NYSERDA Press Releases

Orleans County Food Processor Secures
$56,000 in NYSERDA Incentives

Lyndonville, NY - Atwater Foods LLC, a producer of dried apple and fruit products, has received $56,000 through a partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to help improve its kiln-drying process, resulting in improved production efficiency and an annual energy saving of more than $50,000.

"Reducing energy costs and improving the bottom line are important goals for all New York State businesses, especially agribusiness. By partnering with NYSERDA, Atwater Foods was able to receive financial incentives to study possible energy efficiency measures and then implement efficiencies and process improvements that have helped the food processor continue to remain competitive," said NYSERDA Acting President Peter R. Smith.

Smith said Atwater Foods reviewed its energy consumption and production process by undertaking a Flexible Technical Assistance (Flex Tech) Study. The Flex Tech Program provides businesses owners and interested parties with a list of pre-qualified companies that provide energy analysis services. The cost of the energy analysis is shared by NYSERDA up to $50,000.

In this instance, Smith said, NYSERDA paid $26,000 toward the cost of the Flex Tech study. In addition, NYSERDA also provided $30,000 through the Innovations in Agriculture Program to help pay for the process improvement.

"The Flex Tech study gave us access to professional engineering services that we could not have afforded otherwise. The resulting recommendations have been implemented with assistance from NYSERDA, resulting in significant energy savings for Atwater Foods. We are very grateful for this important assistance to keep our company competitive through more efficient energy consumption," said Randy Atwater, General Manager of Atwater Foods.

Smith said the original food drying process at Atwater Foods took place in six manually operated kilns. Kiln efficiency and throughput varied depending upon several factors, including weather conditions. As part of the Flex Tech project, one of the kilns was upgraded with a new hi-turndown burner, variable speed drives, and an automated control system based on exhaust humidity. These upgrades virtually eliminated the impact of outside factors which previously impeded the food-drying process. As a result, the remaining five kilns were subsequently upgraded with financial assistance available through the Innovations in Agriculture program.

Atwater Foods is expected to realize annual energy savings of 42,100 kWh/yr or $3,750. Additionally, it is anticipated Atwater Foods will realize propane savings of approximately 6131 MMBtu/yr or $46,842, for a combined overall energy savings of more than $50,593.

Funding for the Flex Tech and Innovations in Agriculture Programs is provided through NYSERDA's New York Energy $mart^SM program, which lowers electricity costs by encouraging energy efficiency as the State's electric utilities move to competition. The programs are available to all electric distribution customers (residential, commercial, institutional and industrial) of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric.

All New York Energy $mart^SM programs are funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution customers of participating utilities. NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975, administers SBC funds and programs under an agreement with the Public Service Commission.

Since 1998, NYSERDA has provided more than $7 million to support more than 181 projects in Monroe and Orleans Counties. Combined with co-funding from NYSERDA's partners, the value of these projects is nearly $13 million. Among some of the other customers NYSERDA is working with are Hinspergers Poly Industries, Inc., Rochester Institute of Technology, Mikron Corporation Rochester, Zweigles Inc., YMCA of Rochester, Siemens Building Technologies, and the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Additional information about these programs can be obtained at www.nyserda.org or www.getenergysmart.org, or toll-free at (877) NY-SMART.

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