The integration of IoT technology is transforming traditional cheese-making methods at Appleby Creamery, located in the Lake District.
- Appleby Creamery has collaborated with CENSIS to monitor energy usage and temperatures using IoT devices.
- The new system facilitates 24/7 remote monitoring with alerts for any anomalies, enhancing operational efficiency.
- The initiative aims to optimise energy savings and harness renewable resources more effectively at the creamery.
- This project is part of the Digital Dairy Chain, with broader goals for digital transformation in the dairy industry.
Appleby Creamery, a small-batch cheese producer situated in the Lake District, has recently adopted IoT technology in partnership with digitalisation group CENSIS to enhance its cheese-making processes. The creamery has rolled out IoT devices to meticulously monitor energy consumption and temperature changes across its Eden Valley site.
Maurice Walton, the owner of Appleby Creamery, expressed excitement over the deployment of this technology, stating that the initiative serves as a significant turning point for the facility. The IoT system introduced enables the team to conduct remote monitoring every 15 minutes throughout the day, issuing real-time alerts whenever irregular conditions are detected. This advancement not only mitigates the potential risk of product spoilage but also eliminates the need for laborious manual checks.
The data gathered from monitoring ranges from fridges to pasteurisers, successfully tracking the energy use of each piece of equipment involved in the cheese-making process. The data is presented on a dashboard designed by CENSIS, offering insights that allow better decisions relative to energy saving and optimising on-site renewable resources.
Future implementations plan to include sensor systems that track fuel gas usage alongside hot and cold water consumption, consolidating cost-saving measures and sustainable practices. The ultimate objective is to automate compliance reporting within the creamery’s operations.
The project forms part of the Digital Dairy Chain, under the guidance of Scotland’s Rural College and funded by the UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund. As acknowledged by Rachael Wakefield, CENSIS’s business development manager, this initiative exemplifies what is achievable, aiming to inspire similar transformations across the dairy supply chain.
The integration of IoT technology at Appleby Creamery signifies a pivotal move towards digital transformation and energy efficiency in the dairy industry.
