Method, apparatus and system for pump lifecycle assessment using trusted data

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to pump management. This disclosure proposes a method for generating a trusted sustainability report of a pump system. The method comprises receiving a request for generating the sustainability report; collecting data of one or more pumps; validating at least part of the collected data using trusted data (e.g., using a distributed ledger technology (DLT)); and analyzing the collected data, to generate the sustainability report. Optionally, a hash value of the generated sustainability report may be determined and sent to a DLT network. In this way, a trusted and verifiable sustainability report can be provided. An apparatus for performing the method is proposed. The apparatus may be arranged on the pump side, or on a remote server side, or as a standalone device.

Description

[0001] METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR PUMP LIFECYCLE ASSESSMENT USING TRUSTED DATA

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to the field of industrial equipment management, for example, management of pump systems. For instance, this disclosure provides a method, an apparatus, and a system for generating a sustainability report for pump systems.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Industrial pumps are essential for effectively transporting fluids across various processes and applications. Given the increasing market demand for sustainable solutions, there is a pressing need for pump systems that are environmentally sustainable.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] Businesses are increasingly aware of environmental factors, and are keen on adopting products that consider sustainability. However, there are several issues of integrity, transparency, and reliability in sustainability reporting for pump systems.

[0008] Conventional methods of sustainability reporting may suffer from problems including:

[0009] - data integrity and provenance concerns: there is often a lack of assurance about the accuracy and origin of data, resulting in potential mistrust in sustainability reports.

[0010] - inconsistent reporting standards: without standardized reporting mechanisms, sustainability reports can be inconsistent, which makes comparison and benchmarking difficult.

[0011] - manual data handling: manual processes are error-prone and time-consuming, leading to inefficiencies in report compilation and an increased risk of human error. - lack of trust among stakeholders: stakeholders may question the reliability of sustainability reports due to the possibility of manipulation or biased reporting.

[0012] - complexity in auditing: verifying the accuracy of sustainability data post-report generation can be complex, costly, and time-consuming.

[0013] Therefore, there is a need for a solution to mitigate the above-mentioned disadvantages and problems. These and other objectives are achieved by solutions of this disclosure as described in the independent claims. Advantageous implementations are further described in the dependent claims.

[0014] A first aspect of this disclosure provides a method for generating a sustainability report of a pump system. The method comprises the following steps:

[0015] - receiving a request for generating the sustainability report;

[0016] - in response to the request, collecting data of one or more pumps;

[0017] - validating at least part of the collected data using trusted data; and

[0018] - analyzing the collected data, to generate the sustainability report.

[0019] For instance, validating the at least part of the collected data using the trusted data may involve comparing the at least part of the collected data (or a hash value thereof) with the trusted data (or a hash value of the trusted data). Trusted data is data that has been verified for accuracy, integrity, and authenticity by some validation mechanism, which ensures that it is free from tampering and corruption. Trusted data typically adheres to certain security standards and protocols, which provides confidence in its reliability for decision-making and operations. In this way, improved data accuracy and reliability of the sustainability report can be achieved.

[0020] Optionally, the request maybe user triggered or automatically triggered. For instance, the request may be triggered based on one or more predefined criteria or schedules, such as time intervals (e.g., monthly, quarterly) or triggered by specific events (e.g., significant changes in pump performance or efficiency. In case of automatic triggering, an explicit request may not be necessary.

[0021] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the at least part of the collected data is validated using distributed ledger technology (DLT). Validating the at least part of the collected data by using DLT technology may comprise using at least one DLT network to validate the at least part of the collected data. The trusted data may in this case be data stored in the at least one DLT network. For instance, the validating may involve comparing the at least part of the collected data (or a hash value thereof) with the trusted data stored in the at least one DLT network (or a hash value thereof). For example, the at least one DLT network may comprise multiple network nodes, wherein each network node may hold a copy of a ledger that includes trusted data (or includes hash values of said trusted data). The network nodes may perform a consensus mechanism to ensure that all the ledger copies (and thus all the data stored therein) match, thereby preventing unauthorized changes to the ledger data, making it trusted data.

[0022] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the method may further comprise:

[0023] - determining a hash value of the sustainability report;

[0024] - sending the hash value of the sustainability report to a distributed ledger technology (DLT) network.

[0025] It is noted that only the hash value of the sustainability report is sent to the DLT network. The sustainability report is not sent to the DLT network.

[0026] In this way, the security and verifiability of the sustainability reports can be enhanced. This approach ensures the integrity and non-repudiation of the report by creating an immutable record on the DLT network, which can be independently verified without revealing the underlying data. This not only protects the data against tampering but also facilitates trust among all stakeholders by providing a transparent and auditable approach for confirming the accuracy of the reported information in the sustainability report. By not sending the sustainability report itself to the DLT network, data privacy can be ensured.

[0027] The DLT network is associated with an apparatus for performing the method of the first aspect. Optionally, the DLT network may be a blockchain network. In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the method may further comprise collecting metadata of the pump data. The metadata may comprise one or more of: a timestamp indicating when the data is collected, location data of a respective pump, and an identifier of a respective pump. The sustainability report is generated based further on the metadata of the pump data.

[0028] This approach allows for more precise tracking and analysis of pump performance over time and across different locations. The metadata not only facilitates temporal and spatial analysis of the data, making it possible to assess trends and operational efficiencies, but also ensures the traceability and specific identification of each pump.

[0029] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the pump data may comprise one or more of: energy consumption data; operational data; environmental data; and infrastructure data; of a respective pump.

[0030] Each of the above-described data is of the respective pump.

[0031] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, wherein the method may further comprise obtaining regulatory and standard data. The sustainability report is generated based further on the obtained regulatory and standard data.

[0032] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the step of validating at least part of the collected data may comprise the following steps:

[0033] - obtaining a first hash value of the at least part of the collected data from a respective DLT network associated with a respective pump;

[0034] - calculating a second hash value of the at least part of the collected data; and

[0035] - comparing the first hash value and the second hash value to validate the at least part of the collected data. This can significantly increases the reliability of the data used for sustainability reporting, as discrepancies in the hash values would indicate potential data manipulation or corruption. Such a robust validation process is crucial for maintaining stakeholder trust and for ensuring that the sustainability report is made using accurate and untampered data. This also can streamline the audit processes by providing a clear, cryptographic method for verifying data provenance and integrity.

[0036] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the DLT network may be a blockchain network.

[0037] A second aspect of this disclosure provides an apparatus for generating a sustainability report of a pump system. The apparatus is configured to:

[0038] - receive a request for generating the sustainability report;

[0039] - in response to the request, collect data of one or more pumps;

[0040] - validate at least part of the collected data using trusted data; and

[0041] - analyze the collected data, to generate the sustainability report.

[0042] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the apparatus is configured to validate the at least part of the collected data using distributed ledger technology (DLT).

[0043] The trusted data may in this case be data of a DLT network.

[0044] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the apparatus may be further configured to:

[0045] - determine a hash value of the sustainability report;

[0046] - send the hash value of the sustainability report to a DLT network.

[0047] Optionally, the DLT network may be a blockchain network.

[0048] In a further implementation form of the second aspect, the apparatus may be further configured to collect metadata of the pump data. The metadata may comprise one or more of: a timestamp indicating when the data is collected, location data of a respective pump, and an identifier of a respective pump. The sustainability report may be generated based further on the metadata of the pump data. In a further implementation form of the second aspect, the pump data may comprise one or more of: energy consumption data; operational data; environmental data; and infrastructure data; of a respective pump.

[0049] Each of the above-described data is of the respective pump.

[0050] In a further implementation form of the second aspect, wherein the apparatus may be further configured to obtain regulatory and standard data. The sustainability report is generated based further on the obtained regulatory and standard data.

[0051] In a further implementation form of the second aspect, for validating at least part of the collected data, the apparatus maybe configured to:

[0052] - obtain a first hash value of the at least part of the collected data from a respective DLT network associated with a respective pump;

[0053] - calculate a second hash value of the at least part of the collected data; and

[0054] - compare the first hash value and the second hash value to validate the at least part of the collected data.

[0055] In a further implementation form of the second aspect, the DLT network may be a blockchain network. The blockchain network maybe associated with the apparatus.

[0056] The apparatus of the second aspect and its implementation forms can achieve the same advantages as the method of the first aspect and its respective implementation forms.

[0057] A third aspect of this disclosure provides a system that comprises one or more apparatus according to the second aspect, or any implementation form thereof.

[0058] In an implementation form of the third aspect, the system may further comprise one or more pumps and a server. Optionally, one apparatus may be arranged locally with respect to one pump.

[0059] Alternatively, one apparatus maybe arranged remotely with respect to one pump.

[0060] Optionally, one apparatus maybe a standalone device.

[0061] A fourth aspect of this disclosure provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to the first aspect or any implementation form thereof.

[0062] All steps that are performed by the various entities described in the present application as well as the functionalities described to be performed by the various entities are intended to mean that the respective entity is adapted to or configured to perform the respective steps and functionalities.

[0063] Even if, in the following description of specific embodiments, a specific functionality or step to be performed by external entities is not reflected in the description of a specific detailed element of that entity that performs that specific step or functionality, it should be clear for a skilled person that these methods and functionalities can be implemented in respective software or hardware elements or any kind of combination thereof.

[0064] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0065] The above-described aspects and optional implementations will be explained in the following description of specific embodiments in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which

[0066] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of a method according to this disclosure;

[0067] FIG. 2 shows examples of an apparatus according to this disclosure; and

[0068] FIG. 3 shows a further example of an apparatus according to this disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0069] In this disclosure, an embodiment / example may refer to other embodiments / examples. For example, any description including but not limited to terminology, element, process, explanation, and / or technical advantage mentioned in one embodiment / example is applicable to the other embodiments / examples. The same elements are labeled with the same reference signs and may function similarly or likewise.

[0070] FIG. i shows a flowchart of a method 100 according to this disclosure. The method is for generating a sustainability report of a pump system and comprises the following steps:

[0071] Step 101: receiving a request for generating the sustainability report;

[0072] Step 102: collecting data of one or more pumps;

[0073] Step 103: validating at least part of the collected data using trusted data, e.g. using data trusted due to the use of DLT; and

[0074] Step 104: analyzing the collected data, to generate the sustainability report.

[0075] The method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be an analytics engine (AE).

[0076] Optionally, in step 101, the request may be user-generated (e.g., by an operations manager or a command center operator) or automatically triggered (e.g., quarterly or by a certain event). Optionally, the request may be registered, e.g., in a server or a command center. For instance, the request maybe logged. The request may comprise request details, such as scope, targeted reporting frameworks, and any specific data requirements. Optionally, the request may indicate criteria for selecting particular metrics or data points related to the sustainable report. Optionally, the request may indicate specific pump(s), pump systems, or operational scope that the report will cover.

[0077] For performing step 102, in response to receiving the request, data of one or more pumps (or a pump system) maybe collected. For instance, trusted and comprehensive lifecycle data and metadata may be collected. Optionally, supplementary data may be collected from external sources like regulatory compliance reports, third-party certifications and benchmark databases. Overall, the collected data may span operational, environmental, and energy consumption metrics. For instance, the collected data may comprise one or more of the following types of information:

[0078] - Energy consumption data such as electricity consumption (kWh), input energy vs output work to calculate energy, and fuel consumption (for pump systems powered by internal combustion engines).

[0079] - Operational data such as flow rate, pressure, pump speed, operational hours and duty cycles, maintenance records and downtime incidents, and lifecycle status (age, expected lifespan, wear and tear).

[0080] - Environmental data such as greenhouse gas emissions data (Scope i, and possibly 2 and 3), energy sources (renewable vs non-renewable energy mix), emission factors corresponding to energy consumption, and water usage data.

[0081] - Infrastructure data such as model and specifications of the pump systems, and operating costs related to energy, maintenance and operation.

[0082] In the present disclosure, the collected data (e.g., energy consumption, water usage, C02 emission) may be analyzed to generate the sustainability report. This can enable in-time identification of inefficiencies, such as overconsumption during specific operation intervals, and may allow for proactive adjustments before resource waste accumulates.

[0083] For instance, where pump users previously had to wait for utility bills to assess consumption, the present disclosure can provides granular consumption profiles reflected by the sustainability report based on the analyzed data, such as spikes in usage, daily fluctuations, or gradual efficiency drops. These patterns can be automatically analyzed and reported in the sustainability report, facilitating prompt corrective action and informed sustainability planning.

[0084] As another example, the present disclosure can be applied to keep track of wastewater quality, providing insight into potential overuse of clean water. If the wastewater is detected to be unusually clean, this may indicate that valuable treated water is being discarded inefficiently, prompting a review and / or inspection of pump configuration. Optionally, the sustainability report comprises component information of one or more components of the pump. The component information may comprise one or more of: one or more respective materials of the one or more components; a respective durability of the one or more components; a type of fluid that is pumped by the pump (and / or that is contacted with the one or more components). In this way, the sustainability report can support component -level lifecycle tracking. This can help identifying reusable or replaceable pump component(s), which is particularly valuable for pump users who value a low product carbon footprint and / or sustainability audits.

[0085] For data collection, each piece of the collected data may be accompanied by metadata that can be used to trace its origin, context, and relevance to the sustainability report. The metadata may comprise one or more of: timestamps for when data is collected, location data for geographically dispersed pump systems, and identifiers of individual pumps or systems. During data collection, metadata from real-time reporting mechanisms maybe collected to provide updates regarding the data collection process, including volume, frequency, and any irregularities detected. The purpose of this functionality is to further enhance the credibility of the report for potential stakeholders involved in the sustainability report compilation.

[0086] When assessing the sustainability of a pump, the availability of live or real-time operational data may be important. Unlike conventional sustainability assessments that rely on historical or aggregated utility data (e.g., monthly energy bills), the collected data may comprise live (or real-time) data.

[0087] Relying solely on historical data often leads to inaccurate or outdated recommendations, as past performance may no longer reflect current operational realities. For instance, a pump that was once appropriately sized may now be oversized or undersized, due to changes in system demand or operation environment. Without access to live data, such inefficiencies may remain undetected, thereby undermining efforts to optimize performance or reduce environmental impact.

[0088] Accordingly, the collected data may comprise live data, such as real-time flow rates, pressures, and energy use. This enables real-time assessment of whether the pump is operating outside of its optimal range or is oversized— such as frequently running at low efficiency points or being underloaded — conditions which are common in oversized pumps. By incorporating this real-time insight into the sustainability report, it can provide timely and context-aware recommendations, ensuring that optimization efforts are based on the actual, current use of the pump rather than outdated historical data.

[0089] Furthermore, the sustainability report may optionally indicate discrepancies between historical performance expectations and current usage patterns, supporting proactive pump system redesign, resizing, or control strategy updates.

[0090] Optionally, in step 103, the collected data may be scrutinized for source authenticity, type, and format. If necessary, the collected data maybe transformed. For instance, it may be converted or transformed into a standardized format that is suitable for reporting purposes. This step ensures that the data adheres to the required norms for sustainability metrics calculation.

[0091] Optionally, data trustworthiness validation maybe performed. One or more checks and validations maybe performed to ensure the trustworthiness of the data, e.g.:

[0092] - Source validation: the authenticity and reliability of the data sources, especially considering the use of distributed ledger technology for data provenance.

[0093] - Data integrity checks: assessments to identify anomalies or issues that may compromise data integrity, such as inconsistencies or incomplete data sets, may be performed.

[0094] - Format and type validation, which is to ensure that the data conforms to predefined formats and types required for the sustainability reporting framework to prevent errors in report generation and analysis.

[0095] Optionally, data transformation may be performed. The collected data may be converted for reporting purposes using one or more of the following:

[0096] - Unit conversion: Standardizing and converting various measurement units to match those required by the sustainability reporting guidelines.

[0097] - Format structuring: Re-structuring the data into the format required by the sustainability reporting framework to ensure proper alignment and consistency. - Data normalization: Adjusting the data from different scales to a common scale to allow for meaningful comparison and analysis.

[0098] - Data set aggregation: Combining data from multiple sources or records to create a comprehensive view, helpful for holistic reporting and metrics calculation.

[0099] - Data enrichment: Enhancing the data by adding supplementary information or context, which may involve incorporating external data sources or additional insights relevant to sustainability reporting.

[0100] Optionally, step 104 may comprise calculating sustainability reporting metrics, on which the generation of the sustainability report maybe based.

[0101] For instance, the sustainability metrics may be calculated according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, or Science Based Targets (SBT). An example of a calculation may include:

[0102] - Energy efficiency calculation by determining the energy use over a given time period. For pump systems, the electrical input (in kWh) that each pump uses during its operation is measured. The energy efficiency of the pump system is calculated using an energy efficiency ratio, which is the ratio of useful output (e.g., the amount of water pumped) to energy input ({Energy Efficiency} = {Useful Energy Output} / {Energy Input}).

[0103] - GHG emissions are calculated in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents (C02e) and consider different scopes.

[0104] • Scope 1 Direct emissions, for pump systems that are powered by the combustion of fossil fuels on-site, direct emissions are calculated by measuring the fuel consumed and using emission factors that convert this quantity into C02e.

[0105] • Scope 2 Indirect emissions, if the pump system uses purchased electricity, the GHG emissions are calculated by multiplying the electricity consumption (in kWh) by the emission factor specific to the regional or national energy grid. These factors are obtained from the utility provider or relevant government agencies, and they represent the average emissions produced per unit of electricity generated and delivered.

[0106] • Scope 3 Value Chain emissions involves calculating emissions generated throughout the value chain, including the manufacturing of the pumps, transportation, and end-of-life disposal. The data can be obtained from enterprise input-output models, company-specific data, or estimates based on industry averages.

[0107] - Water Usage: Measured directly by the volume of water pumped (in liters or gallons). For sustainability reporting, it's also important to consider the source of the water and the efficiency of water use in the pumping process. The water efficiency can be affected by factors such as pump design, operating conditions, maintenance, and the presence or absence of leakage or recycling / reuse systems.

[0108] Optionally, specific sustainability metrics may be defined based on the customer's request or industry standards. These metrics may comprise carbon footprint, energy efficiency, water usage efficiency, and / or any other relevant environmental impact measures such as:

[0109] - Energy Consumption: Total kilowatt-hours (kWh) consumed by the pumps. Energy efficiency of pump units (kWh per volume of fluid pumped).

[0110] - Water Usage: Volume of water pumped. Efficiency of water usage (e.g., volume of fluid moved per unit of energy consumed).

[0111] - Carbon Emissions: Estimated carbon / GHG (direct and indirect) emissions associated with pump operation based on energy source. Measured in metric tons of CO 2 or equivalent. Emissions can be classified and tied to specific activities or derived from total processes and systems.

[0112] - Pump Efficiency: Overall efficiency rating of the pump system (a function of the pump hydraulic performance, motor efficiency, and drive system). Comparison to industry or sector-specific benchmark efficiency levels.

[0113] - Life Cycle Impact: Assessment of the pump's environmental impact over its lifetime, including production, operation, and disposal.

[0114] - Resource Conservation: Amount of resources conserved due to efficient pump operations (e.g., reduction in water or energy use compared to less efficient systems).

[0115] - Leakage and Waste: Volume of fluid lost due to leakage, if applicable.

[0116] - Reduction in waste by volume, resulting from improved pump operation or system design.

[0117] - Renewable Energy Utilization: Percentage of pump operations powered by renewable energy sources. Smart Pump Features: Utilization rates of smart features for efficiency gains (e.g., variable speed drives, intelligent controls, automated shut-off).

[0118] The analytics engine may be adapted to select suitable calculations to be made based on the metrics to be calculated.

[0119] Optionally, potential further metadata analyses and / or comparisons may be made if needed for more advanced analyses, involving the calculated metrics from present and / or previous analytics. If needed, the analytics engine might initiate a new data request for further metrics to be calculated. Then a similar parallel additional process as described in this disclosure would be initiated and executed simultaneously, before merging the metrics from the two calculations.

[0120] Using the previously calculated data, the sustainability report is generated that conforms to sustainable reporting standards. There may be various forms for the generated sustainability report, such as:

[0121] 1) A secure data file (e.g. a signed or an encrypted file) used for a. reporting to authorities, companies, or other stakeholders, and / or b. record-keeping and future reference.

[0122] 2) A human-readable report format made available through a user interface that provides the user with clear and concise insights into the pump system's sustainability performance.

[0123] Optionally, the method 100 may further comprise calculating a hash value of the generated sustainability report, and storing the hash value in the DLT network, such as a blockchain network. The hash value may be stored in a block of the blockchain network. In this way, the generated sustainability can be validated to ensure its creditability and immutability.

[0124] Overall, this disclosure provides a method for generating trusted sustainability reports for pump system(s). The method allows for accurate, trustworthy, and useful sustainability insights, significantly contributing to responsible environmental stewardship and sustainable operational practices. The method incorporates trusted data (e.g., distributed ledger technology (DLT) like blockchain, but not limited thereto) to ensure that the pump data is immutable, accurate, and resistant to tampering. This ensures that stakeholders can trust the data included in the sustainability report.

[0125] By setting a standard that can align with existing sustainability frameworks, the method provides a consistent approach to sustainability reporting. This makes it easier for organizations to comply with regulatory requirements and to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability practices.

[0126] The format-agnostic nature of the technology permits the integration of various types of pumps and external data systems. This creates an advantage in terms of ecosystem collaboration and allows the method to adapt to new formats as technologies evolve.

[0127] The process of collecting data, validating it, and transforming it into the report can be automated, which reduces the time and labor involved in creating sustainability reports. This leads to increased efficiency and the ability to produce reports at a higher frequency if necessary.

[0128] As the data is collected and processed through an automated system, there is a lower risk of human error, which could otherwise lead to inaccurate reporting and analysis.

[0129] By regularly assessing the sustainability metrics of pump systems, organizations can proactively manage their environmental impacts, leading to resource savings and potentially lower operating costs.

[0130] The method of this disclosure may be engineered to align with key sustainability frameworks and standards, which are widely recognized as the benchmarks of corporate sustainability reporting. For instance, the method may calculate sustainability metrics according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, and Science Based Targets (SBT), thereby catering to a comprehensive spectrum of sustainability performance indicators. The method maybe crafted to accommodate any sustainability metrics (customizable), ensuring that specific and evolving reporting needs of any organization can be met while upholding the highest standards of data integrity and accuracy.

[0131] The method of this disclosure may produce reports following the format of multiple standards. This includes but is not limited to the following formats:

[0132] - Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): GRI operates with a comprehensive set of metrics. For pump systems, metrics focus on energy consumption, GHG emissions, and water usage.

[0133] - GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard / Science Based Targets (SBT): Metrics include Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. For pump systems, this involves measuring direct emissions from the operation of the pumps (Scope 1), indirect emissions from purchased electricity (Scope 2), and other indirect emissions, such as those from the manufacturing of the pumps and their eventual disposal (Scope 3).

[0134] - Fit for 55 framework: proposed by the European Union aiming to achieve a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

[0135] - The Inflation Reduction Act: the global focus on reducing CO2 emissions.

[0136] - ISO 14001 - Environmental Management Systems: Not a metric-based standard. The environmental management system sets objectives and targets for pump systems, potentially influencing metrics such as reducing energy consumption, minimizing water usage, and improving waste management practices.

[0137] - ISO 14040 / 14044 - Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Metrics here encompass the entire lifecycle of pump systems, from raw material extraction through manufacturing, use, and disposal. This includes energy and resource use, emissions, water consumption, and other environmental impacts over the system's lifetime.

[0138] - Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)

[0139] - UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

[0140] - Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)

[0141] - Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI). FIG. 2 shows various examples of implementing an apparatus 21 according to this disclosure (dashed lines indicate possible implementations). Other implementations are possible.

[0142] FIG. 2 specifically illustrates that the apparatus 21 may be for a pump system comprising one or more pumps 23, 24 (two are exemplarily shown in FIG. 2) and a server 22. The apparatus 21, the one or more pumps 23, 24, and the server 22 are configured to communicate with each other. The apparatus 21 may be a controller in this pump system. The apparatus 21 may control the pump system. Optionally, the pump 31 can be a centrifugal pump. The pump 31 can be a pump for fluid or liquid, for instance, water.

[0143] In a possible implementation, the apparatus 21 maybe arranged locally with respect to one pump. For instance, the apparatus 21 maybe an internal part of one pump, or an external part attached to one pump.

[0144] In a further possible implementation, the apparatus 21 maybe arranged remotely with respect to one pump. For instance, the apparatus 21 may be an internal part of the server 22, or an external part attached to the server 22.

[0145] In a further possible implementation, the apparatus may be a standalone device. For instance, the apparatus 21 may be a computing device having access to the pump system.

[0146] During pump operation, pump data may be provided by each pump to the server and stored in a storage entity. Pump data may also be stored locally in each pump. The apparatus 21 maybe adapted to collect pump data from each pump 23, 24 and / or from the server 22. Optionally, metadata of the pump data is also collected by the apparatus 21 when collecting the pump data. The data of the one or more pumps collected by the apparatus 21 may comprise the pump data and the respective metadata, of a respective pump.

[0147] The apparatus 21 is configured to validate at least a part of the collected pump data using trusted data. Optionally, the collected pump data may be validated by the apparatus 21 using distributed ledger technology (DLT). The trusted data maybe data stored at least one DLT network. Each pump may be associated with a respective DLT network (e.g., a blockchain network) 25, 26. When the pump data is generated on each pump, each pump maybe adapted to calculate a hash value of the generated pump data and store the hash value in the respective blockchain network associated with each pump. For instance, the first pump 23 is associated with a first blockchain network 25, and the hash value of its pump data maybe stored in one or more blocks 251 of the first blockchain network. When the apparatus 21 collects the data of the first pump 23, the apparatus 21 maybe configured to obtain the hash value from the blockchain network 25, and compare it with a calculated hash value of the obtained pump data. If the two hash values matches, the pump data of the first pump 23 is validated.

[0148] The DLT may also be applied to ensure trustworthiness of the generated sustainability report. For instance, the apparatus 21 maybe configured to determine a hash value of the generated sustainability report, and send the hash value of the sustainability report to a respective DLT network 27 associated with the apparatus 21. The DLT network 27 maybe a blockchain network. The hash value of the sustainability report is stored in a block 271 of the blockchain network. In this way, any third party can validate the generated sustainability report using the hash value stored in the blockchain network 27.

[0149] FIG. 3 shows a further example of an apparatus 30 according to this disclosure. The apparatus 30 may correspond to the apparatus 21 shown in FIG. 2 and is adapted to perform the method 100 in FIG. 1.

[0150] The apparatus 30 may comprise a communication unit 31 configured to receive the request for generating the sustainability report and collect data of one or more pumps. The apparatus 30 may further comprise an analysis unit 32 configured to analyze the collected and generate the sustainability report.

[0151] In the following, various application scenarios of this disclosure are provided.

[0152] A first application scenario may relate to a plant manager wishing to know how to reduce energy consumption and costs. The plant manager is inquiring about reducing energy consumption and costs, particularly within the context of pump systems. According to solutions of this disclosure, a detailed sustainability report can be generated that encompasses not just energy usage but also guidelines for efficiency improvements. An example of applying the method 100 is as follows.

[0153] Step i. Request for Sustainability Report:

[0154] Plant Manager: Submitting a request through the system's interface, stating the request of reducing energy consumption and cost.

[0155] AE: Logging the request and initiates the process, assigning a tracking ID for future reference.

[0156] • The plant manager's query may be registered within the AE. This tracks the request and provides a basis for the resulting sustainability report.

[0157] • All the specifics of the query, such as the objective to reduce energy consumption and costs for pump systems, are logged.

[0158] • Request for Sustainability Report output: The goal is to identify areas for reducing energy usage and operational costs.

[0159] Step 2. Collecting Trusted Data:

[0160] - Identification of Data Source: The AE may be adapted to identify relevant pumps installed in the plant manager's facilities, and extracting necessary operational data.

[0161] - AE: Engaging the data extraction protocol to retrieve energy usage data and associated metadata from the relevant pumps.

[0162] - Pumps: Relay data in real-time or from historical logs, including kilowatt-hours consumed, operational hours, and load profiles.

[0163] - The AE collects metadata that provides context to the energy data, such as operational hours, energy rates, and system configurations.

[0164] Step 3. Data Validation and Transformation:

[0165] - AE: Validating the pumped data quality, ensures it adheres to the sustainability metrics criteria, and standardizes the format for the analytics engine.

[0166] - Data may be then transformed into the standardized format for consistency and to facilitate calculations of sustainability metrics. Step 4. Calculating Sustainability Reporting Metrics:

[0167] - AE: Processing the collected data to calculate specific metrics like:

[0168] • Actual energy consumption versus theoretical optimal efficiency.

[0169] • Potential energy savings if certain operational changes are made or more efficient pumps are used.

[0170] - AE (or a system associated with the AE): proposing the implementation of variable speed drives or smart controls to reduce energy during off-peak operation or for dynamic load adjustment. The AE may be adapted to identify metrics to reduce energy consumption such as Energy Consumption, Energy Efficiency, and Pump Efficiency.

[0171] Step 5. Sustainability Report Generation:

[0172] - AE: compiling the metrics into a draft report, which may, for example, include energy efficiency findings, areas of potential improvement, and forecasts for energy savings after recommended alterations.

[0173] By following this process, the plant manager receives a detailed understanding of how the current pump systems consume energy and gets tailored recommendations on improving energy efficiency and cutting operational costs. The report leverages trusted and verified data, ensuring that the insights and recommendations are based on accurate and current operational information.

[0174] A second scenario of this disclosure relates to a chief executive officer (CEO) wishing to know whether his pump system performance is on par with industry standards.

[0175] In this scenario, the CEO's inquiry about benchmarking the pump system's performance against industry standards would follow a similar route with some specific alterations aimed at comparing current operations with external benchmarks.

[0176] Step 1. Request for Sustainability Report:

[0177] CEO: making an official request via the system interface or through a direct communication channel, posing the question, "Is our pump system performance on par with industry standards?". The CEO may also specify certain benchmarks or standards, like energy efficiency ratios (EER), operating costs, or maintenance frequency.

[0178] AE: logging the request and initiates the process, assigning a tracking ID for future reference.

[0179] Step 2. collecting Trusted Data:

[0180] - Identification of Data Source: identifying data sources, which include the existing pumps in the CEO's organization.

[0181] - AE: retrieving recent and historical operational data from pumps such as energy use, flow rates, and maintenance logs — data that are relevant to assessing performance against industry benchmarks.

[0182] Step 3. Data Validation and Transformation:

[0183] - AE: : validating the data integrity and ensures compliance with data privacy standards, especially since comparing against industry benchmarks might require accessing third-party data for accurate comparison.

[0184] Step 4. Calculating Sustainability Reporting Metrics:

[0185] - AE: analyzing the retrieved data to calculate metrics crucial to benchmark comparison, such as the pumps’ Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), mean time between failures (MTBF), and energy consumption patterns.

[0186] - AE (or a system associated with the AE) : identifying relevant industry standards from databases or benchmarks published by industry associations or regulatory bodies.

[0187] Step 5. Sustainability Report Generation:

[0188] - AE: Producing a comprehensive report comparing the company's pump system performance with the identified industry standards. The report may highlight areas where the pump systems excel, meet, or fall short of these standards and provides potential reasons why this maybe the case.

[0189] A third scenario of this disclosure relates to a customer asking for an annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting for authorities. In this scenario, the customer needs to compile CSR reporting for authorities with a focus on their fleet of pumps. In this case the system would follow a structured process to provide the necessary data and ensure compliance with reporting standards.

[0190] Step i. Request for Sustainability Report:

[0191] Customer: submitting a request through the system specifying the need for CSR reporting data regarding the fleet of pumps. The customer may provide the specifics, possibly including energy efficiency, carbon footprint, water usage, maintenance practices, and any relevant social or governance metrics.

[0192] AE: capturing and logging the request, starting the process for generating the CSR report. The AE may ask for detailed requirements such as reporting period, specific CSR metrics required by the authorities, and any particular sustainability goals to report on.

[0193] Step 2. Collecting Trusted Data:

[0194] - Identification of Data Source: identifying that the fleet of pumps are the primary data source and that they are capable of contributing to the CSR report with trusted data (e.g., can be validated through distributed ledger technology).

[0195] - AE: procuring the operational data and metadata from the pumps, focusing on aspects required for CSR such as energy consumption, GHG emissions, reliability, and other relevant sustainability indicators.

[0196] Step 3. Data Validation and Transformation:

[0197] - AE: : validating the data integrity (e.g., through distributed ledger technology).

[0198] Step 4. Calculating Sustainability Reporting Metrics:

[0199] - AE: calculating the CSR metrics using the collected data. This could include environmental metrics like total energy consumption, GHG emissions, and water efficiency, as well as social metrics if applicable.

[0200] - AE (or a system associated with the AE): comparing current performance against previous years, demonstrating trends and improvements in the CSR areas.

[0201] Step 5. Sustainability Report Generation: - AE: assembling the data into a CSR report that meets the regulatory requirements and standards for such reports. The report includes all relevant sustainability metrics, explanations for data methodologies, and any additional narrative that supports the CSR disclosures.

[0202] It is noted that the various operations in the above-mentioned three application scenarios are for illustration purposes only. Detailed operations may vary in various application scenarios.

[0203] In general, this disclosure provides a solution for generating a sustainability report of a pump system. The solution allows for automating the data collection, data validation, and sustainability reporting. Distributed ledger technology, such as blockchain, may be used to ensure that at least part of the collected data (e.g., pump data) and / or the generated sustainability report is immutable, accurate, and resistant to tampering. This increases trust among stakeholders who rely on the integrity of the sustainability reports.

[0204] It is noted that the apparatus in the present disclosure may comprise processing circuitry configured to perform, conduct or initiate the various operations of the elements described herein, respectively. The processing circuitry may comprise hardware and software. The hardware may comprise analog circuitry or digital circuitry, or both analog and digital circuitry. The digital circuitry may comprise components such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field- programmable arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or multi-purpose processors. Optionally, the processing circuitry comprises one or more processors and a non-transitory memory connected to the one or more processors. The non-transitory memory may carry executable program code which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the device to perform, conduct or initiate the operations or methods described herein, respectively.

[0205] The present disclosure has been described in conjunction with various embodiments as examples as well as implementations. However, other variations can be understood and effected by those persons skilled in the art and practicing the claimed matter, from the studies of the drawings, this disclosure, and the independent claims. In the claims as well as in the description the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several entities or items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in the mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used in an advantageous implementation.

Claims

Claims1. A method (100) for generating a sustainability report of a pump system, the method comprising: receiving (101) a request for generating the sustainability report; in response to the request, collecting (102) data of one or more pumps; validating (103) at least part of the collected data using trusted data; and analyzing (104) the collected data, to generate the sustainability report.

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least part of the collected data is validated using distributed ledger technology, DLT.

3. The method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising collecting metadata of the pump data, wherein the metadata comprises one or more of: a timestamp indicating when the data is collected, location data of a respective pump, and an identifier of a respective pump; and the sustainability report is generated based further on the metadata of the pump data.

4. The method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pump data comprises one or more of: energy consumption data; operational data; environmental data; and infrastructure data; of a respective pump.

5. The method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising obtaining regulatory and standard data, wherein the sustainability report is generated based further on the obtained regulatory and standard data.

6. The method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the step of validating at least part of the collected data comprises:obtaining a first hash value of the at least part of the collected data from a respective DLT network associated with a respective pump; calculating a second hash value of the at least part of the collected data; and comparing the first hash value and the second hash value to validate the at least part of the collected data.

7. The method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: determining a hash value of the sustainability report; sending the hash value of the sustainability report to a DLT network.

8. The method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the DLT network is a blockchain network.

9. An apparatus (21) for generating a sustainability report of a pump system, the apparatus being configured to: receive a request for generating the sustainability report; in response to the request, collect data of one or more pumps; validate at least part of the collected data using trusted data; and analyze the collected data, to generate the sustainability report.

10. The apparatus (21) according to claim 9, wherein the apparatus (21) is configured to validate the at least part of the collected data using distributed ledger technology, DLT.

11. The apparatus (21) according to claim 9 or 10, further configured to collect metadata of the pump data, wherein the metadata comprises one or more of: a timestamp indicating when the data is collected, location data of a respective pump, and an identifier of a respective pump; and the sustainability report is generated based further on the metadata of the pump data.

12. The apparatus (21) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the pump data comprises one or more of: energy consumption data; operational data;environmental data; and infrastructure data of a respective pump.

13. The apparatus (21) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, further configured to obtain regulatory and standard data, wherein the sustainability report is generated based further on the obtained regulatory and standard data.

14. The apparatus (21) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein for validating at least part of the collected data, the apparatus is configured to: obtain a first hash value of the at least part of the collected data from a respective DLT network associated with a respective pump; calculate a second hash value of the at least part of the collected data; and compare the first hash value and the second hash value to validate the at least part of the collected data.

15. The apparatus (21) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, further configured to: determine a hash value of the sustainability report; send the hash value of the sustainability report to a distributed ledger technology, DLT, network associated with the apparatus.

16. The apparatus (21) according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the DLT network is a blockchain network.

17. A system comprising at least one apparatus (21) according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

18. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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