The Journey to a Net Zero Distillery
A net zero distillery aims to achieve carbon neutrality by balancing greenhouse gas emissions with an equivalent amount of carbon removal. This means all emissions from energy intensive processes like heating stills, condensing vapours, mashing, kiln, hot water production for CIP, transportation and packaging are either eliminated or offset through net zero methods like renewable energy use, carbon capture or investment in environmental projects.
At Distill-Re, we strive to help your distillery reach net zero by implementing solutions that focus on energy efficiency and repurposing wasted energy. From heat pumps to vapour recompression , our range of net zero solutions can transform the way your distillery works, saving you money and minimising the impact on the environment.
What Does It Mean to be Net Zero?
The term “net zero” means to achieve a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere and the amount removed. When a business claims to be net zero, it means their operations result in no net contribution to climate change. This can be achieved in two stages: through reducing current emissions as much as possible and offsetting any remaining unavoidable emissions through methods such as carbon capture, tree planting and investing in environmental projects.
At Distill-Re, we target the first stage of the net zero journey by designing and implementing different net zero solutions to reduce the emissions of your distillery.
Our Net Zero Solutions
Energy Usage
Distilleries are known for using a lot of energy. In fact, on average, distilleries can use up to 14.4 MJ of fossil fuel energy to produce a litre of whisky. To reduce and repurpose this energy, we look closely at all production processes to identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy integration through energy transition [link to Energy Transition page when live].
We start by mapping all the inputs and outputs in the facility including areas where heating, cooling, distillation and other operations are based. From this, we can determine the most appropriate changes that can be made such as shifting to renewable energy sources and installing decarbonisation technologies to help move towards a net zero distillery.
Energy Management Hierarchy
The Energy Management Hierarchy guides our approach to decarbonisation by prioritizing waste prevention, energy reduction, and recovery. This structured methodology helps distilleries systematically minimize energy waste and reduce their environmental footprint.
Decarbonisation Technologies
We leverage innovative technologies such as high-temperature heat pumps, mechanical vapour recompression, and anaerobic digesters to optimize energy use, reduce emissions, and support the transition to renewable energy systems. These solutions are key to achieving sustainable operations.
Water Management
Water is another area we focus on to reduce the environmental impact of a distillery. We aim to manage water usage and wastewater treatment by implementing water recycling systems, optimising the cleaning process and treating effluent to remove contaminants from the water before it is discharged. By minimising the use of freshwater where possible and creating more responsible ways of handling wastewater, distilleries can significantly rescue their overall water footprint, contributing to a more sustainable distillery.
Waste Streams
Waste streams are a key area of any distillery that can have a huge impact on the environment. We closely examine the waste streams of your facility to try and identify any opportunities for recycling, repurposing or converting the materials into more valuable products. We will analyse spent grains, wastewater, packaging and other by-products to see if these materials can be reduced or reused.
One example of repurposed waste is distilleries partnering with local farms to convert organic waste like spent grains into animal feed. With comprehensive waste management strategies and the use of our revised Energy Management Hierarchy [link to Energy Management Hierarchy page when live], we can design a plan to help minimise waste going to landfill, maximise the circularity of materials and reduce the overall carbon footprint of your distillery.
Emissions Reduction
The most obvious area to analyse when it comes to reaching net zero targets is emissions. By examining emissions across all aspects of your operations, we can determine more energy efficient equipment, implement renewable energy sources and optimise processes to minimise fossil fuel consumption.
We have previously been involved in implementing various solutions to reduce emissions in distilleries such as carbon capture technology, renewable energy transitions and process innovations to directly minimise emissions. Take a look at our previous projects to see how we have helped other distilleries achieve net zero goals.
Transform Your Distillery with Net Zero Solutions from Distill-Re
With the call for net zero distilleries growing louder, now is the time to change the way your distillery works. At Distill-Re, we are experts in putting energy efficiency first by transforming a distillery’s processes. By designing and implementing our net zero solutions, you can reduce your impact on the environment and lower your energy consumption, saving you money and enhancing your reputation. Reach your net zero targets by getting in touch with us today.
FAQs
What do we mean by net zero?
Net zero refers to achieving a balance between the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere and the amount removed. This is accomplished by first reducing emissions as much as possible and then offsetting any remaining unavoidable emissions through methods like carbon removal or investment in environmental projects.
What are the UK’s net zero targets?
The UK has committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This means the UK aims to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by offsetting any remaining emissions with an equivalent amount of carbon removal.
What processes do net zero distilleries use to reduce their emissions?
Net zero distilleries employ a variety of energy efficiency measures. At Distill-Re, we are specialists in net zero solutions such as heat recovery systems and process optimisations. We also integrate renewable energy sources like solar, biomass, or wind power to minimise their reliance on fossil fuels.
