HEALDSBURG, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A growing number of U.S.A. wineries that choose VinWizard are set to enjoy significant power savings. Power saving figures released by wineries in New Zealand and Australia suggest a new era in winery energy efficiency has arrived. Here are 2 examples from over 160 winery installations world wide that have theVinWizard winery control system installed.

St Clair Family Estate is one of New Zealand’s most awarded wineries with an uncompromising attitude toward quality and sustainability. The winery has 260 tanks that are controlled by VinWizard. Senior winemaker, Hamish Clark, reports annual power savings of $24,000 by using the VinWizard load scheduling module. “Taking advantage of cheaper night power rates, we’re saving just over 2 Cents/KWh. While this may not sound like a lot it adds up quickly.”

St Hallets, in Australia is processing approximately 3,000 tones annually and began using the load scheduling module in 2011. Prior to this, power consumption was significantly higher with maximum demand peaks of 500KVA. VinWizard load scheduling has allowed the winery to shift power consumption from the hot day hours to the cooler evening hours. This methodology yields less total KW used and each KW costs less at night. This coupled with some system modifications in the refrigeration plant have resulted in a 50% reduction in maximum demand and major power savings estimated to be in the range of 25-35%.

Both wineries installed VinWizard tank temperature control several years ago. To achieve these savings, no additional hardware was required as load scheduling is programming logic. It slightly overchills selected tanks during off-peak hours and then automatically raises target setpoints during peak daytime hours. Alternatively, cooling can simply be paused during peak times to reduce spikes. The aim is to prevent chillers running unnecessarily during peak hours to cool wine that is in a non-critical state. In the evening energy is stored in the wine tanks in the form of cooler wine. This is done at a time of day when ambient temperature is lower so the refrigeration plant operates more efficiently (KW/Ton).

It is after harvest that major power savings can be realized says Bob Richards, of Wine Technology International. Load scheduling is just one of several modules we offer. Our cold stabilization function is another that can drastically reduce power consumption without any impact on wine quality. When VinWizard is fully utilized to control both the tanks and the refrigeration system, power savings from 35% - 50% will be realized.

In America the VinWizard system is supplied and supported by Robert Dehoney of Engineered Mechanical Systems (EMS). Robert recently travelled to Australia and New Zealand to visit several wineries including both St Clair and St Hallets. EMS strives to deliver the world’s best technology to wineries and VinWizard delivers exactly that. The great thing is, regardless of what tank control hardware a winery may already have, VinWizard software can be installed over the top and deliver incredible savings.

Contacts

VinWizard - America:
Engineered Mechanical Systems
Robert Dehoney, 707-953-2426
rob@coolwine.biz
coolwine.biz
or
VinWizard - International:
Wine Technology International
Bob Richards, 707-703-5919
bobrichards@vinwizard.com
vinwizard.com