operation of the plant, which converts milk collected in the region to a range of nutritional products for sale in international markets. The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) has a 75% shareholding in Mataura Valley Milk (MVM) alongside China Animal Husbandry Group, which has 25%. The installation makes MVM’s plant the first dairy processor in New Zealand to be electrified, replacing the use of lignite. General manager Paddy Mc Myler says multiple technologies were explored when assessing the available options to convert to an alternative energy source. While it was assessed during the feasibility phase that there was a degree of risk involved in adopting the new HPEB technology, it was deemed to be the best option in the long term, and for future-proofing. Additionally, it fitted well with a2MC’s and MVM’s purpose to pioneer the future of dairy for good. “We really felt that adopting this technology here in New Zealand to transition away from fossil fuels aligned with that statement,” Paddy says. It was also decided that the benefits of an electrode boiler outweighed those from other options that were considered from a sustainability perspective, such as a boiler powered by biomass. “The [HPEB] technology had been proven elsewhere, but not yet to fully run and operate a dairy- processing facility. Some other companies in New Zealand are using electric boilers, but not as their only fuel source.” The HPEB system produces steam at 40 bar pressure, which is 250 degrees, enabling the elimination of about 22,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent Scope 1 emissions from MVM’s site annually. MVM received $5 million in industrial co-funding from EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority). The HPEB project had many moving parts, and required the collaboration of key stakeholders Powernet, Aurecon, Meridian Energy, Windsor Energy and EECA, with construction being led by contractors Calder Stewart. MVM’s plant is a world-class, state-of-the-art facility, Paddy says. “A number of positive decisions had already been made to install specific technologies that led to a more sustainable operation, including heat recovery off the drier and water-recovery systems, and now the electric boiler is the latest addition, further confirming our commitment to sustainability.” The plant employs 110 staff and sources milk from 37 suppliers, who have had the opportunity to see the new boiler in operation. Australasia’s Most Experienced • Largest capacity of biomass and electrode boilers installed in NZ • Complete range of combustion technologies and sizes • Specialists in generation of process heat and power from the full spectrum of biomass fuels, including forest residues, waste by-products, sludges, etc • Steam from electric, geothermal and other renewable energy resources, plus thermal battery systems • Completed the largest coal to biomass conversion in NZ Design-build-service partner for Biomass and Electric Boilers Proud to support Mataura Valley Milk building innovative solutions
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