Landfill Gas to Energy

Landfill gas (LFG) to energy is a type of waste-to-value technology in which methane and carbon dioxide are captured from landfills and transformed into renewable natural gas (RNG), vehicle fuel, or electricity. Landfill gas is captured via on-site LFG wells. It is then processed to remove moisture and impurities.

Depending on the intended use, the filtered LFG requires either additional processing and compression or thermal oxidation. After this advanced treatment, the LFG can be used as a medium-Btu gas, or be converted into RNG, or to generate electricity. 

Landfill Gas to Energy Statistics

Waste is set to increase to 3.88 billion tons per year by 2050, a 73% increase from 2020, and landfills will remain a part of municipal solid waste (MSW) management strategies in municipalities around the world. Areas that are running out of space for landfills can capitalize on the emissions the existing landfills create with LFG to energy projects. For municipalities, LFG capture and LFG to energy projects may be a part of a sustainability strategy for waste management. 

Landfill gas to energy projects directly address environmental implications of landfills by capturing greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change and using them as energy that can replace fossil fuels.

The importance of capturing and converting LFG into energy is reflected in these statistics: 

• Methane, which escapes from landfills, is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas when measured over a 20-year period.
• The EPA has determined that in the US, MSW landfills contribute to 15% of methane emissions caused by human activities.
• More than 90% of the nation’s RNG comes from landfills, according to the EPA.
• Around 0.3% of utility-scale electricity generated in the US in 2020 was generated from landfill gas.
• Approximately 69% of LFG is currently allocated to energy generation, while 17% is allocated to medium-Btu gas, with the remaining 14% to RNG.

Recent Projects

Nexus PMG’s global experience in low-carbon and circular economy projects includes LFG projects in the US and Puerto Rico.

To learn how Nexus PMG can help protect your interests, secure underwriting and deliver on time and on budget, contact the Nexus PMG team today.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Nexus PMG

Nexus PMG is the point where project finance, development and operations connect. Our focus is providing world-class advisory services to infrastructure investors by delivering technical, operational, and financial diligence on projects that reduce carbon intensity and enhance resource efficiency. Our integrated business lines provide end-to-end services within each targeted sector including development, preliminary engineering, contract structuring, EPC, commissioning and startup, operational readiness, and process improvement.

Latest posts by Nexus PMG (see all)

• Employee Spotlight – Brandon Banks - October 25, 2023
• Employee Spotlight – Jeff Barker - October 11, 2023
• Employee Spotlight – Jessica Arthur - September 28, 2023