SatVu, a pioneering provider of satellite thermal imaging solutions, has unveiled an Earth Observation (EO) image of Fresno, California, showcasing the transformative potential of high-resolution thermal data from space in combating urban heat challenges worldwide.
Urban areas are increasingly grappling with rising temperatures attributed to urbanisation and the Urban Heat Island effect. These elevated temperatures pose significant challenges to public health, infrastructure, and climate resilience on a global scale. With the United Nations projecting that 68% of the global population will reside in urban areas by 2050, addressing these challenges becomes ever more urgent.
SatVu's HotSat-1, launched in 2023, captured a vast catalogue of high-resolution thermal satellite imagery. Now the company is identifying how this imagery can be used to enable decision-makers, city leaders, and urban planners to access actionable insights into heat distribution patterns.
SatVu’s unique technology, which operates at higher resolution than other existing solutions, allows deeper insights into urban heat data: offering precise information at a hyper-local level i.e. information specific to the thermal output of a tower block or car park. This data is vital for comprehending the implications for urban environments, particularly in regions vulnerable to heat-related disasters.
On 31st of July, 2023 SatVu’s satellite HotSat-1 captured this thermal data within the city of Fresno, California.
SatVu’s analysis of the thermal data highlights an interesting feature – a cold blue zone which aligns with a neighbourhood known as Fig Gardens. A brief inspection of geospatial (GEO) data shows that the cause for this cool zone is due to high density vegetation, including mature trees. This finding underscores the importance of green spaces in mitigating urban heat and hints at socio-economic disparities within neighbourhoods.
By integrating EO images with GEO data, SatVu demonstrates a powerful synergy that can enhance decision-making processes in urban planning and climate resilience endeavours.
Anthony Baker, CEO of SatVu, said:
“SatVu’s mission has always been to democratise access to cutting-edge technology for addressing critical global challenges. With the launch of HotSat-1, and the thermal infrared imagery collected, we want to highlight our unparalleled capabilities to monitor and mitigate the impacts of urban heat to governments and community leaders - empowering decision-makers worldwide to make informed choices for a more sustainable future. The recent analysis of thermal data from our satellite, particularly in Fresno, underscores the potential of high-resolution thermal data in enhancing urban planning and climate resilience efforts.”
According to the International Energy Agency, 28% of the world’s CO2 emissions in 2019 were attributed to energy consumed in buildings. While Thermal Infrared Imagery (IR) is invaluable for detecting urban heat islands and evaluating building thermal performance, access to high-resolution IR imagery has traditionally been limited to aerial or drone surveys.
SatVu's space-based solution will enable governments to map and measure heat at very high resolution (3.5 m), day or night, over any place on the globe. Leveraging this data in the right way could significantly enhance cities' progress towards climate action implementation.
