Method and system for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions

Abstract

The livestock industry must be able to easily calculate the amount of emissions reduction required to utilize the carbon credit system, so that livestock breeders who raise livestock to reduce greenhouse gases emitted from their manure and waste can do so. [Solution] The number of livestock raised in each unit period is obtained, the operating status of the treatment tank that performs excrement treatment in each unit period is received, and the number of livestock and the operating status in the corresponding unit period are used to calculate a second emission amount when the livestock excrement is treated using a second excrement treatment method.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for calculating a greenhouse gas emission reduction amount and a system for calculating a greenhouse gas emission reduction amount. [Background technology]

[0002] A method for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions is known that enables livestock keepers in the livestock industry, who raise livestock in a way that reduces greenhouse gases emitted from their manure, to easily calculate the emission reduction amount required to utilize a carbon credit system, and that includes the following steps: a livestock counting step in which a livestock counting device installed on a farm where a plurality of pigs are raised counts the number of pigs raised within a specified period and fed feed with improved amino acid balance; a base emission calculation step in which an emission reduction calculation unit calculates base greenhouse gas emissions based on the number of pigs counted in the livestock counting step; an improved emission calculation step in which improved greenhouse gas emissions are calculated when the pigs are fed feed with improved amino acid balance; and an emission reduction calculation step in which the base emission amounts and the improved emission amounts are used to calculate the emission reduction amount within the specified period (Patent Document 1 listed below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7402580 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, in the J-Credit Scheme, one of Japan's domestic voluntary credits, various methodologies will be considered for calculating reduction amounts in the future, not limited to the above methodology. For example, it is possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving the method of treating livestock waste. However, the validity of how the reduction amount is evaluated will be verified by a third-party organization, and the data and grounds for calculation will be subject to strict scrutiny.

[0005] In addition, since the introduction of measures that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions means additional costs on top of normal livestock raising, there is no economic rationality in raising livestock for the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions without receiving anything in return. In order to promote the introduction of such measures, it is necessary to provide incentives to livestock farmers, but it is not easy to introduce a calculation system for the amount of emission reductions that can be objectively evaluated.

[0006] This means that livestock owners, such as those who run farms that raise livestock, will not be able to easily take advantage of the carbon credit system, and they will miss out on an opportunity to tackle the global social issue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

[0007] Therefore, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to enable livestock breeders who raise livestock in a way that reduces greenhouse gases emitted from livestock manure in the livestock industry to easily calculate the amount of emission reduction required to utilize the carbon credit system. Note that the problems that are obvious to a person skilled in the art and can be read from the embodiments and their explanations that are characteristic of the present disclosure and are described in the specification, drawings, etc. of the present disclosure may also be problems to be solved by the divided invention when a divisional application based on the present disclosure is filed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the description that follows, or may be learned from the description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.

[0009] The method of calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions that can be traded as carbon credits according to the present disclosure includes the steps of one or more computing devices equipped with one or more processors obtaining the number of livestock raised in each unit period, calculating a first amount of emissions when the livestock waste is treated using a first waste treatment method using the number of livestock, a treatment tank monitor of a treatment tank that treats the livestock waste using a second waste treatment method transmitting operation status for each unit period to the computing device, and a computing device calculating a second amount of emissions when the livestock waste is treated using the second waste treatment method using the number of livestock and operation status for the corresponding unit period, and calculating an emission reduction amount for each unit period using the first amount of emissions and the second amount of emissions.

[0010] In addition, the system for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions that can be traded as carbon credits disclosed herein includes one or more computing devices equipped with one or more processors, and the computing device obtains the number of livestock raised in each unit period, calculates a first amount of emissions when the livestock excrement is treated by a first excrement treatment method using the number of livestock, receives operation status from a treatment tank monitor of a treatment tank that treats the livestock excrement by a second excrement treatment method using the number of livestock and the operation status, calculates a second amount of emissions when the livestock excrement is treated by the second excrement treatment method, and calculates the emission reductions using the first amount of emissions and the second amount of emissions. Effect of the Invention

[0011] Aspects of the present disclosure enable livestock breeders who raise livestock in a way that reduces greenhouse gases emitted from livestock manure in the livestock industry to easily calculate the amount of emission reduction required to take advantage of the carbon credit system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a mechanism for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. [Diagram 2] 1 is a table showing livestock waste treatment classification information. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration of a calculation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of the arrangement of equipment on a farm. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining counting the number of livestock by a livestock monitor. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a calculation system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the calculation method of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a means for detecting unintended non-operation of a treatment tank by a treatment tank monitor. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a means for detecting unintended non-operation of a treatment tank by a treatment tank monitor. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a means for detecting unintended non-operation of a treatment tank by a treatment tank monitor. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram showing an example of an emission reduction amount output by the calculation system of the present disclosure using a calculation method. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining a mechanism for pet owners to easily use the carbon credit system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] An embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, an emission reduction methodology in the J-Credit Scheme, which is a carbon credit scheme in Japan, will be used as an example, but the calculation of the amount of greenhouse gas emission reduction is effective in the calculation of carbon credits and voluntary credits in each country.

[0014] In order to certify J-Credits, it is necessary to clarify the methodology that will be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and how it will be monitored. A third-party assessment organization will review the methodology and determine whether it is appropriate.

[0015] When pigs ingest feed, the protein that enters their bodies is broken down into amino acids in the small intestine and absorbed into the body. However, undigested feed residues that are not absorbed are excreted from the body as feces. In addition, surplus amino acids that were absorbed but not used, and amino acids that are produced when proteins are broken down, are converted into urea in the liver and excreted in urine. These feces and urine produce nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas (GHG). 2 O) is the source of

[0016] GHG emissions are generally measured using carbon dioxide (CO 2 Nitrous oxide is evaluated in terms of its global warming potential (GWP) equivalent. Nitrous oxide has a global warming potential (GWP) of approximately 265, meaning that its greenhouse effect is 265 times that of carbon dioxide. When evaluating it on the same level as carbon dioxide, it is necessary to multiply this GWP by 100 to obtain the equivalent GWP of 100%. 2 can be converted and compared.

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the mechanism of greenhouse gas emission reduction. As shown in Figure 1, the nitrogen content contained in feed, after the amount digested and absorbed by the livestock body (animal carcass), is subtracted, becomes feces and urine. The ratio of the nitrogen content contained in feed that is digested and absorbed and the ratio that can be contained in feces and urine can be calculated based on an empirical formula from past experiments, etc. For example, using the formula shown in the Japanese Feeding Standards, the amount of nitrogen accumulated in the body of animal A can be estimated, and the amount of nitrogen emitted in urine can be calculated by subtracting this from the amount of nitrogen absorbed. Also, depending on the processing equipment of each farm, feces and urine may not be separated. Although urine is a more dominant cause of nitrous oxide generation than feces, both are equally important causes of generation, so they can be treated together as feces and urine.

[0018] The amount of greenhouse gases generated also differs depending on the type of excrement, urine, or mixed excrement, and the method of excrement treatment. Figure 2 is a table showing information on pig excrement treatment classifications, for example. 2 The O emission coefficient (tN2O-N / tN) is set in the greenhouse gas inventory report issued by each country each year, and a different coefficient can be adopted for each treatment method, for example, as shown in Figure 2. The coefficients shown in Figure 2 are merely examples, and different coefficients set for each country, year, and type of treatment method can be adopted. In this way, the amount of greenhouse gases generated varies depending on the method of treatment of excrement. In addition, the coefficient changes depending on the species of livestock, and the treatment method differs for each species of livestock. Therefore, although Figure 2 shows an example of pigs, different coefficients can be set for each species of livestock, such as cows and poultry (layers, broilers), and for each treatment method.

[0019] Here, the treatment methods shown in Figure 2 include forced fermentation and heaping fermentation, and forced fermentation produces less greenhouse gases even when treating the same amount of waste. As shown in Figure 1, to calculate the emission reduction amount, the method with the larger coefficient is set as the first waste treatment method (treatment method A in this figure) as the base method, and the method with the smaller coefficient is set as the second waste treatment method (treatment method B in this figure), and the emission reduction amount can be calculated by taking the difference between them.

[0020] These methods of calculating emission reductions are certified and operated by public institutions and certification bodies as the above-mentioned "methodologies." It is expected that new methodologies will continue to be devised, and it is necessary to build a calculation system that can flexibly respond to future methodologies. However, with regard to emission reductions, the following viewpoints are considered to be universal. (Reduction method) When a method for treating excrement is adopted that has a smaller coefficient than a method with a larger coefficient as the standard, the difference is considered to have been reduced. (Baseline emissions concept) This varies depending on the number of animals kept on the farm, the amount of feed given to them, and the amount of waste disposed of. (Improved Emissions Concept) - Efficiency of excreta treatment coefficients, etc. differs based on baseline emissions. (Monitoring items) To the extent possible, the following items may be adopted as quantitative monitoring that minimizes the elements of human tampering and error: The number of livestock currently being kept per unit period (month, day, hour, etc.) - Emissions amount if possible - Improved waste disposal methods are in operation during the corresponding time period. -Feed amount if possible

[0021] Thus, in a methodology that can be audited by a third party, it is necessary to monitor each item as objectively, quantitatively, and accurately as possible. Livestock keepers manage the daily growth and death of their livestock, and it may be possible to use records such as daily reports obtained during daily livestock keeping operations to count the number of livestock. However, considering that the amount of emission reductions increases or decreases depending on the number of livestock, and that the increase or decrease in credits may also be fraudulently or tampered with, it is not desirable to count the number of livestock based on human factors.

[0022] Therefore, a management system is required that can automatically guarantee the reliability of data such as the number of livestock kept and the number of days kept, without human intervention as much as possible. In addition, it is also necessary that the facilities that use the improved waste treatment method are operating normally. The calculation system and the calculation method using this calculation system are explained below.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration of a calculation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a specific layout of equipment in a farm.

[0024] 3, the calculation system 1 may include a management server 10S, a management device 10C, other farm devices 10H1 and 10H2, livestock monitors 30 set in real sites (livestock barns / pig barns / cow barns / chicken barns, livestock pens / cow pens / pig pens) where livestock are kept on the farm, feed monitors 40 for each farm, and treatment tank monitors 50 for each farm, all of which are connected via a network NW. Here, the locations where the management server 10S, the management device 10C, and other farm devices 10H1 and 10H2 are installed do not necessarily have to be on-site, such as a farm / pig barn / pig pen. Meanwhile, the livestock monitors 30 and treatment tank monitors 50 are basically provided for obtaining data used in calculating greenhouse gas emissions from the farm.

[0025] The livestock monitor 30 has a function of acquiring or counting the number of livestock by various methods, such as counting the number of livestock using images captured by a livestock monitoring camera 31, acquiring the number of livestock from an external or internal livestock number database 32, or counting the number of livestock using another livestock counter 33. The treatment tank monitor 50 also has a function of monitoring the operating status of the treatment tank using the treatment tank monitoring camera 51 and other sensors and detection devices. These will be described later.

[0026] The management server 10S, the management device 10C, and the other farm devices 10H1 and 10H2 are computing devices capable of information processing. The basic hardware configuration of the computer and the basic functional configuration of the computer realized by the hardware configuration may include a processor such as a CPU, a GPU, or a TPU, a main storage device such as a main memory, and an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD or a HDD. The computing resources are not limited to being local or on-premise, and may use a cloud environment provided by another company. In addition, the livestock monitor 30 and the treatment tank monitor 50 may also have a hardware configuration as a computing device, and may be used as an edge computer capable of image processing, etc.

[0027] The network NW is, for example, a network such as the Internet, a VPN (Virtual Private Network), an intranet, or a short-distance wireless communication. The management server 10S, the management device 10C, and the other farm devices 10H1 and 10H2 each may include two or more devices, which may be connected to a network. An operator of a credit management service or credit management system can use the calculation system 1 to provide a service to users such as farms to support the acquisition of carbon credits such as J-credits.

[0028] In addition, the management server 10S and the management device 10C may be installed in a different country from the farm and livestock monitor 30 and the treatment tank monitor 50. The country in which the management server is located does not pose an obstacle to the use of the network system. The country in which the method and system of the present disclosure are substantially implemented can be determined by the location of the beneficiary who will benefit from the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a specific layout example in a farm. In this diagram, a farm 500 has at least one pigpen 510, which is a building for raising pigs, which are livestock, and at least one pig pen 511 inside the pigpen 510. Here, the definitions of farm, pigpen, and pig pen vary depending on the region and the design of each farm, but we will try to explain them in as general a sense as possible. Farm indicates the widest area and may indicate the entire land or the name of a livestock business. Pig sty / Pig House These are sometimes used interchangeably and may refer to a specific building or area where pigs are raised. For example, one farm may have multiple pigpens and pig pens. Also, one livestock business may operate multiple farms. Furthermore, basically, a space for raising livestock is structurally secured by installing fences or the like inside the pigpen or pig pen.

[0030] The pigpen 510 is equipped with livestock monitoring cameras 31A, 31B, etc., which operate for a livestock monitor 30 that counts the number of livestock kept in each pigpen 511. The livestock monitor 30 can detect the livestock kept in each pigpen from captured video or still images using a trained model that has undergone machine learning, and count the number of livestock kept in the entire farm. The livestock monitoring camera 31 may be a fixed type installed in each pigpen, a mobile type that moves between pigpens in the same pigpen, or a portable type that can be carried between pigpens on the premise of complying with biosecurity stipulated by each farm. The mobile type will be described later.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining counting the number of livestock by the livestock monitor 30. The livestock monitor 30 can count the number of livestock by performing image recognition processing on images acquired by a livestock monitoring camera 31 installed in the farm, even if the pigs do not have identifiers attached to their bodies. A plurality of livestock monitoring cameras 31 may be installed as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The imaging element may be a combination of an infrared camera and an infrared light in addition to a visible light camera, so that imaging can be performed at night or in dark places.

[0032] The livestock monitor 30 may also have a function of estimating the weight of each livestock using a photographed image and / or a distance image. The excrement weight may be estimated from the estimated livestock weight, and for example, the weight can be estimated using an image by the method described in Japanese Patent No. 6781440. The amount of excrement processed can basically be calculated using the average value per head for each livestock species, but strictly speaking, it varies depending on the weight, age in days, and age in months. Therefore, the amount of excrement and the amount of excrement processed can be calculated using the weight estimated using the image, and this can be used to calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and the amount of emission reduction.

[0033] In addition, when counting livestock using image recognition processing, the image recognition processing may be performed using a trained model that has been trained using at least images of the target livestock, such as images of pigs, as training data.

[0034] For example, to detect the number of livestock from an image captured by an imaging device, object detection using machine learning may be used, using a trained model such as a deep learning model trained to detect objects from images. If multiple livestock are captured in an image, they can be divided into multiple segments using instance segmentation, and each segment can be classified into a class.

[0035] For example, if instance segmentation is performed on an image of a pig captured from above to below in a pigpen, the pigs can be individually divided and identified. As such a method, for example, Mask R-CNN, which simultaneously performs general object detection and instance segmentation, is known. The recognized instances are each assigned a label or class indicating an appropriate livestock species, and each instance is assigned a temporary ID. In the present disclosure, it is sufficient to count the number of livestock, and individual identification is not necessary, so the number of livestock can be counted if the number of temporary IDs can be counted. In addition, when multiple livestock species are raised, it is also possible to identify different livestock species.

[0036] The livestock monitoring camera 31 may be a mobile camera, and a separate camera position measuring device such as an encoder or beacon may be provided to identify the imaging position and to determine which pigpen the image was taken to count the number of livestock in.

[0037] Furthermore, the livestock monitor 30 may obtain the number of livestock kept in each unit period using an other livestock counter 33. Specifically, the other livestock counter is, for example, as described in Patent No. 7410607, in the case of livestock that are used so that individual identification is possible using RFID tags built into the ear tags of livestock, and it is possible to count the number using the ID of the livestock.

[0038] In addition, since the livestock that have been individually identified and managed as described above may have individual information stored and managed for each individual in a livestock management database, it is also possible to obtain the number of livestock from these livestock management databases. Such livestock management databases may be accessible from outside or inside the calculation system of the present disclosure, and may be stored in any computing device, for example, the storage 15 of the management server 10S. In addition, when obtaining the number of livestock from the livestock management database, it is also possible to input the number measured by a person who is engaged in using livestock on the farm via an input interface of the computing device, and use the number of livestock stored in the storage.

[0039] FIG. 5 also shows an example in which the number of livestock counted and acquired by the livestock monitoring camera 31 and the livestock monitor 30 is processed and output for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. On the left side of this figure, multiple imaging devices capture images of livestock raised in pigpen A and pigpen B, respectively, without overlapping. For example, on the first day, images are captured in each of the two pigpens, and the number of livestock is counted from the images. The counted number can be output as a total for each pigpen and pig house, and a total for the farm, along with information indicating a unit time period such as year, month, week, day, or hour. This makes it possible to automatically count how many livestock are currently being raised on the entire farm at that time.

[0040] The number of livestock currently being kept at each farm, each piggery, and each pigpen may fluctuate due to shipping or the intentional arrangement of the breeders, but the number of livestock may also change due to unintended factors such as sudden death or transfer to a sick pigpen, so it is important to have a system that can manage the number of livestock based on the steps of pigpen, piggery, and farm. The number of livestock counted in this way may be stored in the storage of the management server 10S along with the unit period for which they have been kept.

[0041] Each pig pen 511 in the pigpen 510 may be fed with feed from a tank 551 in a silo 550 via a feeder 515 such as an autofeeder.

[0042] The excrement of each livestock may be treated through excretion equipment installed in the rearing area such as each pigpen. For example, a manure groove may be provided below the slats of each pigpen, and the excrement and urine may be discharged in a mixed slurry state through the excrement flow path 522 into the treatment tank 52. Note that, although the excrement flow path 522 is depicted as a pipe or a pipe-like flow path in FIG. 4, it may also be a groove called a pit.

[0043] The operating status of the treatment tank 52 may be transmitted from the treatment tank monitor 50 to any computing device such as the management server 10S. Images captured by a treatment tank monitoring camera 51 for monitoring the operating status may be used.

[0044] In this way, waste management classifications are established for each farm and piggery, and livestock waste is managed according to these classifications, such as heaping fermentation and forced fermentation.

[0045] 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the computing system. The management server 10S of the computing system 1 can be operated by a system administrator using a management device 10C. The management server 10S may include, as components, hardware configurations required for a computing device, such as a communication interface 11, an input interface 12, an output interface 13, a processor 14, and a storage 15.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the process flow of the calculation method of the present disclosure.

[0047] 6 and 7, first, in step S105, the livestock monitoring camera 31 captures images of a plurality of livestock. Note that this step may be omitted if the number of livestock can be obtained by other means as described above.

[0048] The number of pigs kept is calculated by counting all pigs kept in all pig houses and pig huts, without omissions or duplications, and calculating the number of pigs kept in the entire farm where greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts are being implemented. It is also possible to calculate pigs that exceed a certain threshold, such as those that exceed a certain weight, age in days, or age in months, by setting the livestock counting means. For example, if the settings of the livestock counting means, such as the livestock monitoring camera 31, that are preset, can be changed for each installation location or installation facility, it is also possible to count only the specified location, the specified pig house, and the pig hut, and not count the specified location, the specified pig house, and the pig hut. For example, if the settings of the livestock counting means, such as the livestock monitoring camera 31, that are preset, can be changed for each estimated weight, it is also possible to count livestock that are equal to or greater than a certain weight, and not count livestock that are equal to or less than a certain weight. Also, for example, when the livestock count is based on the days, months, ages, etc. input in advance in a livestock database, it is possible to count livestock that are at or above a certain age, month, or age, and not count livestock that are at or below the certain age, month, or age, by processing such as filtering the data obtained from the livestock database to be used. Also, when one business entity owns multiple farms, it is possible to perform calculations for each farm.

[0049] Next, in step S110, one or more computing devices equipped with one or more processors counts the number of livestock kept in each unit period using the images of the livestock, or obtains the number of livestock by other means as described above. Here, the computing device that performs the process of counting livestock using images may be the livestock monitor 30 or the management server 10S.

[0050] Next, in step S120, any one of one or more computing devices equipped with one or more processors uses the number of livestock to calculate a first discharge amount when the livestock waste is treated using the first waste treatment method.

[0051] The base emission calculated as the first emission below is the total amount of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) to CO 2 An example of calculation by conversion is shown below. Baseline emission = (N of the excrement management category by the first excrement treatment method) 2 O emission factor (tN2O-N / tN) × (nitrogen content in excrement per pig per day (tN / pig / day)) × (number of pigs raised in the corresponding unit period (pig)) × (44 / 28) × (N 2 Global warming potential of O (tCO2 / tN2O) The above calculations are carried out for each waste management category and the results are added up. In addition, since the above calculation is the baseline emission amount per day of rearing, the base emission amount within a specified period can be obtained by multiplying this by the number of days of rearing.

[0052] In addition, "44 / 28" in the formula is N 2 This is a coefficient for converting the weight of nitrogen contained in O (tNO-N) to the weight of NO (tNO). 2 The global warming potential of O (tCO2 / tN2O) is approximately 300, but since this varies according to official reports issued each year, it is possible to change it to refer to these values ​​as appropriate.

[0053] Next, in step S125, one of the computing devices receives a signal from the treatment tank monitor 50 of the treatment tank 52, which treats livestock waste using a second waste treatment method, transmitting to the computing device the operating status for each unit period.

[0054] Next, in step S130, one of the computing devices calculates a second discharge amount when the livestock waste is treated using a second waste treatment method, using the number of livestock and the operating status for the corresponding unit period.

[0055] When calculating the second emission amount, it is necessary to take into account the operating condition for each unit period. However, in this example, the treatment tank 52 is assumed to have been operating normally for the entire unit period. As the second emission amount, the post-improvement emission amount is defined as the amount of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) to CO 2 An example of calculation by conversion is shown below. (Formula 2) Emissions after improvement = (N of the excrement management category by the second excrement treatment method) 2 O emission factor (tN2O-N / tN) x (nitrogen content in excrement per pig per day (tN / pig / day)) x (number of pigs raised in the corresponding unit period (pig)) x (44 / 28) x (global warming potential of N2O (tCO2 / tN2O))

[0056] Here, the number of livestock (heads) in the corresponding unit period is the same as the number of livestock used to calculate the baseline emission amount, and is counted by the livestock monitor 30.

[0057] Next, in step S140, one of the computing devices calculates an emission reduction amount for each unit period using the first emission amount and the second emission amount.

[0058] The above is the basic process flow of the calculation method of the emission reduction amount in the present disclosure, but as described above, if the treatment tank 52 that treats the excrement by the second excrement treatment method is not operating for some reason, it cannot be said that the above-mentioned emission reduction has been achieved. Such reasons may include, for example, not only malfunctions of the treatment tank 52, but also intentional stoppages such as stoppages for maintenance, and periods for cleaning, disinfecting, and drying the pig house when changing pigs in an all-in, all-out system.

[0059] First, for the intended shutdown of the treatment tank 52, an operation schedule is set in advance in a computing device such as the management server 10S and in the treatment tank monitor 50. The treatment tank monitor 50 then refers to the operation schedule and transmits the operation status to any computing device that should calculate the discharge amount. The operation status includes statuses such as normal (operating), abnormal (not operating), and stopped (not operating). Here, for example, an abnormality may be unintended non-operation, and a shutdown may be intended non-operation.

[0060] Next, an example of a means for detecting unintended non-operation of the treatment tank 52 by the treatment tank monitor 50 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing such an example.

[0061] The treatment tank 52 may be equipped with an aeration tank 528 in which compressed air is blown into the wastewater as fine bubbles by an air diffuser or an aerator or other blower during wastewater treatment. The treatment tank may also be equipped with a treatment tank monitoring camera 51 capable of photographing the liquid level in the aeration tank 528 from the side and from above. Note that in this drawing, monitoring cameras are placed above and below for ease of understanding, but both may be provided.

[0062] FIG. 9 shows two example images of the inside of the treatment tank taken from the side, as an example of a means for the treatment tank monitor 50 to detect unintended non-operation of the treatment tank 52.

[0063] The treatment tank monitor 50 may estimate the water level of the treatment tank 52 using an image of the inside of the treatment tank 52 captured by the treatment tank monitoring camera 51. In this figure, for example, the side view image A of the treatment tank represents the state during normal operation as a reference. The position of this water level may be measured by image processing and stored as a reference. Then, for example, as in the side view image B of the treatment tank, when the water level rises and the water level position deviates from the reference by a certain amount or more, an abnormal water level state may be detected. Similarly, the same applies when the water level position deviates downward from the reference by a certain amount or more.

[0064] FIG. 10 shows two example images of the inside of the treatment tank taken from above, as an example of a means for the treatment tank monitor 50 to detect unintended non-operation of the treatment tank 52. In FIG.

[0065] In the aeration tank 528, foamy matter and floating matter called scum may be generated from the wastewater. If the amount of these foamy matter and floating matter exceeds a certain amount, there is a possibility that the operating conditions of the treatment tank 52 are abnormal.

[0066] The treatment tank monitor 50 may estimate the amount of foamy matter and / or floating matter generated on the liquid surface of the treatment tank 52 using an image of the inside of the treatment tank 52 captured by the treatment tank monitoring camera 51. In this figure, for example, the treatment tank upper image A represents the amount of foamy matter and / or floating matter generated that is the allowable amount in a normal operation state that serves as a reference. The area of ​​this foamy matter and / or floating matter may be measured by image processing and stored as a reference. Then, when a large amount of foamy matter and / or floating matter is generated and exceeds the allowable amount (threshold area amount), as in the treatment tank upper image B, for example, it may be estimated that the amount of foamy matter and / or floating matter is abnormal.

[0067] The treatment tank monitor 50 may then use the amount of foamy matter and / or suspended matter and the water level in the treatment tank to generate and transmit the operating status of the treatment tank 52, such as the above-mentioned normal (operating), abnormal (not operating), stopped (not operating), etc.

[0068] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the emission reduction amount output by the calculation system 1 of the present disclosure using the calculation method. In this diagram, the emission reduction amount is calculated by reflecting the above-mentioned operation status, for example, the above-mentioned information on normal (operating), abnormal (not operating), and stopped (not operating). For example, from October 1 to 2, 2024, the treatment tank 52 is not operating due to reasons such as maintenance, and treatment by the second waste treatment method is not performed. The emission reduction amount corresponding to this is not calculated, and the calculation accuracy of the emission reduction amount can be improved. In addition, as shown in this diagram, it may be calculated for each livestock house ID such as a pig house ID and for each breeding facility. This is because, in the case of the above-mentioned all-in-all-out method, some pig houses may have livestock raised, while others may not.

[0069] Furthermore, in the treatment of excrement, it is a practical problem that there is a certain amount of time lag, and methods for dealing with this are also described below.

[0070] The time lag required for the treatment of excrement can also be understood by using FIG. 4. Between the pigpen 511 and the treatment tank 52 in FIG. 4, various excrement treatment facilities such as the excrement flow path 522 are provided, and the distance between the pigpen 510 and the treatment tank 52 is not the same even within the farm depending on the location of the pigpen, so it can be understood that a time lag occurs until the excrement of the corresponding number of livestock is treated. In order to take this time lag into consideration, any computing device may correct the number of livestock raised in each unit period using a preset time lag period, and calculate the first emission amount, the second emission amount, and the emission reduction amount for each unit period using the corrected number of livestock. In this figure, for example, the time lag period is set to one day, and the number of livestock corresponding to a predetermined unit period used to calculate the first emission amount and the second emission amount may differ by one day.

[0071] The time lag period may be a time lag related to time such as days, hours, and minutes, or may be information indicating a delay related to physical distance such as the distance (m, km) between the barn and the treatment tank 52 (excrement treatment equipment). The time lag period may also be calculated by converting the delay due to physical distance into a time lag related to time. In addition, when more detailed physical distances are taken into consideration, the time lag period may differ for each barn depending on the difference in distance from the excrement treatment equipment, and may be set for each barn.

[0072] As described above, by using the emission reduction calculation method and calculation system disclosed herein, livestock keepers who raise livestock in a way that reduces greenhouse gases emitted from their livestock and their manure can easily calculate the emission reduction amount required to take advantage of the carbon credit system.

[0073] FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining a mechanism that enables livestock keepers who raise livestock in a way that reduces greenhouse gas emissions from livestock and their manure to easily utilize the carbon credit system.

[0074] In FIG. 12, farms and livestock breeders take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In doing so, they monitor the number of livestock they raise, the number of days they raise them, and the disposal of their waste, which generates monitoring information and environmental value that can be exchanged for credits. By using the calculation method and calculation system disclosed herein, farms and livestock breeders can convert this monitoring information and environmental value into economic profits.

[0075] Since operating the calculation system incurs costs, the credit management company / system management company may collect service fees, etc. from the farms / users, or from the credit purchasing company. Farms / livestock owners may pay the monitoring information and environmental value to the credit management company / system management company as a fee for using infrastructure such as monitoring equipment and servers. The monitoring information and environmental value may be paid as a fee for using the livestock management system operated by the system management company.

[0076] Credit management companies and system management companies use the monitoring information and environmental values ​​provided by the farms and livestock breeders to carry out the required procedures with the certification body and system to obtain credits. The obtained credits may be sold to credit purchasing companies, etc. When receiving the monitoring information and environmental values, they may pay the farms and livestock breeders.

[0077] Such a system can be designed to distribute profits appropriately according to the contributions of farms / farmers, feed suppliers, credit managers / system managers, and credit purchasing companies, making it possible to realize an ecosystem that is not limited to the profit structure described above.

[0078] Therefore, using the calculation method and calculation system disclosed herein, it is also possible to build an emission reduction trading system that has value in terms of obtaining credits that are traded as compensation for efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

[0079] Some embodiments and other implementations of the disclosure can optionally include one or more of the following features.

[0080] In some embodiments, a method for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions that can be traded as carbon credits includes the steps of: a livestock monitoring camera taking images of a plurality of livestock; one or more computing devices equipped with one or more processors counting the number of livestock raised in each unit period using the images of the plurality of livestock; calculating a first amount of emissions when the livestock waste is treated using a first waste treatment method using the number of livestock; a treatment tank monitor of a treatment tank that treats the livestock waste using a second waste treatment method transmitting operation status for each unit period to the computing device; the computing device using the number of livestock and operation status for the corresponding unit period to calculate a second amount of emissions when the livestock waste is treated using the second waste treatment method; and calculating an emission reduction for each unit period using the first emission amount and the second emission amount.

[0081] In some embodiments, the method includes a step in which a treatment tank monitoring camera that takes pictures of the inside of the treatment tank takes images of the inside of the treatment tank, and a step in which a computing device or treatment tank monitor uses the images of the inside of the treatment tank to generate an operating status.

[0082] In some embodiments, the computing device or treatment tank monitor includes steps of using images of the interior of the treatment tank to estimate the amount of foam and / or suspended matter on the surface of the treatment tank and the water level of the treatment tank, and generating an operating status of the treatment tank using the amount of foam and / or suspended matter and the water level of the treatment tank.

[0083] In some embodiments, the method further includes, when the computing device obtains information indicating that the operation status of the treatment tank is abnormal, reporting the abnormal operation status using the output interface and stopping calculation of the emission reduction amount.

[0084] In some embodiments, the computing device uses the time lag period to modify the number of livestock kept in each unit period, and calculates the first emission amount, the second emission amount, and the emission reduction amount for each unit period using the modified number of livestock.

[0085] Some embodiments include a system for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions that can be traded as carbon credits.

[0086] Although several implementations have been described and illustrated herein, various other means and / or structures may be utilized to perform the functions and / or obtain one or more of the results and / or advantages described herein, and each such variation and / or modification is considered within the scope of the implementations described herein. More generally, it is meant that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are exemplary, and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on the particular application or applications in which the teachings are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize and be able to ascertain, using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific implementations described herein. Thus, the implementations described above are presented by way of example only, and it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, implementations may be practiced other than as specifically described and claimed. Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods is included within the scope of the present disclosure, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1. Calculation system 30 Livestock Monitor 31 Livestock Monitoring Camera 32 Livestock population database 33 Livestock Counter 40 Feed Monitor 50 Treatment tank monitor 51 Treatment tank monitoring camera 52 Treatment tank 10. Computing Devices 11 Communication Interface 12 Input Interface 13 Output Interface 14 processors 15. Storage 10S Management Server 10C Devices 10H1 Device 10H2 Device 400 Farm Terminal 500 farms 510 Pigpen 511 Pig stall 515 Feeder 522 Excretory route 528 Aeration tank 550 Silo 551 Tank 552 Feeding tube NW Network

Claims

1. A method for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions that can be traded as carbon credits, comprising the steps of: One or more computing devices having one or more processors, Obtaining the number of livestock kept in each unit period; calculating a first emission amount, which is a baseline emission amount when excreta of the livestock is treated by the first excreta treatment method, using the number of the livestock and an emission coefficient of a management category of excreta by the first excreta treatment method; a treatment tank monitor for treating livestock excrement using a second excrement treatment method different from the first excrement treatment method, transmitting an operation status for each unit period to the computing device; a step of calculating a second emission amount when excrement of the livestock is treated by the second excrement treatment method using the number of the livestock in a corresponding unit period, an emission coefficient of the excrement management category by the second excrement treatment method, and the operation status by the computing device; calculating an emission reduction amount for each unit period using the first emission amount and the second emission amount.

2. The method for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions described in claim 1, wherein the one or more computing devices equipped with the one or more processors obtain the number of livestock kept in each unit period from a livestock monitor.

3. a livestock monitoring camera of a livestock monitor capturing a plurality of images of the livestock; The one or more computing devices each having one or more processors, when obtaining the number of livestock kept in each unit period, The method for calculating a greenhouse gas emission reduction amount according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of counting the number of the livestock kept in each unit period using the images of the plurality of the livestock.

4. A step of a treatment tank monitoring camera photographing an image of the inside of the treatment tank; the computing device or the process bath monitor; and generating the operating status using an image of the inside of the treatment tank. The method for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions according to claim 3.

5. the computing device or the process bath monitor; using images of the interior of the treatment tank to estimate the amount of foam and / or suspended matter on the surface of the treatment tank and the water level of the treatment tank; The method for calculating the greenhouse gas emission reduction amount as described in claim 4, further comprising a step of generating the operating status of the treatment tank using the amount of foam matter and / or suspended matter and the water level of the treatment tank.

6. When the computing device acquires information indicating that the operating status of the treatment tank is abnormal, reporting the abnormality of the operating status using an output interface; The method for calculating an amount of greenhouse gas emission reduction according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: stopping the calculation of the amount of emission reduction.

7. the computing device comprising: Using a time lag period, correct the number of livestock kept in each unit period; Using the corrected number of livestock, The method for calculating an amount of greenhouse gas emission reduction according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of calculating the first emission amount, the second emission amount, and the amount of emission reduction for each of the unit periods.

8. A system for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions that can be traded as carbon credits, comprising: one or more computing devices having one or more processors; The computing device comprises: Obtain the number of livestock kept in each unit period, calculating a first emission amount, which is a baseline emission amount when excreta from the livestock is treated by the first excreta treatment method, using the number of livestock and an emission coefficient for a management category of excreta using a first excreta treatment method; receiving an operation status from a treatment tank monitor of a treatment tank that performs excrement treatment on the livestock excrement by a second excrement treatment method different from the first excrement treatment method; calculating a second emission amount when excrement from the livestock is treated by the second excrement treatment method using the number of livestock, the emission coefficient of the excrement management category by the second excrement treatment method, and the operation status; A system for calculating an amount of greenhouse gas emission reductions, the system calculating an amount of emission reductions using the first amount of emission and the second amount of emission.

9. A livestock monitor is further provided to acquire the number of livestock kept in each unit period. The system for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions according to claim 8.

10. The livestock monitor further includes a livestock monitoring camera that captures images of the livestock; The one or more computing devices each having the one or more processors, when obtaining the number of the livestock kept in each unit period, 9. The system for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions according to claim 8, wherein the number of livestock kept in each unit period is counted using images of the plurality of livestock.

11. A treatment tank monitoring camera is provided to capture images of the inside of the treatment tank, Taking an image of the inside of the treatment tank; the computing device or the process bath monitor; generating the operating status using an image of the inside of the treatment tank; The system for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions according to claim 8.

12. the computing device or the process bath monitor; Using the image of the inside of the treatment tank, an amount of foam and / or suspended matter on the surface of the treatment tank and a water level of the treatment tank are estimated; The system for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions according to claim 11, wherein the operating status of the treatment tank is generated using the amount of foam and / or suspended matter and the water level of the treatment tank.

13. When the computing device acquires information indicating that the operating status of the treatment tank is abnormal, the computing device stops calculating the emission reduction amount; The system for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions according to claim 8 , further comprising an output interface for reporting the abnormality in the operating status.

14. the computing device comprising: Using a time lag period, correct the number of livestock kept in each unit period; Using the corrected number of livestock, 9. The calculation system for greenhouse gas emission reduction amount according to claim 8, further comprising: a calculation unit for calculating the first emission amount, the second emission amount, and the emission reduction amount for each of the unit periods.

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