The modern science of chemistry evolved from the famous Faustian quest efforts to turn base metal into gold.
Meanwhile in Rothes, in Grampian, a Danish energy company has more recently succeeded in turning whisky-distilling waste into power.
The Aalborg Energie biomass-fuelled power plant generates enough electricity to supply 9,000 local households with the help of 115,000 tons of draff from local whisky distilleries.
The plant produces electricity and heat through the burning of 115,00 tons of draff, a by-product from the many local whisky distilleries, mixed with 60,000 tons of wood chips.
The plant is just one of two that the Danish company has supplied abroad.
Hans Erik Askou, Director of Aalborg Energie, explained: ”Every plant is tailored to local conditions. In the Scottish case, the draff must dry before it can be burned, so we’ve supplied a drying facility that utilises the excess heat from the power production.”
Troels Ranis, Director of the unified Danish Energy Industries Federation, commented: “There is a tendency to forget bioenergy when we talk about green transformation. Bioenergy is of great significance for Denmark – both in terms of employment and exports.”
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