Cryptographic Energy Flow Balancing for Vehicle Emissions Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems lack a simple, reliable, and transparent method for accurately balancing energy flows from generation to consumption in vehicles, particularly in the context of evolving emissions regulations and the transition to renewable energy sources, which complicates the holistic assessment of CO2 and pollutant emissions across the entire lifecycle of vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing energy supply and consumption stamps, secured by cryptographic database technology, specifically distributed ledger technology like blockchain, to record and balance energy flows, CO2 emissions, and pollutant emissions from energy producers to vehicle consumption, enabling a secure, decentralized, and holistic accounting of energy and emissions data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional centralized energy accounting systems are used, then energy flow balancing can be achieved, but system transparency and reliability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy flow balancing reliabilityVSAvoidenergy and emissions data transparency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cryptographic intermediary layer (blockchain technology) between energy producers and consumers. Energy supply stamps and consumption stamps are created as cryptographic intermediaries that mediate the energy flow verification process, ensuring transparent and tamper-proof recording of energy and emissions data without requiring a centralized authority.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional centralized mechanical accounting systems with a decentralized cryptographic system. Instead of relying on centralized databases and manual verification mechanisms, the system uses cryptographic stamping and blockchain technology to automatically verify and record energy flows, eliminating the need for centralized control while improving reliability and transparency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If holistic lifecycle assessment (LCA) is implemented for CO2 and pollutant emissions, then comprehensive emissions tracking is achieved, but system complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemissions measurement precisionVSAvoidbalancing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex emissions tracking system into standardized, modular components: energy supply stamps (containing producer information and energy characteristics), energy consumption stamps (containing vehicle information and consumption data), and balance sheet total stamps (containing calculated emissions). This segmentation allows complex LCA requirements to be met through simple, standardized data structures that can be processed automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of emissions tracking from complex continuous calculations to discrete standardized stamp-based recording. By converting emissions data into standardized parameters within cryptographic stamps (energy quantity, CO2 emissions, pollutant emissions), the system achieves precise holistic assessment while reducing computational and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If cryptographic database technology is implemented, then data security and transparency are improved, but implementation complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy data securityVSAvoidcryptographic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses cryptographic stamp copying and verification mechanisms. Instead of requiring complex real-time cryptographic operations at each node, the system creates standardized stamp copies that can be verified through relatively simple cryptographic validation. Energy supply stamps and consumption stamps are copied and distributed across the network, with verification based on cryptographic signatures rather than complex computational processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Adaptability or versatility

If standardized stamp-based recording is used, then energy and emissions data can be universally tracked, but flexibility in handling different energy carriers and vehicle types is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy carrier compatibilityVSAvoidstandardization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal stamp-based system that can handle multiple energy carriers (electricity, hydrogen, synthetic fuels, biofuels) and different vehicle types (battery-electric, fuel cell, internal combustion engine, hybrid) through a single standardized framework. The energy supply stamp and consumption stamp structures are designed to be carrier-agnostic, accommodating different energy types and vehicle technologies without requiring separate tracking systems, thereby achieving versatility through standardization rather than despite it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3985600A1Method and balancing system for balancing energy flows from their generation by energy generators up to consumption in vehicles
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3985600A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3985600A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3985600A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for balancing energy flows from their generation at energy producers to their consumption in vehicles (1), wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) capturing energy supply stamps (ESPs) from each of the energy producers, each containing a specific energy producer identifier (EP) of one of the energy producers and indicating the quantity and/or quality of energy supplied to the vehicles by that energy producer, (b) capturing energy consumption stamps (EPCs) from each of the vehicles (1), each containing a specific vehicle identification number (VIN) of one of the vehicles (1) and indicating the quantity of energy consumed by that vehicle (1), (c) calculating balance total stamps (BSTs) from the captured energy supply stamps (ESPs) and the captured energy consumption stamps (EPCs) for each vehicle (1).(d) Securing the recorded energy supply stamps (ESS) and energy consumption stamps (ESP) using a cryptographic database technology (13), and (e) summing the balance total stamps (BS) calculated for each vehicle (1) to a balance transaction total (SBT) for each of the vehicles (1).