With current world events fuelling higher gas prices and an uncertain outlook on the future, many businesses are seeking opportunities to reduce their reliance on gas and some are even looking to switch to alternative sources of energy.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates the world’s demand for natural gas is set to decline slightly in 2022 as a result of higher prices and market disruptions caused by the invasion. They have even set out a suite of measures to reduce the volume of Russian gas imports into Europe by over a third within a year while remaining consistent with the EU’s climate ambitions.
At the same time growing demand for ready-made or baked food products, along with an increase in the number of global bakeries, is expected to boost the demand for the global baking oven market. However, high prices associated with baking ovens and maintenance costs may hamper the growth of the market, not to mention the aforementioned rising price of gas – gas being the most common source of fuel currently used in the baking industry.
What are the options?
With different kinds of ovens, such as tunnel ovens, hybrid ovens and rack ovens available, food manufacturers are looking for the most efficient and cost effective on the market. Not just in regard to the initial operating performance but also in the long-term performance and cost. This is where the Spooner Know-How excels.
Spooner offers a broad range of industrial bakery oven types all offering exceptional control and energy efficiency for a variety of applications.
The latest generation of modular tunnel oven, available in various heat sources, provides the ultimate in baking uniformity, energy efficiency and control. These ovens also come with a range of different conveyors and drives, and remote operation monitoring functionality.
The direct gas fired oven is ideal for high heat and radiant baking and comes with optional integrated terminal ends for increased energy efficiency and by using a damper system, air flow can be adjusted in each oven section.
Hybrid tunnel ovens bring together the best of convection and radiant technology. This unique combination of burners provides excellent product quality and energy efficiency. Designed to meet the demands of a busy bakery, these hybrid ovens are easy to control and maintain.
As emission regulations become tighter and with the rising cost of fossil fuel, industrial electric ovens are becoming more popular. They also offer the same options as other Spooner ovens, and the same renowned quality, flexibility and controlled baking.
Future fuels sources
Hydrogen is considered a greener and more available fuel source, and one that is currently getting a lot of attention in the news. As a leader in continuous improvement, Spooner are currently working with a global organisation on a hydrogen conversion feasibility study. The aim being to convert a thermal oxidiser to hydrogen fuel. Watch this space for future developments.
Giving a boost to your process and the environment
Last year the EU and the UK set targets to operate as net zero economies by 2050, to achieve this target major decarbonisation efforts will be needed across many sectors, including the food manufacturing sector. Many governments have already launched new emission legislation to support this.
With tight emission regulations, companies are seeking to try and find ways to cut down on their CO2 levels and reduce energy consumption, which a heat recovery system can assist with.
Whether fitted to new or existing equipment a Spooner heat recovery system improves your efficiency and reduces your costs. These bespoke heat recovery systems can be utilised on gas fired ovens as well as in other areas of your manufacturing process.
By re-using previously heated exhaust air, your energy usage can dramatically be reduced whilst also reducing your carbon footprint.
Whatever your process or industry there are some tough choices to be made on the path to Net Zero but there are some great opportunities to save energy, optimise your process and reduce costs.
If you want to find out more about our Industrial Provers, Industrial Ovens, Industrial Coolers or Spooner Heat Recovery Systems, contact us here or call +44 (0)1943 609 505.
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