Energy Generation

Landfill Gas (LFG)

Landfill gas (LFG) is a complex mix of gases created by microorganisms within a landfill — roughly 40–60% methane, with the remainder mostly carbon dioxide.

What is landfill gas?

We turn landfill methane into energy

Trace amounts of other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) make up the remaining <1%, mainly simple hydrocarbons. Left uncontrolled, methane escapes to the atmosphere as a far stronger greenhouse gas than CO₂; collected and utilised, it becomes a reliable energy source.

Landfill

1 million t / year

LFG

500 m³/h

Electricity

1 MW (≈ 8,000 MWh/yr)

5,000 households

electricity demand

Landfill gas content

Component	%
Methane	45 – 70
Carbon dioxide	30 – 55
Nitrogen	2 – 5
Oxygen	0,1 – 1
Ammonia	0,1 – 1
Sulphur	0 – 1
Water vapour	1 – 3

Gas generation phases

The life cycle of a landfill

Hours to a few weeks

1. Aerobic phase

Oxygen from the atmosphere is present when the waste is placed. Aerobic bacteria survive until it is depleted; the products are carbon dioxide and water vapour.

1 – 6 months

2. Acid phase

Organic acids start forming from aerobic-phase compounds and more CO₂ is produced. Anaerobic decomposition begins; the cell is highly acidic and acids dissolve nutrients with moisture.

3 months – 3 years

3. Initial methanogenic phase

Some anaerobic bacteria consume the organic acids; the cell becomes more neutral and methane-producing bacteria establish themselves. H₂ is exhausted while CO₂ and N₂ fall.