From Solid Waste to Energy: A New Vision For Gainesville-Alachua County

Dave NewportCross Creek Initiative, Incwww.crosscreek.org

Cross Creek Initiative, Inc CCI, a non-profit corporation Mission: to assist the public and private

sectors in developing new concepts for defining the success of their operations.

Projects: green construction, sustainability planning and leadership, biofuels

Biofuels from MSW Methane Solid biofuels

Composting costs too much? Rapid City SD: “The Cocompost Facility will extend the

life of the landfill for approximately 30+ years and reduce the reliance on land needed to farm biosolids (which will relieve the city of having to buy an additional 1,110 acres of land). Selling the product offsets the cost of operating the facility –the facility uses no taxes to maintain operation.”

Composting costs too much?

Tipping fees of $47 were lowered to $45 after the lower figure proved sufficient to sustain the facility’s budget needs.

Composting costs too much? A current tipping fee of $45/ton (at 135,000 tons/year), which, in

conjunction with revenues from the sale of recyclables and finished compost, supports the city’s entire waste management operation, including capital outlay and debt service. (Projected revenues included $150,000-200,000 from the sale of recyclables, $75,000 from the sale of compost, and a $13.26 monthly average residential garbage fee.)

Compost-derived solid biofuelBiofuel Pricing Sensitivity

Fuel Heat value Energy Unit Conversion Price Price unit

$/MM BTUs of Useable

HeatEfficiency

%

Premium Wood Pellets 8,000 BTU/lb 80 $160 ton $32.00

@ 6% moisture

Propane 90,000 BTU/gal 80 $1.10 gallon $15.27

Electricity 3,415 BTU/kwh 95 $0.08 kwh $24.64

Oil #2 138,000 BTU/gal 80 $2.57 gallon $14.90

Natural Gas 1 MM BTU/therm 80 $13.50 MCF $16.88

Coal (central Appalachia) 12,500 BTU/lb 75 $75 ton $9.60

Firewood @ 25% moisture 80 BTU/lb 65 $130 cord $10.00

Average   $17.61

Compost-derived biofuel 6,500 BTU/lb 80 $40.00 ton $9.85

Compost-derived biofuel 8,500 BTU/lb 80 $50.00 ton $9.41

Landfill vs. compost-biofuel Landfill pays three times to throw away money.

Transfer Transport Tipping fee

Compost-biofuel makes money on material you are paid to take. Local gov controls own destiny. Waste reduction, carbon-neutral operation is the

responsible, leadership approach.

A new vision for Gainesville-Alachua County? Hedge against uncertainty in landfill costs, flow

control, and operating costs. Be ahead of rising energy prices, climate change

pressures. Shift from a solid waste mindset to a green

energy mindset. Keep talking, bring community, staff, expertise

together to explore emerging concepts, vision. Become a global leader.

From Solid Waste to Energy: A New Vision For Gainesville-Alachua County

Dave NewportCross Creek Initiative, Incwww.crosscreek.org

Thank you!