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ABSTRACT
When landfill gas (LFG) is used in combined heat and power (CHP) systems, the benefits multiply. A CHP project powered by LFG not only provides significantly better energy efficiency and cost savings, but it also achieves significant environmental benefits from using a locally produced, biomass fuel.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) has supported the development of LFG energy (LFGE) projects for more than a decade. The LMOP encourages the development of LFGE projects in several ways. To achieve more LFG use, the program maintains voluntary partnerships with businesses, communities, and states. The LMOP provides information about LFGE opportunities in the United States and prepares preliminary feasibility studies for landfills and potential LFG users. The LMOP and the LFGE industry have achieved significant reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases, because LFG is approximately 50% methane and methane traps more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, the most prevalent greenhouse gas. The collection and use of each ton of LFG methane is equivalent to the reduction of over 20 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
The LMOP maintains a landfill and LFGE project database (LMOP database), which classifies 16 LFGE projects as CHP. These projects range from a 120 kilowatt (kW) microturbine installation to a 12 megawatt (MW) cogeneration plant
CHP LFGE projects can create additional environmental benefits by offsetting fossil-fuel-based electricity and steam or heating demands with a renewable fuel. In 2007, the existing CHP projects fueled by LFG will result in greenhouse gas reductions equivalent to preventing the use of approximately 1.3 million barrels of oil.
In addition, using the waste heat from LFG-fired generators in a CHP configuration can improve project financial results by as much as 100%, increasing the feasibility of developing LFGE projects. LMOP offers real-world project experience and tools to overcome the barriers in CHP LFGE project development.