At Skyven Technologies, we are passionate about moving the needle on climate change by decarbonizing industrial process heat, and we are excited to announce the deployment of the first industrial steam generating heat pump of this size in the United States—Skyven Arcturus—at Western New York Energy’s (WNYE) ethanol production facility in Medina, NY.
This groundbreaking project is a major step forward in reducing carbon emissions in the industrial space. Arcturus will cut 20,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year from WNYE’s facility, which is equivalent to removing 4,300 cars from the road annually. And this is just the beginning of what our cutting-edge technology can achieve.
The Power of Skyven Arcturus
Built on mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) technology, the Skyven Arcturus steam generating heat pump efficiently captures low-temperature waste heat from industrial processes and upgrades it to boiler quality steam (up to 420°F and 300 psig), making it ideal for use in demanding industrial manufacturing facilities. The result? Cleaner, more efficient operations with drastically reduced carbon emissions.
WNYE’s adoption of this technology marks a turning point in the ethanol industry’s decarbonization efforts. By leveraging Skyven’s advanced engineering, the Medina facility will significantly reduce its carbon footprint, while enhancing energy efficiency and lowering production costs.
As Tim Winters, CEO of WNYE, stated, “By integrating Skyven’s cutting-edge Arcturus technology, we are taking significant strides in improving our community’s air quality by reducing our carbon footprint and improving our operational efficiencies.”
Inside the Numbers
Arcturus is replicable across industries and facility types due to its standardized, building-block approach. As every industrial facility is different, let’s take a look at the key project numbers for this ethanol facility.
At the WNYE ethanol facility, Skyven Arcturus will:
- Generate over 40,000 lbs/hr of boiler-quality, emissions-free steam for critical on-site processes.
- Have a Coefficient of Performance (COP) over 3.0 – meaning that existing natural gas boilers would require over three and a half times more natural gas than Arcturus requires electricity to produce the same amount of steam.
- Cut over 20,000 metric tons of CO2 annually.
Why This Matters
Decarbonizing industrial processes is a critical component in the global fight against climate change. This Skyven Arcturus project serves as a blueprint for the future of industrial sustainability, setting a new standard for decarbonization in the ethanol and other hard-to-abate industries.
Here’s why this project is so important:
- Energy Efficiency: WNYE will see improved operational efficiencies and lower energy consumption.
- Economic Benefits: Skyven Arcturus will lower WNYE’s Carbon Intensity (CI) score and improve production costs.
- Community Impact: Cleaner air and job creation for the Medina community.
Looking Ahead
This project is a testament to what’s possible when cutting-edge technology meets commitment to sustainability. We are excited and ready to help industrial manufacturers in hard-to-abate industries decarbonize profitably. Together, we can accelerate industrial decarbonization, benefiting not just companies, but entire communities and the planet.
We’re proud to partner with WNYE on this journey and thrilled to continue leading the charge in decarbonizing industrial steam generation across the country and world.
