Metrology support for the development of standardised methods for methane emission detection and quantification

Methane is the second largest contributor to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions after carbon dioxide but with a much shorter lifetime in the atmosphere (7-12 years compared to centuries). This means that curbing its emission will have a major impact on climate change, but detection and quantification remain a key challenge.  In 2024, the EU published its Methane Regulation (EUMR), addressing methane emissions from the energy sector. The EUMR requires the establishment of standards to enable industry to measure, monitor, report and verifiably reduce emissions, as well as requiring any leaks to be detected and repaired within 5-15 days. There is therefore an immediate need for reliable, validated, standardised measurement methods for industry to meet these requirements.

This project will address outstanding issues in this area by providing validated and traceable leak detection and quantification methods and reference materials for methane emissions at different scales. Onsite measurements will be performed to assess new optical methane detection technologies alongside environmental factors, such as the effect of wind speed and direction on industrial emission plumes. Validated simulations will also be developed using Computational Fluid Dynamics and “synthetic methane plumes” which will allow the assessment of current and future quantification methods.

The development of harmonised validation procedures will support the EU’s environmental aims for controlling this potent greenhouse gas and allow industry to demonstrate adherence to the EUMR.