MEDIA RELEASE
Wellard ’s Western Australian abattoir, Beaufort River Meats (BRM), will reduce its energy consumption by up to eight per cent per annum following installation of a Voltage Power Optimisation (VPO) system.
Working with environmental sustainability specialists Enviro Forum, BRM is installing a VPO unit which enables the abattoir to operate at the same capacity while consuming less energy.
VPO works on the basis that power supplied by the distribution network isn’t at the optimum voltage, causing over-supply to most equipment. The VPO conditions the incoming voltage – typically around 242V – to the optimum operating level for most equipment, at around 220V. By correcting these over-voltage conditions equipment downstream consume less energy and are more efficient, as over-voltage often causes excess heat in motors.
Wellard General Manager Meat Processing and Trading Kel Whitehouse said the 220,000 kilowatt hours the VPO will save BRM each year will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions from the plant by 191 tonnes.
“The energy savings have both financial and environmental benefits,” Mr Whitehouse said.
“The Beaufort River Meats abattoir is an integral part of Wellard’s meat processing operations, so to be able to reduce energy consumption to decrease operating costs and reducing carbon emissions is a win-win scenario.”
Wellard CEO Mauro Balzarini said Wellard had a track record of embracing new technology and exploring innovative ideas to improve its operational efficiency and reduce its environmental impact.
“Wellard has always been committed to investing in new technology and improving its efficiency across the entire supply chain,” he said.
The VPO technology has additional benefits. It can reduce maintenance down-time, improve equipment power by optimising supply voltages to reduce the reactance of electrical equipment and lowers harmonic distortion to prevent random failures of electrical equipment.
For further information please contact:
Cameron Morse
Phone: + 61 8 9485 8888
Mobile: +61 (0) 433 886 871
Website: www.wellard.com.au
Mathew Frederickson
Phone: + 61 8 6260 1504
Mobile: +61 (0) 419 921 595
Website: www.forumgroup.com.au