Katherine JohnsonThe University of Kentucky James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits (JBBI) and UK Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) have partnered with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) and the State Energy Program to make the future of bourbon production more sustainable.
The project, titled “Kentucky Distilled Spirits Industrial Decarbonization and Sustainability” and funded by EEC, will allow UK distillers to co-fire natural gas with hydrogen to power the boilers. In a traditional distillery process, one of the first steps is using natural gas to create steam. Using hydrogen in this step will reduce the amount of natural gas used, an important step towards decarbonization.
“As more and more distilleries pop up in Kentucky, there is a higher demand for our rich natural resources,” said Seth DeBolt, JBBI director and principal investigator on the project. “This project is a brainchild of the EEC, and the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits is a perfect location to demonstrate a decarbonized feedstock like hydrogen and see how co-firing influences all aspects of the process.”
The results of the project will be unclear until the hydrogen-made spirit is aged in the on-site barrel house at JBBI for at least four years. During that time, the team will carefully report any changes in the process, in the flavor of the newly made spirit and in the matured bourbon. Kentucky has long been a leader in energy, and this project will be the first of its kind nationally.
Executive Director of the Office of Energy Policy at the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Kenya Stump said this project supports the EEC’s mission of supporting innovation in industry while also protecting and improving the environment.
