Google and EDF partner to track methane leaks with space tech

Google and the Environmental Defence Fund (EDF) on February 14, 2024, announced a new partnership to track methane emissions from oil and gas operations. This collaboration leverages space technology to detect and expose leaks, holding companies accountable and ultimately aiding in climate change mitigation efforts.

The centrepiece is the launch of MethaneSAT, a new satellite specifically designed to detect methane emissions with high precision. Scheduled for launch in March 2024, this satellite will provide unprecedented global coverage and sensitivity for identifying leaks. Google provides its cloud computing resources and data analysis and visualization expertise to process and analyze MethaneSAT’s data. This includes creating a dynamic methane map accessible to the public later this year. The collected data will be available to various stakeholders, including researchers, regulators, and the public.

This transparency aims to pressure companies to address leaks and improve practices. By overlaying MethaneSAT data with Google’s oil and gas infrastructure map, the project aims to identify specific equipment types most prone to leaks, aiding in targeted mitigation efforts.

https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/how-satellites-algorithms-and-ai-can-help-map-and-trace-methane-sources/