Ameren Illinois deploys methane sniffing vehicle to track emissions, leaks

A unique means of tracking methane is coming to the streets of Illinois, care of Ameren Illinois: a so-called gas sniffing vehicle dedicated to identifying emissions, locating leaks and overall improving pipeline repair times.

This mobile technology solution consists of a high-tech analyzer located on the rear of a hybrid electric vehicle, which constantly searches for methane and ethane through air samples as the vehicle drives along. A device aboard records wind speed and directional readings, and pairs these with the air samples, allowing Ameren Illinois crews to then utilize GPS coordinates to locate points of emission and mobilize additional units to respond to it.

“Ameren Illinois inspects thousands of miles of underground pipeline in neighborhoods every year, and we have reduced methane emissions to industry low levels,” Eric Kozak, vice president of Natural Gas Operations for Ameren Illinois, said. “This new mobile technology we’re introducing will supplement our existing leak-detection practices and provide up to 1,000 times the sensitivity to help detect methane in the atmosphere. We believe this technology will enable us to significantly reduce methane emissions and strengthen the safety and reliability of our natural gas distribution system.”

According to Ameren Illinois, the new mobile sniffer is capable of detecting the presence of methane gas from hundreds of feet away. This mobile solution represents an additional layer of protection for system integrity on top of the significant investments Ameren Illinois has pumped into upgrading its pipelines. It is powered by ABB MobileGuard.

“This technology helps support our goal of environmental stewardship while serving customers in a safe, reliable way,” Richard Mark, Ameren Illinois chairman and president, said. “It’s a win for the environment, our operations teams and our customers.”