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News and press releases on emissions monitoring
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New research report highlights breakthrough in N₂O monitoring at wastewater treatment plants
The final report from the two-year AWAIRE research project has just been published by the Ministry of Environment of Denmark, confirming the value of Explicit’s innovative drone-based technology for quantifying nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions with high precision – an essential step in addressing climate-critical emissions from wastewater treatment. Tackling a potent climate challenge N₂O is 273 times more potent than CO₂ and can account for up to 78% of a wastewater treatment plant’s operational carbon footprint. Yet, reliably measuring it remains a challenge due to its sporadic release across large, open-air facilities. To address this challenge, the AWAIRE project, funded by the Danish Environmental Technology Development Program (MUDP) and led by Explicit in collaboration with DTU Sustain, BIOFOS and Krüger A/S, focused on adapting Explicit’s Drone Flux Measurement (DFM) technology – originally developed for methane quantification – to quantify N₂O emissions with high precision. Key findings The project conducted 41 field surveys at BIOFOS Avedøre, comparing DFM results with the well-established tracer gas dispersion method (TDM). The results clearly showed that DFM and TDM produced comparable emission rates, confirming the accuracy and robustness of Explicit’s drone-based remote sensing method. This alignment underscores the DFM’s capability as a reliable, field-ready technology
Fast-growing Danish greentech company secures large-scale contract with Equinor to survey methane emissions using drones
Explicit ApS, Danish greentech scaleup and pioneer in the use of drone technology to monitor greenhouse gas emissions, has secured a multi-million EUR contract to survey methane emissions from all Norwegian assets on behalf of Equinor Energy ASA in 2025. The contract includes survey of 39 offshore platforms located on the Norwegian continental shelf and 3 onshore facilities. “This contract is a milestone for us. Equinor is committed to mitigating the effects of methane emissions and the use of innovative technologies such as drones to document emissions. We look forward to working with their team on this year’s methane survey” Jon Knudsen, CEO of Explicit Expanding local presence with offices in Norway With the demand for aerial methane surveys on the rise globally, Explicit is ramping up to meet client needs. In support of the new contract and other projects, Explicit is opening new offices in Norway in addition to its presence in Denmark (HQ), Germany and Australia. “It’s important for us to be physically present in our primary locations of operation. We will welcome a new dedicated local team to oversee our services in Norway shortly,” Jon Knudsen Applying innovative method for methane quantification This year’s survey is part
New drone-based method for quantifying fugitive methane emissions at site level achieves international accreditation
Explicit ApS, one of Europe’s pioneers in the use of UAV technology to monitor emissions, has achieved ISO 17025 accreditation on a new drone-based method to quantify fugitive methane emissions at site level. The accreditation, the first of its kind in the world, provides the oil gas industry with a path to independently verify methane emissions at site level in compliance with OGMP 2.0. One of the main climate challenges for the oil gas industry is correctly locating and estimating the total level of fugitive emissions of methane leaking from production and distribution. How much is actually being emitted from various sources and how does that compare to model assumptions currently being used in green reporting? The second challenge is to ensure integrity around any field measurements to be able to satisfy regulatory requirements and industry quality standards. Danish-based engineering company Explicit ApS has managed to tackle both of those challenges by developing an innovative drone-based technique called the DFM (Drone Flux Measurement) Method, aimed at quantifying fugitive emissions of methane at site level, and secondly by achieving international ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation on its use. “ISO/IEC 17025 is the international accreditation standard applicable to test laboratories. By achieving accreditation on
New sniffer drone presented to Danish Minister of Environment and European Environmental Agency
On a beautiful day on the island of Sprogø, Explicit got a chance to demonstrate its latest sniffer drone application to monitor fugitive emissions of methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3), among other climate and air pollutants, to Lea Wermelin, Danish Minister for the Environment, and the European Environmental Agency (EEA). The day was organized and hosted by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency to showcase the Danish Ecoinnovation Programme (MUDP) and the potential of Danish frontrunner technologies in environmental monitoring. Explicit has previously received funding from MUDP to develop its mini sniffer technology for monitoring ship emissions, currently being used by leading authorities to enforce emissions regulations at sea. The new application focuses on quantification of fugitive emissions from land-based sources. Quantification – how much a source is actually emitting – remains a core challenge in emissions monitoring, particularly from fugitive sources where leaks and flares prevent easy measurement. The problem results in enormous measurement uncertainties, potential misreporting on climate and air quality impacts, and undermines attempts to regulate emissions from a large group of sources that are known to contribute significantly to climate and air quality pollution. The visit to Sprogø was documented by TV2 Fyn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAeqXiUkd9w&feature=youtu.be
Explicit and partners to monitor ship emissions at Pas-de-Calais
After successful missions in Denmark, EMSA has expanded their sniffer drone trials with a second team to monitor ship emissions in the strait of Pas-de-Calais on behalf of the French Ministry of the Sea. Commencing on 23 September 2020, the drones are expected to fly for an initial period of 3 months taking off from the Regional Surveillance and Rescue Operational Centre (CROSS) Gris-Nez. The services are once again being delivered by Nordic Unmanned as lead pilot operator in collaboration with NORCE Research Institute and Schiebel, and with Explicit providing key mini sniffer technology, emissions analysis and data transmission capabilities to the operation. “The Strait of Pas-de-Calais is a critical maritime artery with the bulk of all maritime traffic servicing Northern Europe having to pass through the strait. To be able to monitor ship emissions in this area, while demonstrating how our mini sniffers can be easily integrated and deployed, is very satisfying. We look forward to providing EMSA and the French authorities will this important emissions data” Jon Knudsen, CEO of Explicit ApS As with the ongoing missions in Denmark, the new missions will deploy two Schiebel Camcopter(R) S100 VTOL platforms equipped with a dual Explicit Mini Sniffer System
EMSA redeploys sniffer drones in Danish waters
After an initial campaign in 2019, EMSA has once again deployed their Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) services to support the monitoring of ship emissions in the area North of the Great Belt. The deployment comes in response to a request by the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA). The missions will once again be lead by Nordic Unmanned as pilot operator with Explicit providing key mini sniffer technology, emissions analysis and data transmission capabilities to the operation. The new missions will deploy two Schiebel Camcopter S100 VTOL platforms, equipped with a dual mini sniffer system for monitoring sulphur and NOx emissions from ships. For further on the new missions, see the EMSA press release.
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