Energy Production
Landfill Gas Utilization System
Benefiting our Community and the Environment
Fundy Region Solid Waste has implemented an innovative Landfill Gas Management and Utilization System. This system produces green energy, while eliminating odours, reducing greenhouse gases and decreasing the environmental impact on air quality.
Landfill gas is compromised of 50% methane gas which is a potent greenhouse gas.
A series of gas collection wells and pipes are constructed in each capped landfill cell. The landfill gas is piped out of the landfill into the gas cooling system and then into the generating unit to produce and transmit electricity.
Energy Produced in 2015
In 2015, we produced enough electricity to power 192 homes in addition to powering our entire facility. That is 2,331,000 kWh of additional electricity was produced from the landfill gas generator and sent to the Saint John Energy grid. The average household in Saint John uses 1,350 kWh each month.
How it works
Blower Unit
The Blower Unit maintains the consistent flow of landfill gas from the gas wells into the Flare.
Flare
The Flare is the back-up unit for the Generator. It is used during shut down and will destroy landfill gas for odour control and greenhouse gas reduction, burning off the methane gas.
Cooling Unit
The Cooling Unit cools, dehumidifies and compresses the landfill gas to prepare it for use by the generator.
Landfill Gas Generator
The Generator uses landfill gas as a fuel to drive a 20 cylinder internal combustion engine to generate 1 MW of electricity.
Transformer
The 600V Transformer converts the voltage of the green electricity to the voltage usable by the power lines. The electricity is fed directly into the Saint John Energy grid and to our buildings on site.