Mexico. To achieve the double goal of reducing its CO2 emissions and reducing costs in the consumption of electrical energy, Klüber Lubricación Mexicana installed a complete power generation system using photovoltaic panels at its plant in the city of Querétaro. The solar energy solution, integrated by Panasonic de México, will generate up to 80% of the electricity used for the operation of the lubricant production company.
The Klüber Lubrication plant, located in the Queretaro Industrial Park, is dedicated to the development and production of special lubricants for a wide variety of industries and market segments.
Although the company makes concrete efforts to reduce its environmental impact; for example, with the development of biodegradable lubricants, it is aware that all industrial work has effects on the environment, which is why it seeks new options to improve in this area. Luis Velázquez, HSE (Health Safety and Environment) Operations Manager at Klüber Lubricación, explains that when setting the goal of eliminating the emission of 217 tons of CO2 per year at their queretaro, they decided to look for a clean energy solution. "We have great confidence in solar energy technology, we know it is a real and very productive option. In addition, Mexico offers one of the highest levels of solar radiation, so we started working on a project for our operations in Mexico," reveals the head of HSE.
The chosen solution was proposed and integrated by Panasonic de México, through its B2B Solutions Group, and consists of a system of 845 solar panels of 330W peak that generate up to 278.85kW of electrical energy. With this production capacity it is possible to achieve savings of up to 80% in the electricity consumption that the company needs for its daily operations, which translates into an approximate figure of 800 thousand pesos per year (about US $ 41,476) according to current rates.
The panels were installed with an inclination of five degrees, on the roof of the main industrial warehouse, making the most of the surface of 2,800m2 available. Solar radiation meters were also placed to more accurately assess the performance of the photovoltaic panels.
The system includes a room with inverters that make the conversion to alternating current, a board with electromagnetic protection and controls for emergency shutdown. The inverters send the power to a voltage transformer that lowers the voltage to make a safe interconnection to the electrical grid installed at the Klüber Lubrication plant.
As part of the solution, an Operation and Maintenance Policy was contracted that guarantees the correct functioning of the system, periodic maintenance of its components and the achievement of performance goals. The Panasonic policy is valid annually with the option of automatic renewal when complying with the established parameters.
According to Klüber Lubrication, the decision to work with Panasonic was based on three main reasons. Its proven experience in photovoltaic solutions for the industrial sector, the possibility of knowing local projects directly and its technological and business prestige worldwide. "We were able to visit a system that Panasonic recently installed in an industrial plant in the automotive sector in Silao, Guanajuato, and see first-hand that the operation was optimal," says Luis Velázquez of Klüber Lubrication.
As mentioned, the positive impact of this photovoltaic energy solution can be measured in the 217 tons of CO2 per year that the company will stop emitting into the environment. To achieve a similar effect, offset by the emission of such an amount of CO2, it would be necessary to plant 13 thousand trees and occupy 43 hectares of land each year, so this comparison serves to understand the positive impact that this project has on the environment.
"Our company has a great environmental commitment and we are aware of the effects of climate change, so we decided to take measures to preserve and improve the environment. Reducing the carbon footprint of our operations is one way to contribute, which is why this solar energy project is very important to us. Klüber's motto is "Redefining performance limits", and these actions fit perfectly into our corporate vision", concludes Luis Velázquez.
