How Renewable Energy Powers Cooling in Cultivated Meat

David Bell
Jun 28
12 min read

Updated: Jul 1

The cultivated meat industry is reshaping food production, but it comes with a challenge: cooling systems consume up to 75% of the energy used in production. This makes renewable energy critical to reducing its carbon footprint. When powered by renewables like solar or wind, cultivated meat production can cut emissions by up to 70%, lowering its environmental impact compared to conventional farming.

Key points:

Cooling systems are essential for maintaining precise temperatures during cell growth, storage, and processing.
Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal can power these systems efficiently.
Advanced technologies like energy recovery systems and smart automation further optimise energy use.
Without renewables, cultivated meat’s emissions could exceed those of traditional beef.

Switching to renewable energy not only addresses energy demands but also ensures that cultivated meat remains a viable low-carbon alternative for the future.

Cooling Requirements in Cultivated Meat Production

Cooling systems in cultivated meat facilities run round the clock, consuming substantial energy to maintain the precise conditions necessary for safe and high-quality production.

Where Cooling is Required

Cooling plays a critical role at every stage of cultivated meat production, creating multiple energy-demanding zones within these facilities. For instance, bioreactors must maintain exact temperatures to support cell growth effectively.

Cell storage systems also require constant refrigeration to safeguard starter cell lines. These systems operate at consistently low temperatures to prevent cellular damage or contamination, demanding a steady flow of energy.

In downstream processing facilities, rapid cooling is essential to move products swiftly through the "danger zone" - the temperature range between 60°C and 4°C where pathogens can thrive [6]. Water's thermal conductivity, which is more than double that of most processed meats, further complicates the cooling process, requiring even faster cooling rates [6].

Processing areas depend on HVAC systems to maintain stable environmental conditions. These systems ensure safe working temperatures and prevent fluctuations that could compromise product quality [7]. Together, these various cooling zones significantly contribute to the overall energy demands, which are discussed further below.

High Energy Demands of Cooling Systems

The energy-intensive nature of cooling in cultivated meat production underscores the importance of renewable energy. Cooling systems can account for 45–70% of a facility's total energy consumption [7], primarily due to the need for continuous operation and precise temperature regulation.

Maintaining reactor temperatures is one of the largest contributors to the climate impact of cultivated meat production [8]. Unlike traditional meat processing, which requires cooling only after slaughter, cultivated meat facilities must sustain controlled temperatures throughout the entire growth cycle.

Globally, refrigeration and freezing account for around 35% of the annual electricity consumption in the food sector [7]. For cultivated meat facilities, this percentage may be even higher due to the extended periods of temperature-controlled cultivation.

Rapid cooling requirements add further strain on energy usage. For example, products must cool from 54°C to 4°C within strict time limits. Meat should not remain between 54°C and 27°C for more than two hours, and the entire cooling process from 54°C to 4°C should take no longer than seven hours [4].

Main Cooling Components

Cultivated meat facilities rely on three key cooling technologies:

Process refrigeration systems: These systems handle the direct cooling of bioreactors and cell storage units. Using specialised fluids, they provide consistent and even temperatures to ensure optimal conditions for cell cultivation [5].
HVAC systems: These systems regulate the overall facility environment, keeping processing areas within safe temperature ranges while also ensuring a comfortable workplace for staff [7].
Bioreactor temperature control systems: As some of the most advanced cooling components, these systems must respond quickly to temperature changes while maintaining the narrow ranges essential for cell growth. For instance, a facility in Lagos, Nigeria, employed an intermittent spray cooling system with a brine solution cooled to –5°C, reducing core temperatures from 72°C to 2°C in just 15 minutes, with only a 2% product loss [6].

The complexity of these systems drives up energy consumption. Additionally, the production of culture medium ingredients involves its own temperature control requirements, further adding to the facility's energy load [8]. Since each component operates continuously, integrating renewable energy solutions becomes critical for achieving more sustainable operations.

"If companies are having to purify growth media to pharmaceutical levels, it uses more resources, which then increases global warming potential. If this product continues to be produced using the 'pharma' approach, it's going to be worse for the environment and more expensive than conventional beef production." - Derrick Risner, lead author and doctoral graduate from the UC Davis Department of Food Science and Technology [3]

Renewable Energy Solutions for Cooling Systems

Using renewable energy can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of cooling systems in cultivated meat production.

Types of Renewable Energy Sources

Solar power is a practical option for cultivated meat facilities. Solar panels can be installed on rooftops or nearby land to generate electricity for cooling systems. Since cooling operations require steady energy, they pair well with solar power, especially when battery storage is added to manage energy supply.

Wind energy is ideal for areas with consistent wind conditions. Wind turbines can efficiently meet the high energy demands of refrigeration and HVAC systems, making them suitable for both small-scale projects and larger plants.

Geothermal energy offers an efficient way to handle heating and cooling through ground-source heat pumps. By tapping into stable underground temperatures, facilities can regulate their climate more effectively than with traditional HVAC systems, cutting down on energy use while maintaining precise temperature control.

How to Integrate Renewable Energy

Renewables can be integrated directly through on-site installations, such as solar panels or wind turbines combined with battery storage. Alternatively, they can be sourced indirectly via green tariffs or power purchase agreements, ensuring a steady supply of clean energy. Some companies are opting for hybrid solutions, which mix on-site generation with renewable energy from the grid. These approaches are already being successfully implemented in the food industry, proving their practicality.

Real Examples of Renewable Integration

Several leading food companies have adopted renewable energy systems - solar, wind, or hybrid setups - to reduce their carbon emissions by as much as 70%, offering a roadmap for cultivated meat facilities [10]. Research shows that similar reductions are achievable for cultivated meat manufacturers through renewable energy sourcing [2]. In fact, when cultivated meat is produced using renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions could drop by up to 92% compared to traditional beef production [1].

Some cultivated meat companies are already planning ambitious renewable energy strategies. While some aim for 100% renewable energy capacity at their facilities, others are designing new sites with integrated solar power, water recycling systems, and advanced cooling technologies to achieve both carbon and water neutrality [11].

Energy-Efficient Cooling Technology

Cutting-edge cooling technologies can play a big role in reducing the energy demands of cultivated meat production. By boosting thermal efficiency, recovering waste energy, and using smart automation systems, these advancements help lower energy consumption. They also work hand-in-hand with renewable energy strategies to shrink the carbon footprint of production.

Improved Bioreactor Designs

Upgrading bioreactor designs is another way to cut down on energy use. Modern bioreactors are built to enhance cooling efficiency by improving insulation and heat transfer. This allows them to maintain precise temperatures while using less energy. Some of these advanced designs feature innovative impellers that encourage laminar flow. This reduces turbulence and shear stress, which in turn decreases the energy needed for mixing and cooling tasks [13].

Single-use bioreactors offer additional benefits, including quicker turnaround times, reduced water and energy use, and lower risks of cross-contamination compared to reusable systems. Another energy-saving approach involves optimising cell seeding on microcarriers. By alternating between stirring and resting phases, cells are distributed more evenly, which shortens bioreactor processing times and reduces the cooling energy required [13][14].

Continuous processing systems also stand out for their efficiency. They can lower capital and operating expenses by up to 55% over a decade while maintaining stable temperatures. This avoids the energy spikes often seen in batch processing cycles [13].

Energy Recovery and Smart Systems

Energy recovery systems are a game changer for reducing waste. Heat recovery systems, for example, capture excess heat from bioreactors and other equipment and redirect it to areas that need warming. This reduces the strain on cooling systems. Advanced heat exchangers make it possible to reclaim a significant amount of this waste heat, further cutting down on energy use.

Smart energy management systems take things a step further by using artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict cooling needs and optimise energy use in real time. These systems monitor factors like temperature changes, production schedules, and even weather conditions to adjust cooling output automatically. This ensures energy isn’t wasted while maintaining the precise conditions required for production.

Variable speed drives on cooling equipment help systems run more efficiently by matching performance to actual demand, rather than operating at full capacity all the time. Thermal energy storage systems add another layer of efficiency. These systems store cooling capacity during off-peak hours - when renewable energy is more plentiful and electricity is cheaper - and release it during peak times. Together, these methods help smooth out energy use and make the most of renewable energy sources.

A real-world example of efficient cooling comes from Meatosys. They use Peltier technology in their growth pods to handle heating and cooling with very low energy consumption. One of their pods uses only about 120W of electricity to maintain the ideal conditions for cell growth [12].

Cooling Technology Comparison

Different cooling technologies come with their own strengths, depending on the scale and specific needs of a facility. Conventional refrigeration is a straightforward option for smaller operations, while absorption chillers - especially when combined with solar thermal systems - are better suited for larger facilities with steady cooling requirements. Geothermal heat pumps and passive methods, like phase change materials, offer effective temperature control in settings where ground access or thermal storage is possible. For applications requiring precise control on a smaller scale, Peltier cooling shows great potential.

The best choice often depends on factors like facility size, climate, and the availability of renewable energy. In many cases, combining multiple cooling methods can lead to better energy efficiency and greater sustainability.

Measuring Impact and Addressing Challenges

Understanding the environmental benefits of renewable energy in cultivated meat cooling requires thorough measurement and evaluation. At the same time, the industry faces significant obstacles in scaling these solutions. Tackling these issues will demand collaboration among producers, researchers, and advocacy groups, all working toward a more sustainable food system.

Environmental Benefits of Renewable Cooling

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the most effective way to measure the environmental impact of renewable energy use in cultivated meat production. This method examines every stage of production - from raw material extraction to distribution. For cultivated meat facilities, LCA highlights areas of high environmental impact and tracks key performance indicators like carbon emissions, land use, water consumption, and soil acidification [8].

Using renewable energy throughout the supply chain significantly reduces the environmental footprint. For example, integrating renewables could lower cultivated meat’s carbon footprint to just 2.8 kg CO₂eq per kilogram [2].

The advantages extend beyond carbon emissions. Cultivated meat is nearly three times more efficient than chicken production, requires 64–90% less land, generates 20–94% less air pollution, reduces soil acidification by 69–98%, and cuts marine eutrophication by 75–99% compared to traditional meat production [2].

Most emissions from cultivated meat stem from energy use at production facilities, particularly scope 1 and 2 carbon dioxide emissions [2]. Renewable energy directly addresses these emissions while maintaining the precise cooling conditions needed for cell cultivation. However, scaling these renewable solutions introduces its own challenges.

Challenges in Scaling Renewable Energy

Despite the clear environmental benefits, several practical barriers stand in the way of scaling renewable solutions. One major issue is the high energy demand of cooling systems used in bioreactors, especially as genetic modifications accelerate cell growth [15]. Without optimisation, the energy required for bioreactors and sterile environments could make cultivated meat’s carbon footprint up to 25 times higher than traditional beef [3].

Cost is another significant challenge. Setting up renewable energy infrastructure involves steep initial investments, which can be difficult for companies striving to achieve commercial success. Balancing these upfront expenses with long-term sustainability goals is a complex task.

The industry also needs continued technological advancements. Many companies are planning to incorporate renewable energy sources and aim for carbon and water neutrality by adopting solar power, water recycling, and advanced cooling technologies in their next-generation facilities [11]. However, creating more efficient production methods is essential to reduce energy consumption and resource use [3].

Regulation adds another layer of complexity. For example, in 2025, Mission Barns became the first company to receive regulatory approval for cultivated pork fat from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the third to gain approval for cultivated meat in the United States. After securing a grant of inspection and label approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Mission Barns plans to launch products like meatballs and bacon made with a mix of plant-based proteins and their cultivated pork fat at select restaurants and retailers [16].

The Role of Advocacy and Collaboration

To fully realise the benefits of renewable cooling, industry-wide collaboration is essential. Organisations like The Cultivarian Society advocate for cultivated meat as a solution to the ethical, environmental, and societal challenges posed by industrial farming. Through education, public engagement, and global outreach, they aim to inspire change, influence policies, and promote a more sustainable food system grounded in science and compassion.

Collaboration is critical in addressing the interconnected aspects of the food system. A systems-based approach, rather than isolated projects, is needed to create meaningful solutions [17]. Currently, philanthropic funding of £240–£560 million falls short of what’s required; experts suggest funding must increase tenfold to address urgent needs [17].

A group of 25 philanthropic partners is working to transition 50% of agriculture to regenerative and agroecological practices by 2040, with a full transition by 2050 [17]. These efforts focus on regional coordination, recognising that localised solutions are vital for addressing the unique challenges and opportunities of different communities and ecosystems.

Research indicates that sustainable transitions yield wide-ranging benefits, from stable crop yields and increased farmer incomes to improved nutrition, food security, and biodiversity [17]. For cultivated meat producers, this means prioritising energy efficiency, sourcing renewable energy, collaborating across supply chains to secure sustainable feedstocks, and optimising culture media by combining low-impact ingredients with high-performance formulations [8].

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Renewable energy is playing a crucial role in powering the cooling systems needed for cultivated meat production, marking a pivotal step towards a more sustainable food system. As we've explored, renewable energy isn't just a side consideration - it’s central to unlocking the full potential of cultivated meat as a viable climate solution.

The industry finds itself at a defining moment. This phase of growth offers a unique chance to integrate renewable energy solutions right from the beginning, ensuring that sustainability becomes a foundational principle rather than an afterthought.

Recent collaborations highlight encouraging progress. For example, in September 2024, Believer Meats joined forces with GEA to develop advanced bioreactor technologies aimed at improving efficiency and reducing power consumption. Gustavo Burger, CEO of Believer Meats, emphasised the importance of this partnership:

"The partnership with GEA will help maximise production yields efficiently and sustainably, which are top priorities for Believer. The cultivated meat industry is forging a new path that has never been travelled." [18]

Moving forward, scaling up will require a strategic focus on renewable energy integration. Companies should consider placing facilities near renewable energy sources, adopting modular factory designs for easier access to affordable feedstocks, and working closely with manufacturers of cutting-edge equipment [1][9]. Government backing will also be critical, with public investment in research and infrastructure helping to accelerate innovation and align with global climate targets [19].

Innovation remains at the heart of this journey. Future advancements in bioreactor technology must aim to cut energy use while enhancing cell growth efficiency [3]. As Ingrid Odegard from CE Delft stated:

"With this analysis, we show that cultivated meat presents as an achievable low-carbon, cost-competitive agricultural technology that can play a major role in achieving a carbon-neutral food system." [19]

For organisations like The Cultivarian Society, which advocates for cultivated meat as a solution to the environmental and ethical challenges of industrial farming, integrating renewable energy is a cornerstone of a food system built on compassion, science, and ecological responsibility. Renewable energy is not only essential for scaling up production but also for meeting global demand in a sustainable way.

The future of cultivated meat hinges on getting the energy strategy right from the outset. By placing renewable energy at its foundation, the industry has the potential to deliver real meat without compromise - benefiting animals, the planet, and generations to come.

FAQs

How do renewable energy sources help reduce the environmental impact of cooling systems in cultivated meat production?

Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, are transforming the way cooling systems operate in cultivated meat production. By swapping out fossil fuels for clean, low-carbon energy, these systems can drastically slash greenhouse gas emissions.

In fact, studies reveal that incorporating renewable energy into cultivated meat production can reduce emissions by as much as 92%. Even when just 30% of the energy comes from renewables, the carbon footprint of cultivated meat can match - or even fall below - that of traditional poultry, pork, or beef. This underscores how vital renewable energy integration is for creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly food system.

What challenges does the cultivated meat industry face when using renewable energy for cooling systems?

The cultivated meat industry encounters significant hurdles when it comes to incorporating renewable energy into its cooling systems. A major challenge lies in the intense energy requirements needed to maintain the exact temperatures essential for production. This issue is compounded by water-heavy cooling processes, which can put a strain on local water supplies.

On top of that, the steep costs of bioreactors and the demand for scalable solutions make integrating renewable energy systems a costly endeavour. Addressing these challenges will require the development of affordable, energy-efficient technologies that support the industry's environmental objectives.

How do advanced cooling technologies improve energy efficiency in cultivated meat production?

Advanced Cooling Technologies in Cultivated Meat Production

Advanced cooling systems are key to improving energy efficiency in the production of cultivated meat. One standout feature is energy recovery systems, which harness waste heat and moisture. By repurposing these by-products, energy consumption can be significantly reduced.

Another game-changer is smart automation. With intelligent controls and variable-speed motors, these systems optimise cooling processes, maintaining precise temperatures while cutting down on unnecessary energy use.

These advancements don't just lower energy bills - they also contribute to a greener production process. By reducing energy waste, they help the cultivated meat industry move closer to its goal of minimising its carbon footprint.