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10 Steps toward Sustainability Every Brewery Should Consider
by Josh Amaris
As the push for sustainability gains momentum, one only needs to look down at the pint or mug they are holding to see how breweries are joining the growing green movement! Beer is the third most consumed beverage in the world behind water and tea. Upon surveying a number of breweries, and sustainable brewing documents, BlueMap Inc. has determined 10 green steps every brewery should consider.
Utilize Biochar Processing to Re-use Spent Grains
Processing spent grains through pyrolisis (a process that burns grains to create Biochar, a valuable soil amendment), is a carbon-negative process: it creates heat and syngas while sequestering carbon. By doing so, pyrolisis decreases a brewery’s carbon footprint.
Implement Water Use Reduction Measures
Water is one of the largest inputs in brewing. A brewery can
conserve water by reducing lost steam, increasing the efficiency
of wort production, increasing the life of water in boiler systems,
and altogether preventing waste.
Implement Variable-speed Fans or Motors
Many brewery processes have variable loads that are more efficiently served by variable-speed motors, fans, and drives. Where applicable, an upgrade in a brewery’s fans and motors can offer substantial savings and have favorable pay back periods. Savings are only observed if loads vary.
Ensure a Regular Maintenance Regime
A regular maintenance regimen is a great way to cut down on energy inefficiencies. Regularly schedule maintenance allows breweries to catch problems sooner and address them before excess energy is wasted. Also, keeping a system tuned up means that motors and pumps run at optimum speeds, controls are set properly, and control systems are turned on.
Capture Methane at On-site Water Treatment Facilities
For breweries that process wastewater on-site, methane capture is a great way to re-gain value from a waste stream. Currently, closed systems and pond cover methane capture exist. These systems purify and burn methane onsite, which typically offsets the brewery’s fuel costs while cutting costs.
Recapture CO2 during Fermentation
Fermentation releases CO2. Savvy breweries can capture this CO2 and use it (instead of purchased CO2) in the bottling process to carbonate their beer. This reduces both CO2 released to the air andCO2 purchasing costs.
Optimize Thermal Resources within the Brewing Process
Much of the brewing process consists of thermal processes: boiling and cooling liquids. Auditing the entire process can reveal ways to capture thermal resources and apply them to other brewing processes, thereby reducing energy and fuel costs of heating and cooling.
Implement Alternatives to Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filtering
Though DE is a long-standing industry standard as a filter medium, health risks associated with DE (and potential problems regulating its use and disposal) are prompting some to seek alternatives. Where applicable, sheet filtering, cross flow filtration systems, and DE recycling systems can be used to avoid some of these flaws.
Optimize Refrigeration, Lighting, Construction, and other Building Controls
Sustainable building is potentially one of the largest opportunities for a brewery to reduce energy consumption and curtail demand spikes (thereby minimizing fines). Management systems can be installed to green the lighting of spaces, maximize building functions, optimize chill systems, and stagger cooling loads.
Utilize Renewable Energy Technologies
Beer is made with hops, grain, water and yeast. What more natural way to compliment these natural ingredients than using sun or wind to power the beer brewing process. Renewable energy sources include geothermal, syngas, or biogas. When sized correctly, these technologies greatly reduce purchased electricity and fuel and can have very attractive payback periods.
By considering these 10 recommendations, the third largest beverage industry in the world can reduce its overall ecological impact while in many cases save money.
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