Hydrogen Sharing Platform for Locating Private Home Refueling Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
The widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is hindered by 'range anxiety' due to the scarcity of hydrogen refueling stations and the lack of a network for accessing in-house hydrogen generation and distribution units, which are often privately owned and not easily locatable.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen sharing network system that includes in-house fuel cell apparatuses with generation and distribution units, coupled with a platform that determines and provides the location of these units to vehicles, facilitates secure authentication, and offers route guidance and pricing information, allowing vehicles to access nearby hydrogen refueling stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If in-house hydrogen gas generation and distribution units are privately owned and managed for individual use, then ownership and control are maintained by private entities, but the availability and accessibility of these units to third-party fuel cell vehicles are limited
Solution Approach 1:
A platform is introduced as an intermediary between privately owned in-house hydrogen generation units and third-party fuel cell vehicles. The platform enables authentication, location sharing, and access coordination without requiring direct integration or ownership changes, thus maintaining private control while improving accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The platform provides multiple functions including location determination, authentication, and access management within a single system. This universal approach allows diverse privately owned units to be accessed by various third-party vehicles through a common interface, reducing the need for multiple specialized systems
2Reliability
If there is no readily available network of hydrogen gas generation and distribution units, then private ownership is maintained, but range anxiety increases and mainstream adoption is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The platform implements feedback mechanisms where vehicles can query the platform for available hydrogen units and their locations, and the platform responds with real-time availability information. This feedback loop enables vehicles to plan routes and access hydrogen supply reliably without knowing all locations in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by determining and storing locations of hydrogen generation units in advance, and by establishing authentication protocols before actual fueling occurs. This preparation reduces uncertainty and enables reliable access when needed
3Ease of operation
If in-house hydrogen gas generation and distribution units are designed for individual use, then private entity control is maintained, but the ability to locate and identify these units for access is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The platform acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of locating and identifying hydrogen units. Private unit owners simply register their units with the platform, which then manages location determination and provides this information to authorized vehicles, simplifying the access process for end users
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated authentication and location provision. Vehicles can independently query the platform, receive location information, and authenticate with hydrogen units without requiring manual coordination with unit owners, improving ease of operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system reduces range anxiety by expanding access to hydrogen refueling, ensuring secure and efficient fuel distribution, and providing users with convenient navigation to nearby refueling stations, thereby promoting the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrogen gas generation and distribution unit may be configured to convert the water source or the natural gas source to hydrogen gas using electrical energy from the power source
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for an energy or fuel sharing network system. The energy or fuel sharing network system includes an in-house fuel cell apparatus that is coupled or included within a home. The in-house fuel cell apparatus includes a generation and distribution unit. The generation and distribution unit is configured to generate energy or fuel and provide the energy or fuel to a vehicle. The energy or fuel sharing network system includes an energy or fuel sharing platform. The energy or fuel sharing platform includes a processor. The processor is configured to determine a location of the in-house fuel cell apparatus, and provide the location of the in-house fuel cell apparatus to the vehicle or a user device.