Landfill methane providing 60 percent of BMW plant's energy

[Lone_Star_Dem]

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The BMW plant in Greer is getting more than 60 percent of its energy from the methane gas generated at a nearby landfill, officials said.

The operation, in cooperation with the Texas landfill firm Waste Management, captures the methane gas, which otherwise would escape into the atmosphere, and converts it to energy.

Waste Management, which has gas-to-energy projects in more than 20 states, announced recently that it intends to create about 60 additional renewable energy facilities within five years — including two more in South Carolina.

The two new plants will be located at landfills in Dorchester and Jasper Counties, a spokesman said.

The BMW project and Waste Management's gas-to-energy plant in Kershaw County generate nearly 16 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power at least 15,000 homes for a year.

More at link: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/5164650.html

[rusty quoin]

1. If I had this technology, I could heat my house for free.

I apologize for the "Larry the cable guy" type humor

[TheMadMonk]

2. Something I find hard to fathom is that technology exists to....

• Reduce landfill volume by 90%;
  
• Reduce it to an inert slag, which could potentially be mineable;
  
• Remove and incinerate all volatiles in situ; and
  
• Power itself and generate a fair amount of additional electricity besides;

And yet debates rage in municipalities across the world, as to where the next landfill will be sited (Always: "Not in my backyard mate.") or how a few more years might be eked out of current sites.

Why?