How do councils deal with the challenge of growing domestic waste?Turning waste into energy from biogas

THE CHALLENGE

Reducing landfill waste continues to be a major challenge for Brisbane and other municipalities within

south-east Queensland. Diverting domestic waste from landfill through sustainable waste management practices and resource recovery solutions are critical

in meeting this challenge.

A joint venture between Veolia and JJ Richards, Ti Tree Bioenergy is a bioreactor landfill. At Ti Tree, the methane created from decomposing putrescible waste is used as fuel for specially created turbines, which create electricity.

In a true example of recovery of resources, the facility utilises a 36 million cubic metre void; a remnant from a non-operational open-cut coal operation located near Ipswich in Queensland.

THE SOLUTION

HOW WE DO IT

The degrading waste mass produces landfill gas, which is mostly methane. This gas is captured through a network of horizontal and vertical gas lines and fed to the power

station. Specially designed engines utilise the gas as a fuel source, generating green electricity used to power homes and

businesses in the region.

At present, the site has the capacity to produce close to 3.3 megawatt (MW) of electricity, however this is planned to expand over the next ten years to approximately 10 MW.

Our customised solutions include:

WASTE MANAGEMENTRESOURCE

RECOVERY

LANDFILL WASTE TO ENERGY CAPTURE

• Renewable electricity supply to approximately 2,500 households

• 28,000 MWh of electricity produced to date

• Offsetting of nearly 3 Mt of greenhouse gas over the next ten years

• Minimised greenhouse emissions from renewable energy that qualifies for credits under the Federal Greenhouse programme

• Long term containment and stabilisation of odorous waste streams

• Screened products suitable for use in mine site rehabilitation programmes and/or commercial horticultural, landscaping application

THE OUTCOME

To find out how Veolia’s world of plug-ins can help your business visit:

veolia.com.au/integratedbydesign