Helius deploys biomass-to-power at Scottish distillery; will produce animal feed, organic fertilizers

In Scotland, Helius Energy and Rothes Distillers announced a joint venture and a $81 million project that will use whisky distillery by-products to fuel a 7.2 MWe heat and power plant, while converting the liquid co-product of whisky production, known as Pot Ale, into a concentrated organic fertiliser and animal feed.

The project, said the co-venturers, could save up to 20,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. Construction will begin in early 2010, and will be complete in 2012.

Helius Energy plc will own 51% of the Joint Venture company, Helius CoRDe, while the Combination of Rothes Distillers will own the remaining 49%.

Rothes is the first 5-8 MWe GreenSwitch project. These are modular biomass power stations which are capable of utilising wet biomass and which will be located alongside existing industries which produce suitable co-products, such as distilleries and breweries.

The GreenFields process takes the co-products from distillery operations (including process water, pot ale and draff) and turns them into inputs such as biomass fuel, soil conditioner, animal feed and water for cooling and cleaning purposes. The CHP unit will use a combination of distillery co-products and wood chip from sustainable sources to generate 7.2 megawatts of electricity.

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