The Data Institute for Societal Challenges (DISC) has officially launched its Methane Gas Lecture Series, aimed at addressing one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. OU has several large efforts funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to develop new sensor technology, infrastructure, data integration, analytics, and actionable information production projects to enable the reduction of methane emissions and create a zero-methane-emission U.S. energy production system. The inaugural presentation, held on February 9, 2024, featured esteemed speakers Dr. David Allen and Mr. Daniel Zimmerle, who shared their expertise on methane emissions and their implications for climate change.
Dr. David Allen, the Norbert Dittrich-Welch Chair Professor in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, captivated the audience with his insights into the scientific aspects of methane emissions. Drawing from his extensive research, exemplified by Project Astra - a global collaborative effort at the forefront of methane detection aimed at reducing methane emissions via developing an innovative sensor network across oil and gas facilities in the Permian Basin, Dr. Allen provided valuable insights into the sources, measurement techniques, and environmental impacts of methane gas.
Mr. Daniel Zimmerle, Director of the Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (METEC) in the Energy Institute at Colorado State University, complemented Dr. Allen's presentation by shedding light on the practical challenges and policy implications surrounding methane emissions. His firsthand real-world experience in improving methane detection, quantification, and modeling systems through testing and training at the METEC Foothills location, offered a unique perspective on the efforts to mitigate methane emissions across various sectors.
Building on the success of the inaugural event, the Methane Gas Lecture Series continued on February 21, 2024, with a thought-provoking presentation titled "The Challenges with Methane Emissions Data and How GTI Energy is Addressing Them" by Shannon Katcher – Vice President for Digital Innovation with GTI Energy This lecture delved into the complexities of methane emissions data and highlighted the innovative data integration architecting solutions being developed to address them.
The Methane Gas Lecture Series will continue to serve as a platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration among experts, policymakers, and stakeholders dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by methane emissions. DISC looks forward to continuing the series and facilitating meaningful discussions that contribute to environmental sustainability and a cleaner energy future. For more information, please visit our website: https://ou.edu/disc/active-projects/doe-methane-emissions-grant.
