|
Helping the environment today is vital to protect our environment for tomorrow. Recycling materials, such as newspaper, cardboard, plastics and cans, help save space in the landfill as well as allowing us to reuse these materials over and over again.
However, your non-recyclable waste can also help the environment through Santee Cooper's Green Power Program. The program allows us to transform methane from the Horry County Solid Waste Authority's landfill into renewable energy.
Santee Cooper's "Green Power" is an environmentally friendly electricity product generated from renewable energy sources, such as methane gas from the Horry County Solid Waste Authority landfill. Consumers have a choice when they buy electricity and with that choice comes the ability to buy Green Power. The primary benefit of buying Green Power is environmental protection.
Play Our Flash Movie
Green Power History
The Green Power Program started in September 2001 through a partnership between the Horry County Solid Waste Authority and Santee Cooper. Since its inception, the Green Power Program has expanded to include residential and commercial customers across Horry County. In 2002, Myrtle Beach became South Carolina's first Green Power City. Green power programs started in 1993 and have grown to 80 programs in 28 states.
Green Power Process
The term Green Power comes from the process of generating electricity through renewable resources such as solar, wind and decomposing garbage in landfills. These resources are replenished naturally and minimize harm to the environment.
Garbage put into landfills decomposes over time and landfill gas is a product of this process. Methane, one of the most valuable as a fuel, is a hydrocarbon gas (CH4), generated specifically by decomposition, such as in landfills and also swamps. If methane is released directly into the atmosphere, it is a potent greenhouse gas that has greater global-warming potential than carbon dioxide. Landfill gas is approximately 50% methane, with the remainder being mostly carbon dioxide with varying amounts of nitrogen, oxygen and assorted non-methane organic compounds. While landfill gas could simply and easily be flared, the more efficient collection will help the environment to generate renewable energy and reduce emissions into the atmosphere. Landfill gas is the only renewable energy source that, when used, actually removes pollution from the atmosphere. The landfill gas is collected by a vacuum process through a series of buried pipes throughout the landfill. A series of moisture traps and a filtration system conditions the landfill gas prior to sending it to the generating equipment, which includes three 1,400 horsepower engines that produce 3.3 megawatts to power more than 2,100 homes.
A landfill has the potential to produce landfill gas for as long as 10 to 15 years, dependent upon its age and size.
Green Power Partners
Santee Cooper owns and operates the generating equipment, which runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Horry County Solid Waste Authority owns and operates the landfill, methane gas collection system and sells the fuel to Santee Cooper. Horry Electric Cooperative and Central Electric Power Cooperative supply the lines for the Green Power to travel.
Through the Green Power Program, the Horry County Solid Waste Authority honors its mission to "Protect Tomorrow's Environment Today."
For more information about Green Power, please visit Santee Cooper's website at www.santeecooper.com.
|
