Current system at Bryn Pica

The landfill gas management system at Bryn Pica was commissioned in 2003. It diverts the methane gas from the decomposing waste via a series of pipe manifolds. The gas is then burned in a 2.0 Megawatt generator producing electricity that is fed into the National Grid.

Green Electricity

Landfill gas power generation begins with the decomposition of biodegradable waste within the landfill mass to produce "landfill gas". Methane, a major component of landfill gas, is a known greenhouse gas, 6 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Landfill operators are obliged under the landfill directive to control landfill gas migration and emissions by collecting the gas and burning it in a high-temperature flare, thus converting it to carbon dioxide.The story often ended there until the introduction of the Government's Renewables Obligations in April 2002.

Renewables Obligations are a legal mechanism, which obligate the electricity suppliers to source an increasing proportion of their power from renewable sources. Renewable sources include wind, hydro methods and biomass, including landfill gas. The combination of the government's Renewables Obligations and Landfill Directive resulted in landfill operators finding it ethically and commercially viable to utilise this often overlooked resource to create "green" electricity.

New system for Nant-y-gwyddon

Amgen Rhondda Ltd are to commission their own landfill gas power generation scheme, at the Nant-y-Gwyddon landfill site, in July 2006. The new system will utilise the landfill gas collection system already in place along with a 652 kWe engine specifically modified to run on landfill gas. The electricity produced will be supplied directly to the local grid and will be sufficient to power 3.000 homes.