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Energy

Global power demand is poised to mushroom 30% by 2040, making technology and visionary thinking key elements in growing a sustainable energy market. Engineering proficiency, niche commercial nous, state-of-the-art tools, and a wealth of sectoral experience — bolstered by exceptional academic and scientific training — are ensuring that the UK scales new heights through the exciting times ahead.

As the transition to a clean energy future accelerates, it has been coming up with environmentally sound technical solutions, developing biofuels and decommissioning oil fields at lower costs. The UK is ambitiously investing in renewables — including the world’s largest offshore wind farm — as wind turbines and solar panels now help the country meet over half its electricity needs.

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In contrast to other biofuels, biobutanol can power up a vehicle without the need to modify its engine.

In 2017, after years of research into producing an efficient and low-cost biofuel, Celtic Renewables broadcast its proof of concept to BBC viewers via an unprecedented journey in a car running on a mix of petrol and 15% of its whisky-sourced biobutanol.

In contrast to other biofuels, biobutanol can power up a vehicle without the need to modify its engine. It also boasts a higher energy content than (bio)ethanol.

Biofuels are forecast to make up over 90% of road transport renewable energy by 2022, as the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable sources continues.

Celtic Renewables’ response to the global call for a low-carbon future has been to marry a historic fermentation process and a staple Scottish industry with modern technology and ingenuity.

In contrast to other biofuels, biobutanol can power up a vehicle without the need to modify its engine.
“I looked for a source of sugar-depleted raw material and the biggest source of this in the UK is Scotland’s malt whisky industry.”

“I looked for a source of sugar-depleted raw material and the biggest source of this in the UK is Scotland’s malt whisky industry,” he recalls.

The world whisky capital generates 90% low-value residue from the spirit’s fermentation procedure, namely nearly 750,000 tonnes of draff and two billion litres of pot ale a year.

“You can take that 90% and turn it into something useful,” says Professor Tangney. He blends the two main by-products and uses them as a new raw material to extract high-value biobutanol — a win-win for his business, whisky distilleries, and the planet.

On the heels of his revolutionary discovery, Celtic Renewables was launched in 2011 as a spin-out of the Biofuel Research Centre. It teamed up with Tullibardine, which consequently became the world’s first whisky distillery to have its byproducts transformed into biofuel. While the Perthshire-based company is Celtic Renewables’ key whisky business partner, Professor Tangney is in talks with larger distilleries about potential collaborations.

Celtic Renewables has been funded by a mix of grants from the UK and Scottish Governments, private equity investment, its own capital, and a swift and successful crowdfunding campaign in December 2017, which raised £4.375 million.

“I looked for a source of sugar-depleted raw material and the biggest source of this in the UK is Scotland’s malt whisky industry.”
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