Glenorchy Landfill Gas Upgrade Project

Glenorchy Landfill Gas Upgrade Project is a waste management and energy generation initiative located at the Jackson Street Waste Management Centre in Glenorchy, Tasmania. The facility is situated approximately 10 kilometers northwest of the Hobart CBD, nestled in the foothills of Mount Wellington (kunyani). Registered in July 2022, the project focuses on upgrading the site's existing gas collection infrastructure to capture methane generated from both legacy and non-legacy waste.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Electricity Generation from Landfill Gas) Methodology Determination 2021. This methodology rewards project proponents for installing or upgrading systems that collect landfill gas (primarily methane) released by decomposing organic waste. Instead of venting this potent greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, it is captured and combusted to generate renewable electricity. This process creates a dual benefit: it prevents direct methane emissions and displaces electricity that would otherwise be generated by fossil fuel grids.

The Glenorchy region experiences a cool temperate marine climate, with the site receiving variable rainfall often influenced by its position near the mountain range. While the landfill itself is a highly disturbed man-made environment, the surrounding Derwent Valley area is characterized by alluvial clay soils and river sediments. An interesting operational challenge for the site is its location in a geographic "bowl," which subjects it to strong katabatic winds (downslope winds) from Mount Wellington; these conditions are carefully monitored as they can impact site safety and gas collection efficiency.