Development of an evaluation methodology for the potential of solar-thermal energy use in the food industry

The research project 'Solar Heat in the Liquid Food Industry' (part of the FORETA Research Network [1]) focused on the development and optimisation of low-temperature heating systems for the liquid food industry. Its main objectives are in energy efficiency, waste heat recovery and the feasibility of a solar-thermal process heating system. Based on the particular simulation results the overall solar-thermal potentials for German breweries and dairies were determined. In this connection a literature review indicated that most of the potential studies on solar-thermal energy use in the industry or related to specific industrial sectors are based on the total use of low-temperature heat. In opposition to these results, the available and mainly limited roof area was found to be a more important aspect for the solar-thermal potential. Hence, the development of a methodology for a site-specific analysis was necessary. The interconnection of only a few defined evaluation criteria resulted in a more realistic estimation of the potential for a solar-thermal heat supply. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.