Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project

From production through disposal, businesses and communities are searching for solutions that will leave the smallest environmental footprint while meeting the business bottom line of cost effectiveness. This project combined the need for a positive re-use for landfill gas and a manufacturing plant pleased to have an alternative source of energy. HDR assisted Three Rivers implement a unique solution to pipe landfill gas 16 miles to a major production plant where it produces steam to help power the manufacture of a variety of paper products. The completed project provides capacity for 2700 cubic feet of landfill gas per minute to steam boilers at the plant.

The need to install an underground pipeline to transport the landfill gas over a significant distance added an element of financial risk to the project. HDR worked with the landfill authority to confirm landfill gas generation rates and to find ways to reduce the financial risk tied to variations in the natural gas market and related operational variables. Keys to this project included securing low-cost, long-term financing and a system design that maximized landfill gas collection efficiency and controlled system downtime.

Award

• 2010 - Bronze Excellence Award, Landfill Gas Utilization, Solid Waste Association of North America