Since partnering with Ecologi, it’s been exciting to see that in under three years, we’ve helped to fund 41 projects and avoid 42 tonnes of CO2e, as well as contributing to the planting of over 4,000 trees.
In July alone we helped to fund a project avoiding methane emissions from landfill in Brazil, that is expected to produce 102,579MWh of energy during its lifetime, and a project generating wind power in the United States.
Avoiding methane emissions from landfill in Brazil
Brazil ranks as the 5th largest waste producer globally, generating approximately 79.9 million tonnes of municipal solid waste in 2015, which equates to 1.071 kg per person daily. Sadly, a substantial portion of this waste finds its way to landfills, where it decomposes and releases methane gas. The impact of methane on global warming is significant, as it is approximately 34 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
In response to this environmental challenge, the Macaúbas Landfill Gas Project was initiated. This project focuses on the collection, use, and flaring of landfill gas at a site in Sabará, Minas Gerais. The primary goal is to prevent the release of methane gas into the atmosphere by implementing active landfill gas extraction, flaring, and electricity generation systems.
Initially, the landfill gas was collected passively, without proper monitoring or flaring. Additional investments were made to install suitable facilities for electricity generation. This project has successfully reduced emissions by 102,580 tCO2e during its current monitoring phase.
The Project curtails environmentally harmful methane emissions while also contributing to the electrical grid through electricity export. Moreover, it generates employment opportunities and income, as skilled operators are required to maintain and operate the machinery involved in the project.
Generating wind power in the United States
The United States holds the distinction of being the world’s largest historical emitter, responsible for approximately 25% of all historical emissions. As of 2021, a staggering 81% of the country’s primary energy was derived from fossil fuel production.
The Crow Lake wind power project, situated near Chamberlain, South Dakota, plays a crucial role in curbing emissions by displacing fossil fuel-based energy on the grid and instead harnessing renewable wind power.
The project, spread across 15,000-hectare area, comprises 108 wind turbines that generate an impressive 162 MW of clean wind energy. It is one of the few facilities in the United States where a portion of ownership belongs to the community, including 600 local farmers and ranchers. Onshore wind farms have small footprints, typically using no more than 1 percent of the land they sit on, so grazing, farming, recreation, or conservation can happen simultaneously with power generation. It takes one year or less to build a wind farm, so they are quickly producing energy and a return on investment.
If you’d like to help support these projects too, you can also sign your business up with Ecologi or by purchasing one of our hosting plans. To learn more about these projects and other we have been supporting, see our profile here.