Landfill Gas Collection and Recovery
Renewable energy from waste
The Authority has implemented active landfill gas collection and control through the use of a blower skid and flare. The active landfill gas collection system collects the gas through a network of wells and pipes located in the landfill cells. The collected gas is then destroyed by the flare.
Following a partnership with Waste Management, based upon a formal RFP process, the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority has begun construction at its regional landfill on a power plant that will use landfill gas to create electricity. Once completed, the facility will create roughly 12,650 megawatt hours per year or enough renewable energy to power more than 1,800 homes. Over the next 20 years, the facility can be expanded to generate enough renewable energy to power over 8,500 homes.
This is the first project of its kind developed by OHSWA, which has partnered with Waste Management to construct and manage the facility once it goes live.
The electricity from this project will be created through a process called landfill-gas-to-energy. As organic materials, like food waste, decompose inside the landfill, gas comprised of about 55 percent methane is created. Collection wells placed all over the site currently absorb this gas and route it to a flare for destruction. Once the plant is operational, the gas will be piped to the energy facility where it will be filtered and pressurized. From there, it will be used as a fuel to run an engine generator. The facility has been designed so that as gas flows increase over time, additional generators can be added to produce more power. The project, currently in early stage construction, is set to go online early 2012.
When compared to fossil fuels, as well as other renewable sources of energy, including wind and solar, landfill gas has several benefits:
- It’s endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an energy alternative to fossil fuels
- It’s not dependent on other environmental factors, like wind or sunlight
- It’s reliable during peak energy hours
- It’s an economical alternative to other fuel sources, like natural gas.
Additionally, proceeds the Authority receives as part of the project will be utilized to fund Authority programs and stabilize solid waste charges for haulers and residents alike.