This comprehensive energy efficiency project was designed and deployed by GreenYellow, an international leader in decentralized energy transition, in partnership with IcoEnergía, an EPC company responsible for technical execution, and is based on advanced solutions in refrigeration, heat recovery, and electrification of thermal processes.
The project is structured around three main axes:
1.Modernization of the refrigeration system
The existing installations were replaced with a system using natural refrigerants, notably ammonia (NH₃), significantly reducing environmental impact while improving operational efficiency. The setup incorporates industrial refrigeration equipment supplied by the Spanish manufacturer Intarcon.
2.Valorization of waste heat
A heat recovery system was deployed to harness the heat generated by the refrigeration compressors. This energy is reused, via heat pumps, to produce the heat required for ham drying, ensuring optimal energy performance. The system also relies on glycol-water pumps from Grundfos.
3.Electrification and operational elimination of gas boilers
The installation of a heat pump capable of producing hot water at 65°C eliminates the operational use of gas boilers, drastically reducing CO₂ emissions. Retained as a backup solution, these boilers give way to a predominantly electrified model, which is key to reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The system integrates a heat pump supplied by the Spanish company Keyter.
Thanks to innovations and the high performance of the equipment — with a coefficient of performance (COP) nearly three times higher than that of a conventional gas boiler — Eulogio Ramos will benefit from:
The project required overcoming major technical challenges, including integrating new installations without disrupting production, coordinating continuous works, and adapting existing hot and cold-water networks.
GreenYellow deployed a centralized ammonia system, replacing obsolete equipment with more efficient solutions while integrating advanced energy management tools for real-time monitoring and optimization.
All equipment is manufactured in Spain, contributing to local industrial development. Intarcon and Keyter have production sites in Lucena (Córdoba), where the systems are fully assembled.
This project follows a long-term partnership model: the 10-year Energy Efficiency Agreement includes study, design, financing, implementation, operation, and full maintenance of the installations. It optimizes return on investment, facilitates access to public aid, and ensures sustainable energy performance during the contract duration.
Additionally, the project has supported the local economy by prioritizing regional companies and workforce.
Through this achievement, GreenYellow confirms its commitment to the energy transition of European industry, demonstrating that decarbonization is both a performance lever and a genuine energy shield, enabling agri-food players to secure costs, reduce exposure to energy price volatility, and strengthen long-term competitiveness.
