Energy efficiency opportunities in the U.S. commercial baking industry

• We examine energy use in the baking sector.
• We identify significant energy using processes in the baking sector.
• We identify cost effective energy efficiency measures for the baking sector.
• We present energy management strategies to continuously improve energy efficiency.

Commercial bakery products in the United States such as breads, rolls, frozen cakes, pies, pastries, cookies, and crackers consume over $870 million of energy annually. Energy efficiency measures can reduce the energy costs of significant energy processes and increase earnings predictability. This article summarizes key energy efficiency measures relevant to industrial baking. Case study data from bakeries and related facilities worldwide are used to identify savings and cost metrics associated with efficiency measures. While the focus of this paper is on U.S. bakeries, findings can be generalized to bakeries internationally. A discussion of energy management systems is provided and how energy efficiency measures savings can be sustained. Energy and plant managers at bakeries can use this information to cost-effectively reduce energy consumption while utilities and policy makers can apply the findings to energy efficiency program design.