Want A New Alternative Energy Solution? What About Your Nearest Landfill?

For decades, Americans throw out their garbage into a bin, take it to their driveway and wait for garbage men or women to take the trash to the nearest landfill. What if I were to tell you that trash could turn out to be an energy resource?

Areas such as Long Island are exploring this option as can been seen in an article by the Journal Of Renewable and Sustainable Energy. According to the report, large amounts of biogas are available to be mined in these landfills on Long Island, which at 118 miles long, is one of the largest islands in the country.

As reporter Stuart Fox notes, "that energy, in the form of biogas reserves produced by decomposing trash, is valued at over $100 million and could fulfill a significant portion of Long Island's power needs."

The study done by researchers from Stony Brook University and the Brookhaven National Laboratory goes into great detail about this new potential renewable resource and how it can help lower the dependency of other energy resources such as oil and coal. In addition, the study summarizes additional benefits about developing this type of energy including the "the potential to reduce waste management costs, reduce waste odors, and create local jobs and revenues."

The biogas discussed here occurs when bacteria breaks down organic products such as solid waste and wood products and subsequently produces a mixture of carbon dioxide and methane.

A look at the landfills of Pennsylvania

Source. governor.state.pa.us

While the study notes the feasibility of extracting this gas, there are still several barriers in the way. First off, the cost of doing this in suburban areas (such as the Cumberland Valley for example) would be more expensive than if done in New York City. The report summary written by Stuart also mentions the fact that there are still additional technological advances that must be made. "Technology upgrades are needed to transform any kind of biogas reserve into pipeline quality gas," Stuart said.

With all of that said it is exciting to see time and resources are being spent on finding ways to one day use this type of renewable energy. There may indeed come a time when our trash helps produce electricity or even automotive fuel.

Sources:

jrse.aip.org/biogas_bonanza_rests_beneath_trash-packed_landfills

jrse.aip.org/resource/1/jrsebh/v3/i4/p043118_s1?view=fulltext