Media Release
July 11, 2007
Landfill gas project generating green energy
and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Halton Region and Oakville Hydro Energy Services Inc. (OHESI) have reached a major milestone in a joint “green” energy project to capture landfill gas and generate electricity. The Landfill Gas Collection and Utilization Project is a partnership between Halton Region and OHESI that is now generating as much as 2.1 megawatts of electricity, enough green power for up to approximately 1,500 homes.
“The Landfill Gas Collection and Utilization Project is a great example of Halton Region looking at innovative solutions. Halton is taking landfill gas and, through our partnership with Oakville Hydro, turning it into electricity,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “This project will benefit our community and our environment both now and in the future as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Halton is a leader in waste management and the Landfill Gas Collection and Utilization Project certainly reinforces that position.”
Oakville Hydro President and C.E.O. Alex Bystrin agrees that the joint project has many benefits. “This partnership is a success on many levels,” he noted. “Together with Halton Region, we are turning an environmentally undesirable product into green energy. In doing so, we’re also eliminating the equivalent of nearly 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into our air. It’s tremendously positive for the environment and for the consumer.”
The project consists of two phases that build on one another. To achieve Phase 1, the collection of the landfill gas, Halton Region has installed over three kilometres of piping within the buried waste at the Halton Waste Management Site (HWMS) to allow the gas to flow, under vacuum, from the landfill’s interior to the Site’s first-ever enclosed flaring system. The gas collection and flaring process reduces odour at the Site, as combustion of the gas renders it virtually odourless.
Phase 2 is a gas utilization system constructed and operated by OHESI to generate electricity from the landfill gas collected by Halton Region’s system. Preliminary construction activities for Phase 2 started in early September 2006. OHESI’s landfill gas utilization facility is now generating and transmitting “green” energy to the power grid, derived directly from the Region’s landfill gas supply.
By design, the landfill gas collection system can be expanded in the future to accommodate additional capture of methane-rich landfill gas as the remaining landfill space is filled up, building on the benefits of the current project. The potential to increase green energy generation will also grow with each future expansion of the landfill gas collection field, allowing continued responsible use of this renewable resource.
Background Information:
Halton Region and Oakville Hydro Gas Collection and Utilization Project (PDF) - 7/07
Media Contacts:
Rob Rivers
Director of Waste Management Services
Halton Region
905-825-6000 ext. 7689
1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866) |
José Menendez
General Manager, Construction and Generation
Oakville Hydro Corporation
905-825-4470
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Renewable Power Generation Project Partners
The Regional Municipality of Halton
The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 400,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; regional roads and planning; emergency medical services; waste management; public health; Ontario Works (formerly social assistance); children’s and seniors’ services; social/non-profit housing; heritage programs; emergency management and business development. For more information, visit Halton Region’s website at www.halton.ca.
Oakville Hydro Energy Services Inc. (OHESI)
Oakville Hydro Energy Services Inc. (OHESI), a non-regulated competitive company, offers a wide range of innovative products and services for home and business. Turn-key conversion of condominium buildings to Smart meter technology, energy conservation and management, worry-free gas and electric water heater rentals, environmentally friendly “green power” sales, federally- accredited meter calibration and maintenance and much more are all available through OHESI. For more information, visit Oakville Hydro’s web site at www.oakvillehydro.com.
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