OK, for the most part, the distilling process is pretty much environmentally unfriendly. The spirits industry comes in for a serious beating with Gin, tequila, and rum being the worst for the environment. The problem is that the distillation process requires loads of energy. American bourbons are aged in virgin-oak barrels that are used only once, most of those barrels end up being reused by other liquor makers. And while some of those liquor makers may produce single malts, think of the energy involved in distilling the liquor and transporting it. In terms of distillation, vodka requires more energy and water than most spirits. Now, it seems that the Speyside distilleries byproducts will fuel a local biomass energy plan.
Ironically, fuel cells are some of the more promising technologies to be used as portable power for cars. So it may turn out one day that distilleries, breweries, and other industries which unload nutrient-rich waste water, might also produce the fuel to power your car. The politics surrounding this will be entertaining. Will there be restrictions for cars driven across borders powered by alcohol waste by states that already severely restrict importing alcohol across borders, like Utah and Texas? The whiskey itself can’t be used in your gas tank (yet). There appear to be no limitations to transporting E85 gasoline, which is ethanol (alcohol) based fuel produced from corn. However, why waste food in the form of corn to run your car and still generate carbon dioxide, when you can alternatively make whiskey and use the waste to power your car? And the whiskey also limits greenhouse gas emissions significantly. Seems like an obvious choice.
Fortunately, there is no drilling required to get to the whiskey. Therefore, a ‘spill’ at the whiskey distillery would not result in such environmental, economic, or political catastrophes that BP and the Gulf Coast are now enduring. But imagine the social unrest should there be a leak at the distillery - the horror, the horror!
I'm thrilled to see articles supporting green energy that don't include taking swings at life's pleasures.
The £50m Rothes project is the latest bioenergy venture from the Scotch whisky industry, but it is believed to be the first to provide electricity for public use. A bioenergy plant at Scotland’s largest distillery in Fife is close to completion. The project by Diageo will provide 98% of the thermal steam and 80% of the electrical power used at the Cameronbridge distillery. And last year, scientists at Napier University announced they had developed a method of producing biofuel from the by-products of the whisky distilling process which could power cars and even aircraft. The new fuel, they said, could be available at petrol pumps within a few years.
I'll drink to that! Biomass fuels from what was at one time wasted byproducts is a great idea.
The by-products of the distilling process – called draff, are used grains and pot ale (residue from copper stills) – will power the plant. The new power plant will recycle the draff into electricity, by burning it with woodchips. Some conservationists are concerned because some of the woodchips will be trucked in, but the project calls for as many locally sourced woodchips as possible.
The £40 milllion, 7.2 megawatt plant will produce as much power as two wind turbines, and is part of Scotland’s green energy pledge to use 100% renewable energy by 2020. Studies are also being conducted to convert the distillery waste further into biofuel to power cars.
It’s good to see that the distilling industry is trying to be more environmentally conscious. It’s even better to see that waste from the distilling process is being used to offset the processes environmentally unfriendly aspects. As I said in a previous post, I strongly suggest when buying distilled spirit products from enviornmentally friendly distillers if you choose to drink spirits. It also might be a good idea to write your fav distiller and ask them what they are doing to cut their carbon footprint?A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions might not be significant for biomass over petroleum fuels, but the thought at filling up you and your car from the same source might make you think before you drink!
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