Methane-measuring sensors

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas which has accounted for roughly 30 percent of global warming since the industrial revolution and is proliferating faster than at any other time since record keeping began in the 1980s. Locating the exact source of methane emissions is a critical step in managing leaks and reducing the problem. Advanced optical sensors built by ABB are helping map methane emissions from orbits 600 km above the earth at a resolution of 100 times higher than other technologies in use in space.

Situated in satellites rotating continuously around the earth, the shoe-box sized sensors can point to specific pre-determined target locations when flying overhead. Legacy satellite sensors launched by space agencies used resolutions of several kms to maximize their coverage of earth. This, however, prevented identifying individual emitters. The improved granularity of the ABB-built sensors, which can create a map of methane distribution of a 12-square-km area with a 25-meter resolution in about 15 seconds makes it possible to see a methane plume carried by the wind and pinpoint the exact source of the emission, such as an industrial site or factory.

Space is the only location where emissions can be monitored freely across jurisdictions. Space measurements are also especially useful for sites where ground sensor deployment is too complex or not economically viable. Measuring different sites with the same sensor also ensures that emissions are compared consistently. The data gathered by the sensors provides critical insights on emissions, helping governments and industries to come to informed decisions on how to meet emissions reduction targets.

Key facts:

• Can pinpoint the source of methane emissions from space
• Provides an image resolution 100 times higher than other technologies
• Helps industries and countries meet emissions reduction targets

Discover more about the ABB-built optical sensors:

• Space Measurement and Analytics

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