Duke Energy, Accenture, Microsoft Developing Methane-Emissions Monitoring Platform

By Michael Dabaie

Duke Energy Corp. said Monday it is working with Accenture PLC and Microsoft Corp. on a new technology platform to measure actual baseline methane emissions from natural gas distribution systems.

Duke said this would provide near-real-time data collection, allowing Duke's field-response teams to more rapidly identify and repair methane leaks.

The cloud-hosted platform would use advanced detection methods such as satellites, fixed-wing aircraft and ground-level sensing technology. The new sensor technology can detect trace levels of methane emissions that current technology may not identify, Duke said.

Duke Energy said it anticipates implementing the methane-monitoring platform by October.

Duke Energy began testing satellites for detecting leaks on its natural gas system in 2020 and said it found satellite detection has the potential to be more accurate and an expedient way to locate leaks compared to traditional leak survey methods like aerial and foot patrols.

Write to Michael Dabaie at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 23, 2021 10:29 ET (14:29 GMT)

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