Method and system for determining mobile emissions reduction credits

• US 20080015975A1
• Filed: 06/27/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Global GSC, Inc., Mobile GSE, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Global GSC, Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, David W., Ivchenko, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/823,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20080015975A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/26 Government or public services business processes related to the transportation industry G06Q50/40
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/84 Greenhouse gas [GHG] management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/845 Inventory and reporting systems for greenhouse gases [GHG]

Abstract

A method for providing a mobile emissions reduction credit or other tradable commodity (15) comprising the steps of identifying an emissions reduction technology for a pollutant (20), providing a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) adapted to measure emissions of the pollutant (21), providing a mobile source (16), applying the emissions reduction technology to the mobile source to provide a modified mobile source (25), connecting the PEMS to the modified mobile source (26), taking measurements of the modified mobile source (28), analyzing the measurements to develop a modified emissions amount (29), determining a target emissions amount (19), determining the difference between the target emissions amount and the modified emissions amount (30), and converting the difference between the target emissions amount and the modified emissions amount into a tradable commodity (31). The step of determining a target emissions amount may comprise the steps of providing a PEMS adapted to measure emissions of the pollutant (21), connecting the PEMS to the mobile source (22), taking first measurements of the pollutant from the mobile source (23) and analyzing the measurements to develop a baseline emissions amount (24), or the target emissions amount may be a function of a regulation or standard (19).

Claims

1. A method for providing a mobile emissions reduction credit or other tradable commodity, comprising the steps of:

identifying an emissions reduction technology for a pollutant;

providing a mobile source;

providing a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) adapted to measure emissions of said pollutant;

connecting said PEMS to said mobile source;

taking first measurements of said pollutant from said mobile source;

analyzing said measurements to develop a baseline emissions amount;

applying said emissions reduction technology to said mobile source to provide a modified mobile source;

connecting said PEMS to said modified mobile source;

taking second measurements of said modified mobile source;

analyzing said second measurements to develop a modified emissions amount;

quantifying the mobile emissions reduction produced by said emissions reduction technology; and

converting said mobile emissions reduction into a tradable commodity.

2. The method set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the step of marketing said tradable commodity.

3. The method set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the step of monetizing said tradable commodity.

4. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said tradable commodity is a mobile emissions reduction credit (MERC).

5. The method set forth in claim 4, and further comprising the step of marketing said MERC.

6. The method set forth in claim 4, and further comprising the step of monetizing said MERC.

7. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of converting said mobile emissions reduction into a tradable commodity comprises the step of converting said reduction or a portion of said reduction into at least one tradable credit.

8. The method set forth in claim 7, and further comprising the step of marketing said credit.

9. The method set forth in claim 7, and further comprising the step of monetizing said credit.

10. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of converting said mobile emissions reduction into a tradable commodity comprises the steps of:

receiving information to identify a customer account;

assigning said mobile emissions reduction to said customer account;

calculating a mobile emissions reduction credit (MERC) from said mobile emissions reduction; and

crediting said MERC to said customer account.

11. The method set forth in claim 10, and further comprising the step of exchanging said MERC in said customer account for monetary assets.

12. The method set forth in claim 10, and further comprising the step of debiting said MERC from said customer account.

13. The method set forth in claim 10, and further comprising the steps of:

receiving information to identify a second customer or purchaser account;

calculating an emissions amount of said pollutant for said second account;

assigning a liability value to said emissions amount for said second account.

14. The method set forth in claim 13, and further comprising the steps of:

accepting payment from said second customer;

using said payment to purchase at least one MERC for said second customer;

crediting said MERC as assets against said liability value assigned to said second customer for said emissions amount;

whereby the emissions amount and liability value in said second customer account is reduced accordingly.

15. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said pollutant is selected from a group consisting of nitrogen oxides (NO_x), carbon monoxides (CO), carbon dioxides (CO₂), hydrocarbons (HC), sulfur oxides (SO_x), particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

16. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said emissions reduction technology is selected from a group consisting of alternative fuels, vehicle repairs, vehicle replacements, vehicle retrofits and hybrid engines.

17. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said mobile source is selected from a group consisting of passenger cars, light trucks, large trucks, buses, motorcycles, off-road recreational vehicles, farm equipment, construction equipment, lawn and garden equipment, marine engines, aircraft, locomotives and water vessels.

18. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said mobile source comprises an exhaust system and said PEMS is connected to said mobile source by a temporarily connection to said exhaust system.

19. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said mobile source comprises a combustion engine and said PEMS is connected to said engine and is adapted to sense operating parameters of said engine.

20. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said baseline emissions amount is measured in units translatable into a commoditized weight.

21. The method set forth in claim 20, wherein said units are selected from a group consisting of grams per mile, grams per gallon and grams per brake-horsepower-hour.

22. The method set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the steps of:

taking third measurements of said modified mobile source after taking said second measurements;

analyzing said third measurements to verify said modified emissions amount.

23. The method set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the step of periodically monitoring said modified mobile source with said PEMS to determine if said emissions reduction technology is continuing to provide said modified emissions amount.

24. The method set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the steps of:

providing a computer system;

inputting said baseline emissions amount and said modified emissions amount into said computer system;

processing said amounts to determine a number of mobile emissions reduction credits for said pollutant; and

marketing said mobile emissions reduction credits.

25. A method for providing a mobile emissions reduction credit or other tradable commodity, comprising the steps of:

identifying an emissions reduction technology for a pollutant;

providing a mobile source;

providing a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) adapted to measure emissions of said pollutant;

applying said emissions reduction technology to said mobile source to provide a modified mobile source;

connecting said PEMS to said modified mobile source;

taking measurements of said modified mobile source;

analyzing said measurements to develop a modified emissions amount;

determining a target emissions amount;

determining the difference between said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount; and

converting said difference between said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount into a tradable commodity.

26. The method set forth in claim 25, and further comprising the step of marketing said tradable commodity.

27. The method set forth in claim 25, and further comprising the step of monetizing said tradable commodity.

28. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said tradable commodity is a mobile emissions reduction credit (MERC).

29. The method set forth in claim 28, and further comprising the step of marketing said MERC.

30. The method set forth in claim 28, and further comprising the step of monetizing said MERC.

31. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said step of converting said difference between said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount into a tradable commodity comprises the step of converting said difference into at least one tradable credit.

32. The method set forth in claim 31, and further comprising the step of marketing said credit.

33. The method set forth in claim 31, and further comprising the step of monetizing said credit.

34. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said step of converting said difference between said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount into a tradable commodity comprises the steps of:

receiving information to identify a customer account;

assigning said difference to said customer account; and

calculating a mobile emissions reduction credit (MERC) from said difference; and

crediting said MERC to said customer account.

35. The method set forth in claim 34, and further comprising the step of exchanging said MERC in said customer account for monetary assets.

36. The method set forth in claim 34, and further comprising the step of debiting said MERC from said customer account.

37. The method set forth in claim 34, and further comprising the steps of:

receiving information to identify a second customer account;

calculating an emissions amount of said pollutant for said second account;

assigning a liability value to said emissions amount for said second account.

38. The method set forth in claim 37, and further comprising the steps of:

accepting payment from said second customer;

using said payment to purchase at least one MERC for said second customer;

crediting said MERC as assets against said liability value assigned to said second customer for said emissions amount;

whereby the emissions amount and liability value in said second customer account is reduced accordingly.

39. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said pollutant is selected from a group consisting of nitrogen oxides (NO_x), carbon monoxides (CO), carbon dioxides (CO₂), hydrocarbons (HC), sulfur oxides (SO_x), particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

40. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said emissions reduction technology is selected from a group consisting of alternative fuels, vehicle repairs, vehicle replacements, vehicle retrofits and hybrid engines.

41. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said mobile source is selected from a group consisting of passenger cars, light trucks, large trucks, buses, motorcycles, off-road recreational vehicles, farm equipment, construction equipment, lawn and garden equipment, marine engines, aircraft, locomotives and water vessels.

42. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said mobile source comprises an exhaust system and said PEMS is connected to said mobile source by a temporarily connection to said exhaust system.

43. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said mobile source comprises a combustion engine and said PEMS is connected to said engine and is adapted to sense operating parameters of said engine.

44. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said target emissions amount is measured in units translatable into a commoditized weight and said units are selected from a group consisting of grams per mile, grams per gallon and grams per brake-horsepower-hour.

45. The method set forth in claim 25, and further comprising the steps of:

taking third measurements of said modified mobile source after taking said second measurements;

analyzing said third measurements to verify said modified emissions amount.

46. The method set forth in claim 25, and further comprising the step of periodically monitoring said modified mobile source with said PEMS to determine if said emissions reduction technology is continuing to provide said modified emissions amount.

47. The method set forth in claim 25, and further comprising the steps of:

providing a computer system;

inputting said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount into said computer system;

processing said amounts to determine a number of mobile emissions reduction credits for said pollutant; and

marketing said mobile emissions reduction credits.

48. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said step of determining a target emissions amount comprises the steps of:

providing a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) adapted to measure emissions of said pollutant;

connecting said PEMS to said mobile source;

taking first measurements of said pollutant from said mobile source;

analyzing said measurements to develop a baseline emissions amount.

49. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said target emissions amount is a function of a regulation or standard.

50. A method for providing a mobile emissions reduction credit or other tradable commodity, comprising the steps of:

identifying an emissions reduction technology for a pollutant;

providing a mobile source;

providing a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) adapted to measure emissions of said pollutant;

applying said emissions reduction technology to said mobile source to provide a modified mobile source;

connecting said PEMS to said modified mobile source;

taking measurements of said modified mobile source;

analyzing said measurements to develop a modified emissions amount;

determining a target emissions amount;

determining the difference between said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount;

registering for a seller said emissions reduction technology or said pollutant;

assigning to said seller a mobile emissions reduction credit (MERC) that is a function of said difference in said emissions;

making said MERC available for purchase;

receiving a purchase request from a purchaser for said MERC;

matching said seller and purchaser; and

crediting said MERC to an account of said purchaser as an asset.

51. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said step of making said MERC available for purchase comprises pooling said MERC in a pool with other MERC values from a plurality of sellers having MERC values associated with said technology or said pollutant.

52. The method set forth in claim 50, and further comprising the step of receiving a fee from said purchaser.

53. The method set forth in claim 52, wherein said fee is obtained prior to crediting said MERC to the account of said purchaser.

54. The method set forth in claim 50, and further comprising the step of purchasing an amount of MERC from a seller sufficient to offset a liability value for said pollutant assigned to said purchaser.

55. The method set forth in claim 54, and further comprising the step of certifying said purchaser as being neutral as a result of said offset.

56. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said pollutant is selected from a group consisting of nitrogen oxides (NO_x), carbon monoxides (CO), carbon dioxides (CO₂), hydrocarbons (HC), sulfur oxides (SO_x), particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

57. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said emissions reduction technology is selected from a group consisting of alternative fuels, vehicle repairs, vehicle replacements, vehicle retrofits and hybrid engines.

58. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said mobile source is selected from a group consisting of passenger cars, light trucks, large trucks, buses, motorcycles, off-road recreational vehicles, farm equipment, construction equipment, lawn and garden equipment, marine engines, aircraft, locomotives and water vessels.

59. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said mobile source comprises an exhaust system and said PEMS is connected to said mobile source by a temporarily connection to said exhaust system.

60. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said mobile source comprises a combustion engine and said PEMS is connected to said engine and is adapted to sense operating parameters of said engine.

61. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said baseline emissions amount is measured in units translatable into a commoditized weight.

62. The method set forth in claim 61, wherein said units are selected from a group consisting of grams per mile, grams per gallon and grams per brake-horsepower-hour.

63. The method set forth in claim 50, and further comprising the steps of:

taking third measurements of said modified mobile source after taking said second measurements;

analyzing said third measurements to verify said modified emissions amount.

64. The method set forth in claim 50, and further comprising the step of periodically monitoring said modified mobile source with said PEMS to determine if said emissions reduction technology is continuing to provide said modified emissions amount.

65. The method set forth in claim 60, and further comprising the steps of:

providing a computer system;

inputting said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount into said computer system;

processing said amounts to determine a number of mobile emissions reduction credits for said pollutant; and

marketing said mobile emissions reduction credits.

66. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said step of determining a target emissions amount comprises the steps of:

providing a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) adapted to measure emissions of said pollutant;

connecting said PEMS to said mobile source;

taking first measurements of said pollutant from said mobile source;

analyzing said measurements to develop a baseline emissions amount.