Canberra is set to achieve another milestone in renewable energy as the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government and renewable energy provider LGI expand the Mugga Lane gas capture facility. This project harnesses the power of methane generated from the city's main rubbish tip, converting it into electricity. Since 2020, the Mugga Lane landfill has been a source of renewable energy, capturing harmful gases, including potent methane, and transforming them into electricity for homes and businesses in the region.

The expansion of the facility, which currently boasts four 1MW generators, involves the addition of two more gas-to-electricity generators. Alongside these, a 12-megawatt battery storage and a 20-megawatt grid connection with Evoenergy will be incorporated. Once completed, the upgraded facility aims to generate 50,000 megawatt hours of "dispatchable" energy per year, sufficient to power over 10,000 Canberra homes.

Jarryd Doran, LGI's chief operating officer, emphasized the efficiency and positive environmental impact of the landfill gas capture project. Not only has it already reduced carbon emissions by 963,000 tonnes, but the upcoming expansion will further enhance its contribution to a cleaner and more sustainable energy landscape. The facility's unique ability to provide stable and predictable renewable energy, unlike the variability of solar and wind, positions it as a crucial asset in supporting the energy transition.

The landfill gas capture and conversion process involve a network of wells and pipes embedded in the landfill, capturing the generated gas, which is then combusted in a gas engine to produce renewable electricity. The expansion also includes a 12-megawatt battery storage, ensuring the facility's ability to generate and dispatch electricity during peak demand. The upgraded facility is anticipated to be fully operational by the end of 2025.

Source: abc.net.au