Landfill Gas Will Power Over 900 Escambia Homes

February 19, 2010

A partnership between Gulf Power and Escambia County will produce enough renewable energy at Perdido Landfill to power more than 900 homes.

A groundbreaking is set for Wednesday to kick off construction of Gulf Power’s landfill gas-to-energy facility, which is scheduled to start operation in June.

Initially, landfill gas generators will produce 3,200 kilowatts of renewable energy — enough to power more than 900 homes. The energy capacity can be increased as the landfill produces more methane in the future.

“This partnership with Escambia County will produce tremendous benefits for our community — as well as educational opportunities for our schoolchildren,” said Sandy Sims, manager of Gulf Power Public Affairs. “Together, we will eliminate a source of greenhouse gas by capturing and using the methane that is already escaping into the atmosphere. We can produce renewable electricity that will benefit Gulf Power customers and create revenue for Escambia County.”

Gulf Power has a contract with Escambia County for the purchase of landfill gas and with LFG Technologies Development to build and operate the landfill gas-to-energy facility.

Landfill methane gas is one of the most cost-effective forms of renewable energy, forming naturally by decomposition of organic material in landfills. Municipal solid waste landfills are the second largest human-generated source of methane emissions in the United States. Escambia County has a collection system in place and currently flares the gas as required by regulations.

LFG Technologies has built and operated more than 125,000 kilowatts of landfill gas facilities in the U.S. The brick facility will house two Caterpillar generators specially designed to burn landfill methane gas.

Once the facility begins operation, educational tours will be available for school groups and the community.

Comments

4 Responses to “Landfill Gas Will Power Over 900 Escambia Homes”

  1. Just wondering on February 20th, 2010 9:25 pm

    So do you think that will help lower our energy bills? It said that this was the most cost efficient form of electricity. I hope so.

  2. Molested on February 19th, 2010 8:36 am

    Trade Methane for CO2 in the Gas Generators, and a nice tax write off. Sounds nice.

  3. walter on February 19th, 2010 7:21 am

    The Landfill has gas?

    I knew I smelled something when I passed by there.

  4. bill, big b little ill on February 19th, 2010 6:48 am

    It’s about time, at the rate grabage is produced in the US we needed someone to finally use that rotten smelly gas for something good.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News