Decarbonisation Using the Energy Management Hierarchy
At Distill-Re, it is our goal to help transform the way processing plants operate. But this doesn’t just mean through Process Engineering to ensure everything is running smoothly. We also care about the environment and the impact your processing plant has on the planet.
Through various technologies such as High Temperature Industrial Heat Pumps and Mechanical Vapour Recompression [link when live], we can help your processing plant achieve net zero emissions. Our solutions are grounded in theory, giving you peace of mind that these solutions will get you over the net zero finishing line.
One key principle our solutions follow is the Energy Management Hierarchy. Read on to find out how this theory guides our plans for decarbonisation of processing plants, including distilleries.
What is the Waste Energy Management Hierarchy?
The Waste Energy Management Hierarchy was originally created to guide waste management solutions. It essentially helps users determine what the best method of disposal is based on environmentally friendly solutions. The hierarchy is made up of six elements that funnel down from most preferred disposal method to least preferred disposal method.
How Have We Applied This to Decarbonisation?
Energy can also be a form of waste given the amount of wasted energy that is generated from processing plants such as distilleries. For example, the whisky industry has been found to be one of the most energy-intensive industries with production processes requiring about 17kWh of heat per litre of alcohol.
That’s why our experts have applied the Waste Energy Management Hierarchy to help decarbonise processing plants in the most environmentally friendly ways possible. If all of this energy is needed to create products such as alcohol, there must be a way to use the wasted energy in other areas of the processing plant.
Below, we have broken down how we apply the Waste Energy Management Hierarchy to decarbonisation.
Prevent
The first level of the Waste Energy Management Hierarchy is prevention. This level considers whether waste needs to be created in the first place and if it can be prevented. If less waste is produced, less waste will be reused, recycled or disposed of.
In terms of decarbonisation, our experts determine whether new energy-efficient technologies, adjustments to the current system or new designs can be used to reduce the amount of wasted energy in your processing plant. If your processing plant is already as energy efficient as it can possibly be, we move on to the next level: reduce.
Reduce
If we cannot avoid creating waste then the next step is to try and reduce it. By determining whether all the waste needs to be produced, we can eliminate areas of waste production that are not necessary and reduce the overall amount of waste.
In a processing plant, we will consider the processes required in the plant and suggest more energy efficient methods and technologies. Using pinch analysis, we will optimise the current processes of the plant and implement new processes that use less energy. One example of this would be to introduce heat integration.
Reuse
After reducing the level of waste created, we can now think about ways to make this waste useful. The first step is to consider if the waste can be reused. In terms of physical waste, this usually means reusing an item by cleaning, repairing and refurbishing it.
When it comes to energy waste, Distill-Re focuses on capturing and repurposing the energy within the system. A solution we might recommend is creating hot water for other uses within the processing plant.
Recycle
If waste must be disposed of, we should first aim to recycle it. This turns waste into a new useful item making it less wasteful in the long run and reduces the amount of raw materials needed to produce essential materials.
To recycle energy waste, we aim to convert waste energy into a new usable form. One of our solutions is to implement heat pumps [link to “Technologies in Decarbonisation” when live].These devices transfer heat from one location and move it to another using electricity. This allows heat to be generated in a more sustainable way, minimising the need to burn raw materials as fuel.
Recover
If we cannot reduce, reuse or recycle waste, we turn to recovery. This step involves recovering energy in the form of waste to energy. When it comes to physical waste, this typically means incinerating non-recyclable waste to produce electricity. Although incineration may seem like an unsustainable approach, it helps to reduce the amount of fossil fuels needed to produce electricity, decreasing a business’s overall carbon emissions.
In a processing plant, we may recommend anaerobic digesters as a way to generate energy. This process uses sealed vessels with microorganisms inside to break down organic waste and produce biogas. This biogas is a more eco-friendly alternative to conventional sources of fuel to produce energy, helping you lower your carbon emissions.
Dispose
Once we have tested every other option available, we finally arrive at disposal. Disposal is the least preferred method of waste management as it typically means waste ends up in landfill. This method is generally the most expensive form of waste management with aims to deter people from choosing it.
When it comes to energy waste management, “landfill” is slightly different. Energy disposal would instead be into the environment meaning the whole planet is landfill to waste energy. If disposal is the only means of waste management, we would introduce releasing energy in the form of steam and air through cooling towers.
How Decarbonisation Can Benefit Your Plant
As many processing plants head towards net zero, decarbonisation is becoming more and more important with businesses seeking new and innovative ways of making use of wasted energy in their plants. Here are just some of the benefits you can expect to experience from the decarbonisation of your plant:
- Reduced Impact on the Environment: Decarbonisation can lead to a decrease in carbon emissions lowering your carbon footprint and air pollution.
- Regulatory Compliance: With the development of more stringent environmental regulations, futureproofing your plant is essential to avoid future carbon pricing mechanisms.
- Cost Savings: Reducing your energy output can lower energy costs and minimise your reliance on fossil fuels which can be costly.
- Improved Public Image: Consumers are more conscious about the sustainability of businesses and this can determine whether or not they choose your businesses over your competitors.
- Futureproofing: With energy prices increasing, ensuring your processing plant is energy efficient can help protect your business from future energy price fluctuations.
- Competitive Advantage: Decarbonising your processing plant can set you apart from your competitors and put you first in line for emerging technologies.
Enhance the Energy Efficiency of Your Processing Plant with Distill-Re
As awareness of sustainability spreads across industries, decarbonisation will only become more prominent. At Distill-Re, our solutions for decarbonisation [link to decarbonisation page when live] can give you peace of mind that your processing plant is protected no matter what the future brings for energy prices and regulatory compliance. If you have a processing plant or distillery that may not be as efficient as it can be, get in touch with our experts today and start your journey to decarbonisation.
FAQs
What is the waste energy management hierarchy?
The waste energy management hierarchy is a framework that prioritises different methods of handling waste energy, typically in order of most to least environmentally preferred. It generally follows the sequence: prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling, energy recovery, and disposal.
How much energy waste is generated from a distillery?
Modern distilleries on average can use up to 14.4 MJ of fossil fuel energy to produce a litre of whisky. This translates to about 17kWh per litre of alcohol. With the use of decarbonisation solutions, this number could be reduced to create a more sustainable distillery overall.
What are the targets for the decarbonisation of distilleries?
Distilleries in Scotland are aiming to decarbonise and achieve net zero operations by 2045. Although there is a large number of whisky distilleries in Scotland which is why this target was set, 2045 should also be a target for distilleries across the UK to achieve a more sustainable future for the industry overall.
