Veritas: Methane Measurement and Verification Initiative

A collaboration between Stanford Natural Gas Initiative and GTI Energy

March 28, 2024 - The Stanford Natural Gas Initiative and GTI Energy co-hosted Veritas: Methane Measurement and Verification Protocols bringing together over 120 people from industry, academia, government and NGOs. Mitigating methane emissions is critical to meet our climate goals and one of the lowest cost ways to abate carbon.

We would to thank all of the outstanding speakers, moderators, panelists and attendees for their time and participation, and for contributing to the success of the event!

Published: January 31, 2024 | Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (AMT) 

Author: Sherwin, E. D., El Abbadi, S. H., Burdeau, P. M., Zhang, Z., Chen, Z., Rutherford, J. S., Chen, Y., and Brandt, A. R.: Single-blind test of nine methane-sensing satellite systems from three continents, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 765–782, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-765-2024, 2024

Abstract: Satellite-based remote sensing enables detection and mitigation of large point sources of climate-warming methane. These satellites will have the greatest impact if stakeholders have a clear-eyed assessment of their capabilities. We performed a single-blind test of nine methane-sensing satellites from three continents and five countries, including both commercial and government satellites. Over 2 months, we conducted 82 controlled methane releases during satellite overpasses. Six teams analyzed the resulting data, producing 134 estimates of methane emissions. Of these, 80 (58 %) were correctly identified, with 46 true positive detections (34 %) and 34 true negative non-detections (25 %). There were 41 false negatives, in which teams missed a true emission, and 0 false positives, in which teams incorrectly claimed methane was present. All eight satellites that were given a nonzero emission detected methane at least once, including the first single-blind evaluation of the EnMAP, Gaofen 5, and Ziyuan 1 systems. In percent terms, quantification error across all satellites and teams is similar to aircraft-based methane remote sensing systems, with 55 % of mean estimates falling within ±50 % of the metered value. Although teams correctly detected emissions as low as 0.03 metric tons of methane per hour, it is unclear whether detection performance in this test is representative of real-world field performance. Full retrieval fields submitted by all teams suggest that in some cases it may be difficult to distinguish true emissions from background artifacts without a known source location. Cloud interference is significant and appears to vary across teams and satellites. This work confirms the basic efficacy of the tested satellite systems in detecting and quantifying methane, providing additional insight into detection limits and informing experimental design for future satellite-focused controlled methane release testing campaigns.

Published: January 2, 2024 | ScienceDirect

Authors: Jimmy Rojas, Shang Zhai, Eddie Sun, Vasudev Haribal, Sebastian Marin-Quiros, Amitava Sarkar, Raghubir Gupta, Matteo Cargnello, Will Chueh, Arun Majumdar,Technoeconomics and carbon footprint of hydrogen production, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Volume 49, Part D, 2024, Pages 59-74, ISSN 0360-3199, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.06.292.

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360319923032718)

Abstract: Decarbonization of the global economy needs not only carbon-free electricity but also a fuel that is free of greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen is a prime candidate, with colors such as gray, blue and green production methods receiving attention. Generally missing from this discourse, however, is a quantitative comparison on the cost, scale, carbon footprint and infrastructure requirements for each of these technologies. Here we present a detailed technoeconomic comparison of five hydrogen production technologies: thermochemical water splitting, methane pyrolysis, water electrolysis, steam methane reforming, and chemical looping hydrogen production. Steam or autothermal methane reforming with carbon capture (SMR + CC) at large scale sets the benchmark for costs, but at small scales, electrochemical technologies appear more suitable. Potentially competitive with and sometimes more affordable than SMR + CC are chemical looping hydrogen production and methane pyrolysis. The impacts of the CO2 footprint of the electricity grid and a price on CO2 are also quantitatively evaluated. A qualitative consideration of the ability to leverage existing infrastructure is also offered with a view towards rapid scalability. Finally, the key research needs are identified for each technology.

Published: March 2024 | ScienceDirect

Authors: Chih-Jung Chen, Jinwon Oh, An-Chih Yang, Chengshuang Zhou, Gennaro Liccardo, Shradha Sapru, Matteo Cargnello, Understanding the effects of manganese and zinc promoters on ferrite catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to hydrocarbons through colloidal nanocrystals, Surface Science, Volume 741, 2024, 122424, ISSN 0039-6028, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susc.2023.122424.

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039602823001772)

Abstract: CO2 hydrogenation is a crucial reaction in the pursuit of sustainable fuels and chemicals. Iron-based catalysts, known for their activity, have garnered attention due to their potential, but sintering and still limited performance have encouraged researchers to explore additives and promoters in ferrite phases. Nonetheless, a systematic approach is required to comprehensively understand the roles of the promoters. This study analyzed the catalytic performance of colloidal ferrite nanocrystals added with manganese and zinc additives for CO2 hydrogenation. The precise control afforded by colloidal synthesis enabled the fine-tuning of catalyst properties. The findings revealed that both manganese and zinc additives effectively counteracted sintering effects, leading to decreased particle sizes after the reaction. The contribution of manganese additives to promoting CO2 hydrogenation performance was however limited, resulting in lower CO2 conversion and reduced selectivity towards C2+ hydrocarbons compared to the bare ferrite catalyst. Notably, the introduction of zinc instead yielded a dual benefit of improved catalytic activity and selectivity. This enhancement was attributed to enhanced reducibility that facilitated the formation of carbide-like phases, considered the active species.

Published: January 12, 2024 | Springer Link

Authors: Kovscek, A.R., Nordbotten, J.M. & Fernø, M.A. Scaling Up FluidFlower Results for Carbon Dioxide Storage in Geological Media. Transp Porous Med 151, 975–1002 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-023-02046-9

Abstract: The partial differential equations describing immiscible, but soluble, carbon dioxide (CO2) displacement of brine in saline storage formations are developed including mass transfer across the CO2–brine interface. Scaling relationships for characteristic time among laboratory and representative storage formation conditions are found upon assumption that free-phase CO2 transport during injection is dominated by pressure-driven flow. The implication is that an hour in the FluidFlower (room-scale visual model) scales to hundreds of years of elapsed time in the storage formation. The scaling criteria permit extrapolation of the effects of changes in parameters and operating conditions. Interphase mass transfer allows CO2 to saturate the brine phase and the finite time of such mass transfer results in substantial time to approach equilibrium. Significant mixing of CO2 dissolved into formation brine with original brine is found experimentally and is also predicted. The magnitude of onset time for buoyancy-driven fingers that enhance mixing of CO2 is typically only a fraction of the duration of CO2 injection and in general agreement with theoretical analysis in the literature. Predictions for onset time of convective mixing at representative storage formation conditions, likewise, teach that the onset time for fingering is significantly less than the duration of CO2 injection in some cases. The implications of this observation include that mixing of CO2 with brine and the subsequent settling due to gravity are relatively rapid and coincide with the period of active CO2 injection.

March 18, 2024 - Dr. Naomi Boness, Co-Managing Director, Stanford Hydrogen Initiative participated in a panel discussion with Didier Holleaux (Engie) and Sidd Manjeshwar (Air Products) at the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference in Houston.

The challenge of creating low-carbon hydrogen and making it affordable calls for openness to all so-called hydrogen "colors" and continued supply chain investments, speakers said at a March 18 panel.

There is no such thing as a totally clean pathway towards clean hydrogen production, not even with "green" hydrogen production, said Stanford University Hydrogen Initiative Co-Managing Director Naomi Boness at the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference in Houston.

CERAWeek 2024 explored strategies for a multidimensional, multispeed and multifuel energy transition. The drive for energy transition is reshaping the competitive landscape for companies and countries – creating new opportunities and risks across the energy value chain. The imperative to reduce emissions has grown in urgency. Yet expectations of a simple linear global transition have been shaken as climate goals compete with concerns over how to deliver economic growth while ensuring energy security, energy access, and affordability. The multidimensional energy transition reflects different realities and timelines by region, technology, industry strategies, the variety of social and political approaches and divergent national priorities in an increasingly multipolar world.

April 25-26, 2024 - Stanford's Natural Gas Initiative hosted the Energy Leadership Institute workshop on the Stanford campus. The EnGen leadership development program is a one-year, curriculum-based executive leadership development program focused on leadership skills and professional development used to bridge the divide between energy sectors, collaborate within the entire energy community, conduct a productive and inclusive energy dialogue, and contribute informed and innovative solutions to the complex challenges of a continuously evolving energy industry.