Eliminating methane leaks starts with emissions monitoring
While carbon dioxide (CO2) receives much of the attention as a greenhouse gas, methane (CH4) also has a significant impact on climate change. In fact, the IEA estimates [1] that methane accounts for around 30 percent of the total increase in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution.
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4.5min
2024-06-13
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The global energy transition requires reining in emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is 80 time more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide02
Effective emissions monitoring is key to reducing methane, in line with the 2021 Global Methane Pledge03
ABB provides a range of advanced technologies for detecting and analyzing methane and other emissions from the energy sector and beyondColorless and odorless, methane is the primary component of natural gas. Its potency makes it a crucial target for emissions reduction: Over a 20-year period, methane is roughly 80 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere.2
Agriculture and waste management are major sources of methane, but the energy sector also contributes more than a third of total methane attributable to human activities, with leaks occurring throughout the extraction, transportation and processing of fossil fuels.3
Recognizing the magnitude of the issue for industry, the Global Methane Pledge, an international agreement launched in 2021, unites more than 150 signatory countries in committing to reduce global methane emissions by 30 percent from 2020 levels by the end of this decade.
Methane monitoring
ABB is supporting these important efforts by providing a suite of emissions monitoring solutions, including for methane. These advanced detection analytics technologies empower industries to not only detect, locate and quantify methane leaks, but also to monitor and reduce emissions of a broader range of greenhouse gases and pollutants.
Our emissions monitoring solutions work to detect the undetectable, spotting methane leaks and monitoring a wide range of emissions across complex industrial infrastructure. At the same time, we have solutions that transform data into insights that pinpoint inefficiencies and optimize processes for real, measurable reductions.
Jacques Mulbert, President, Measurement and Analytics, at ABB
Methane detection on the move
By identifying and quantifying sources of methane leaks, upstream, midstream, downstream and distribution companies can take targeted steps to curb their emissions. Recent advances in sensing, analytics and mobile technology have created new and better methods solutions for gas leak detection that perform significantly better than traditional detection methods.
ABB has developed a range of natural gas leak detection solutions that help personnel detect minute amounts of methane, using drone-mounted, vehicle-based and handheld systems. The high sensitivity of these solutions enables customers to find large, small and even hidden leaks faster and more reliably compared with legacy technologies.
ABB HoverGuard™'s drone-mounted methane sensors, for example, enable rapid, large-scale leak detection across vast networks of pipelines and other infrastructure – often in locations that would be difficult or dangerous for humans to reach. This translates to earlier identification of leaks, minimizing environmental impact and fugitive emissions.
A case in point: orphan wells. These abandoned oil and gas wells can spew methane and other harmful pollutants for years, contributing to global warming. Traditionally, locating and monitoring these derelict wells has been a complex and expensive undertaking.
ABB technology offers a solution. Our methane detection systems, such as ABB MicroGuard™, empower workers to efficiently locate and measure leaks from orphan wells. This data is then used to prioritize well-plugging efforts, mitigating environmental risks and contributing to a cleaner future.
Tracking emissions – from space
Canadian company GHGSat is a leader in utilizing satellite technology for high-resolution greenhouse gas monitoring. In 2020, they partnered with ABB to equip their constellation of satellites with ABB-built methane detection sensors
These sensors boast a resolution 100 times higher than comparable technologies, allowing for precise identification of methane emissions from space.
Since that time, ABB has manufactured the sensors for ten GHGSat emissions-monitoring satellites..
Continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS)
Ensuring a comprehensive approach to monitoring emissions that covers methane, but also other harmful emissions like CO2, nitrous oxide and sulfur oxides, is key to accelerating the energy transition.
Continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) are one of the ways in which industry is mobilizing to address these emissions. CEMS provide constant monitoring and analysis of the composition of gases that come out of industrial chimneys.
Complementing ABB’s Natural Gas Leak Detection suite and satellite-based solutions, CEMS play a vital role in end-to-end methane monitoring strategies. These systems provide real-time data on emissions from industrial facilities, power plants and other sources. This continuous stream of data allows for more precise identification of emission trends and fluctuations, enabling proactive adjustments to optimize processes and minimize the release of harmful gases.