In a refrigeration project upgrade at Jim Barry Wines, plant decisions focussed on the importance of quality Riesling production and environment sustainability.
Temperature control is a critical parameter in quality wine production and is especially important in South Australian wineries due to the warm climate.
Refrigeration addresses this need but it is often the largest consumer of electricity in Australian wineries, typically accounting for 50 to 70 per cent of total electricity use, highlighting the critical need for environmental impact to be included in the decision making process.
Foreseeing a rise in Riesling demand, Jim Barry Wines, decided to upgrade their refrigeration plant, seeking advice from Cold Logic, Australia’s largest provider of refrigeration to the wine sector.
Cold Logic partner Eddie Lane, said the company is passionate about helping clients improve their efficiencies and environmental impact.
“We aspire to minimise impacts on the environment through; actively promoting the use of natural refrigerants, those that actually benefit the environment rather than harming it,” he said.
“At the same time we also try to minimise the electrical energy consumed by refrigeration systems.
“Ammonia refrigeration is the most efficient refrigerant in industrial applications with a very high COP (coefficient of performance) efficiency factor.”
As a refrigerant ammonia is 100 per cent environmentally friendly with a zero Global Warming Potential (GWP) factor and zero Ozone Depleting Factor.
For Jim Barry Wines it was the most energy efficient system and environmentally friendly option.
Lane said the ammonia plant was designed and assembled at Cold Logic’s Port Adelaide factory and took into account future growth at the winery.
The system can service a 4000 tonne crush and whole bunch pressing of 15 tonnes of Riesling a day.
Jim Barry Wines general manager, Tom Barry said the company is concerned about climate change and felt they had a responsibility to act.
“We are extremely aware of our responsibilities surrounding sustainability and achieving our end goal of being carbon neutral,” Barry said.
“The new ammonia refrigeration plant will help guarantee the long-term supply of high-quality Riesling, provides significant environmental benefits and substantial energy savings.
“We estimate that we have achieved around 30 per cent in energy savings in just its first year of operation. We hope sharing these compelling results will provide fellow viticulturalist wineries the confidence and encouragement to consider an ammonia based refrigeration plant.”
Barry said for most companies, having a sustainability plan is no longer a differentiator but an expectation from customers and employees.
“We love being a part of one of the most innovative winemaking countries in the world. We challenge traditions and adopt innovations, which can only benefit our industry and importantly the environment too,” Barry said.
Founded in 1984, Cold Logic specialises in the manufacture and supply of industrial refrigeration solutions to the beverage, food processing and cold storage industries nationally.