MethaSense

Contact Person (Coordinator)

Dipl.-Ing. Ralf Heyen

Gravionic GmbH
Geoservices, Individualisierung dynamischer Systeme
Hermann-Blenk-Str. 27+29
38108 Braunschweig

service@gravionic.de

What the Project Is About

The goal of the MethaSense project is to develop and test an innovative, drone-based system for the precise, high-frequency, and comprehensive detection of methane emissions in landfill environments. Methane is one of the most climate-impacting greenhouse gases, and its actual emissions have often been underestimated to date. At landfills in particular, the size, topography, and dynamic changes in the landfill body make reliable monitoring difficult using conventional, point-based measurement methods. MethaSense addresses this challenge and aims to significantly improve the quality, quantity, and temporal resolution of emission data.

The core objective of the project is to develop a multisensor measurement system that combines modern drone technology with innovative gas and environmental sensors as well as AI-supported data processing. Through the intelligent fusion of various sensor data, methane emissions are to be precisely localized, quantified, and analyzed as spatiotemporal patterns. AI models enable automatic anomaly detection, adaptive calibration, and the forecasting of emission trends under real-world environmental conditions.

Another key objective is to conduct practical testing of the system under laboratory and real-world conditions at various landfill sites. The data obtained in this way will not only serve to technically optimize the overall system but also to provide a scientifically sound assessment of its environmental impacts. On this basis, the potential for increasing methane capture rates at landfills will be demonstrated, thereby supporting the early implementation of emission avoidance and recovery measures.

In the long term, MethaSense aims to make a measurable contribution to climate protection by reducing methane emissions and improving the energy utilization of landfill gas. At the same time, the project lays the groundwork for transferring the developed technology to other fields of application, such as waste management, the energy sector, or the monitoring of critical infrastructure.