Since 1 January 2020, the Cornwall Bakery has been predominantly powered by a CHP system, resulting in a 9% reduction in energy use and a 12% reduction in CO2 emissions.
What is CHP?
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is an energy-efficient technology that generates electricity. It captures the heat that would otherwise be a waste product to provide hot water and steam that can be used for hot water, heating, cooking and cleaning.
Kevin Jenkins, Head of Hygiene and Environment for the Cornwall Bakery, said: “The CHP is an enormous engine about the size of a shipping container that’s located in one of our car parks. It’s been designed so that we take 25% of our electricity requirements from the grid and 75% from our CHP.
“All the hot water and steam for the entire site comes from the CHP. The system was specified for the amount of hot water and steam we need. So, if the spec had been that we took 100% of our electricity from the CHP, it would have generated too much hot water and steam for our requirements.
With the new CHP, we’re saving not just energy and CO2 emissions, but we’re also saving around 20% on the cost of our fuel bills.”
This is the first CHP to be installed within Samworth Brothers. Since it is proving so energy efficient, the Group is looking at further installations around the country.