GM Largest Corporate user of Landfill Gas in U.S.

[importedtuna]

Landfill Gas Use by GM Highlighted
April 2006
greencarcongress.com

General Motors is the largest direct, corporate user of landfill gas (LFG) as a replacement for natural gas in the United States. General Motors has reduced its natural gas consumption by 21% since 2000 and is expected to achieve its goal of a 25% energy reduction by the end of 2006.

At GM facilities, the LFG is piped to the plant and combusted in boilers, providing a cost-effective, renewable energy source. The sum of landfill gas capacity at the seven GM operations using the fuel is equivalent to the energy needed to heat over 25,000 households, which represents about 1.6 trillion BTUs per year.

Landfill gas is a natural product of the biological decomposition of organic waste. The resulting gas has a variety of chemical components, but at most sites the two principal components are methane (CH4) and CO2, with much smaller amounts of hydrogen sulfides (H2S), inerts and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

A problem with LFG projects is the presence of trace components. Typical LFG contains heavy hydrocarbons (both aliphatic and aromatics such as benzene) as well as numerous chlorinated hydrocarbons. These trace compounds are in some cases toxic or hazardous and also cause rapid failure or engine and turbine components. There are now federal statutes which cover landfill emissions.

GM’s LFG use is being featured this spring on two television programs airing on public and cable television stations throughout the United States and on Voice of America programming internationally. Both programs look at how the rotting garbage in landfills generates a gas that is used as an energy source at seven GM facilities.

The “Learning About” educational series is hosted by actor Michael Douglas and will air during March. Later in the spring, GM will be featured on “The Global Learning Series” education program.

GM’s Orion Township, Michigan, assembly plant is highlighted in the “Learning About” and “The Global Learning Series” television programs.

Other GM facilities using landfill gas are: assembly plants located in Oklahoma City, Okla. ; Fort Wayne, Ind. ; Shreveport, La. ; and a powertrain plant located in Toledo, Ohio. Two additional warehouse sites in Grand Blanc and Flint, Mich., utilize landfill gas by purchasing 13 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is generated from a landfill gas-to-electricity program.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded GM one of its Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) awards for the Ft. Wayne Truck Assembly Plant LFG project.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006...s_us.html#more

[RamJet502]

Brilliant, now they need to publicize it better.

[importedtuna]

I'ts not quite "Mr. Fusion", but I always knew landfills would have some use other than being an ecological blight.

[GM_Fanatic]

Its awesome that not only does it make GM sound like a green company, but it is also beneficial efficiency wise. Win win situation. Isn't GM also powering one (or at least part) of one of the facilities with a hydrogen generator?

[equivocation]

I bet you won't strike a match on a landfill. You'll be toast. A little girl did that once and, dude, use your imagination. It wasn't a pretty sight.

[equivocation]

It's nothing but gas all over the fill.

[toronado10]

Nice. GM seems to be getting further away from gas-guzzling and wasteful image every minute. This LFG use was a good idea.

[BrickTamland]

If they can use landfill stench to power a factory, we can not be far away from flatus-powered cars.

This actually seems like a pretty good idea, so long as the gas does not leak anywhere. We have landfills that can not be gotten rid of, so using them as a source of power is logical.

[WishIhadatruck]

I used to drive by a landfill everyday and they were always burning this huge flame from the top of a vent stack. I drove by again recently and it was gone. I believe they are converting it into electricity now. They have to make enough to make it cost effective and now it is. Its a great idea.

[coaster.n3rd]

Brick, Love your avatar.. ( again)

The Lake Orion g6 Assembly is located directly across the street from a very large landfill. Do you think they run pipes under the street?

[BrickTamland]

^
|
Thanks, I took that picture when to Cedar Point this past June.

As to the rest of your post, I bet they would run pipes under the street.

[asim]

Oh yeah...I saw this on GMtv.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

Brick, Love your avatar.. ( again)

The Lake Orion g6 Assembly is located directly across the street from a very large landfill. Do you think they run pipes under the street?

You are aware how many landfills are in the northern suburbs... There are at least 3 others I can think of

"Mt Holly" is the biggest, 23 and Ryan is the dirtiest, and Hamlin and Adam's is actually being moved (yes the landfill waste is being dug up and moved) to build an office park!

[Gm786]

Brilliant!! Good for GM!!

[monza164]

Originally Posted by importedtuna

I'ts not quite "Mr. Fusion", but I always knew landfills would have some use other than being an ecological blight.

It is a little known fact: the Delorean was among the first bio-fuel powered cars. It could fly too.