About CH4Scout

AIM OF CH4SCOUT

The CH4SCOUT project aims at providing a UAV-based solution to enhance the detection and 3D-mapping of methane emissions released by the oil and gas exploitation sites, but also in the proximity of abandoned coal mines and inactive oil and fossil gas wells. CH4SCOUT will provide a valuable service to the customers who need methane detection and measurement, such as the oil and gas, the waste management, the agriculture, the R&D and the environmental sectors.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

The consortium aims to implement the AIRSCOUT project because it offers a novel and competitive solution for methane detection and measurement, using a UAV-based system that provides accuracy, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. It also aims to address the environmental and social challenges posed by methane emissions, which are a major contributor to climate change and air pollution, aligned with the EU methane strategy and the OGMP 2.0 framework. CH4SCOUT will provide the customers and the stakeholders with valuable insights on the methane concentration, distribution, source, and CO2 equivalent, as well as 3D maps of the methane plumes and their spatial extent. 

IMPACT – RESULTS OF THE PROJECT

The CH4SCOUT project aims to develop a UAV-based system that can detect and measure methane emissions from various sources, such as the oil and gas, the waste management, the agriculture, and the environmental sectors. CH4SCOUT can provide accurate, reliable, and cost-effective methane detection and measurement and can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the compliance with the regulations, the improvement of the efficiency and safety of the operations, the optimization of the productivity and profitability of the farming activities, the assessment of the climate change effects, the information of the policy making, and the raising of public awareness.

Project info

Financing Contract:

No. 7 from 01/11/2024

Submission Code:

EUROSTARS-3-E!6602-CH4SCOUT

Project Title (EN):

UAV-based system for methane measurement, 3D mapping, and source detection

Project Title (RO):

Sistem UAV pentru monitorizarea metanului, cartografiere 3D și identificarea sursei emisiilor

Project Title (HU):

UAV-alapú rendszer metánméréshez, 3D térképezéshez és forrásérzékeléshez

Acronym:

CH4SCOUT

Contracting Authority:

Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development, and Innovation – UEFISCDI

Beneficiares:

SMM INVEST CO SRL, SEARCH-LAB LTD

Project Budget:

798.045 EUR

National budget:

1.575.000 RON financing, 722.375 RON cofinancing
96.110.187 HUF financing, 40.477.493 HUF cofinancing

Duration:

36 months from November 2024 to October 2027

WORKPLAN

Project Objectives: The CH4SCOUT project aims to develop and implement an innovative UAV-based (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) solution for detecting and monitoring methane emissions. The primary goal is to enhance the capacity for measuring and 3D mapping methane emissions from various sources such as oil and gas sites, coal mines, farms, and waste deposits, in line with EU methane regulations and the OGMP 2.0 framework.

Phases and Activities

Phase 1

Defining the Requirements and Architecture of the CH4SCOUT Solution

  • Activity 1.1: Define functional and non-functional requirements (aligned with T2.1 of the international project)
  • Activity 1.2: Define the architecture of the CH4SCOUT solution (aligned with T2.2 of the international project)
  • Outcome: Technical and scientific report on the requirements and architecture of the CH4SCOUT solution

Phase 2

Design and Development of the Methane Monitoring Solution

  • Activity 2.1: Design the components of the sensor solution (aligned with T2.3 of the international project)
  • Activity 2.2: Develop the sensor solution for methane monitoring (aligned with T3.1 and T3.2 of the international project)
  • Outcome: Technical and scientific report on the design and development of the sensor solution for methane concentration monitoring

Phase 3

Design and Development of the UAV Solution

  • Activity 3.1: Design the UAV solution components (aligned with T3.3 of the international project)
  • Activity 3.2: Develop the UAV components and integrate them with the sensor solution (aligned with T3.4 of the international project)
  • Outcome: Technical and scientific report on the design and development of the UAV solution

Phase 4

Implementation of Algorithms, Cloud Components, and Data Visualization Application

  • Activity 4.1: Implement algorithms for emission detection and evaluation (aligned with T4.1, T4.2, and T4.3 of the international project)
  • Activity 4.2: Implement Cloud components and the graphical interface (aligned with T4.4 of the international project)
  • Outcome: Technical and scientific report on the implementation of algorithms, Cloud components, and the data visualization application

Phase 5

Prototype Creation and Laboratory Testing

  • Activity 5.1: Develop the prototype (aligned with T5.1 of the international project)
  • Activity 5.2: Test and validate the prototype under laboratory conditions (aligned with T5.2 of the international project)
  • Outcome: Technical and scientific report on the implementation and laboratory testing of the prototype

Phase 6

Optimization of the CH4SCOUT Prototype and Testing in Real Operating Conditions; Market Analysis and Business Model Definition; Coordination, Communication, and Dissemination

  • Activity 6.1: Optimize the CH4SCOUT prototype (aligned with T5.3 of the international project)
  • Activity 6.2: Test the prototype in real operating conditions (aligned with T5.4 of the international project)
  • Activity 6.3: Conduct market analysis and define business models (aligned with T6.2 and T6.3 of the international project)
  • Activity 6.4: Coordination, communication, and dissemination (aligned with T1.1, T1.2, T1.3, and T6.1 of the international project)
  • Outcome: Technical and scientific report on the optimization and testing of the prototype in real operating conditions, market analysis, and business model definition; Dissemination report on project results