Khaled Mahmood Discusses the Benefits of Converting Landfill Gas-Powered Engine Plants to Renewable Natural Gas Facilities

I see four key benefits to this transition, with the first being the clear environmental benefits from reduced emissions. There will typically be a large reduction in emissions—usually below Title V permitting thresholds—but without limiting production capacity. The LFG treatment system used during RNG processing reduces both the raw LFG’s volatile organic compounds (挥发性有机化合物) and the hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)内容. Ceasing operation of an LFG-powered engine and turbine plant also reduces methane (CH₄)、氮氧化物(NO_x), and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions—hence a boost for GHG CO₂E减排努力.

A second benefit is increased revenue, as profit increases because RNG has a higher value than electricity. Simply put, pipeline quality RNG offers higher revenue potential than electricity generation. An RNG plant also enhances tradeable RINs credit potential for the facility. 除了, 可再生天然气可以用作汽车燃料, reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE) electricity generation, 热, 以及其他应用.

The third benefit is associated with substantially reduced air permitting requirements when transitioning from electricity production. This can be considerable because permitting is required for each operating engine, and many LFGTE facilities have 20 or more engines. I would estimate that about 75 percent of air permitting requirements will go away when, instead of generating electricity on-site, facilities are simply processing raw LFG to remove impurities and putting it into a pipeline.

The final benefit is reduced routine air quality compliance efforts compared to typical LFGTE facilities. There will be a large reduction in monitoring, 测试, 保留记录, and reporting because facilities may no longer be subject to Title V permit requirements and will not be required to comply with the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for RICE.