Automated CO2 and CH4 monitoring system for continuous estimation of degassing related to hydropower

Reliable measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from reservoirs is essential for estimating the carbon footprint hydropower industry. Among different emission pathways, degassing downstream turbines and spillway poorly documented mainly because safety stakes related to sampling up power plants. The alternative being sample water turbine inside station, this study aimed assemble a custom automated CO 2 CH 4 monitoring system (SAGES), especially designed long-term surveys in facilities, with special focus on low maintenance requirements. SAGES combines infrared laser technologies modular programming approach run specifically plexiglass equilibration (PES) that maintain permanent headspace avoid clogging by suspended solids. Although based commercially available devices, it first time they are combined used equilibrator. To ensure reliability mounting control quality readings, was tested laboratory prior its installation generating stations. PES performances were compared those generic devices market although less adapted specific deployments targeted. partial pressure measurements accurate linear entire range tested: 0 5,000 ppm p 600 10,000 . Gas PP comparable reference /CH sensor there no drift during long term deployment. SAGES/PES installed 2021 cascading stations Romaine complex collected more than 28,000 data points over 10-month period required only two maintenances. Results show reliable tool provide dataset while requiring minimal energy, care maintenance. recent use peat land collaborative team demonstrate how systems can efficiently contribute understanding reservoir cycles.