What is a Beer Battery?

May 9, 2007

Generating electricity from beer might seem like a whimsical notion born out of a pub conversation, but it’s a reality thanks to a collaboration between Foster’s Brewery and researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia and the University of Ghent in Belgium. Dubbed the "beer battery," this innovation is essentially a microbial fuel cell (MFC). It leverages bacteria that feed on sugars to convert brewery wastewater into energy. These microorganisms digest the organic compounds in the wastewater, decomposing alcohol, starch, and sugar. The process yields electricity, purified water, and carbon dioxide, making it an environmentally sustainable solution.

According to Professor Jürg Keller from the University of Queensland, brewery wastewater is an ideal candidate for this experiment due to its biodegradable nature [ref].

The project received funding from the Queensland Government Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund Grant (approximately $115,000 USD) and the Australian Research Council (over 1 million USD). While the initial prototype MFC had a capacity of 10 liters (2.6425 gallons), the final version to be installed at Foster’s brewery will hold 660 gallons. Expected to generate 2 kilowatts of power—enough to sustain an average household—the MFC is set to be operational by September.

"While it won't generate a massive amount of power, this system primarily serves as a wastewater treatment solution with the added advantage of producing electricity," Professor Keller explained to the Associated Press [ref]. For nations like Australia, currently facing its most severe drought in a century, the ability to recycle and purify wastewater could prove invaluable [ref].

Foster’s microbial fuel cell could inspire similar technologies across the food and beverage sector, which produces significant organic waste. Given their efficiency in processing such waste, microbial fuel cells have recently captured the attention of researchers. Similar to Foster’s beer battery, MFCs transform chemical energy stored in organic materials into electricity [ref]. Bacteria play a key role as catalysts, driving the reaction forward.

The growing enthusiasm for MFCs is evident, with the launch of the first website "entirely dedicated to the elegance of microbial fuel cells" and numerous blogs discussing MFCs and related subjects. In September 2007, a four-day conference titled "Anaerobic Digestion: Bio-energy for Our Future" will convene in Brisbane, Australia, focusing on techniques for extracting energy from waste materials.

Could the beer battery spark a green revolution? Unlikely, but it represents a fascinating approach to waste management, energy generation, and water purification. It also reflects a broader trend where companies are embracing sustainability by investing in diverse projects, both large and small, rather than pursuing a single solution. While ethanol- or hydrogen-powered vehicles and affordable, widespread solar energy may eventually transform industries, implementing numerous small-scale eco-friendly initiatives can have an equally significant, if not greater, impact.

One brewery is already ahead of Foster’s. In fact, when Foster’s installs its MFC this summer, it won’t be the first brewery utilizing bacteria to treat wastewater. The New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado, employs bacteria to clean its wastewater, generating methane gas as a byproduct. While the brewery relies on wind power for most of its energy needs (around 85 percent), the methane gas from wastewater treatment supplies the remaining 15 percent.

New Belgium Brewery also focuses on water conservation, employing eco-friendly construction methods for its facilities, hiring a sustainability expert, and adhering to the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle wherever possible. These environmentally conscious practices not only benefit the planet but also enhance profitability: the brewery reportedly saves $3,000 monthly on its electricity expenses.

To explore more about microbial fuel cells, sustainable technologies, and related subjects, visit the following links:

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