Since the production of pharmaceuticals is very energy-intensive, Sandoz GmbH from Langkampfen in Tyrol pursues a sustainability strategy based on the cornerstones of energy efficiency, security of supply and emission reduction. Together with SOLID, a technical and economic feasibility study for the integration of solar heat into the production process, which accounts for 96% of the energy consumption, is being developed. Initial work on the feasibility study is already in full swing, and by the end of 2021 Sandoz will have a detailed concept for the company’s renewable heat supply.
The study examines the integration of 5927 m² of solar thermal collectors – coupled with a buffer storage tank. This is expected to generate 2932 MWhth of renewable heat annually. The solar thermal energy is to be used, among other things, for heating the building, for dehumidifying the supply air, and for energy management of various thermal processes. At the moment, most of the energy used and required by the pharmaceutical sector is provided by natural gas, so combining conventional energy generation with solar thermal could become a lighthouse project for the industry. With heat production costs of about 30€ per MWh over a period of about 25 years, solar thermal will in any case be competitive with natural gas.
The Austrian Climate and Energy Fund (KLIEN) supports feasibility studies and also the implementation of large-scale solar thermal plants.
https://www.klimafonds.gv.at/call/solarthermie-solare-grossanlagen-2020/
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