Santa Clara – October 06, 2026 -- Picarro, Inc. achieved a 100% detection rate for methane leaks during real-world field testing conducted under the DVGW-funded Fahrzeuggestützte Methanmessung (FaMeGQ) research project in Germany, the only system among six vehicle-based technologies evaluated to detect all 10 methane events presented during live-network validation.
Picarro detects all 10 methane events in Regensburg field trial
During testing on roughly 50 kilometers of active gas distribution network in Regensburg, Picarro's Advanced Mobile Leak Detection (AMLD) system identified all eight controlled methane releases installed for the evaluation, plus two additional, previously unknown leaks that were later independently confirmed. No other participating system matched this result.
System posts 96% detection rate in controlled Düsseldorf test field, beating 90% threshold
In the earlier controlled-conditions phase in Düsseldorf, methane releases of 5 to 15 liters per hour were placed at varying distances from vehicle routes under differing wind and environmental conditions. Systems needed a minimum 90% detection rate to qualify; Picarro recorded 96%, the highest score among all competitors, and passed both evaluation stages without limitations as Vehicle Fz-1.
DVGW findings validate Picarro's nighttime, multi-nozzle survey methodology
The FaMeGQ evaluation concluded that repeated surveys, quality-control procedures and optimized operating conditions are critical to reliable detection, along with advantages from nighttime surveying and near-ground sampling using multiple nozzles. Picarro's deployment model uses four front-mounted sampling nozzles, high-precision methane and ethane measurement, wind characterization and automated data validation that excludes readings collected outside approved operating conditions.
Results arrive as EU Methane Regulation 2024/1787 tightens leak detection requirements
The FaMeGQ project was designed to determine whether vehicle-based methane measurement technologies can reliably support leak detection and repair inspections required under the European Methane Regulation while maintaining DVGW safety standards. François-Xavier Rongère, Vice President, Natural Gas at Picarro, said the live-network results demonstrate the strength of both the company's technology and its survey methodology, refined through years of global deployments.
Picarro stated that the same measurement data used for leak detection can also support emissions quantification, methane inventory reporting, risk-informed leak prioritization, asset integrity management and capital investment planning for gas utilities.