Advancing Climate Action: The Transformative Power of SatVu's Thermal Imagery
SatVu’s high resolution imagery is a new layer of data which augments our understanding of the planet.
By Anthony Baker, CEO & Co-Founder, SatVu
“Our environmental legacy is a testament to the power of collective action, and it calls upon individuals, businesses, governments and the private sector to join hands in safeguarding our planet.” – Earth Day 2024
This Earth Day, ‘the power of collective action’ could not be more fitting, or emblematic of the work we’re doing here at SatVu: using high-resolution thermal data (captured by our satellites) to transform Earth Observation.
Our technology transcends traditional boundaries, providing a comprehensive view of our planet's evolving landscape, with implications reaching beyond climate resilience and into the realms of global environmental understanding and economic stability.
A study published in 2022 found that, over the course of a decade, the world lost an estimated $16 trillion on average because of extreme heat fueled by the climate crisis, with this loss disproportionately affecting economically disadvantaged regions. The need for effective solutions has never been more urgent. Our satellites have the ability to capture new levels of detail, empowering stakeholders to monitor, manage and mitigate environmental risks with precision.
Climate Resilience: A New Paradigm
As cities grapple with the urban heat island effect and escalating heatwaves, thermal data offers a way of detecting heat differentials with unmatched clarity. We can enable organisations to:
Monitor urban heat islands and prioritise mitigation efforts.
Identify at-risk urban areas and inform adaptive strategies.
Harness insights to inform sustainable urban planning and development.
In this image of Fresno, California captured by our first satellite, HotSat-1, we revealed a stark difference in temperature between urban neighbourhoods and the surrounding Fig Gardens. Armed with this knowledge, stakeholders can track progress in mitigating the urban heat island effect, paving the way for more resilient, sustainable cities.
Beyond Urban Boundaries: Tracking Environmental Change
The impact of our technology can extend far beyond urban landscapes, offering invaluable insights into environmental change on a global scale. From deforestation in the Congo to mangrove preservation in Darwin, Australia, we have the ability to illuminate the intricate tapestry of our planet's ecosystems. With SatVu's thermal data, stakeholders can:
Monitor deforestation activities and help combat illegal logging.
Track changes in natural environments and prioritise conservation efforts.
Take this image of the Ituri region of the Congo, where thermal signatures revealed by HotSat-1 expose the devastating impact of deforestation. Equipped with this knowledge, conservationists can take decisive steps to preserve vital ecosystems - aiding efforts to combat climate change.
Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure: A Path to Energy Stability
As we experience significant shifts in energy usage, SatVu can provide an invaluable tool for monitoring critical infrastructure and supporting renewable energy objectives. Through the monitoring of solar farms, our technology empowers stakeholders to:
Detect potential faults to help enhance energy production efficiency.
Identify supply chain disruptions and prevent future challenges.
To further the insights provided by our satellites on solar farms, we're exploring the use of advanced AI alongside our thermal imaging. Using thermal imagery you can spot temperature differences across the panels. These variations often signal inefficiencies or problems. We've trained our AI to recognise what a faulty solar cell looks like and to ignore false signals, like sunlight reflections. Our AI can now detect solar farms and how well they're working. As we expand our insights service, we're excited to use AI in similar ways to help across different industries.
Detecting Environmental Hazards: Ensuring Water Quality
Our unique capabilities extend to the detection of thermal contamination, offering a critical tool in safeguarding water resources. With the ability to 'see' through smoke and monitor activity at night, our technology can detect thermal anomalies associated with water pollution.
For instance, at the Kori Nuclear Power Plant in South Korea, HotSat-1’s thermal data revealed hotter effluent water entering the sea, providing a valuable perspective of thermal contamination. By identifying such hazards promptly, stakeholders can take proactive measures to preserve water quality and protect ecosystems.
As the sole provider of high-resolution thermal imagery from space, we’re poised to revolutionise Earth Observation and inform meaningful decisions to protect our planet.
When it comes to harnessing ‘the power of collective action’, unique datasets have become an integral tool in our global climate-change fighting arsenal. Our thermal imaging is one such tool, which will add a layer of data and insights second to none.