New device facilitates faster methane detection
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is pioneering a new way to monitor unplanned methane releases with a laser tool installed recently at its gas storage site in northern California.
The device is a pilot for the Methane Detectors Challenge, a partnership among the Environmental Defense Fund, oil and gas companies and distributors, U.S.-based technology developers and other experts. It offers 24/7 monitoring that experts say could detect releases within hours instead of months.
“At PG&E, we believe that climate change is, in fact, a reality, and we maintain a steadfast conviction to doing all we can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The State of California has set clear goals regarding emissions reductions, which PG&E proudly supports and is actively working to help achieve,” PG&E Gas Regulatory Senior Director Jim Howe said in a company news release. “This work with EDF and innovative methane detection technologies will be instrumental to this effort, as well as our support of industry partners as they set and achieve their own emissions-reductions goals.”
Acutect Inc., a San-Francisco-based startup company, developed the laser technology, which was one of 20 submissions received as part of the Methane Detectors Challenge.
The pilot program will study the reliability, accuracy and durability of the technology over three months of actual use in the field. Acutect will gain insight and data about how its solar-powered design performs under field conditions.
“By building bridges between innovators and customers that need scalable solutions, EDF is accelerating technologies that can help the oil and gas industry improve operations and forging solutions that build safer communities and let the planet thrive,” said Aileen Nowlan, manager of the Methane Detectors Challenge.
Besides the PG&E project, oil and gas production company Statoil also plans to launch real-world pilot testing of another laser-based technology developed by Quanta3, a Colorado startup founded specifically to participate in the Methane Detectors Challenge.