Durham County Council has replaced the aging biogas generators at its former landfill site in Coxhoe, responding to decreasing volumes of waste and declining electricity output. The generators, which convert methane biogas from decomposing waste into electricity, were no longer producing sufficient power as the site’s waste levels dropped.
The original generators had been underperforming, largely due to the landfill’s reduced waste intake, which significantly altered the quantity and quality of biogas available for power generation. This situation prompted the council to seek a more efficient solution.
Clint Noble, Senior Sales Manager at Finning UK and Ireland, the company responsible for installing the new generators, highlighted the importance of matching the equipment to the specific characteristics of the available fuel. “It’s critical that the equipment used for biogas generation is right for the nature of the fuel available, as this can vary widely and dramatically impact the power generated,” Noble explained. “At Coxhoe, the fuel had changed significantly over time, so we needed to find a way to help Durham County Council make the most efficient use of the methane available.”
Following a detailed analysis of the gas volume and quality at the Coxhoe site, Finning determined that the existing configuration of four 1MW generators was no longer appropriate. In addition to suboptimal energy production, continued use of the old generators would have led to reduced lifespan and increased maintenance costs.
Finning recommended replacing two of the 1MW units with smaller, more efficient models: a Cat 400kWe and a Cat 600kWe reciprocating power generator (CG132B-08 and CG132B-12). This new setup is better suited to the site’s current biogas output.
Mike Curry, Environmental Systems Manager for Durham County Council, praised the new installation. “Making use of the methane produced by sites like Coxhoe is a great way to generate renewable power and prevent what is a potent greenhouse gas from entering the atmosphere,” Curry said. “Finning were our go-to experts when we realized our equipment was no longer adequate for the site’s methane production.”
Curry expressed satisfaction with the solution provided by Finning, noting the value of the maintenance and support package that ensures maximum uptime for the generators. He also hinted at the possibility of adding another 600kWe unit, given the success of the current setup.
Durham County Council’s proactive approach to optimizing biogas generation at Coxhoe exemplifies its commitment to sustainable energy and environmental stewardship.
Related topics:
