SPRING EDITION ENGINE ROOM 15 MAKING THE MOST OF WASTE Traditionally, landfill gases were burnt with above-ground flares, but as they are well suited to powering engines and producing electricity, in 2005, Boral engaged EPSA to support them in a then-new landfill gas project at their site in Truganina in Melbourne’s west. We initially sold a Cat® G3516 in 2005 with more following in 2006, 2008 and 2010, says David Moore, EPSA’s Engines Regional Manager who has been involved with the project from the beginning. “To be economically viable, landfill gas energy must produce electrical energy at a market competitive price and the Cat® G3516 delivers with the right mix of longevity and low maintenance operation because it is specifically designed for landfill gas.” “The G3516 is all about maximising output and engine life simultaneously. It’s a traditional lean burn spark ignited Landfill gas is a natural by-product of decomposing waste. By increasing capacity to capture landfill gas, the opportunity to convert it into renewable energy rises (and there is less odour too). engine that operates similarly to many vehicles. The generator set itself comes from the US but the majority of the balance of plant are locally manufactured in Victoria.” “As a turnkey solution business, we supplied the genset, acoustic enclosure, switchgear, exhaust and radiator system. We then built and commissioned the entire plant progressively.” The Boral Deer Park quarry was established in 1965. Occupying 1,100 hectares of land just off the Western Freeway at Ravenhall, it produces between two and three million tonnes of basalt-based aggregate each year. “The landfill has followed the quarrying activity, and over time, the production of methane gas from the site has grown in volume. When the gas production outstrips the demand from the gensets the excess gas is flared (burnt off),” says David. “The site was sold to Cleanaway in 2014, and as such, we started working with them regarding the possible installation of additional plant. We executed a contract with them in October last year for the supply and installation of an additional four G3516 gensets.” “This will take the total site output to 9MW, which is enough power for approximately 3,000 homes,” he adds. “Once the upgrade is complete the facility will generate enough power for approximately 8,000 homes.” “We will be supplying, installing and commissioning the gensets with acoustic canopies, cooling systems, control systems, transformers, gas treatment skids and the various ancillary components required to complete an operation system.” Melbourne Regional Landfill is owned and operated by Cleanaway, Australia’s largest waste management, industrial and environmental solutions company, who operate 8 operational landfills, 15 transfer stations and 25 recycling facilities around Australia. 