Gas Turbine Handbook : Principles and Practices

Case History #4 271
$1.9 M project became operational in October 2003, designating the
high school as the first in the country to use landfill gas for both
heat and electrical production. The landfill gas is now used to power
12 microturbines, providing 360 kilowatts of electricity and enough
heat to meet the majority of the energy requirements for the 262,000–
square foot school.
The design of the energy system included tying into the existing
gas collection system at the landfill, installing a gas conditioning and
compression system, and transferring the gas 1/2 mile to the school
grounds for combustion in the microturbines to generate electricity
and heat for the school. A schematic layout of the landfill gas-toenergy
system is shown on Figure 17-1. This work presented many
challenges, including resolving easement issues, meeting local utility
requirements, connecting to the existing heating system, crossing
railroads, cleaning the landfill gas, and meeting the USEPA’s
operational requirements to control landfill gas migration. RMT staff
worked with the local government, school officials, and the USEPA, in
addition to leading the design efforts and managing the construction
activities throughout the project. RMT also provided public relations
assistance to ACHS by attending Antioch Village Board meetings
to describe the project and to answer any questions from concerned
citizens and Village Board members. The HOD Landfill is located
Figure 17-1. Layout of Landfill Gas-to-energy System.