Will Whisky become the new petrol of tomorrow?
Professors at Edinburgh's Napier University have filed a new patent for a type of super biofuel which is made from the byproducts created when producing whiskey. This is the result of a number of research programs over the last few years using two main byproducts of whiskey production i.e. pot ale and the spent grains. It is believed that a super biofuel can be produced using these products which is 30% more efficient than ethanol.
There is no doubt that alternatives to petrol and diesel will become more prominent in the months and years ahead with governments around the world uncomfortable about the level of dependence on the "black gold". This latest announcement by the Edinburgh University is just one of many similar research programs around the UK and around the world which, if successful, could herald a new dawn in the fuel market. More and more funding is being pumped into research regarding biofuels which are often the innocent byproduct of operations such as whiskey production.
It will be interesting to see how this particular situation pans out because historically governments have been reluctant to ditch oil in favour of alternative power supplies, i.e. the General Motors electric car debacle.
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