How It Works

Yes, garbage can power your house. Last August, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power unveiled the world's largest microturbine power plant, featuring 50 microturbines made by California-based Capstone Corporation. The $4-million (U.S.) project converts noxious gases from L.A.'s Lopez Canyon landfill into electricity, creating enough power for 1,500 homes in the area. What's more, each microturbine is expected to cut out 10,000 pounds of nitrogen oxide emissions a year-equal to the amount produced by 500 cars.

- Toxic landfill gas is captured by several hundred metres of collection pipes embedded underground.

- Liquids and solids are filtered out, and the gas is then compressed and piped into the microturbines. Here, dry gas is mixed with air.

- This gas/air mixture is piped into the combustion chamber. It powers the turbine shaft, which rotates at 96,000 rpm. The generator spins rapidly, creating high-frequency power--the kind that lights up houses.

A Capstone microturbine, about the size of a beer keg, fits into a fridge-sized "complete generator package"

Inside a microturbine: Parts include a recuperator, combustion chamber and its single moving part - the shaft, made up of a turbine and generator.