Renewable steam for Spiral Foods in Australia

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Spiral Foods – RockStore Project

In Shepparton, Victoria, Heliac is deploying its RockStore thermal energy storage system for Spiral Foods, delivering reliable, low-carbon steam for food production.

Spiral Foods is an Australian food manufacturer specialising in organic and natural products, with a focus on high-quality Asian ingredients. The company is committed to sustainable production and requires a stable supply of steam for its manufacturing processes.

Technical Highlights

Charging CapacityStorage CapacityDischarging CapacitySteam TemperatureSteam Output
0.4 MWup to 5 MWh0.8 MW170 °C at 7 barsup to 1,150 kg/h

Overview

The system is powered primarily by a 175 kWp solar PV installation, supported by the site’s existing system and grid electricity as backup. A 400-kW electric heater converts electricity into heat, which is stored and will be used to generate steam on demand, ensuring a stable and continuous supply for production — independent of solar availability.

At Spiral Foods, the steam will be used in key manufacturing processes such as cooking, heating, and sterilisation. As steam is a critical part of food production, the solution will ensure reliability while reducing dependence on fossil fuels and exposure to energy price volatility.

Benefits

  • Cuts CO₂ emissions by replacing natural gas
  • Stabilises energy costs through direct use of solar power
  • Ensures a dependable steam supply with built-in thermal storage
  • Scales and adapts to meet future production needs

Partners