SECCRA recently completed work to add another generator—its third—to its power plant at the SECCRA Community Landfill that generates electricity from landfill gas.
A 1.6 megawatt Caterpillar generator was installed to complement two generators on site already producing 1.8 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 1,110 homes. With the addition of the new generator, the plant is able to produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 2,000 homes. The electricity is sold to the regional power grid operated by PJM Interconnection.
The fossil fuel savings from the third generator, according to SECCRA, is equivalent to 41,000 tons of coal per year. SECCRA said this savings would be achieved while also reducing air pollution from methane by 6.3 million pounds per year.
SECCRA began producing electricity from landfill gas in January 2007. It previously received grants totalling $1.75 million towards $4 million in overall project cost. The new generator was operational and on line in early November 2010.