Doyon Utilities opens landfill-gas-to-energy project in US

Doyon Utilities has opened a landfill-gas-to-energy (LFGTE) project located on the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER-Richardson) in Anchorage, a joint US Army and Air Force base, to provide about half of JBER-Richardson’s 13MW of peak demand of electricity.

The project is powered by GE’s four J420 Jenbacher gas engines which are used to convert the methane gas produced from the Anchorage regional landfill waste into energy. As the landfill capacity grows so will the power producing capacity of the plant.

GE North America Gas Engines regional sales leader Roger George said the company’s Jenbacher gas engines are supporting the project with Doyon Utilities.

"Our Jenbacher gas engines provide the fuel flexibility needed to accommodate the use of alternative fuels such as landfill gas while offering high levels of electrical efficiency," George added.

Western Energy Systems (WES) has provided the J420 engine-generator sets and integrated them with balance of plant equipment required for a successful installation.

WES also provided equipment services, commissioned, and has opened a product support facility in Anchorage. The facility has technicians and an inventory of parts to support the project.

Under an agreement with the municipality, Doyon will own and operate the facility and purchase the gas produced from the Anchorage landfill for 20 years, with a 40 year extension option.

The project is expected to offset the military’s power purchase need from the municipality and save more than $30m during the life of the project.