Napier and Hong Kong government mull whisky biofuels

Edinburgh Napier University and Hong Kong have joined forces to investigate new ways of generating energy via Scotland's national drink.

Donald Tsang, the chief executive of the Government of Hong Kong visited Edinburgh Napier University’s Biofuel Research Centre earlier this month to observe the centre’s work, in particular a biofuel made from the by-products of whisky. The visit is part of an ongoing partnership between Napier University and Hong Kong’s City University signed in February 2010, where Napier assisted Hong Kong to open its first biofuel research centre.

Mr Tsang stated: “[It was] fantastic to come here and see the original Biofuel Research Centre that has provided an inspirational template for the twin centre in Hong Kong, as well as for a range of other biofuel initiatives.” Mr Tsang was shown the process behind discovering fuel from by-products of whisky, developed by Napier’s Research Centre over the past year.

A spokesperson for the University told The Journal: “The process uses the two main by-products of the whisky production process – ‘pot ale’, the liquid from the copper stills, and ‘draff’, the spent grains, as the basis for producing the butanol that can then be used as fuel.”

China’s 9.5 per cent growth rate indicates increasing fuel needs and greater waste accumulation. The Hong Kong Biofuel Research centre will begin similar research to its twin in utilising these wastes and excess materials to produce an alternative biofuel, rather than the specific growing of crops. Ideally, biofuel sources will use locally-available wastes – providing a constructive way to dispose of waste as well as revenue for local companies. Whisky, for example, is one of the UK’s top five manufacturing exports, with £1.8 billion worth of Scotch Whiskey being exported in the first half of 2011.

Recently, Hong Kong’s research centre implemented a re-use cooking oil scheme throughout the city. Mr Tsang said:“[Hong Kong has] proposed a target to reduce carbon intensity by between 50 per cent and 60 per cent by 2020. To do this it is essential to promote green innovation and technology.”