Agri-Mark and Eversource Collaborate on Energy Efficiency Improvements in Dairy Production

Agri-Mark, the cooperative behind brands like Cabot Creamery and McCadam, has completed an energy efficiency upgrade in partnership with Eversource at their West Springfield, Massachusetts facility. The project involved the installation of a high-efficiency mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) unit, which is critical in producing condensed and powdered milk products. This new equipment helps reduce energy usage, lower costs, and maintain operational consistency.

Eversource supported the project through incentives provided by the Mass Save programs, along with technical expertise to identify energy-saving solutions. The upgrade included retiring the old MVR system in 2022 and moving away from a steam-based thermal vapor recompression (TVR) system, which had increased fuel use and required additional maintenance. The new MVR system stabilizes evaporation temperatures and improves efficiency by recycling heat from milk vapor.

The upgrade is anticipated to cut natural gas consumption by approximately 967,000 therms annually, with further improvements from additional installations expected to save an extra 110,000 therms each year. These combined savings are equivalent to removing greenhouse gas emissions from driving over 14 million miles in a gas-powered car.

Supporting this initiative, the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center provided grant funding, making the retrofit financially viable for Agri-Mark, which is owned by hundreds of dairy farm families across New England and New York. Additionally, Eversource partnered with Agri-Mark to install new, energy-efficient TVR technology, further reducing energy consumption.

Operational benefits include more consistent product temperatures, less maintenance, and extended batch times, enhancing both reliability and efficiency. Jed Davis, Agri-Mark's Vice President of Strategic Engagement and Sustainability, emphasized the importance of sustainable operations for the cooperative, noting that the upgrades help lower their environmental footprint while maintaining high-quality dairy production.