APS customers receive the energy through a long-term power purchase agreement between the utility and Glendale Energy. This is the first biogas project in APS’s 245MW renewable energy portfolio, which also includes generation from solar, wind, geothermal and biomass.
The company said that including energy from the Glendale facility, the combined electricity from these resources can meet the needs of 60,000 Arizona homes. The energy will go toward helping APS meet the Arizona Corporation Commission’s renewable energy standard of 15% by 2025.
Instead of simply burning the gas for safety reasons the Glendale Energy Power Plant will use the biogas as fuel for two large combustion engines.
Stuart Kent, director of field operations at City of Glendale, said: ”The Glendale landfill is a vital resource to the community and this project expands its value, going from safely disposing all of Glendale’s waste to now also generating power for Glendale and the surrounding area.”
Brad Albert, general manager of strategic planning and resource acquisition at APS, said: ”The Glendale Energy project illustrates how a strong working relationship between local municipalities, utilities and developers can bring more renewable energy to Arizona.”
