Digital Transformation Consulting

Duke Energy, one of the largest energy-holding companies in the U.S., faced significant challenges in reducing methane emissions as part of its commitment to achieving net-zero methane goals for its gas-distribution business by 2030. The company recognized that to meet these ambitious targets, it needed to exceed current U.S. EPA regulations and sought innovative methods to detect, monitor, and remediate emissions. This included exploring advanced technologies such as satellite monitoring, but Duke Energy required assistance in developing a comprehensive approach to effectively monitor emissions and establish a foundation for predictive maintenance.

To address these challenges, Duke Energy partnered with Accenture, Avanade, and Microsoft to co-create a pioneering solution. The collaboration resulted in the development of a first-of-its-kind, end-to-end Azure-based cloud platform designed to monitor baseline methane emissions from natural gas distribution assets, including pipelines and gas meters. This platform utilizes satellite monitoring, analytics, and artificial intelligence to quantify and prioritize findings, presenting data through graphic dashboards that are accessible at various organizational levels. The innovative solution is set to transform how natural gas local distribution companies calculate methane emissions and conduct leak surveys, significantly improving the speed of leak repairs and thereby reducing methane emissions.

The implementation of this platform has already yielded tangible results, enabling near real-time leak remediation that allows Duke Energy to locate leaks in minutes rather than days. This advancement not only enhances operational resilience but also provides leadership with more accurate and holistic insights for decision-making. With precise geolocation data, field workers can quickly identify and repair leaks, while the platform also has the potential to uncover system vulnerabilities and prevent future leaks. As the solution is scaled across all asset types, emission categories, and jurisdictions, it is expected to play a crucial role in helping Duke Energy achieve its net-zero methane goals by 2030 and could also accelerate the industry's overall journey toward net-zero emissions.