City of Winnipeg Landfill Gas Beneficial Use Feasibility Study

The City of Winnipeg intends to conduct a feasibility study to assess the environmental, social and economic benefits of capturing landfill gas (methane) collected from the Brady Road Resource Management Facility and reusing it as an alternative energy source. The facility currently generates 798,800 tonnes of methane per year, which accounts for approximately 15% of Winnipeg’s overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study aligns with Winnipeg’s 2018 Climate Action Plan’s target of an 11% reduction in GHGs by 2030.

The study will use a return-on-investment approach to evaluate two different scenarios: conversion of landfill gas to electricity versus conversion to renewable natural gas. The study will explore the following for each scenario: leachate volume evaporation potential; financial analysis, including financial modelling and cost/benefit analysis; regulatory and market considerations; and environmental impacts.

In consultation with Manitoba Hydro, the Province of Manitoba and the University of Manitoba, the city has identified three preferred end-use scenarios for the surplus energy captured through the project: electricity generation (sold to Manitoba Hydro); pipeline-quality gas as renewable natural gas sold on the open market; and a supply of gas to the University of Manitoba to service its energy needs. The annual energy demand for heating the University of Manitoba campus facilities is 606,352 GJ/year or 15,848,219 cubic metres of natural gas. The annual energy offset to campus facilities is estimated to be 267,488 GJ/year: 13,283 tonnes of CO2 equivalent or 6,991,328 cubic metres of natural gas per year. If this scenario is chosen, it would result in a 44% annual reduction in the university’s fossil fuel energy requirements.

The expected environmental benefits targeted by this study are to displace approximately 29.8 million cubic metres of natural gas (or energy equivalent) per year. By creating a value-added product from landfill gas collection, Winnipeg's solid waste utility has the potential to introduce a new profit centre that would increase its financial sustainability. Social benefits of this project include increased civic pride and opportunities for public education and awareness. Finally, decreasing the volume of leachate transported by trucks has the potential to improve public health and safety by lowering the likelihood of traffic accidents and leachate spills.

Innovative aspect(s):

• A project using landfill gas from a municipal solid waste site to generate renewable energy would be the first of its kind in Manitoba
• Generating revenue from landfill gas is both a financial and institutional innovation for Winnipeg’s solid waste utility

Replicability:

Providing a detailed economic and feasibility analysis comparing three separate end-use scenarios would produce useful information on the benefits of different gas-to-energy conversion technologies and their applicability in different regions across the country. This study will produce an economic framework and lessons learned that other municipalities and cities could apply to their specific circumstances.