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 Documents, Tools and Resources
Lucent Technologies
A Low-Risk, High-Payoff Landfill Gas Project
As a leader in the telecommunications field, Lucent Technologies looks
to develop cutting-edge technologies for its customers while keeping costs
low and quality high. Is there any wonder then that Lucent would become
involved with an innovative project that would reduce fuel bills, leaving
more money to develop new technologies?
That is exactly what Lucent achieved by deciding to use landfill gas
to fuel its boiler. Significant fuel cost savings and a cleaner environment
are just two of the benefits Lucent Technologies received when it undertook
a landfill gas-to-energy project with Network Energy of Lake County, Inc.
in 1992.
By fueling boiler operations with landfill gas instead of fossil fuels,
Lucent saves $100,000 a year on fuel bills. Columbus, Ohio, the home of
the Lucent plant, and the global environment benefit, too: the project
reduces greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking more than 23,000
cars off the road each year.
The project team, consisting of key players from both Lucent and Network
Energy, was key to the success of the project. Steve Teets of Lucent Technologies
says the company is simply "tickled pink" about the environmental benefits,
recognition within the local community, and cost savings they've received
by using landfill gas as a fuel. Jeff Blanton of Network Energy, the project
developer, credits Lucent's "progressive energy management team" with
making the project a success.
Since 1992, Network Energy of Lake County, Inc., a landfill gas project
developer located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has sold landfill gas from
the Bedford Landfill to Lucent Technologies. The proximity of the landfill
— only 1.5 miles from the facility — as well as the 2.5 million
tons of waste at the landfill provided enough reasons to start a large-scale
landfill gas recovery project. Lucent became interested in the project
because it offered significant potential fuel savings with little risk
or investment.
Today, Lucent uses the gas to fuel boiler operations that generate steam
for space heating and hot water at its 2.2-million-square-foot facility.
The boiler supplements the landfill gas with natural gas as needed, in
the unlikely case that the landfill gas supply is interrupted. This back-up
system ensures that Lucent will have a constant supply of boiler fuel.
Network Energy provided the capital costs for the project and agreed
to sell Lucent the landfill gas for at least 10 percent less than the
price of natural gas. At times, the savings is even greater — up
to 20 percent less than the natural gas price — and fuel bill savings
for Lucent typically reach $100,000 to $120,000 a year. Says Blanton,
"landfill gas can be competitive and provide attractive and long-term
savings to an industrial user."
Lucent, the surrounding community, and the global environment benefit
from cleaner air and a reduced need for fossil fuels. In fact, this project
reduces greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to nearly 162,000 tons of
carbon dioxide each year — similar to the reductions achieved by
planting over 49,000 acres of trees.
For Lucent Technologies, a notable benefit of the landfill gas-to-energy
project is the cost savings realized. Because landfill gas is less expensive
and easier to maintain than traditional fuels, like coal and oil, Lucent
saves money on fuel costs and operating expenses.
Local schools and community groups have shown great interest in the
project, and both Lucent and Network Energy have received local recognition
as a result. In addition, in 1994, to recognize Lucent's contribution
to the environment the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented
the company with an award for this innovative pollution prevention project.
Summary of Benefits
- Direct Gas Use
- Significant Fuel Cost Savings for Gas User
- Low Risk, Low Investment for Gas User
Lessons Learned
- Make all players part of the team and secure
their buy in.
- Deal only with established vendors with proven
prior experience.
- Research the history and status of the landfill.
Check through EPA that no outstanding violations exist.
What Is Landfill Gas?
Most of the waste we generate ends up in landfills,
where it decomposes and produces landfill gas. Landfill gas released
into the air smells bad, contributes to local smog, and is an explosion
hazard. Additionally, landfill gas is about 50 percent methane,
a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change.
However, this methane is also a reliable and renewable fuel source
that, if not collected, goes to waste. |
The Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) is a voluntary program
that assists project developers, utilities, landfill owner/operators,
energy users, and communities to encourage new landfill gas-to-energy
projects. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed a variety
of tools (e.g., profiles, fact sheets, project development manuals, software,
etc.) to facilitate the development of landfill gas-to-energy projects.
Hundreds of landfills across the country are good candidates for a landfill
gas-to-energy project. To find out more, please contact LMOP.
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