EREF Launches Second Controlled Release Study to Improve Methane Detection at Landfills 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [Raleigh, NC | November 18, 2024] – Following the Environmental Research & Education Foundation’s (EREF) initial controlled release emissions study earlier this year, researchers at St. Francis Xavier University’s FluxLab are set to launch their next phase of research on methane emissions measurement technologies. This second phase will evaluate a wider range of technologies and conditions to advance the accuracy and reliability of methane detection in landfill environments. 

The first part of this study, conducted at a closed landfill in Ontario, Canada, assessed various detection methods — including truck-mounted sensors, continuous sensors, and aerial technologies — under standardized conditions. Results from that study highlighted significant variability in performance across methodologies, with no single technology emerging as a clear frontrunner for scalable implementation. Download the report here. 

This next phase, scheduled for later this month, will allow researchers to consider how varying weather and wind conditions affect emissions measurements, particularly in relation to site topography and meteorological influences. In addition to higher release rates, it will bring together a diverse array of technology providers, including start-ups, consulting firms, NGOs, and researchers from the U.S., Canada, and Europe.  

Participants will test several methodologies, including: 

• Continuous Sensors 

• Surface Emissions Monitoring, including ground and drone-based methods 

• Satellite Imaging  

• Drones 

• Truck-Mounted Sensors 

Stay tuned for upcoming results and insights from this study. For more information on EREF’s research initiatives, please visit our website.