Supercritical successfully completes feasibility study for cutting-edge green energy technology at Beam Suntory’s Ardmore distillery
Supercritical successfully completes feasibility study for cutting-edge green energy technology at Beam Suntory’s Ardmore distillery
‘WhiskHy’ study was funded by BEIS Green Distilleries Competition
14th May 2021 - Supercritical Solutions Ltd (Supercritical) has successfully completed a three-month feasibility study for its green hydrogen-based decarbonisation technology at Beam Suntory’s Ardmore distillery, located in Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire.
Supercritical’s ‘Project WhiskHy’ was one of just 17 green innovation projects to be awarded an initial grant from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in January 2021. Following the feasibility study, Supercritical is now in the running for a second round of funding from BEIS to develop, deploy and scale this technology at Ardmore over the next three years.
With ‘Project WhiskHy’, Supercritical has designed the world’s first supercritical, ultra-efficient, high pressure electrolyser, which would enable a distillery like Ardmore to produce and store hydrogen on site, powered only by the distillery’s wastewater and local renewable power sources. The green hydrogen can then be looped back into the distillery's heat or power system to minimise, and ultimately eliminate, its reliance on fossil fuels. Supercritical’s initial feasibility study has demonstrated a clear pathway for the Ardmore distillery to become a zero-carbon distillery, reliant only on its local natural resources, by 2040. This technology would be the first of its kind and could be deployed across distilleries of all sizes, as well as other industries.
Supercritical, in partnership with Beam Suntory, the Centre for Process Innovation, Xodus Group and DNV, has issued a comprehensive report of its findings, which has also been submitted to BEIS. An executive summary of the WhiskHy report can be downloaded from supercritical.solutions/whiskhy.
Project WhiskHy is now in the process of bidding for a further grant from BEIS to allow it to build and deploy this technology at scale at the Ardmore distillery.
Matt Bird, Chief Executive at Supercritical, commented: “Extracting hydrogen from the distillery wastewater using local renewable energy means we could eliminate carbon emissions from the distilling process at a lower cost than the fossil fuels used today.”
Luke Tan, Chief Product officer at Supercritical added: “The WhiskHy feasibility study was a great opportunity to demonstrate the global reach and potential for Supercritical’s technology. With Phase 2 approved, Ardmore distillery will be the first of many to benefit from our UK developed high pressure, ultra- efficient green hydrogen solution.”
Alistair Longwell, Senior Manager, Scotch Distillation & Maturation Operations at Beam Suntory, added: “Beam Suntory is proud to support the Scotch Whisky sector’s ambitious journey towards full decarbonisation, and we are delighted to support this innovative project. As part of our Proof Positive sustainability strategy, Beam Suntory is aiming to go beyond net zero carbon emissions across our value chain by 2040 – and technologies like Project WhiskHy will help us get there.”
About Supercritical Solutions LTD
We are developing the world’s first high pressure, ultra-efficient electrolyser, for the production of Hydrogen and Oxygen from water, with zero emissions. By using heat and pressure our proprietary design allows us to exploit the benefits of supercritical water and deliver gases at over 200 bar of pressure, without the expense or challenges of hydrogen compressors.
Supercritical has had great success over their short lifetime. Founded in June 2020 from Deep Science Ventures and supported by Angel Investment and a FTSE-100. In August 2020 they were awarded funding by OGTC for the potential the technology could offer the oil and gas industry, and now recognition in the distilling industry too. Due to the versatility of the technology, conversations are taking place with multiple other hard-to-decarbonise sectors about the use of the technology.
To find out more visit www.supercritical.solutions
About Beam Suntory Inc.
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Ardmore, Laphroaig, Bowmore and Glen Garioch Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails.
Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit https://www.beamsuntory.com and https://www.drinksmart.com.
About Xodus Group
As a leading global energy consultancy, we help clients overcome challenges, add value to opportunities and maximise returns on investments, responsibly. Our values of trust, responsibility and excellence underpin our vision. They are at the heart of decision making and inform our future strategy.
In offering expert advice and solving complex problems, our multi-skilled specialists work across the energy spectrum to address industry problems. By combining technology with our knowledge, we create better business outcomes whether it is advisory, project development or in operational support. Together, we will deliver a responsible energy future - https://www.xodusgroup.com
Headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland with a global operations centre in London, Xodus has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Orkney, Egypt, Perth, Australia and Boston and Houston in the US.
About Centre for Process Innovation
CPI acts as a catalyst bringing together academia, businesses, government and investors to translate bright ideas and research into the marketplace. We do this by giving our customers access to the right experts, equipment, networks, funding and more – connecting the dots for effective innovation.
We are a leading independent technology innovation centre and a founding member of the UK Government’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult. Established in 2004, our teams tirelessly apply their many years of experience to ensure that every great invention gets the best opportunity to become a successfully marketed product or process. We work with our partners across diverse markets in the UK and around the world, driving their innovations forward and helping them to reduce the risk and cost associated with product development.
About DNV
We are the world's leading classification society and a recognized advisor for the maritime industry, the technical advisor to the oil and gas industry, and we deliver world-renowned testing, certification and advisory services to the energy value chain including renewables and energy management.