SUper eMitters of Methane Detection Using Aircraft, Towers, and Intensive Observational Network (SUMMATION)
Conducting a comprehensive field study to identify and mitigate methane emissions in the southern San Joaquin Valley
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Recipient
Berkeley, CA
Recipient Location
9th
Senate District
14th
Assembly District
$4,626,489
Amount Spent
Active
Project Status
Project Update
The team completed constructing and testing four methane-monitoring systems as part of the Tiered-observing system. CSU-Bakersfield methane monitoring system has been running since June 1, 2019. Based on the methane emissions map from the Oil and Gas and Dairy sector in California and SUMMATION domain, four sites (Buttonwillow, Taft, Shafter, and SouthWest) were selected as promising candidates for the Tier-1 observing system. The team has completed their second week-long campaign in Bakersfield to measure methane emissions from residential buildings and measured emissions from gas stovetops, gas ovens, storage water heaters, and tankless water heater from nine different homes. The team also completed their first field campaign in the SUMMATION domain conducting on-road mobile survey in Bakersfield metropolitan area and around the elk-hills oil and gas field. This led the identification, and mitigation of an significant leak in a residential neighbourhood and led the a strengthening of the partnership with Pacific Gas & Electric. A fourth Community Advisory Board Meeting organized by the Central California Asthma Collaborative was held in March 2022.
The Issue
Multiple atmospheric studies have identified a significant underestimation of methane emissions reported by greenhouse gas inventories. These regional and local uncertainties present barriers to accurate methane accounting and cost-effective mitigation. Other studies show that methane footprints of the fossil gas supply chain are dominated by a small number of super-emitters; in many cases, less than 10 percent of potential sources contribute more than half the emissions. Existing measurement systems in the southern San Joaquin Valley cannot apportion emissions between sectors or provide information with the space-time resolution and timeliness needed for mitigation guidance for super-emitters.
Project Innovation
The project SUMMATION establishes persistent regional-scale methane (CH4) emissions monitoring, conducts high spatial resolution remote sensing of point source detection and quantification, organizes intensive field campaigns including low-cost sensors assessment, and brings together and analyzes a large data set for the southern San Joaquin Valley.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
This project is directly responsive to the directive in Assembly Bill 1496 to improve the monitoring and measurement of CH4 emissions, particularly high-emission CH4 hot spots, using the best available and cost-effective methods. Facilitating an end-to-end multi-scale and scalable approach for CH4 monitoring can identify cost-effective investments in fossil gas infrastructure and in fossil gas Investor-owned utilitiess' monitoring programs. This will effectively lower the cost and risk for maintenance crews, in addition to sheltering ratepayers from unnecessary monitoring and measurement costs, resource losses, and damages from associated smog forming compounds, hazardous air pollutants, and climate impacts from greenhouse gas emissions.
Affordability
This project will lower costs for ratepayers by improving methane monitoring efficiency and enabling cost-effective detection of high-emission hot spots. By identifying and prioritizing mitigation investments, it reduces unnecessary maintenance hours, resource losses, and monitoring expenses across California’s gas infrastructure.
Environmental Sustainability
This project supports environmental and public health by reducing methane emissions and co-emitted pollutants such as smog-forming and hazardous air pollutants. Improved detection and mitigation of super-emitters will help lower regional ozone formation, enhance air quality, and reduce health risks for nearby communities.
Reliability
Early detection of gas leakage could prevent potential disruptions to California's fossil gas system caused by pipeline shutdowns, and hence interruptions of gas fired electricity plants.
Safety
Early detection and mitigation of methane emissions could reduce risk of catastrophic events such as pipeline explosions.
Equity
Advance understanding of methane emissions in southern San Joaquin Valley - a region that has been disproportionally impacted by environmental issues arising from the fossil gas system - while validating new technologies and strategies that could be affordably applied in other parts of the State.
Key Project Members
Sébastien Biraud
Rob Jackson
Subrecipients
Match Partners
