High-Tech Drones in China Are Revolutionizing Carbon Emission Monitoring, Outperforming Satellites

To advance the monitoring of carbon emissions attributed to human activities, a team of scientists in China has turned to specialized drones. Recent data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) has revealed that global carbon dioxide emissions from energy-related sources have reached an all-time high of 36.8 billion tonnes.

Improving Monitoring Solutions Through Specialized Drones

While satellites like NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory have been used worldwide to track emissions, this approach comes with inherent challenges. Issues such as cloud cover, aerosols, terrain variability, and wind speeds can introduce inaccuracies in satellite measurements.

Yang Dongxu, a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Atmospheric Physics, emphasized the need for improved monitoring solutions. Dongxu explained that existing and even near-future satellite measurements cannot meet the frequent monitoring requirements for anthropogenic emissions.

In their quest to enhance carbon detection precision, Interesting Engineering reported that Yang and his team initiated a project aimed at crafting a more accurate method for quantifying localized emissions stemming from human actions. Their dedication culminated in the establishment of the Low-cost UAV Coordinated Carbon Observation Network (LUCCN).

While employing drones to monitor greenhouse gases is not a novel concept, LUCCN introduces a pioneering method by integrating ground-based monitoring stations with an advanced "intelligent multi-aircraft flight system" that deploys UAVs. The terrestrial stations are outfitted with solar panels and incorporate sensors housed within weather-resistant enclosures.

Additionally, these stations are equipped with mounted weather stations to capture data on external environmental variations. Unlike fixed-wing aerial drones, quadcopter drones are preferred for their capability to hover in a fixed position and navigate with greater precision.

South China Morning Post reported that LUCCN has been meticulously designed to autonomously make flight decisions based on the data collected during its initial exploratory mission.

The research team underscores the significance of enhancing monitoring systems for human-generated carbon emissions. Limited comprehension of emissions from sectors such as power generation, urban areas, and industry has resulted in substantial uncertainties in global carbon budgets.

Three-Day Testing

In May, a three-day testing phase took place at a power plant in Shenzhen in China's Guangdong province, using the initial LUCCN prototype. This early version included five ground stations and four drones.

During the testing, the ground stations detected a singular signal, while the drones effectively gathered measurements from the emissions plume emanating from the facility. The success was attributed to the drones' capability to reach the relatively high altitudes of the emission sources.

Nevertheless, the emissions data collected by LUCCN displayed slight variations compared to an open-source dataset, prompting the research team to focus on enhancing the network to eliminate these differences.

Yang conveyed that further exploration is needed to refine the UAV sampling strategy and emission estimation methods. The LUCCN approach enhances the monitoring process by synergizing multiple aircraft with ground stations, which collectively provide a more comprehensive and precise assessment of carbon emissions.

As posted on Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, the research underscored the necessity for satellite remote sensing combined with near-ground measurement in the future.

With LUCCN's capability to offer in-depth measurements of local carbon emissions and even ecosystem carbon cycle processes, China's endeavors in emissions monitoring are thus fortified.