Evaluating the viability of using methane gas produced within landfill processes to generate electricity: a case study of Mariannhill landfill site, eThekwini Municipality, South Africa.

Abstract

With South Africa facing the urgent crisis of a shortage of energy; the drawbacks are deeply felt by the population who continuously face increasing electricity prices. In addition, Eskom is the hegemonic energy supplier of electricity in the Republic, mainly through the combustion of coal. A process that is not environmentally sustainable, and resembles an outdated method of generating energy. Thus, this calls for a change in basic assumptions within the production of energy. Moreover, alternative energy sources ought to be developed to diversify the energy sector. Considering this, the following thesis seeks to explore and validate the use of methane gas extraction to produce electricity from a renewable energy source perspective. The focus of this research is to evaluate the viability of using methane gas extraction within landfill sites to generate energy. This was achieved through the assessment of the Mariannhill Landfill Site, which has been generating electricity from capturing methane gas since 2006 (making this the ideal time to undertake such a study as the gas-to-electricity project at the Mariannhill Landfill Site has been operating for just over 10 years). The findings show that 90% of people feel that there are tangible benefits from the use of alternative energy (making specific reference to gas-to-electricity projects). In as much as it can be agreed on that alternative energy sources yield concrete benefits; the findings reveal that alternative energy sources within South Africa produce very little benefits. This is largely due to the bias governing policy (the Renewable Feed-in tariff, REFIT) that deals with the electrification of alternative energy sources. Alternative energy sources (making specific reference to methane gas capture) produce substantial amounts of energy, but cannot plug the energy back into the electricity grids (both the national and local grid) as the tedious policy forms a challenging barrier. This calls for an immediate address of this piece of legislation to realise the maximum benefits of alternative energy (especially methane gas capture).