Researchers exploring renewable alternatives to fossil fuel resources have found biogas to be sustainable and valuable in powering vehicles across various industries.
The Environmental Impact of Overflowing Landfills
Because of the global population boom over the last five decades, waste generation is likely to rise from 1.2 billion milligrams (mg) in 2010 to 2.2 mg in 2025. Forecasters in East Asia and the Pacific estimate solid waste generation will reach 714 million metric tons by 2050, up from 468 million metric tons in 2016.
Developing countries collect only 50%-80% of waste , whereas low-income nations recover only 10% generated in the suburbs. As most of the 2050 population moves to urban areas, the environmental and public health hazards will increase the risk of respiratory infections and diarrhea in those near landfills.
Municipal waste includes food, chemicals and construction materials. The building and demolition industries accumulate 600 million metric tons of debris annually — twice as much as municipal waste.
The implications of overflowing landfills and damaged trash have dire consequences for people and the planet. Plastic pollution affects 267 marine species and contaminates food. However, the most dire implication is methane, the second leading contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide (CO2).
Landfill Biogas: A Potential Solution to the Waste Problem
Biogas is renewable natural gas or biomethane emanating from breaking down biomass. Depending on the feedstock, untreated biogas may comprise 45%-65% methane , which is a viable fuel for heating or electricity. Nitrogen, oxygen, moisture, hydrogen sulfide and volatile organic compounds must be reduced to treat biogas as a renewable replacement for fossil fuels.
Anaerobic bacteria — naturally occurring in soil, water, and human and animal digestive systems — feed on and digest biomass from municipal landfills to produce biogas. In 2022, the United States collected about 216 billion cubic feet of landfill gas across 334 landfills. It helped generate 8.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. With such success, imagining its potential to power vehicles is easy.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says there are about 450 landfills nationwide, which could collect 475 million cubic feet of biogas daily. If the transportation sector were to transition to landfill biogas for vehicle operations and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, it could divert 40 million metric tons of greenhouse gases annually. That equates to removing 8 million cars from roadways.
The EPA indicates landfill biogas could work in the following ways:
Biogas-Powered Vehicles in Action
Some countries have begun experimenting with the feasibility of using landfill biogas in vehicle operations to help them reach their emissions targets. One study evaluated whether landfill biogas was a sufficient renewable energy source for EV charging stations. After analyzing its efficiency, costs and potential revenue streams, the researchers determined the approach was environmentally and financially promising.
Another study points to the European Union's (EU) goal of deriving 15% of total energy from renewables by 2030. Researchers suggest biogas from waste or plants could be a sustainable approach to addressing the continent's energy needs. Germany, China, Russia and the United States have already created the blueprint for biogas integration, while Sweden intends to transition it into its car market by 2050.
In Bangladesh, landfill biogas could reduce the power grid and environmental demands from the rising use of EVs. Researchers proposed a biogas-based 20-kilowatt charging station, which they say could result in 65.61% lower CO2 emissions and significant monthly cost savings compared to conventional grid-based charging stations.
U.S.-based Vespene Energy has also begun harnessing biogas for EV charging infrastructure. Since 2022, the startup company has partnered with 50 municipal landfills across 21 states to generate 80 megawatts of biogas, enough for 275,000 EVs. Vespene Energy claims it can decrease 1.2 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually by collecting methane from municipal waste systems.
Challenges and Considerations
Employing landfill biogas for powering vehicles is not without its challenges. For example, water and electricity are longtime foes and can lead to electric motor failure. Whether running an HVAC system or operating an EV, keeping humidity levels under 80% is essential to prevent water from accumulating. Otherwise, it could lead to corrosion and engine damage.
More regulations and policies are needed to adopt biogas-powered transportation. The permitting process for utilizing biogas is incredibly complex, while the refueling infrastructure still needs to be created in the necessary capacity. The EU is the perfect example of implementing available infrastructure, as transport biomethane accounts for 18% of the gas profile and is expected to double by 2030.
Existing renewable solutions and fossil fuels are also often favored technologies, meaning biogas faces exceeding competition in the market. The alternatives are already supported by governments, industries, organizations and consumers, considering biogas must prove to be reliable and consistent.
Other challenges and considerations of landfill biogas potential include the following:
These considerations are not impossible to address and can ultimately pave the way for more popular landfill biogas adoption. However, production will require support from decision-makers and industry experts.
Harnessing Waste Resources for Clean Transportation
Landfill biogas can significantly reduce the world's reliance on fossil fuels and lessen environmental impacts. Leaning into these solutions across industries becomes necessary as the population seeks ways to mitigate the effects of climate change. As such, investments in landfill biogas and the proper infrastructure are worthwhile and conducive to cleaner and greener industry-based transportation.
