Sun-Maid Growers of California replaced its aging, energy-inefficient compressed air system at its raisin production facility in Kingsburg, California, with energy-efficient, drop-in-ready technologies from California-based vendors. The upgraded and optimized compressed air system included a fully integrated suite of advanced oil-free centrifugal compressors, heat-of-compression regenerative dryers, high-capacity air receivers, and intelligent control automation. The system resulted in annual reductions of approximately 1,012 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions and approximately 4,441,086 kilowatt-hours in total facility electrical energy consumption, while maintaining production quality and throughput. The system also delivers stable, lower-pressure compressed air that is essential for facility operations and enables future heat-recovery integration. The deployment of the upgraded compressed air system has also reduced emissions of on-site criteria air pollutants and toxic air contaminants by directly lowering on-site fossil fuel consumption. Notably, the project is located in a low-income, disadvantaged community characterized by a pollution burden in the 94th percentile. Beyond the energy and environmental benefits, the project demonstrates that investing in large-scale efficiency upgrades to compressed air systems can deliver substantial, reliable savings. The project demonstrates a replicable and scalable model that other food processors and industrial facilities can adopt. By demonstrating the technical feasibility and the economic value of advanced compressed air technologies, this project supports California’s broader clean energy objectives and advances efforts to modernize industrial infrastructure, enhance competitiveness, and reduce emissions across the manufacturing sector.
