VENTUS: Obstacle-Aware Methane Emission Inversion in Complex Environments

VENTUS is a research project focused on the development of a next-generation atmospheric dispersion and inversion modelling framework for methane emissions quantification. The project addresses limitations in commonly used Gaussian plume and backward Lagrangian stochastic (bLS) models by explicitly representing terrain variation, aerodynamic obstructions, and source-receptor connectivity within the inversion process.

The project aims to improve the reliability of methane emission estimates derived from atmospheric concentration measurements while identifying conditions in which inversion results are insufficiently constrained by atmospheric transport. Applications include continuous monitoring systems, emissions verification, sensor network design, environmental compliance, and greenhouse gas mitigation across the oil and gas, waste management, and agricultural sectors.

VENTUS has been evaluated using controlled methane release experiments from Colorado State University's Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (METEC) and is being developed as an open-source modelling framework to support future research, collaboration, and technology development.

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, but accurately determining where emissions come from and how much is being released remains a major challenge.

VENTUS is a computer modelling system that works backwards from methane measurements collected by sensors to estimate the size and location of emission sources. Unlike many existing approaches, VENTUS can account for the influence of buildings, tanks, equipment, vegetation, and terrain on the movement of methane through the atmosphere.

The goal is not only to estimate emissions, but also to determine whether enough information exists to trust those estimates in the first place. This makes the approach particularly useful for evaluating methane monitoring systems, testing sensor placement strategies, and supporting emissions reduction programmes.

The long-term aim is to provide industry, regulators, and researchers with a transparent alternative to existing proprietary modelling tools.

VENTUS was developed through internally supported research activity at the University of the Highlands and Islands, drawing upon expertise in methane measurements, atmospheric dispersion modelling, and environmental monitoring.