AIRMONITORING 13
improve air quality. For example, lower-cost sensor systems can help fi nd air pollution ‘hotspots,’ or the places and times of day that need the most attention. These sensors can also provide fl exible tools for assessing the effects of air quality intervention measures.
3. Making the invisible visible
Traditionally, air quality data is made available in a simplifi ed format via Apps and websites; letting citizens know when their region is being affected by poor air quality. However, localised data is necessary if citizens are to be empowered to make decisions based on air quality data. For example, if people know which streets are the most polluted they can choose which method and route to travel, or where to exercise; they may even take this into account when choosing a school, or deciding where to live.
The Breathe London pilot project published a website providing a real-time map of air quality data from the streets in which the AQMesh pods were located. This localised data helped to engage with the public on air quality, so they would be more likely to support and understand the need for interventions such as the ULEZ.
Why AQMesh?
The fi rst AQMesh pods were developed around 10 years ago to resolve the air quality dilemma outlined above. The UK based company Environmental Instruments manufactures the pods and has invested heavily in trials and product development over that period. Critically, this has included operational evaluations in a wide variety of (international) environments. “Our partnership with Alphasense was important because, whilst we needed lower cost technologies, we also needed sensors that are reliable and provide repeatable output,” explains Environmental Instruments MD Amanda Billingsley. “With the benefi t of this extensive development work, we are now able to offer monitors with levels of uncertainty approaching those of reference stations, which means that AQMesh pods are ideal for fi lling the gaps in sparsely located reference networks.”
AQMesh pods utilise cellular communications to transmit data to a server which delivers the data via a secure website. The pods can be mains or battery powered with a solar charger, and users are able to select from a range of air quality parameters.
The Breathe London pods contained sensors for measuring NO2
, NO, CO2 ozone (O3
and particulates, and ten of them also contained
) sensors. By monitoring a broad range of parameters simultaneously, the Breathe London partners were able to conduct more effective source attribution. There are now thousands of AQMesh pods around the world, with customers either being provided with weekly data reports, or they are able to pay for on- demand access to live data for £150/year.
Pilot project extension
At the end of the 2-year pilot, as part of the 5-month extension project managed by Prof. Jones, the sensors inside the Breathe London pods were replaced, and monitoring continued through the UK’s COVID-19 lockdown and into the period when lockdown restrictions were withdrawn. “The extension project delivered an extremely useful set of data, that we are currently running through CERC’S models,” explains Prof. Jones. “Lockdown presented a unique set of circumstances and this monitoring will greatly inform our understanding of London’s air quality. This modelling will also provide source attribution which we hope will be used to inform future mitigation measures.”
One of the interesting aspects of the Breathe London Pilot was its ability to take measurements at one minute intervals; as opposed to 15 minute readings, which is the norm for reference monitors. Prof. Jones says: “By capturing data faster, we were able to implement advanced features such as remote calibration and source attribution. So we are excited to take the learnings from a low-cost network and apply them to a reference station network in a new project that is currently underway in Glasgow.”
The new project is also funded by NERC and titled: Quantifi cation of Utility of Atmospheric Network Technologies (QUANT). Fifteen AQMesh monitors have been co-located with reference monitors in Glasgow; all of which (reference and AQMesh) will run at one minute measurement intervals. The high time-resolution and the opportunity to create dense networks of low-cost monitors offers a paradigm shift in the way that key pollutants are measured, how health impacts are evaluated and how potential solutions are assessed.
Summary
The Breathe London pilot demonstrated that the value of a network is greater than the sum of its components. This is because networks enable the tracking of pollution, and differentiation between local and external sources. In addition, Breathe London enabled the project partners to develop new methods for improved data quality with faster, easier, lower cost calibration.
The success of the project underlined the importance of low- cost sensors in providing the localised granularity of data that is necessary to help citizens better understand the impacts of air quality and to facilitate the implementation and evaluation of effective air quality mitigation measures.
Reference:
Breathe London Blueprint:
www.globalcleanair.org/fi les/2021/02/ EDF-Europe-BreatheLondon_Blueprint-guide.pdf
Based in the UK, Alphasense is a totally independent gas sensor development and manufacturing company founded in response to a demand from gas detection equipment manufacturers for better quality gas sensors and a higher level of after-sales support.
The company’s technologies include Electrochemical, Catalytic, Laser optical particle counting, Metal Oxide semiconductor and Optical (including NDIR & PID). Driven by customer demand, new technologies are continually explored and developed.
Alphasense aims to deliver defect-free product on-time, every-time, achieving the lowest warranty returns in the industry through continual improvement and quality- focused development.
With access to some of the best technical and academic expertise available, Alphasense works closely with universities and research organisations worldwide, and the company’s strong re-investment policy maximises the benefi ts of this privileged position.
Through the delivery of its products and services the company contributes to a world that is safer, cleaner and more energy effi cient.
Author Contact Details
Arthur Burnley - Sales and Marketing Director, Alphasense Ltd • Sensor Technology House, 300 Avenue West, Skyline 120, Great Notley, Essex CM77 7AA, United Kingdom • Tel +44 (0) 1376 556 700 • Email:
sensors@alphasense.com • Web:
www.alphasense.com
WWW.ENVIROTECH-ONLINE.COM IET NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
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