Nearly six years after the Northeast Blackout, the Frito-Lay facility in Killingly, Conn., has unplugged from the regional power grid. The 2003 Northeast Blackout began on Aug. 14, 2003, and ultimately affected 50 million people in eight states as well as portions of southeastern Canada. Although changes have been made to help protect against a similar blackout in the future, it can only help when companies go off the grid.

 

The Frito-Lay building has installed a Co-Generation system, which will provide nearly 100 percent of the facility’s electricity requirements. Additionally, the waste heat that is generated on site will be converted into steam which will then help manufacture the Frito-Lay snack products on site.

 

"Today's launch of the Co-Gen system is an example of sustainability and partnership in action," said Leslie Starr Keating, senior vice president, operations, Frito-Lay North America. "Working with the state of Connecticut and the Department of Energy, we are able to invest in sustainable business practices that benefit this community and the country by providing relief to the northeast power grid and using technologies with a lower environmental impact." Source: Frito-Lay

 

The facility’s Co-Gen system not only allows Frito-Lay to unplug from the regional power grid, it will also reduce the company’s carbon footprint. The Co-Gen system will reduce the facility’s carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions.

 

The project was made possible, in part, through grants from the state of Connecticut and the U.S. Department of Energy.