SENTINEL (gaS Emissions quaNtificaTion usIng advaNcEd anaLytics)

Mirico has developed unique patented open path Laser Dispersion Spectroscopy (LDS) technology, which is packaged into a sensor that can measure emissions of planet-harming gases across wide areas (1km2+) at very high sensitivity (parts per billion). This is currently used by the scientific research community to explore emissions from agriculture and wetlands to understand large-scale environmental change.

We are diversifying into new markets and have identified a significant opportunity to monitor emissions from industrial infrastructure using the same sensor. Our initial target is methane, a powerful greenhouse gas which is causing approx. one quarter of global warming. Fossil energy, landfill, wastewater and biogas facilities are responsible for c.40% of human methane emissions and have recently become subject to intense scrutiny. They need to monitor and mitigate emissions to show regulatory compliance, address stakeholder pressure and avoid fines.

We have identified the KPIs needed by our potential customers:

1\. Detect leaks down to low levels;

2\. Quantify the level of emissions;

3\. Localise the source of emissions to within an equipment group in a facility;

4\. Catch multiple intermittent events as they happen.

We are already working closely with energy companies to validate these requirements, and are confident that with this performance Mirico would out-compete most alternative solutions and unlock a market with TAM \>£12Bn (source: Bloomberg NEF).

Mirico has focussed to date on the challenges of LDS sensing technology and associated hardware development, and has only recently started developing digital analytics capability. SENTINEL will greatly accelerate the development of algorithms which can process raw sensor output in the cloud, and characterise methane releases at a facility on a continuous basis. The project will operate at the interface between hardware and software, applying advanced statistical and computing techniques to significantly improve the analysis of the data from our unique open path integration sensor.

The overall aim is to provide value-added insights which enable local operations staff to understand the evolving picture of their emissions and take appropriate actions without needing to be upskilled in the underlying physics.