RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, April 25, 2002
CONTACT: Tom Collins
1-866-NYSERDA, ext. 3250.
$50,000 Award From NYSERDA Helps Local Apple Storage
Facility Preserve Cash and Fruit
Newfane, New York - - The New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) is providing nearly $50,000 to Russell Fruit Service
to install a vacuum pressure swing adsorption system (VPSA) at two
of their facilities in Newfane and Ransomville. The equipment will
preserve fruit for up to one year, while reducing energy consumption
by up to 50% compared to the current system.
"This project is an example of Governor Pataki's and NYSERDA's
commitment to Western New York and the State's agriculture industry.
Demonstrating new technologies that save energy will improve the economics
of New York's farms, helping them compete in the global market they
face," said NYSERDA President William M. Flynn. "By reducing
energy costs and allowing the apples to stay fresh longer, we are
improving the economics of Russell Fruit Storage. This technology
will also be promoted across the State, so that other food storage
facilities can benefit."
The VPSA technology removes oxygen from the air in the storage room
on a continuous basis, helping to preserve apples for nearly one year.
The performance of the system will be compared with the current system
in place, which is energy intensive and costly to operate. The VPSA
technology will be demonstrated to other fruit storage facilities
in New York State.
Russell Fruit Service maintains long-term storage for apples, which
requires the use of nitrogen gas to flush oxygen out of sealed storage
rooms. This process requires large amounts of compressed air, and
the significant costs of operating high-powered compressors. The VPSA
system eliminates the need for compressed air and the costly compressors
that produce it. Replacing the current system with the VPSA system
will also benefit the environment by eliminating the use of environmentally
hazardous oils and filters. Air compressors require lubrication, and
used oil and filters must be properly disposed of.
"I applaud NYSERDA's partnership in this project which will
make great strides toward increasing the efficiency and cost effectiveness
of Russell Fruit Service's operations," said Sen. George Maziarz
(R-C, North Tonawanda). "Hopefully this project will become an
example for similar businesses across our state and lead to the development
of new and more widely-used methods of energy conservation."
"Our involvement with NYSERDA in this project has been a gratifying
and rewarding experience that has enabled Russell Fruit Service to
pursue innovation and increased efficiency in a challenging marketplace,"
said Russell Fruit Service Manager David Russell.
NYSERDA co-funded the $100,000 project with Russel Fruit Service.
In addition to reduced energy costs, amounting to about $15,000 a
year, Russell Fruit Service will be able to keep storage rates down
for their customers. The system would pay for itself in six years.
Funding for this project is provided through NYSERDA's New York Energy
$martSM program, which lowers electricity costs by encouraging
energy efficiency as the State's electric utilities move to competition.
The programs are available to all electric distribution customers
(residential, commercial, institutional and industrial) of Central
Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and
Rochester Gas and Electric.
All New York Energy $martSM programs are funded by a System
Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution customers of participating
utilities. NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation established by law
in 1975, administers SBC funds and programs under an agreement with
the Public Service Commission.
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