Dairy products company Adams Foods is achieving impressive carbon performance at its factory in Staffordshire thanks to combined heat and power (CHP) technology supplied by sustainable power group ENER-G. 

The 150kW CHP unit is part of an environmental management programme at the factory. Since full commissioning of the CHP system in June 2010 it has achieved carbon savings of 476 tonnes equivalent to the environmental benefit of 47,600 trees.

CHP technology converts gas into both electricity and heat in a single process at the point of use. The technology works by generating electricity on-site and recovering the majority of the heat created in the process. Its high efficiency contrasts with conventional power stations where heat is lost into the atmosphere through power station cooling towers, and further losses occur when transmitting the electricity along many miles of electrical distribution cables to customers.

By using a CHP to generate electricity the Leek site can use the heat generated for its hot water requirements, while creating substantial carbon savings.

The CHP unit was acquired using ENER-purchase scheme and features an ENER-G Premier maintenance contract that includes all services and call out.