FUELING THE FUTURE CITY HARNESSES TRASH AS ENERGY.

Byline: Sabrina Decker Staff Writer

BURBANK - Tucked behind the DeBell Golf Course and the Verdugo Mountains Landfill, sandwiched between hillsides frequented by deer, 10 state-of-the-art microturbines are converting trash emissions into energy.

Last week, Burbank launched the nation's first commercial system that captures the methane gas generated by decomposing rubbish, works it through a jet-type engine and transforms it into electricity.

It's recycling technology that's generating big interest, particularly in California. Los Angeles is scheduled to have the same system - only five times bigger - up and running in August at Lopez Canyon Landfill.

``This is a unique and very innovative approach to energy,'' said Sam Mahsoul, the principal engineer for Burbank Water and Power. ``I am sure this will be a success, and it will also help the community during the current energy crisis.''

For years, local landfills have simply burned off methane gases generated by decomposing rubbish - a major contributor to global warming.

But with the microturbine technology, about one-third of the methane gas generated at the Burbank landfill will be harnessed and converted into enough electricity to power 250 to 300 homes.

For many, the main drawback to harnessing and using landfill gas is its high cost.

Even Capstone Turbine Corp., which manufactured the system, admits the technology isn't cheap - Burbank's bill for the project was about $500,000. The project came to fruition only because half the amount was funded by a grant from the California Energy Commission, officials said.

``It's expensive,'' said Capstone executive George Wiltsee. ``It's something that requires some policy and funding grants and incentives.''

Demand for gas-to-energy conversion technology peaked in the 1990s, and then waned when long-standing federal tax credits for using the systems expired. Recently, federal legislators have proposed reinstating the tax credit for gas-to-energy systems.

``When electricity prices are high, everyone is rushing to try new technologies and invest the capital,'' Bonnie Teaford, chief assistant director with the Department of Public Works. ``When prices aren't that high, there isn't that much interest.''

In the past, microturbines have been used to power up buildings, energy- efficient vehicles and oil rigs. They can run on a variety of liquid and gas fuels.

Prior to installing the microturbine system for the Verdugo Mountains Landfill, Burbank had used an internal combustion engine to convert its methane into electricity from 1986 to 1993.

Many landfills still use internal combustion engine systems, but Burbank discontinued that system when the private operator who ran it asked for higher royalty payments.

The new microturbine system is cleaner, more compact, and simpler to operate than the internal-combustion engines, officials said.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- ran in Glen/Bur edition only) George Wiltsee of Capstone Turbine Corp. shows how state-of-the-art microturbines convert trash emissions into energy.

(2 -- ran in Glen/Bur edition only) George Wiltsee of Capstone Turbine Corp. shows how the turbines can be operated by control panel.

Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer