Pale Blue Dot Energy awarded funding for development of GreenStills

Pale Blue Dot Energy have recently been awarded SMART: SCOTLAND funding from Scottish Enterprise to support the development of patented technology, GreenStills.

GreenStills distils whisky with reduced energy load, lower carbon emissions and improved energy supply options.

The state-of-the-art technology is expected to reduce energy use in distillation by more than a third.

The UK’s 80% carbon reduction commitments by 2050 (as established in the 2008 Climate Change Act) present a major challenge to industries heavily dependent on oil and gas for fuel. Recognising the importance of the scotch whisky sector to Scotland and the significant fossil fuel based energy consumption of the distillation process itself, this technology will provide a huge step towards meeting this obligation.

GreenStills technology provides a step change in the efficiency of the pot still distillation process, moving away from steam and providing a means for effective integration of renewable energy for heating. The technology also enables energy storage, so that energy needs for distillation can be met with variable renewable energy generation.

The funding will be used to deliver a distillery trial to measure in practice the energy savings achievable and to optimise the concept for installation and operation.

Tim Dumenil, Energy Consultant, said “Centuries of heritage and stewardship have evolved distillation bringing together technical know-how and high quality raw materials all catalysed by large amounts of energy. A transformation in scotch pot distillation took place in the late 1960’s as distillers moved away from open coal fires under stills to oil and gas fired steam coils or pans inside the stills. 50 years on GreenStills aims to help safeguard the future of distillation through a similar transformation.”

Sam Gomersall, Commercial Director, said “GreenStills provides a huge opportunity for Scotland and the Scotch Whisky sector to massively reduce its carbon emissions and demonstrate global leadership in creating high quality global brand products in a sustainable manner”.

Innovation and Enterprise Services Director, at Scottish Enterprise, Jim Watson said: “It is crucial for businesses such as Pale Blue Dot to be competitive through being innovative - it ensures that they can remain one step ahead of competitors. Our SMART: SCOTLAND grants help SME’s tap into the support and resources available so that research and development projects can quickly get off the ground. This can enable a company to start exploring markets further afield and to compete at an international level.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

About Pale Blue Dot Energy

• Pale Blue Dot Energy is a UK based management consultancy focused on the low carbon energy transition. Areas of expertise include Emerging Low Carbon Energy Systems, Oil & Gas Transition and Capture & Storage (CCS).
• The business provides support to public bodies and businesses of all sizes, to create opportunities and mitigate risks arising from major changes in the energy markets, driven by factors relating to energy price, security of supply and climate change.  www.pale-blu.com

About Scottish Enterprise

• Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's main economic development agency and aims to deliver a significant, lasting effect on the Scottish economy. Our role is to help identify and exploit the best opportunities for economic growth. We support ambitious Scottish companies to compete within the global marketplace and help build Scotland’s globally competitive sectors. We also work with a range of partners in the public and private sectors to attract new investment to Scotland and to help create a world-class business environment.
• SMART: SCOTLAND is a discretionary grant for SMEs to support them with the R&D needed to explore and develop highly innovative, commercially viable products and processes to the benefit of the national economy.