New Taipei City’s Department of Environmental Protection plans to set up a green energy recharging station this year for public use at a bicycle rest stop located at the Bali Landfill Site.
“The recharging station will be powered by electricity from a methane recovery system that was established at the site last year,” said Lin Sung-ching, director of the landfill site, Feb. 9.
“People will be able to recharge their electric motorcycles, cell phones, GPS systems or other devices for free at the station, which is expected to be up and running by the end of next month at the latest,” Lin added.
The system uses methane produced by trash buried at the site to generate 2 million kilowatt hours of green power annually to achieve the goal of zero net electricity consumption by the landfill’s operations, he explained.
Lin noted that according to estimates, the amount of electricity consumed in running the landfill does not surpass 1.5 million kwh, with the excess 500,000 kwh to be used for the recharging station.
“The station will be the first in Taiwan to offer free recharging services to the public using methane-generated electricity,” he pointed out.
Featuring 10 110-volt and USB outlets, the station will be open 24 hours a day, he said.
The Bali Landfill Site set up the bicycle rest stop at its main entrance way three years ago as part of efforts to promote low-carbon travel in Taiwan.
The rest stop, situated on the round-island bicycle path, was much needed as there were no gas stations, convenience stores or other rest stops within 30 to 40 kilometers north or south of that point, Lin said.
Drinking water, restrooms, tire pumps and bike maintenance tools are provided at the rest stop free of charge to the public, he noted.
