Space agency funding for company developing clean energy

A Glasgow-based company working to help develop cleaner and more efficient sustainable energy in Kenya has been awarded UK Space Agency funding.

Omanos Analytics, in partnership with Global Surface Intelligence (GSI), will work with the Kenyan National Environment Management Authority as part of an international partnership programme (IPP).

The gEOthermal Kenya project has received £300,000 to help monitor land use around current and prospective geothermal power plants, and support sustainable growth in the sector.

Omanos will combine intelligence from local stakeholders with satellite data from their base at Fairfield Govan Heritage Centre in Glasgow.

Celia Davies, Omanos Analytics director, said: “We founded Omanos because we wanted to make space data more accessible and useful to communities around the world, and we’re absolutely delighted to have the IPP’s support for this mission through gEOthermal Kenya.

“We’ll be working with Kenya’s National Environmental Management Authority to support the sustainable growth of the geothermal sector, through a combination of satellite data insights and community consultations.”

Liz Cox, from the UK Space Agency’s IPP, added: “The compelling results of the previous projects cement the case for investment in space for sustainable development.

“IPP is not only demonstrating the value of satellite solutions and improving the lives of people on the ground in developing countries but also facilitating effective alliances between the United Kingdom and international organisations.

“It’s a ‘win-win’ and an exciting moment in the programme.”