City of Hamilton initiative produces green energy from landfill gas

Hamilton , ON – May 22, 2009 – This morning, officials from the City of Hamilton and Hamilton Renewable Power Inc. celebrated the official opening of a renewable energy initiative at the Glanbrook Landfill site. The project involves the collection of landfill gas, to generate electricity and sell to the Ontario grid. It is the second project to be implemented by Hamilton Renewable Power Inc., operated by a wholly owned entity of the City of Hamilton. The cogeneration facility on Woodward Avenue, which takes methane gas created by the wastewater treatment process and produces electricity and heat, opened in September 2006.

The landfill gas collection system is comprised of a network of wells, trenches and pipes within the landfill to collect landfill gas and transport it to a 3.2 megawatt power plant. The facility, which has been operating since November 2008, generates 26 million kilowatts-hours of electricity per year, which is equivalent of powering up to 2,100 homes. The project cost was approximately $10.3 million dollars and will be repaid in approximately four years with projected annual revenue of $2.8 million dollars through the sale of electricity to the Ontario grid.

“Hamilton Renewable Power has already demonstrated economic and environmental successes and this progressive initiative is continuing to evolve with this second renewable energy project,” said Councillor David Mitchell, Chair of the Board of Directors for Hamilton Renewable Power Inc. “It’s rewarding to be part of a successful business venture that is generating a profit while also contributing to a greener, cleaner and healthier community.

This project will not only generate renewable electricity, but will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and odours. The facility reduces approximately 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent of emissions every year, which would otherwise be released to the atmosphere. The reduction of greenhouse gases is equivalent to removing 18,000 cars off the road or planting 9,200 hectares of trees

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Media Contacts:
Pat Parker
Manager, Solid Waste Planning
City of Hamilton
905-546-2424, ext. 3916

Jim Harnum
President, Hamilton Renewable Power Inc.
905-546-2424, ext. 4483

Glanbrook Landfill Gas To Energy Facility

City of Hamilton

Project Update

Landfill gas generation is a natural process that occurs in any landfill as solid waste decomposes. The gas, composed primarily of methane (50%) and carbon dioxide (50%), is produced when organic material breaks down in an oxygen free (anaerobic) environment.

The Glanbrook Landfill Gas to Energy (LFGTE) Facility is a partnership between the City of Hamilton and Hamilton Renewable Power Inc (HRPI) to collect landfill gas, generate electricity and sell to the Ontario grid. Toromont Power Systems has been retained by the City of Hamilton to design, build and operate the LFGTE Facility.

The landfill gas collection system is comprised of a network of wells, trenches and pipes within the landfill to collect landfill gas and transport it to a 3.2 megawatt power plant. Vertical extraction wells were placed in areas where landfilling is complete. In areas where future landfilling will occur, horizontal collection trenches were used. Connections were also made to the existing leachate collection system. A network of piping was used to convey the landfill gas to the LFGTE Facility. The excess landfill gas that is not utilized for electricity generation is flared.

The LFGTE Facility has been operating since November 2008 and generates 26 million kilowatts-hours of electricity per year, which is equivalent of powering up to 2,100 homes. The LFGTE Facility not only generates renewable electricity, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and odours. The LFGTE Facility reduces approximately 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent of emissions every year, which would otherwise be released to the atmosphere (in the absence of the project). This greenhouse reduction is equal to removing 18,000 vehicles from the road.

The project cost was approximately $10.3 million dollars and will be repaid in approximately 4 years with projected annual revenue of $2.8 million dollars through the sale of electricity to the Ontario grid.

Approvals

The construction and operation of the LFGTE facility is in accordance with conditions as specified by the Certificates of Approval. The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has issued Certificate of Approval amendments for the Site and for the Air approvals.

In addition, the City got the Hydro One approvals and signed a 20-year contract with the Ontario Power Authority under the Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program.

Construction Schedule

Preparations for construction began in February 2007. These preparations included initial site conditions survey, soil investigations for the flare and generators and mobilization of equipment and materials. The actual construction of vertical wells and horizontal collection trenches began in May 2007 and was completed in August 2007.

The site work associated with the construction of the flaring and power generation systems began in August 2007. Commissioning/start up of the LFGTE Facility with actual generation of electricity started in November 2008.

Generator Sets

The two generator sets are manufactured by Caterpillar and will run 24 hours a day, 7 hours a week. Each generator set has:

· 1,600 kW capacity

· 20 cylinders (V20)

· 170 liters engine

· 16,000 tonnes of weight

· 15 metres (length) x 3.3 metres (width) x 6.2 metres (height). This is equivalent to the length of three pickup trucks.