Australia at Environmental Front Line 

Garbage to Green Energy Site Leads the World

Australia will set a new benchmark in converting household waste into green energy when the world’s largest bio-reactor becomes fully operational at Veolia Environmental Services Woodlawn project at Tarago, near Goulburn.

The Woodlawn Bioreactor is turning household garbage from Sydney into electricity, and at full capacity will provide power to 20,000 homes every year, with EnergyAustralia purchasing the electricity generated at the site to distribute to its residential and commercial customers.

Veolia Environmental Services is one of Australia’s leading Waste Management Companies and is invested in working with entities such as Energy Australia to deliver renewable energy resources and deliver resource recovery infrastructure such as the Woodlawn Bioreactor to the Australian population.

Built on a disused, open cut mine site, Veolia’s Woodlawn Bioreactor landfill has been operational since September 2004, and in that time has accepted more than 1,000,000 tonnes of mixed solid waste from councils and commercial contractors in the Sydney Metropolitan area.

The major advantage of the leading edge bioreactor technology developed by Veolia, compared with normal landfills, is the maximisation of gas production and the capture of the gas produced when waste breaks down. In late 2007, an independent study of the site was commissioned by Veolia to assess the methane collection efficiency from the Woodlawn Bioreacto. Initial testing comparing landfill surface emissions to actiove extraction of ladnfill gas indicated a 92% recovery rate at that time.

As well as maximising the capture of fuel to generate electricity, capturing methane is very important in protecting the environment. Tony Cade, Veolia Environmental Services Group General Manager, Marketing & Business Development, said the importance of the project and the technology involved could not be overestimated.

“Landfill gases contain methane, which has 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. The Woodlawn bioreactor captures the harmful greenhouse gases produced and uses it to generate electricity for homes and businesses.

“The Woodlawn Bioreactor is a prime example of Veolia’s investment in environmental and economic sustainability. Our focus on limiting the impacts of climate change through the recovery of resources and the subsequent generation of ‘green’ energy will prove invaluable for Australia’s future. ”

The bioreactor came on line last month (February) and currently has 1MW of generation, which will progressively increase to an expected 25 MW at its peak.

Woodlawn Bioreactor forms part of a greater Eco-Precinct, with Veolia also receiving approval for the construction of a wind farm on site.The wind farm will have 25 wind turbines and a capacity of 50 Megawatts. Once operational, the wind farm will produce enough electricity to power more than 17,000 homes, and will save 120,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas every year by replacing coal-fired electricity.

Combining the Bioreactor and Wind farm, the Woodlawn Eco-precinct will generate sufficient green electricity to supply over 37,000 households with power.

ENQUIRIES CONTACT: Paul Tynan 0412 574580 or Tony Cade 0417 224 825

Quick Facts – Woodlawn Bioreactor

· Opened in 2004 – In that time the site has accepted over 1 million tonnes of solid and mixed waste from Sydney Metropolitan Area.

· Full capacity Bioreactor - 25 million m³ which makes the site the largest bioreactor in the world.

· At full capacity the Woodlawn Bioreactor will produce 25MW on site.

· Energy created from the Woodlawn Bioreactor will provide 20 000 homes with power.

· Energy generated from the proposed Woodlawn Wind Farm will generate energy for 17,000 homes.

· Veolia is the first environmental services company to transport waste by rail in Australia.

· The use of rail transport as opposed to traditional road transport prevents 8000 tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted annually- this equates to 1773 cars off the road.

The Woodlawn Bioreactor and Clyde Transfer Terminal have been recognized by the following achievements

- Winner - 2005 Environment and Department of Public Works Sustainability Award – Engineers Australia Awards.

- Winner - 2006 National Award for Environmental Excellence in Supply Chain and Logistics - Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), with assistance from the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA).

- Winner - 2007 Waste Management Association of Australia National Transfer Station Awards– Clyde Transfer Station

- Winner - 2007 National Landfill Excellence Award –Woodlawn Bioreactor Facility.

Veolia Environment invests over $180 million per year globally on Research and Development for projects such as the Woodlawn Bioreactor