Harvesting Power from Landfill
The Forgotten Energy Resource Stored Underground
Landfill gas is created during the rotting of organic matter present in landfills. This slow biological decaying process takes place over a period of 20 years, following the initial burial of organic waste. If not captured and burned, this methane gas can represent a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Thanks to innovation, this landfill gas can be put to work. Enerflex specializes in turnkey landfill gas-to-energy systems. Our solutions include gas extraction-blower systems, gas dehumidification, H2S removal, siloxane removal, combined heat and power, grid interconnection, and thermal integration.
Millions of Tons that Could Become Megawatts
Thousands of landfills worldwide could gather and use their valuable renewable energy source for power generation — one million tons of municipal solid waste will produce enough landfill gas to fuel a 1 MW genset for 20 years. That’s enough to power 800 homes. If the same quantity of landfill gas escapes into the atmosphere, given that methane is 25 times more damaging than CO2, that pollution would be equivalent to about 7,000 cars driving all year 24/7. Capturing and using landfill gas as a renewable fuel source is a win-win for the planet and the landfill owner.
Landfill Gas to Power. Enerflex Delivers.
Enerflex in Action
- Montréal, Quebec, Canada
4.8 MW Integrated Turnkey (ITK) Renewable Energy Solution for Landfill Power
Enerflex provided our customer with a complete integrated turnkey solution for converting the landfill gas from the decommissioned Carrière Miron landfill owned by the City of Montreal into 4.8 MW of renewable electricity sold to Hydro-Quebec and 5.1 MW of heat sold to Cirque du Soleil headquarters and TOHU Circus stadium. The solution included three Jenbacher JMS612 state-of-the-art gensets installed in ultra-low noise acoustic enclosures. The project also included gas dehumidification and siloxanes removal.
Outcome
Enerflex engineered, supplied, installed, and commissioned a turnkey solution for the client and is today providing full life cycle maintenance of the plant. What used to be a source of odour and pollution is now powering and heating an entire Montreal neighborhood.
- Saskatchewan, Canada
Landfill Gas-to-Energy Solution Provides 1,058 kW of Renewable Electricity
Enerflex provided a complete modular solution for converting the city’s landfill gas into 1,058 kW of renewable electricity sold to SaskPower. The solution featured Enerflex’s containerized landfill gas-to-energy solution comprising a Jenbacher JGC320, a gas conditioning module, switchgear, a step-up transformer, and a siloxane removal unit.
Outcome
Enerflex provided a fast-cost-effective solution to turn landfill gas into a source of revenue for the City and a source of electricity for neighboring homes. Enerflex provides continuous life cycle maintenance.