Net Zero Compare

Kayrros

Combining AI and Satellite Data to Reduce Emissions

Polina Martinuka
Written by Polina Martinuka
Published December 5th, 2024
13 min read

Summary

Kayrros is a company that uses satellite data and artificial intelligence to provide actionable insights for industries like energy, finance, and environmental management. Their tools help governments, businesses, and investors make smarter decisions by providing accurate and reliable data on things like methane leaks, carbon emissions, and renewable energy projects.
Our principle

Cut through the green tape

We don’t push agendas. At Net Zero Compare, we cut through the hype and fear to deliver the straightforward facts you need for making informed decisions on green products and services. Whether motivated by compliance, customer demands, or a real passion for the environment, you’re welcome here. We provide reliable information—why you seek it is not our concern.

Details

Name
Kayrros
Date of establishment
2016
Organization

Deep dive


Technology behind Kayrros

Kayrros’s technology is built on three main pillars: satellites, artificial intelligence (AI), and scientific research. These tools work together to deliver accurate and reliable data about the energy sector and climate.

Satellites: Watching Earth from Space

Satellites are devices that orbit Earth, capturing images and data about what's happening on the ground. They’re like super-advanced cameras in space that can monitor everything from weather changes to the construction of new buildings. Kayrros uses satellite data to keep an eye on energy infrastructure, like oil pipelines or factories, and to track greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane.

Imagine you’re trying to find a small leak in a huge oil pipeline that spans hundreds of kilometres. A satellite can detect heat or gas plumes from that leak, something you’d never notice just by looking from the ground.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Making Sense of Huge Data

Satellites capture a ton of information—so much that humans can’t analyse manually. This is where AI steps in. AI is like a smart assistant that can process massive amounts of data quickly and spot patterns.

For example, when satellites capture thousands of images of a forest, Kayrros’s AI can identify areas that have been cut down or damaged. It can even estimate how much carbon dioxide is being released into the atmosphere because of this deforestation.

Science and Proprietary Algorithms: The Secret Sauce

Kayrros doesn’t just stop at raw data—they refine it using their own proprietary algorithms. Think of these as special formulas or instructions that help make the data more accurate and actionable. For instance, they use algorithms to enhance the resolution of satellite images, making them sharper and more detailed. This allows them to spot even the smallest changes in emissions or infrastructure.

What Makes Kayrros Stand Out?

  1. Global Scale: Kayrros tracks over 3 million physical assets around the world, from power plants to pipelines.

  2. Real-Time Data: Their technology provides updates daily, not months later like traditional methods.

  3. Accuracy: Their measurements are often verified against official government data and match with over 98% accuracy.

By combining satellites, AI, and science, Kayrros makes it easier for companies, investors, and regulators to monitor environmental changes and make smarter decisions. Whether it’s spotting a methane leak, tracking energy production, or monitoring forest growth, their technology provides reliable insights in a simple, cost-effective way.

Source: kayrros.com

Industries

Financial Institutions

Financial institutions like banks, asset managers, and investors are playing a bigger role in supporting climate-friendly projects. But to make smart investments, they need accurate information to know if a project is truly helping the environment. Kayrros provides the tools and data to make this easier and more reliable.

What is Green Finance?

Green finance is about investing in projects that are good for the environment, like wind farms or forest restoration. But sometimes, it’s hard to know if these projects are really delivering on their promises. For example, a company might claim they’re reducing emissions, but there’s no solid proof to back it up. This can lead to “greenwashing,” where businesses exaggerate how environmentally friendly they are.

Kayrros steps in by providing clear, independent data. This helps financial institutions see if projects are actually doing what they claim.

How Kayrros Supports Better Investment Decisions

  1. Accurate Data for Investments
    Kayrros uses satellites and artificial intelligence to monitor projects in real-time. For instance, if a company says their solar farm is producing clean energy, Kayrros can confirm whether that’s true by analysing satellite data. This helps investors avoid risky or misleading projects.

  2. Clear Reporting for Stakeholders
    Banks and investors often have to report to regulators or clients on the environmental impact of their investments. Kayrros provides detailed, up-to-date data that makes these reports accurate and trustworthy.

Kayrros Tools for Financial Institutions

Kayrros offers tools designed specifically to help investors and asset managers make smarter decisions:

  • Renewable Energy Monitor: Tracks the performance of renewable energy projects like solar and wind farms.

  • Forestry Due Diligence: Helps investors check if forest projects are healthy and sustainable.

  • Equity Tracker: Uses satellite data to monitor how companies are performing.

  • Macro Intelligence: Provides big-picture data on energy and industrial trends, helping asset managers predict how markets will move.

By offering independent, reliable data, Kayrros helps reduce the risk of greenwashing and builds trust in climate-friendly investments.

Imagine a bank funding a wind energy project. With Kayrros, they can see exactly how much energy the turbines are generating and if the project is reducing emissions as promised. This kind of transparency reassures both the bank and its clients that their money is making a real impact.

Source: kayrros

Government & Regulators

Governments and regulators are responsible for making sure companies follow climate rules and that progress is being made to fight climate change. But to do this properly, they need clear, reliable data. This is where Kayrros steps in—it provides tools that help monitor emissions, enforce rules, and create better climate policies.

Using Satellites to Watch Over the Environment

The mentioned above satellite technology collects data about what’s happening on the ground. Satellites are like eyes in the sky, capturing information about emissions, wildfires, and how land is being used.

Making Climate Rules Work

Governments are always updating climate laws to deal with new challenges. For instance, the US recently introduced a law that charges companies for methane emissions, while the EU is expanding its carbon trading system to include more industries, like shipping.

These changes mean governments need tools to track emissions and see if companies are playing by the rules. Kayrros provides data to help with this.

Tools That Make a Difference

Kayrros offers tools designed to solve specific problems for governments:

  • Methane Watch: Shows where large amounts of methane are leaking so governments can act quickly. More on that later.

  • Wildfire Risk Monitor: Predicts where wildfires are likely to happen by looking at things like weather and vegetation. This helps local governments and firefighters prepare before fires start.

  • Vegetation Clearing: Identifies areas where overgrown plants near buildings or power lines could increase the risk of fires. Local authorities can use this data to plan vegetation management.

Helping Governments Make Better Choices

Kayrros isn’t just about spotting problems—it’s about giving governments the information they need to make smart decisions. With Kayrros’s data, they can:

  • Set realistic goals: Accurate data helps governments know if their climate targets are achievable.

  • Enforce rules better: If a company is breaking the rules, regulators can spot it faster and take action sooner.

  • Be transparent with citizens: When governments use reliable data, it’s easier to show people that climate policies are working.

Source: kayrros

Energy & Nature-Based Solutions

The energy industry and projects focused on nature-based solutions, like reforestation, are critical for reducing emissions. Kayrros helps operators and project developers by providing data to improve how these projects are run, making them more efficient and impactful.

Using Data to Improve Operations

Kayrros provides accurate and independent data that energy operators and developers can use to measure and compare how well their projects are doing. This helps them identify areas where they can improve and reduce risks.

Tools for Operators and Developers

Kayrros offers several tools specifically designed for energy and nature-based projects:

  • Methane Watch: This tool tracks methane leaks in real time. Methane is a major greenhouse gas, and finding leaks quickly can save money and reduce emissions.

  • Forest Carbon Monitor: This is designed for nature-based solutions like reforestation projects. It evaluates how well forests are absorbing carbon dioxide, helping developers show the impact of their projects.

  • Vegetation Monitoring: This tool uses satellite imagery to monitor vegetation near pipelines or power lines, reducing the risk of fires or other damage. For example, if trees grow too close to power lines, it can alert operators to clear the area before it becomes dangerous.

  • Scope 3 Methane Emissions: This is for sustainability reporting, helping companies track emissions that come from their supply chains. These are often the hardest emissions to measure, but Kayrros makes it easier with satellite-based data.

Kayrros’s tools give operators and developers the information they need to make smarter choices. Whether it’s deciding where to invest money or identifying risks early, the data helps them act with confidence.

For example, an oil and gas operator can use Kayrros’s E&P Intelligence tool to get insights into their operations and improve returns on investment. Similarly, a company importing goods can use the Imported Deforestation Tracker to ensure their products meet environmental regulations, such as the EU deforestation laws.

Why This Matters

By providing reliable, easy-to-use data, Kayrros helps energy operators and nature-based project developers run their projects more effectively. This means they can reduce costs, meet climate targets, and show measurable progress to investors and regulators.

Source: kayrros

Commodity & Carbon Trading

Commodity and carbon trading rely on accurate, up-to-date information to make the best deals at the right time. Kayrros provides traders with detailed data and insights that improve decision-making, reduce risks, and help make trading more efficient.

Trading with Confidence

Whether it’s tracking crude oil inventories, monitoring carbon allowances, or understanding energy demand, their tools make sure traders have the information they need to act quickly and confidently.

For example, Kayrros’s Crude Oil Intelligence tool shows near real-time data about how much oil is stored in tanks worldwide. This helps traders predict market trends and make smarter decisions about buying or selling.

Specialised Tools for Traders

Kayrros offers a variety of tools tailored to specific trading needs:

  • Stockpiles Monitor: Tracks metals and minerals stored at sites globally, bringing transparency to the market.

  • Carbon Watch: Helps traders in carbon markets by showing timely information about the demand for carbon credits in Europe and the UK. This ensures traders can make the most profitable deals while complying with regulations.

  • LNG Intelligence: Tracks liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply worldwide, providing a clear view of availability and demand.

Improving Carbon Trading

Kayrros plays a big role in making carbon trading easier and more efficient. Carbon trading allows companies to buy and sell carbon allowances—basically, the right to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide. By using tools like Carbon Watch, traders can see where allowances are needed most and trade at the best prices.

Staying Ahead in Energy Markets

Kayrros also helps traders in the broader energy markets:

  • Jet Fuel Demand: Analyses global jet fuel use, giving traders a clear idea of demand trends across the airline industry.

  • Battery Storage Construction Monitor: Tracks the construction of battery storage projects, which are critical for the renewable energy market.

  • Solar Construction Monitor: Provides insights into solar energy projects, helping traders plan for new supply and forecast future market changes.

Why Kayrros Makes a Difference

Kayrros’s tools help traders make better decisions by giving them accurate, actionable data. Whether it’s predicting demand for jet fuel, tracking crude oil supplies, or understanding carbon markets, Kayrros ensures traders have the insights they need to succeed.

By using Kayrros, traders can stay ahead of market trends, reduce risks, and make deals that deliver better returns. It’s about making trading smarter and more reliable in a fast-changing world.

Source: kayrros

Case study: Kayrros Methane Watch

Source: https://business.esa.int/projects/methane-watch
Source: https://business.esa.int/projects/methane-watch

The Methane Watch project uses data from satellites like Sentinel-5P, which is part of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus programme. These satellites observe the Earth and collect data about methane levels in the atmosphere.

Kayrros then uses its AI algorithms to analyse this data. Think of the AI as a super-smart assistant that can spot methane "hotspots" from space—places where large amounts of methane are being released into the air. These could be oil and gas facilities, landfills, or agricultural areas. By identifying these hotspots quickly, the technology helps people act fast to fix leaks or address the problem.

What Has Methane Watch Achieved?

  1. Supported the Global Methane Pledge
    This project played a key role in the creation of the Global Methane Pledge, where over 150 countries agreed to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030. With Methane Watch providing the data, countries now have the tools to track and reduce their emissions.

  2. Adopted by the United Nations (UN)
    The UN Environment Programme is using this technology for its Methane Alert and Response System. This system alerts countries and organisations when large amounts of methane are detected, so they can respond quickly.

  3. Used by the International Energy Agency (IEA)
    The IEA is leveraging Methane Watch to assess global emissions. This data is crucial for creating reports and setting policies that encourage industries to reduce methane leaks.

  4. Explored by US Regulators
    In the United States, regulators are looking into using Methane Watch to monitor methane emissions across industries. This would help enforce stricter environmental standards and hold companies accountable.

Why Is This Important?

Methane is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, making it about 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Cutting methane emissions quickly can slow global warming and make a big difference in the short term.

The Broader Impact

The work done by Kayrros is setting a new standard for how emissions are tracked and managed. By making this data available to countries, organisations, and even regulators, Methane Watch is helping to create a more transparent and accountable system for tackling climate change.

One of the most exciting things about this technology is its potential to reduce global warming by half a degree Celsius by 2100 if methane emissions are significantly reduced.

Source: business.esa.int

Pricing and Plans

Their pricing model is usage-based, with a starting price of $15,000 per year, according to this source. Usage-based pricing means that the cost of a service depends on how much you use it. Instead of paying a fixed fee, the price varies based on factors like the amount of data you process, the number of tools you use, or how frequently you access the service.

For example, with Kayrros, a company monitoring methane emissions might pay more if they track emissions across multiple facilities or need advanced analytics features. On the other hand, a smaller user with simpler needs might pay less. This model is flexible and ensures you only pay for what you actually use. They also provide a free trial, allowing potential clients to evaluate their services before committing.

For those interested in learning more about Kayrros’s capabilities, you can request a demo through this link: Request a Demo. This is a great way to see how their tools can meet your specific needs.

Since their services are highly customizable, the total cost may vary depending on the features and level of support you require. For precise pricing details, reaching out to Kayrros directly is recommended.

Closing Insights

Kayrros is doing something really special by combining satellite data and AI to tackle big challenges like climate change and market efficiency. Whether it’s helping governments track emissions, supporting traders with better data, or giving companies tools to improve their operations, their technology is making a real difference.

What stands out is how practical their solutions are—whether you're monitoring methane leaks, predicting market trends, or ensuring projects meet sustainability goals, Kayrros has the tools to back you up.

If you're looking for reliable, cutting-edge tools to improve decisions and meet climate goals, Kayrros is worth considering.


Polina Martinuka
Written by:
Polina Martinuka
Sustainability Research Analyst
Recently graduating from a university in the UK, with a Bachelor's degree in Multimedia Journalism, Polina brings a unique blend of investigative skills, the ability to analyze complex data and environmental awareness.