"Green Power"
The garbage in landfills is a collection of organic materials that, while decomposing release a lot of minerals, natural compounds and gases. This natural breakdown of organic waste is much like that found in a garden compost pile. Some of the gases released are as simple as Carbon Dioxide (CO2) while others, like Methane (CH4) are more complex and can be used as an alternative energy source. Methane gas is natural product of the environment.
When released into the atmosphere methane acts as a greenhouse gas. Methane is 21 times more potent as a global-warming contributor in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Normally, landfills can flare the methane gas as this is the simplest option. Using Methane-Gas generators utilities can capture methane and put it to good use by providing power for their customers. Landfill gas is the only renewable source of energy that when used in this manner removes pollution from the environment.
Currently, South Carolina has three Methane Gas-Powered Generation Stations at Horry Solid Waste Authority, Lee County Landfill SC, LLC, and Richland County C & D Landfill and has plans to incorporate another facility at Anderson Regional Landfill SC, LLC. Currently the Horry and Lee landfills (Operated by Allied Waste) produce 8.7 Megawatts of power and Richland landfill (operated by Waste Management) produces 5.5 Megawatts their Methane Gas Generators, but with the addition of Anderson landfill there is a promise of a total generation out put of 19.7 Megawatts.
Residents of South Carolina have been making the commitment to helping our environment by purchasing "blocks" of Green Power. The impact that these residents have on the environment is astounding. For each 100-kWh "block" of Green Power purchased they are having the same impact on the environment as:
- Planting 1/2 acre of trees in national forests
- Not driving for nearly 1.5 months
- Recycling 160 pounds of aluminum or 5,108 aluminum cans
- Recycling 589 pounds of newspaper
Click here for a Landfill Diagram containing a graphical description of how the process works.
Horry Solid Waste Authority
Horry County, SC
Horry Solid Waste Authority was the first of the "green power" landfills to come online in September 2001. Initially it had two 1.1 Megawatt generators producing a combined 2.2 Megawatts of renewable energy. Later, in January of 2003, another 1.1 Megawatt generator was installed to bring total horsepower for all three generators to 3,500 horsepower and increased total "green" production to 3.3 Megawatts. Producing this much power means that these generators can produce enough power to support more than 2,100 homes annually.
The landfill currently occupies 727 acres including a Recycling Convenience Center, Composting Facility, Construction and Demolition landfill, and the Municipal Solid Waste landfill. Horry County Solid Waste Authority strives "To be an independent, innovative, responsive organization that aggressively provides comprehensive, cost-effective solid waste management in an environmentally sound manner, incorporating state-of-the-art methods and technology, and educating the public on responsible waste management."
Capacity: 3.3 Megawatts
Horry Solid Waste Authority
P.O. Box 1664
1886 Highway 90
Conway, SC 29526
Main Phone: (843) 347-1651
Main Fax: (843) 347-3653
Email: mailto:info@solidwasteauthority.org
Lee County Landfill SC, LLC
Lee County, SC
Lee County Landfill SC, LLC is the second of South Carolina's waste management facilities to produce energy through methane harvesting. Brought online in April of 2005, Lee County can produce 5.4 Megawatts of "green power" by using three 1.8 Megawatt methane fired generators. The hefty Jenbacher generators can produce enough electricity to supply power to over 3,400 homes.
The landfill takes up 210 acres and has plans to expand current green power generation in the future with the addition of more engines and generators. Lee County Landfill is operated by Allied Waste Industries, Inc., a nationwide waste management company headquartered in Arizona.
Capacity: 5.4 Megawatts
Lee County Landfill SC, LLC
c/o Allied Waste Industries, Inc.
15880 N. Greenway-Hayden Loop
Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 627-2700
Richland County Generating Station
Elgin, SC
Richland County Generating station is located at Waste Management's Richland County Landfill, also know as Screaming Eagle Road Landfill, near Elgin, S.C. and is Santee Cooper's third green power landfill. The facility began making electricity on February 28, 2006 and uses single GE Solar Turbine generator capabie of producing 5.5 Megawatts of Green Power renewable energy. The unit can produce enough power to support more than 3,500 homes annually.
The 124-acre landfill is permitted to accept up to 851,000 tons of solid waste annually. Approximately 99 percent of that waste originates in a 75-mile radius from the facility. Our landfill provides a clean and affordable source of alternative energy, said Zane Ferris, Waste Management's district manager. Waste Management is proud to operate a facility that will actively help produce green energy and contribute to the health of the environment.
Capacity: 5.5 Megawatts
Richland Landfill (aka Screaming Eagle Road)
1047 Highway Church Road
Elgin, SC 29045
(803) 788-3054
