If you've driven past the landfill, you may have noticed large pipes sticking out of the ground and wondered what they're for.
While they might not look like much, these pipes are part of the City's Landfill Gas Collection and Power Generation System. Operating since 2014, this innovative project captures gas produced by decomposing waste and turns it into renewable electricity.
How does it work?
As organic materials like food scraps, paper and yard waste break down in the landfill, they naturally produce landfill gas, which is primarily made up of methane and carbon dioxide. Instead of allowing this gas to escape into the atmosphere, a network of wells and underground pipes collects it and directs it to generators on site. The captured gas is then used as fuel to produce electricity, which is sold to SaskPower and added to the provincial power grid.
A win for the environment
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, so capturing and using it helps reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. The system reduces greenhouse gas emissions by tens of thousands of tonnes each year, making a significant contribution to the City's environmental goals. The project also helps improve local air quality and reduce odours at the landfill, creating benefits for both the environment and nearby residents.
Powering homes with local energy
The renewable electricity produced at the facility is enough to power over 1,200 homes each year. By turning a by-product of waste decomposition into a valuable resource, the City is helping create a more sustainable energy future while making the most of infrastructure that already exists.
More than just a landfill
The Landfill Gas Collection and Power Generation System demonstrates how innovation can be found in unexpected places. What was once considered waste is now helping generate clean, local energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create revenue that benefits the community. It's a reminder that sustainability isn't always about building something new. Sometimes, it's about finding smarter ways to use the resources we already have.
Quick facts
- The system consists of two components:
- The Collection Facility is made up of vertical wells drilled into the waste in the landfill, and underground piping connected to a vacuum compressor to collect gas that is produced.
- The landfill gas is then piped to the Power Generation Facility where the gas is combusted to generate electricity.
- The landfill gas collection system reduces annual greenhouse gas emissions by over 80,000 tonnes per year. That's equivalent to removing over 24,500 vehicles from our roadways each year.
- Local air quality at the landfill has improved as a result of the project by capturing and thermally destructing the methane that was already occurring.
- The total electricity generated is enough to power over 1,200 homes each year.
- Electricity from the facility is sold to SaskPower, generating over $1 million in annual revenues for the City.
