Duke Energy cuts methane leaks and boosts grid reliability

Duke Energy, a major US energy company, set a goal to reach net-zero methane emissions from its gas distribution business by 2030, aiming to surpass regulatory requirements. To achieve this, Duke partnered with Accenture and Avanade to co-innovate an AI-powered, end-to-end methane monitoring and predictive maintenance platform based on Microsoft Azure. The system harnesses satellite data, AI, and analytics to monitor and quantify emissions from gas pipelines and assets, presenting prioritized findings in visual dashboards usable at multiple organizational levels. This new approach enables near real-time leak detection, allowing workers to find and respond to leaks in minutes instead of days with traditional inspections. Advanced geolocation and AI-powered predictions help identify vulnerabilities and stop leaks before they become critical, vastly improving operational resilience. The platform sets a new industry standard for how methane emissions are tracked and managed, with plans to scale across all asset types and regions. Leadership at Duke Energy already benefits from more accurate, holistic insights for decision-making. Major reductions in methane emissions are already being achieved, directly aiding in meeting environmental commitments and safeguarding communities. The system is expected to accelerate Duke Energy’s journey toward net-zero goals and provide a model for other utilities worldwide.