Landfill gas turns into cash

A TOOWOOMBA Regional Council plan to develop landfill gas resources at the Toowoomba Waste Management Centre is moving ahead, after the council awarded the tender for the project.

TRC Water and Waste Committee chair Cr Nancy Sommerfield said it was a momentous project for the council that would be of enormous benefit to the environment and ratepayers, through increased revenue.

“This contract will ensure council meets its obligations under the Environmental Authority, while also providing substantial electricity cost savings for the operation of Wetalla Water Reclamation Facility.

“There will also be increased income through royalty payments to council from the sale of electricity and carbon abatement programs, so there are a number of benefits to look forward to.”

The contract for the project was awarded to LGI Ltd.

“Through this project we’ll be mitigating against methane emissions from landfill, whilst reducing the reliance on fossil fuels in powering Wetalla, which is one of council’s highest energy users,” Cr Sommerfield said.

All landfills produce methane due to the breakdown of organic materials in the landfill.

It is usually managed by flaring the methane.

“This contract involves the capture of the methane for generation of electricity to offset power to Wetalla, which is a far better use of the gas than simply flaring.

“We estimate the site will produce approximately 600 cubic metres of gas per hour which is enough to run a 1MW generator.”

Funding for the project will also be received under the Federal Government Emissions Reduction Fund.