Digital Transformation Consulting

Duke Energy faced the specific challenge of exceeding current US EPA regulations to meet its ambitious net-zero methane emission goals for 2030 across its gas-distribution operations. The company's objective was to develop a rigorous, end-to-end system capable of accurately monitoring, detecting, and remediating methane leaks from natural gas assets such as pipelines and gas meters. They needed a solution that went beyond traditional methods, integrating satellite technology and advanced analytics to enable precise, real-time leak detection and quick response.

In response, Duke Energy collaborated with Accenture, Avanade, and Microsoft to create an innovative, Azure-based cloud platform. This first-of-its-kind system uses satellite monitoring combined with AI-driven analytics to establish baseline methane emission levels, identify leaks, and prioritize issues through intuitive dashboards. The platform marks a reimagining of leak detection processes, enabling faster identification and remediation of leaks—reducing response times from days to minutes through geolocation accuracy—thereby lowering overall methane emissions significantly. The solution not only enhances operational resilience but also has the capacity to identify vulnerabilities in the system and prevent future leaks.

Quantifiable results include the platform’s ability to detect leaks with pinpoint accuracy swiftly, allowing repair teams to locate and fix leaks within minutes rather than days. This real-time insight significantly accelerates leak remediation efforts, contributing to Duke Energy’s goal of lowering methane emissions. Once fully scaled across all asset types, emission categories, and jurisdictions, the platform is expected to help Duke Energy meet its 2030 net-zero methane targets. Moreover, this approach offers a potential industry-wide model for reducing operational emissions and advancing the broader journey toward industry-wide net-zero emissions.