TOWARDS CARBON-NEUTRAL FISH COLD STORAGE: A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH THROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY

Resumen

Preserving perishable foods, particularly fish, demands meticulous attention throughout the entire supply chain, from capture to consumption. The critical role of cold storage facilities in maintaining optimal conditions, encompassing temperature and humidity regulation, is indispensable. Nevertheless, these facilities pose a considerable challenge due to their substantial electrical energy consumption, which significantly contributes to operational costs. In addressing this challenge, the implementation of energy-efficient strategies, including the utilization of advanced equipment and real-time monitoring facilitated by automation technologies, becomes imperative. This research investigates an innovative integrated cold storage system situated in Tarrafal, Santiago, Cape Verde, which harmoniously incorporates wind, solar, and tidal energy sources. The primary objectives are to evaluate the energy efficiency, financial viability, and environmental impact across four distinct hypothesis. Hypothesis 1 entails the deployment of two R134a refrigeration units powered by the conventional public grid, while Hypothesis 2 adopts a transcritical CO₂ system reliant on grid electricity, Hypothesis 3 integrates CO₂ technology with autonomous renewable energy sources and Hypothesis 4 leverages CO₂ for refrigeration coupled with seawater heat exchange and autonomous renewable energy generation. The research findings strongly favor Hypothesis 4, demonstrating emissions of 15880 kg CO₂eq with an impressive 5-year return on investment. The autonomous electricity production associated with this hypothesis markedly reduces emissions by more than 90%. Despite an initial higher investment, Hypothesis 3 showcases financial viability, contributing significantly to long-term energy sustainability. The autonomous energy production in this scenario results in a noteworthy reduction of more than 600000 kgCO₂ compared to conventional systems, underscoring the positive impact of integrating local renewable energy sources.