EDP, Heineken, and Rondo Energy have announced, without specifying a timeline, that they plan to develop one of the largest thermal batteries in the beverage industry worldwide, aiming to transform the facility into one of the most sustainable production centers globally, operating with clean steam.
The partners highlighted that this represents the first major heat acquisition contract in Portugal using renewable solutions and on-site storage.
The project, which is backed by the European Investment Bank, still requires administrative and regulatory approvals.
Rondo Energy’s thermal battery will store renewable electricity in the form of high-temperature heat, providing secure, continuous, carbon-free steam, thus eliminating the need for fossil fuel boilers.
EDP will install a solar power plant on the Central de Cervejas e Bebidas site to power the battery, which will supply the necessary steam for production processes.
By implementing the thermal battery, the Vialonga plant expects to reduce natural gas consumption, potentially avoiding approximately 6,600 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This technology can also be applied in other industries, such as pulp and paper, chemicals, or food industries.
