UK-based on-site anaerobic digestion (AD) solutions provider Clearfleau has completed the commissioning of new on-site bio-energy plant for Diageo at Glendullan distillery on Speyside.

Glendullan

The new AD plant has the capacity to covert 1,000m³ of distillery co-products per day into 1 MW of heat, feeding biogas to dedicated biogas boiler in a bid to supply renewable energy to distillery.

The Glendullan plant uses co-products from the distillation process to optimize energy output.

Clearfleau’s in-house design, installation and commissioning engineers, counterparts from Diageo and an extended supply chain were involved in the commissioning project.

Diageo appointed Clearfleau to build the second facility after completing an initial high-rate digestion facility at the Dailuaine malt distillery in Speyside in 2013.

The Glendullan plant, which is generating 2 million m³ of biogas a year, receives feedstock from other distilleries in the Dufftown area.

Clearfleau’s on-site AD technology converts various co-products into valuable biogas that generates renewable heat for use in the distillation process and can achieve a reduction in COD load of greater than 95%.

Diageo Distillation and Maturation director Keith Miller said: "The bioenergy plant at Glendullan is the most recent example of how we use innovative technology which harnesses the potential of the natural raw materials we use in the distillation process to generate renewable energy."

Craig Chapman of Clearfleau said: "This project, a result of close collaboration between Diageo and Clearfleau, shows how British technology can enable a traditional but energy intensive Scottish business sector to embrace the circular economy, reduce its costs and create a more sustainable basis for production."

"However, wider adoption of this technology requires on-going support for renewable energy."


Image: Aerial shot of the Glendullan bio-energy plant. Photo: © Clearfleau