Sign in Subscribe
Air pollution

Advanced Landfill Technology Emerges as Cost-Effective Greenhouse Gas Cutting Strategy

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A new study by LoCI Controls, Inc. reveals that implementing advanced landfill technology (ALT) for controlling landfill methane can be one of the lowest-cost strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By leveraging data and case studies of landfills using LoCI systems, the report assesses the feasibility of adopting ALT options, including installing landfill gas collection and control systems (GCCS) and real-time monitoring and automated tuning equipment. The study finds that roughly 900-1000 municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills nationwide could adopt ALT, cutting US MSW landfill emissions by 49-52% and overall US methane emissions by 7.2-8.6%, at a cost of just $8.35-9.58 per metric ton (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) abated.

Key Takeaways:

  • Advanced landfill technology (ALT) emerges as a cost-effective strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a cost of just $8.35-9.58 per MT CO2e abated.
  • Roughly 900-1000 municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills nationwide could adopt ALT, cutting US MSW landfill emissions by 49-52% and overall US methane emissions by 7.2-8.6%.
  • LoCI systems have been deployed in a portfolio of ten landfills, increasing gas capture by 20% on average over five years.
  • The report cites results from the Klickitat Public Utility District in Washington State and the Hamm Landfill in Lawrence, Kansas, where LoCI systems were installed.
  • ALT systems increase quantity and quality of methane gas capture, making renewable natural gas (RNG) viable and more profitable for landfill operators.
  • Deploying ALT systems widely would cost $1.3-1.8 billion in capital expenditure (capex), with $250-$340 million in operating expenditure (opex) and generating $1.86 billion in annual RNG revenues.

Statistics:

  • 900-1000 municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills nationwide could adopt ALT.
  • US MSW landfill emissions would be cut by 49-52%.
  • Overall US methane emissions would be cut by 7.2-8.6%.
  • ALT would cost $8.35-9.58 per MT CO2e abated.
  • Investing in wind and solar power would cost approximately $65/MT CO2e.
  • Direct air capture of CO2 would cost an estimated $800/MT.
  • Deploying ALT systems would require $1.3-1.8 billion in capex.
  • Ongoing opex for ALT systems would be $250-$340 million.
  • Annual RNG revenues from ALT systems would be $1.86 billion.

Sources:

  • LoCI Controls, Inc. (no date)
  • LoCI Controls, Inc. (no date)
  • LoCI Controls, Inc. (no date)
  • LoCI Controls, Inc. (no date)
  • LoCI Controls, Inc. (no date)
  • LoCI Controls, Inc. (no date)

Read more