THE “water of life” could help fuel a sustainable future, according to scientists.

Researchers at Heriott-Watt University, working with the University of Bath and the Scotch Whisky Research Institute, believe that waste water created in the process of whisky distillation could be used to generate green hydrogen.

The only by-product of burning the gas is water, making it a popular green alternative to fossil fuels, but the need for large quantities of fresh water to produce hydrogen — 20.5 billion litres every year — has proved a significant drawback.

Now scientists have developed a nano-material called nickel selenide that can purify waste water from whisky distilleries, allowing it to be used in the production of hydrogen.

Dr Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu, of Herriot-Watt’s school of engineering and physical sciences, explained: “It takes nine kilogrammes of water to produce every one kilogramme of green hydrogen.

“Meanwhile, every one litre of malt whisky production creates about 10 litres of residue.

“To help protect the planet, we need to reduce our use of fresh water and other natural resources.

“About one billion litres of wastewater a year is produced from the distilling industry, so the potential of this process is huge.”