Speyside-based GlenAllachie Distillery, owned by Scotch whisky veteran Billy Walker, is celebrating after winning a major government grant by the Scottish Industry Energy Transfer Fund (SIETF to install the latest energy saving technology from Briggs of Burton.
The process engineers specialise in sustainable distilling technologies, and they will install sector leading mechanical vapour recompression (MVR) technology as part of the project. The proposed technology will reduce current energy demand by 50%, by capturing low-grade waste heat from the stillhouse otherwise lost to the environment and reroute it back into the stills. With around 70% of the energy used at The GlenAllachie attributed to powering its four pot stills; reducing waste energy will decrease its carbon footprint significantly.
To facilitate this work, SSE is upgrading local infrastructure and installing a larger transformer to enable the advanced technology to be successfully integrated.
Kevin Leach, Sales and Commercial Director at Briggs of Burton, said, “MVR technology in distilleries works by using a mechanical compressor to recycle vapour generated during the distillation process, instead of seeing the vapour expelled out of the distillery through its chimneys.
“MVR systems capture the vapour emerging from the distillation of spirits. This vapour is then mechanically compressed, raising its temperature and pressure, before being condensed and reused as a source of heat, enhancing the overall energy efficiency of the distillation process, while reducing energy consumption and environmental footprint
The GlenAllachie’s operations director Richard Beattie, said, “We’re thrilled at the news of our successful grant application for a project that will help us as an SME to significantly boost our sustainability credentials. We are acutely aware of the climate crisis and strive to punch above our weight within the Scotch whisky industry to decarbonise our processes.
“Green technology tends to be very expensive during the initial phases of development. It can, therefore, often prevent smaller, independent firms from installing the equipment required to achieve their green ambitions. This cash injection from the SIETF, backed by the Scottish Government, is vital to facilitate such a move.
“We are pleased not only to receive the grant but also the significant support from Briggs of Burton, who, over recent years, have provided guidance on MVR projects and are now taking this technology to the next level.”
Briggs of Burton will be working on the design and supply of the MVR system with GlenAllachie distillery throughout 2024.
The acceptance of the grant coincides with the recent announcement of an upgraded visitor centre and the addition of a bar and tasting lounge at the distillery. The visitor attraction also installed electric vehicle charging points, now powered by solar energy, for customer use earlier this year.