Autonomous Multi-Format In-Situ Observation Platform for Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Methane Monitoring in Permafrost & Wetlands

Project Information

MISO

Grant agreement ID: 101086541

DOI

10.3030/101086541

EC signature date 17 October 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 30 June 2026

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

€ 3 062 162,50

EU contribution

€ 2 644 357,00

Coordinated by

STIFTELSEN NILU
Norway

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MISO (Autonomous Multi-Format In-Situ Observation Platform for Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Methane Monitoring in Permafrost & Wetlands)

Reporting period: 2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Climate warming is driven by increased concentrations of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) e.g. CO2 and CH4, in the atmosphere. Existing observatories are able to capture GHG information for large-scale global assessments, but short- term natural variability and climate-driven changes in atmospheric CO2 and CH4 remain less known. There is also currently a lack of sufficiently precise, autonomous, and cost-efficient GHG sensors for GHG monitoring at sufficient spatial scale, and in hard-to-reach areas.

MISO will develop and demonstrate an autonomous in-situ observation platform for use in hard to reach areas (Arctic, wetlands), for detecting and quantifying carbon dioxide and methane gasses, using a combination of stationary and mobile (drone) solutions and requiring minimum on-site intervention when deployed.

To achieve this objective, MISO will utilize new technologies to minimize human intervention and reduce the operating and maintenance costs to acquire in-situ GHG observation data in remote areas facing extreme physical conditions. MISO will improve detection limit and accuracy of a NDIR GHG sensor, which will then be used in three observing platforms (a static tower, a static chamber and a UAV-mounted sensor) operated with the help of a central base unit. All elements will be designed for operation in harsh environments and with minimum human intervention.

Deployment of MISO platform for uses will enhance geographical coverage, support collection of long time series of in-situ observation and contribute to estimates of climate fluxes at a fine spatial scale. Thus, MISO will enable collecting observation data needed to understand the global carbon cycle, including CO2 and CH4 emissions. This will support the European Green Deal priority actions and strengthen the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

MISO has been implementing following activities and the achievements:
1) in WP1: MISO established a roadmap for implementation and deployment of MISO in-situ climate gas observing platform
2) in WP2: After validation of a proof of concept of thermally stabilized K96 integrated device, Senseair put effort into developing a new, more industrial-grade version, designed for future commercialization, called ‘High Performance Stabilized Sensor’ (HPPS). Seven HPSS devices were assembled in June 2025. The HPSS shows better stability in transient phase, when the sensor is exposed to rapid change of ambient temperature.
3) in WP3: MISO delivered 3 different MISO observatories (Gas ambient monitors, gas flux chambers, and UAV-based observatory) and solutions for communications and energy-efficient autonomous operation of those observatories. As the results, the 1st prototypes of Continuous-ambient GHG monitor and gas flux chambers successfully tested in real conditions: 2 tests in Bordeaux and Wetland pilot in Finland.
4) in WP4: MISO system is deployed and tested at multiple stages: first in June 2024, then again in December 2024 in Bordeaux, in May 2025 in Bordeaux, and finally in July 2025 at the ICOS Hyytiälä research station in Finland. These trials assessed the capability of MISO system to measure both CH₄ and CO2 in extreme conditions.
5) in WP5: we have implemented operational and documented MISO data platform for receiving, processing, and storage of measurement data in real-time. For impact assessment, we successfully demonstrated the integration of ICOS ground observations with Sentinel-5P satellite data for CH4 gap-filling using machine learning. We also delivered the advanced version of DCE plan with detailed commercialization pathways for 3 key MISO's products: Gas ambient monitor, Gas flux chamber, and UAV-based observatory.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

There is still considerable uncertainty in attributing the observed emissions of CO2 and CH4 in the atmosphere to non-fossil-fuel sources. The existing observatory systems using satellite or remote sensing are only able to capture GHG information for large-scale global assessments of annual emissions. Additionally, detection of natural “hotspots'' of CH4 emissions that contribute to the majority of regional CH4 budgets is nearly impossible without prior local knowledge.

MISO’s ambition is to fill the above gaps by developing, deploying and adding values to environmental observation (focusing on CH4 and CO2 observation). MISO provides new means for Tower-based measurements, Direct- source measurements, and UAV-based measurements to monitor concentration and flux of CH4 and CO2 in areas facing extreme physical conditions.

1) in WP1: MISO established a roadmap for MISO in-situ climate gas observing platform. We better understand state of the Arctic/Wetland CH4 and CO2 budgets through generated in-sit datasets from deployed MISO platform

2) in WP2: we optimize the photonic-based gas sensor solution to be deployed in different types of GHG monitoring devices that will be working in Arctic and Wetland conditions.

3) in WP3: MISO is developing 3 different MISO observatories (Gas ambient monitors, gas flux chambers, and UAV-based observatory) and solutions for communications and Energy-efficient autonomous operation of those observatories. As the results, the 1st prototypes of Continuous-ambient GHG monitor and gas flux chambers successfully tested in real conditions: 2 tests in Bordeaux and Wetland pilot in Finland.

4) in WP4: We did several technology validation: December 2024 and May 2025 at the AzureDrones flying area in Bordeaux. The tests results are used for improving the characterization of MISO sensors setup under real-world conditions. The MISO observatories were also tested at multiple stages demonstrating capability of the MISO system to measure both CH₄ and CO2 concentrations.

5) in WP5: we have implemented operational and documented MISO data platform for receiving, processing, and storage of measurement data in real-time. For impact assessment, we successfully demonstrated the integration of ICOS ground observations with Sentinel-5P satellite data for CH4 gap-filling using machine learning. We also delivered the advanced version of DCE plan with detailed commercialization pathways for 3 key MISO's products: Gas ambient monitor, Gas flux chamber, and UAV-based observatory.

MISO Concept figure