Groundbreaking technology is being commissioned by dairy giant Arla Foods to slash CO2 emissions from one of its main milk powder production plants in Denmark.

The Arla factory at Holstebro is to use new thermal storage technology to convert green energy into heat, which can then be used on demand to power the plant.

The innovative project is a joint venture between Arla and Danish start-up Hyme Energy. Arla is now looking to secure EU funding of €20m to €30m to support the project.

The Hyme Energy system uses a molten salt solution to store energy. The technology works by heating salt to 600ºC using resistance heaters powered by renewable electricity.

The salt is pumped from a cold tank to a hot tank while being heated. The hot salt - charged with energy - is then stored there until needed.

Reuse

To release the energy, the salt is pumped through a steam generator, which heats water into steam, which can then be used for power. The cooled salt is cycled back to the cold tank for reuse.

Thermal batteries, such as the process developed by Hyme, are increasingly viewed as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries for energy intensive industries such as dairy sector driers.

The Holstebro project will involve the installation of a 200MWh thermal battery system. Since the thermal battery will convert renewable electricity into stored heat, the project aims to end the plant’s reliance on fossil fuels and is targeting a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions.

In addition, the initiative aims to cut the energy costs at the Holstebro factory by around €3m per year.

If EU funding is secured, it is planned to have the new system at Holstebro operational by 2029.

Hyme chief commercial officer Nis Benn said the joint venture with Arla will demonstrate that thermal battery storage technology can work at scale and show the potential for reducing CO2 emissions in the dairy processing sector and other large energy-using industries.

“The project will show that reducing CO2 emissions in large-scale industries is not only feasible but also economically attractive,” he said.