Beverage Brewing, Distilling & Fermentation worked example

Distillation Energy Cost at 110% still run share included: a worked example

This scenario runs the distillation energy cost calculation on the strong side: 110% still run share included, with every other input held at its documented default. a distillery or beverage plant needs to estimate steam, natural gas, or electricity cost for a still run or distillation campaign

The inputs for this scenario

  • Distillation energy use per run: 1,850 kWh or therms (unchanged)
  • Blended energy cost: 0.09 $ / energy unit (unchanged)
  • Still run share included: 110 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 100)
  • Fixed still startup and utility cost: 165 $ (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Variable distillation energy cost = distillation energy use × blended energy cost × still run share included) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 338 $ for total distillation energy cost, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 0.18 $ / energy unit for energy cost per measured unit.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 173 $ for variable distillation energy cost.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 165 $ for fixed still startup and utility cost.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where still run share included sits at 100% and the headline result is 322 $, this scenario comes in 4.88% above the baseline at 338 $.
  • Use it when costing a stripping or spirit run, comparing fuel sources, or building a per-proof-gallon cost model for pricing. Treat this as a target state: the delta against the baseline quantifies what the improvement is worth before you commit to chasing it.

Results at a glance

  • Total distillation energy cost: 338 $ (headline result)
  • Energy cost per measured unit: 0.18 $ / energy unit
  • Variable distillation energy cost: 173 $
  • Fixed still startup and utility cost: 165 $

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Distillation Energy Cost calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.