Energy production from landfill biogas: An italian case

The study considers the “renovation” (as defined by Italian legislation) of an electricity-generating plant using biogas produced in a managed landfill as the primary energy source. The landfill, located in the Marche region (central Italy), receives about 100 kt y−1 of urban and industrial residues. The plant is endowed with two 470 kW (e) internal combustion engines and has been in operation since 1998. At the end of its lifecycle it is scheduled for decommissioning. Public incentives for energy production from renewable sources, which the plant enjoyed in the first eight years of activity, have also expired. The study examines the main legal, technical and economic options available to the landfill management, in particular considering the new Italian and EU incentives for energy generation from renewable sources.Five configurations are considered for the replacement of the existing engines, three at the original site (a single combustion engine with/without incentives, and a plant with microturbines), and two involving the construction of new plants at a separate site (a cogeneration plant with a combustion engine and one with microturbines).The study provides data that may be a useful basis for other similar cases and for simulations.

► Landfill biogas power production is inherently profitable even without incentives.
► Italian incentives mechanism is effective in promoting high efficiency solutions.
► ICE solutions are better than MGT due to their higher electrical efficiency.
► Cogenerative solutions though more complex offers the highest profitability.
► FiT mechanism is less sensible to market fluctuations than green certificates.