Algae Demonstrator Project Goes Live at Glenturret

2009-10-06 14:05:41

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GREEN MSP ROBIN HARPER OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED THE GROUND-BREAKING ALTERNATIVE FOOD, ENERGY AND CARBON CAPTURE SYSTEM

AN INNOVATIVE carbon capture demonstrator project which uses algae to convert carbon dioxide into proteins and oils at Scotland’s oldest working whisky distillery was yesterday (October 5) switched on by Green MSP Robin Harper.

Scottish Bioenergy Ventures (SBV) has built a reactor at the Glenturret distillery in Crieff – home to the award-winning Famous Grouse Experience – which will capture and recycle CO₂ into high value protein and oil. St Cyrus-based SBV won a prestigious Shell Springboard award earlier this year for a trial of the innovate process capturing CO₂ from the distillery's boiler exhaust and percolating it through algae reactors, converting it into protein and vitamin rich animal feed. The company will also trial a novel oil extraction system with the aim of creating biofuels from the algae.

Robin Harper drinking algae

The algae reactors also successfully eliminated chemicals and captured copper from the wastewater, reducing even further the environmental impact of the distilling process and reducing costs.

David Van Alstyne, founder and Chief Executive of SBV, said: “Scottish Bioenergy Ventures is extremely grateful for the support and encouragement from The Edrington Group, Shell and SETN in backing this innovate demonstrator project.

 

“The results from the trials of the project were extremely encouraging and we are confident this demonstrator project will be a huge success and benefit not only the Glenturret distillery but also the Scotch whisky industry.

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