Heineken, energy producer EDP and industrial heat solutions provider Rondo Energy announced a new “Heat-as-a-Service” agreement, which will see the companies install a renewable energy-powered heat battery to help decarbonize Heineken’s Vialonga Brewery and Malting Plant near Lisbon.
Founded in 2020, California-based Rondo Energy provides solutions to address emissions from industrial heat processes. Industrial heating uses high amounts of energy, often from fossil fuel-based sources, to transform materials into products such as metals and plastics, or to create steam for brewing. Rondo’s Heat Battery turns intermittent renewable energy sources including wind and solar energy into continuous, high temperature heat, enabling the replacement of fossil fuel-fired boilers.
As part of the new partnership, EDP will install a 7 MWp solar plant on the grounds of the brewery, and will also provide 25 GWh of renewable energy from the grid to the plant under a long-term flexible power purchase agreement (PPA).
The energy provided by EDP will power the Rondo battery, which will store the renewable electricity as high-temperature heat, enabling the delivery of zero-carbon steam, and eliminating the need for fossil fuel boilers.
At 100 MWh, the battery will be one of the largest heat batteries in the beverage sector globally. The deal also marks the first major Heat-as-a-service agreement in Portugal.
Eric Trusiewicz, CEO of Rondo Energy, said:
“We’re thrilled to deploy our first Rondo Heat Battery in the region and support HEINEKEN in its goals. We look forward to helping industries across Iberia cut costs and emissions and help Iberia capitalize on the opportunity.”
Under the Heat-as-a-service partnership model, EDP will design, build and run the system, while Rondo will provide the battery technology, with Heineken receiving low-carbon steam, without having to operate the equipment.
EDP CEO Miguel Stilwell d’Andrade said:
“Deploying the world’s largest heat battery in the beverage sector – integrated into a brewery solution and powered by solar panels and a complementary green PPA – is not just about technology; it is about proving what is possible when we dare to push the boundaries. Together with HEINEKEN and Rondo, we are raising the bar for sustainability, one pint at a time.”
The system is scheduled to go live in April of 2027, allowing the plant to avoid 6,600 tons of CO2 emissions per year by lowering its natural gas consumption. Heineken has set goals to reach net zero in its own operations by 2030, and its full value chain, “from barley to bar,” by 2040.
Magne Setnes, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Heineken, said:
“By combining our strengths with EDP and Rondo, we’re unlocking new ways to power our brewery operations more efficiently. This project not only helps us reduce our reliance on conventional energy, it shows how practical innovation and strong partnerships can deliver meaningful improvements across our supply chain.”
