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PLUME Awarded Funding by ESA Arctic Phi-Lab

PLUME (Process for Locating and Understanding Methane Emissions), project led by NILU – Norwegian Institute for Air Research in collaboration with Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), has been awarded funding by the ESA’s Arctic Phi-Lab.

The Arctic Phi-Lab supports early-stage innovation projects that address pressing environmental and operational challenges in the Arctic using advanced Earth Observation technologies. The funding enables PLUME to accelerate development towards a new, integrated approach to monitoring methane emissions- one of the most potent greenhouse gases.

What PLUME Will Deliver 

PLUME aims to build a multi-mission methane

monitoring service that unites data from both public and commercial satellite sources. Today, methane monitoring is limited by gaps in coverage, varying resolution between sensors, and often speed of access to critical information. 

The PLUME concept addresses these challenges by: 

  • Combining multiple satellite sensors to increase observation frequency 
  • Applying scientific analysis to improve understanding of emission patterns 
  • Creating a user-oriented service designed for operational decision-making 

With the Arctic as its primary focus area, PLUME will provide a new process to provide insights into methane emissions linked to  industrial activity and climate-driven change. 

KSAT plays a central role in the project through our global ground network and experience in delivering near-real-time, reliable satellite data for operational services. Our algorithms and operationalisation of the service coupled with the scientific expertise of NILU ensures that PLUME can transition from concept to a solution ready for real-world use. 

Engaging Future Users 

As development progresses, PLUME will collaborate closely with stakeholders particularly in the Energy sector but also across other sectors such as: 

  • Waste and landfill management 
  • Air quality and emissions regulation 
  • Environmental monitoring and research 

Understanding user needs will be essential to shaping a service that delivers value from day one. 

 

Read more about PLUME and how you can join the project: PLUME