The gas that naturally occurs in some local landfills could soon be turned into power as Bundaberg Regional Council investigates options for its gas flaring facilities.
Gas flaring at the Cedars Road and University Drive waste facilities has extracted more than 41 million cubic metres of potentially harmful methane gas since being installed.
Currently that methane gas, which is a natural byproduct of the decomposition process, is flared as carbon dioxide, which is 28 times less harmful to the environment.
But Waste and Recycling portfolio spokesperson Cr Tanya McLoughlin said Council was investigating options to put that gas to more productive use.
“This gas is already being created by our waste facilities and since installation our gas flaring facilities have been performing better than first expected,” Cr McLoughlin said.
“We are now seeking proposals from industry experts that would explore the possibility of this gas being converted to power.
“If we could create green energy from this source we would not only be ensuring better outcomes for our environment but further demonstrating Council’s commitment to best practice waste management.”
Council has gone out to tender for landfill gas management for the supply, installation, operation and monitoring of a gas collection network.
Applicants are being asked to identify the viability of Council’s gas flaring facilities being used for power generation.
The successful tenderer would be required to market and sell any Carbon Credits generated as a result of the region’s landfill gas at Cedars Road and University Drive.
Cr McLoughlin said Council had also invited applicants to consider the viability of gas collection and power generation at its Qunaba Waste Facility.
“While we are still awaiting the outcomes of the tender process and the assessment by qualified companies of the viability of power generation from local landfills, this is certainly a very exciting step for Bundaberg Regional Council.
“We are committed to sustainability and demonstrating best practice in all that we do and this project is just another example of that.”
Tenders for landfill gas management at Bundaberg Regional Council landfills close April 20.
