LANDFILL GAS
An Important Renewable Energy Source
Although it currently accounts for a relatively small portion of Alameda’s power supply, landfill gas is an important renewable energy source in the city’s electric generation mix.

Alameda Power & Telecom (Alameda P&T) has entered into power purchase agreements to purchase the electric output from four landfill gas to energy projects located in Northern California -- Half Moon Bay, Pittsburg, Richmond, and Santa Cruz. Alameda P&T began taking delivery from the Richmond project in 2005.

The Santa Cruz project came online in 2006. The Half Moon Bay and Pittsburg landfill projects are expected to be operational by the end of 2008. In addition to these four projects, Alameda P&T is currently investigating the possibility of adding several other new landfill gas projects to its supply portfolio.

WHAT IS LANDFILL GAS?
Landfill gas is created as solid waste material decomposes in a landfill. Landfill gas consists primarily of two gases -- methane (the primary component of natural gas) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Methane and CO2 are two of the three main greenhouse gases (GHGs), with methane being the more potent contributor to global climate change of the two gases.

According to the U.S. EPA, landfills are the largest human-related sources of methane in the U.S. The amount of methane produced depends on the rate of decomposition of the organic components of the waste, the quantity and moisture content of the waste, as well as the particular waste management practices employed at the landfill site. Unless it is captured and flared, or otherwise converted to energy, landfill gas is emitted into the atmosphere where it contributes to the rising global concentrations of GHGs.

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 electricity, such as coal, natural gas, and oil, thereby reducing air pollution resulting from the combustion of fossil-fuels.
  
  
• Provides base-load energy with capacity factors exceeding 90%.
  
  
• Satisfies CAISO generation eligibility criteria for meeting local area capacity requirements.