At Skyven Technologies, we are passionate about improving industrial competitiveness, 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.
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? More efficient operations with significant cost savings on steam.
WNYE’s adoption of this technology marks a turning point in the ethanol industry’s carbon intensity (CI) efforts. By leveraging Skyven’s advanced engineering, the Medina facility will significantly reduce its CI score, 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.
- Operate in parallel with existing steam generation systems, enabling steam generation at the lowest cost possible.
Why This Matters
Increasing industrial efficiency and reducing steam costs is a critical component for increasing the global competitiveness of US ethanol manufacturers like WNYE. This Skyven Arcturus project serves as a blueprint for the future of industrial steam, setting a new standard for steam generation in the ethanol and other energy-intensive 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.
Looking Ahead
This project is a testament to what’s possible with cutting-edge industrial technology. We are excited and ready to help industrial manufacturers in energy-intensive industries save money and increase resilience. Together, we can accelerate industrial competitiveness.
We’re proud to partner with WNYE on this journey and thrilled to continue leading the charge in revolutionizing industrial steam generation across the country and world.
