Distilling - energy
Electricity costs
Costs of pumping water depend on water volume and pressure drop supplied
- measure power consumption, flow and run hours
- enables improvements to be measured
Audit Water usage
Do you have cold radiators in a tank room?
- They will need defrosting. Use off-peak electricity (not water sprays).
Compressed air may take up as much as 10% of a distillery's electricity usage.
Audit regularly for leaks
- leaks may account for a large part of compressed air usage otherwise
- there may be an opportunity to measure leakage by measuring compressor output when plant is "quiet"
Ultrasonic air leak detection is available
Consider air flow meters on large compressed air users
- for example packaging plant
Case study: Grolsch optimise ventilation and lighting
SABMiller's Grolsch brewery in The Netherlands recognised that savings were possible in their electricity use for ventilation and lighting. These are the highest uses of energy outside of the brewing process at the brewery. By changing the schedule of ventilation and lighting to run only when brewing operations were carried out, rather than during fixed times during the day, massive savings could be made. This has been implemented since January 2009 and as a result, the brewery has reported saving more than 100,000 kWh a month without significant capital investment.
World Brewing Alliance Report on Environment and Utilities Sustainability: Brewing sector initiatives in environmental sustainability, September 2011. Published Online.
Case study: Improving plant refrigeration system
A new refrigeration design using half the energy compared to the previous one was installed in Bank's brewery in the UK. The new system used reciprocating ammonia compressors, air cooled condensers and calcium chloride brine for secondary heat transfer. Variable speed drives ensured minimal energy use at all times.
World Brewing Alliance Report on Environment and Utilities Sustainability: Brewing sector initiatives in environmental sustainability, September 2011. Published Online.
Case study: Red Stripe saving on electricity costs with lighting and variable speed drives
1). Installation of energy saving lighting and motion sensors in offices estimated savings of J$ 22 000 000 (£ 160 000) per year. 2). Installation of variable speed drives on pumps at the chillwater plant, filtration and deaerated liqour plant resulting in savings of J$ 16 000 000 ((£ 138 000) per year.
Case study provided by Red Stripe in January 2012.