Turning Trash into Power
What starts as garbage ends as energy, thanks to the landfill gas (LFG) processing facility at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). Operated by Doyon Utilities (DU), the plant turns decomposing waste into usable fuel, generating enough electricity to power between 3,500 and 7,000 homes, making it a key player in JBER’s energy independence.
Landfill gas is produced naturally as organic waste in landfills breaks down over time. This process releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Since methane is flammable, it can be captured and used as an energy source. DU captures the methane using a vacuum-like system. The gas is then compressed, reheated, and cooled from around 200°F to 85°F, chilled further to between 35–40°F, and then reheated to 76°F to be used as fuel. This intricate sequence removes moisture and prepares the gas for use in the generators that produce electricity.
The amount or quality of landfill gas can fluctuate due to factors like weather or waste composition. To maintain energy security, natural gas is used as a backup source. This setup allows the system to prioritize the use of renewable landfill gas when available, while relying on natural gas when needed.
One of the challenges of working with landfill gas is the presence of impurities. A compound known as siloxane tends to stick to the inside of engine cylinders, impacting performance and maintenance. Additionally, oxygen is a serious safety concern; if oxygen mixes with the methane-rich gas, operations must be halted to prevent the risk of explosion.
The processed gas also contains other byproducts like carbon dioxide and nitrogen, which must be carefully managed. Still, the plant’s success in safely handling these challenges allows it to deliver power consistently and efficiently. The facility operates at 60 hertz per second, meeting standard U.S. power frequency requirements. Currently, electricity generated by the LFG plant is used to power the Fort Richardson side of JBER.
Doyon Utilities is a joint venture between Doyon, Limited and Corix, a North American utility company. In 2007, DU was awarded three 50-year utility privatization contracts for Fort Greely, JBER Richardson, and Wainwright in Alaska. Following this, in August of 2008, DU officially took over ownership, operations, and maintenance of the twelve utilities the contracts encompass, including electrical distribution, water distribution, wastewater collection system and treatment plant, and heat distribution system and utilidors. These contracts are both the largest and most complex utility privatization efforts ever awarded by the Department of Defense.
For more information about Doyon Utilities, visit www.doyonutilities.com.
