Management device and management method

Abstract

A management device (10) manages energy source information (EA) on the basis of first information and second information transmitted from a terminal device (20). The energy source information (EA) generated on the basis of the second information includes information more accurate than the energy source information (EA) generated on the basis of the first information. The management device (10) is provided with: a reception unit (11) that receives first information transmitted at a higher frequency than second information and the second information transmitted at a lower frequency than the first information; a storage unit (12) that stores energy source information (EA); and a processing unit (13) that updates the energy source information (EA) stored in the storage unit (12) on the basis of the first information and the second information. The processing unit (13) updates the energy source information (EA) on the basis of the first information and updates the energy source information (EA) updated on the basis of the first information on the basis of the second information.

Description

Management apparatus and management method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management apparatus and a management method.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an energy management system including a hydrogen production apparatus, a hydrogen storage and supply apparatus, a hydrogen transport apparatus, a power grid, a renewable energy power generation apparatus, a power storage apparatus, and a planning apparatus. The planning apparatus receives data indicating an amount of hydrogen per unit time from the hydrogen production apparatus. The amount of hydrogen per unit time indicates the amount of hydrogen per unit time sent from the hydrogen production apparatus to the hydrogen storage and supply apparatus. The amount of hydrogen per unit time is calculated by applying a predetermined function to the average amount of power per unit time supplied to the hydrogen production apparatus. The planning apparatus receives data indicating a first stored hydrogen amount from the hydrogen storage and supply apparatus. The first stored hydrogen amount indicates the amount of hydrogen stored by the hydrogen storage and supply apparatus. The planning apparatus further receives, from the hydrogen storage and supply apparatus, data indicating the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage and supply apparatus to the hydrogen transport apparatus. The planning apparatus receives data indicating a second stored hydrogen amount from the hydrogen transport apparatus. The second stored hydrogen amount indicates the amount of hydrogen stored by the hydrogen transport apparatus. The planning apparatus further receives data indicating a transport amount from the hydrogen transport apparatus.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2024-006485

[0004] However, the energy management system of Patent Document 1 does not use two types of information including high acquisition frequency information and low acquisition frequency information as information used for calculating the amount of hydrogen.

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a management apparatus and a management method capable of updating energy source information by coordinating two types of information including high acquisition frequency information and low acquisition frequency information.

[0006] The management device relating to this disclosure is a management device for managing information on energy sources based on first information and second information transmitted from a terminal device of at least one business operator included in the supply chain of energy sources, wherein the information on energy sources generated based on the second information includes information with higher accuracy than the information on energy sources generated based on the first information, and the management device comprises a receiving unit that receives first information transmitted from the terminal device at a higher frequency than the second information and second information transmitted from the terminal device at a lower frequency than the first information, a storage unit that stores the information on energy sources, and a processing unit that updates the information on energy sources stored in the storage unit based on the first information and second information received by the receiving unit, wherein the processing unit performs a first update process that updates the information on energy sources based on the first information and a second update process that updates the information on energy sources updated by the first update process based on the second information.

[0007] The management method relating to this disclosure is a management method for managing information on an energy source based on first information and second information transmitted from a terminal device of at least one operator included in the supply chain of the energy source, wherein the information on the energy source generated based on the second information includes information with higher accuracy than the information on the energy source generated based on the first information, the first information is transmitted from the terminal device at a higher frequency than the second information, the second information is transmitted from the terminal device at a lower frequency than the first information, and the management method includes updating the information on the energy source based on the first information and updating the updated information on the energy source based on the second information.

[0008] According to the management device and management method described herein, it is possible to update energy source information by coordinating two types of information, including information that is acquired frequently and information that is acquired infrequently.

[0009] This figure shows a management system including a management device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, and an example of an energy source supply chain. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a manufacturer's terminal device. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a management device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. This is a flowchart showing the flow of a first update process executed by a management processing unit included in the management device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. This is a flowchart showing the flow of a second update process executed by a management processing unit included in the management device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. This is a figure showing an example of a process flow executed by a management processing unit included in the management device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. This is a figure showing management information and a cargo handling management table. This is a figure showing an example of an image showing energy source information. This is a figure showing an example of a supply chain. This is a figure showing the process of measuring the internal pressure of a cylinder and the temperature of the energy source contained in the cylinder. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a transport vehicle and the configuration of a transporter's terminal device. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a management device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. This is a flowchart showing the flow of a collection process executed by a management processing unit included in the management device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. This is a flowchart showing the flow of an analysis process executed by a management processing unit included in the management device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. This is a flowchart showing the flow of a first update process executed by a management processing unit included in the management device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiments of the control device and control method of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 15. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence. Where there is repetition in the explanation, explanations may be omitted as appropriate. In the figures, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanations may not be repeated.

[0011] [Embodiment 1] First, Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. Figure 1 is a diagram showing a management system 100 including the management device 10 of Embodiment 1 and an example of an energy source supply chain SC. The supply chain SC is composed of multiple businesses. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the supply chain SC may consist of a manufacturer C1, at least one transporter C2, and a user C3. The energy source is, for example, hydrogen, ammonia, or methane. The energy source may also be a fossil fuel such as coal or liquefied natural gas.

[0012] Manufacturer C1 manufactures an energy source. If the energy source is hydrogen, manufacturer C1 produces hydrogen, for example, by water electrolysis. Alternatively, manufacturer C1 produces hydrogen from coal, natural gas, or ammonia. The coal may be lignite.

[0013] Transporter C2 transports energy sources. Transporter C2 transports energy sources by means of transport vehicles, for example. Transport vehicles include tank trucks or trucks, etc. Alternatively, transporter C2 transports energy sources by rail, transport ship, or pipeline. Transporter C2 may be a transporter of energy sources within one country or region, or a transporter of energy sources from one country or region to another country or region. Energy sources may be transported by multiple transporters C2, or by one transporter C2.

[0014] A transporter C2 may have a base for storing energy sources. For example, a transporter C2 may own a receiving base for storing energy sources supplied by a manufacturer C1, and a shipping base for storing energy sources to be supplied to a user C3. The transporter C2 that owns the receiving base and the transporter C2 that owns the shipping base may be different companies. A transporter C2 may include a transporter that owns the receiving base, a transporter that owns the shipping base, and a transporter that transports energy sources from the receiving base to the shipping base.

[0015] Furthermore, manufacturer C1 may own the receiving base, and user C3 may own the shipping base.

[0016] User C3 utilizes an energy source. If the energy source is hydrogen, user C3 may, for example, be a company that operates a hydrogen station, or a company that generates and sells electricity and steam using a cogeneration system.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the management system 100 comprises a management device 10 and a plurality of terminal devices 20. The terminal devices 20 may be owned by each business operator constituting the supply chain SC. Each terminal device 20 is connected to the management device 10 in a communicative manner. For example, the terminal devices 20 are connected to the management device 10 in a communicative manner via a public communication network such as the Internet. Alternatively, the terminal devices 20 are connected to the management device 10 in a communicative manner via a dedicated communication line.

[0018] The management device 10 receives first information and second information transmitted from terminal devices 20 of at least one business operator included in the supply chain SC. The terminal devices 20 transmit the first information at a higher frequency than the second information. Therefore, the management device 10 acquires the first information at a higher frequency than the second information. The terminal devices 20 may transmit the first information at a fixed short interval.

[0019] The management device 10 may receive first information and second information from the terminal devices 20 of all businesses constituting the supply chain SC, or it may receive first information and second information from the terminal devices 20 of some of the businesses constituting the supply chain SC. In Embodiment 1, the management device 10 receives first information and second information from the terminal device 20 of manufacturer C1 and the terminal device 20 of transporter C2, and receives first information from the terminal device 20 of user C3. Hereinafter, the terminal device 20 of manufacturer C1 may be referred to as "first terminal device 20C1", the terminal device 20 of transporter C2 may be referred to as "second terminal device 20C2", and the terminal device 20 of user C3 may be referred to as "third terminal device 20C3".

[0020] The management device 10 manages the energy source information EA circulating in the supply chain SC based on the first information and the second information. More specifically, the management device 10 manages the energy source information EA for each energy source for multiple energy sources of the same type circulating in the supply chain SC. Hereinafter, the energy source information EA may be referred to as "energy source information EA".

[0021] More specifically, the management device 10 generates energy source information EA based on the first information. The management device 10 updates the energy source information EA based on the first information each time it receives the first information. Similarly, the management device 10 generates energy source information EA based on the second information. The management device 10 updates the energy source information EA based on the second information each time it receives the second information.

[0022] More specifically, since the second information is transmitted at a lower frequency than the first information, when the management device 10 receives the second information, it updates the energy source information EA generated based on the first information with the energy source information EA generated based on the second information. For example, the second information is transmitted irregularly from the terminal device 20. Hereinafter, the energy source information EA generated based on the first information will be referred to as "first energy source information EA1," and the energy source information EA generated based on the second information may be referred to as "second energy source information EA2."

[0023] The second energy source information EA2 contains more accurate information than the first energy source information EA1. In other words, the second energy source information EA2 contains more reliable information than the first energy source information EA1. More specifically, the second energy source information EA2 contains information with higher measurement accuracy than the first energy source information EA1.

[0024] In Embodiment 1, the energy source information EA includes specific values ​​related to the energy source. These specific values ​​include, for example, the amount of energy source and the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Embodiment 1, the management device 10 manages information indicating the amount of energy source and information indicating greenhouse gas emissions for each energy source.

[0025] Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Greenhouse gas emissions can be calculated by multiplying the amount of activity by the emission factor. Hereafter, greenhouse gases will be referred to as "GHG," and greenhouse gas emissions may be referred to as "GHG emissions."

[0026] Each of the first and second pieces of information includes information used to calculate specific values ​​related to energy sources. In Embodiment 1, each of the first and second pieces of information includes information used to calculate the amount of energy source and information used to calculate GHG emissions.

[0027] For example, if the energy source is a gas, the first information may include information indicating the flow rate of the energy source (gas) as information used to calculate the amount of the energy source. The second information may include information indicating the internal pressure of the container containing the energy source (gas) and information indicating the temperature of the energy source contained in the container, as information used to calculate the amount of the energy source. Here, the information regarding the temperature of the energy source contained in the container includes information regarding the temperature of the container. The information regarding the temperature of the container includes information regarding the surface temperature of the container.

[0028] Furthermore, the amount of energy source may decrease as it circulates through the supply chain SC. For example, energy source leakage may occur during the process of filling containers with energy source. Also, the energy source information EA managed by the control device 10 may show a smaller amount than the actual amount of energy source. For example, due to errors in the measuring instrument, the energy source information EA managed by the control device 10 may show a smaller amount than the actual amount of energy source.

[0029] GHG emissions represent the total amount of GHGs emitted by each business operator as the energy source circulates through the supply chain. For example, if transporter C2 transports the energy source by transport vehicle, the first information used to calculate GHG emissions may include information indicating the distance traveled by the transport vehicle or information indicating the location of the transport vehicle. The second information used to calculate GHG emissions may include information regarding the type and amount of fuel refueled in the transport vehicle. It should be noted that GHG emissions may increase as the energy source circulates through the supply chain.

[0030] Next, the configuration of the terminal device 20 will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 20 of manufacturer C1. As shown in Figure 2, the first terminal device 20C1 includes a terminal communication unit 21, a terminal input unit 22, a terminal display unit 23, at least one connection unit 24, a terminal storage unit 25, and a terminal processing unit 26.

[0031] The terminal communication unit 21 controls communication with the management device 10. The terminal communication unit 21 includes, for example, a communication module compliant with a predetermined communication protocol. The communication module includes a communication circuit. Specifically, the terminal communication unit 21 transmits first information and second information to the management device 10 and receives an image GA representing energy source information EA from the management device 10.

[0032] The terminal input unit 22 is operated by an operator to input second information to the terminal processing unit 26. Therefore, the second information is manually input to the first terminal device 20C1 by the operator. For example, the operator operates the terminal input unit 22 to input information indicating the internal pressure of the container containing the energy source (gas) and information indicating the temperature of the energy source contained in the container as second information. Here, the information regarding the temperature of the energy source contained in the container includes information regarding the temperature of the container. For example, the operator may input information indicating the surface temperature of the container as information indicating the temperature of the energy source contained in the container.

[0033] The terminal input unit 22 includes a man-machine interface device operated by the operator. The terminal input unit 22 may have, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The terminal input unit 22 may also have a touch sensor. The touch sensor inputs a signal indicating a touch operation by the operator to the terminal processing unit 26. The touch sensor may be superimposed on the display surface of the terminal display unit 23.

[0034] The terminal display unit 23 displays an image GA representing energy source information EA. The terminal display unit 23 includes, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL (electroluminescence) display device. When a touch sensor is superimposed on the display surface of the display device, the terminal display unit 23 functions as a touch panel.

[0035] The sensor 30 is connected to the connection unit 24 via wired or wireless connection. The sensor 30 detects first information and outputs the detected first information. The first information output by the sensor 30 is sensing data. The connection unit 24 receives the first information from the sensor 30 and inputs the received first information to the terminal processing unit 26. Therefore, the first information is automatically input from the sensor 30 to the first terminal device 20C1.

[0036] More specifically, the sensor 30 outputs the first information at a fixed sampling period. Therefore, the connection unit 24 inputs the first information to the terminal processing unit 26 according to the sampling period of the sensor 30. In other words, the first information is detected by the sensor 30 and input to the first terminal device 20C1 according to the sampling period of the sensor 30. The sampling period is, for example, 60 seconds.

[0037] When the energy source is a gas, the sensor 30 may include, for example, a flow sensor and a pressure sensor. The flow sensor detects the energy source (gas) flowing through the pipeline and outputs data indicating the flow rate as first information. Here, the flow rate indicates the amount of energy source (gas) flowing through the pipeline per unit time. The pressure sensor detects the pressure of the energy source (gas) flowing through the pipeline and outputs data indicating the pressure as first information.

[0038] The terminal device 20 may also be equipped with multiple connection parts 24. By providing multiple connection parts 24 on the terminal device 20, the terminal device 20 can transmit various types of first information to the management device 10.

[0039] The terminal storage unit 25 has a main memory and an auxiliary storage device. The main memory includes, for example, semiconductor memory. The auxiliary storage device is composed of a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The terminal storage unit 25 may also include removable media. Computer programs and setting values ​​are stored in the terminal storage unit 25.

[0040] The terminal processing unit 26 is electrically connected to the terminal communication unit 21, the terminal input unit 22, the terminal display unit 23, the connection unit 24, and the terminal storage unit 25. The terminal processing unit 26 executes a computer program stored in the terminal storage unit 25 to perform various processes. The configuration in which the terminal processing unit 26 executes a computer program stored in the terminal storage unit 25 is one example of a processing circuit. For example, the terminal processing unit 26 may have at least one of a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor, an integrated circuit, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits).

[0041] More specifically, the terminal processing unit 26 receives the first information from the connection unit 24. When the terminal processing unit 26 receives the first information from the connection unit 24, it controls the terminal communication unit 21 to transmit the first information to the management device 10. Therefore, the first information is automatically input from the sensor 30 to the first terminal device 20C1, and then automatically transmitted from the first terminal device 20C1 to the management device 10. In Embodiment 1, the terminal processing unit 26 transmits the first information to the management device 10 according to the sampling period of the sensor 30.

[0042] Furthermore, the second information is input from the terminal input unit 22 to the terminal processing unit 26. When the second information is input from the terminal input unit 22, the terminal processing unit 26 controls the terminal communication unit 21 to transmit the second information to the management apparatus 10. The second information is irregularly input to the terminal processing unit 26. Specifically, the second information is manually input to the first terminal device 20C1. Therefore, the first information is transmitted to the management apparatus 10 at a higher frequency than the second information, and the second information is transmitted to the management apparatus 10 at a lower frequency than the first information.

[0043] Furthermore, when the terminal communication unit 21 receives the image GA indicating the energy source information EA from the management apparatus 10, the terminal processing unit 26 causes the terminal display unit 23 to display the image GA indicating the energy source information EA.

[0044] The configuration of the first terminal device 20C1 has been described above with reference to FIG. 2. Since the configuration of the second terminal device 20C2 and the third terminal device 20C3 is substantially the same as that of the first terminal device 20C1, the description thereof is omitted.

[0045] Next, the configuration of the management apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the management apparatus 10 includes a management communication unit 11, a management storage unit 12, and a management processing unit 13.

[0046] The management communication unit 11 controls communication with the terminal device 20. Specifically, the management communication unit 11 transmits the image GA indicating the energy source information EA to the terminal device 20. The management communication unit 11 receives the first information and the second information from the terminal device 20. As a result, the management apparatus 10 acquires the first information and the second information. The management communication unit 11 is an example of a "receiving unit". Specifically, the management communication unit 11 receives the first information at a higher frequency than the second information, and receives the second information at a lower frequency than the first information. For example, the management communication unit 11 includes a communication module conforming to a predetermined communication protocol. The communication module includes a communication circuit.

[0047] The management storage unit 12 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device includes, for example, a semiconductor memory. The auxiliary storage device is configured by a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The management storage unit 12 may include a removable medium.

[0048] The management storage unit 12 stores computer programs, setting values, and the like. The management storage unit 12 further stores energy source information EA. Specifically, the management storage unit 12 stores management information MA for each energy source distributed in the supply chain SC. Each piece of management information MA includes energy source information EA.

[0049] The management storage unit 12 further stores a cargo handling management table TA1. The cargo handling management table TA1 stores information for associating an energy source shipped from one trader included in the supply chain SC with an energy source received by another trader when the energy source is cargo-handled from the one trader to the other trader.

[0050] The management processing unit 13 is electrically connected to the management communication unit 11 and the management storage unit 12. The management processing unit 13 executes computer programs stored in the management storage unit 12 to perform various types of processing. The configuration in which the management processing unit 13 executes a computer program stored in the management storage unit 12 is an example of a processing circuit. For example, the management processing unit 13 may include at least one of a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor, an integrated circuit, and an ASIC.

[0051] Specifically, the management processing unit 13 updates the energy source information EA stored in the management storage unit 12 based on first information and second information received by the management communication unit 11. More specifically, the management processing unit 13 updates the energy source information EA for each energy source distributed in the supply chain SC.

[0052] The management processing unit 13 further generates an image GA representing the energy source information EA based on the management information MA, and causes the image GA to be stored in the management storage unit 12. When the management processing unit 13 updates the energy source information EA, it updates the image GA representing the energy source information EA.

[0053] The management processing unit 13 transmits an image GA representing energy source information EA to the terminal device 20 via the management communication unit 11. Specifically, the management processing unit 13 receives an image request command from the terminal device 20 via the management communication unit 11 requesting an image GA representing energy source information EA. Based on the image request command, the management processing unit 13 transmits an image GA representing energy source information EA to the terminal device 20.

[0054] Next, the process of updating the energy source information EA will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first update process executed by the management processing unit 13 included in the management device 10 of Embodiment 1. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second update process executed by the management processing unit 13 included in the management device 10 of Embodiment 1. In Embodiment 1, the management method is implemented by the management processing unit 13 executing the processes shown in Figures 4 and 5. Therefore, Figures 4 and 5 show the "management method" of Embodiment 1.

[0055] The first update process shown in Figure 4 is initiated when the first information is input from the management communication unit 11 to the management processing unit 13. Therefore, the first update process is executed each time the first information is transmitted from the terminal device 20. The first update process includes updating the energy source information EA based on the first information. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the first update process includes steps S1, S2, S3, and S4.

[0056] In more detail, when the management processing unit 13 receives first information from the management communication unit 11, it generates first energy source information EA1 based on the first information (step S1).

[0057] When the management processing unit 13 generates the first energy source information EA1, it determines whether or not the energy source information EA is stored in the management storage unit 12 (step S2).

[0058] When the management processing unit 13 determines that energy source information EA is stored in the management storage unit 12 (Yes in step S2), it updates the energy source information EA stored in the management storage unit 12 based on the first energy source information EA1. As a result, the first update process shown in Figure 4 is completed. For example, by executing the first update process, the management processing unit 13 calculates a specific value related to the energy source based on the first information. Then, the management processing unit 13 updates the specific value stored in the management storage unit 12 using the calculated specific value.

[0059] If the management processing unit 13 determines that the energy source information EA is not stored in the management storage unit 12 (No. in step S2), it causes the first energy source information EA1 to be stored in the management storage unit 12 (step S4). As a result, the first update process shown in Figure 4 is completed.

[0060] The second update process shown in Figure 5 is initiated when the second information is input from the management communication unit 11 to the management processing unit 13. Therefore, the second update process is executed each time the second information is transmitted from the terminal device 20. The second update process includes updating the energy source information EA, which was updated by the first update process, based on the second information. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the second update process includes steps S11 and S12.

[0061] In more detail, when the management processing unit 13 receives the second information from the management communication unit 11, it generates the second energy source information EA2 based on the second information (step S11).

[0062] When the management processing unit 13 generates the second energy source information EA2, it updates the energy source information EA stored in the management storage unit 12 based on the second energy source information EA2 (step S12). As a result, the second update process shown in Figure 5 is completed.

[0063] More specifically, the second information is transmitted from the terminal device 20 at a lower frequency than the first information. Therefore, the energy source information EA stored in the management storage unit 12 when the second information is transmitted from the terminal device 20 is the energy source information EA updated based on the first information. In other words, the energy source information EA stored in the management storage unit 12 when the second information is transmitted from the terminal device 20 is the first energy source information EA1. Therefore, the management processing unit 13 updates the first energy source information EA1 with the second energy source information EA2.

[0064] For example, the management processing unit 13 calculates a specific value related to the energy source based on the second information by executing a second update process. Then, the management processing unit 13 updates the specific value that was updated by the first update process using the calculated specific value.

[0065] As described above with reference to Figures 1 to 5, the management device 10 acquires first information and second information from the terminal device 20 and updates the energy source information EA by coordinating the first information and second information. More specifically, the frequency with which the management device 10 acquires first information is higher than the frequency with which the management device 10 acquires second information. Therefore, the management device 10 can update the energy source information EA by coordinating two types of information, including information that is acquired frequently and information that is acquired infrequently.

[0066] Furthermore, since the first information is transmitted to the management device 10 at a higher frequency than the second information, the management device 10 can update the energy source information EA at a higher frequency based on the first information. For example, the management device 10 can update the energy source information EA at a near real-time frequency according to the sampling period of the sensor 30. Therefore, the management device 10 can present the energy source information EA, which has been updated at a near real-time frequency, to the businesses constituting the supply chain SC. As a result, the user is presented with energy source information EA that is temporally close to the current energy source information, thus improving user convenience. Note that the user refers to the businesses constituting the supply chain SC.

[0067] Furthermore, according to Embodiment 1, the management device 10 can provide highly accurate energy source information EA to businesses constituting the supply chain SC by updating the first energy source information EA1 with the second energy source information EA2. Specifically, the management device 10 can provide businesses constituting the supply chain SC with energy source information EA that shows values ​​close to actual values ​​as specific values ​​related to energy sources. Therefore, the management device 10 can provide users with highly reliable energy source information EA.

[0068] For example, the amount of energy source calculated based on the flow rate of the energy source (gas) measured by a flow sensor has lower measurement accuracy than the amount of energy source calculated based on information indicating the internal pressure of the container containing the energy source (gas) and information indicating the temperature of the energy source contained in the container. Specifically, when calculating the amount of energy source based on the flow rate of the energy source (gas), the management processing unit 13 calculates the amount of energy source by integrating the flow rates. However, errors are likely to occur in the amount of energy source obtained by integrating the flow rates.

[0069] In contrast, according to Embodiment 1, the management device 10 can update the amount of energy source obtained by integrating the flow rate to the amount of energy source calculated based on information indicating the internal pressure of the container and information indicating the temperature of the energy source contained in the container. Therefore, the management device 10 can provide highly accurate energy source information EA to businesses constituting the supply chain SC.

[0070] Next, referring to Figures 6 and 7, the processes executed by the management processing unit 13 to individually manage the information EA of each of the multiple energy sources will be described. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processes executed by the management processing unit 13 included in the management device 10 of Embodiment 1. The processes shown in Figure 6 are mainly executed to individually manage the information EA of multiple energy sources. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the management information MA and the cargo handling management table TA1. Here, for ease of understanding, the processes executed by the management processing unit 13 will be described using the example of the case where the terminal device 20 of manufacturer C1 does not transmit the second information.

[0071] As shown in Figure 6, manufacturer C1 manufactures an energy source (step SS1). The energy source manufactured by manufacturer C1 is placed in a container owned by transporter C2 (step SS2). In this case, the container is cylinder B.

[0072] The first terminal device 20C1 transmits first information while the manufactured energy source is being stored in cylinder B. Specifically, the first terminal device 20C1 transmits to the management device 10 first information about the manufactured energy source, along with information about the origin of the manufactured energy source and information about the name of the company that currently owns the manufactured energy source. In this case, the name of the company that currently owns the manufactured energy source is the name of manufacturer C1.

[0073] The management processing unit 13 generates management information MA based on the first information transmitted from the first terminal device 20C1, the information of the place of origin, and the information of the name of the owning company (step S21). Here, the management processing unit 13 generates management information MA1. Furthermore, the management processing unit 13 assigns energy source identification information to the generated management information MA (step S22). Hereinafter, the energy source identification information may be referred to as "ID". Here, the ID "0001" is assigned to management information MA1.

[0074] Figure 7 shows the management information MA1 to which the ID "0001" has been assigned by the processing in step S22. As shown in Figure 7, the management information MA shows the current ID, the previous ID, the energy source information EA, the country of origin, and the name of the owning company. The current ID is registered in the current ID column. The previous ID is registered in the previous ID column. Note that "null" indicates that no information has been registered. Here, the management processing unit 13 registers "0001" in the current ID column of the management information MA1.

[0075] As shown in Figure 6, when an operator at manufacturer C1 ships the manufactured energy source to transporter C2, they operate the terminal input unit 22 of the first terminal device 20C1 to input handling identification information. The handling identification information may be, for example, an identification number assigned to the container that holds the energy source. In this case, the handling identification information is the identification number of cylinder B.

[0076] Here, "AAA" is entered as cargo handling identification information. The first terminal device 20C1 transmits the entered cargo handling identification information "AAA" to the management device 10. As a result, the management processing unit 13 associates the cargo handling identification information "AAA" with management information MA1 and stores it in the management storage unit 12 (step S23). Specifically, the management processing unit 13 stores the cargo handling identification information "AAA" in the cargo handling management table TA1.

[0077] Figure 7 shows the cargo handling management table TA1 in which the cargo handling identification information "AAAA" is stored as a result of the processing in step S23. As shown in Figure 7, the cargo handling management table TA1 associates the current ID of the management information MA with the cargo handling identification information. Here, when the cargo handling identification information "AAAA" is input, the management processing unit 13 extracts the current ID "0001" from the management information MA1, associates the current ID "0001" with the cargo handling identification information "AAAA", and stores it in the cargo handling management table TA1.

[0078] As shown in Figure 6, when a worker of transporter C2 receives the energy source from manufacturer C1, they operate the terminal input unit 22 of the second terminal device 20C2 to input cargo handling identification information. Here, "AAA" is entered as the cargo handling identification information. The second terminal device 20C2 transmits the entered cargo handling identification information "AAA" to the management device 10. More specifically, the second terminal device 20C2 transmits the cargo handling identification information "AAA" and the name of the current owner company of the energy source to the management device 10. Here, the name of the current owner company of the energy source is the name of transporter C2.

[0079] The management processing unit 13 identifies the management information MA to be updated based on the cargo handling identification information transmitted from the second terminal device 20C2 (step S24). Specifically, the management processing unit 13 refers to the cargo handling management table TA1 to search for the current ID of the management information MA associated with the cargo handling identification information transmitted from the second terminal device 20C2, and identifies the management information MA based on the searched current ID. Here, as shown in Figure 7, the management processing unit 13 extracts the current ID "0001" associated with the cargo handling identification information "AAA" from the cargo handling management table TA1. Then, the management processing unit 13 identifies the management information MA1 to which the extracted current ID "0001" is assigned.

[0080] Furthermore, once the management processing unit 13 identifies the management information MA to be updated, it updates the name of the company that owns the identified management information MA based on the information of the company that owns it transmitted from the second terminal device 20C2. In this case, the name of the company that owns it is updated from the name of manufacturer C1 to the name of transporter C2.

[0081] As shown in Figure 6, when the management processing unit 13 identifies the management information MA to be updated, it assigns a new ID to the identified management information MA (step S25). In this case, the ID "0002" is assigned to management information MA1.

[0082] Figure 7 shows the management information MA1 to which the ID "0002" has been assigned by the processing in step S25. As shown in Figure 7, the management processing unit 13 registers the current ID "0001" of the management information MA1 before the update in the previous ID field of the management information MA1. Then, the management processing unit 13 registers the ID "0002" in the current ID field of the management information MA1.

[0083] Furthermore, the management processing unit 13 updates the cargo handling management table TA1 based on the current ID "0002" of the updated management information MA1. Specifically, the management processing unit 13 updates the ID associated with the cargo handling identification information "AAA" from the previous ID "0001" to the current ID "0002".

[0084] As shown in Figure 6, carrier C2 transports the energy source received from manufacturer C1 (step SS3). Here, carrier C2 transports the cylinder B containing the energy source using a transport vehicle.

[0085] The second terminal device 20C2 transmits first information while the energy source is being transported. For example, the second terminal device 20C2 sequentially transmits information indicating the distance traveled by the transport vehicle as first information. More specifically, the second terminal device 20C2 transmits cargo handling identification information "AAA" along with the first information. The management processing unit 13 identifies the management information MA to be updated based on the cargo handling identification information and updates the energy source information EA included in the identified management information MA based on the first information (step S26). For example, the management processing unit 13 calculates the GHG emissions based on the distance traveled by the transport vehicle. Then, the management processing unit 13 updates the GHG emissions included in the energy source information EA based on the calculated GHG emissions.

[0086] As described above with reference to Figures 6 and 7, according to Embodiment 1, the management processing unit 13 stores information in the management storage unit 12 for linking energy sources shipped from one supplier with energy sources received by other suppliers. As a result, the management device 10 can identify the information EA of energy sources supplied from one supplier to another. Therefore, the management device 10 can individually manage the information EA of each of the multiple energy sources circulating in the supply chain SC.

[0087] Furthermore, according to Embodiment 1, the management processing unit 13 assigns a new ID to the management information MA each time the company owning the energy source changes. Therefore, the management device 10 can manage the energy source information EA for each business operator. Specifically, if a single business operator owns multiple energy sources of the same type, the management device 10 can individually manage the management information MA for each of the multiple energy sources owned by that business operator.

[0088] Furthermore, when an energy source is supplied from the transporter C2 to the user C3, the energy source transported by the transporter C2 and the energy source used by the user C3 are linked by the same process as described with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

[0089] Next, referring to Figure 8, an image GA showing energy source information EA will be explained. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of an image GA showing energy source information EA. Specifically, the image GA shown in Figure 8 shows the information EA for each of the three hydrogens stored in the base's tanks.

[0090] As shown in Figure 8, image GA is displayed on the terminal display unit 23 of the terminal device 20. In the example shown in Figure 8, image GA includes a first image GA1 and a second image GA2. The first image GA1 is an image showing the base tanks that contain three types of hydrogen. The second image GA2 shows the information EA for each of the three types of hydrogen. Specifically, the second image GA2 shows the amount of hydrogen and the GHG emissions. The second image GA2 further shows the origin of each of the three types of hydrogen and the IDs assigned to the three types of hydrogen. The IDs assigned to the hydrogen are the IDs assigned to the management information MA. In this case, the three types of hydrogen are assigned IDs "0011", "0012", and "0013".

[0091] As explained with reference to Figures 6 and 7, according to Embodiment 1, when a single operator owns multiple energy sources of the same type, the management device 10 can individually manage the management information MA for each of the multiple energy sources owned by that operator. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8, the management device 10 can individually manage and present to the user the management information MA for each of the three hydrogen sources stored in the base's tanks.

[0092] Next, an example of a supply chain SC will be explained with reference to Figures 9 to 11. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a supply chain SC. Specifically, Figure 9 shows an example of a hydrogen supply chain SC.

[0093] In the example shown in Figure 9, manufacturer C1 owns a hydrogen generator 41, a compressor 42, a first pipe 43, a second pipe 44, a first flow sensor 45, a second flow sensor 46, and a first terminal device 20C1.

[0094] The hydrogen generator 41 generates hydrogen. The first piping 43 circulates hydrogen from the hydrogen generator 41 to the compressor 42. The compressor 42 compresses the hydrogen to produce compressed hydrogen. The second piping 44 circulates the compressed hydrogen from the compressor 42 to cylinder B, filling cylinder B with compressed hydrogen. Specifically, the second piping 44 includes tubes connected to the inlet and outlet of cylinder B.

[0095] The first flow sensor 45 is an example of the sensor 30 described with reference to Figure 2. The first flow sensor 45 detects the flow rate of hydrogen flowing from the hydrogen generator 41 to the first pipe 43 at a constant sampling period and outputs data indicating the flow rate to the first terminal device 20C1. The data output from the first flow sensor 45 according to the sampling period of the first flow sensor 45 is an example of first information. The sampling period of the first flow sensor 45 is, for example, 60 seconds.

[0096] The first terminal device 20C1 transmits the data output from the first flow sensor 45 to the management device 10 according to the sampling period of the first flow sensor 45. The management processing unit 13 calculates the amount of hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator 41 based on the data output from the first flow sensor 45. The management processing unit 13 updates the information indicating the amount of hydrogen according to the sampling period of the first flow sensor 45. Therefore, the information indicating the amount of hydrogen is updated at a near real-time frequency based on the data output from the first flow sensor 45. Hereinafter, the information indicating the amount of hydrogen may be referred to as "hydrogen amount information".

[0097] The second flow sensor 46 is an example of the sensor 30 described with reference to Figure 2. The second flow sensor 46 detects the flow rate of compressed hydrogen flowing from the compressor 42 to the second pipe 44 at a constant sampling period and outputs data indicating the flow rate to the first terminal device 20C1. The data output from the second flow sensor 46 according to the sampling period of the second flow sensor 46 is an example of the first information. The sampling period of the second flow sensor 46 is, for example, 60 seconds.

[0098] The first terminal device 20C1 transmits the data output from the second flow sensor 46 to the management device 10 according to the sampling period of the second flow sensor 46. The management processing unit 13 calculates the amount of hydrogen to be supplied to cylinder B based on the data output from the second flow sensor 46. The management processing unit 13 updates the hydrogen amount information according to the sampling period of the second flow sensor 46. Therefore, the hydrogen amount information is updated at a near real-time frequency based on the data output from the second flow sensor 46.

[0099] In the example shown in Figure 9, transporter C2 owns a transport vehicle 50 and a second terminal device 20C2. Transporter C2 transports hydrogen using the transport vehicle 50. Specifically, transporter C2 transports cylinders B filled with compressed hydrogen.

[0100] The transport vehicle 50 transmits information indicating the distance traveled by the transport vehicle 50 to the second terminal device 20C2 according to a fixed positioning rate. The information indicating the distance traveled by the transport vehicle 50 is an example of the first information. The fixed positioning rate is, for example, 1 second or 0.1 seconds. Hereinafter, the information indicating the distance traveled may be referred to as "distance traveled information".

[0101] The second terminal device 20C2 transmits the travel distance information of the transport vehicle 50 to the management device 10 according to a fixed positioning rate. The management processing unit 13 calculates the GHG emissions based on the travel distance information, the fuel consumption information of the transport vehicle 50, and the emission coefficient. The fuel consumption information of the transport vehicle 50 and the emission coefficient are pre-stored in the management storage unit 12. The management processing unit 13 updates the GHG emissions according to a fixed positioning rate. Therefore, the information indicating GHG emissions is updated at a near real-time frequency based on the travel distance information of the transport vehicle 50. In the following, the information indicating GHG emissions may be referred to as "GHG emission information."

[0102] In the example shown in Figure 9, user C3 is a company that operates a hydrogen station. User C3 owns a tube 61 and a hydrogen supply unit 62. Tube 61 circulates compressed hydrogen from cylinder B to the hydrogen supply unit 62. The hydrogen supply unit 62 supplies compressed hydrogen to a fuel cell vehicle (FCV).

[0103] The hydrogen supply unit 62 includes a pressure sensor 63, a temperature sensor 64, and a tank (not shown). The pressure sensor 63 and the temperature sensor 64 are examples of the sensors 30 described with reference to Figure 2.

[0104] The tank of the hydrogen supply unit 62 contains compressed hydrogen. The pressure sensor 63 detects the internal pressure of the tank of the hydrogen supply unit 62 and outputs data indicating the internal pressure of the tank to the third terminal device 20C3. The temperature sensor 64 detects the temperature of the tank of the hydrogen supply unit 62 and outputs data indicating the temperature of the tank to the third terminal device 20C3. The sampling period of the pressure sensor 63 is, for example, 10 seconds. The sampling period of the temperature sensor 64 is, for example, 10 seconds. The data output from the pressure sensor 63 according to the sampling period of the pressure sensor 63 is an example of the first information. Similarly, the data output from the temperature sensor 64 according to the sampling period of the temperature sensor 64 is an example of the first information.

[0105] The third terminal device 20C3 transmits data output from the pressure sensor 63 and data output from the temperature sensor 64 to the management device 10 according to a predetermined cycle. The predetermined cycle is, for example, 60 seconds. The management processing unit 13 calculates the amount of hydrogen based on the data output from the pressure sensor 63 and the data output from the temperature sensor 64. The management processing unit 13 updates the hydrogen amount information according to the predetermined cycle. Therefore, the hydrogen amount information is updated at a near real-time frequency based on the data output from the pressure sensor 63 and the data output from the temperature sensor 64.

[0106] Next, an example of the second type of information will be explained with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 shows the process of measuring the internal pressure of cylinder B and the temperature of the energy source contained in cylinder B. The internal pressure value of cylinder B and the temperature value of the energy source contained in cylinder B are examples of the second type of information. In the following, the second type of information will be explained using the case where the energy source is hydrogen as an example.

[0107] As shown in Figure 10, after filling cylinder B with compressed hydrogen, the worker of manufacturer C1 measures the internal pressure of cylinder B using a container internal pressure measuring device 71. Furthermore, if cylinder B has a single-wall structure, the worker of manufacturer C1 measures the surface temperature of cylinder B using a container surface thermometer 72 as the temperature of the compressed hydrogen (energy source) contained in cylinder B. Subsequently, the worker of manufacturer C1 operates the terminal input unit 22 of the first terminal device 20C1 to input the measured internal pressure value and temperature value into the first terminal device 20C1. As a result, the measured internal pressure value and temperature value are transmitted from the first terminal device 20C1 to the control device 10. Based on the measured internal pressure value and temperature value, the control device 10 calculates the amount of hydrogen filled in cylinder B.

[0108] The amount of hydrogen calculated based on the measurements from the container pressure measuring instrument 71 and the container surface thermometer 72 has higher measurement accuracy than the amount of hydrogen calculated based on the measurements from the first flow sensor 45 and the second flow sensor 46 shown in Figure 9. Therefore, the control device 10 can update the hydrogen amount information, which has been updated at a near real-time frequency based on the data output from the first flow sensor 45 and the data output from the second flow sensor 46, with more accurate hydrogen amount information based on the measurements from the container pressure measuring instrument 71 and the container surface thermometer 72.

[0109] In the example shown in Figure 10, a worker of manufacturer C1 measured the internal pressure of cylinder B and the temperature of the energy source contained in cylinder B. However, a worker of transporter C2 may also measure the internal pressure of cylinder B and the temperature of the energy source contained in cylinder B. In this case, the second information is transmitted from the second terminal device 20C2 to the management device 10. Therefore, in this case, the management processing unit 13 updates the energy source information EA, which was generated based on the first information transmitted from the first terminal device 20C1, based on the second information transmitted from the second terminal device 20C2.

[0110] Next, the transport vehicle 50 and the second terminal device 20C2 will be described with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the transport vehicle 50 and the configuration of the terminal device 20 of the transport company C2. As shown in Figure 11, the transport vehicle 50 includes a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver 51, a vehicle communication unit 52, a memory 53, and a processor 54.

[0111] The GNSS receiver 51 receives signals transmitted from multiple GNSS satellites according to a constant positioning rate and inputs them to the processor 54. The GNSS receiver 51 is an example of the sensor 30 described with reference to Figure 2.

[0112] The vehicle communication unit 52 controls communication with the second terminal device 20C2. The vehicle communication unit 52 includes, for example, a communication module that conforms to a predetermined communication protocol. The communication module includes a communication circuit. Specifically, the vehicle communication unit 52 transmits the travel distance information of the transport vehicle 50 to the second terminal device 20C2 according to a certain positioning rate.

[0113] The memory 53 stores computer programs and settings, etc. The memory 53 includes, for example, semiconductor memory.

[0114] The processor 54 is electrically connected to the GNSS receiver 51, the vehicle communication unit 52, and the memory 53. The processor 54 executes a computer program stored in the memory 53 to calculate the distance traveled by the transport vehicle 50. Specifically, the processor 54 calculates the position of the transport vehicle 50 based on the signal input from the GNSS receiver 51 according to a constant positioning rate. Then, the processor 54 calculates the distance traveled from the change in the position of the transport vehicle 50. The processor 54 transmits the distance traveled by the transport vehicle 50 to the second terminal device 20C2 via the vehicle communication unit 52 according to a constant positioning rate.

[0115] As shown in Figure 11, the second terminal device 20C2 includes a terminal communication unit 21, a terminal input unit 22, a terminal display unit 23, a terminal storage unit 25, and a terminal processing unit 26. The configurations of the terminal communication unit 21, terminal input unit 22, terminal display unit 23, terminal storage unit 25, and terminal processing unit 26 are substantially the same as those described with reference to Figure 2, so a detailed explanation of them will be omitted.

[0116] The terminal communication unit 21 of the second terminal device 20C2 receives travel distance information of the transport vehicle 50 from the vehicle communication unit 52. The terminal processing unit 26 of the second terminal device 20C2 transmits the travel distance information of the transport vehicle 50 to the management device 10 via the terminal communication unit 21 according to a fixed positioning rate. The management processing unit 13 updates the GHG emissions based on the travel distance information of the transport vehicle 50, as described with reference to Figure 9.

[0117] The operator of transporter C2 operates the terminal input unit 22 of the second terminal device 20C2 to input information indicating the amount of fuel supplied to the transport vehicle 50 and information indicating the type of fuel supplied to the transport vehicle 50. Hereinafter, the amount of fuel supplied to the transport vehicle 50 may be referred to as "fuel supply amount". Also, the information indicating the fuel supply amount may be referred to as "fuel supply amount information".

[0118] The terminal processing unit 26 of the second terminal device 20C2 transmits fuel quantity information and fuel type information to the management device 10 via the terminal communication unit 21. The fuel quantity information and fuel type information are examples of the second information.

[0119] The management processing unit 13 calculates GHG emissions based on the fuel quantity information, the fuel type information, and the fuel efficiency information of the transport vehicle 50. Hereinafter, the fuel quantity information, the fuel type information, and the fuel efficiency information of the transport vehicle 50 may be collectively referred to as "fuel quantity information, etc."

[0120] The management processing unit 13 calculates the GHG emissions based on fuel supply information, etc., and updates the GHG emissions calculated based on travel distance information with the GHG emissions calculated based on fuel supply information, etc.

[0121] Fueling amount information is obtained from receipts. The measurement accuracy of the fueling amount recorded on the receipts is high. In contrast, the position of the transport vehicle 50, which is calculated based on signals transmitted from multiple GNSS satellites, is prone to errors. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the fueling amount recorded on the receipts is higher than the measurement accuracy of the position of the transport vehicle 50. Thus, the GHG emissions calculated based on fueling amount information have higher measurement accuracy than the GHG emissions calculated based on travel distance information. Therefore, the management device 10 can update the GHG emissions, which have been updated at a near real-time frequency based on travel distance information, to more accurate GHG emissions based on fueling amount information, etc.

[0122] Embodiment 1 has been described above with reference to Figures 1 to 11. According to Embodiment 1, the management device 10 can update the energy source information EA by coordinating two types of information, including information that is acquired frequently and information that is acquired infrequently.

[0123] [Embodiment 2] Embodiment 2 will now be described with reference to Figures 12 to 15. However, only the differences from Embodiment 1 will be described, and the same matters as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted. Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in that the first energy source information EA1 is corrected.

[0124] Figure 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 10 of Embodiment 2. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the collection process performed by the management processing unit 13 included in the management device 10 of Embodiment 2. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the analysis process performed by the management processing unit 13 included in the management device 10 of Embodiment 2. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first update process performed by the management processing unit 13 included in the management device 10 of Embodiment 2.

[0125] As shown in Figure 12, in Embodiment 2, the management storage unit 12 further stores the collection table TA2 and the correction function FA, in addition to the management information MA and the cargo handling management table TA1.

[0126] The data collection process shown in Figure 13 is executed when the energy source information EA is updated by the second energy source information EA2. Specifically, when the management processing unit 13 updates the energy source information EA with the second energy source information EA2, it associates the first energy source information EA1 updated by the second energy source information EA2 with the second energy source information EA2 and stores them in the management storage unit 12. More specifically, the management processing unit 13 associates the first energy source information EA1 and the second energy source information EA2 and stores them in the collection table TA2 (step S31). As a result, the data collection process shown in Figure 13 is completed.

[0127] The analysis process shown in Figure 14 is started, for example, when an operator controls the control device 10 to command the execution of the analysis process. Specifically, when the management processing unit 13 starts the analysis process, it refers to the collection table TA2 and analyzes the relationship between the first energy source information EA1 and the second energy source information EA2, using the first energy source information EA1 as the explanatory variable and the second energy source information EA2 as the objective variable. It then constructs a correction function FA that estimates the second energy source information EA2 from the first energy source information EA1 and stores it in the management storage unit 12 (step S32). As a result, the analysis process shown in Figure 14 is completed. For example, the management processing unit 13 may construct the correction function FA by linear regression.

[0128] The first update process shown in Figure 15, similar to the first update process shown in Figure 4, is initiated when first information is input from the management communication unit 11 to the management processing unit 13. The first update process shown in Figure 15 includes steps S41, S42, S43, S44, and S45.

[0129] As shown in Figure 15, when the management processing unit 13 starts the first update process, it generates the first energy source information EA1 based on the first information (step S41).

[0130] When the management processing unit 13 generates the first energy source information EA1, it determines whether or not the energy source information EA is stored in the management storage unit 12 (step S42).

[0131] If the management processing unit 13 determines that energy source information EA is stored in the management storage unit 12 (Yes in step S42), it corrects the first energy source information EA1 based on the correction function FA (step S43).

[0132] When the management processing unit 13 corrects the first energy source information EA1, it updates the energy source information EA stored in the management storage unit 12 using the corrected first energy source information EA1 (step S44). As a result, the first update process shown in Figure 15 is completed.

[0133] If the management processing unit 13 determines that the energy source information EA is not stored in the management storage unit 12 (No. in step S42), it causes the first energy source information EA1 to be stored in the management storage unit 12 (step S45). As a result, the first update process shown in Figure 15 is completed.

[0134] In Embodiment 2, the management processing unit 13 performed data collection and analysis to construct the correction function FA, but the data collection and analysis processes may be omitted. In this case, the correction function FA may be stored in advance in the management storage unit 12.

[0135] Furthermore, in the first update process shown in Figure 15, if the management processing unit 13 determines that the energy source information EA is not stored in the management storage unit 12 (No. in step S42), it stores the first energy source information EA1 in the management storage unit 12. However, if the management processing unit 13 determines that the energy source information EA is not stored in the management storage unit 12 (No. in step S42), it may also store the first energy source information EA1 in the management storage unit 12 after correcting it based on the correction function FA.

[0136] Embodiment 2 has been described above with reference to Figures 12 to 15. According to Embodiment 2, the management device 10 can correct the first energy source information EA1 using a correction function FA that estimates the second energy source information EA2 from the first energy source information EA1. Specifically, the management device 10 can correct a specific value indicated by the first energy source information EA1 to a value closer to the actual value. Therefore, the management device 10 can improve the reliability of the first energy source information EA1.

[0137] In the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 15, the management device 10 updated the energy source information EA by receiving first information and second information from the terminal device 20 of one business operator. However, the management device 10 may also update the energy source information EA based on first information received from the terminal device 20 of the first business operator and second information received from the terminal device 20 of a second business operator different from the first business operator. The second business operator is, for example, a business operator one step downstream from the first business operator in the supply chain SC.

[0138] According to this embodiment, the management device 10 manages energy source information EA based on first information and second information transmitted from terminal devices 20 of at least one business operator included in the energy source supply chain SC. The energy source information EA generated based on the second information includes information with higher accuracy than the energy source information EA generated based on the first information. The management device 10 includes a management communication unit 11 that receives first information transmitted from terminal devices 20 at a higher frequency than the second information and second information transmitted from terminal devices 20 at a lower frequency than the first information, a management storage unit 12 that stores energy source information EA, and a management processing unit 13 that updates the energy source information EA stored in the management storage unit 12 based on the first information and second information received by the management communication unit 11. The management processing unit 13 performs a first update process that updates the energy source information EA based on the first information and a second update process that updates the energy source information EA updated by the first update process based on the second information.

[0139] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the management device 10 can update and present energy source information EA to the user at a high frequency based on the first information. Furthermore, in response to receiving second information from the terminal device 20, the management device 10 can present the user with more reliable energy source information EA. Thus, user convenience is improved.

[0140] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first information is detected by the sensor 30 and input to the terminal device 20 according to the sampling period of the sensor 30. The second information is manually input to the terminal device 20 by the operator. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the management device 10 can acquire the first information input from the sensor 30 to the terminal device 20. As a result, the management device 10 can acquire the first information at a higher frequency than the second information manually input to the terminal device 20.

[0141] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the energy source information EA indicates a specific value related to the energy source. Each of the first and second pieces of information includes information used to calculate the specific value. The management processing unit 13 calculates a specific value based on the first piece of information and updates the specific value by executing a first update process. The management processing unit 13 calculates a specific value based on the second piece of information and updates the specific value updated by the first update process by executing a second update process. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the management device 10 can update the specific value related to the energy source to a more precise value based on the first piece of information and present it to the user at a high frequency. Furthermore, the management device 10 can update the specific value related to the energy source to a more precise value based on the second piece of information.

[0142] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a specific value relating to the energy source indicates the quantity of the energy source. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the management device 10 can update the value of the quantity of the energy source at a high frequency based on the first information and present it to the user. Furthermore, the management device 10 can update the value of the quantity of the energy source to a more accurate value based on the second information.

[0143] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first information includes information on the flow rate of the energy source. The second information includes information on the internal pressure of the container containing the energy source and information on the temperature of the energy source contained in the container. The value of the amount of energy source calculated based on the internal pressure of the container containing the energy source and the temperature of the energy source contained in the container is a more accurate value than the value of the amount of energy source calculated based on the flow rate of the energy source. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the management device 10 can present the user with a more reliable value for the amount of energy source.

[0144] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the temperature information of the energy source contained in the container includes the temperature information of the container. Therefore, according to this embodiment, an operator can easily measure the temperature of the energy source contained in the container.

[0145] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a specific value related to the energy source indicates greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the management device 10 can update and present greenhouse gas emissions to the user at a high frequency based on the first information. Furthermore, the management device 10 can update the greenhouse gas emission value to a more accurate value based on the second information.

[0146] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the management device 10 manages information EA of multiple energy sources of the same type. The management processing unit 13 updates the information EA of each energy source. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the management device 10 can individually manage the information EA of multiple energy sources of the same type.

[0147] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the energy source includes hydrogen, ammonia, or methane. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the management device 10 can update and present information on hydrogen, ammonia, or methane to the user at a high frequency based on the first information. Furthermore, the management device 10 can update the information on hydrogen, ammonia, or methane to more accurate information based on the second information.

[0148] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the management processing unit 13 associates the first energy source information EA1, which is energy source information EA generated based on the first information, and the second energy source information EA2, which is energy source information EA generated based on the second information, and stores them in the management storage unit 12. The management processing unit 13 analyzes the relationship between the first energy source information EA1 and the second energy source information EA2, using the first energy source information EA1 as an explanatory variable and the second energy source information EA2 as an objective variable, constructs a correction function FA that estimates the second energy source information EA2 from the first energy source information EA1, and stores it in the management storage unit 12. When executing the first update process, the management processing unit 13 generates the first energy source information EA1 based on the first information, corrects the generated first energy source information EA1 based on the correction function FA, and updates the energy source information EA stored in the management storage unit 12 using the corrected first energy source information EA1. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the management device 10 can correct the energy source information EA, which is updated frequently, to more accurate information.

[0149] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the management storage unit 12 further stores a correction function FA that estimates the energy source information EA generated based on the second information from the energy source information EA generated based on the first information. When the first update process is executed, the management processing unit 13 generates the energy source information EA based on the first information, corrects the generated energy source information EA based on the correction function FA, and updates the energy source information EA stored in the management storage unit 12 using the corrected energy source information EA. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the management device 10 can correct the energy source information EA, which is updated frequently, to more accurate information.

[0150] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, at least one business operator included in the energy source supply chain SC includes a first business operator and a second business operator different from the first business operator. The management communication unit 11 receives first information transmitted from the terminal device 20 of the first business operator and receives second information transmitted from the terminal device 20 of the second business operator. Therefore, according to this embodiment, even if the business operator transmitting the first information and the business operator transmitting the second information are different, the management device 10 can update the energy source information EA at a high frequency based on the first information and update the energy source information EA to a more accurate level based on the second information. For example, at least one business operator includes a manufacturer C1 and a transporter C2. The management communication unit 11 may receive data output from the first flow sensor 45 and data output from the second flow sensor 46 from the first terminal device 20C1 as first information, and information indicating the measured internal pressure value of cylinder B and the surface temperature value of cylinder B from the second terminal device 20C2 as second information.

[0151] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the management method is a method for managing energy source information based on first information and second information transmitted from terminal devices 20 of at least one business operator included in the energy source supply chain SC. The energy source information EA generated based on the second information includes information with higher accuracy than the energy source information EA generated based on the first information. The first information is transmitted from the terminal devices 20 at a higher frequency than the second information. The second information is transmitted from the terminal devices 20 at a lower frequency than the first information. The management method of this embodiment includes updating the energy source information EA based on the first information (step S3), and updating the energy source information EA updated based on the first information based on the second information (step S12).

[0152] Therefore, the management method of this embodiment can update and present energy source information EA to the user at a high frequency based on the first information. Furthermore, the management method of this embodiment can present more reliable energy source information EA to the user in response to receiving the second information from the terminal device 20. Therefore, user convenience is improved.

[0153] Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to Figures 1 to 15. However, the functions of the elements disclosed herein may be implemented using one or more circuits or processing circuits, including general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, which are programmed using one or more programs stored in one or more memories, or otherwise configured to perform the disclosed functions. A processor is considered a processing circuit or circuit because it includes transistors and other circuits. A processor may be a programmed processor that executes programs stored in memory. In this disclosure, a circuit, unit, or means is hardware that performs the enumerated functions individually or in combination with each other, or hardware programmed to perform the enumerated functions individually or in combination with each other. The hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein that is programmed or configured to perform the listed functions.

[0154] Computer programs, including computer instructions, are stored in memory. These computer instructions provide logic and routines that enable hardware (e.g., processing circuits or circuits) to perform the methods disclosed herein. These computer programs may be implemented in known formats on computer-readable storage media, computer program products, memory devices, recording media such as CD-ROMs or DVDs, and / or in the memory of FPGAs or ASICs.

[0155] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence. The components disclosed in the embodiments above can be modified as appropriate. For example, some components of all components shown in one embodiment may be added to the components of another embodiment, or some components of all components shown in one embodiment may be removed from the embodiment.

[0156] The drawings schematically show each component in order to facilitate understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown may differ from the actual dimensions due to the constraints of drawing creation. Furthermore, the configuration of each component shown in the above embodiments is merely an example and is not particularly limiting, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without substantially departing from the effects of this disclosure.

[0157] For example, in the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 15, the second terminal device 20C2 calculated the travel distance of the transport vehicle, but the management processing unit 13 may calculate the travel distance. In this case, the second terminal device 20C2 transmits information indicating the location of the transport vehicle to the management device 10. The management processing unit 13 calculates the travel distance based on the information indicating the location of the transport vehicle.

[0158] Furthermore, in the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 15, the management device 10 received only the first information out of the first information and the second information from the terminal device 20 of the user C3. However, the management device 10 may receive both the first information and the second information from the terminal device 20 of the user C3.

[0159] Furthermore, in the embodiments described with reference to Figures 1 to 15, the management device 10 managed information on GHG emissions, but the management device 10 may also manage information indicating carbon dioxide emissions instead of GHG emissions. For example, the management device 10 may convert GHG emissions into carbon dioxide emissions.

[0160] Furthermore, although a cylinder B was exemplified as a container in the embodiments described with reference to Figures 1 to 15, the container is not limited to a cylinder B. The container may be, for example, a tank. Tanks include tank trucks, base tanks, transport ship tanks, and the like.

[0161] Furthermore, in the embodiments described with reference to Figures 1 to 15, the identification number of cylinder B was given as an example of cargo handling identification information, but the cargo handling identification information is not limited to the identification number of cylinder B. In addition to the identification number assigned to cylinder B, the cargo handling identification information may include, for example, the identification number assigned to the cradle, the identification number assigned to the tank equipped on the transport ship, the identification number assigned to the container transported by the transport vehicle or railway vehicle, the identification number assigned to the transport vehicle, the identification number assigned to the transport ship, and the identification number assigned to the railway vehicle.

[0162] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 9, manufacturer C1 owns a hydrogen generator 41, a compressor 42, a first pipe 43, a second pipe 44, a first flow sensor 45, a second flow sensor 46, and a first terminal device 20C1. However, manufacturer C1 may also own a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. The following describes a configuration in which hydrogen quantity information is updated based on data output from the pressure sensor and data output from the temperature sensor.

[0163] The pressure sensor is an example of the sensor 30 described with reference to Figure 2. The pressure sensor detects the pressure of compressed hydrogen flowing from the compressor 42 into the second pipe 44 and outputs pressure data to the first terminal device 20C1. The data output from the pressure sensor is an example of the first information.

[0164] The temperature sensor is an example of the sensor 30 described with reference to Figure 2. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the surrounding environment of cylinder B and outputs data indicating the temperature of the surrounding environment of cylinder B to the first terminal device 20C1. For example, the temperature sensor may detect the temperature inside the warehouse where cylinder B is stored. The data output from the temperature sensor is an example of the first information.

[0165] The first terminal device 20C1 transmits the data output from the pressure sensor and the data output from the temperature sensor to the management device 10. The management processing unit 13 calculates the filling pressure of cylinder B based on the data output from the pressure sensor. Furthermore, the management processing unit 13 calculates the amount of hydrogen based on the calculated filling pressure value of cylinder B and the temperature value detected by the temperature sensor. Then, the management processing unit 13 updates the hydrogen amount information using the calculated amount of hydrogen.

[0166] Furthermore, the measurement value of the container internal pressure measuring device 71, as explained with reference to Figure 10, has higher measurement accuracy than the filling pressure of cylinder B calculated based on the data output from the pressure sensor. Therefore, the amount of hydrogen calculated based on the measurement value of the container internal pressure measuring device 71 has higher measurement accuracy than the amount of hydrogen calculated based on the data output from the pressure sensor. Moreover, the amount of hydrogen calculated based on the measurement value of the container surface thermometer 72, as explained with reference to Figure 10, has higher measurement accuracy than the amount of hydrogen calculated using the ambient temperature value of cylinder B. Therefore, the control device 10 can update the hydrogen quantity information, which has been updated based on the data output from the pressure sensor and the data output from the temperature sensor, to more accurate hydrogen quantity information based on the measurement values ​​of the container internal pressure measuring device 71 and the container surface thermometer 72.

[0167] [Note] This disclosure further discloses the following aspects, but these aspects do not limit this disclosure.

[0168] [Aspect 1] A management device for managing information on an energy source based on first information and second information transmitted from a terminal device of at least one business operator included in the supply chain of the energy source, wherein the information on the energy source generated based on the second information includes information with higher accuracy than the information on the energy source generated based on the first information, the management device comprises: a receiving unit that receives first information transmitted from the terminal device at a higher frequency than the second information and second information transmitted from the terminal device at a lower frequency than the first information; a storage unit that stores the information on the energy source; and a processing unit that updates the information on the energy source stored in the storage unit based on the first information and second information received by the receiving unit, the management device comprising: a first update process that updates the information on the energy source based on the first information; and a second update process that updates the information on the energy source updated by the first update process based on the second information.

[0169] [Aspect 2] The management device of aspect 1, wherein the first information is detected by a sensor and input to the terminal device according to the sampling period of the sensor, and the second information is manually input to the terminal device by an operator.

[0170] [Aspect 3] A management device in Aspect 1 or Aspect 2, wherein the energy source information indicates a specific value relating to the energy source, each of the first information and the second information includes information used to calculate the specific value, the processing unit calculates the specific value based on the first information and updates the specific value by executing the first update process, and the processing unit calculates the specific value based on the second information and updates the specific value updated by the first update process by executing the second update process.

[0171] [Aspect 4] The control device of aspect 3, wherein the specific value indicates the amount of the energy source.

[0172] [Aspect 5] The control device of aspect 4, wherein the first information includes information on the flow rate of the energy source, and the second information includes information on the internal pressure of the container housing the energy source and information on the temperature of the energy source housed in the container.

[0173] [Aspect 6] The control device of aspect 5, wherein the information on the temperature of the energy source contained in the container includes information on the temperature of the container.

[0174] [Aspect 7] The control device of aspect 3, wherein the specific value indicates greenhouse gas emissions.

[0175] [Aspect 8] A management device in any of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the management device manages information on multiple energy sources of the same type, and the processing unit updates the information on each energy source.

[0176] [Aspect 9] The energy source is a control device according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, comprising hydrogen, ammonia, or methane.

[0177] [Aspect 10] A management device in any of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the processing unit stores in the storage unit first energy source information, which is information about the energy source generated based on the first information, and second energy source information, which is information about the energy source generated based on the second information, in association with each other; analyzes the relationship between the first energy source information and the second energy source information using the first energy source information as an explanatory variable and the second energy source information as an objective variable; constructs a correction function for estimating the second energy source information from the first energy source information and stores it in the storage unit; and, when executing the first update process, generates the first energy source information based on the first information, corrects the generated first energy source information based on the correction function, and updates the energy source information stored in the storage unit using the corrected first energy source information.

[0178] [Aspect 11] A management device in any of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the storage unit further stores a correction function for estimating energy source information generated based on second information from energy source information generated based on first information, and the processing unit generates energy source information based on first information when executing the first update process, corrects the generated energy source information based on the correction function, and updates the energy source information stored in the storage unit using the corrected energy source information.

[0179] [Aspect 12] The management device in any of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the at least one business operator includes a first business operator and a second business operator different from the first business operator, and the receiving unit receives the first information transmitted from the terminal device of the first business operator and the second information transmitted from the terminal device of the second business operator.

[0180] [Aspect 13] A management method for managing information on an energy source based on first information and second information transmitted from a terminal device of at least one business operator included in the supply chain of the energy source, wherein the information on the energy source generated based on the second information includes information with higher accuracy than the information on the energy source generated based on the first information, the first information is transmitted from the terminal device at a higher frequency than the second information, the second information is transmitted from the terminal device at a lower frequency than the first information, and the management method includes updating the information on the energy source based on the first information and updating the information on the energy source updated based on the first information based on the second information.

Claims

1. A management device for managing information on an energy source based on first information and second information transmitted from a terminal device of at least one operator included in the supply chain of the energy source, wherein the information on the energy source generated based on the second information includes information with higher accuracy than the information on the energy source generated based on the first information, the management device comprises: a receiving unit that receives first information transmitted from the terminal device at a higher frequency than the second information and second information transmitted from the terminal device at a lower frequency than the first information; a storage unit that stores the information on the energy source; and a processing unit that updates the information on the energy source stored in the storage unit based on the first information and second information received by the receiving unit, the management device comprising: a first update process that updates the information on the energy source based on the first information; and a second update process that updates the information on the energy source updated by the first update process based on the second information.

2. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the first information is detected by a sensor and input to the terminal device according to the sampling period of the sensor, and the second information is manually input to the terminal device by an operator.

3. The management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information of the energy source indicates a specific value relating to the energy source, each of the first information and the second information includes information used to calculate the specific value, the processing unit calculates the specific value based on the first information and updates the specific value by executing the first update process, and the processing unit calculates the specific value based on the second information and updates the specific value updated by the first update process by executing the second update process.

4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the specific value indicates the amount of the energy source.

5. The control device according to claim 4, wherein the first information includes information on the flow rate of the energy source, and the second information includes information on the internal pressure of a container housing the energy source and information on the temperature of the energy source housed in the container.

6. The control device according to claim 5, wherein the information on the temperature of the energy source contained in the container includes information on the temperature of the container.

7. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the specific value indicates greenhouse gas emissions.

8. The management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management device manages information on multiple energy sources of the same type, and the processing unit updates the information on each energy source.

9. The control device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the energy source includes hydrogen, ammonia, or methane.

10. The management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing unit stores in the storage unit first energy source information, which is information about the energy source generated based on the first information, and second energy source information, which is information about the energy source generated based on the second information, in association with each other; analyzes the relationship between the first energy source information and the second energy source information, using the first energy source information as an explanatory variable and the second energy source information as an objective variable; constructs a correction function for estimating the second energy source information from the first energy source information and stores it in the storage unit; and, when executing the first update process, generates the first energy source information based on the first information, corrects the generated first energy source information based on the correction function, and updates the energy source information stored in the storage unit using the corrected first energy source information.

11. The management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage unit further stores a correction function for estimating information about the energy source generated based on the second information from the information about the energy source generated based on the first information, and the processing unit, when executing the first update process, generates information about the energy source based on the first information, corrects the generated information about the energy source based on the correction function, and updates the information about the energy source stored in the storage unit using the corrected information about the energy source.

12. The management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one business operator includes a first business operator and a second business operator different from the first business operator, and the receiving unit receives the first information transmitted from the terminal device of the first business operator and receives the second information transmitted from the terminal device of the second business operator.

13. A management method for managing information about an energy source based on first information and second information transmitted from a terminal device of at least one operator included in the supply chain of the energy source, wherein the information about the energy source generated based on the second information includes information with higher accuracy than the information about the energy source generated based on the first information, the first information is transmitted from the terminal device at a higher frequency than the second information, the second information is transmitted from the terminal device at a lower frequency than the first information, and the management method includes updating the information about the energy source based on the first information and updating the updated information about the energy source based on the second information.

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