Generating electricity from landfill gas in Brazil: Print A Tree Project

Context

In Brazil, municipal solid waste generation has become a great concern. In 2015, the country generated around 79.9 million tonnes of waste, corresponding to 1.071 kg per person per day - making it one of the top 5 largest producers in the world.

This enormous amount of waste often finds its way into landfills and other disposal sites, where it decomposes and emits methane into the atmosphere - a greenhouse gas 34 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Project

The Uberlândia landfills I and II project aims to collect the landfill gas produced in two sites in Uberlândia, Brazil. The first landfill, Uberlândia I, received a total of 2,100,000 tonnes of domestic waste between 1995-2010. On the other hand, the second site, Uberlândia II, is expected to receive 4,500,000 m3 of solid waste throughout its lifetime.

Upon collecting the methane gas produced by this waste matter, the project will then use it to generate clean energy. To make this possible, a total capacity of 2.80 MW will be installed - composed of 2 engines with an individual capacity of 1.4 MW each. This setup is projected to generate a total of 354,968 MWh of energy during its operational lifetime.

Not only does this project provide an avenue for renewable electricity production that can replace fossil fuels currently being used in Brazilian National Grid operations, but such implementation also helps reduce emissions that are damaging to our environment. In addition to this environmental benefit, implementing the Uberlandia landfills I and II project would create job opportunities for skilled operators needed to maintain and operate the machines and generate income for those involved in implementing it.

Verification

This project is verified by the Gold Standard. You can view it on the Gold Standard registry here.

Climate solution #58

Landfill Methane

Landfills generate methane as organic waste decomposes. Rather than getting released as emissions, that methane can be captured and used to produce electricity.

Over the course of a century, methane has 34 times the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide. Landfills are a top source of methane emissions, releasing 12 percent of the world’s total. Landfill methane can be tapped, captured, and used as a fairly clean energy source for generating electricity or heat, rather than leaking into the air or being dispersed as waste.

The climate benefit is twofold: prevent landfill emissions and displace coal, oil, or natural gas that might otherwise be used.

From drawdown.org

Photos

The photos below have been shared by our partners at Ecologi. All rights are reserved.

UN's Sustainable Development Goals:

Uberlândia landfills I and II

As a Printlogik customer, you automatically donate towards our Print A Tree Project through any purchase you make with us. Your money supports projects in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Here are the goals recognised by the Uberlândia landfills I and II project: