Landfill methane to make electricity

RODMAN — Trash to power.

Methane gas produced by the decomposition of waste at the Development Authority of the North Country landfill could be turning into electricity as soon as August.

Construction on a power plant that would convert methane gas into electricity has begun. The other components of the facility — a gas transmission line to the plant, an electricity transmission line from the plant and a substation — are either being constructed now or will begin soon.

The authority also has submitted a permit modification application to the Department of Environmental Conservation to pipe the gas to the power plant.

"We're very excited and anxious to get it online," said E. William Seifried, general manager of the facility on Route 177.

The plan has been in the works for three years, while the contractor, Innovative Energy Systems Inc., Oakfield, and National Grid worked out an agreement for connecting the plant to the power company's transmission network.

Innovative Energy Systems is building and will operate the 11,000-square-foot power plant. They run several similar facilities around the state.

When it begins operating, the plant will have three 1.6-megawatt generators, which combined will produce 4.8 megawatts each hour. A fourth 1.6 megawatt generator could be added in a year. The electricity will be sold on the grid. Mr. Seifried has previously said the power could also power an on-site industrial park. Monday's average day-ahead price for power was $69.07 per megawatt. At that rate, with continuous power transmission, DANC could see nearly $3 million per year from the sale of electricity.

During the next year, DANC will develop a plan to use the "waste heat" that is a byproduct of the electricity generation, Mr. Seifried said. One idea is for a seven- to 10-acre greenhouse that could be used to grow produce, such as tomatoes.

"The main consideration will be the value of the produce versus the cost of getting it to market," he said.

Region 6 DEC staff are reviewing DANC's application to modify its solid waste management permit to allow for the power plant.

Instead of burning the methane gas off in flares, as DANC does now, most of the gas will go to electricity generation. Only the excess above what the power plant can handle will be burned off.

"This will help in controlling the odor and getting electricity on top of that," said Lawrence R. Ambeau, Region 6 permit administrator. "It's positive all around."

The permit is in a 15-day public comment period. Mr. Ambeau said he has until the middle of August to give an answer on the application, but he doesn't expect it to take nearly that long.