- Underlines Dubai's focus on sustainable development in line with UAE's 'green economy' vision
- Project development, design and construction by Green Energy Solutions & Sustainability LLC
- Initiative will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions equivalent to over 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
- GE's ecomagination qualified Jenbacher gas engine to generate 1 MW of power that will support flare equipment at the site
Dubai, UAE; January 14, 2013: Eng. Hussain Nassir Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality has affirmed that the Dubai Municipality has underlined its commitment to sustainable development in collaboration with the private sector for the benefit of public in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. This came during the commissioning of the region's largest landfill gas recovery system at its Al Qusais Landfill site, while ensuring that the site remains active.
Lootah said the new landfill gas recovery project is a significant milestone that complements the sustainable development vision of Dubai. A powerful demonstration of public private partnership in driving a CDM project, it underlines our commitment to be an active partner in achieving the 'Green Economy for Sustainable Development'.
'Our goal is to establish Dubai as a thought leader in green initiatives, and through our new project, we are not only contributing to mitigating the impact of greenhouse gases on environmental degradation but also promoting social well-being,' he said.
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) initiative is registered with the United Nations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The implementation of the large-scale CDM project marks a new milestone for the region targeting the reduction of methane (CH4) measured in tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the landfill, with an annual reduction of approximately 250,000 tons.
The project has been designed, constructed and implemented by Green Energy Solutions & Sustainability LLC, a specialist organization in the sector based in Dubai. The landfill gas recovery system will operate the flares by utilizing GE's Jenbacher gas engine to generate 1 MW (1,000 kW) of power. This will be used to operate the Hofstetter Umwelttechnik AG high efficiency gas conversion and flare equipment installed at the site. This is the first Jenbacher engine to be deployed for a landfill gas application in the GCC region, and also underlines the Dubai Municipality initiative as the region's first project to generate electricity from landfill gas.
The Al Qusais Landfill is one of the largest sites for municipal waste collection in Dubai receiving about 5,000 tons daily. Landfills traditionally are big emitters of GHGs passively, venting harmful gases into the atmosphere with the decomposition of the organic portion of the Municipal Waste. Landfill gas comprises approximately 55 percent methane and 45 percent carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases that contribute to environmental degradation.
The gas collection system implemented by Green Energy Solutions & Sustainability for Dubai Municipality collects landfill gas through an intricately laid network of horizontal and vertical pipes, of over 20 km of piping. The collected gas will be flared with a small portion utilized for power in the initial phase. The Hofstetter high efficiency flare safely disposes the flammable constituents of landfill gas, particularly methane. The design and construction implemented on the Al Qusais landfill manages odours, and reduces health risks fire and adverse environmental impacts.
With Green Energy Solutions & Sustainability's installation of GE's Jenbacher gas engine, the landfill gas is converted into electricity, setting a new benchmark in Dubai's sustainable development initiatives, as well as becoming the first Landfill in the region to produce power from landfill gas.
Anita Nouri, Business Development Director of Green Energy Solutions & Sustainability Solutions LLC, added that we are truly honoured to have partnered with Dubai Municipality on this ambitious initiative that highlights Dubai's commitment to sustainability initiatives. The social, economic and environmental benefits of the project highlight the effectiveness of the project, which can be replicated in other landfill sites in the region. Green Energy Solutions & Sustainability LLC has been associated with sustainable energy solutions in Dubai for several years, and we are confident that the commissioning of the new project will encourage the roll out of similar endeavours in the region.
Nabil Habayeb, President & CEO, GE Middle East, North Africa & Turkey said that Dubai Municipality has set a significant benchmark in the region with the commissioning of the landfill gas recovery system. "As a long-term partner in the energy, power and water sector of the region, GE is committed to introduce advanced solutions that strengthen operational efficiencies and promote sustainability. Many of GE's Jenbacher products are ecomagination-qualified, providing customers with products that improve their operating performance, reduce environmental impact, and have wide acceptance in the Middle East region. We are honoured to have associated with this significant initiative, in developing the first landfill site in the region producing power from landfill gas," he added.
Construction work for the landfill gas project started in January 2012, with horizontal and vertical gas wells being drilled some 22 metres deep into the waste to extract the landfill gas. Over the course of the year, the various components of the project, including the setting up of the extraction plant and flare, and Jenbacher engine were completed as per schedule. With the official commissioning of the plant, initially a high-efficiency flare with a capacity of flaring 6,000 cubic metres per hour of landfill gas, will safely dispose methane, which constitutes about 55 percent of the landfill gas.
Dubai Municipality's Waste Management Department has an integrated approach to waste management in the Emirate, and has rolled out several sustainable practices aimed at conserving the environment and promoting the social well-being and health of residents. The Al Qusais Landfill site is spread over an area of about 3.5 square kilometres and has been receiving municipal solid waste for more than two decades.
Kelly Home
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
[email protected]
+971 4 4507 600
Nivine William
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
[email protected]
+971 4 4507 600
Caroline Wehbeh
GE Communications Leader, North Africa
[email protected]
+971 4 429 6318