Whisky Yeast
Scotch Whisky For Energy? Scotland's famous Industry Looks To Alternative Energy
In Scotland, where the whiskey is king, a relatively new technology environmentally-soon anaerobic digestion may be associated with the ancient method of the distillery to meet much of the energy needs of the island.
Bruichladdich distillery, located on the island of Islay, plans to build two anaerobic digesters to convert thousands of tons of waste into methane gas yeast. The methane gas will burned for energy, with the help of Biowayste, a Northamptonshire company that has installed five floors.
The carbon footprint of the whiskey industry is considered among the largest of all food and beverage producers in the world. In addition to the cost needed to ship heavy bottles of Scotland, the distillation process is very energy intensive. In Islay, the thousands of tons of waste generated by industry is sent to a pipeline in the Sound of Islay, which are eliminated in the sea.
Bruichladdich distillery plans to market itself as a whiskey "green" in and outside the country, and have chosen the anaerobic digestion as a first step natural.
"We will install two anaerobic digesters on our site, where the waste will be divided to produce biogas which can be burned to produce electricity. In theory, could meet all our energy needs, "says Mark Reynier, Bruichladdich distillery owner.
At least seven distilleries on the island are considering the installation of anaerobic digesters. Their combined efforts could eventually supply much if not most of Scotland's energy needs.
"Whisky has a high carbon footprint," says Reynier. "We've cut by using locally grown and organic barley instead of importing, and they end up with more digesters. "
The CBA also sweetens the deal. Reynier estimated to spend $ 36,000 a year just to transport waste to the whiskey yeast pipeline in the Sound of Islay. The digesters also to provide the electricity needed to power the distillery, at least $ 50,000 a year. Add government subsidies, and estimated that only Reynier have three or five years for him to recover the capital costs of construction of the digesters.
Read more about this news green whiskey here.
About the Author
Laphroaig Part 1