Renewable Energy Tracking With Blockchain Carbon Attribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy source tracking systems fail to accurately measure the carbon impact of local renewable sources and do not enable communities to direct renewable energy to carbon-displacing applications, leading to underestimation of their carbon footprint and inability to monetize the benefits of locally produced renewable energy.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for determining decarbonization impact by monitoring energy resource data and application information using sensors and a controller processor, correlating this data to determine carbon-tracking records, and utilizing a blockchain for unalterable record-keeping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional energy source tracking systems are used, then energy production accounting is simple, but carbon impact measurement is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments energy tracking into individual consumer-level measurements, tracking each consumer's renewable energy production and consumption separately. This enables precise carbon impact measurement by attributing renewable energy to specific consumers and their applications, rather than using aggregate utility-level accounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary energy management system that acts as a mediator between renewable energy producers and consumers within the utility network. This intermediary tracks lateral energy flows, attributes renewable energy to specific consumers, and calculates carbon impact, bridging the gap between simple utility accounting and precise carbon measurement.
2Ease of operation
If aggregate energy mixing is tracked, then accounting is straightforward, but renewable energy direction to specific applications is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments both energy sources and consumption applications, tracking renewable energy production and consumption at the consumer level rather than aggregating all energy into a single utility pool. This segmentation enables the system to attribute renewable energy to specific applications (heating, cooling, EV charging) while maintaining automated tracking that preserves operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the accounting parameter from aggregate energy volume to consumer-specific renewable energy attribution. By tracking renewable energy as a distinct attribute associated with individual consumers and their applications, the system enables versatile energy directing capability while maintaining straightforward automated accounting through digital tracking.
3Ease of manufacture
If net-metering is used, then credit allocation is simple, but lateral energy flow benefits are not accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments energy flow tracking to the individual consumer level, capturing lateral energy flows between consumers that occur within the utility network. This segmentation preserves information about which consumers produce renewable energy and which consume it, enabling accurate credit allocation that reflects actual lateral energy exchange rather than simple aggregate net-metering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback tracking that continuously monitors and records lateral energy flows between consumers. This feedback mechanism captures information about renewable energy production and consumption patterns, enabling the system to allocate credits accurately based on actual energy exchange while maintaining automated processing similar to traditional net-metering.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method of renewable energy tracking and directing. Renewable energy production, storage, and consumption are tracked, and then attributed to different applications. The method can optimally attribute renewable energy to carbon-displacing applications to maximize carbon impact and monetization of carbon displacement. Additionally, blockchain technology is used to unalterably record the carbon traces.