La Perseverancia Landfill is an excellent example of how a landfill gas (LFG) collection and destruction system can have multiple uses. The project destroys methane (biogas), a potent greenhouse gas, in a controlled and measured manner. The project also provides renewable electricity, and opportunities for community education.
La Perseverancia landfill, located in Cuautla, Morelos collects waste from 13 municipalities in the state of Morelos. Cuautla is about 75 km South of Mexico City, south of El Tepozteco National Park. The development of this project is an example of a carefully negotiated effective public/private partnership between the municipality of Cuautla and Operadora de Ferrocarril y Manejo de Rellenos SA de CV. This biogas to energy plant provides environmental, social and economic benefits. It is a winner of the Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation.
The management of municipal waste is a challenge. Many of us don’t know, or want to think about the end of life of our trash. La Perseverancia is a leader in sustainable development for waste management.
Five cells within the landfill are fitted with vertical and horizontal extraction wells. The project has a blower that provides flow of the biogas into the destruction devices. Data from flow meters are automatically recorded every 15 minutes. This monitoring is continuous throughout the reporting period.
A “knock out pot” is used to capture condensate in the biogas, enabling better engine operation. Electricity is produced from a biogas fueled 4-stroke engine, which is connected to a generator. The engine, fueled by the collected biogas is capable of running on such a rich burning fuel. The facility also has a backup flare that can only be used when the engine/generator isn’t running. All methane collected by the system is destroyed in one of these two devices.
The project has provided new employment opportunities, creating jobs at all levels of education and skills. Through collaboration agreements with local universities, students are able to intern, learning about sustainable waste management at this innovative project. Students get professional experience in waste to energy development.
The project also cooperates with international partners.
“The innovative part of this project has caught the attention of the region of Tolima in Colombia and a South-South cooperation project has taken place with the support of both Cooperation Agencies of Mexico and Colombia supporting the exchange happening between the two local governments in the field of solid waste management and the best practices.”
The Project reduced emissions into the atmosphere by 12,501 metric tons CO2-e for the reporting period 15 June 2016 through 14 June 2017. The project’s crediting period will continue through 2024. This project meets all the requirements of Climate Action Reserve’s Mexico Landfill Project Protocol, Version 1.1
