BMW Plant Spartanburg proclaimed Energy Partner of the Year
BMW Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina, USA, has been proclaimed the Energy Partner of the Year by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In May 2006 the plant converted the supply of energy at the paint shop to methane gas. This saves about 60,000 tons of CO2 a year, equal to the annual heat energy consumption of some 15,000 US households. At the same time the plant's annual energy costs will be cut by a six-digit Euro figure.
"This is a very positive project that pays off for all parties involved. It allows us to use a source of energy previously untapped, capitalising on this supply of energy for generating electricity and heat at our plant. This enables us to reduce emissions enormously and make a significant contribution to the cause of environmental protection", states Briggs Hamilton, the Environmental Spokesman for BMW Plant Spartanburg. In all, 63 per cent of the energy consumed by the plant is now covered by methane gas.
Methane gas from the landfill was used to supply energy to the plant for the first time in 2002. With the results of this pilot application being convincing and satisfactory, this initial test set the foundation for the 100 per cent supply of gas energy to the paint shop now becoming reality.
The Energy Partner of the Year award is presented each year as part of the EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP). This program promotes the partnership of communities and companies seeking to capitalise on the use of landfill gases for the generation of energy.
Source: BMW
