Lienig Wildfruchtverarbeitung Dabendorf - Institut für Luft- und Kältetechnik gGmbH (EN)

LIENIG Wildfruchtverarbeitung The patented “IO-Scan” laser measurement system serves as the basis for precise temperature distribution and airflow in the Dresden Royal Palace

Liquid Ice – The Energy Storage Solution of the Future

Rising energy prices, volatile electricity markets, and stricter regulatory requirements are creating significant challenges for businesses worldwide. In energy-intensive industries such as food processing, industrial refrigeration is increasingly becoming a strategic cost driver. At the same time, the demand is growing for solutions that combine energy efficiency, supply security, and sustainability. This is exactly where ILK Dresden comes in with innovative technologies such as liquid ice energy storage systems.

A practical example is provided by Lienig Wildfruchtverarbeitung in Brandenburg, Germany. As part of a facility expansion, a state-of-the-art logistics center with three temperature zones was implemented: mild cooling (14–18°C), fresh cooling (2–8°C), and deep freezing (< -18°C). The goal was to cover the majority of the energy demand using on-site photovoltaic (PV) generation while decoupling energy supply from demand.

At the core of the system is an integrated liquid ice storage solution. Excess energy—especially during PV peak generation—is stored thermally and utilized when needed. In addition, cold storage and freezing units act as flexible thermal buffers. This enables intelligent load shifting to periods of low energy costs or high renewable energy availability. The result: significantly reduced operating costs and increased energy independence. The concept is further enhanced by the use of natural refrigerants (propane and CO₂), as well as high-efficiency components such as adiabatic cooling systems. A comprehensive monitoring and control infrastructure enables data-driven optimization and paves the way for predictive, self-learning energy management systems.

</pr>This project demonstrates that technological innovation alone is not sufficient. The key success factor lies in system integration and interdisciplinary collaboration—from engineering and control systems to real-world implementation. This is where ILK Dresden excels: transforming scientific expertise into scalable, economically viable, and industry-ready solutions.

According to the Managing Director of Lienig Wildfruchtverarbeitung GmbH:

“As a mid-sized food processing company, future-proof energy solutions for our cooling demand are a decisive competitive factor. Beyond energy costs, reducing our carbon footprint is equally critical. With our new facility, we deliberately invested in cutting-edge and sustainable technologies. Our goal was to implement a cooling system powered primarily by renewable energy. Partnering with ILK Dresden was a key success factor in achieving this vision. We were particularly impressed by how scientific expertise was translated into a practical and economically viable solution.”

Key benefits for businesses:

Reduced energy costs through self-consumption and load shifting
Increased energy security and resilience
Ability to leverage dynamic electricity tariffs
Future-proof technology through natural refrigerants
Significant reduction of carbon emissions

This scalable energy storage concept is applicable across multiple industries—especially wherever high cooling demand meets on-site renewable energy generation.

Conclusion:

The future of industrial energy systems lies not in isolated measures, but in integrated system thinking. Companies that intelligently connect energy generation, storage, and consumption gain a decisive competitive advantage in increasingly volatile energy markets.

ILK Dresden supports you in unlocking these opportunities—from initial concept development to full-scale implementation.