Overview and Discussion Overview and Discussion of Landfill Gas In of Landfill Gas In

Relation To Climate Relation To Climate Change Change

CIWMB Permitting and Enforcement Board Meeting Item 16

May 16, 2006

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Executive Order Established Executive Order Established Statewide Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Statewide Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

TargetsTargets

By 2010,By 2010, Reduce to 2000 Emission Levels* Reduce to 2000 Emission Levels*

By 2020,By 2020, Reduce to 1990 Emission Levels** Reduce to 1990 Emission Levels**

By 2050,By 2050, Reduce to 80% Below 1990 Levels Reduce to 80% Below 1990 Levels

* Equals 59 Million Tons CO2

Equivalent (MMTCO2E) Emission

Reductions, 11% Below “Business As Usual” (BAU)

** Equals 145 MMTCO2E Emission

Reductions, 25% Below BAU

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Climate Action Team (CAT)Climate Action Team (CAT)

• CalEPA Secretary Chairs the Team (ARB, CalEPA Secretary Chairs the Team (ARB, BT&H, CDFA, CIWMB, CEC, PUC and BT&H, CDFA, CIWMB, CEC, PUC and Resources Agency represented). The CAT will:Resources Agency represented). The CAT will:

– Evaluate and Recommend Strategies to Meet Evaluate and Recommend Strategies to Meet

GHG Targets. GHG Targets.

– Report to Governor and Legislature 3/06.Report to Governor and Legislature 3/06.

– Review and Revise Report in 2 years.Review and Revise Report in 2 years.

– Include Scenario Analysis, Macroeconomic Include Scenario Analysis, Macroeconomic

Study, Agency Workplans, and Cap and Trade Study, Agency Workplans, and Cap and Trade

Options.Options.

• More info: More info: www.climatechange.ca.gov/www.climatechange.ca.gov/

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CIWMB Implementation of CIWMB Implementation of StrategiesStrategies

• Achieve 50% Statewide Recycling Achieve 50% Statewide Recycling

– Strategy underway will reduce climate change Strategy underway will reduce climate change emissions associated with energy-intensive material emissions associated with energy-intensive material extraction/production.extraction/production.

• Zero Waste/High Recycling Zero Waste/High Recycling

– Measures that result in additional waste reduction Measures that result in additional waste reduction and recovery of recyclable materials.and recovery of recyclable materials.

• Landfill Methane Capture Landfill Methane Capture

– Measures to increase capture of methane Measures to increase capture of methane emitted from landfills.emitted from landfills.

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What is Landfill Gas?What is Landfill Gas?

• Natural by-product of the biogenic decomposition of Natural by-product of the biogenic decomposition of the degradable organic fraction of solid waste in a the degradable organic fraction of solid waste in a sanitary landfill.sanitary landfill.

• Typically about equal amounts by volume of Typically about equal amounts by volume of methane and carbon dioxide with small amounts of methane and carbon dioxide with small amounts of other compounds.other compounds.

• Potential threats to public health and safety and the Potential threats to public health and safety and the environmental: explosion hazard (methane 5-15% in environmental: explosion hazard (methane 5-15% in air); asphyxiate in confined spaces; contains odorous air); asphyxiate in confined spaces; contains odorous and toxic trace gases (NMOCs, VOCs, and HAPs).and toxic trace gases (NMOCs, VOCs, and HAPs).

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Landfill Gas Routes of Human Landfill Gas Routes of Human ExposureExposure

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Landfill Gas Collection and Control Landfill Gas Collection and Control SystemsSystems

• Passive systems (vent gas to atmosphere Passive systems (vent gas to atmosphere through subsurface pipes and buried through subsurface pipes and buried trenches).trenches).

• Active systems (pull gas from vertical wells Active systems (pull gas from vertical wells and horizontal pipes and trenches by and horizontal pipes and trenches by blowers):blowers):

– Destroy (combust) gas by flaring or Destroy (combust) gas by flaring or Landfill-Landfill- Gas-to-Energy LFGTE systems. Gas-to-Energy LFGTE systems. LFGTE systems LFGTE systems recover as energy recover as energy resource gas otherwise resource gas otherwise flaredflared or directly or directly released to the environment;released to the environment;

– Treat portion of trace gases by carbon Treat portion of trace gases by carbon adsorption (methane emitted to adsorption (methane emitted to

atmosphere); atmosphere);

– Vent gas without treatment (active Vent gas without treatment (active venting).venting).

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Landfill Gas Environmental Landfill Gas Environmental Control SystemsControl Systems

Monitoring Probes

Flare/LFGTE PlantGas Header

Pipe

Leachate Plant

Gas ExtractionWells

Liner System

Waste Cells

Intermediate/Final Cover

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Landfill Gas System Wells and Header; Landfill Gas System Wells and Header; Blowers and FlaresBlowers and Flares

1010

Landfill Methane Generation Model (250,000 Tons Per Year Disposal; Closure Year 30)

0

500

1000

1500

2000

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70Year

Met

hane

(sc

fm)

Dry Site (k=0.02)

Wet Site (k=0.06)

Bioreactor LF (k=0.5)

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Landfill Gas-To-Energy Landfill Gas-To-Energy (LFGTE)(LFGTE)Landfill Gas-To-Energy Landfill Gas-To-Energy (LFGTE)(LFGTE)

• What types of LFGTE systems are used?What types of LFGTE systems are used? – Electricity Generation: IC Engines; Gas and Electricity Generation: IC Engines; Gas and Steam Steam Turbines; Microturbines.Turbines; Microturbines.

– Direct Use and Pipeline Quality. Direct Use and Pipeline Quality.

– Vehicle Fuel: compressed (CNG) or liquid (LNG). Vehicle Fuel: compressed (CNG) or liquid (LNG).

• How much LFGTE is produced in California?How much LFGTE is produced in California?– 62 Landfills with LFGTE62 Landfills with LFGTE SystemsSystems

– 270 MW electrical generating capacity and 28 270 MW electrical generating capacity and 28 million cubic feet per day direct/pipeline use million cubic feet per day direct/pipeline use

– 1 MW 1 MW ~~ 900 households. 900 households.

• What are the barriers to LFGTE?What are the barriers to LFGTE?

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LFGTE: currently about 7% of renewables

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LFGTE:LFGTE: Internal Combustion Engines Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)(ICE)

Caterpillar 3516 800 kW gensetCaterpillar 3516 800 kW genset

Kiefer LF, Sac. Co., 14 MW ICEKiefer LF, Sac. Co., 14 MW ICE

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Puente Hills Landfill, Los Angeles Co. (60 Puente Hills Landfill, Los Angeles Co. (60 MW)MW)

Steam TurbinesSteam Turbines

Vehicle Fuel (CNG)Vehicle Fuel (CNG)

Also IC Engines, DirectAlso IC Engines, DirectUse and MicroturbinesUse and Microturbines

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Landfill Gas-to-Energy: Microturbines Landfill Gas-to-Energy: Microturbines

Lopez Canyon LF, City of Los Angeles, 50 30kW (1.5 MW)Lopez Canyon LF, City of Los Angeles, 50 30kW (1.5 MW)

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Landfill Gas and GHG EmissionsLandfill Gas and GHG Emissions

• Why is methane a Why is methane a greenhouse gas (greenhouse gas (GHG)?GHG)?

– Methane absorbs terrestrial infrared radiation Methane absorbs terrestrial infrared radiation (heat) that would otherwise escape to space (heat) that would otherwise escape to space (GHG characteristic). (GHG characteristic).

– Methane Methane as GHG is 21x more potent by weight as GHG is 21x more potent by weight than COthan CO2 .2 .

– Methane is more abundant in the atmosphere Methane is more abundant in the atmosphere now than over the past 400,000 years and is now than over the past 400,000 years and is 150% higher than in year 1750.150% higher than in year 1750.

• What are carbon sinks (sequestration) and what is What are carbon sinks (sequestration) and what is relation to landfills as GHG sources? relation to landfills as GHG sources?

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Landfill Gas and GHG EmissionsLandfill Gas and GHG Emissions

• What are the sources of methane in What are the sources of methane in atmosphere?atmosphere?

– Human-related sources (60%):, fossil fuel Human-related sources (60%):, fossil fuel production, animal husbandry, landfills, rice production, animal husbandry, landfills, rice cultivation, biomass burning. cultivation, biomass burning.

– Natural sources (40%): wetlands, gas hydrates, Natural sources (40%): wetlands, gas hydrates, permafrost, termites, oceans, freshwater bodies, permafrost, termites, oceans, freshwater bodies, non-wetland soils, and others such as wildfires. non-wetland soils, and others such as wildfires.

• Why is landfill methane a GHG concern in CA?Why is landfill methane a GHG concern in CA?

– CEC estimates landfill methane 2-4% of CA GHG CEC estimates landfill methane 2-4% of CA GHG emissions. Industry position is amount lower and emissions. Industry position is amount lower and negligible with carbon sequestration role.negligible with carbon sequestration role.

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• Factors, assumptions, and estimates for methane Factors, assumptions, and estimates for methane emissions from landfills are poorly understood: emissions from landfills are poorly understood:

– Capture efficiencies of control/recovery systems,Capture efficiencies of control/recovery systems,

– Natural oxidation rates of methane, and Natural oxidation rates of methane, and

– CA-specific data (waste-in-place; control status).CA-specific data (waste-in-place; control status).

• CEC study ($400K) will refine/validate models to improve CEC study ($400K) will refine/validate models to improve estimates: estimates:

– CIWMB technical assistance and coordination, CIWMB technical assistance and coordination,

– Stakeholder steering committee established, Stakeholder steering committee established,

– Site-specific measurements planned 2007.Site-specific measurements planned 2007.

Improving Landfill Emissions Improving Landfill Emissions Estimates Estimates

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Improving Landfill Emissions Improving Landfill Emissions Estimates Estimates

• CIWMB in-house effort to improve landfill GHG-CIWMB in-house effort to improve landfill GHG-related data for estimating emissions:related data for estimating emissions:

– 1.26 billion tons total waste-in-place (WIP) 1.26 billion tons total waste-in-place (WIP) (through 2004); 365 landfills identified with (through 2004); 365 landfills identified with potential for generating landfill gas.potential for generating landfill gas.

– 76% of total WIP is contained in 51 landfills 76% of total WIP is contained in 51 landfills >5 million tons WIP and >5 million tons WIP and allall with active with active flare/LFGTE gas control systems. flare/LFGTE gas control systems.

– 95% of total WIP in 149 landfills >1 mil tons 95% of total WIP in 149 landfills >1 mil tons WIP and 128 (86%) having control systems.WIP and 128 (86%) having control systems.

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Implications of recent CIWMB Implications of recent CIWMB GHG-related landfill dataGHG-related landfill data

• CAT target for Landfill Methane Capture currently 2 CAT target for Landfill Methane Capture currently 2 MMTCOMMTCO22E (2010) and 3 MMTCOE (2010) and 3 MMTCO22E (2020). E (2020).

• More waste in fewer active and larger landfills with More waste in fewer active and larger landfills with existing full control systems. Implications:existing full control systems. Implications:

– More limited potential for GHG reductions from More limited potential for GHG reductions from new control systems (est. 0.3 MMTCOnew control systems (est. 0.3 MMTCO22E), E),

– Possibly higher reductions from maximizing gas Possibly higher reductions from maximizing gas capture at largest landfills (2+ MMTCOcapture at largest landfills (2+ MMTCO22E), E),

– Indirect reductions from LFGTE for offsets from Indirect reductions from LFGTE for offsets from displaced electricity and fuel production. displaced electricity and fuel production.

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How Can Landfill Gas Capture Be How Can Landfill Gas Capture Be Maximized?Maximized?

• Optimize system design, construction, Optimize system design, construction, operation, and maintenance practices.operation, and maintenance practices.

• Implement GHG-reduction Best Management Implement GHG-reduction Best Management Practices: Practices:

– Use of compost in cover materials; andUse of compost in cover materials; and

– Implement partial final closure as portions of Implement partial final closure as portions of landfill reach final grades. landfill reach final grades.

• Install new active flare/LFGTE systems at sites Install new active flare/LFGTE systems at sites without control (lead regulatory authority- without control (lead regulatory authority- Local Air Districts).Local Air Districts).

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What is CIWMB Currently Doing to What is CIWMB Currently Doing to Increase Landfill Methane Increase Landfill Methane

Capture?Capture?• Staff activities to increase landfill methane capture: Staff activities to increase landfill methane capture:

– Continue ongoing effort to improve GHG-related landfill Continue ongoing effort to improve GHG-related landfill data and emissions estimates.data and emissions estimates.

– Continue technical assistance for CEC study.Continue technical assistance for CEC study.

– Submitted Scope of Work for Potential CEC-funded study: Submitted Scope of Work for Potential CEC-funded study: “Evaluation and Recommendation of Cost-Effective “Evaluation and Recommendation of Cost-Effective Technologies and BMPs for Reduction of GHG Emissions Technologies and BMPs for Reduction of GHG Emissions from Landfills”from Landfills”

• Indirect activities to increase landfill methane capture: Indirect activities to increase landfill methane capture:

– LFGTE Task Force; LFG to H2 fuel studies; LFG Probe LFGTE Task Force; LFG to H2 fuel studies; LFG Probe Study; general landfill compliance oversight.Study; general landfill compliance oversight.

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Summary: Summary: Overview and Discussion of Landfill Overview and Discussion of Landfill Gas In Relation To Climate Change Gas In Relation To Climate Change

• Governor Executive Order Establishes Aggressive Governor Executive Order Establishes Aggressive Statewide Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Targets. Statewide Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Targets.

• Climate Action Team (CAT) strategies to achieve Climate Action Team (CAT) strategies to achieve these targets, including CIWMB responsibility for: these targets, including CIWMB responsibility for: 1. Achieve 50% Diversion; 1. Achieve 50% Diversion; 2. High Recycling/Zero Waste; and 2. High Recycling/Zero Waste; and 3. Landfill Methane Capture 3. Landfill Methane Capture (this presentation). (this presentation).

• CIWMB activities to implement these are ongoing CIWMB activities to implement these are ongoing and in coordination with the CAT. Periodic and in coordination with the CAT. Periodic progress reports will be presented to the Board.progress reports will be presented to the Board.