A Stanford University study into the efficacy of methane-sensing satellite systems has concluded that satellite monitoring unequivocally detects methane, with its findings confirming the unique capability of Kayrros to monitor methane using every available satellite sensor with top tier results and notably a detection below 100 kg/hour.
The study, published in the journal Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, involved a single-blind test of nine methane-sensing satellites from three continents and five countries, including commercial and government satellites. Over a two-month period, the researchers conducted 82 controlled methane releases during satellite overpasses.
The study was conducted because of how satellites empower stakeholders in industry and government to take corrective action, both to mitigate individual sources and to inform estimates of total methane emissions. The study’s authors noted that satellites could have the greatest positive environmental impact ‘if their results were widely believed by a broad array of stakeholders across the world.’
The Stanford team, whose previous blind test of satellite efficacy for methane monitoring was published last year in Nature, found that satellites unequivocally detect methane and that emission quantification estimates using satellite measurements have similar levels of precision to airborne measurements.
This study incorporates nine satellites and was conducted over 51 days. The first Stanford study involved five satellites and took place over 19 days. The new study also includes smaller releases, illustrating the sensors‘ ability to detect events at a lower emission threshold than previously demonstrated.
The researchers also showed there were no false positives in methane detection – i.e., where teams incorrectly claimed methane was present. It proves that satellite monitoring is highly accurate for the detection of methane, and should throw doubt on claims that methane plumes detected via satellite are not what they seem. Last year, giant plumes of methane detected in Kazakhstan by Kayrros were dismissed by the perpetrator as ‘hot vapor’. These detections have since been validated in a study involving Kayrros as well as several academic institutes.
The Kayrros team and a team from Nanjing University (NJU) in China processed data from the greatest number of satellites. Kayrros’ methodology and data quality have previously been endorsed in a number of peer-reviewed studies and the company is seen as the international benchmark for global methane emission monitoring.
It applies its methodology across a range of products, including Carbon Watch and Methane Watch, for emissions detection; Forest Carbon Monitor, for monitoring the impact of land use change and evaluating conservation efforts; and Wildfire Monitor, which tracks wildfires, wildfire risk and wildfire damage using unique modelling techniques.
Kayrros recently released Equity Tracker, a company performance tracker for public equity investment teams. The company, which was named one of the world’s 100 Most Influential by TIME, will expand its range of products for financial institutions in 2024.
Kayrros President and co-founder, Antoine Rostand ,said the company was pleased to have been involved in the study, adding that his team were committed to subjecting their methods ‘to scientific scrutiny’. “The findings of the Stanford team are unambiguous: satellite monitoring has a vital role to play in methane detection,” he said. “We’re glad to have taken part in the study, and remain absolutely committed to subjecting our methods to the highest possible level of scientific scrutiny. We believe it’s essential that the approach we take to the climate crisis is backed by independent, verifiable, empirical data. We hope to lead by example.”
About Kayrros
Founded in 2016, Kayrros is a global digital MRV and climate technology company and a world leader in environmental intelligence. Kayrros use satellite imagery, AI, and geo-analytics to help governments, investors and businesses understand the risks posed by the changing climate and energy landscapes and make more informed decisions. Kayrros has recently been named one of the world’s 100 Most Influential Companies by TIME, included on Fortune’s annual Change the World and is a winner of the FT Tech Champions 2022. Kayrros has offices in Paris, Houston, New York, London, Bangalore and Singapore.