Flathead Electrical Cooperative (FEC) introduced Jan. 9 the acquisition of a second methane-burning generator to be put in on the Flathead County landfill.
The Co-op put in its first generator on the dump web site in 2009. Working at roughly 90 % of its 1.6 megawatt capability, it usually generates sufficient electrical energy to energy about 1,400 properties within the Flathead Valley, mentioned utility spokesperson Courtney Stone.
The brand new engine will double potential capability and add redundancy.
Whereas FEC will get most of its electrical energy from Bonneville Energy Administration hydropower, Stone is happy that the utility will have the ability to generate extra vitality, including variety and reliability to a system that serves round 57,000 members, in keeping with an announcement.
The FEC, which bought the second engine with pre-appropriated ratepayer funds, noticed the chance to broaden partly as a result of will increase in waste in recent times have led to extra methane manufacturing on the landfill.
“Within the final 10 years, the quantity of trash despatched to the landfill elevated by over 3,000 tons a yr,” mentioned Dave Prunty, Flathead Public Works Director, in an announcement. “We don’t challenge a slowdown in rubbish, so the time appeared proper to companion again up with the Co-op and broaden the gas-to-energy challenge.”
Stone mentioned that the challenge wouldn’t result in any charge hikes for FEC members.
Methane is of course produced in landfills when biomass breaks down. The landfill has put in a system of pipes that captures and filters the methane to be used as gasoline, which then powers the 20-cylinder Caterpillar engines.
Preliminary fuel projections present sufficient methane gasoline to energy each engines at round 75% capability at preliminary startup, in keeping with the assertion.
Methane, a greenhouse fuel, is 21 instances stronger at capturing warmth than carbon dioxide, in keeping with the assertion. Landfills are required by federal regulation to seize sure quantities to forestall emissions. Burning the fuel emits carbon dioxide and water, that are seen as environmentally preferable byproducts compared with releasing methane instantly.
Most landfills burn the methane to satisfy their authorized obligations, and in Montana solely the Flathead landfill has put in a system to generate electrical energy, in keeping with EPA paperwork.
The brand new engine is below development and the unique engine is getting overhauled in Boise, which means that for the second, the landfill should “flare,” or burn, the methane. The unique engine is scheduled to return from Idaho subsequent week, and the utility hopes to put in the brand new one by Could.
Reporter Adrian Knowler may be reached at 758-4407 or aknowler@dailyinterlake.com.