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Publication Comparison of co-located laser and metal oxide continuous monitoring systems(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-09-12) Ward, Kellis; Daniels, William; Hammerling, Dorit; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyAccurate measurement of methane (CH4) concentrations on oil and gas sites is essential for accurate estimates of methane emission rates via inversion algorithms. Different types of continuous monitoring sensors are offered as commercial solutions, with varying accuracy. In this paper we compare data from co-located Metal Oxide (MOx) and Laser Spectroscopy (LS) sensors on a midstream oil and gas site, with the goal of quantifying the differences in raw concentration measurements between the two technologies. We first analyze the impact of meteorological variables on the difference between MOx and LS concentrations measurements taken at the same time and location, finding that temperatures from 30 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and higher humidity contribute to larger concentration differences on average. Further, analysis of enhanced methane concentrations (likely from emissions on the site) recorded by both sets of sensors reveals that the LS sensors consistently record larger methane concentrations during these periods. This difference means that when using concentration measurements from both sensor technologies in inversion algorithms to estimate emission rates, using MOx sensor data would likely lead to underestimating emission rates, although we did not test this explicitly in this report.Publication Deployment of climate change adaptation technologies(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-09-20) Saghir, Jamal; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyDeveloping countries are seriously impacted by climate change. The World's 55 most climate-vulnerable have already lost 20% of their GDP.[1] Achieving the long-term goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement [2] to tackle climate change adaptation would require both new and emerging technologies as well as innovative business models and markets for their successful deployment at scale in developing countries.Publication Forging a greener future: the imperative of decarbonizing steel production(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-08-26) Littlefield, Anna; Udofia, Edikan; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyAs evening approaches in Pueblo, Colorado, the vast steel mill begins to transform under the setting sun. The EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel mill, a longstanding institution in this industrial area for more than a century, is evolving as part of the push to decarbonize the global steel industry. Collaborating with Lightsource bp, the mill is shifting to solar energy, positioning itself as the first steel mill in North America to operate predominantly on solar power. The solar conversion is set to abate almost half a million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.Publication Oil depot fire in Proletarsk rages on for sixth day(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-08-23) Zhizhin, Mikhail; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyFirefighters are now in their sixth day of battling a massive blaze that erupted at an oil storage facility in Proletarsk, Russia. The fire ignited early on Sunday, August 18th, following the downing of Ukrainian drones by Russian air defense systems near the town.Publication The Colorado geothermal frontier(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-08-20) Littlefield, Anna; Udofia, Edikan; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyIn Chaffee County Colorado, residents and visitors alike have long taken advantage of the natural hot springs generated by thermal anomalies deep underground. Soon, this same heat may be tapped to provide energy for the local community. Here, and across Colorado, geothermal is the focus of renewed attention and funding, with $7.7 million awarded for geothermal technology from the Colorado Energy Office, and further private investment. This project in Chaffee County was highlighted last week in an article from the Colorado Sun, noting the investment of Icelandic companies.Publication Global offshore lighting grids(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-08-08) Elvidge, Christopher; Ghosh, Tilottama; Chatterjee, Namrata; Zhizhin, Mikhail; Sutton, Paul C.; Bazilian, Morgan; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyThe Payne Institute Earth Observation Group present the first comprehensive multiyear global mapping of offshore lighting structures derived from low-light imaging satellite observations collected at night. The sensor is the day/night band (DNB) flown as part of the NASA/NOAA Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS).Publication Geological storage risk mitigation: the way forward(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-07-29) Handler, Brad; Patton, Lindene E.; Kulkarni, Siddhant; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyThis paper is the last in a series that identified the operational, financial and business model risks through the lifecycle of a geological storage project. These papers then discussed steps that are being taken to mitigate each risk, as well as to ensure that adequate funds are available to pay for closure and for environmental damages should any occur. In addressing these risks, this series averred that the regulatory landscape appears adequate to address them.Publication Satellite data reveals scale and intensity of Colorado's front range fires(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-08-01) Zhizhin, Mikhail; Ziv, Kristin; Elvidge, Christopher; Bazilian, Morgan; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyHundreds of firefighters are battling four separate wildfires that have erupted since Monday, July 29, along Colorado's front range foothills, consuming more than 8,300 acres. One person has died, and thousands have been forced to evacuate. On Wednesday, July 31, Gov. Jared Polis ordered the deployment of the National Guard to aid in the firefight.Publication Satellite data shows Park Fire devastation(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-08-02) Zhizhin, Mikhail; Ziv, Kristin; Elvidge, Christopher; Bazilian, Morgan; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyThe largest active wildfire in the U.S, the Park Fire in northern California, ignited last Wednesday (the 24th of July) and quickly engulfed more than 360,000 acres – approximately 560 square miles – by Sunday. As of Monday (29 July), the fire was about 12% contained. Arson has been cited as the cause.Publication Long term stewardship: releasing residual liability(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-07-29) Handler, Brad; Kulkarni, Siddhant; Patton, Lindene E.; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyIn a carbon geological storage project, the final phase is referred to as Long Term Stewardship (LTS). It follows the Post Injection and Site Care (PISC) phase, i.e., after the injection well has been plugged, the developer has monitored the subsurface for any CO₂ leaks for the prescribed period, and the site has been "closed."Publication Preliminary evaluation of community-oriented risk analysis of carbon capture, transport, and storage in the United States(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-07-15) Perticari Pesci, Nicolas G.; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyCCS projects are slated to be multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects comprised of carbon dioxide pipelines, capture sites, and injection wells for the sub-surface. While the technical feasibility of carbon capture projects is explained systematically, for example as part of the permitting application for Class VI wells for geological storage, the social implications of projects are equally important and must also be evaluated to better understand risks and holistic mitigation of liability for all involved parties.Publication Financial risk management for geological storage(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-07-22) Handler, Brad; Patton, Lindene E.; Kulkarni, Siddhant; Ayaburi, Felix; Shah, Darshil; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyThe U.S. government has implemented several policies designed to position Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects for growth. These include a regulatory framework and financial incentives such as Internal Revenue Service Section 45Q tax credits and grants. Potential project developers are responding positively, as evidenced, for example, by Class VI well permit applications that have been discussed elsewhere in this series of papers.Publication Geological storage: risks and operational risk mitigation(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-07-08) Handler, Brad; Littlefield, Anna; Ayaburi, Felix; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyThe use of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as a climate mitigation tool envisions the permanent underground storage of CO₂. The prospects for large scale adoption of geological storage has raised concerns regarding the risks — of property damage, environmental degradation, and to human health — if stored CO₂ were to leak to the surface or into shallow water resources.Publication Introduction: risk mitigation in geological storage of CO₂(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-07-08) Handler, Brad; Littlefield, Anna; Patton, Lindene E.; Perticari Pesci, Nicolas G.; Ayaburi, Felix; Kulkarni, Siddhant; Shah, Darshil; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyThere is consensus that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is an integral activity in the effort to limit global warming and its harmful effects. That contribution requires a significant scaling of CCS operations. To name just one example, the International Energy Agency (IEA)'s most recent Net Zero scenario includes CCS removing one billion tons of CO₂ per year by 2030 and six billion tons by 2050, up from 45 million tons captured and stored in 2022.Publication Satellite data reveals the start of Canada's wildfire season(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-05-16) Zhizhin, Mikhail; Ziv, Kristin; Elvidge, Christopher; Bazilian, Morgan; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyPayne Institute Earth Observation Group Research Associate Mikhail Zhizhin, Communications Associate Kristin Ziv, Senior Research Associate Christopher Elvidge, and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how as of May 14, 2024, there are 143 active wildfires in Canada, and 39 are out of control, according to Canadian experts and officials. The Earth Observation Group has calculated the temperatures and spatial extent of active burning across Canada with their Nightfire algorithm applied to data collected by NOAA's Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer Suite (VIIRS).Publication Navigating commercial advisory in the VCM(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-05-16) Andreatta, Jared; Handler, Brad; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicySchool of Mines Mineral and Energy Economics Masters candidate Jared Andreatta and Sustainable Finance Lab Program Manager Brad Handler write an explainer of the various types of commercial advisory services firms that participate in the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM). These advisory firms primarily help buyers find, evaluate and transact carbon offset credits, but offer distinct approaches.Publication Satellite data captures power outages in Sudan's civil war(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-05-19) Zhizhin, Mikhail; Ziv, Kristin; Elvidge, Christopher; Bazilian, Morgan; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyPayne Institute Earth Observation Group Research Associate Mikhail Zhizhin, Communications Associate Kristin Ziv, Senior Research Associate Christopher Elvidge, and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how a horrible full-scale civil war in Sudan is creating chaos, anarchy, mass starvation, and the world's largest population of internal refugees – approximately nine million. The researchers have created a temporal profile of nighttime lights for Khartoum where seasonal variations in lights within a year can be seen, but the interannual radiance was stable until the conflict started in April 2023.Publication LEEDing power back to communities through green building codes: advice for policymakers considering LEED certification(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-05-10) Li, Nathan; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyPayne Institute Student Researcher Nathan Li compares goals of original, local green building codes and their potential for projects to use LEED certification as a path of compliance. By using his professional experience in LEED certification to analyze these codes' language and priorities, he provides guidance on the applicability of LEED to achieve energy efficiency and renewable energy goals set by jurisdictions. Nathan then makes suggestions to policymakers not to rely on the widespread acceptance of LEED to communicate a sustainability commitment, but instead use locally specific codes that require needed changes in their communities.Publication Mapping of dimmed nighttime lights in Ukraine during the war(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-03-27) Zhizhin, Mikhail; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyPayne Institute Earth Observation Group Research Associate Mikhail Zhizhin writes about how the impact of the war in Ukraine on nighttime light intensity using satellite data. Nighttime light observations from Suomi NPP satellite (2012-2024) covering Ukraine and surrounding areas were analyzed.Publication New method for tracking down methane emissions on oil and gas sites(Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library, 2024-03-27) Daniels, William; Hammerling, Dorit; Bazilian, Morgan; Colorado School of Mines. Payne Institute for Public PolicyPayne Institute Student Researcher William Daniels, Faculty Fellow Dorit Hammerling, and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how reducing methane emissions is a key component of short-term climate action. Empirical data and transparent models are key pillars of emission reduction efforts. Payne Institute researchers William Daniels, Meng Jia, and Dorit Hammerling have developed a completely open-source analytical framework for detecting single-source methane emissions, determining the source location, and estimating an emission rate using data from continuous monitoring systems (CMS).