Technical and Economic Assessment of Landfill Gas-based CHP Plants in South Africa

Abstract:
The paper reports on the technical, economic and environmental assessment of landfill gas-based stand-alone and grid-connected combined heat and power (CHP) systems in South Africa. First order decay models are used to calculate the methane production potential of three Western Cape landfill sites in order to assess their suitability for landfill gas to energy (LFGTE) projects. Then Homer package is used to simulate and assess the energy generation potential of stand-alone and grid-connected CHP configurations using landfill gas generated in all the three sites. It is assumed that stand-alone configuration is aimed at supplying heat and power to remote communities without access to grid electricity while the grid-connected configuration is aimed to generate energy during the peak load period only. The results of simulation are used to make final conclusions and recommendation about the viability of LFGTE systems in South Africa.