Capturing methane to slash GHG emissions and generate clean energy
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas around 25-36 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 20 years is naturally released as coal is mined. This methane has to be channelled out of the mine due to safety reasons, such as the risk of explosion and to ensure the air quality remains safe for miners. Without the project, the majority of this methane is released into the atmosphere.
To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals verified by the standard for this project, please check the project's registry link above.
The project involves capturing methane released at 4 coal mines near to Yibin city in southern Sichuan province. The captured methane is delivered to a newly constructed power plant with a combined capacity of 15 MW to convert it into power. This electricity will then be fed back to the coal mines for on-site electricity use, displacing electricity from the grid. In order to realise the project aim, other equipment and facilities such as gas storage tanks, compressors, and monitoring instruments will be installed as needed. Thanks to the project, an average annual volume of 15.6 million cubic meters of methane will be combusted and converted into electricity annually.
The project helps to realise significant GHG reductions by capturing the methane that was previously released freely into the atmosphere. Furthermore, by providing jobs to locals, with each employee receiving thorough technical and general training for their role, local economic development is boosted. The project helps to set a precedent for other projects to be implemented in the region. Finally, boilers will be installed to recycle waste heat from the gas generators to provide the coal miners with hot water.
