Energy and Environment Seminar Series: Director of the Energy Institute presents methane research and technology
On January 26, the executive director of the Energy Institute, Bryan Willson, presented as part of the weekly Energy and Environment Seminar Series at the Powerhouse Campus. He discussed eleven different methane-sensing technologies and explained his role in developing methane-related technologies as part of the Energy Institute.
Willson oversaw the development of various projects during his time as the project director for the Methane Observation Networks with Innovative Technology to Obtain Reductions (MONITOR) arm of the federal Advanced Research Projects Agency — Energy (ARPA-E) program.
The goal of MONITOR is to develop methane-sensing technologies that are marketable to natural gas companies. The goal is to provide a low-cost option for pinpointing exact leak locations and quantifying leakage amounts.
Currently, methane leaks are difficult to find because of the widespread nature of the natural gas production and distribution system. Willson is confident that once these new technologies are on the market, they will be readily adopted by natural gas companies in order to reduce waste from leakages.
Researchers at the Energy Institute will recognize the relevancy of this subject as the conglomerate houses several projects that revolve around methane, “the official molecule of the Powerhouse Energy Campus,” joked Willson. In addition, the Institute is currently constructing a methane emissions test facility that will help evaluate the capabilities of new methane-sensing technologies.
More information about ARPA-E and MONITOR is available at the MONITOR website: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/?q=arpa-e-programs/monitor. You can learn more about the Energy Institute here.
Story by Eliz Hale
