Fossil fuel based energy (oil, natural gas and coal) is a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions across the world. Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) Global Methane Tracker shows the energy sector accounts for around 40% of the methane emissions caused by human activity, the second biggest source after agriculture.
Figures also suggest that methane emissions from the energy sector are around 70% higher than the levels currently reported by national governments. As the pressure increases for operators to cut emissions and lower their environmental impact, it is clear that greater transparency and independent verification of emissions is required to develop effective mitigation solutions.
Why methane mitigation matters
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, over a 20 year period it has 84 times more global warming potential than carbon dioxide. Recent reports from the United Nations have shown that rapidly cutting methane is a strategic and cost-effect step to take now, to slow the rate of global warming.
|
Remote sensing of methane emissions
GHGSat’s constellation of emissions-detecting high-resolution satellites provides accurate and safe remote sensing of industrial facilities to support emissions mitigation strategies and leak detection and repair (LDAR) programmes.
Using advanced patented technology, GHGSat can pinpoint an emission source and accurately estimate the rate of methane potentially leaking from natural gas and oil-fired power plants, identifying opportunities for cleaner and safer operations.
Energy production and greenhouse gas emissions
Electricity-generating power plants are an essential part of the global energy mix, but depending on their primary fuel source and supply chain, they are big contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of the world’s electricity generation is powered by fossil fuels, with coal, oil and natural gas-fired power stations found across the world. In the U.S. alone, the electricity sector accounted for about 38% of total U.S. natural gas consumption in 2022.
Electricity can also be generated by renewable sources, including hydroelectric, geothermal and solar-powered stations, and some countries, including Iceland, Norway, Uruguay, Kenya and Scotland, have over 90% of their electricity generated by renewable sources.
Whilst electricity demand is rising – 2,500 terawatt hours (TWh) of demand will be added by 2025, predominantly driven in Asia – the IEA predicts that renewables combined with nuclear power will be the world’s number one electricity source within the next three years. Whilst this represents a sea-change in how we generate electricity and will have a significant contribution to emissions reduction, electricity sector emissions are already at an all-time high, and gas will still generate 21% of electricity in 2025, compared to 10% from nuclear energy.
|
Tracking methane from power plants
When coal is ‘burned’ at a coal-fired power station, the carbon in coal reacts with oxygen to form the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Methane is predominantly released from coal mining operations, where it is trapped in the seam and needs to be flared for safety reasons.
Natural gas-fired power plants can leak methane from pipelines, storage tanks and other equipment at the industrial facility – but critically, fugitive methane emissions can occur at multiple points across the gas supply chain, including extraction, processing into LNG and transportation. Operations can result in methane leaks, but venting and flaring will also emit methane directly into the atmosphere. Gas-fired electricity generation and the infrastructure required can also leak methane.
Although a renewable energy source, hydroelectric power generation also emits methane from the hydropower reservoirs – microbial processes that support the decomposition of organic matter in the giant reservoirs create greenhouse gases, including methane.
To understand the emissions generated by gas-fired power plants and to prevent any fugitive emissions, for example, methane that is leaking from damaged infrastructure, operators need to deploy consistent and comprehensive monitoring programmes – which have traditionally been costly and time-consuming.
|
Monitoring methane emissions with GHGSat
GHGSat delivers actionable metrics and insights vital to environmental, operational and financial decision-making for power plant owners. GHGSat advanced high-resolution satellite technology with patented methane detecting technology can identify and measure methane emissions at the facility level, identifying leaks and emissions from venting and flaring.
GHGSat’s low detection threshold means operators get reliable, accurate and frequent data on their emissions accessible directly from their desks, reducing the need for ground-based monitoring teams. In 2022 alone, GHGSat detected a total of 2.8 MT/yr CH4 from oil & gas facilities and 2.1 MT/yr CH4 from coal mining facilities.
GHGSat satellite data can be used for a range of applications, from detecting methane leaks in pipelines and storage tanks to monitoring emissions from power plant sites. The first observation captured by GHGSat’s demonstrator satellite Claire was an emission from a hydroelectric power plant. By providing accurate and reliable data regarding methane emissions, organizations are empowered with the data they need to improve their environmental performance and reduce their GHG footprint.
The data can also be used to inform investment planning for methane capture and re-use technologies built on-site that can turn methane into a valuable new energy source.
GHGSat solutions help companies save money by reducing their energy waste and informing LDAR programmes to reduce power plant environmental impacts. By monitoring frequently for leaks and other inefficiencies, companies can identify areas for improvement and take rapid action to address the problems.
In 2023, GHGSat is expanding its capability, launching the world’s first commercially hosted payload focused on monitoring sources of carbon dioxide. This independent data will become a powerful tool for coal-fired power plant operators to monitor, verify and report on emissions.
|
We offer a range of products and services that can be adapted to support power plant methane monitoring.
DATA.SAT: Gain emissions intelligence on global assets from our precision detection, measurement and monitoring satellite service. Unmatched, our constellation of satellites provides consistent and reliable emissions intelligence, identifying point sources such as storage accurately, allowing rapid response to improve performance and reduce emissions.
DATA.AIR: Our satellite technology has been adapted to aircraft and accurately detects and measures methane emissions for more localized monitoring. The technology offers a lower detection threshold, complementary to our high-resolution satellites, and is a cost-effective and safe alternative to ground-based monitoring operations.
Global Survey: Use third-party and public satellite data to help focus mitigation strategies for geographic clusters of assets. Be the first to see what other satellite networks are detecting to support independent verification with GHGSat’s Global Survey service.
|
Contact GHGSat Today
Our methane emission intelligence offerings are designed to fully empower greenhouse gas-intensive industries such as electricity generation and power plants to achieve their emission reduction goals.
Need assistance with improving your environmental performance for your business?
Contact GHGSat today to get started.
