Energy Solutions: A Guide for Food Processing

Mission Tortilla Factory

Mission Foods Dipped Into $163,911 In Incentives

At its two Southern California manufacturing plants, Mission Foods operates 50 manufacturing lines that produce 500 million pounds of products annually. But with its commitment to energy management, this food processor—one of the world’s largest tortilla and corn chip manufacturers—is finding ways to significantly lower its energy costs and carbon footprint. With a lighting retrofit, it received $66,422 in incentives, saved 1.3 million kilowatt hours (kWhs) in annual energy use, and only needed a payback period of just under 10 months. With Time-Of-Use rates and Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) events, it’s the perfect time to learn from Mission Foods’ energy-saving strategies and apply them to your business.

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Huy Fong Foods Owner

Huy Fong Foods

Huy Fong Foods, a manufacturer of hot sauces, including the highly popular Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, earned $41,400 in incentives by upgrading its lighting equipment.

Read Their Story

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Finance Your Energy-Efficient Projects

Several manufacturers have already taken advantage of energy-efficient equipment. To help your business receive these same cost-efficient benefits, we offer low-interest financing for qualified energy-efficient projects.

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Energy-Efficient Solutions and Tips for Food Processing

Here are just a few of the energy-efficient programs and suggestions that our customers have employed to increase their cost efficiency. You’ll also find more energy-efficient solutions in our Food Processing Fact Sheet and a complete list of all our qualifying energy-efficiency incentives and demand response programs by requesting our Solutions Directory.

Want to explore your clean energy options with SCE? We want to help lower your energy bill and reduce your carbon footprint. Clean energy can help provide the solution.

Visit Generating Your Own Power >

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Motors and Compressors

With motors and compressors accounting for the majority of your energy use, here are some ways to control your costs.

  • Install automatic shut-off devices to reduce peak demand
  • Install small air compressors for low-use periods
  • Install sequencing controls on multiple-unit compressor systems
  • Replace old motors with high-efficiency motors


Your business can benefit from even more energy-efficient equipment options.

Refrigeration

Purchase equipment that more effectively manages your energy use.

  • Install refrigeration curtains and auto door closers on refrigeration units
  • Install variable-frequency drives to control the motor speed
  • Install variable-speed control for condenser fan(s)


Your business may already qualify for incentives that could put these energy-saving upgrades into effect.

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Refrigeration Get Started Lighting and Lighting Controls

Help improve your energy efficiency by better managing your lighting costs.

  • Use LED bulbs and LED exit signs
  • Install dimmable ballasts to lower energy use in fluorescent lamps
  • Install inexpensive occupancy sensors
  • Install sensory controllers on vending machines


Your business may already qualify for incentives that could put these energy-saving upgrades into effect.

Water

  • Install water-conserving toilets and faucets in bathrooms
  • Replace older, less water-efficient equipment
  • Install new, water-efficient commercial equipment to minimize water demand
  • Change process water system to reuse processed wastewater


There are many more energy-efficient solutions for your business.

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Demand Response Programs (DR)

With these programs, receive bill credits for temporarily reducing energy use upon request during periods of high-energy demand. Choose the ones that best fit your operational needs.

Automated Demand Response (Auto-DR)

Receive energy savings by using smart technology that effortlessly and temporarily reduces the amount of energy your business uses (known as “load reduction”) during a DR event. With Auto-DR, load reduction is automatic and reliable, so it’s easier to participate in DR programs to capitalize on program earnings and help lower your energy costs.

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No-Cost, Do-It-Yourself Tips

Here are some immediate ways to significantly reduce your business energy use.

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