Landfill to Renewable Energy Powerhouse
What if we could turn our landfills into producers of renewable, clean energy – if the waste gas from our non-recyclable and non-reusable rubbish were a resource that had a second life?
That’s exactly what we’re doing in collaboration with the Toowoomba Regional Council. LGI is transforming the Toowoomba Waste Management Centre into a renewable energy superpower in the fight against climate change.
Our new renewable energy power station at this landfill is the first in Queensland to convert methane from landfill into electricity. Council’s most demanding energy user will now be mostly (90-100%) supplied with renewable power fuelled by waste gas the tip.
This new project at the Toowoomba Waste Management Centre is the first in Queensland to convert methane from a landfill into electricity to power a Council’s waste water treatment plant.
Project Snapshot
Long-term contract with Toowoomba Regional Council to recover and beneficially use biogas from this regional landfill. This improves air quality, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to the local economy.
No regulatory requirement to capture biogas, however ACCUs enable additional abatement (above its 30% baseline) from a commercially viable flaring & power generation project under the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).
Increased biogas capture rates enabled the development of a renewable power station to supply consistent, dispatchable (peak and base load) power behind the meter to the Council and to help stabilise the local electricity system for future development in the region.
In 2020, LGI installed a bespoke biogas management system with an LGI ERF compliant biogas flare. In 2022, this was upgraded to include a 1MW power station to supply renewable power, behind the meter, to Council’s Wetalla Sewage Treatment Plant and the local power grid. Council benefits from this bespoke system at minimal cost.
LGI collaborates closely with the Council regarding the design, installation, operations and maintenance of the system, including the monitoring and reporting services provided.
Renewable Energy
Biogas Captured
Carbon Abatement
ACCUs Created
Seedlings Planted
Toowoomba Regional Council is a shining example of what can be achieved when councils embrace green initiatives and implement environmentally responsible and sustainable practices.
Combining waste management with clean energy production has turned the Hermitage Road landfill into a fully supported and highly productive asset.
Surplus energy that the clean energy power station generates can also feed into the National Electricity Market. Meanwhile, we’re taking care of biogas management, destroying harmful gases and ensuring environmental sustainability for a better future:
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Improves air quality
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Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
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Contributes to the local economy
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Reduces landfill odours
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Provides renewable energy
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Reduces facility grid intensity
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Reduces facility electricity costs
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Stabilises the local electricity system
Landfills are a huge part of waste management in our communities. Over 1,000 operate in Australia today. However, the secret to a greener future is actually in these landfills! Effective biogas extraction and flaring can turn our landfills into clean energy generators – fighting climate change right where it begins.
