GELITA MÉXICO

Pilot project

"Introduction to Energy Efficiency and Energy Management Systems in SMEs in Mexico"

Example of energy efficiency improvement Gelita Mexico S. de RL de CV: Recovery of waste heat from the evaporator

Background information

The implementation of the pilot project began with the introductory workshop to ISO 50001:2011 in October 2015. The companies then conducted energy audits to identify and prioritize various opportunities for improvement, under the guidance of Mexican consultants with expertise in energy efficiency.

One of the participating companies is called GELITA México S. de R.L. de C.V. and is located in Lerma, State of Mexico. This company produces gelatine for the food industry.

Description of the improvement

One of the processes with the highest energy consumption in the production of gelatine is water evaporation. The energy used for this purpose is released into the environment through the cooling tower. 38% of the plant’s total fuel consumption is used to heat water.

The improvement initiative had already been identified when the energy audit for the pilot project was conducted and involves producing hot water by reusing part of the energy dissipated in the cooling tower in place of fuel. This successful case study was documented as a result of the energy management system that is being implemented with the pilot project.

Savings achieved, results and additional benefits

This case highlights the support provided by the management system in documenting the energy savings resulting from the improvement decisions made following the energy diagnostic, which in a structured way and based on ISO 50001:2011 will facilitate future investments to ensure improved energy performance, and thereby increase the confidence of senior management in such projects.

The Mexican National Commission for the Efficient Use of Energy (CONUEE) and the German Metrology Institute (PTB) make the aforementioned project available to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in order for them to implement an energy management system (EnMS) according to ISO 50001, by strengthening the skills of technical staff within each company. For more information on the pilot project, contact Lissette Mendoza Barrón, Tel. 3000 1000 ext. 1318, lissette.mendoza@conuee.gob.mx or Susanne Wendt, susanne.wendt@ptb.de