Landfill Cap with Flexible Solar Cover
Innovative green venture turns landfill into energy park
Republic Services,
Inc. today embarked on an innovative new venture to greatly increase renewable
energy output at its landfills. The company combined a first-of-its-kind solar
technology with an existing biogas-to-energy system to turn its Tessman Road
Landfill in San Antonio, Texas into a sustainable energy park.
Republic's latest
green energy venture will cover portions of soon to be closed areas of active
landfills with flexible, laminate-type photovoltaic (PV) solar collection strips
developed by United Solar. The flexible solar laminates, which capture the sun's
rays for conversion into electricity, are adhered directly to a Firestone
manufactured synthetic green-colored geomembrane used to cover and close a
landfill as it reaches capacity. Unlike the more traditional rigid solar panels,
which are bulky and frequently cost-prohibitive to install, Republic's system
uses flexible nonreflective collection strips less than 1/4 inch
thick.
The flexible solar
strips can be configured to maximize the hours of sunlight exposure throughout
the year, depending upon a landfill's design and site contours. For its
demonstration project at the Tessman Road facility, Republic will partner with
CPS Energy, Greater San Antonio's electric and natural gas provider, to deploy
5.6 acres of the 680-acre landfill with the solar energy cover, attaching over
1,000 Uni-Solar flexible solar strips to the landfill's south facing side slope.
Republic and CPS Energy will study and document the results of this solar
demonstration project for use in the deployment of solar energy covers on owned
landfills throughout the region. Construction on the project, approved by the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), began in December, 2008 and
became fully operational in March, 2009.
"As the nation's
largest municipally-owned gas and electric company, we're proud that our
customers' energy bills are among the lowest in the country," said Milton Lee,
general manager and CEO. "We are able to do this by providing a diverse mix of
fuels and renewable energy sources that combined offer reliable,
cost-competitive electric service. Working together with Republic and the Texas
Commission of Environmental Quality, we are at the forefront of yet another
useful way to tap the energy resources of landfills for the benefit of our
customers."
The new solar cover
will complement the landfill's existing biogas-to-energy system, in operation
since 2002. The system collects and processes biogas, which is naturally
produced at the landfill through the decomposition of waste. The solar strips,
which have flexible photovoltaic silicon cells that convert sunlight directly
into electricity, will complement the amount of renewable energy provided by the
landfill.
With over 300 days of
sunlight in San Antonio per year, Republic estimates that the energy produced by
the two fully-operational systems, will continuously create about nine megawatts
of power - enough to power 5,500 area homes.
"As part of our
commitment to creating cleaner, greener communities, we're continually
researching, developing and implementing innovative technologies to help us
preserve and conserve our natural resources," said Ted Neura, senior director,
sustainable business planning and development for Republic
Services.
"The solar energy
cover is easier to inspect, maintain and repair than a traditional clay cap, and
is technically superior in terms of odor control and storm water management,"
said Tony Walker, project manager for Republic. "Geomembrane covers are already
in use across the country, but Republic is the first to integrate flexible solar
cell technology to create an energy-producing cover system. We look forward to
working with state regulators across the country to capitalize on the
opportunities provided by landfills and, specifically, our efforts to further
the country's energy independence movement through new sources of solar
power."
Republic has 213
operating landfills in 40 states across the country. The company's research
suggests that as much as 2,350 acres could be covered with solar energy covers,
depending on regulatory approvals. That translates into enough solar energy to
power up to 47,000 homes per year. Combine that with existing biogas-to-energy
technology, and Republic has the potential to generate enough green electricity
to power 300,000 homes across the country.
About Republic
Services
Republic Services,
Inc. has been building on success since its inception in 1998, becoming an
industry-leading provider of waste and environmental services. The company
provides trash collection services to commercial, industrial, municipal and
residential customers in 40 states and Puerto Rico through its 400 collection
companies. Republic Services owns or operates 242 transfer stations, 213 solid
waste landfills and 78 recycling facilities. The company is headquartered in
Phoenix, Arizona and has more than 35,000 employees. For more information, visit
the Republic Services web site at www.republicservices.com.
Advertisement
About CPS
Energy
CPS Energy is the
nation's largest municipally owned energy company providing both natural gas and
electric service. Acquired by the City of San Antonio in 1942, the company
serves approximately 690,000 electric customers and almost 320,000 natural gas
customers in and around America's seventh-largest city. CPS Energy ranks among
the nation's lowest-cost energy providers, owns the highest financial ratings of
any electric system in the U. S. and stands number 1 in wind-energy capacity
among municipally owned utilities across the country.
April 11, 2009
Landfill Cap with Flexible Solar Cover
Innovative green venture turns landfill into energy park
Republic Services,
Inc. today embarked on an innovative new venture to greatly increase renewable
energy output at its landfills. The company combined a first-of-its-kind solar
technology with an existing biogas-to-energy system to turn its Tessman Road
Landfill in San Antonio, Texas into a sustainable energy park.
Republic's latest
green energy venture will cover portions of soon to be closed areas of active
landfills with flexible, laminate-type photovoltaic (PV) solar collection strips
developed by United Solar. The flexible solar laminates, which capture the sun's
rays for conversion into electricity, are adhered directly to a Firestone
manufactured synthetic green-colored geomembrane used to cover and close a
landfill as it reaches capacity. Unlike the more traditional rigid solar panels,
which are bulky and frequently cost-prohibitive to install, Republic's system
uses flexible nonreflective collection strips less than 1/4 inch
thick.
The flexible solar
strips can be configured to maximize the hours of sunlight exposure throughout
the year, depending upon a landfill's design and site contours. For its
demonstration project at the Tessman Road facility, Republic will partner with
CPS Energy, Greater San Antonio's electric and natural gas provider, to deploy
5.6 acres of the 680-acre landfill with the solar energy cover, attaching over
1,000 Uni-Solar flexible solar strips to the landfill's south facing side slope.
Republic and CPS Energy will study and document the results of this solar
demonstration project for use in the deployment of solar energy covers on owned
landfills throughout the region. Construction on the project, approved by the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), began in December, 2008 and
became fully operational in March, 2009.
"As the nation's
largest municipally-owned gas and electric company, we're proud that our
customers' energy bills are among the lowest in the country," said Milton Lee,
general manager and CEO. "We are able to do this by providing a diverse mix of
fuels and renewable energy sources that combined offer reliable,
cost-competitive electric service. Working together with Republic and the Texas
Commission of Environmental Quality, we are at the forefront of yet another
useful way to tap the energy resources of landfills for the benefit of our
customers."
The new solar cover
will complement the landfill's existing biogas-to-energy system, in operation
since 2002. The system collects and processes biogas, which is naturally
produced at the landfill through the decomposition of waste. The solar strips,
which have flexible photovoltaic silicon cells that convert sunlight directly
into electricity, will complement the amount of renewable energy provided by the
landfill.
With over 300 days of
sunlight in San Antonio per year, Republic estimates that the energy produced by
the two fully-operational systems, will continuously create about nine megawatts
of power - enough to power 5,500 area homes.
"As part of our
commitment to creating cleaner, greener communities, we're continually
researching, developing and implementing innovative technologies to help us
preserve and conserve our natural resources," said Ted Neura, senior director,
sustainable business planning and development for Republic
Services.
"The solar energy
cover is easier to inspect, maintain and repair than a traditional clay cap, and
is technically superior in terms of odor control and storm water management,"
said Tony Walker, project manager for Republic. "Geomembrane covers are already
in use across the country, but Republic is the first to integrate flexible solar
cell technology to create an energy-producing cover system. We look forward to
working with state regulators across the country to capitalize on the
opportunities provided by landfills and, specifically, our efforts to further
the country's energy independence movement through new sources of solar
power."
Republic has 213
operating landfills in 40 states across the country. The company's research
suggests that as much as 2,350 acres could be covered with solar energy covers,
depending on regulatory approvals. That translates into enough solar energy to
power up to 47,000 homes per year. Combine that with existing biogas-to-energy
technology, and Republic has the potential to generate enough green electricity
to power 300,000 homes across the country.
About Republic
Services
Republic Services,
Inc. has been building on success since its inception in 1998, becoming an
industry-leading provider of waste and environmental services. The company
provides trash collection services to commercial, industrial, municipal and
residential customers in 40 states and Puerto Rico through its 400 collection
companies. Republic Services owns or operates 242 transfer stations, 213 solid
waste landfills and 78 recycling facilities. The company is headquartered in
Phoenix, Arizona and has more than 35,000 employees. For more information, visit
the Republic Services web site at www.republicservices.com.
About CPS
Energy
CPS Energy is the
nation's largest municipally owned energy company providing both natural gas and
electric service. Acquired by the City of San Antonio in 1942, the company
serves approximately 690,000 electric customers and almost 320,000 natural gas
customers in and around America's seventh-largest city. CPS Energy ranks among
the nation's lowest-cost energy providers, owns the highest financial ratings of
any electric system in the U. S. and stands number 1 in wind-energy capacity
among municipally owned utilities across the country.