Computer implemented method for automatically generating and assigning a classification certificate to methane and / or methanol and certificate management system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method and to a certificate management system (200) for automatically generating and assigning a classification certificate (201) to methane (8) and / or methanol, which is produced by a methane production unit (1), by determining respective input certification attributes (202) of the plurality of input variables (2), which are 5 provided to the methane production unit (1), generating, for at least one intermediate product (170) an intermediate certification attribute (203), by using the determined input certification attributes (202), and by generating, the classification certificate (201) for the methane (8) and / or methanol produced by the methane production unit (1), wherein the classification certificate (201) is generated by using at least one of: the input certification attributes (202) or the at least one 10 intermediate certification attribute (203), and assigning the generated classification certificate (201) to the produced methane (8) and / or methanol.

Description

[0001] P29192PC00

[0002] 1 / 37

[0003] COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING AND ASSIGNING A CLASSIFICATION CERTIFICATE TO METHANE AND / OR METHANOL AND CERTIFICATE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

[0004] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for automatically generating and assigning a classification certificate to methane and / or methanol, which is produced by a methanation plant, to a certification management system for automatically generating and assigning the classification certificate and to a computer program product comprising program code configured to direct the certificate management system.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0007] Methanation plants are designed to produce methane and / or methanol as an alternative source of these products with respect to natural occurrences. Natural occurrences include e.g. gas and oil fields, which are used to extract the above mentioned products. These products comprise carbon dioxide, which is released in the atmosphere when these products are used. E.g. the burning of methane (natural gas, natural gas liquids or liquefied petroleum gas) produces heat and carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide gathers in the earth’s atmosphere and is as greenhouse gas jointly responsible for the man-made climate change.

[0008] Nevertheless, natural gas plays a huge role in the industrial energy demand. Many industries rely on natural gas, e.g. for heat production. Further, natural gas is also used as a heat source for individual homes. Reducing the consumption of natural gas is one of the world population targets to reduce or mitigate the negative impacts of the man-made climate change.

[0009] A part of the solution could be to reduce the natural gas consumption or to replace it with other gases like green hydrogen. Nevertheless, the handling of hydrogen is extremely challenging andP29192PC00

[0010] 2 / 37

[0011] it cannot be fed into the existing gas pipeline system of countries or regions. Hydrogen would require a completely new pipeline system, which is extremely expensive.

[0012] Another option could be to use green natural gas, in particular, green methane or green methanol. Green natural gas could be defined in that is has been synthesized, in particular via the sabatierprocess, using renewable energy and / or renewable base products for the synthesis. The renewable energy may be provided via solar, nuclear or wind power plants etc. and the renewable base products are e.g. provided as waste or by-products from other processes. E.g. water may be provided from a biogas plant, and carbon dioxide may be also provided from a biogas plant and / or is extracted from the air. Further, water may also be supplied from standard water grid.

[0013] The synthesis of methane is a complex procedure, which requires a plurality of components and input products. In addition, it is extremely challenging to ensure and proof that the produced green methane and / or methanol is green. In other words, it is extremely challenging to provide reliable and provable information on the product carbon footprint of the produced methane and / or methanol. The known state of the art to determine the product carbon footprint for produced methane and / or methanol is to manually receive paper certificates of input variables like electric power, water and carbon dioxide and to manually combine the plurality of paper certificates for the produced methane. In a next step, the plurality of paper certificates are presented to an authority, which manually issues (prints) a new certificate for the produced methane and / or methanol, thereby determining and proving the carbon product footprint of the product. The recipient or customer of the produced methane and / or methanol also received (physically) the issued certificate and can thereby proof that his bought methane and / or methanol has the respective product carbon footprint.

[0014] The described process involves a lot of manual labor and physical printing and mailing of certificates. In addition, a plurality of authorities maybe in different countries are involved, which further increases the complexity and which leads to high issue times for different certificates.P29192PC00

[0015] 3 / 37

[0016] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0017] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a computer-implemented method and a certificate management system, which is configured to automatically certify methane and / or methanol produced by a methane production unit. In particular it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a computer-implemented method for automatically generating and assigning a classification certificate to methane and / or methanol, which is produced by a methane production unit and to provide a certificate management system for automatically generating and assigning the classification certificate, which address at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0018] According to the present disclosure, these objects are addressed by the features of the independent claims. In addition, advantageous embodiments follow from the dependent claims, figures and the description.

[0019] A computer-implemented method for automatically generating and assigning a classification certificate to methane and / or methanol, which is produced by a methane production unit is specified. In other words, a computer-implemented classification certificate generating and assigning method. The computer-implemented method preferably comprises the following steps.

[0020] In a first step, the respective input certification attributes of the plurality of input variables are determined, for the plurality of input variables provided to the methane production unit for its operation. The input variables are in particular the material or gaseous input streams and / or energy input streams (electric and thermal), which are required to operate the methane production unit. In other words, the input streams, which are required by the methane production unit to produce the desired methane and / or methanol and / or other output variables. The input certification attributes provide for example information or parameter data on an emission value or on a product carbon footprint of the respective input variable. The input certification attribute is e.g. provided with the respective input variable. In another embodiment, the input certification attribute may at least partially be measured out of the input variable stream or in another embodiment, the input certification attribute is provided via a respective certification attribute access point. An access point is, for example a digital certification system, which provide access to a specific certificationP29192PC00

[0021] 4 / 37

[0022] attribute when the respective input variable is provided to the methane production unit. Many solutions how the input certification attributes are determined (e.g. identified, ascertained, received or retrieved) are conceivable. Important is that the method can determine, e.g. identify or ascertain the respective input certification attributes for the input variables for its further usage. For example, provided electric energy (input variables) may have an assigned input certification attribute, made available via an access point (e.g. a remote cloud server), stating that the respective electric energy is completely renewable, or is renewable by 80% etc, thereby e.g. certifying a low product carbon footprint.

[0023] In a further step, an intermediate certification attribute is generated, for at least one intermediate product produced by the methane production unit using at least one input variable. The intermediate certification attribute is generated by using the determined input certification attributes. Further, the generated intermediate certification attribute is assigned to the generated at least one intermediate product. An intermediate product is a product produced by the methane production unit during the process of producing methane and / or methanol. An intermediate process may involve a chemical reaction or may involve changing the property of one of the input variables, e.g. cooling, heating, compressing, depressurizing, pumping etc. which requires at least one other input variable e.g. electric energy or thermal energy. An intermediate product may therefore be hydrogen, compressed hydrogen, cooled or heated carbon oxide etc. The intermediate certification attribute is for example an update of the input certification attribute of the respective input variable or a newly created intermediate certification attribute e.g. for the produced hydrogen as intermediate product. The computer implemented method uses the determined input certification attributes of the input variables and generates the respective intermediate certification attributes for the intermediate products and assigns the respective intermediate certification attributes to the intermediate products. For example, provided carbon oxide having a specific input certification attribute is compressed by a compressor of the methane production unit, using electric energy having the respective input certification attribute. A specific intermediate certification attribute for the compressed carbon oxide is created using the input certification attributes of the uncompressed carbon oxide and of the electric energy used by the compressor.P29192PC00

[0024] 5 / 37

[0025] In a further step, the classification certificate for the methane and / or methanol produced by the methane production unit is generated for the methane and / or methanol produced by using the input variables and the at least one intermediate product, wherein the classification certificate is generated by using the input certification attributes and the at least one intermediate certification attribute. Further, the generated classification certificate is assigning to the produced methane and / or methanol. In other words, the computer-implemented method generates the classification certificate for the product of the methane production unit in dependence of the input certification attributes and the intermediate certification attributes.

[0026] In addition, the generated classification certificate is assigned to the produced methane and / or methanol. Assigning may be determined in that the classification certificate is irretrievably allocated to the respective product. For example, the classification certificate is tokenized, e.g. by using blockchain technology, and thereby linked to the methane and / or methanol produced by the methane production unit at the respective time using the respective input variables and intermediate products. In another embodiment, the generated classification certificate is stored in a database e.g. a remote server enabling access for third parties for verification. The database may be a central national database, an international database, a third party database and / or a database of the operator of the methane production unit. It is also conceivable that the at least one generated classification certificate is provided to a plurality of databases.

[0027] The computer implemented method according to the present disclosure enables to automatically create and assign classification certificates for produced methane and / or methanol, which provide property information on the produced methane and / or methanol, e.g. information on the product carbon footprint. In addition, the computer implemented method enables to ensure that the entire process of generating methane and / or methanol by the methane production unit is advantageously pursued such that the created classification certificate does provide a reliable information on properties of the produced methane and / or methanol.

[0028] In an embodiment, the computer implemented method may further comprise the step of generating for other or all output variables of the methane production unit a classification certificate by using the input certification attributes and / or the at least one intermediate certification attribute.P29192PC00

[0029] 6 / 37

[0030] It is thereby possible to receive information on properties of the other output variables of the methane production units besides the methane and / or methanol. Other output variables may include thermal energy, water, carbon dioxide and / or hydrogen.

[0031] In a further embodiment, the computer-implemented method may further comprise the step of storing the generated and assigned classification certificates, e.g. in the database or on a blockchain or in any other available and reliable storing medium.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the computer-implemented method may comprise the step of transmitting the generated classification certificate to a customer or a buyer of the methane and / or methanol, preferably with the methane and / or methanol, thereby enabling that the customer or the buyer can verify the properties of the methane and / or methanol and can use the classification certificates for certifying its own products or services. Transmitting may include sending the classification certificate or to provide access to the database which stores the generated classification certificate.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the computer implemented method may comprise the step of encrypting the classification certificate and / or of tokenizing the classification certificate. Thereby providing only to respective third parties, which have the required access rights, access to the classification certificates.

[0034] In a further embodiment, the classification certificate is generated and assigned for a specific batch of methane and / or methanol, wherein the classification certificate for the respective batch of methane and / or methanol is generated by using the input certification attributes of the input variables batches and / or the at least one intermediated certification attributes of the intermediate product batches used for producing the specific batch of methane and / or methanol. In other words, the respective classification certificate is e.g. generated for each produced batch of methane and / or methanol. The batch size may range from annual production to a production per second, e.g. a monthly production, a daily production, an hourly production, a production per minute. Other units, like kilograms, tons or cubic meters of the respective output variables are also conceivable. The input certification attributes of the batches of input variables required toP29192PC00

[0035] 7 / 37

[0036] produce the batch of methane and / or methanol are used to generate the classification certificate of the batch of produced methane and / or methanol. It is thereby in particular possible to follow the input variables through the methane production unit and to certify seamlessly the produced methane and / or methanol by using the input certification attributes of the input variables.

[0037] In a further embodiment, the classification certificate is generated and assigned for a specific timespan of operation of the methane production unit, in particular for a specific month, week, day, hour or minute. For example, the classification certificate is generated for the methane produced from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, by using the respective input certification attributes determined for the input variables used for the production of this methane. In addition, also the respective intermediate certification attributes are of course also used.

[0038] In an embodiment, at least one of the intermediate products, produced by the methane production unit, in particular by at least one electrolyser of the methane production unit, is hydrogen produced by water and electric energy. Further, the intermediate certification attribute of the produced hydrogen is generated by using the determined input certification attributes of the water and the electric energy used for producing the respective hydrogen. In this embodiment the hydrogen is not provided to the methane production unit, but directly produced by the methane production unit, in particular via respective electrolyzers, which are fed with water and electric energy as input variables. The hydrogen is therefore according to this embodiment an intermediate product for the desired production of methane and / or methanol. By determining the input certification attributes of the water and the electric energy used for producing the hydrogen it is possible to classify the hydrogen with the intermediate certification attribute generated by using the determined input certification attributes of the water and the electric energy. For example, the hydrogen produced from 10:00 am to 11 :00 am is classified with its intermediate certification attribute generated by using the determined input certification attributes of the water and the electric energy provided to the electrolyzer from 10:00 am to 11 :00 am, thereby enabling to seamlessly follow the input variables to the intermediate product and enabling to seamlessly certifying the intermediate products.P29192PC00

[0039] 8 / 37

[0040] In an embodiment, the input variables provided to the methane production unit comprise carbon oxide, electric energy, hydrogen, thermal energy and / or water, which each have or comprise or enable to determine the respective input certification attribute. Other input variables are also conceivable. The thermal energy may originate from a plant outside of the methane production unit, like a biogas plant, or may originate from the methane production unit itself. The thermal energy may be stored in a respective manner and provided to the methane production unit if required, in particular to its different components, which require thermal energy at the given time.

[0041] In a further embodiment, the computer-implemented method comprises the step of ascertaining the respective input certification attributes of the input variables using operational input data associated with the respective input variables, thereby enabling to determine the respective input certification attributes. It could be the case that the input variables do not have a respective input certification attribute but enable to ascertain or generate the respective input certification attribute. For example, provided carbon oxide may be guided through a measurement device for determining a specific property, which enables to ascertain the desired input certification attribute. Ascertaining the input certification attribute may also comprise to decrypt an encrypted input certification attribute, by using the respective keys (input operational data).

[0042] In a further embodiment, a plant certification attribute is assigned to the methane production unit, and wherein the step of generating the intermediate certification attribute further uses the assigned plant certification attribute and / or wherein the step of generating the classification certificate further uses the assigned plant certification attribute. In other words, the methane production unit has or comprises the plant certification attribute. The plant certification attribute may accounts for the manufacturing of the plant itself. E.g. the plant certification attribute provides information on the environmental impact of the construction of the methane production unit itself and / or on the surrounding environment. It is thereby possible that the method for automatically generating and assigning the classification certificate also takes into account the environmental impact of the construction of the methane production unit itself and / or on the surrounding environment for the classification certificates of the produced methane and / or methanol.P29192PC00

[0043] 9 / 37

[0044] In an embodiment, the input certification attributes and / or the intermediate certification attributes are updated for the respective input variable and / or the respective intermediate product after at least one or each intermediate production step, which uses another input variable or another intermediate product, by using the respective input certification attributes and / or the intermediate certification attributes of the used input variables or the at least one intermediate products. For example, it may not after each intermediate production step be required to generate a new intermediate certification attribute. It may be sufficient to update the respective input certification attributes or to update the respective intermediate certification attributes. For example, the input certification attribute of provided carbon oxide is updated when the respective carbon oxide is compressed by a compressor, which is operated with electric energy having a respective input certification attribute. In other words, the input certification attribute of the electric energy used for operating the compressor is used to update the input certification attribute of the carbon dioxide. Another example may be that the intermediate certification attribute of the produced hydrogen is updated when the respective hydrogen is cooled or heated by a heat exchanger using the input certification attributes of the input variables e.g. electric energy and / or thermal energy. For example, after each intermediate step e.g. performed by a pump, heat exchanger, compressor, distributor, separator, reactor etc. is the input certification attribute or the intermediate certification attribute updated by using the respective input certification attributes of the input variables used for operating the respective machinery of the methane production unit.

[0045] In an embodiment, the computer implemented method uses for the generation of the classification certificate a digital twin of the methane production unit, which digitally represents the production of the methane and / or methanol by the methane production unit, wherein measured data of the methane production unit is used to update the digital twin. The digital twin is for example a digital representation of the methane production unit, which models the production of the methane and I or methanol by using a representation of the input variables and the respective processes for the production of the methane and / or methanol. The digital twin enables to advantageously follow the production of the methane and / or methanol through the methane production unit, in particular with varying input variables (e.g. fluctuation renewable electric energy or fluctuation other input variables). It is thereby advantageously possible to update the respective input certi-P29192PC00

[0046] 10 / 37

[0047] fication attributes after intermediate production steps by using the digital twin, to create the intermediate certification attributes after intermediate production steps and to generate the classification certificate for the methane and / or methanol and / or the other output variables.

[0048] In a further embodiment, the computer implemented method creates, for the digital twin a digital representation of each input variable comprising the input certification attributes, which is provided to the methane production unit and a digital representation of at least one intermediate product comprising the intermediate certification attribute, which is produced by the methane production unit, wherein the digital representations are guided through the digital twin of the methane production unit and the input certification attributes and the at least one intermediate certification attribute are updated after each or at least one production step, which uses at least input variable, with data, in particular the respective input certification attribute, from the respective input variable. Thereby advantageously creating the traceable classification certificate.

[0049] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of generating, for additional output variables produced by the methane production unit using the input variables and / or the at least one intermediate product, additional classification certificate, by using the input certification attributes and / or the at least one intermediate certification attribute, and assigning the generated additional classification certificate to the produced additional output variables. In an embodiment the additional output variables include heat, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and / or water. The process of producing methane and / or methanol produces water and heat as byproducts, which are conventionally not used. But due to reducing the overall footprint and to increase revenue streams it could make sense to use the additional output variables, in particular since they have a low environmental impact or they have a good product carbon footprint. The synthesis of methane from hydrogen and carbon oxide is a highly exothermic reaction, which produces a lot of excess heat, which could be used either for heating other parts of the methane production unit or facilities outside of the methane production unit. Similarly, excess water from the methane production unit could be used as input water for the production of hydrogen and / or for other facilities outside the methane production unit. With the additional classification certificates it is possible to verify to third parties properties of the additional output variables, e.g. the product carbon footprint of the heat and / or the water.P29192PC00

[0050] 11 / 37

[0051] In a further embodiment, at least one of the additional output variables is at least partially used by the methane production unit itself for its operation, wherein the determined additional classification certificates are used as input certification attributes for the respective input variable. As mentioned, the additional water or the additional heat of the methanation could be used as input variables for the methane production unit, thereby forming at least partially a closed loop and further reducing the environmental impact of the methane production unit.

[0052] In an embodiment, the computer-implemented method further comprises the step of generating the input certification attributes of the input variables, which are provided to the methane production unit for its operation, by using operation data associated with the respective input variables. Operation data may be data of the product carbon footprint of the respective input variable. The operation data may additionally or alternatively be data on the ratio of the green portion of the input variable. For example, electric energy provided to the methane production unit from 9:00 am to 10:00 am in a given day consists of 80 % renewable electric energy and 20 % standard electric energy. With this operational data it is possible to generate the required input certification attribute for the electric energy for this timespan, used for generating the classification certificate of the methane and / or methanol with this electric energy. The methane produced with this electric energy gets the respective automatically generated and assigned classification certificate stating a higher product carbon footprint compared to methane produced with electric energy originating from a 100 % renewable power source. The same applies to the other input variables. For example, if all of the input variables have input certification attributes stating 100% renewable, the resulting methane and / or methanol also automatically gets the classification certificate stating 100% renewable.

[0053] In an embodiment, a biomethane plant forms part of a methanation facility, which also comprises the methane production unit. The biomethane plant is configured to provide input variables to the methane production unit for its operation. Similarly, a power plant may form part of the methanation facility, wherein the power plant is configured to provide electric energy as input variable to the methane production unit. The power plant is preferably a renewable power plant, like solar power plant, hydropower plant, wind power plant, nuclear power plant etc. The biomethane plant is e.g. a side plant, which could provide carbon oxide to the methane production unit. In addition,P29192PC00

[0054] 12 / 37

[0055] the biomethane plant could also use excess heat from the methane production unit for its operation. The provided carbon oxide from the biomethane plant is either directly provided with determinable input certification attributes or with data, also measured data, which enables to generate the required input certification attributes. Similarly also the electric energy from the power plant is provided with respective input certification attributes, which are used for generating and assigning the classification certificate for the produced methane and / or methanol.

[0056] Preferably, the input certification attributes are generated for the input variables from the biomethane plant and / or for the electric energy from the power plant, by using operation data of the biomethane plant or the power plant respectively. Operational data is for example information of the energy mix of the given batch of electric energy.

[0057] In a further embodiment, a direct air capture plant may be used to provide the carbon dioxide for the methane production unit. The direct air capture plant may use renewable electric energy from the renewable power plant producing carbon dioxide with a low product carbon footprint.

[0058] In an embodiment, the generated classification certificate is configured to provide information on an emission value or a product carbon footprint of the produced methane and / or methanol. The automatically generated and assigned classification certificate enables to advantageously verify by third parties and / or authorities the product carbon footprint of the produced methane and / or methanol or the other additional output variables.

[0059] The product carbon footprint (or PCF) is the calculation of all of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated in the supply chain of a specific product. It is usually expressed as a carbon intensity.

[0060] In a further embodiment, the computer implemented method comprises the step of updating the generated and assigned classification certificate in dependence of transportation steps of the methane and / or methanol and or additional subsequent processing steps of the methane and / or methanol outside of the methane production unit e.g. at the site of the end user. For example, transporting the produced methane and / or methanol to the end user e.g. via a gas grit or viaP29192PC00

[0061] 13 / 37

[0062] trucks, could affect the environmental footprint of the methane and / or methanol. The used transportation may therefore provide a specific transportation certification attribute, or the transportation certificate attribute is determined or identified and used to update the classification certificate. Similarly, this may be done by the computer implemented method in dependence of determined subsequent certification attribute.

[0063] The computer implemented method enables to proof throughout the entire production process of the methane and / or methanol starting from the input variables to the end user of the methane and / or methanol its environmental impact due to its production, its transport to its usage. Thereby providing a reliable and automatically functioning solution for ensuring the desired product carbon footprint of green methane and / or green methanol.

[0064] The computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of predicting the classification certificate of the expected methane and / or methanol to be produced by the respective input variables, by using the determined input certification attributes, the at least one intermediate certification attributes, expected input certification attributes and / or at least one expected intermediate certification attributes. The prediction is preferably performed using the digital twin. It is for example possible to receive information on the input certification attributes of input variables prior of the arrival and usage of these input variables. E.g. the electric energy available in the next hour will have an input certification attribute stating that the electric energy has a specific product carbon footprint. With this information and the respective information from the other input variables it is possible to predict, in particular by using the digital twin, the respective classification certificate of the methane and / or methanol to be produced with these input variables.

[0065] In a further step, control parameters for operating the methane production unit are determined in dependence of the predicted classification certificate. Control parameters are e.g. control instructions for operating the methane production unit. For example, the predicted classification certificate may state that the methane and / or methanol to be produced with the specific input variables will have a relatively high product carbon footprint. In this case, the control parameters may be determined to reduce or stop the production of the methane and / or methanol until the predictionP29192PC00

[0066] 14 / 37

[0067] states that methane and / or methanol will have a lower product carbon footprint. In other words, with the prediction it is possible to control the methane production unit such that the output of methane and / or methanol is optimized based on the classification certificate, in particular based on the product carbon footprint stated by the classification certificate.

[0068] In addition, the operator of the methane production units needs normally to provide data on how much methane and / or methanol he intends to feed or input into a specific gas grit at a given timespan. In case the operator misses or exceeds the feeding amount he could be charged with penalties. It could therefore be better to produce methane and / or methanol with higher product carbon footprint just to meet methane feeding requirements, despite obtaining lower revenue with this methane. The control commands or parameters for operating the methane production unit may in addition be determined in dependence of the methane and / or methanol feeding requirements to the respective grid.

[0069] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a certificate management system for automatically generating and assigning a classification certificate to methane and / or methanol produced by a methane production unit is specified. The certification management system comprises a processor which is configured to perform the steps of the computer-implemented method as described above and hereinafter. In particular, the processor of the certificate management system is configured to:

[0070] Determining the respective input certification attributes of the plurality of input variables, which are provided to the methane production unit for its operation. The input certification attributes are provided to the certificate management system or are made accessible for the certificate management system, in particular to its processor. Further, the certificate management system may also generate the input certification attributes.

[0071] Generating, for at least one intermediate product produced by the methane production unit using the input variables, an intermediate certification attribute. Wherein the intermediate certification attribute is generated by using the determined input certification attributes, and is assigning to the generated at least one intermediate product.P29192PC00

[0072] 15 / 37

[0073] Generating, the classification certificate for the methane and / or methanol produced by the methane production unit using the input variables and the at least one intermediate product, wherein the classification certificate is generated by using the input certification attributes and the at least one intermediate certification attribute, and assigning the generated classification certificate to the produced methane and / or methanol.

[0074] The certificate management system is e.g. implemented in a specific control unit of the methane production unit or a general control unit of the methane production unit. It is also conceivable that the certificate management system is implemented in a remote server in particular in a cloud server, e.g. in a distributed system.

[0075] Each feature, step and respective advantage as described above and hereinafter with respect to the computer implemented method is mutatis mutandis also applicable to the certificate management system.

[0076] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product comprising program code is specified, which is configured to direct the certificate management system such that the certificate management system performs the steps according to the computer implemented method as described above and hereinafter.

[0077] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the disclosure. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the concepts disclosed.P29192PC00

[0078] 16 / 37

[0079] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which should not be considered limiting to the disclosure described in the appended claims. The drawings are showing:

[0081] Fig. 1 a schematic view of a methane production unit for producing methane and / or methanol;

[0082] Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a methanation facility comprising the methane production unit;

[0083] Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a methanation facility according to Figure 2 with a more detailed representation of its components:

[0084] Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram illustrating schematically a plurality of steps for automatically generating and assigning a classification certificate to methane and / or methanol, which is produced by a methane production unit according to the above mentioned Figures;

[0085] Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating schematically a plurality of steps for automatically predicting a classification certificate to methane and / or methanol, which is produced by a methane production unit according to the above mentioned Figures.

[0086] DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0087] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so thatP29192PC00

[0088] 17 / 37

[0089] this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

[0090] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a methanation of methane and / or methanol using a methane production unit 1. Figure 1 focuses on the streams of input variables 2 and on the streams of the output variables 7, which are required to produce the desired methane 8 and / or methanol. The methane production unit 1 comprises according to this embodiment at least one electrolyser 20 and at least one reactor 25. The electrolyser 20 is configured to produce hydrogen 6 and oxygen 10 using water 5 and electric energy 3, and the reactor 25 is configured to produce methane 8 and / or methanol using the produced hydrogen 6, carbon oxide 4 (dioxide and / or monoxide) and electric energy 3. The electric energy 3, the water 5 and the carbon oxide 4 are the input variables 2. In another embodiment, the hydrogen 6 is not produced by the methane production unit 1 itself, but may be supplied directly to the methane production unit 1. In this case also the hydrogen 6 would form an input variables 2 into the methane production unit 1 and not only between the electrolyser 20 and the reactor 25. The methane production unit 1 is configured to perform the electrolysis of water 5 using one or more electrolysers 20 to disperse water 5 into hydrogen 6 and oxygen 10. At least the hydrogen 6 is further used in the reactor 25 of the methane production unit 1. The reactor 25 is configured to produce methane 8 and / or methanol using the produced hydrogen 6, supplied carbon oxide 4 and electric energy 3. Another output variable 7 of the reactor 25 is waste water 9. The waste water 9 may be reused as input water 5 for the methane production unit 1. A further output variable 7 of the at least one electrolysers 20 is the oxygen 20. An additional output variable 7 is thermal energy 148 in particular produced by the exothermic methanation. The methane 8 and / or methanol, the waste water 9, the thermal energy 148 and the oxygen 10 are output variables 7 of the methanation plant 1.

[0091] Figure 1 shows the methane production unit 1 in a super simplified manner, nevertheless, the most relevant input variable streams 2 and the resulting output variable streams 7 are advantageously shown in Figure 1.

[0092] Figure 1 additionally schematically shows the certification management system 200, implemented as a control unit comprising a processor 205. The certification management system 200 is, via itsP29192PC00

[0093] 18 / 37

[0094] processor 205 configured to automatically generate and assign a classification certificate 201 to methane 8 and / or methanol and to the other output variables 7 of the methane production unit 1. Figure 1 further shows input certification attributes 202, which provide certification information of the input variables 2. In other words, at least one, preferably all of the input variables 2 have an associated input certification attribute 202 stating information on a property of the respective input variable 2, e.g. its product carbon footprint. The certification management system 200 is configured to determine the input certification attributes 202 or to ascertain them from data, in particular operational data of the input variables 2. Determining the input certification attributes 202 may comprise that the certification management system 200 accesses a database 190 e.g. a server, cloud server, as indicated in Figure 1 , and retrieves the respective input certification attribute 202. In another embodiment, the input certification attribute 202 is sent or provided directly to the certification management system 200 or measured.

[0095] The certification management system 200 is further configured to generate for at least one intermediate product 170, e.g. the hydrogen 6, a respective intermediate certification attribute 203, by using the determined input certification attributes 202. Further, the certification management system 200 is also configured to assign the generated intermediate certification attribute 203 to the generated at least one intermediate product 170.

[0096] The certification management system 200 is further configured to generate a respective classification certificate 201 for the methane 8 and / or methanol and / or for the other output variables 7 like thermal energy 148, oxygen 10 and water 9, by the input certification attributes 202 and / or the at least one intermediate certification attribute 203. The generated classification certificates 201 are assigned to the respective output variables 7. This may be done using tokenizing technology, like blockchain technology or via a respective database 190, e.g. on a central cloud server.

[0097] Figure 1 also indicates a plant certification attribute 204, which certifies the methane production unit 1 itself. The certification attribute 204 may additionally be used to determine the intermediate certification attributes 203 and / or the classification certificates 201.P29192PC00

[0098] 19 / 37

[0099] Figure 2 shows a methanation facility 100, comprising the methane production unit 1 and further side units and components. Figure 2 advantageously shows the methanation facility 100 comprising a power source 109, in particular a power plant 110, configured to generate electric energy 3, which is at least partially used by the methane production unit 1 during its operation. The methane production unit 1 of Figure 2 comprises the methanation reactor 25 configured to produce the methane 8 and / or the methanol by an exothermic reaction, thereby releasing thermal energy 148, in particular reaction thermal energy 150. The methane production unit 1 further comprises an electrolysis unit 18 comprising all of the electrolyzers 20 (shown in Figure 3). The electrolysis unit 18 is configured to generate hydrogen 6 used in the methanation reactor 25, wherein thermal energy 148, in particular ohmic thermal energy 154 is released by the electrolysis unit 18 during its operation. The reactor 25 may comprise a plurality of reactors 25 arranged in series. The reactor 25 is further connected to a methane grid 32, which receives the produced methane 8 and transports the methane 8 to the consumers.

[0100] The power plant 110, as power source 109, is electrically connected to the methane production unit 1 via a respective electric connection 160. The power plant 110 is preferably a renewable power plant 110, producing renewable electric energy 3. The power plant 110 may be a photovoltaic power plant 111 , a wind power plant 112, biogas power plant 113 and / or a hydroelectric power plant 114. A plurality of power plants 110 are also conceivable. Figure 2 further shows a thermal energy storage unit 120, which comprises a thermal circuit 121 using a working fluid 122. The thermal energy storage unit 120 is further configured for receiving and storing the reaction thermal energy 150 from the methanation reactor 25 and / or the ohmic thermal energy 154 from the electrolysis unit 18. The thermal energy storage unit 120 is further configured to provide the stored thermal energy 152 back to the methane production unit 1 during its operation. The working fluid 122 used in the thermal circuit 121 of the thermal energy storage unit 120 comprises e.g. water, oil, ammoniac or alcohol. A combination of these working fluids is also conceivable. Figure 2 further shows that the power plant 110 is also electrically connected to the thermal energy storage unit 120. The thermal energy storage unit 120 is further configured for receiving and storing excess electric energy 3 from the power plant 110, via the respective electric connection 160 or the power source 109, which is not directly used by the methane production unit 1. The thermal energy storage unit 120 comprises an energy converter, in particular an electric heaterP29192PC00

[0101] 20 / 37

[0102] 124, which is configured to transform the excess electric energy 3 from the power plant 110 into thermal energy 152 of the thermal energy storage unit 120 by heating the thermal working fluid 122 of the thermal energy storage unit 120. The electric heater 124 is for example an immersion heater, which is arranged in the thermal working fluid 122 of the thermal circuit 121 of the thermal energy storage unit.

[0103] Figure 2 further shows a plurality of thermal heat consuming facilities 130, in particular two thermal heat consuming facilities 130. The first one shown one shown on the right side of figure 2 is for example a public facility like a swimming pool of a connection to a district heating grid. The stored thermal energy 152 may be provided to the thermal heat consuming facilities 130. The second thermal heat consuming facility 130 is in this embodiment a biogas plant 134 or a direct carbon oxide capture plant 135, in particular a biogas power plant 113. The biogas plant 134, which is configured to produce and provide carbon oxide 4 (monoxide and / or dioxide) as input for the methanation reactor 25 and / or wherein the stored thermal energy 152 from the thermal energy storage unit 120 is provided to the biogas plant 134 for its operation. The biogas plant 134 could further produce bioethanol as a product or byproduct. The thermal energy 152 from the thermal energy storage unit 120 is e.g. used for drying biodegradable material. Further, in case of the biogas power plant 113, produced electric energy 3 may also be provided to the methane production unit 1 for its operation. It is further visible in Figure 2 that respective heat exchangers 132 are arranged between the thermal heat consuming facilities 130 and the thermal energy storage unit 120, which thermally connect at least one thermal circuit of the respective thermal heat consuming facility 130 with the thermal circuit 121 of the thermal energy storage unit 121. Thermal energy transfer is enabled but the respective working fluids can be kept separated. In case of the direct carbon oxide capture plant 134, the produced carbon oxide 4 is provided to the methane production unit 1 and thermal energy 152 and or excess electric energy 3 may be provided to the direct carbon oxide capture plant 134 for its operation.

[0104] Figure 2 further shows a respective heat exchanger 142 between the reactor 25 and the thermal energy storage unit 120 and a respective heat exchanger 144 between the electrolysis unit 18 and the thermal energy storage unit 120. The thermal circuit of the reactor 25 may use as workingP29192PC00

[0105] 21 / 37

[0106] fluid a cooling oil and the thermal circuit of the electrolysis unit 18 may us as working fluid potassium hydroxide. The working fluid 122 of the thermal energy storage unit 120 is e.g. water. The respective heat exchanger 142 and 144 enable the required energy transfer but keep the working fluids separate at the same time.

[0107] Figure 2 further shows an additional heat exchanger 146, which is arranged upstream of the electrolysis unit 18 and which is configured to control the temperature of the input fluid streams 2 into the electrolysis unit 18. Similarly such a heat exchanger 146 may also be arranged downstream of the electrolysis unit 18 and upstream of the reactor 25. In this case, not shown in the Figures, the temperatures of the input fluid streams 2 into the reactor 25 may be controlled respectively.

[0108] Figure 2 further shows an electric energy storage unit 140 or battery, which is electrically connected via respective electric connections 160 to the power plant 110, the methane production unit 1 , in particular to the electrolysis unit 18 and the thermal energy storage unit 120, in particular the electric heater 124. The electric energy storage unit 140 is configured to receive and store electrical energy from the power plant 110 and to provide the stored electric energy to the methane production unit 1 and / or to the thermal energy storage unit 120. In case the electric energy 3 generated by the power plant 110 is larger as required for the operation of the methane production unit 1 , the excess electric energy 3 from the power plant 110, may be stored in the electric energy storage unit 140 and / or in the thermal energy storage unit 120. E.g. the excess electric energy 3 is stored in the electric energy storage unit 140 till it is full. Afterwards, the excess electric energy 3 is stored in the thermal energy storage unit 120.

[0109] Figure 2 further schematically shows the respective input certification attributes 202 of the different input variables 2 provided to the methane production unit 1. E.g. the electric energy 3 from the power plant 110, the carbon oxide 4 from the biomethane plant 113 or the other input variables 2 to the methane production unit 1. Figure 2 further schematically shows the intermediate certification attribute 203 of hydrogen 6 as intermediate product 170. Additionally, Figure 2 schematically shows the classification certificates 201 of the different output variables 7 of the methane production unit 1 , in particular of the produced methane 8 provided to the gas grid 32 and of theP29192PC00

[0110] 22 / 37

[0111] reaction thermal energy 150 provided to the thermal energy storage unit 120. Additionally, Figure 2 shows the generated classification certificates 201 of stored thermal energy 152 provided to the biomethane plant 113 and to other heat consuming facilities. The classification certificates 201 are generated and assigned automatically by using the input certification attributes 202 and / or the intermediate certification attributes 203.

[0112] Figure 3 shows the methanation facility 100 comprising the methane production unit 1 and the further components also described e.g. in Figure 2 schematically in a more detailed manner. The methane production unit 1 comprises six electrolysers 20 in its electrolysis unit 18, which are configured to produce the required hydrogen 6. More or less electrolysers 20, e.g. three each having a capacity of 3 MW is also conceivable. Each of the electrolysers 20 is supplied with electric energy 3 and water 5. The water 5 may be waste water 9 from the facility 100 itself or fresh water or water from a biogas plant 134 or a mixture thereof. The methane production unit 1 further comprises according to this embodiment a CO2 and / or CO tank 21 , which is configured to provide carbon oxide 4 to the methane production unit 1. Further, the biogas plant 134 may also provide the required carbon oxide 4. In another embodiment the methane production unit 1 may have access to carbon oxide 4 via respective carbon oxide grid or a carbon oxide tank 21 outside of the methane production unit 1. The carbon oxide 4 used is preferably biogenic carbon oxide 4. In another embodiment, the methane production unit 1 may produce its own carbon oxide 4, e.g. by using a direct air capture facility. The methane production unit 1 further comprises a gas mixer 22, which is configured to collect and mix the hydrogen 6 produced from the electrolysers 20 and the carbon oxide 4 from the CO2 CO tank 21 and of from the biogas plant 134. In other words, the gas mixer 22 forms the desired gas composition using at least the hydrogen 6 and the carbon oxide 4. The methane production unit 1 further comprises a compressor 23, which is configured to set the gas pressure of the hydrogen and carbon oxide mixture as desired. In another embodiment, the compressor 23 may be arranged upstream of the gas mixer 22 and is configured to compress only the hydrogen 6. Another compressor may compress the carbon oxide 4. The compressor 23 is supplied with electric energy 3 for its operation. The methane production unit 1 further comprises a heater or heat exchanger 24, which is configured to set the gas mixture temperature as desired e.g. by heating or by cooling of the gas mixture. The compressor 23 and the heater 24 are configured to set the properties of the gas mixture such as desired forP29192PC00

[0113] 23 / 37

[0114] the methanation. The heat exchanger 24 may also be at least partially supplied with stored thermal energy 152 from the thermal energy storage unit 120 or may provide excess thermal energy to the thermal energy storage unit 120 as indicated in Figure 3. The methane production unit 1 further comprises two reactors 25 arranged in series, which are configured to receive the gas mixture and to synthesize methane 8 out of the supplied carbon oxide 4 and hydrogen 6. In other variations, only one or a plurality of reactors 25 may be used, which are arranged parallel or in series with each other. Using a plurality of reactors 25 in series may increase the product yield.

[0115] The synthesis of methane 8 (methanation) from CO2 (as well as CO) is a strongly exothermic reaction that requires efficient heat removal from the reaction zone, particularly when carried out catalytically with short reaction times. Conventionally, random fixed-bed reactors are used. Catalyst pellets may be arranged randomly unstructured and may move freely. An alternative to the random fixed-bed reactors are structured fixed-bed reactors with a plurality of channels, which comprise a catalyst coating. These reactors comprise a solid body structure, which define the channels. The reactants stream through the channels and react in the channels with the catalyst coating. The reaction zone is therefore within the channels. For example, the document DE 10 2016 125 641 A1 discloses a process for production of a natural gas substitute from hydrogencontaining gas mixtures using a reactor with channels.

[0116] Regardless of the reactor type employed, the strongly exothermic nature of methane synthesis requires careful control of the heat removal from the reaction zone for controlling the temperature inside the reactor zone. Heat removal of the reaction zone is particularly critical and challenging for structured fixed-bed catalysts. The methane production unit 1 comprises therefore a coolant circuit 26 for controlling of the temperature inside of at least one of the reactors 25, in the embodiment of figure 3 of the upstream arranged reactor 25, which is important for ensuring a high quality and high purity product and for ensuring high yields of the target product. In particular, the chemical equilibrium of the different chemical reactions taking place is temperature dependent. Typically, it is desirable to maintain the temperature within a narrow target temperature range, in which the balance between high product yield, high product purity and a fast reaction is advantageous. The coolant circuit 26 comprises a coolant heater 27 and a coolant pump 28. The coolantP29192PC00

[0117] 24 / 37

[0118] heater 27 is configured to set the temperature of the coolant and the coolant pump 28 is configured to set the flow rate of the coolant. The coolant used are e.g. coolant oils, water etc. The coolant circuit 26, in particular its components are supplied with electric energy 3 for the desired operation.

[0119] The methane production unit 1 further comprises a water separator 29 arranged downstream of the reactor 25 which is configured to separate the water 9 out of the product gas of the reactor 25. The separated wastewater 9 may be reused by the methane production unit 1 itself. The water separator 29 may also be supplied with electric energy 3 for its operation. The methane production unit 1 further may comprise additional post processing components 30 like heaters filters etc. These components may also need electric energy 3 for their operation. The methane production unit 1 additionally comprises downstream of the separator 29 a compressor 31 , which is configured to set the pressure of the resulting methane 8 or green natural gas. The compressor 31 may additionally require for its operation electric energy 3. The resulting green natural gas 8 is supplied with the desired high purity quality and pressure to a gas grid 32, which is configured to transport the methane 8 to customers. In other embodiments, the produced methane 8 may be directly supplied to a single or more customers.

[0120] Figure 3 further indicates a control unit 40, which is configured to control the methanation facility 100, in particular all of the described components such that the components work together as desired for producing the methane 8 using the available input fluid streams 2. Figure 2 further indicates exemplary a sensor 33, which is configured to provide a sensor signal 34 to the control unit 40 indicative of a parameter of a component of the methane production unit 1. A plurality of sensors 33 in particular for each of the different components is also conceivable.

[0121] Figure 3 further shows the additional components of the methanation facility 100 not forming part of the methane production unit 1 as also explained with respect to Figure 2. Figure 3 also shows as the power source 109 the power plant 110 configured to generate the electric energy 3 used at least partially directly by the methane production unit 1 , in particular by the different components described above during their operation. Figure 3 indicates that the power plant 110 mightP29192PC00

[0122] 25 / 37

[0123] be a photovoltaic power plant 111 , a wind power plantl 12 a biogas power plant 113 or a hydroelectric power plant 114 a combination would also be conceivable. Figure 3 further shows the electric energy storage unit 140 electrically connected to the methane production unit 1 , the power plant 110 and the thermal energy storage unit 120. The electric energy storage unit 140 is configured to receive excess electric energy 3 from the power plant 110, which is not required by the methane production unit 1. Furthermore, the electric energy storage unit 140 might also be configured to transfer stored electric energy 3 to the thermal energy storage unit 120.

[0124] The thermal energy storage unit 120 comprises the thermal circuit 121 using e.g. water as the thermal working fluid 122. The thermal energy storage unit 120 further comprises an electric heater 124, which is configured to transform the received electric energy 3 from the power plant 110 or the electric energy storage unit 140 into thermal energy 152. The thermal energy storage unit 120 may further comprise a reservoir or tank in particular insulated tank for storing the thermal working fluid.

[0125] Figure 3 further shows the thermal heat consuming facilities 130, which are thermally connected to the thermal energy storage unit 120. One of the thermal heat consuming facilities 130 is e.g. the direct carbon oxide capture plant 134 and / or the biogas plant 134, which uses the thermal heat 152 for drying the biological material used for its operation, and which provides the carbon oxide 4 to the methane production unit 1. Further, the biogas plant 134 may also produce electric energy 3, which is also provided to the methane production unit 1. In this case, the biogas plant 134 is a biogas power plant 113. The other thermal heat consuming facility 130 may be a public swimming pool outside of the methanation facility 100. Figure 3 further shows the heat exchangers 132 arranged between the thermal heat consuming facilities 132 and the thermal energy storage unit 120, which thermally connect both with each other and at the same time keep the respective thermal working fluid circuits fluidically separated.

[0126] Figure 3 further shows the thermal connections of the thermal energy storage unit 120 to the electrolysis unit 18, the input fluid streams 2 into the reactor 25 and to the cooling circuit 26 of the reactor 25. These thermal connections are arranged and configured such that the reaction thermal energy 150 from the methanation reactor 25 and the ohmic thermal energy 154 from theP29192PC00

[0127] 26 / 37

[0128] electrolysis unit 18 is transmittable to the thermal energy storage unit 120, in particular via respect heat exchangers 142, 144. Furthermore, the thermal connections enable that thermal energy 152 from the thermal energy storage unit 120 can be transferred to methane production unit 1 , in particular for heating the input fluid streams 2 into the electrolysis unit 18 and / or the methanation reactors 25.

[0129] The control unit 40 is according to this embodiment configured to control the operation of the entire methanation facility 100, in particular of the methane production unit 1 , thermal energy storage unit 120, the power plant 110, the thermal heat consuming facilities 130 and the electric energy storage unit 140.

[0130] Figure 4 shows a flow diagram illustrating schematically a plurality of steps of a computer implemented method, which is e.g. carried out by the certificate management system 200, for automatically generating and assigning the classification certificate 201 to methane 8 and / or methanol, which is produced by the methane production unit 1 as illustrated exemplary in the Figures 1 to 3. In the following paragraphs, described with reference to Figure 4 is a possible sequence of steps for generating and assigning the classification certificate 201 to the methane 8 and / or methanol.

[0131] In step S1 , the input certification attributes 202 of the input variables 2 are determined. For example, the respective input certification attributes 202 are sent electronically to the methane production unit 1 , in particular the certificate management system 200, simultaneously with the respective input variables 2. E.g. with provided electric energy 3 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, the respective input certification attribute 201 associated with this electric energy 3 is provided, in particular sent to the certificate management system 200. The certification management system 200 determines the input certification attribute 202 e.g. by decrypting the received data or directly by receiving the input certification attribute 202. The term determining includes that the respective input certification attribute 202 is identified, ascertained, received or made available otherwise, e.g. via a remote database 190.P29192PC00

[0132] 27 / 37

[0133] In step S1a, the input certification attributes 202 of the input variables 2 is ascertained from data associated with the respective input variables 2. The step S1a is e.g. an alternative or additional way to determine the input certification attribute 202. The data is e.g. operational data, which characterizes the respective input variables 2 and enables to determine or create the respective input certification attributes 202.

[0134] In step S2, the intermediate certification attribute 203 is generated for at least one intermediate product 170 produced by the methane production unit 1. The intermediate product 170 is e.g hydrogen 6 produced by the electrolysis unit 18 of the methane production unit 1. The intermediate certification attribute or attributes 203 of the intermediate products 170 are assigned irrevocably to the respective intermediate products 170, such that a third party or an authority can identify for the respective intermediate product 170 its associated intermediate certification attribute 203 and thereby also e.g. its product carbon footprint.

[0135] In step S3, the classification certificate 201 is generated for the methane 8 and / or methanol and 1 or for the other output variables 7 of the methane production unit 1. The classification certificate 201 is generated by using the determined input certification attributes 202 of the input variables 2 or the at least one intermediate certification attribute 203 of the intermediate products 170. For example, the intermediate certification attribute 203 of the hydrogen 6 and the input certification attribute 202 of carbon oxide 4 and the input certification attribute 202 of electric energy 3 is used to generate the classification certificate 201 classifying the respective batch of methane 8, produced by the methane production unit 1 , using the respective hydrogen 6, carbon oxide 4 and the electric energy 3. Furthermore, the classification certificates 201 of the output variables 7 are irrevocably assigned to the respective produced output variables, such that a third party of an authority can identify for the respective output variables 7, e.g. the respective methane 8, its associated intermediate certification attribute 203 and thereby also e.g. its product carbon footprint.

[0136] The computer implemented method therefore enables a continuous and seamless classification chain enabling to reliably and automatically generate and assign the respective classification certificates to the output variables 7 of the methane production unit 1.P29192PC00

[0137] 28 / 37

[0138] In an optional step S4, the input the input certification attributes 202 and / or the intermediate certification attributes 203 are updated S4 for the respective input variable 2 and / or the respective intermediate product 170 after each or a plurality of or after at least one intermediate production step of the methane production unit 1 , which uses another input variable 2 or another intermediate product 170, by using the respective input certification attributes 202 or the intermediate certification attributes 203 of the used input variables 2 or the at least one intermediate products 170. For example, the intermediate certification attribute 203 of the produced hydrogen 6 is updated with the input certification attribute 202 of the electric energy 3 used for compressing the hydrogen 6, with the respective compressor 23 of the methane production unit 1. In other words, the product carbon footprint of the electric energy 3 used for compressing the hydrogen 6, which may differ from the product carbon footprint of the electric energy 3 used for producing the hydrogen 6, affects the product carbon footprint of the hydrogen 6 itself.

[0139] In optional or additional step S5, the generated and assigned classification certificate 201 is provide to third parties e.g. customers using the output variables 7 of the methane production unit 1 and / or to authorities e.g. for verifying the respective classification certificate 201. Providing may include to sent the classification certificates 201 via mail or electronically to the third party. Another option may be to provide access to the database 190, e.g. a remote server, for the third party. The database 190 may be a central national database, an international database, a third party database and / or a database of the operator of the methane production unit. It is also conceivable that the at least one generated classification certificate 201 is provided to a plurality of databases. The classification certificate 201 may also be tokenized and / or saved on a blockchain.

[0140] Figure 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating schematically a plurality of steps of a computer implemented method, which is e.g. carried out by the certificate management system 200, for automatically predicting the classification certificate 201 for methane 8 and / or methanol, which is produced by the methane production unit 1 as illustrated exemplary in the Figures 1 to 3 and for controlling the methane production unit 1 by using the predicted classification certificate 201. In the following paragraphs, described with reference to Figure 5 is a possible sequence of steps for predicting the classification certificate 201 for the methane 8 and / or methanol.P29192PC00

[0141] 29 / 37

[0142] The steps S1 and S1a do not differ from the respective steps described with respect to Figure 4.

[0143] In optional step X1 , the input certification attributes 202 of the input variables 2, which are expected to be available for the methane production unit 1 are predicted by using operational data of the respective input variables. For example, weather data may be used to determine the input certification attribute 202 of electric energy 3 provided tomorrow from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. At a cloudy day, the solar power plant 111 may not be capable of providing the desired green electric energy 3, which means that the energy mix at this given timeslot has a higher product carbon footprint.

[0144] In step X2, the intermediate certification attributes 203 of the intermediate products 170 are predicted by using the determined S1 , ascertained S1 a and / or predicted input certification attributes 202. Optionally, also the plant certification attribute 204 may be used.

[0145] In step X3, the classification certificate 201 of the output variables 7, e.g. the methane 8, which is expected to be produced with the expected input variables 2, is predicted by using the determined S1 , ascertained S1a, predicted input certification attributes 202 and / or the predicted intermediate certification attributes 203. Optionally, also the plant certification attribute 204 may be used.

[0146] In step X4, control commands are determined for operating the methanation plant 1 in dependence of the predicted classification certificates 201. The control commands may be used to control the methane production unit 1 of the methane facility 100. For example, the predicted classification certificate 201 may state that the produced methane 8 will have an associated product carbon footprint (classified by the generated classification certificate 201) which is relatively high. In this case, the determined control commands may be used to control the methane production unit 1 such that its output is reduced or completely stopped until the predicted classification certificate 201 states that the produced methane 8, with different input variables 2, will have a lower and therefore better, product carbon footprint. Further, the control commands or parameters for operating the methane production unit 1 may in addition be determined in dependence of the methane 8and / or methanol feeding requirements to the respective grid 32.P29192PC00

[0147] 30 / 37

[0148] LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0149] 1 Methane production unit 110 power plant

[0150] 2 Input variables 111 photovoltaic power plant 3 Electric energy 112 wind power plant

[0151] 4 Carbon oxide (CO, CO2) 113 biomethane plant

[0152] 5 Water 35 114 hydroelectric power plant 6 Hydrogen (H2) 120 thermal energy storage unit 7 Output variables 121 thermal circuit

[0153] 8 Methane CH4 122 thermal working fluid

[0154] 9 waste water 124 electric heater

[0155] 10 Oxygen 40 130 thermal heat consuming facility 18 Electrolysis unit 132 heat exchanger

[0156] 20 Electrolyzer 134 biogas plant

[0157] 21 CO2 Tank 135 direct carbon oxide capture plant 22 Gas mixer 140 electric energy storage unit 23 Compressor 45 142 heat exchanger

[0158] 24 Heater I heat exchanger 144 heat exchanger

[0159] 25 Methane reactor 146 heat exchanger

[0160] 26 Coolant circuit 148 thermal energy

[0161] 27 Coolant heater 150 reaction thermal energy 28 Coolant pump 50 152 stored thermal energy

[0162] 29 H2O Separator 154 ohmic thermal energy

[0163] 30 Post processing (heater etc.) 160 electric connection

[0164] 31 Compressor 170 intermediate product

[0165] 32 Methane grid 180 digital twin

[0166] 33 Sensor 55 190 database

[0167] 34 Sensor signal 200 certificate management system 40 Control unit 201 classification certificate

[0168] 100 Methanation facility 202 input certification attribute 109 power source 203 intermediate certification attributeP29192PC00

[0169] 31 / 37

[0170] 204 plant certification attribute 54 Updating

[0171] 205 processor 55 Providing

[0172] S1 Determining X1 Predicting input attributes S1a Ascertaining 10 X2 Predicting intermediate attributes S2 Generating and Assigning X3 Predicting certificates

[0173] S3 Generating and Assigning X4 Determining

Claims

P29192PC0032 / 37PATENT CLAIMS1. A computer-implemented method for automatically generating and assigning a classification certificate (201) to methane (8) and / or methanol, which is produced by a methane production unit (1), the computer-implemented method comprising the steps of:a. Determining (S1) respective input certification attributes (202) of a plurality of input variables (2), which are provided to the methane production unit (1) for its operation;b. Generating (S2), for at least one intermediate product (170) produced by the methane production unit (1) using the input variables (2), an intermediate certification attribute (203), by using the determined input certification attributes (202), and assigning (S2) the generated intermediate certification attribute (203) to the generated at least one intermediate product (170);c. Generating (S3), the classification certificate (201) for the methane (8) and / or methanol produced by the methane production unit (1) using the input variables (2) and the at least one intermediate product (170), wherein the classification certificate (201) is generated by using at least one of: the input certification attributes (202) or the at least one intermediate certification attribute (203), and assigning (S3) the generated classification certificate (201) to the produced methane (8) and / or methanol.

2. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , wherein the classification certificate (201) is generated and assigned (S3) for a specific batch of methane (8) and / or methanol, wherein the classification certificate (201) for the respective batch of methane (8) and / or methanol is generated (S3) by using at least one of: the input certification attributes (202) of the input variables batches or the at least one intermediated certification attributes (203) of the intermediate product batches, which are used for producing the specific batch of methane (8) and / or methanol by the methane production unit (1).P29192PC0033 / 373. The computer implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the intermediate products (170), produced by the methane production unit (1), in particular by at least one electrolyser (20) of the methane production unit (1), is hydrogen (6) produced by using water (5) and electric energy (3) as input variables (2), and wherein the intermediate certification attribute (202) of the produced hydrogen (6) is generated (S2) by using the determined input certification attributes (202) of the water (5) and the electric energy (3) used for producing the respective hydrogen (6).

4. The computer implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input variables (2) provided to the methane production unit (1) comprise at least one of: carbon oxide (4), electric energy (3), hydrogen (6), thermal energy (148) or water (5), which each have the respective input certification attribute (202) assigned to, or wherein the computer-implemented method comprises the step of ascertaining (S1a) at least one of the respective input certification attributes (202) of the input variables (2) using input data associated with the respective input variables (2), thereby enabling to determine (S1) the respective input certification attributes (202).

5. The computer implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plant certification attribute (204) is assigned to the methane production unit (1), and wherein the step of generating (S2) the intermediate certification attribute (203) further uses the assigned plant certification attribute (204) and / or wherein the step of generating (S3) the classification certificate (201) further uses the assigned plant certification attribute (204).

6. The computer implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input certification attributes (202) and / or the intermediate certification attributes (203) are updated (S4) for the respective input variable (2) and / or the respective intermediate product (170) after at least one intermediate production step of the methane production unit (1), which uses another input variable (2) or another intermediate product (170), by using the respective input certification attributes (202) or the intermediate certification attributes (203) of the used input variables (2) or the at least one intermediate products (170).P29192PC0034 / 377. The computer implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer implemented method uses a digital twin (180) of the methane production unit (1), which digitally represents the production of the methane (8) and / or methanol by the methane production unit (1), wherein measured data of the methane production unit (1) is used to update the digital twin (180).

8. The computer implemented method according to claim 7, wherein the computer implemented method creates a digital representation of each input variable (2) comprising the input certification attributes (202), which is provided to the methane production unit (1) and a digital representation of at least one intermediate product (170) comprising the intermediate certification attribute (203), which is produced by the methane production unit (1), wherein the digital representations are guided through the digital twin (180) of the methane production unit (1) and the input certification attributes (202) and the at least one intermediate certification attribute (203) are updated (S4) after each production step, which uses at least input variable (2), with the input certification attribute (202) from the respective input variable (2) and / or the intermediate certification attribute (203) from the respective intermediate product (170).

9. The computer implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises the step of:a. Generating (S3), for additional output variables (7) produced by the methane production unit (1) using the input variables (2) and / or the at least one intermediate product (170), an additional classification certificate (201), by using the input certification attributes (202) and / or the at least one intermediate certification attribute (203), and assigning the generated additional classification certificate (201) to the produced additional output variables (7).

10. The computer implemented method according to claim 9, wherein the additional output variables (7) include at least one of: thermal energy (148) or water (9), wherein at least one of the additional output variables (7) is preferably at least partially used by the methaneP29192PC0035 / 37production unit (1) itself for its operation, wherein the determined additional classification certificates (201) are used as input certification attributes (202).

11. The computer implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a methanation facility (100) comprises besides the methane production unit (1) a biomethane plant (113), which is configured to provide input variables (2) to the methane production unit (1) for its operation, and / or wherein the methanation facility (100) comprises a power plant (110), which is configured to provide electric energy (3) as input variable (2) to the methane production unit (1), wherein the input certification attributes (202) are generated for the input variables (2) to the methane production unit (1) from the biomethane plant (113) and / or for the electric energy (3) from the power plant (110), by using operation data of the biomethane plant (113) or the power plant (110) respectively.

12. The computer-implemented method according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the generated classification certificate (201) is configured to provide information on a product property ofthe produced output variables (7), in particular a product carbon footprint or emission value ofthe produced output variables (7), in particular ofthe produced methane (8) and / or methanol.

13. The computer-implemented method according to any one ofthe preceding claims, further comprising the step of:a. Predicting (X3) the classification certificate (201) of the expected methane (8) and / or methanol to be produced by the respective input variables (2), by using at least one of: the determined (S1 , S1a, S4) input certification attributes (202), the generated (S2, S4) at least one intermediate certification attributes (203), predicted (X1) input certification attributes (202) or at least one predicted (X2) intermediate certification attributes (203);b. Determining (X4) control parameters for operating the methane production unit (1) in dependence ofthe predicted classification certificate (201).P29192PC0036 / 3714. A certificate management system (200) for automatically generating and assigning a classification certificate (201) to methane (8) and / or methanol produced by a methane production unit (1), wherein the certification management system (200) comprises a processor (205) which is configured to perform the steps according to the method of one of the pre- ceding claims.

15. A computer program product comprising program code configured to direct a certificate management system (200) such that the certificate management system (200) performs the steps according to a method of one of the claims 1 to 13.

Images