Advanced Disposal opens landfill-gas-to-electricity facility

Representatives from Advanced Disposal, Green Power EMC, and Energy Systems Group (ESG) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 2, 2014, to commemorate completion of the Pecan Row Landfill Gas-to-Electricity facility at the Pecan Row Landfill in Valdosta, Georgia.

Advanced Disposal, Ponte Vedra, Florida, partnered with Energy Systems Group, Newburgh, Indiana, an energy services provider, to design, build, own and operate the landfill gas-to-electricity facility at the Pecan Row Landfill. This renewable energy facility will qualify for a federal investment tax credit and is expected to generate 4.8 megawatts (MW) or enough energy to power approximately 2,000 homes, according to Advanced Disposal.

The Pecan Row Landfill Gas-to-Electricity facility will produce power by capturing landfill gas emitted from decomposing trash and using it as a fuel source to power generators. By capturing these landfill gases, this sustainable project is helping provide environmental benefits equivalent to the removal of emissions from more than 34,000 cars per year or the planting of about 38,000 acres of forest annually.

The power produced will be purchased by Green Power EMC, via a long term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Green Power is a nonprofit corporation comprised of 38 of Georgia’s member-owned electric cooperatives. Green Power EMC’s mission is to facilitate procurement and marketing of electricity from renewable sources in Georgia and make it available to its member cooperatives to complement their wholesale power portfolio.

“We’ve been fortunate to find great partners like Advanced Disposal and Green Power EMC to help bring innovative projects like this to fruition,” said Greg Collins, ESG president. He added, “ESG is proud to make this significant investment in the local community and to enhance the environment by converting waste into a power resource. This marks ESG’s third landfill gas project in Georgia, and our sixth in the United States, further exemplifying our strong focus on developing sustainable infrastructure solutions.”

“Being able to convert our landfill gas into reusable energy is a win for everyone: the environment, the energy users and the landfill,” said Gerald Allen, Advanced Disposal’s vice president of landfills. He added, “This landfill gas resource will provide a long-term source of green, renewable electricity for the citizens of Georgia and fosters a collaborative partnership among key stakeholders in the field of electricity. We’re in the business of a clean and green environment, and successful projects such as this ESG partnership help us reach our sustainability goals every day.”

“Green Power EMC is excited to continue our partnership with ESG at the Pecan Row landfill,” said Jeff Pratt, president of Green Power EMC. “This is the third landfill in our renewable energy portfolio bringing Green Power’s portfolio of renewables to over 32 MWs.” Pratt stated Green Power EMC is actively pursuing efficient approaches to increasing the supply of renewable energy to Georgia’s EMC members.