Alternative Fuel Life-Cycle Tracking System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking alternative fuel production, transfer, and consumption are cumbersome, error-prone, and susceptible to fraud, lacking granularity to determine precise emission values and source location, which hinders compliance with renewable fuel standards and carbon reduction initiatives.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for electronically tracking alternative fuel life-cycle, using a remote server to track renewable identification numbers (RINs) from production to consumption, allowing for real-time proportional tracking and release of AFIs, thereby streamlining reporting, increasing accuracy, and reducing fraud.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual documentation using Product Transfer Document (PTD) and data entry into EMTS is used, then compliance with RFS program can be maintained, but the process is cumbersome and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical documentation processes (PTD forms and manual data entry) with an automated electronic tracking system that uses software to automatically capture, transfer, and validate fuel transaction data across the supply chain, eliminating manual intervention and reducing errors
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic tracking system enables automated self-service functionality where the system automatically generates tracking records, validates data integrity, and maintains compliance documentation without requiring manual operator intervention at each transaction step
2Loss of information
If aggregated monthly data tracking is used, then reporting requirements are met, but granularity to determine precise emission values and source location is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments tracking data into multiple hierarchical levels, capturing both detailed granular information (individual fuel batches, precise locations, emission values) and aggregated summary data, allowing users to access any level of detail as needed without compromising overall reporting efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds dimensional depth to tracking data by capturing multi-level information simultaneously - from individual gallon-level RIN tracking with precise feedstock source locations and emission values up to aggregated monthly reports, creating a multi-dimensional data structure that serves multiple needs
3Measurement precision
If RINs are tracked without feedstock type and location information, then basic compliance is achieved, but precise emission calculations and land use calculations cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures feedstock type, source location, and emission information at the point of fuel production before the fuel enters the supply chain, storing this data associated with specific RINs so that precise emission calculations can be performed later without requiring additional data collection efforts
4Ease of operation
If good faith reporting by supply chain parties is relied upon, then implementation is simple, but the system is susceptible to fraud and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic tracking system implements automated feedback mechanisms where each transaction is automatically validated, cross-checked against previous records, and flagged for anomalies, providing continuous verification that maintains data accuracy while keeping the system easy to operate through standardized electronic interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A method for alternative fuel life-cycle tracking includes electronically receiving, at a remote server, fuel data of fuel in a first container. The fuel comprises first and second batches. The fuel data includes first and second sets of alternative fuel identifiers (AFIs) associated with, respectively, a first unit of the first batch and a second unit of the second batch. The method further includes electronically receiving, at the remote server, a transfer volume of the fuel being transferred to a second container. The method further includes electronically transferring, at the remote server, first and second subsets, respectively, of the first and second sets of AFIs to be associated with the second container. The transfer of the first and second subsets is based on the transfer volume and a proportion of the first unit to the second unit.