Enhancement of energy performance in cheese ripening chambers through renewable energy integration

João Nuno Pinto Miranda Garcia; Arian Semedo; João Dias; Tiago Teixeira; Francisco Calvo

doi:10.30521/jes.1748532

Enhancement of energy performance in cheese ripening chambers through renewable energy integration

Abstract

This research explores the integrated application of renewable energy sources—specifically wind, solar thermal, and photovoltaic—combined with Phase Change Materials (PCMs) to enhance energy efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions in the production of traditional ewe’s milk cheese. Particular emphasis is placed on optimizing the cooling mechanisms within cheese ripening chambers. Given the increasing urgency of addressing climate change, especially within the European Union, the shift toward sustainable energy systems is imperative. Moreover, the volatility of fossil fuel markets underscores the necessity of prioritizing renewable alternatives. Conducted under the framework of the CASEUS project, the study evaluates key parameters such as influencing thermal stability and energy demand across the pasteurization, coagulation, and ripening stages of cheese production. It further assesses the performance of the energy system by aiming to maximize the efficiency of electrical energy sources (wind and photovoltaic) and thermal energy sources (solar thermal and biomass). The incorporation of PCMs is shown to play a vital role in stabilizing chamber temperatures and improving thermal energy storage, thereby contributing to overall system efficiency.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa

Project Number

RRP-C05-i03-I-000249

Thanks

The present work is co-financed by the EU Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), under the project "CASEUS Combined use of renewable energy sources to improve energy efficiency in cheese industry"

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Energy, Renewable Energy Resources , Mechanical Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

João Nuno Pinto Miranda Garcia ^*
0000-0002-7181-6408
Portugal

Arian Semedo
0009-0007-0797-3429
Portugal

João Dias
0000-0002-5108-0018
Portugal

Tiago Teixeira
0009-0001-7154-2523
Portugal

Francisco Calvo
0009-0005-4118-2562
Portugal

Early Pub Date

February 10, 2026

Publication Date

February 10, 2026

Submission Date

July 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 6, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30521/jes.1748532

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA79FP46RC

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Miranda Garcia, J. N. P., Semedo, A., Dias, J., Teixeira, T., & Calvo, F. (2026). Enhancement of energy performance in cheese ripening chambers through renewable energy integration. Journal of Energy Systems, 10(1), 14-26. https://doi.org/10.30521/jes.1748532

AMA

1.Miranda Garcia JNP, Semedo A, Dias J, Teixeira T, Calvo F. Enhancement of energy performance in cheese ripening chambers through renewable energy integration. Journal of Energy Systems. 2026;10(1):14-26. doi:10.30521/jes.1748532

Chicago

Miranda Garcia, João Nuno Pinto, Arian Semedo, João Dias, Tiago Teixeira, and Francisco Calvo. 2026. “Enhancement of Energy Performance in Cheese Ripening Chambers through Renewable Energy Integration”. Journal of Energy Systems 10 (1): 14-26. https://doi.org/10.30521/jes.1748532.

EndNote

Miranda Garcia JNP, Semedo A, Dias J, Teixeira T, Calvo F (March 1, 2026) Enhancement of energy performance in cheese ripening chambers through renewable energy integration. Journal of Energy Systems 10 1 14–26.

IEEE

[1]J. N. P. Miranda Garcia, A. Semedo, J. Dias, T. Teixeira, and F. Calvo, “Enhancement of energy performance in cheese ripening chambers through renewable energy integration”, Journal of Energy Systems, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 14–26, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.30521/jes.1748532.

ISNAD

Miranda Garcia, João Nuno Pinto - Semedo, Arian - Dias, João - Teixeira, Tiago - Calvo, Francisco. “Enhancement of Energy Performance in Cheese Ripening Chambers through Renewable Energy Integration”. Journal of Energy Systems 10/1 (March 1, 2026): 14-26. https://doi.org/10.30521/jes.1748532.

JAMA

1.Miranda Garcia JNP, Semedo A, Dias J, Teixeira T, Calvo F. Enhancement of energy performance in cheese ripening chambers through renewable energy integration. Journal of Energy Systems. 2026;10:14–26.

MLA

Miranda Garcia, João Nuno Pinto, et al. “Enhancement of Energy Performance in Cheese Ripening Chambers through Renewable Energy Integration”. Journal of Energy Systems, vol. 10, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 14-26, doi:10.30521/jes.1748532.

Vancouver

1.João Nuno Pinto Miranda Garcia, Arian Semedo, João Dias, Tiago Teixeira, Francisco Calvo. Enhancement of energy performance in cheese ripening chambers through renewable energy integration. Journal of Energy Systems. 2026 Mar. 1;10(1):14-26. doi:10.30521/jes.1748532