Mars Petcare’s manufacturing facility in Wodonga, Victoria will become the first large-scale steam-based manufacturing site in Australia to be powered 100% by renewables.
The $39.3 million Mars Wodonga Solar Thermal Plant project, to be completed by 2026, will include the installation of an 18-megawatt parabolic trough concentrated solar thermal (CST) plant that will provide up to 10 hours of thermal energy storage for cooking pet food.
The project, which includes a $17.2 million grant from the Australian government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), marks the first commercial deployment of parabolic trough CST technology in Australia.
Yesterday, Mars Petcare Australia and New Zealand General Manager Craig Sargeant was joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a tour of the site.
“We are incredibly proud to announce that Mars will be the first manufacturing facility of its kind in Australia to deploy a 100% renewable energy solution within two years,” says Mr Sargeant.
“Decarbonising site-based process heat, coupled with Mars Australia’s 100% renewable electricity use, is a significant achievement that not only reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability but also positions our Wodonga facility as a leader in green process heat manufacturing on a national scale.”
Mr Sargeant says investing in renewable energy technologies like CST is critical to decarbonising industrial processes, particularly in sectors that heavily rely on gas for steam-based manufacturing.
“CST offers a powerful solution by capturing and storing solar energy, in the form of high temperature heat, for use at any time, making it an ideal fit for our steam-based manufacturing needs,” he says.
The project builds on Mars’ implementation of electric thermal energy storage (eTES) technology, which allows the facility to utilise low-cost, grid-connected renewable electricity during off-peak times to generate and store heat that can produce steam at any time of day or night. Mars says the eTES system, supported by CSIRO, provides a cost-effective, renewable alternative to gas.
Mars has also recently announced another joint initiative whereby the company is working together with Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) to purchase Renewable Gas Guarantee of Origin certificates at Hydrogen Park Murray Valley. This arrangement will displace over 10% of Mars Australia’s total gas consumption, which includes Mars Petcare Wodonga.