Improving energy efficiency in the production process at the Valladares plant (Vigo) of BENTELER AUTOMOTIVE VIGO, S.L.

BENTELER AUTOMOTIVE VIGO, S.L. has carried out various operations at its facilities in the Valladares Industrial Estate in Vigo (Pontevedra) to improve the energy efficiency of its production process. This project has received financial support from INEGA (National Institute of Energy and Mines), the Xunta de Galicia (Government of Galicia), the National Energy Efficiency Fund (NFE) and the European Union, within the framework of the energy savings and efficiency aid line for SMEs and large companies in the industrial sector, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), coordinated by IDAE (National Institute of Statistics and Census), and managed by the regional governments through the National Energy Efficiency Fund (NFE), with the aim of achieving a cleaner and more sustainable economy.. 

The operations carried out within the funded action have consisted of:

1. Replacing the thermal insulation of the HSL1 hot stamping furnace:

• Objective: Improve the thermal insulation of this process, reducing heat energy losses.

• Results: Reduction in natural gas consumption of the HSL1 furnace.

   

2. Installation of a heat recovery unit at the flue gas outlet of the HSL1 hot stamping furnace:

• Objective: To take advantage of the thermal energy from the smoke outlet of the HSL1 hot stamping furnace to heat the water used in washing parts. 

• Results: Reduction of natural gas consumption in hot water generation operations for the parts washer.

3. Optimization of energy consumption resulting from laser cooling by connecting it to the plant's general cooling system: 

• Objective: To connect the laser cooling to the general cooling of the plant, thus avoiding the use of individual laser coolers.

• Results: Reduction of energy consumption in the laser cooling process.