LFGcost–Web — Landfill Gas Energy Cost Model
On this page:
The LFGcost-Web model is a Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet tool that provides an initial economic feasibility analysis for developing a landfill gas (LFG) energy project.
Analyses performed using LFGcost-Web are considered preliminary and should be used for guidance only.
What's New
LFGcost-Web, Version 3.1, replaces Version 3.0. In 2015, LMOP undertook a peer review of LFGcost-Web, Version 3.0. Based on the results of the peer review as well as other updates, LMOP revised certain elements of the model replacing it with LFGcost-Web, Version 3.1. For more information on the peer review, see the Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills rule docket (Docket ID# EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0451-0210).
Significant revisions between Version 3.1 and Version 3.0 of LFGcost-Web include:
- Updated approach and reference sources for calculating electricity prices and avoided CO2 grid factors based on regional electricity grids instead of national average values.
- Added ability for users to generate a cost estimate for user-defined project sizes without requiring the user to enter landfill waste characteristics.
- Updated default user inputs.
Project Types
LFGcost-Web allows users to choose from 12 LFG energy project types, and gives users the option of including costs for a new gas collection and flaring system.
| LFG Energy Project Types |
|---|
| Direct-use (boiler, greenhouse, etc.) |
| Boiler retrofit |
| High Btu (upgrading gas to pipeline quality) |
| Compressed natural gas (CNG) production |
| Leachate evaporation |
| Electricity generation – Standard reciprocating engine |
| Electricity generation – Small reciprocating engine |
| Electricity generation – Turbine |
| Electricity generation – Microturbine |
| CHP – Reciprocating engine |
| CHP – Turbine |
| CHP – Microturbine |
Model Outputs
The model calculates LFG generation profiles based on landfill characteristics and other user inputs and then determines various project-specific outputs.
| Primary Model Outputs |
|---|
| Design and average project sizes |
| Total installed capital cost for year of construction |
| Annual costs for initial year of operation |
| Internal rate of return |
| Net present value at year of construction |
| Years to breakeven |
| Amount of methane collected and destroyed |
| Greenhouse gas value of amount of methane utilized by project |
| Amount of carbon dioxide from avoided energy generation |
The default inputs and costs that are estimated by LFGcost-Web are based on typical project designs and for typical landfill situations.