Krones AG receives Bavarian Energy Prize 2012

From over a hundred entries, Krones AG, Steinecker Plant, Freising, Germany was chosen to receive this year’s Bavarian Energy Prize for its brewing system. Martin Zeil, Bavaria’s Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology, presented the company with the main award for the energy-economical EquiTherm brewing system.

“Here, the scientifically and technically possible in terms of maximally efficient energy utilisation is achieved by rigorously interlinking all energy conversion functions. Outstanding new ideas like this guarantee an innovation-driven energy turnaround,” said Mr Zeil in praising Steinecker’s new concept. This is already the second time that Krones has received this accolade.

Interest in this energy prize, initiated by Bayern Innovativ – the Free State of Bavaria’s Society for Innovation and Knowledge Transfer – was immense this year: for the first time, 167 entries were submitted. In addition to the main prize, twelve Recognition Prizes were awarded.

EquiTherm – an energy-saving system for breweries

In the production process for beer, substantial quantities of thermal and electrical energy are required, which (due to technological stipulations on the part of the breweries and quality requirements for the finished beverage) cannot be readily reduced. So in the shape of EquiTherm a system has been developed that takes energy out of the brewing process itself at an appropriate point and puts it back again somewhere else. With the energy recirculation capability thus created, savings can be achieved in the brewhouse of up to 30% in terms of thermal energy and 20% for electricity – and given ideal preconditions quite possibly more.

In photo: Helmut Kammerloher (right) from Krones’ Steinecker Plant is the inventor of the energy-saving EquiTherm brewing system. Together with Peter Gattermeyer, department manager process Technology at Krones’ Steinecker Plant (left), he is seen accepting the Bavarian Energy Prize for 2012, presented by Minister for Economic Affairs Martin Zeil (centre).