Renewable energy processes 20 percent of beef at Cargill facility
Recent investments of approximately $1.8 million at the Cargill Fort Morgan, CO beef processing plant have reduced the use of electricity, natural gas and associated costs. High-efficiency fluorescent lighting was installed throughout the entire facility. A new, higher-efficiency boiler also was installed. These and other energy-efficiency improvements have led to a 10 percent reduction of natural gas use over the past three years, a 5 percent decrease in electricity use and an 8 percent increase in biogas recovery.
Cargill was able to capture greater energy efficiency through a holistic approach. An example cited by Nicole Johnson-Hoffman, plant assistant vice president and general manager, is the 10 percent reduction of natural gas use that came about from the combined effort involving the installation of a new, more efficient, boiler; increased biogas recovery from the facility’s water treatment operation; and implementation of an energy management system. More than 30 percent of the fuel used by the facility is from renewable sources, while over 23 percent of the total energy used (fuel and electricity) comes from renewables such as biogas.