There is a growing need to find and measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emission sources so that mitigation efforts can be tracked. Undetected leaks contribute significantly to the total emitted gases.

There is a great need for improved GHG measurement. For example, methane emissions are estimated by the International Energy Agency (IEA) for the energy sector at around 70% higher than emissions reported to UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) – a truly massive discrepancy. The UAV-GHG Consortium will enable the monitoring of greenhouse gas sources over large geographic areas, improve the usefulness of satellite data, and fill in gaps where no satellite data can be collected.

Over the next three years, the Consortium will use novel long-range, large payload unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to carry spectroscopic sensors to monitor numerous greenhouse gases including methane, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. Results will be combined with satellite data. The electric UAVs will rely on solar power and “second life” batteries in operations, providing a highly environmentally responsible service. Experts will study emission patterns of multiple types of gases at once in various atmospheric conditions, leading to more robust understanding of GHG emissions.