Delivering 100% Renewable Heat for a Net Zero, ‘Best for the World’ B Corp distillery.
"We were delighted to partner with Reheat on the sourcing and installation of our biomass boiler. The complexity of powering a distillery with biomass was something that Reheat tackled with expertise and energy. We both enjoyed the process and are delighted with the outcome and ongoing support from Reheat." Annabel Thomas, Founder (pictured)
Project achievements
- Reheat undertakes 850kW biomass installation to power the UK's first Net Zero distillery
- Project supports Nc’nean to produce 93% less CO2 emissions per annum than an equivalent fossil fuel powered distillery (with remaining emissions offset)
- Reheat provides consultancy service to support Nc'nean's aim of using locally sourced woodchip
- Challenges of remote site overcome by Reheat team to power 100% of the distillery’s process steam needs, as well as heat for the rest of the estate’s buildings
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Located in the Western Highlands of Scotland, organic whisky distillery, Nc’nean, has quickly developed a reputation as an exemplar of sustainable spirit production. With a multi-fronted approach to environmental stewardship - including local ingredients, 100% recycled glass bottles, supply chain management, and offsetting remaining carbon emissions - Nc’nean has achieved extraordinary ‘best for the world’ B Corp status, with an enviable score of 135.6 (50.9 is the median score for ordinary businesses).
A considerable element of Nc’nean’s sustainable approach to distilling is the use of biomass heat and power, with an 850kW biomass boiler that was specified, designed, and installed by Reheat that successfully provides 100% of the distillery’s energy needs across its entire process. This includes the mash tuns, two copper pot stills, as well as space heating for the rest of the estate’s buildings.
Delivering low carbon process steam
Prior to the installation, Reheat was heavily engaged with Nc’nean founder and visionary, Annabel Thomas, to review procurement specifications for a woodchip boiler that would provide steam to the distillery. This led to further advice by the Reheat team on how best to season and prepare the timber for chipping, the chip production process, and the practicalities of utilising a biomass boiler to meet the complex demand patterns of a distillery.
The steam profile associated with distilling is particularly challenging as the system must be able to cope with rapid peaks and intermittent heat demand. Reheat’s biomass system was designed to manage the energy profile of Nc’nean’s operations, proving that a renewable solution is equally as capable as fossil fuels, and a viable option for industrial heat users.
This also supported Nc’nean’s ambition to source wood chip locally as fuel for the boiler, which the whisky producer now does in conjunction with a wider programme to replant all trees harvested for this purpose.
The combination of Reheat’s wood fuel expertise, biomass boiler installation and district heating networks presented Nc’nean with a high value proposition that resulted in Reheat becoming the specialist biomass contractor to the project.
Overcoming logistical challenges of a remote site
The project was laden with challenges, principally due to the remote location of the distillery’s Drimnin Estate - 40 miles to the west of Fort William. In response, Reheat sourced and project managed a specialist haulage contractor to lift and move nearly 30 tonnes of biomass boiler plant along the 22 miles of single track road which leads to the site.
Other challenges included working around the lack of 3-phase electricity on site, and integrating with the many other contractors completing work on the wider distillery construction. The work was undertaken as planned and the installation was a success, with Nc’nean able to use biomass heat to create thousands of litres of sustainable whisky every year.
Achieving Net Zero in distilling
In addition to B Corp status, Nc’nean became recognised as the first Net Zero whisky distillery in the UK for their own operations – putting the business two decades ahead of the Scotch whisky industry’s Net Zero target for 2040. Reheat was delighted to partner with and deliver for such a visionary business, with a clear alignment to its environmental principles and a leading light in its sector.
