Landfill Gas and Renewable Energy in Developing Countries: Links to Kyoto

Rick Mosher¹, Ed McBean², and Frank Rovers^1
1 Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, Waterloo, ON
² Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, and University of Guelph, Waterloo, ON

Disposal of solid waste in developing countries often involves placing the waste in ‘open dumps' characterized by a lack of any engineered features to prevent the migration of landfill gas and leachate. Often, these ‘open dumps' are located in residential areas, and excursions of landfill gas can be responsible for health and explosion hazards. In general, the local governments do not have the resources to mitigate these problems, and the required expertise is generally not available within the country. The potential for companies that can adequately deal with landfill gas in challenging settings is immense.

Several aspects of implementing landfill gas collection systems in the developing world, particularly with a view towards Mexico and South America, are outlined in this presentation. Technical aspects surrounding design and construction of collection systems is explored, and the need for detailed understanding of gas production and collection technology is emphasized. Issues relating to revenues attained from greenhouse gas emission reductions are discussed in the context of capital and operating costs. Conestoga-Rovers and Associates will outline the potential for pursuing landfill gas collection systems solely from the standpoint of emissions reductions, emphasizing the growing importance of Kyoto and the potential economic benefits that can be obtained from this new paradigm while addressing the environmental needs of developing countries. Additionally, Conestoga-Rovers and Associates will demonstrate that landfill gas systems in the developing world can potentially yield a second revenue stream from utilization of the extracted landfill gas.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90039©2005 AAPG Calgary, Alberta, June 16-19, 2005