Carbon Footprint Orchestrator Using Standardized Data Contracts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for calculating product carbon footprints are fragmented, lack standardization, and rely on secondary estimates, making it difficult to compare emissions across different industries and value chains, and fail to accurately allocate emissions across multiple products produced by a single facility.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for orchestrating the determination of product carbon footprints using a controller that generates a customized data contract and instructions for customer systems, allowing them to format and calculate emission-related data without accessing the underlying data, enabling standardized calculations and comparisons across value chains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If detailed facility studies are conducted to calculate carbon footprints, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and increase in cost occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carbon footprint calculation platform that acts as an intermediary between facilities and data processors. The platform provides standardized templates and methodologies that enable accurate carbon footprint calculations without requiring time-consuming detailed facility studies. The platform mediates the complexity of calculation by providing pre-configured frameworks that can be applied consistently across different facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from manual, facility-specific detailed studies to automated parameter-based calculations. By transforming the calculation process into a standardized parameter input system, the platform achieves accurate carbon footprint determinations through automated processing rather than time-intensive manual analysis of each facility's operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standardized carbon footprint calculations are implemented, then adaptability across industries is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal carbon footprint calculation platform that can be applied across multiple industries and facility types. The standardized templates and methodologies provided by the platform enable the same calculation framework to serve diverse purposes, from individual facility assessments to supply chain-wide carbon accounting, thereby achieving cross-industry adaptability without requiring industry-specific complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the carbon footprint calculation process into distinct, manageable components through standardized templates. By dividing the complex calculation into separate modules (e.g., emission source identification, data collection, calculation, verification), the platform reduces overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability across different applications and industries.
3Productivity
If existing data is used for carbon footprint calculations, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to reliance on secondary estimates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables facilities to self-determine their own carbon footprints using the standardized platform templates rather than relying on external estimations. The platform provides self-service tools including automated data collection frameworks and calculation templates that allow facilities to input their own operational data, thereby achieving both high productivity through automation and high precision through direct measurement of actual emissions.
Data Source
AI summary
A product carbon footprint (PCF) orchestrator can include a controller configured to generate a PCF determination package, where the PCF determination package includes a data contract and instructions that are customized for a customer system based on query information provided by a customer system, and where the data contract is configured to receive a plurality of inputs in the form of emission-related data. The controller can also be configured to send the PCF determination package to the customer system, where the emissions-related data remains with the customer system when the instructions are followed to generate the PCF results. The controller can further be configured to obtain PCF results and evaluate from the customer system after the customer system uses the data contract following the instructions of the PCF determination package. Emission data used by the customer system to generate the PCF results may not be accessed by the controller.