Sun-Maid Growers of California High-Efficiency Gas Dryer

California processes over one-million tons of grapes annually, producing nearly 100 percent of the total U.S. raisin output. Raisin processing and packaging facilities frequently operate continuously and are often located within air-quality disadvantaged communities. Operations are energy-intensive, with limited options for reducing demand and usage. Sun Maid Growers of California enlisted the Imperion team to help find a project that could reduce their carbon footprint and save energy without impacting production.

In analyzing the Sun Maid facility’s energy and gas consumption, the team identified the facility’s fruit dryer as a potential opportunity for improved efficiency. Initially, the team proposed replacing the piece of equipment with an all-electric dryer. However, after conducting a technoeconomic analysis and a pre-M&V study, they discovered that this option would result in such a significant increase in electricity usage and cost that the project would become unfeasible.

Pivoting, the Imperion team identified a high-efficiency, easy-to-clean gas dryer that would better serve the facility, while still providing significant energy reductions, cost savings, and lowered greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Additionally, the installation of this dryer option resulted in a 30% increase in capacity, uniform moisture removal, and a more streamlined drying process for the staff.

The Imperion project team developed a comprehensive strategy that maximized energy, cost, and emission savings while leveraging more than $3 million in grant funding from the California Energy Commission’s Food Production Investment Program (FPIP).

This project demonstrates how companies can achieve sustainability goals without compromising product quality or hindering operations.