Renewable Energy Facilities at Closed Landfills

Siting and Installation Considerations

January 19, 2010

Briony Angus, AICP

Dana Huff, P.E.

Tighe & Bond, Inc.

Westfield, MA

Overview

■ Several types of renewable energy technologies that can be applicable for both closed and active landfills:

Wind, Solar, LFG2NRG, Others

■ The focus today will be on Wind and Solar applications■ Siting considerations for wind and solar■ Benefits of locating renewable energy projects at

landfills■ Benefits of a fatal flaw analysis■ Installation considerations■ Turbine and solar foundations■ Cap disruption considerations

Renewable Energy Siting - Picking your site is picking your fight

Siting Considerations

■ Proximity to Source■ Proximity to Grid■ Access and Staging■ Sensitive Receptors –

Humans, Wildlife and Natural Resources

■ Zoning

Loudville Road Landfill, Easthampton, MA

MA Wind Resources – Proximity to Source

MA Wind Resources – Proximity to Source

MA Department of Environmental Protection Landfill Profiles: http://www.mass.gov/dep/energy/landfill.htm

Includes information about facility ownership, operational status, acreage, wind speed, distance to nearest

electricity transmission lines, and more.

MA Solar Resources – Proximity to Source

RE-Powering America's Lands initiative: Web tool to search EPA tracked sites with Google Earth:

www.epa.gov/renewableenergyland

■ Blade throw■ Fire■ Tower collapse■ Ice shedding■ Noise■ Flicker

Potential Wind Energy Siting Concerns

Potential Wind Energy Siting Concerns, Cont’d

■ Access■ Construction/

Installation■ Federal Aviation

Administration■ Telecommunications

Interference■ Avian/bat impacts

Potential Solar Energy Siting Concerns

■ Land Clearing■ Aesthetics■ Wildlife/

Endangered Species■ Hazardous Materials

Renewables on Landfills

Large parcels with few site owners Critical infrastructure often in place Adequately zoned Provide an economically viable reuse for sites with significant cleanup costs or low real estate development demand Takes the stress off undeveloped lands for construction of new energy facilities

Siting renewables in Massachusetts is challenging – Landfills can provide

opportunities

Evaluating a Site

Components of a Fatal Flaw/Critical Path Analysis

Site Reconnaissance Local, state, federal permitting requirements Zoning Access, construction, staging requirements Preliminary wetlands, wildlife, rare species evaluation Cultural resources Interconnection

Critical Wind Installation Considerations

Critical considerations for wind turbine installation:■ Access roads need to allow the turbine components

to access the location (s)» Maximum grade = 10% or less» Turning radii needs to accommodate the blade,

tower and nacelle trailer trucks» Installation cranes are very large and need to

access and set up immediately adjacent to the turbine

■ Staging area adjacent to the turbine location (s)■ Impacts to the landfill cap, ground pressure

Installation Considerations (Cont’d)

Foundation considerations: Landfill cap configurations Landfill Thickness Subsurface Materials

Soils:Till/ClaySands/GravelOrganics

Bedrock Solid Waste:

MSW C&D Urban Soils

Turbine Foundations

■ Gravity foundations- Most Common

■ Relies on gravity (weight of footing and soil above) for stability

■ Rock anchored foundations are suitable when bedrock is near the ground surface

Turbine Foundations

■ Deep foundations are used in soft or loose soils, suitable for landfill applications

SEA Consultants

Solar Foundations

■ Rigid frame installations for fixed or tracking panels require a stable surface with proper orientation. The PV film applications can actually be part of the final capping materials.

■ Solar installations have several challenges:– Northeast climate, i.e. snow

accumulations– Concentration of run off– Landfill settlement– NIMBY syndrome

Cap Disruption Considerations

Turbine foundations need to be integrated into the cap repair to create a seamless capping system

Hull Wind 2, SEA Consultants

Solar installations need to be sensitive to solar

array anchoring, surface erosion, and access for

routine maintenanceSolar Integrated T2 SolarRoof Membrane on a

landfill in Malagrotta, Italy

Summary: Features of a Good Landfill Site for Siting of Renewables

■ Closed and capped in accordance with requirements ■ Contents already settled and able to bear weight of

solar arrays/ turbines■ No state or federal solid/hazardous waste obligations

or other open compliance items■ Large flat, graded, unshadowed areas for maximum

sun exposure ■ Good wind resources, minimal obstructions■ Methane extracted■ Transmission and interconnection access ■ No major contamination, leaks, or groundwater

intrusion■ Receptive site owner, local officials, and neighbors

Questions?

Thank you!

Dana Huff, P.E.Briony Angus, AICP

Tighe & Bond53 Southampton RoadWestfield, MA 01085(413) 562-1600

dchuff@tighebond.combangus@tighebond.com