Companies introduce latest technologies of clean, renewable energy

According to Gills Onions and Duda Farm Fresh Foods, the two companies unveiled the world’s largest vanadium flow battery and 37,000 square feet of photovoltaic solar panels, respectively, at an event they hosted on July 11, 2012. The companies’ latest initiatives highlight the continued growth of Ventura County, Calif., as a sustainable corridor, with innovative and environmentally responsible practices, particularly within the fresh-cut industry.

Built by US-based Prudent Energy, Gills’ tennis-court-sized vanadium flow battery was installed to build upon the company’s award-winning Advanced Energy Recovery System (AERS) and will further improve the processing facility’s energy efficiency during peak usage hours.  Gills’ flow battery stores electricity during lower-cost nighttime hours. During higher-cost peak hours, the Gills facility can rely on the flow battery to generate 600 kilowatts of power for as long as six hours.

Duda’s 37,000 square feet of photovoltaic solar panels, engineered by Cenergy Power, is the latest addition to the company’s fresh-cut celery facility, which opened in 2008. The solar panels will generate 688,000 kWh per year and provide 40 percent of the power for the fresh-cut celery and cooling facility. Installing the panels allows Duda to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 478 metric tons each year – or the equivalent of the emissions from 53,580 gallons of gasoline consumed.

Gills Onions and Duda Farm Fresh Foods co-hosted the Produce Energy “Green” Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Oxnard, Calif. on July 11 to introduce their latest technologies and celebrate a collective 1.63 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. In keeping with the spirit of sustainability, the invitation-only launch was a zero waste event. The program featured video tours of the Gills and Duda facilities, onsite project tours and remarks from company representatives and guests.