During the year 2026, the BETTED continues its activity, promoting energy efficiency and the adoption of renewable energy sources in the dairy product value chain. By integrating renewable energy and heat pumps, it reduces dependence on fossil fuels and accelerates the energy transition across the dairy value chain.
The dairy product value chain is the articulated set of stages and actors involved from the production of milk on the farm to the cheese, milk or yogurt in the table. This process includes primary production (milking), refrigerated transport, industrial transformation (pasteurisation, yoghurt production, cheese elaboration, etc.), packaging, distribution to warehouses, transport to the point of sale, storage, refrigerated.
An adequate and necessary training program, with topics of interest to the sector related to technologies, management systems, financing and energy policy has been elaborated by ESCAN, UNIBs, RTV, IEECP.
Training materials, in the form of presentations and tools, training manuals, are available in several languages: English, Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish and Greek. They are presented in the form of face-to-face and as online training. FIAB with ESCAN organised workshops and seminars in industries.
Participants receive a certificate awarded by the BETTED project after completing the modules, the evaluation questionnaire and the final questionnaire.
The online training courses are free and available at the following link.
The online training includes the following topics:
- General description of the Project.
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- Energy prospects and energy efficiency problems.
- Dairy supply chain management.
- Efficient cold supply chains in the dairy sector.
- ISO 50001 – Energy system management.
- Use of heat pumps in the dairy sector.
- Use of photovoltaic energy in the dairy sector.
- Use of biogas in the dairy sector.
- Energy Performance Indicators.
- IPMVP – Measurement and Verification Protocol.
- Energy community, circular economy and industrial symbiosis for energy efficiency and sufficiency
- Energy and sustainability opportunities in the supply chain: an LCA and LCC perspective.
- Financial analysis of the dairy supply chain.
- Non-energy benefits (NEBs) and behavioral aspects of energy efficiency.
- Introduction to the BETTED Toolbox.
- Case studies and best practices from the toolbox.
Training increases added value of the professional
Continuous energy training in the dairy sector’s value chain is essential to increase sustainability, efficiency and competitiveness; conerdes European context where it seeks to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and achieve climate neutrality.
Training staff reduces production errors, ensures regulatory compliance, and enables the adoption of modern technologies and sustainable practices.
Nowadays, in which environmental requirements and the volatility of energy prices are the order of the day, it is important to know and be attentive to new developments and regulations.
For all these reasons, training is relevant on a day-to-day basis.
The Federation of Food and Beverage Industries, FIAB , highlights the following areas for Continuous Energy Training:
- Farm Efficiency (Production): More than 50% of the energy in a dairy cattle farm corresponds to concentrates, so the training focuses on the optimization of resources, manure management and the use of efficient machinery.
- Processing Efficiency (Industry): The workshops focus on water reuse, improvement of cooling and heat processes, and integration of renewable energies.
- Management Tools: Training in the use of energy simulation software and diagnostic tools for energy saving.
- Sustainability and Animal Welfare: Energy efficiency is linked to the reduction of the carbon and water footprint, promoting animal welfare certifications (e.g. Welfair™).
Projects such as BETTED and Smartz4Milk provide trainings in efficiency, integration of renewables and deployment of heat pumps that on increase added value of professionals are daily targets.
Corporate policy and energy culture
Corporate policy and energy culture are fundamental elements for the sustainability and competitiveness of the dairy sector’s value chains, as they make it possible to address the high energy intensity of production and refrigeration processes (pasteurisation, cold storage). They are complementary because the policy establishes the “what” (goals, investments), while the energy culture defines the “how” (awareness, staff habits) to achieve effective decarbonization and improve energy efficiency.
Importance of Corporate Policy and Energy Culture:
- Cost and Emissions Reduction: Implementing energy efficiency policies and the use of renewable energies (e.g. biogas, solar panels) reduces dependence on fossil fuels, reducing both operating costs and emissions to the environment.
- Sustainability of the Sector: The adoption of these measures helps to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in the context of the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy.
- Supply Chain Management: The “NAMA farm” (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions) and circular practices, such as heat recovery to clean and heat water, which optimizes energy in primary production, are promoted.
- Competitiveness and Quality: State-of-the-art technology and efficient energy management ensure the quality of the final product and improve the position in international markets, complying with food safety standards.
In summary, the combination of a clear sustainability policy with an ingrained energy culture at all levels of the dairy company is essential to transform operations towards a net-zero model and ensure long-term economic viability.
For more information, to receive the BETTED tools, to benefit from the dairy sector value chains, or to receive the free online course, please contact with the project website.
AUTHORS: Francisco Puente y Margarita Puente.