From Energy Crisis to Energy Success: Electrifying the Belgian Food Industry

Belgium's food sector, a cornerstone of the nation's economy, is on the cusp of a significant transformation. Accounting for approximately 20% of industrial revenue and providing jobs to 100,000 individuals, this industry is now navigating a path from energy crisis to energy success. The journey involves a pivotal shift towards renewable energy, promising not only environmental benefits but also a competitive edge and substantial cost savings.

A Recipe for Change

Historically, the Belgian food industry has been heavily reliant on natural gas, making it vulnerable during the recent energy crisis. A survey by FEVIA in 2022 highlighted the urgency for adaptation, revealing that 30% of companies considered reducing production due to profitability concerns. Alarmingly, only a small fraction had contemplated electrification as a viable alternative, despite its potential to revolutionize energy usage and efficiency within the sector.

Electrification doesn't necessitate a complete overhaul of existing systems. As one COO at a beverage company pointed out, "Exploring heat electrification...with a smartly steered heat pump can already improve efficiency tremendously." This approach to upgrading energy systems underscores the importance of making incremental, yet impactful, changes.

New to industrial electrification? Watch the short movie below.

Unlocking Energy Cost Benefits

The shift towards electrification and smart energy management opens the door to significant cost savings, often exceeding 15%. Smart steering of energy resources—optimizing consumption in line with fluctuating prices and renewable availability—can dramatically enhance efficiency without disrupting core operations. This strategy enables businesses to navigate the complexities of dynamic electricity pricing, taking advantage of lower rates through informed energy usage and storage decisions.

Recent case studies underscore the tangible benefits of this approach. For instance, a customer in the food value chain experienced a 17% savings potential over two months by smartly buffering their cooling installations in response to electricity price variations. This kind of smart energy management not only lowers costs but also stabilizes them, providing a strong business case for electrification.

The Path Forward

The evidence is clear: the future of the Belgian food industry lies in electrification and smart energy management. However, embarking on this journey requires a proactive stance. Businesses need to untangle their data, develop comprehensive energy strategies, identify pilot cases for smart steering, and diligently track the benefits. Each step forward is a move towards a more sustainable, efficient, and competitive industry.

At Companion.energy, we are at the forefront of this revolution, helping companies navigate the transition to a smarter, renewable energy-driven future. Our focus on electrified alternatives, flexible energy systems, and smart steering technologies not only unlocks significant cost savings but also reduces environmental impact, positioning our clients ahead in a rapidly evolving market

The Belgian food industry's path from energy crisis to energy success is not just a possibility—it's a reality in the making. By embracing innovative energy solutions, companies can turn challenges into opportunities, securing a sustainable and prosperous future for the sector.

At companion.energy, we specialize in harnessing the power of continuous optimization, offering companies the data infrastructure needed to exploit implicit flexibility opportunities. Visit us at companion.energy, or contact us directly via jonas.verstraeten@companion.energy to learn more.