HOW IS LANDFILL GAS USED IN ENERGY PRODUCTION?
Landfill gas is extracted by drilling wells into landfills and collecting the gas through pipes placed inside landfill sites. Once the gas reaches a central collection point it is processed and treated if necessary, and then combusted in a gas-fired engine to produce electricity. Because methane sourced from landfills is produced naturally throughout the day, landfill gas to energy projects typically operate as base-load power plants and achieve capacity factors over 90%. Given its high capacity factor and competitive fuel price relative to conventional natural gas, landfill gas to energy projects are both economical to operate and effective in reducing GHG emissions. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LANDFILL GAS TO ENERGY PROJECTS? • Qualifies as a CEC eligible resource under California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard • Directly reduces GHGs by avoiding the emissions of methane from landfill gas that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere. • Offsets the use of fossil-fuel based electri
