FILED OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for management of greenhouse gas emissions. Particularly, the present invention relates to accounting of greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and cost associated. More particularly the present invention relates to a method and system for optimization of costs of meeting greenhouse gas liabilities.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions are those greenhouse gases that allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere freely and contribute to the global warming by trapping the radiation inside the atmosphere. The primary source of green house gas, which thought to be major contributor to global warming, is fossil-fueled power plants such as natural gas power plants and coal fired power plants. The primary greenhouse gases are; carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides (N2O) and Fluorocarbons. Many greenhouse gases occur naturally, such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Others such as hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), per fluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) result exclusively from human activities.
The atmospheric lifetime of water vapor has about nine days but major greenhouse gases are well-mixed, and take many years to leave the atmosphere.

Many governments and treaty of United Nation are taking steps to reduce GHG emissions through national policies and international protocols like Kyoto protocol. Emissions trading programs, carbon or energy taxes, and regulations and standards on energy efficiency and emissions are implemented to reduce the global warming. Initiatives are taken all over the world to track and report GHG emissions. The creation of the emissions trading programs has created a market in which companies can trade in units called "carbon credits." Thus, companies can create an additional source of profits by reducing their GHG emissions. More specifically, a company can reduce its GHG emissions, gain carbon credits as a result of the emissions reduction, and then sell those credits in the open market for a profit.

Software's are available for a system or method for expeditiously and efficiently tracking and reporting the GHG emissions for a multi-site organization or enterprise which exists across a wide geography. Cost associated to an enterprise depends on several factors and hence there is need of a system for optimizing the cost based on several factors including GHG emission. Forecasting of GHG emission and cost associated to each site of the enterprise is necessary to evaluate the business potential and meeting GHG emission liability of specific site of the enterprise. Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy technologies, and recycling the waste produced in the enterprises. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system or method for tracking, reporting and optimizing the cost, the energy consumption and the GHG emissions.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention performs tracking, reporting and optimization of Green house Gas (GHG) emissions, energy consumption and cost associated. It is therefore an object of the instant invention to provide an efficient method and system for optimization of the costs of meeting greenhouse gas liabilities.

According to one aspect of the invention, the invention has a central processing module for functioning of the system, which is attached to a database, which stores the data. Further, the invention includes an inventory management module for accounting of the GHG emissions, energy consumption and the cost associated. Furthermore, the invention has an optimization module for calculating optimal values of the GHG emissions, energy consumption and the cost associated. Additionally, the analytical module analyzes the results for providing opinion to drive the strategic decisions of the organization.

According to another aspect of the invention, the invention automatically captures the required information from the units of the organization on a regular interval using a capturing module. Further, the invention has a monitoring module for monitoring and managing the flow of the information of the database.

According to still another aspect of the invention, the invention utilizes the plot of cumulative energy reduced Vs marginal cost and the emission reduced Vs marginal cost for optimizing the parameters. Also the optimization process includes LPA (linear programming algorithm). Further, the optimization of the technology may utilize optimization of the set of techniques in corporate growth scenario or budgetary constraints scenario or technology change scenario or price change scenario or the combination thereof using technology optimization module. The set of techniques may include green technology and the technology advancement techniques.

Furthermore, the optimization may be done using the recycling techniques for waste
produced at the units of the organization to lower the emission. Analysis of different techniques may be done for providing the opinion. Additionally, the optimization may be done using the parameters defined by the user. The optimization process is customizable to optimize and give the results according to the defined parameters.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the invention analyses the techniques of different scenario like corporate growth scenario, budgetary constraints scenario, technology change scenario, price change scenario to provide over all support to an organization using scenario analysis module. The invention further includes the analysis of cost sensitivity of the techniques used in different scenario to optimize the cost. Furthermore, the invention is in compliance with the protocols for accounting the GHG emission.
According to further aspect of the invention, the invention provides the report according to the parameters set by the user. Further the report and the database may be accessed in hierarchy basis such as a unit manager can see the report and information about only specific unit, whereas a country head may have access for units of particular country and the CEO may have access to all the records of the organization.
While multiple aspects are disclosed, still other aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative aspects of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions described herein. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a block diagram depicting system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization, in accordance with an aspect of the present technique;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram depicting management system of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization, in accordance with an aspect of the present technique;
Fig. 3 is a block diagram depicting inventory management module of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization, in accordance with an aspect of the present technique;
Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the process of optimization module of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization, in accordance with an aspect of the present technique;
Fig. 5 is a block diagram depicting analytical module of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization, in accordance with an aspect of the present technique;
Fig. 6 is a block diagram depicting plotting of marginal cost curve for the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization, in accordance with an aspect of the present technique;
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Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the process of customization of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization, in accordance with an aspect of the present technique;
Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the process of scenario analysis module of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization, in accordance with an aspect of the present technique;
Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the process of sensitivity analysis module of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization, in accordance with an aspect of the present technique; and
Fig. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the process of technology optimization module of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization, in accordance with an aspect of the present technique;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention proposes accounting of greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and cost associated. Further, the present invention includes optimization of costs of meeting greenhouse gas liabilities. The present invention provides business solutions for greenhouse gas management and for planning inventory and cost management. The present invention is customized to meet the requirements of sectors like oil and gas, power, discrete manufacturing, process industries, logistics, infrastructure related businesses and the services sector. A central processing module processes and manages functionality of the system.
Referring to fig. 1 is a block diagram depicting system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization. The system for green house gas accounting and optimization (100) comprises of units of organization (140), a database (170) and a management system (200).
In one embodiment, the units of organization (140) may be the subsets of the organization's part like oil and gas, power, manufacturing and services. Green house gas emission may be calculated for the different divisions of the organization. Further, the divisions may be divided into the units according to the geographical location, partnership firm, associate companies and subsidiaries of the organization.
In another embodiment, the database (170) stores all the information including cost information, emission information and energy information of the units of organization (140). Processed, analyzed and optimized information are store in the database for generating reports. A monitoring module monitors the information and manages the flow of the cost information, the emission information, the energy information and the analyzed information.

In yet another embodiment, the management system (200) model and process the information. The management system (200) takes input from the database as per the requirement of the user. Further, the management system (200) processes the information and produces the report in user defined format. Processing of the information may based on the different parameters and sectors like oil and gas, power, discrete manufacturing, process industries, logistics, infrastructure related business and the services sector.
Referring to fig. 2 is a block diagram depicting management system of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization, the management system (200) comprises of an inventory management module (210), an optimization module (230) and an analytical module (250).
In one embodiment, the inventory management module (210) accounts the GHG emission, the energy consumption and the cost associated. Further, the inventory management module (210) is built upon accepted accounting frameworks and a set of protocols to enable organizations to accurately account for the GHG emissions, the energy consumption and the cost associated. Furthermore, the inventory management module (210) is in compliance with a set of protocols, which includes national and international protocols and legislation, to fulfill regulatory/voluntary reporting standards.
In another embodiment, the optimization module (230) calculates the optimal GHG emission, energy consumption and cost associated. Further, the optimization module (230) plans the least cost for energy efficiency improvements and GHG mitigation under different scenarios. The optimization module (230) optimizes the cost and other factors based on available algorithm and give the values for analysis. Moreover, the optimization module (230) helps in identification of emission point sources for targeting for abatement/reduction opportunities. Wherever, opportunities are subject
to emission caps, the firm's profitability, technology changes/improvements, and available budgets. The optimization module (230) further provides optimal cost solutions under one or several such constraints.
In yet another embodiment, the analytical module (250) analyses the optimized GHG emission, energy consumption and cost associated using the cost information, the emission information and the energy information. The analytical module (250) uses the scenario and sensitivity analysis to analyze the required parameters given by the user and to give the best scenario possible. Further, a reporting module generates the report of the analyzed results. Furthermore, the report and the database (170) may be accessed in hierarchy basis like unit manager can see the report and information about only specific unit, whereas a country head may have access for units of particular country and the CEO may have access to all the records of the organization.
Referring to fig. 3 is a block diagram depicting inventory management module of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization. The inventory management module (210) extracts a plurality of information from a database (170). The database (170) is having emission information (172), energy consumption information (174), and cost information (176). At next step, the inventory management module (210) may calculate emission (214), energy consumption (216) and cost associated (218).
Further, the system (100) has a well designed and maintained Green house gas (GHG) inventory to serve several business goals. The inventory management module (210) would provide the green house gas (GHG) inventories for assets and facilities across geographies and assist for reporting (compliance based/voluntary). Moreover, based on the distribution of emissions across assets/facilities/activities, the team can engage employees, top management for planning sustainability.

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Furthermore, at step 212, the inventory management module (210) extracts information from the database (170). The extracted information is being calculated according to the type of information. At step 214, emission information for various units is calculated. At step 216, the energy consumption information for various units is calculated. At step 218, the cost information for various units is calculated.
Additionally, the inventory management module (210) stores the information into the database for further utilization in different scenario of optimization and analysis.
Referring to fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the process of optimization module of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization. The process starts at step 232, wherein the user defines various parameters for extracting the relevant information by the optimization module (230). At step 234, wherein the optimization module (230) extracts the relevant information based on the defined parameter for optimization. Further, at step 236, wherein the optimization module (230) uses the linear programming algorithm (LPA) for generating the optimal value of the parameters. Furthermore, at step 238, wherein the optimization module (230) generates the optimal value of the parameters using the LPA based on the defined parameter for optimization of the GHG emission and cost associated as per user defined criteria.
Referring to fig. 5 is a block diagram of analytical module and depicting the process carrying out by the analytical module (250). The process starts at step 252, wherein extraction of relevant information is been done based on the user defined criteria for analysis. The analytical module (250) extracts a plurality of information from the database for analysis. At step 254, wherein the analytical module (250) models the future uncertainties like regulatory changes, growth projections, oil price changes, mergers and acquisitions etc. to analyze their impact on energy efficiency improvement costs, GHG abatement costs and corporate profitability, in order to
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drive strategic decisions. Further, at step 256, the analytical module (250) may carry out the impact analysis of future uncertainties. The next step depends on the user defined criteria. At step 258, wherein the analytical module carries out the analysis of energy efficiency information. At step 260, wherein the analytical module carries out the analysis of the GHG abatement cost. At step 262, the analytical module carries out the analysis of the corporate profile.
Referring to fig. 6 is a block diagram of marginal cost curve plotting. The process starts at step 272, wherein the marginal cost curve plotting module define the scenario. At step 273, wherein the marginal cost curve plotting module extracts the relevant information. Further, at step 274, wherein, the first set of plot is the cumulative emission reduced Vs the marginal cost and the second set of plot is the marginal cost per unit of cumulative energy reduction. At again step 275, the marginal cost curve plotting module plot the curve of cumulative energy reduction Vs . marginal cost. In second side after extracting the relevant information in step 273 the marginal cost curve plotting module in step 276 calculate marginal cost per unit of emission reduction. Further, in step 277, the marginal cost curve plotting module plots the curve of cumulative emission reduction Vs marginal cost.
Referring to fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the process of customization of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization. At step 282, wherein the customization module provides the user with options to choose the parameters for accounting and optimization. At step 284, wherein the customization module extracts the relevant information according to the selected parameters. Further, at step 286, wherein the customization module processes the information. At again next step 288, customization module generates the report of customization.
The generated report is stored in the database (170) and the access to the report is hierarchy based.
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Referring to fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the process of scenario analysis module of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization. At step 292, wherein the scenario analysis module (290) provides the user with options to choose the scenario. At step 294, wherein the scenario analysis module (290) provides the user with option to choose technique of the scenario. Further, at step 296, wherein the scenario analysis module (290) accounts and optimizes the technique of the scenario. At step 298, wherein the scenario analysis module (290) analyzes the optimized technique. At further next step, 300 the scenario analysis module generates the report of the analyzed scenario and techniques involved.
Referring to fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the process of sensitivity analysis module of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization. Process starts at step 312, wherein the sensitivity analysis module (310) provides the user with option to choose the scenario. At step 314, wherein the sensitivity analysis module (310) provides the user with option to choose technique of the scenario. Further, at step 316, the sensitivity analysis module (310) accounts and optimize the cost sensitivity of the techniques chosen. At step 318, wherein the sensitivity analysis module (310) analyzes the cost sensitivity of the techniques of the scenario. Finally, at step 320, the sensitivity analysis module generates the report of the cost sensitivity of the analyzed techniques of chosen scenario.
Referring to fig. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the process of technology optimization module of the system for greenhouse gas accounting and optimization. Process starts at step 332, wherein the technology optimization module account the waste produced at the unit. At step 334, wherein the technology optimization module optimizes the recycling techniques for the waste produced at the units. Further, at step 336, wherein the technology optimization module analyzes the optimized recycling techniques for the waste. Finally, at step 338, wherein the technology optimization module generates the report for the analyzed recycling techniques.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A web based optimization system for accounting Green house Gas (GHG) emission, the system comprises of:

a) a central processing module accessible on a web based network;

b) a database adapted for the central processing module, the database configured to store;
i) emission information relating to at least one unit;
ii) energy consumption information relating to the at least one unit; and
iii) cost information relating to the at least one unit;

c) an inventory management module adapted for the central processing module; the inventory management module configured to account the Green house Gas (GHG) emission of the at least one unit using either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof;

d) an optimization module adapted for the central processing module, the optimization module configured to calculate the optimal Green house Gas (GHG) emission of the at least one unit using either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof; and

e) an analytical module adapted for the central processing module, the analytical module configured to analyze the optimized Green house Gas (GHG)
emission of the at least one unit using either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a monitoring module adapted for the central processing module, the monitoring module configured to monitor either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a capturing module adapted for the central processing module, the capturing module configured to capture either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof automatically at regular intervals from the at least one unit.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a scenario analysis module adapted for the central processing module, the scenario analysis module configured to analyze a set of techniques in either corporate growth scenario or budgetary constraints scenario or technology change scenario or price change scenario or the combination thereof.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a technology optimization module adapted for the central processing module, the technology optimization module configured to optimize the set of techniques in either corporate growth scenario or budgetary constraints scenario or technology change scenario or price change scenario or the combination thereof.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reporting module adapted for the central processing module, the reporting module configured to generate reports of the analyzed information.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the optimization module is customizable for optimizing the process based on a plurality of parameters of either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a set of protocols in compliance of the inventory management module for accounting the Green house Gas (GHG) emission for the at least one unit.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the analytical module is configured for analyzing the impact of future uncertainty information on either energy efficiency improvement cost information or GHG abatement cost information or corporate profitability information or the combination thereof.

10. The system of claim l, further comprising a first plot generated for being utilized to optimize the Green house Gas (GHG) emission for the at least one unit using the optimization module.

11. The system of claim l, wherein the database is being accessed on hierarchy basis for the at least one unit.

12. The system of claim 5, wherein the technology optimization module optimizes the set of techniques of recycling at least one waste produced for reducing the Green house Gas (GHG) emission.

13. A web based optimization system for accounting GHG emission cost, the system comprises of:

a) a central processing module accessible on a web based network;

b) a database adapted for the central processing module, the database configured to store;
i) emission information relating to at least one unit;
ii) energy consumption information relating to the at least one unit; and
iii) cost information relating to the at least one unit;

c) an inventory management module adapted for the central processing module; the inventory management module configured to account the cost of Green house Gas (GHG) emission of the at least one unit using either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof;

d) an optimization module adapted for the central processing module, the optimization module configured to calculate the optimal cost of Green house Gas (GHG) emission of the at least one unit using either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof; and

e) an analytical module adapted for the central processing module, the analytical module configured to analyze the optimized cost of Green house Gas (GHG) emission of the at least one unit using either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a sensitivity analysis module adapted for the central processing module, the sensitivity analysis module configured to analyze the cost sensitivity of the set of techniques in either corporate growth scenario or budgetary constraints scenario or technology change scenario or price change scenario or the combination thereof.

15. A web based optimization system for accounting energy consumption, the system comprises of:

a) a central processing module accessible on a web based network;

b) a database adapted for the central processing module, the database configured to store;
i) emission information relating to at least one unit;
ii) energy consumption information relating to the at least one unit; and
iii) cost information relating to the at least one unit;

c) an inventory management module adapted for the central processing module; the inventory management module configured to account the energy consumption of the at least one unit using either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof;

d) an optimization module adapted for the central processing module, the optimization module configured to calculate the optimal energy consumption of the at least one unit using either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof; and

e) an analytical module adapted for the central processing module, the analytical module configured to analyze the optimized energy consumption of the at least one unit using either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a second plot generated for being utilized to optimize the energy consumption for the at least one unit using the optimization module.

17. A web based optimization method for accounting Green house Gas (GHG) emission, the method comprises of:

a) processing information on a web based network using a central processing module;

b) accounting the Green house Gas (GHG) emission of at least one unit utilizing either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof using an inventory management module;

c) calculating the optimal Green house Gas (GHG) emission of the at least one unit utilizing either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof using an optimization module; and

d) analyzing the optimized Green house Gas (GHG) emission of the at least one unit utilizing either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof using an analytical module.

18. The method of claim 17, further includes monitoring either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof using a monitoring module.

19. The method of claim 17, further includes capturing either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof automatically at regular intervals from the at least one unit using a capturing module.

20. The method of claim 17, further includes analyzing a set of techniques in either corporate growth scenario or budgetary constraints scenario or technology change scenario or price change scenario or the combination thereof using a scenario analysis module.

21. The method of claim 17, further includes optimizing the set of techniques in either corporate growth scenario or budgetary constraints scenario or technology change scenario or price change scenario or the combination thereof using a technology optimization module.

22. The method of claim 17, further includes generating reports of the analyzed information using a reporting module.

23. The method of claim l7, wherein analyzing the impact of future uncertainty information on either energy efficiency improvement cost information or GHG abatement cost information or corporate profitability information or the combination thereof using the analytical module.

24. The method of claim l 7, further includes utilizing a first plot generated to optimize the Green house Gas (GHG) emission for the at least one unit using the optimization module.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein optimizing a set of techniques of recycling at least one waste produced for reducing the Green house Gas (GHG) emission using the technology optimization module.

26. A web based optimization method for accounting Green house Gas (GHG) emission cost, the method comprises of:

a) processing the information on a web based network using a central processing module;

b) accounting the Green house Gas (GHG) emission cost of at least one unit utilizing either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof using an inventory management module;

c) calculating the optimal Green house Gas (GHG) emission cost of the at least one unit utilizing either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof using an optimization module; and

d) analyzing the optimized Green house Gas (GHG) emission cost of the at least one unit utilizing either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof using an analytical module.

27. The method of claim 26, further includes analyzing the cost sensitivity of the set of techniques in either corporate growth scenario or budgetary constraints scenario or technology change scenario or price change scenario or the combination thereof using a sensitivity analysis module.

28. A web based optimization method for accounting energy consumption, the method comprises of:

a) Processing the information on a web based network using a central processing module;

b) accounting the energy consumption of at least one unit utilizing either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof using an inventory management module;

c) calculating the optimal energy consumption of the at least one unit utilizing either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof using an optimization module; and

d) analyzing the optimized energy consumption of the at least one unit utilizing either the cost information or the emission information or the energy information or the combination thereof using an analytical module.

29. The method of claim 28, further includes utilizing a second plot generated to optimize the energy consumption for the at least one unit using the optimization module.