A three-way partnership of the City of Calgary Solid Waste Services, Enmax and PanCanadian Petroleum will launch a feasibility study to see whether landfill methane can be used to generate electricity.
The project involves drilling into closed portions of Calgary’s three solid waste landfill sites to determine the quality, quantity and pressure of methane gas. Drilling is expected to start at once and testing will be conducted within six months.
“Converting landfill methane gas to electricity is environmentally positive because it significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” said Bob Nicolay, Enmax president and chief executive officer.
“Now, more than ever, the quality of a community’s waste-management program is of the utmost concern to the public,” said Justice Minister Anne McLellan, who made the announcement with Ald. John Schmal, first vice-president of Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
“I commend the City of Calgary and its partners on its leadership in conducting this study, which will contribute to a healthier environment and develop renewable energy technologies.”
PanCanadian will provide its expertise as a major energy producer and marketer. The company has recently been using new conversion technologies in its field operations.
“PanCanadian believes that innovative projects like this will play a significant role in reducing flared or vented gases,” said Nancy Laird, PanCanadian’s senior vice-president, marketing and midstream, and chief environmental officer.
“Working together with our partners, we intend to capture the wasted landfill methane gas and convert it into value-added energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the landfill site.”
The study will be funded by a $100,000 grant from the FCM’s Green Municipal Enabling Fund (GMEF).
The GMEF is a five-year, $25-million initiative which covers half the cost of feasibility studies for projects aimed at cutting polluting emissions to air, water or soil.
