Publication Name: PESA Symposium QLD 2022
Authors: Grazia Gargiulo, Sebastian Hoerning
Date Published: September 2022
Number of Pages: 24
https://doi.org/10.36404/TEWA8952
Abstract:
Estimating methane flux rates from drone concentration measurements
In its Climate Transition Strategy, the Queensland Government has set a zero net emission target by 2050, with an interim target for at least a 30% reduction in emissions on 2005 levels by 2030. QLD’s total fugitive emissions however have increased by 79% from 2005 to 2016, mainly due to the expansion in the state’s coal and gas extractive industries. Fugitive emissions are inherently difficult to quantify since they are often scattered over large areas. Drones specialised in the detection and measurements of methane concentrations can be used to identify point source of fugitive emissions.
However, concentrations are just a snapshot in space/time and to be able to quantify the actual emissions, the underlying methane flux (i.e., the amount of methane per time unit over a specific area) is required. In this talk, we are going to present details on the data acquisition for fugitive methane emissions using drones. First attempts at estimating the underlying fluxes will be presented and a controlled methane release experiment, required for calibration and validation purposes, is discussed.