The transition to clean energy sources in the agrifood sector is no longer just a vision — it’s becoming a reality, driven by the need to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and decrease dependence on fossil fuels. Industrial processes such as cooking, pasteurization, and cleaning require large amounts of heat, and steam generation through solar technologies is emerging as a sustainable and cost-effective solution.

In this article, we analyze the case of a brewery in Valencia that has integrated a concentrating solar thermal system based on linear Fresnel collectors. This plant now covers 10% of its thermal demand using solar energy, avoiding the emission of 1,300 tons of CO₂ per year — an investment made viable through an energy sales model and public support.

Introduction

In the brewing industry, steam is an essential resource. From bottle pasteurization to wort boiling and equipment cleaning, a reliable and high-performance thermal source is required. The brewery analyzed, located in Valencia, operates continuously and has a high daily thermal demand.

To reduce its carbon footprint and diversify its energy mix, the plant adopted a Solar Heat for Industrial Processes (SHIP) system — a solution that supplies high-temperature steam using only the sun as an energy source.System Characteristics

Concentrating solar thermal plant (SHIP)

• Technology: FLT20 linear Fresnel collectors (manufactured by Solatom)

• Installed thermal power: 4.14 MW

• Operating temperature: 225 °C

• Steam pressure: 8 bar (suitable for demanding industrial processes)

• Collector area: 5,925 m² (approx. 6,000 m²)

Sustainability and emission reduction

• CO₂ emissions avoided: 1,300 tons per year

• Solar share of thermal demand: 10%

• Fossil fuel replaced: Natural gas

The solar thermal plant reduces fossil fuel consumption, contributing to the decarbonization of the production process — all without compromising product quality or requiring significant changes to existing infrastructure.

Economic savings and operational efficiency

• Total investment (CAPEX): €3 million

• Specific cost per m²: €500

• Public subsidy received: €1.4 million

• Business model: Thermal PPA (Power Purchase Agreement), where the brewery only pays for the solar steam it consumes

• O&M costs: Approx. 1% of CAPEX annually

• IRR: Confidential, but positive due to the business model and public funding

This model enables third-party investment, eliminating the upfront financial barrier and allowing the brewery to benefit from energy savings from day one.

Energy resilience and additional benefits

• Flexible heat management: A thermal storage system allows the plant to adapt steam production to daily demand, ensuring efficiency even on cloudy days.

• Seamless integration: The system was implemented without redesigns or long production stoppages.

• Replicable model: While presented as a theoretical case, it is based on a real, functioning installation — offering a valuable reference for other industries seeking to decarbonize process heat.

Beyond sustainability, the system enhances energy resilience, supports compliance with environmental regulations, and strengthens the company’s brand image as a climate-conscious business.

Conclusion

This case study shows that concentrating solar thermal energy is a viable, efficient, and scalable solution for energy-intensive industrial processes like brewing. The combination of sustainability, cost savings, and ease of integration positions linear Fresnel technology as a strategic tool for the energy transition in the agrifood sector.

With evolving business models and continued institutional support, the adoption of these systems is expected to grow — accelerating industrial decarbonization and boosting the competitiveness of Spanish industry.