February 6, 2024

Solar technology for dairy operations under trial in Corinth, Greece

Researchers working on the ASTEP project, a European Union Horizon 2020 collaborative project, and a key initiative within the Crowdhelix Solar Energy Helix, have developed what they describe as a cutting-edge solar heating and cooling technology for dairy industry processes, known as the SunDial Solar Collector.

SunDial is undergoing trials at Mandrekas, a prominent dairy operation located in Corinth, Greece. Mandrekas' specific requirements centred around building a single solution that can both heat steam to 175°C for milk pasteurisation and keep yoghurt chilled at around 5°C.

To maximise efficiency, SunDial harvests sunlight using a rotary system where eight mirror arrays are installed on a platform that tracks the sun. If tested successfully, SunDial will lower operational costs for dairy manufacturers while also helping to decarbonise the production process through solar thermal technologies.

Lowering operational and installation costs is a key goal for researchers working on the ASTEP project, who designed SunDial in such a way that it can be installed easily using modular components.

Additionally, SunDial can be adapted to complement different industrial processes and can be integrated into existing processes safely. The system can also use a two-axis tracking system without a significant increase in costs, leading to improved performance and higher operating temperatures.

Prof. Antonio Rovira from National University of Distance Education (Spain) believes that ASTEP's SunDial can help to lower energy consumption while maintaining productivity.

"One of our case studies is a dairy that requires both the generation of steam and cooling," Rovira said. "The ASTEP project proposes a viable concept to demonstrate the viability of using solar thermal energy for heating and cooling, that is both cost effective and environmentally responsible."
 

- Evirotec