■ Environment
■ Environment
Gary DeFranco , Vice President of Operations , Transtech Industries , Inc .
Solar array development
Kinsley ’ s implemented a phased solar array program following its ranking as # 1 among over 700 New Jersey landfills in PSG & E ’ s Solar 4 All ® study on closed landfills . Phase I , completed in 2017 , is an 11.2 megawatts DC ( MW DC ) rigid solar array project . Phase II , completed in 2020 , expanded the solar field ’ s footprint to a total of approximately 37 acres , producing a combined 16.2 MW DC of solar power . The clean solar energy generated by this facility avoids about 80,000 tons of CO 2 per year , calculated using EPA ’ s Greenhouse Gases Equivalencies Calculator and other industry calculation resources . The existing solar array powers about 14,000 homes .
Kinsley ’ s is continuing progressive filling in preparation for a possible Phase III solar expansion ( estimated at 10 MC DC ), which would occupy the rest of the undeveloped landfill plateau on approximately 20 acres of available land . Partnering with a knowledgeable engineering firm and encouraging and cultivating open and collaborative dialog with both Township officials and state regulators has led to the successful solar projects , which are environmentally friendly energy production facilities that further help fund long term care of the facility while helping to reduce post closure care O & M costs .
“ Renewable energy is an important initiative in New Jersey ,” said Mayor Medany . “ Our Deptford community is proud to be part of it .”
Proactive approach enables long-term care
“ The key to the project ’ s success has been getting rid of the mindset that the landfill is only a liability and implementing the new mindset that the facility is a long-term renewable resource ,” said Dan Edwards , President
Daryl O ’ Dell , PE , P Eng ., Client Manager , Tetra Tech
of Transtech Industries , Inc , Kinsley ’ s parent company . According to Edwards , the project demonstrated to Kinsley ’ s how complex tasks can be accomplished when working with a dedicated team that is laser focused on pursing innovative solutions for new and challenging problems . “ Along the way it brought with it a new and useful purpose for the facility and the organization .”
As a result , Kinsley ’ s Deptford Renewable Energy Center ’ s sustainability program is an
An aerial view of the landfill .
economically sustainable model of custodial care that can be replicated at other closed landfills , which will be absolutely critical in the coming years . Kinsley ’ s efforts have resulted in continued financial strength , which enables them to care for the facility into the future .
Editor ’ s Note :
Gary DeFranco is Vice President of Operations for Transtech Industries , Inc . He is an environmental professional with experience in waste management , innovative self-financing site remediation projects , independent power production , industrial wastewater treatment , and industrial site clean-ups . He has served as Supervisor of Solid Waste Programs for the Middlesex County Department of Solid Waste Management , Manager of Technical Services for United Environmental Services , Inc ., Operations Manager for Edgeboro Disposal , Inc ., and General Manager of Kinsley ’ s Landfill , Inc . He can be reached at gdefranco @ transtechindustries . com .
Daryl O ’ Dell , PE , P Eng ., is a Client Manager at Tetra Tech with 25 years of experience in solid waste consulting and construction materials testing . He has experience in landfill design and permitting , landfill gas design , and renewables , including compressed natural gas and solar . Daryl has extensive experience working with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and clients during post-closure and custodial care , working with both to find sustainable solutions to long-term care and funding mechanisms for solid waste facilities and , where applicable , removing landfill facilities from the requirements of long-term , post-closure care . He can be reached at daryl . odell @ tetratech . com .
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