Porto Protocol members may recall having been previously introduced to the merits of pulse cooling as identified in the February, 2021 newsletter article published by Treasury Wine Estates (Link).  TWE has done a great job with their automation and energy savings objectives, though many producers may not be able to develop their own solutions capable of reducing energy consumption and automating operations.  Knowing this, California based VinWizard has created an automation platform and solution set for wineries which includes pulse cooling among several other energy and water saving capabilities.  Oftentimes thought to be off limits due to cost and complexity, automating winery operations has typically been dismissed outright, though further investigation will show VinWizard can provide all the benefits of traditional automation without the aforementioned drawbacks.  While VinWizard is not new, having automated approximately 200 wineries and breweries across five continents over the past 25 years, the technology is likely unknown to Porto Protocol members, though perhaps that changes today.

As referenced in TWE’s prior article, UC Davis Professor Roger Boulton has suggested 75% of total energy consumption in wineries is owed to temperature control, specifically cooling.  Accordingly, temperature management is a primary target of energy conscious producers seeking to save money and reduce their carbon footprint.  To support producers in sustainability efforts, VinWizard’s technology streamlines winery operations while optimizing and minimizing energy consumption involved in temperature control.  VinWizard’s customer testimonials provide ample evidence of energy savings though to establish the benefit more firmly, VinWizard partnered with New Zealand’s Bragato Research Institute.  After utilizing VinWizard’s Pulse Cooling capability, the institute published their findings on their WEBSITE.  At the conclusion of the study, a 30% reduction in cooling energy consumption was observed and VinWizard is confident upwards of 50% energy reduction is achievable.  With Portugal being one of the most expensive energy markets, it makes financial sense to seek means of reduction in addition to pursuing sustainability goals.

Source: Global Petrol Prices website via Statista website (Link)

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