Hydrogen supply system, information management method, and program

Abstract

The present invention is a hydrogen supply system for converting a carbon compound into hydrogen and carbon dioxide and performing information management with respect to at least the hydrogen or the carbon dioxide after conversion, the hydrogen supply system comprising: an information management unit that acquires environmental burden information in a production step and / or a distribution step of the carbon compound; and a storage unit that stores the acquired environmental burden information.

Description

Hydrogen Supply System, Information Management Method, and Program

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen supply system, an information management method, and a program. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-165094 filed with the Japan Patent Office on September 24, 2024, and incorporates its content herein by reference.

[0002] A technique is known in which a hydrogen storage agent containing formic acid is decomposed by a catalytic reaction to produce a mixed fluid of non-solid carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-39321

[0004] For example, when using a carbon compound such as formic acid as a carrier for hydrogen used as fuel in a fuel cell, it is preferable to be able to grasp information on the environmental load in the distribution from the production of the carbon compound until it is supplied as hydrogen fuel from the perspective of environmental protection and the like.

[0005] In consideration of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to enable grasping of information on the environmental load in the distribution process until a carbon compound and / or hydrogen converted from the carbon compound is supplied.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention that solves the above problems is a hydrogen supply system that converts a carbon compound into hydrogen and carbon dioxide and manages information on at least one of the hydrogen and carbon dioxide after conversion, the hydrogen supply system including an information management unit that acquires environmental load information in the production process and / or distribution process of the carbon compound, and a storage unit that stores the acquired environmental load information.

[0007] An information management method in a hydrogen supply system that converts a carbon compound into hydrogen and carbon dioxide and manages information on at least one of the hydrogen and carbon dioxide after conversion, the information management method including an information management step in which an information management unit acquires environmental load information in the production process and / or distribution process of the carbon compound, and a storage step in which a storage unit stores the acquired environmental load information.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a program for a computer in a hydrogen supply system that converts carbon compounds into hydrogen and carbon dioxide and manages information on at least one of the converted hydrogen and carbon dioxide, to acquire environmental impact information during the manufacturing process and / or distribution process of the carbon compounds, and to store the acquired environmental impact information.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain information regarding the environmental burden during the distribution process until carbon compounds and / or hydrogen converted from said carbon compounds are supplied.

[0010] This figure shows the distribution process of the material distribution system in the first embodiment. This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of the material distribution system in the first embodiment. This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the station management device in the first embodiment. This figure shows an example of the processing procedure by the station management device in the first embodiment for collecting environmental load information corresponding to the production of formic acid. This figure shows the production history information in the first embodiment. This figure shows an example of the processing procedure executed by the station management device in the first embodiment in response to the calculation of environmental evaluation values. This figure schematically shows an example of the breakdown of the fossil resource origins of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility in the second embodiment. This figure shows an example of the content of the origin breakdown information in the second embodiment. This figure shows an example of the processing procedure executed by the station management device in the second embodiment in response to the management of origin breakdown information. This figure shows an example of the processing procedure executed by the station management device in the third embodiment regarding the allocation of hydrogen to be stored in the hydrogen storage facility. This figure shows an example of the processing procedure executed by the station management device in the fourth embodiment in relation to the presentation of information based on the environmental evaluation value of hydrogen supplied to fuel cell vehicles. This figure shows an example of the processing procedure executed by the station management device in the fifth embodiment in response to the pricing of hydrogen.

[0011] <First Embodiment> [Material Distribution Process Corresponding to the Material Distribution System] Figure 1 schematically shows the distribution process of the materials (formic acid, hydrogen, carbon dioxide) corresponding to the material distribution system of this embodiment. The flow of the distribution process will be explained with reference to this figure.

[0012] Step S1: In producing formic acid, the manufacturer first produces hydrogen.

[0013] Step S2: The manufacturer registers environmental impact information based on the carbon dioxide emissions from hydrogen production in Step S1. The registration of environmental impact information may be done, for example, by registering the environmental impact information in a database built on a network by a designated organization that manages the environmental impact status related to hydrogen production. The database built on the network may be blockchain-based. The environmental impact information registered in Step S2 may be, for example, information indicating whether the produced hydrogen is gray hydrogen, blue hydrogen, or green hydrogen, or information indicating the amount of carbon dioxide generated in accordance with the production of a predetermined unit amount of hydrogen calculated by a predetermined calculation method. The environmental impact information, for example, information indicating whether the produced hydrogen is gray hydrogen, blue hydrogen, or green hydrogen, will also be information indicating whether the produced hydrogen is derived from fossil resources or non-fossil resources (origin information).

[0014] Step S3: The manufacturer produces formic acid by synthesizing the hydrogen produced in Step S1 with carbon dioxide. The manufacturer may also register the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production of formic acid as environmental impact information.

[0015] Step S4: The formic acid produced by the manufacturer is transported to a designated hydrogen station by a designated means of transport. A hydrogen station is a facility that supplies hydrogen as fuel to, for example, a fuel cell vehicle.

[0016] Step S5: At the hydrogen station, the transported formic acid is stored in designated storage facilities. The storage of formic acid at the hydrogen station is also called primary storage.

[0017] Step S6: The formic acid stored in the primary storage is converted into hydrogen and carbon dioxide by conversion equipment at the hydrogen station. For example, the environmental impact information registered in Step S2 is managed in a way that links it to the hydrogen obtained through the conversion.

[0018] Step S7: The hydrogen obtained from the conversion in Step S6 is stored in the hydrogen storage facility at the hydrogen station. Step S8: The carbon dioxide obtained from the conversion in Step S6 is also stored in the carbon dioxide storage facility at the hydrogen station. Note that the carbon dioxide storage facility may be located at a location other than the hydrogen station. The storage of hydrogen obtained from the conversion in Step S6 in the hydrogen storage facility and the storage of carbon dioxide obtained from the conversion in Step S6 in the carbon dioxide storage facility are also called secondary storage.

[0019] Step S9: The stored hydrogen is supplied as fuel to fuel cell vehicles or hydrogen vehicles, for example, at a hydrogen station. In this embodiment, hydrogen is supplied in the form of sales to users of fuel cell vehicles. The use of hydrogen at the destination is not particularly limited, but hereafter, the case in which hydrogen is supplied as fuel for fuel cell vehicles will be given as an example.

[0020] Step S10: The secondarily stored carbon dioxide is supplied externally so that it can be sold to a buyer. The buyer of the secondarily stored carbon dioxide is not particularly limited. For example, the buyer of the carbon dioxide may be a dry ice manufacturer.

[0021] Furthermore, at hydrogen stations, the hydrogen supplied to fuel cell vehicles may be converted from stored formic acid each time hydrogen is supplied. In this case, hydrogen storage facilities for storing hydrogen may not be provided, but carbon dioxide storage facilities for storing the carbon dioxide obtained from the conversion may be provided instead. In the following explanation, an example will be given in which the formic acid stored in primary storage is converted into hydrogen and carbon dioxide at a predetermined timing, and the converted hydrogen and carbon dioxide are stored in secondary storage, respectively. As explained above, the registration of environmental load information based on the carbon dioxide emission status in the distribution process may be performed in steps S2 and S3, but environmental load information based on carbon dioxide emission status may also be registered in each of the steps S4 to S10, for example. Furthermore, it is possible to register environmental load information for any one or more steps in the distribution process, and it is more preferable that environmental load information is registered for all steps.

[0022] [Overall Configuration Example of Hydrogen Supply System] Referring to Figure 2, an overall configuration example of the material distribution system (an example of a hydrogen supply system) of this embodiment will be described. The material distribution system in the figure comprises an environmental load information management system 10, a transport management system 20, and a hydrogen station ST.

[0023] The environmental impact information management system 10 is a system that manages environmental impact information registered by hydrogen producers and formic acid producers. The environmental impact information management system 10 may manage the environmental impact information registered by formic acid producers by storing it on a blockchain, as described above.

[0024] The transportation management system 20 manages information (transportation-related information) regarding the transportation of formic acid manufactured by the manufacturer to the hydrogen station ST. For example, the transportation management system 20 may manage transportation history information regarding the history of transportation of formic acid to the hydrogen station ST. The transportation history information may include the transportation route, means of transportation, transportation schedule, and the amount of formic acid transported (amount of formic acid transported).

[0025] The hydrogen station ST is a facility that supplies hydrogen as fuel to fuel cell vehicles 70 by selling it. The hydrogen station ST is equipped with a formic acid storage facility 30 (primary storage facility), a conversion facility 40, a hydrogen storage facility 50, a carbon dioxide storage facility 60, and a station management device 100 (information management device).

[0026] The formic acid storage facility 30 stores the transported formic acid.

[0027] The conversion equipment 40 converts the formic acid stored in the formic acid storage facility 30 into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The conversion by the conversion equipment 40 may be carried out using a predetermined amount of formic acid each time, for example, according to a predetermined schedule.

[0028] The hydrogen storage facility 50 stores hydrogen obtained from formic acid by the conversion facility 40. The hydrogen storage facility 50 may consist of multiple tanks, for example.

[0029] The carbon dioxide storage facility 60 stores carbon dioxide obtained from formic acid by the conversion facility 40. The carbon dioxide storage facility 60 may consist of multiple tanks, for example. The carbon dioxide stored in the carbon dioxide storage facility 60 is provided to the purchaser.

[0030] The fuel cell vehicle 70 is supplied with hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50 at a hydrogen station.

[0031] The station management device 100 manages information at the hydrogen station ST, manages each piece of equipment, and controls each piece of equipment. The station management device 100 manages information about the substances (formic acid, hydrogen, carbon dioxide) from hydrogen production to the conversion of formic acid produced by the synthesis of hydrogen and carbon dioxide at the hydrogen station ST into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and the supply of the converted hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The station management device 100 may be able to access the environmental load information database corresponding to the environmental load information management system 10. In addition, the station management device 100 may be able to access the transportation-related information database managed by the transportation management system 20.

[0032] Each station management device 100 may be capable of communicating with multiple environmental load information management systems 10 and transportation management systems 20.

[0033] [Example of Functional Configuration of Station Management Device] Referring to Figure 3, an example of the functional configuration of the station management device 100 will be described. The station management device 100 may be configured with hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and storage devices such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The station management device 100 may also be equipped with a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) as hardware. The functions of the station management device 100 shown in the figure are realized by the CPU and GPU provided in the station management device 100 executing programs.

[0034] The station management device 100 in the figure comprises a communication unit 101, an information management unit 102, and a storage unit 103. The allocation adjustment unit 104, presentation unit 105, and price setting unit 106 correspond to the third, fourth, and fifth embodiments, respectively, and are therefore not described here.

[0035] The communication unit 101 is connected to the environmental load information management system 10, the transportation management system 20, and the equipment at the hydrogen station ST, as shown in Figure 2, in a manner that enables communication.

[0036] The Information Management Unit 102 performs various processes related to information concerning substances (formic acid, hydrogen, carbon dioxide).

[0037] The memory unit 103 stores various types of information corresponding to the station management device 100.

[0038] [Example of processing procedure for collecting environmental impact information] The station management device 100 of this embodiment collects environmental impact information corresponding to formic acid that is to be temporarily stored at the hydrogen station ST, as one of the information management methods for substances.

[0039] Referring to the flowchart in Figure 4, an example of a processing procedure in which the station management device 100 collects environmental impact information corresponding to hydrogen production and formic acid production will be described. Step S100: Formic acid transported to hydrogen station ST is newly stored in the formic acid storage facility 30. In other words, new primary storage is performed.

[0040] Step S102: In response to step S100, the station management device 100 acquires hydrogen production history information and newly stored formic acid production history information. In this embodiment, hydrogen production history information is passed from the hydrogen manufacturer to, for example, the formic acid manufacturer, and the formic acid manufacturer notifies the transport company of the hydrogen production history information and the formic acid production history information, and the transport company passes the hydrogen production history information and the formic acid production history information to the station management device 100 of the hydrogen station ST to which the formic acid will be transported. The hydrogen production information may include information indicating the corresponding hydrogen manufacturer, production location, production lot, production date, etc. The hydrogen production history information may also include hydrogen identification information that uniquely identifies the corresponding hydrogen. Hydrogen can be uniquely identified, for example, on a lot basis, by the corresponding hydrogen manufacturer, production location, production lot, production date, etc. The formic acid production history information includes information indicating the corresponding formic acid manufacturer, production location, production lot, production date, etc. The formic acid production history information may also include formic acid identification information that uniquely identifies the corresponding formic acid. Formic acid can be uniquely identified, for example, on a lot-by-lot basis, based on the manufacturer, manufacturing location, manufacturing lot, and manufacturing date of the corresponding formic acid.

[0041] Step S104: In the station management device 100, the information management unit 102 obtains hydrogen identification information from the hydrogen production history information obtained in step S102, and obtains formic acid identification information from the formic acid production history information obtained in step S102.

[0042] Step S106: The information management unit 102 acquires the environmental load information corresponding to hydrogen registered in the environmental load information management system 10 corresponding to the hydrogen specified by the hydrogen identification information acquired in step S104. Also, the information management unit 102 acquires the environmental load information corresponding to formic acid registered in the environmental load information management system 10 corresponding to the formic acid specified by the formic acid identification information acquired in step S104. At this time, the information management unit 102 may access the blockchain in which the environmental load information management system 10 stores the environmental load information to acquire the environmental load information corresponding to hydrogen and the environmental load information corresponding to formic acid.

[0043] Step S108: The information management unit 102 stores, in the storage unit 103, by associating, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the environmental load information corresponding to hydrogen and the environmental load information corresponding to formic acid acquired in step S106 with the primary storage history information indicating the history of the current new primary storage and the manufacturing history information acquired in step S102.

[0044] Note that the environmental load information (corresponding to hydrogen / corresponding to formic acid) may also be included in the manufacturing history information. In this case, the information management unit 102 may acquire the environmental load information stored in the storage unit 103 without accessing the blockchain of the environmental load information management system 10. However, the possibility of the environmental load information stored in the blockchain of the environmental load information management system 10 being tampered with after registration is extremely low. Therefore, the reliability of the information content is higher when acquiring the environmental load information from the blockchain of the environmental load information management system 10.

[0045] By executing such processing every time a new primary storage is performed at the hydrogen station ST, the station management device 100 can collect the environmental load information corresponding to the formic acid primary-stored for each hydrogen station ST and the environmental load information corresponding to the hydrogen in the formic acid.

[0046] The station management device 100 of this embodiment calculates an environmental evaluation value corresponding to the hydrogen and carbon dioxide that are to be secondarily stored at the hydrogen station ST. The environmental evaluation value is an index value that indicates whether the process up to this secondary storage contributes to environmental protection, based on the amount of carbon dioxide generated during the distribution process from the manufactured formic acid to the secondary storage as hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The environmental evaluation value may be determined so that a higher value is obtained when the amount of carbon dioxide generated during the distribution process up to this point is small.

[0047] [Example of Processing Procedure for Calculating Environmental Evaluation Values] Referring to the flowchart in Figure 6, an example of a processing procedure performed by the station management device 100 in response to the calculation of environmental evaluation values ​​will be described. Step S200: At the hydrogen station ST, at a predetermined timing, a predetermined amount of formic acid stored in the formic acid storage facility 30 is converted into hydrogen and carbon dioxide by the conversion facility 40, and the hydrogen and carbon dioxide obtained by the conversion are stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50 and the carbon dioxide storage facility 60, respectively, in order to perform secondary storage. The station management device 100 can understand that the conversion and secondary storage of formic acid have been performed by communicating with the conversion facility 40, the carbon dioxide storage facility 60, and the hydrogen storage facility 50, for example, by the communication unit 101.

[0048] Step S202: In response to the conversion and secondary storage of formic acid being performed in Step S200, the information management unit 102 of the station management device 100 generates conversion / secondary storage history information corresponding to the current conversion and secondary storage of formic acid. The conversion / secondary storage history information has history contents regarding the conversion and storage corresponding to the current new secondary storage. Specifically, the conversion / secondary storage history information may include formic acid identification information uniquely indicating the formic acid that was the conversion target, the amount of formic acid that was the conversion target, the amounts of hydrogen and carbon dioxide obtained by the conversion (secondary storage amounts), the conversion / storage date and time when the conversion / storage was performed, and the like. Further, when a plurality of hydrogen storage facilities 50 are provided in the hydrogen station ST, the identification information of the hydrogen storage facility 50 in which hydrogen was stored (storage facility identification information) may be included in the conversion / secondary storage history information. In this case, when hydrogen is stored such that it is distributed to two or more hydrogen storage facilities 50, the hydrogen storage amounts for each of the distributed hydrogen storage facilities 50 may be included in the conversion / secondary storage history information.

[0049] Step S204: The information management unit 102 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the distribution process from the production of hydrogen used in the production of formic acid to secondary storage (total carbon dioxide emissions). In calculating the total carbon dioxide emissions, the information management unit 102 may calculate the carbon dioxide emissions during the production of hydrogen used in the production of formic acid based on the environmental load information corresponding to the target hydrogen stored in the memory unit 103. In addition, the carbon dioxide emissions during the production of formic acid may be calculated based on the environmental load information for the corresponding formic acid stored in the memory unit 103. In other words, if the carbon dioxide emissions per unit amount of formic acid produced are indicated by the environmental load information corresponding to formic acid, the carbon dioxide emissions corresponding to the production of the formic acid targeted for conversion may be calculated based on the carbon dioxide emissions per unit amount of formic acid produced and the amount of formic acid targeted for conversion. Similarly, if the carbon dioxide emissions during hydrogen production corresponding to the unit amount of formic acid produced are indicated by the hydrogen-related environmental load information, the carbon dioxide emissions during hydrogen production corresponding to the formic acid targeted for conversion may be calculated based on the amount of hydrogen converted, which is calculated in accordance with the amount of formic acid targeted for conversion. Furthermore, the information management unit 102 may calculate the carbon dioxide emissions corresponding to transportation based on the means of transportation, transportation distance, and transportation time indicated by the transportation history information when the formic acid targeted for conversion was transported, for example, from the transportation management system 20. Furthermore, the information management unit 102 may calculate the carbon dioxide emissions corresponding to the conversion of the formic acid targeted for conversion and the secondary storage of the converted hydrogen and carbon dioxide based on the electricity required for the operation of pumps for the conversion and secondary storage of the formic acid targeted for conversion. The information management unit 102 may calculate the total carbon dioxide emissions corresponding to the distribution process from the production of the formic acid targeted for conversion to secondary storage by summing up the carbon dioxide emissions calculated for each stage in the distribution process as described above.In this embodiment, the information management unit 102 calculates the total carbon dioxide emissions corresponding to the distribution process, but it is not limited to this, and may also calculate the total carbon dioxide emissions corresponding to the manufacturing process (for example, the sum of carbon dioxide emissions during the production of hydrogen used in formic acid production and carbon dioxide emissions during the production of formic acid).

[0050] Step S206: The information management unit 102 uses the total carbon dioxide emissions calculated in step S204 to calculate an environmental evaluation value corresponding to the hydrogen obtained from the formic acid that was to be converted. For example, the information management unit 102 may calculate the environmental evaluation value as the ratio of the total carbon dioxide emissions to a low-carbon hydrogen standard value that has been set in advance.

[0051] Step S208: The information management unit 102 stores the environmental evaluation value calculated in step S206 in the storage unit 103. At this time, as shown in Figure 6, the information management unit 102 may store the environmental evaluation value calculated in step S206 in the storage unit 103 in association with the conversion and secondary storage history information generated in step S202.

[0052] As an alternative, the information management unit 102 may, for example, calculate the conversion efficiency of carbon dioxide obtained from the conversion of formic acid, and then take this calculated conversion efficiency into account to calculate an environmental evaluation value. Here, the conversion efficiency may be determined, for example, as the ratio of the amount of carbon dioxide calculated from the amount of formic acid converted to the amount of carbon dioxide obtained from the conversion. A higher conversion efficiency can be considered to result in a higher environmental evaluation value. The information management unit 102 may, for example, convert the calculated conversion efficiency into a predetermined coefficient and multiply the environmental evaluation value calculated in step S206 by the coefficient to calculate an environmental evaluation value that takes the conversion efficiency into account.

[0053] As an alternative, the information management unit 102 may also calculate the conversion efficiency of hydrogen obtained from the conversion of formic acid and calculate the environmental evaluation value in a manner that takes into account the calculated hydrogen conversion efficiency. Alternatively, the information management unit 102 may calculate the environmental evaluation value using only the hydrogen conversion efficiency, without using the conversion efficiency of carbon dioxide emissions obtained from the conversion of formic acid.

[0054] <Second Embodiment> Regarding hydrogen, evaluations of its environmental contribution are conducted based on the presence and degree of fossil resource origin during production (fossil resource origin status), such as gray hydrogen, blue hydrogen, and green hydrogen. The fossil resource origin status of hydrogen obtained from formic acid transported to the hydrogen station ST each time is not always the same and may differ, for example, due to differences in manufacturers. For this reason, hydrogen with different fossil resource origin statuses will be stored together in the hydrogen storage facility 50 of this embodiment. Given that hydrogen with different fossil resource origin statuses will be stored together in this way, it is preferable to know the breakdown of the fossil resource origin status of the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50. Therefore, the station management device 100 of this embodiment is configured to manage the breakdown of the fossil resource origin status of the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50.

[0055] Figure 7 schematically shows an example of the breakdown of fossil resource origins of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50, as determined by the station management device 100. In this figure, gray hydrogen is first accumulated from the conversion of formic acid (storage amount mt1), followed by green hydrogen from the conversion of formic acid (storage amount mt2), then blue hydrogen from the conversion of formic acid (storage amount mt3), and finally green hydrogen from the conversion of formic acid (storage amount mt4). In reality, the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50 will be a mixture of hydrogens from different fossil resource origins, but the station management device 100 may manage it as if it were classified by the order in which it was stored and the amount stored, as shown in Figure 7. In this case, when supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen storage facility 50 to the fuel cell vehicle 70, the station management device 100 may treat it as if the hydrogen is discharged from the hydrogen storage facility 50 in the order in which it was stored in the past.

[0056] Figure 8 shows an example of the content of the origin breakdown information corresponding to the breakdown of hydrogen's fossil fuel origins shown in Figure 7. The origin breakdown information shows the breakdown of hydrogen currently stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50. The station management device 100 generates the origin breakdown information as a result of determining the breakdown of fossil fuel origins of the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50, and stores the generated origin breakdown information in the storage unit 103. The origin breakdown information in Figure 8 has a structure that stores the storage date and time, storage amount, and fossil fuel origin status of the stored hydrogen for each storage order in the hydrogen storage facility 50.

[0057] Referring to the flowchart in Figure 9, an example of a processing procedure executed by the station management device 100 in response to the management of origin breakdown information will be described. Step S300: At the hydrogen station ST, at a predetermined timing, a predetermined amount of formic acid stored in the formic acid storage facility 30 is converted into hydrogen and carbon dioxide by the conversion facility 40, and the hydrogen and carbon dioxide obtained from the conversion are stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50 and the carbon dioxide storage facility 60, respectively, in order to perform secondary storage. The station management device 100 can understand that the conversion of formic acid and new secondary storage have been performed by communicating with the conversion facility 40, the carbon dioxide storage facility 60, and the hydrogen storage facility 50, for example, by the communication unit 101.

[0058] Step S302: In response to the conversion of formic acid and the new secondary storage, the information management unit 102 of the station management device 100 generates conversion and secondary storage history information related to the conversion and secondary storage of formic acid. This conversion and secondary storage history information may include formic acid identification information that uniquely identifies the formic acid to be converted, hydrogen identification information that uniquely identifies the hydrogen synthesized in the formic acid to be converted, the amount of hydrogen obtained by the conversion (secondary storage amount), and the date and time of storage.

[0059] Step S304: The information management unit 102 obtains environmental load information corresponding to formic acid from the storage unit 103, which is associated with the same formic acid identification information included in the conversion and secondary storage history information generated in step S302. The information management unit 102 may also obtain environmental load information corresponding to hydrogen from the storage unit 103, which is associated with the same hydrogen identification information included in the conversion and secondary storage history information generated in step S302. The environmental load information (formic acid-corresponding and hydrogen-corresponding) in this embodiment may indicate the fossil resource origin of the corresponding hydrogen (gray hydrogen, blue hydrogen, green hydrogen).

[0060] Step S306: The information management unit 102 acquires the amount of hydrogen (secondary storage amount) contained in the conversion and secondary storage history information generated in step S302 as the storage amount. The information management unit 102 also acquires the storage date and time contained in the conversion and secondary storage history information generated in step S302.

[0061] Step S308: The information management unit 102 generates a record that stores the fossil resource origin status indicated by the environmental load information (formic acid and hydrogen) obtained in step S304, and the storage amount and storage date and time obtained in step S306. The information management unit 102 stores the generated record in the origin breakdown information, corresponding to the last storage order.

[0062] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the hydrogen supply system of this embodiment, the hydrogen station ST is equipped with a plurality of hydrogen storage facilities 50. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of hydrogen storage facilities 50 is required to maintain the environmental evaluation value calculated for the stored hydrogen within a predetermined range. Hereafter, the range of environmental evaluation values ​​that each of the plurality of hydrogen storage facilities 50 is required to maintain will also be referred to as the specified range.

[0063] The hydrogen converted from formic acid and newly stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50 will have different environmental evaluation values ​​due to factors such as its origin from fossil resources and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the distribution process. In this case, if hydrogen with inconsistent environmental evaluation values ​​is stored sequentially in the hydrogen storage facility 50, the environmental evaluation value (for example, the average value) of the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50 may fluctuate and exceed the specified range. Therefore, the station management device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a distribution adjustment unit 104 (Figure 3). The distribution adjustment unit 104 ensures that the hydrogen stored in each of the multiple hydrogen storage facilities 50 is appropriately distributed so that the environmental evaluation value of the hydrogen stored in each facility remains within the specified range.

[0064] Referring to Figure 10, an example of a processing procedure performed by the station management device 100 regarding the allocation of hydrogen to be stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50 will be described. Step S400: At the hydrogen station ST, the storage unit 103 of the station management device 100 stores conversion plan information that shows a plan for the conversion of formic acid stored in the formic acid storage facility 30. The conversion plan information may be, for example, information on the next conversion of formic acid to be carried out at the hydrogen station ST. The conversion plan information includes the date and time on which the corresponding formic acid conversion will be carried out, the amount of formic acid to be converted, and formic acid identification information that uniquely indicates the formic acid to be converted next. The conversion plan information may also include hydrogen identification information that uniquely indicates the hydrogen synthesized in the formic acid to be converted next. The storage unit 103 also stores hydrogen storage facility information for a plurality of hydrogen storage facilities 50. The hydrogen storage facility information may include a specified range of environmental evaluation values ​​for each of the plurality of hydrogen storage facilities 50, and the environmental evaluation value of the hydrogen currently stored for each of the plurality of hydrogen storage facilities 50.

[0065] The distribution adjustment unit 104 of the station management device 100 acquires, for example, conversion plan information stored in the storage unit 103 where the date and time of the conversion is to be performed is a predetermined time in advance. The distribution adjustment unit 104 also acquires hydrogen storage facility information stored in the storage unit 103.

[0066] Step S402: The information management unit 102 calculates an environmental evaluation value for the hydrogen converted from the formic acid, which is the target of conversion, as indicated in the conversion plan information acquired in step S400. At this time, the allocation adjustment unit 104 may acquire from the storage unit 103 the formic acid-related environmental load information associated with the formic acid identification information indicated in the acquired conversion plan information, and the hydrogen-related environmental load information associated with the hydrogen identification information indicated in the acquired conversion plan information. The allocation adjustment unit 104 may also calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the process from the production of the formic acid (including the hydrogen production process) to the conversion, as indicated by the acquired conversion plan information. The allocation adjustment unit 104 uses the acquired environmental load information (hydrogen-related and formic acid-related) and the calculated carbon dioxide emissions to calculate an environmental evaluation value for the hydrogen converted from the formic acid.

[0067] Step S404: The distribution adjustment unit 104 sets the amount of hydrogen to be distributed to each hydrogen storage facility 50, based on the environmental evaluation value calculated in step S402, the environmental evaluation value for each hydrogen storage facility 50 included in the hydrogen storage facility information acquired in step S400, and the specified range for each hydrogen storage facility 50, so that the environmental evaluation value of each hydrogen storage facility 50 after storing the hydrogen obtained from the formic acid to be converted falls within the specified range.

[0068] Step S406: At the hydrogen station ST, the conversion of formic acid is carried out by the conversion equipment 40 in accordance with the conversion plan information obtained in step S400.

[0069] Step S408: The distribution adjustment unit 104 controls the distribution of hydrogen obtained by the conversion of formic acid in step S406 so that it is distributed according to the distribution amount for each hydrogen storage facility 50 set in step S303.

[0070] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the station management device 100 is equipped with a display unit 105 (Figure 3). The display unit 105 ensures that, in response to hydrogen being supplied from the hydrogen storage facility 50 to the fuel cell vehicle 70 at the hydrogen station ST, information based on the environmental evaluation value of the supplied hydrogen (environmental evaluation information) is displayed in the fuel cell vehicle 70. The environmental evaluation information may be, for example, the environmental evaluation value itself corresponding to the hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell vehicle 70, or it may be the fossil resource origin status. As mentioned above, the environmental evaluation value includes the carbon dioxide emissions during hydrogen production calculated based on the fossil resource origin status as an evaluation element, so the fossil resource origin status is also treated as information based on the environmental evaluation value. The environmental evaluation information may be displayed on a display unit provided in the fuel cell vehicle 70. Alternatively, the environmental evaluation information may be presented to the passengers of the fuel cell vehicle 70 at the facility supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell vehicle 70 by display, voice, or printing on a receipt. Furthermore, along with environmental assessment values ​​and fossil fuel-derived status, the amount of hydrogen supplied to fuel cell vehicles (70) and the corresponding monetary value may also be presented.

[0071] Referring to the sequence diagram in Figure 11, an example of the procedure processing performed by the station management device 100 in relation to the presentation of information based on the environmental evaluation value of the hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell vehicle 70 will be described.

[0072] Step S500: At the hydrogen station ST, hydrogen is supplied as fuel to the fuel cell vehicle 70 from the hydrogen storage facility 50.

[0073] Step S502: When the supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell vehicle 70 is completed, the hydrogen storage facility 50 sends a supply completion notification to the station management device 100. The supply completion notification includes the amount of hydrogen supplied. If multiple hydrogen storage facilities 50 are provided at the hydrogen station ST, the notification may also include a hydrogen storage facility identifier indicating the hydrogen storage facility 50 that supplied hydrogen to the fuel cell vehicle 70.

[0074] Step S504: The display unit 105 of the station management device 100 generates display information to be displayed on the fuel cell vehicle 70 in response to receiving the supply completion notification transmitted in step S504. The display information may include the amount of hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell vehicle 70, the charge corresponding to the amount of hydrogen, and the settlement result for the charge. Furthermore, the display information may include information based on the environmental evaluation value of the hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell vehicle 70. Specifically, the display information may include the environmental evaluation value of the hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell vehicle 70 itself. In this case, the environmental evaluation value of the hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell vehicle 70 may be the current environmental evaluation value at the hydrogen storage facility 50, the hydrogen supply source. The display information may also include the fossil resource origin of the hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell vehicle 70. In this case, as shown in Figure 7, the breakdown of the fossil resource origins of the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50 is managed, and the display unit 105 may identify the fossil resource origins of the hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen storage facility 50 in response to the supply to the hydrogen storage facility 50, and include the identified fossil resource origins in the displayed information.

[0075] Step S506: The station management device 100 and the fuel cell vehicle 70 supplied with hydrogen are connected in a communication manner. Communication between the station management device 100 and the fuel cell vehicle 70 may be, for example, via a wireless network, or via short-range wireless communication using a predetermined method such as Bluetooth®. The station management device 100 transmits the presentation information generated in step S504 to the fuel cell vehicle 70.

[0076] Step S508: The fuel cell vehicle 70 outputs the information transmitted in step S506 in a predetermined manner. Specifically, the fuel cell vehicle 70 may display the information as an image on a display unit installed inside the vehicle. Alternatively, the fuel cell vehicle 70 may output the information as sound using an audio output unit installed inside the vehicle. The information may also be printed on a receipt or the like at a hydrogen station ST where the occupants of the fuel cell vehicle 70 pay for the supplied hydrogen.

[0077] <Fifth Embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The station management device 100 of this embodiment includes a price setting unit 106 (Figure 3). The hydrogen station ST supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell vehicle 70 under the pretext of selling hydrogen to the occupants of the fuel cell vehicle 70. The price setting unit 106 sets the price of the hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell vehicle 70.

[0078] Referring to the flowchart in Figure 12, an example of a processing procedure performed by the station management device 100 in response to hydrogen pricing will be described. The processing shown in the figure may be performed, for example, when hydrogen converted from formic acid is newly stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50.

[0079] Step S600: At the hydrogen station ST, at a predetermined timing, a predetermined amount of formic acid stored in the formic acid storage facility 30 is converted into hydrogen and carbon dioxide by the conversion facility 40, and the hydrogen and carbon dioxide obtained from the conversion are stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50 and the carbon dioxide storage facility 60, respectively, in order to perform secondary storage. The station management device 100 can understand that the conversion and secondary storage of formic acid have been performed by communicating with the conversion facility 40, the carbon dioxide storage facility 60, and the hydrogen storage facility 50, for example, by the communication unit 101.

[0080] Step S602: In the station management device 100, the information management unit 102 updates the environmental evaluation value of the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50 in accordance with the new hydrogen storage performed in step S600. At this time, the information management unit 102 (or the pricing unit 106) calculates the environmental evaluation value of the newly stored hydrogen, for example, in accordance with the process shown in Figure 5. The information management unit 102 may use the amount of hydrogen stored and its environmental evaluation value in the hydrogen storage facility 50 before the new storage was performed, and the amount of hydrogen stored and its environmental evaluation value, to calculate the environmental evaluation value of the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 50 after the newly stored hydrogen has been stored.

[0081] Step S604: In this embodiment, for example, in order to promote the reduction of environmental impact of hydrogen, which is a fuel for fuel cells, a subsidy is provided by a predetermined organization according to the degree of reduction in the environmental impact of the hydrogen provided as fuel for fuel cells. The pricing unit 106 refers to subsidy-related information that shows the rules for providing the subsidy and identifies the amount of the subsidy that corresponds to the hydrogen in the environmental evaluation value updated in step S602.

[0082] Step S606: The pricing unit 106 sets the price per unit of hydrogen (sales price) based on the amount of subsidy provided in step S604. The sales price of hydrogen is basically set based on the cost of purchasing the formic acid used as the source of conversion and the maintenance costs of the hydrogen station, but the higher the amount of subsidy provided per unit of hydrogen, the lower the sales price of hydrogen can be set. The pricing unit 106 may store the set sales price of hydrogen in the storage unit 103.

[0083] As a variation of this embodiment, if the subsidy payment regulations stipulate that the amount of the subsidy is determined according to the fossil fuel origin of the hydrogen, the price setting unit 106 may set the unit price for selling the hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell vehicle 70 based on the fossil fuel origin of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage facility 50 to the fuel cell vehicle 70.

[0084] As a variation of this embodiment, when selling carbon dioxide stored in the carbon dioxide storage facility 60, the pricing unit 106 may set the unit price for selling carbon dioxide based on the environmental evaluation value of the hydrogen obtained together with the carbon dioxide when formic acid is converted to carbon dioxide, or on the fossil resource origin.

[0085] In the above embodiments, the example given is one in which information management regarding formic acid and the hydrogen and carbon dioxide converted from formic acid is performed by a station management device 100, which is provided as a device or server at the hydrogen station ST. The station management device 100 may be provided as a server on a network or may be configured as a cloud server. Furthermore, if the station management device 100 is provided as a server on a network or a cloud server, it may be configured to perform information management at multiple hydrogen stations ST.

[0086] In each of the above embodiments, the substance used as the source for conversion to hydrogen and carbon dioxide may be other carbon compounds such as oxalic acid, and is not limited to formic acid. Furthermore, the substance synthesized with hydrogen in the production of carbon compounds such as formic acid is not limited to carbon dioxide, but may be carbon monoxide, for example. When carbon monoxide is synthesized with hydrogen, formic acid can be produced via methanol. Alternatively, formic acid may be produced from methane via methanol. In each of the above embodiments, the environmental impact information is managed separately for formic acid, including the synthesis process between hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and for hydrogen, which is used in the production of hydrogen. For example, the formic acid production process may be considered as including the hydrogen production process, and the environmental impact information corresponding to the hydrogen production process may be integrated into the formic acid environmental impact information.

[0087] Alternatively, the processing of the station management device 100 may be performed by recording a program for realizing the functions of the station management device 100 on a computer-readable recording medium, loading the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system, and executing it. Here, "loading the program recorded on the recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into the computer system. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. Furthermore, if a WWW system is used, "computer system" also includes the homepage provisioning environment (or display environment). Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Furthermore, the recording medium also includes internal or external recording media that can be accessed from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code in an executable format on the terminal device. In other words, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in an executable format on the terminal device, the format in which it is stored on the distribution server is irrelevant. Furthermore, the program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times and then combined on the terminal device, and each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" includes volatile memory (RAM) within computer systems that act as servers or clients when a program is transmitted over a network, which retains the program for a certain period of time. Moreover, the above program may be intended to implement only a part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system, so-called differential files (differential programs). Moreover, "computer-readable recording media" includes volatile memory within server and client computer systems that retain programs for a certain period of time. The above-mentioned program may also be intended to realize only a part of the aforementioned functions, and may also be realized in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system. Furthermore, the above-mentioned program may be stored on a designated server and distributed (downloaded, etc.) via a communication line in response to requests from other devices.

[0088] While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention.

[0089] <Note> (1) One aspect of this embodiment is a hydrogen supply system that converts a carbon compound (for example, formic acid) into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and manages information on at least one of the converted hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and comprises an information management unit (102) that acquires environmental load information in the manufacturing process and / or distribution process of the carbon compound, and a storage unit (103) that stores the acquired environmental load information.

[0090] (2) One aspect of this embodiment is the hydrogen supply system described in (1), wherein the environmental load information includes at least the status of carbon dioxide generation during the manufacturing process and / or distribution process of carbon compounds, and is stored in a database constructed on a network, and the information management unit may collect the environmental load information stored in the database.

[0091] (3) One aspect of this embodiment is the hydrogen supply system described in (1) or (2), wherein the information management unit may calculate an environmental evaluation value for the generated carbon dioxide emissions based on the carbon dioxide emissions generated in accordance with the manufacturing process and / or the distribution process (e.g., total carbon dioxide emissions) and a standard value set for the carbon dioxide emissions (e.g., low-carbon hydrogen standard value).

[0092] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is the hydrogen supply system described in (3), wherein the information management unit may calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted at the stage when hydrogen is produced based on the environmental load information obtained through collection.

[0093] (5) One aspect of this embodiment is the hydrogen supply system described in (3) or (4), wherein the information management unit calculates the conversion efficiency of at least one of the hydrogen and carbon dioxide obtained by converting the carbon compound into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and further calculates the environmental evaluation value using the calculated conversion efficiency.

[0094] (6) One aspect of this embodiment is a hydrogen supply system according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the environmental load information indicates the carbon dioxide generation status as the fossil resource origin status at the time of production of the corresponding hydrogen (for example, classification by gray hydrogen, blue hydrogen, and green hydrogen), and the information management unit may generate origin breakdown information showing the breakdown of the fossil resource origin status of the hydrogen stored in the storage facility based on the environmental load information acquired by the information management unit each time hydrogen is stored in the storage facility.

[0095] (7) One aspect of this embodiment is a hydrogen supply system according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein a plurality of storage facilities are provided for storing the hydrogen obtained by the conversion, and the information management unit further comprises a distribution adjustment unit (104) that calculates an environmental evaluation value corresponding to the newly stored hydrogen when the hydrogen to be distributed to the plurality of storage facilities is supplied, and distributes the newly stored hydrogen to the plurality of storage facilities so that the hydrogen stored in each of the plurality of storage facilities is maintained within a range of the environmental evaluation value that has been determined.

[0096] (8) One aspect of this embodiment is a hydrogen supply system as described in (3) or (7), which further comprises a presentation unit (105) that presents information based on environmental evaluation values ​​calculated by the information management unit in a predetermined manner.

[0097] (9) One aspect of this embodiment is a hydrogen supply system as described in (3) or (8), further comprising a price setting unit (106) that acquires subsidy-related information relating to subsidies received in accordance with the environmental evaluation value calculated by the information management unit, and sets a price for selling the converted hydrogen or carbon dioxide under the manufacturing process and / or distribution process based on the acquired subsidy-related information.

[0098] (10) One aspect of this embodiment is an information management method in a hydrogen supply system that converts a carbon compound into hydrogen and carbon dioxide and manages information on at least one of the converted hydrogen and carbon dioxide, the information management method comprising: an information management step in which an information management unit acquires environmental load information in the manufacturing process and / or distribution process of the carbon compound; and a storage step in which a storage unit stores the acquired environmental load information.

[0099] (11) One aspect of this embodiment is a program that causes a computer in a hydrogen supply system that converts carbon compounds into hydrogen and carbon dioxide and manages information on at least one of the converted hydrogen and carbon dioxide to acquire environmental impact information during the manufacturing process and / or distribution process of the carbon compounds, and to store the acquired environmental impact information.

[0100] 10 Environmental load information management system, 20 Transportation management system, 70 Fuel cell vehicle, 100 Station management device, 101 Communication unit, 102 Information management unit, 103 Storage unit, 104 Allocation adjustment unit, 105 Presentation unit, 106 Pricing unit

Claims

1. A hydrogen supply system that converts carbon compounds into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and manages information on at least one of the converted hydrogen and carbon dioxide, comprising: an information management unit that acquires environmental load information during the manufacturing process and / or distribution process of the carbon compounds; and a storage unit that stores the acquired environmental load information.

2. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1, wherein the environmental impact information includes at least the status of carbon dioxide generation during the manufacturing process and / or distribution process of carbon compounds, is stored in a database constructed on a network, and the information management unit collects the environmental impact information stored in the database.

3. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information management unit calculates an environmental evaluation value for the generated carbon dioxide emissions based on the carbon dioxide emissions generated in accordance with the manufacturing process and / or the distribution process and a standard value established for the carbon dioxide emissions.

4. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 3, wherein the information management unit calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions at the stage of hydrogen production based on the environmental load information obtained through collection.

5. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 3, wherein the information management unit calculates the conversion efficiency of at least one of the hydrogen and carbon dioxide obtained by converting the carbon compound into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and further calculates the environmental evaluation value using the calculated conversion efficiency.

6. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the environmental load information indicates the carbon dioxide emission status, specifically the fossil resource origin of the hydrogen produced during the production of the corresponding hydrogen, and the information management unit generates origin breakdown information showing the breakdown of the fossil resource origin of the hydrogen stored in the storage facility each time hydrogen is stored in the storage facility, based on the environmental load information acquired by the information management unit.

7. A hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a plurality of storage facilities for storing the hydrogen obtained by the conversion, the information management unit calculates an environmental evaluation value corresponding to the newly stored hydrogen in response to the supply of hydrogen to be distributed to the plurality of storage facilities, and a distribution adjustment unit that distributes the newly stored hydrogen to the plurality of storage facilities so that the hydrogen stored in each of the plurality of storage facilities is maintained within a range of the environmental evaluation value determined for that facility.

8. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 3, further comprising a presentation unit that presents information based on environmental evaluation values ​​calculated by the information management unit in a predetermined manner.

9. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 3, further comprising a pricing unit that acquires subsidy-related information relating to subsidies received in accordance with the environmental evaluation value calculated by the information management unit, and sets a price for selling the converted hydrogen or carbon dioxide under the manufacturing process and / or distribution process based on the acquired subsidy-related information.

10. An information management method in a hydrogen supply system that converts carbon compounds into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and manages information on at least one of the converted hydrogen and carbon dioxide, the method comprising: an information management step in which an information management unit acquires environmental load information in the manufacturing process and / or distribution process of the carbon compounds; and a storage step in which a storage unit stores the acquired environmental load information.

11. A program for a computer in a hydrogen supply system that converts carbon compounds into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and manages information on at least one of the converted hydrogen and carbon dioxide, to acquire environmental impact information during the manufacturing process and / or distribution process of the carbon compounds, and to store the acquired environmental impact information.

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