Mobile Methane Sensing Analytics for Emissions Reduction

Lead Proponent: University of Calgary
Location: Calgary, AB
CEI Contribution: $ 300,000
Project Total: $ 400,000
Strategic Area: Methane and VOC Emissions

Project Objectives:

The objective of this project is to create an analytical toolbox that assimilates and interprets mobile sensor data from ground vehicles, drones, or piloted aircraft in order to locate fugitive emission sources and estimate emission rates in near real time to then facilitate emissions reductions.

By targeting ground-based and airborne platforms this will increase the flexibility and impact of the analytics: some emission scenarios will require airborne measurements exclusively (e.g., tailings ponds, remote pipelines), while ground-based measurements will be required in other situations (e.g., urban areas) due to airspace regulations, and in some cases a combination of measurements from both platforms may be needed.

Expected Results

This project expects to systematically advance the technology readiness level (TRL) of the tools towards TRL6 by the end of the project. The underlying mathematical formulations will be designed and tested on mobile methane (CH₄)-sensing technology, but will have direct co-benefits for other Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) associated with methane emissions.

Project Partners:

Ventus Geospatial
Boreal Laser