Converting Waste Coal Mine Gas to Generate Electricity Project 2 - Envirogen
GREENHOUSE GAS ABATEMENT PROGRAM PROJECT
Project management: Envirogen Pty Ltd
Project details:
- The aim of the Envirogen 2 project, as with the Envirogen 1 project, is to use the waste coal mine gas methane from underground mining operations to generate electricity.
- Methane is a significant contributor to the greenhouse effect with a global warming potential 21 times greater than carbon dioxide. Methane from coal mining accounts for 3.4 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. Normally methane is vented to the atmosphere for safety, but now power stations can use the methane as an energy source (natural gas contains around 90 per cent methane).
- Envirogen is constructing a waste coal mine gas power station at the Glennies Creek Coal Mine, near Singleton, NSW.
- The project commenced in November 2006 and is expected to be completed in September 2007.
GGAP funding: $9 million
Total project cost: $18 million
Environmental achievements::
- Expected greenhouse gas abatement:
The project is expected to produce a total abatement of approximately 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in the Kyoto commitment period 2008 to 2012. - Displacement of coal fuelled electricity:
The total generating capacity of the power stations will be 10MW.
The electricity generated from the power station is supplied directly to the energy distribution system and would be sufficient to power about 10,000 homes per year.
This displaces the need for an equivalent amount of coal fuel generated electricity.
Technical summary:
The main feature of the Envirogen approach is the modular design with generating units located close to the mining operation. The engine enclosures are custom designed to suit the requirements of the site and operating conditions, such as temperature and noise abatement requirements and can be moved to other locations.
Note: Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) is the basis for comparing the warming effect of a greenhouse gas as compared to carbon dioxide and is calculated by multiplying the mass of a greenhouse gas by its global warming potential.
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