Bioreactors are considered to be the “next generation” landfill. Working with the Columbia Water and Light Department, a new landfill gas-to-energy plant was brought on line in June 2008. This plant is generating electricity to power 1,000-1,200 homes. Utilizing bioreactor technology, the gas generation rate will increase by 35 to 50% over standard landfills, thus increasing the plant’s capacity to generate more electricity.
The bioreactor landfill is a controlled landfill, or landfill cell, where water and gas conditions are actively managed in order to accelerate or enhance bio-stabilization of the waste. The bioreactor landfill significantly increases the extent of organic waste decomposition, conversion rates and process effectiveness over what would otherwise occur with the landfill. It is estimated this will extend the life of the landfill by five years.
Senate Bill 54, signed in June 2007, allowed yard waste to be disposed of in a municipal solid waste disposal area when the Department of Natural Resources approves the operation of the disposal area as a bioreactor, and when the landfill gas will be used for electricity generation. Then Senator Chris Koster sponsored the Green Power Initiative, which encouraged electric companies to make a good-faith effort toward meeting renewable energy targets.
Since 2004, the Solid Waste Division has worked closely with the MDNR, Columbia Water & Light, and Camp, Dresser & McKee Inc. consulting firm to make this project a reality.
City Manager Bill Watkins said that of all the initiatives where the community has shown leadership, this is one of the most important. This represents a united vision launched when citizens voted to make alternative energy an increasing part of our power supply. The City Council has consistently pushed staff to find new sources, and we did,” Watkins said.
Watkins praised staff in different city departments who studied available landfill-to-energy technology and identified legislative and regulatory changes needed to make it happen. People in our Public Works and Water & Light departments worked hard to tie all this together. Citizens will feel well-served and, I hope, proud that Columbia is a center of innovation.
“We are very excited about this project, and believe this cutting edge technology will transform the operation of landfills in the future. This project is just one small part of our renewable energy effort.” said Richard Wieman, manager of the Columbia solid waste division.
