Toyota’s plant in Georgetown, KY, is slated to begin using bioenergy next week, according to IndustryWeek.
The story says that the system will rely on methane produced at the Central Kentucky Landfill, which is about six-and-a-half miles away. It will generate 1 MW per hour, which is the energy needed to create about 10,000 vehicles annually. That yield – which is about 2 percent of the plant’s energy use – can be increased to 10 MW, the story says.
IndustryWeek says that landfill gas, which is about half methane, is collected by a network of wells. It feeds generators that produce electricity, which is sent by underground transmission lines to the plant.
Last summer, Toyota was one of six companies to join CalCharge, an initiative aimed at developing energy storage technologies. Toyota and Bosch became charter members, while Blue Current, Ensor, EnZinc and ITN Energy Systems came on as general members.
