Frito-Lay facility is off the grid

Frito-Lay cogeneration system delivers on-site power and steam via CHP, boosting energy resilience, waste heat recovery, grid relief, and sustainability while cutting carbon footprint, NOx emissions, and dependency on the Northeast power grid.

Nearly six years after the Northeast Blackout, the Frito-Lay facility in Killingly has unplugged from the regional power grid.

The 2003 Northeast Blackout began on August 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, reports indicate the grid is in better shape now across the region, when companies go off the grid it can only help.

The Frito-Lay building has installed a cogeneration system, similar in concept to fuel cells used in other facilities, which will provide nearly 100% 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 cogen 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."

The facility’s cogen system not only allows Frito-Lay to unplug from the regional power grid, at a time when U.S. blackouts are skyrocketing across many regions, it will also reduce the company’s carbon footprint. The cogen 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, as experts assess safeguards nationwide, the U.S. Department of Energy.

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