Environmental services company Republic Services, Inc., Phoenix, along with FORTISTAR, White Plains, N.Y., and Duke Energy, Charlotte, N.C., have dedicated a new landfill gas-to-energy plant in North Carolina. The facility began commercial deliveries of renewable power to Duke Energy Carolinas on Feb. 16, 2012 under a long term power purchase agreement.
"Although we are leaders in increasing energy output at landfills, it's projects like this one that get us really excited," says Republic Services Area President Jamey Amick. "To be able to take yesterday's trash, and from it, generate enough energy to power more than 7,700 homes . . . now that's something to celebrate."
FORTISTAR recently finalized the construction on the 11.5-megawatt renewable energy facility, called Concord Energy Renewable Gas to Energy Plant, at Republic Services' CMS landfill in Concord, N.C.
The Concord Energy facility uses landfill gas to fuel two Solar Taurus turbines, each capable of generating more than 5.5 megawatts, and combined with the associated landfill gas conditioning and compression equipment, will meet the total electrical energy needs of nearly 7,700 residences in the state. "Landfill gas-to-energy projects are an important part of Duke Energy Carolinas' commitment to deliver renewable energy to its customers in a cost-effective way," says Owen Smith, managing director of Duke Energy's regulated renewables business. "The company will continue to look for good projects like the Concord Energy project to meet our state's renewable energy requirements."
"This project represents a successful collaboration that will benefit the citizens of North Carolina and the environment," says Concord Mayor Scott Padgett. "We have always had an excellent relationship with CMS and Republic, and it continues with this meaningful and environmentally-sensitive project."
Mark Comora, president of FORTISTAR adds, "We are proud of the relationships FORTISTAR has with both Duke and Republic Services, and we are pleased to expand on them here at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. We continually look for innovative ways to help ease the burden placed on our electrical grid by providing reliable and cost efficient renewable alternatives. Harnessing the power of landfill gas is an important part of the solution, and we look forward to being a contributing member of the Concord community for a long time to come."