JP7736734B2 - system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a hydrogen production system.
Patent Document 2 discloses a fuel cell that generates electricity by electrochemically reacting oxygen in the air with hydrogen.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-030975 JP 2022-189410 A

When fuel cells are used for private power generation in homes, hydrogen produced by a hydrogen production system at a factory or other facility must be delivered to the home. If all the hydrogen is consumed before the next delivery, the home will no longer be able to generate its own power, and the resident must go to a storage facility to collect hydrogen to replenish it. Storage facilities are necessary in emergencies, but are not required under normal circumstances. Therefore, to reduce the operating costs of the storage facilities, they are sometimes operated unmanned. In such cases, the resident may take home too much or too little hydrogen.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an appropriate amount of hydrogen to users such as residents.

The reference numbers in parentheses below refer to Figures 1 to 6.

According to the invention of claim 1, there is provided a system including a locker (100) and a management device (40),
The rocker (100)
A plurality of boxes (101) each storing a cartridge (20) containing hydrogen, each having a locked door (102) and assigned a unique box ID;
a control unit (105),
The management device (40) has a computer (41),
The computer (41) determines the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on at least one of the following: the number of people in the user's home (10), the amount of hydrogen most recently delivered to the home (10) by regular delivery, time series data of measured values of the amount of power generated by a fuel cell power generation device (23) installed in the home (10), the total amount of hydrogen remaining in the home (10), the number of full cartridges (20) that supply hydrogen to the fuel cell power generation device (23), the number of empty cartridges (20) that have supplied hydrogen to the fuel cell power generation device (23), and time series data of the amount of hydrogen used that has been supplied from the cartridges (20) to the fuel cell power generation device (23);
When the computer (41) receives a permission request from the individual management device (18) of the user, it determines one or more box IDs from among the plurality of boxes (101) based on the provision amount, and executes a transmission process to transmit the determined box ID to the control unit (105);
The control unit (105)
When the user is authenticated, the system unlocks the door (102) of the box (101) associated with the determined box ID.

According to the invention of claim 1 described above, multiple box IDs are determined based on the amount of hydrogen to be provided, and the door (102) of the box (101) associated with the determined box ID is unlocked, so that the appropriate amount of hydrogen is provided to the user who comes to the locker (100) to collect hydrogen.

According to the invention of claim 2, there is provided the system of claim 1,
When the computer (41) receives a permission request from the individual management device (18), it generates a password and executes a process of transmitting the password to the individual management device (18) and the control unit (105);
The individual management device (18) displays the password,
The system is characterized in that the control unit (105) authenticates the user by inputting a password identical to the password.

According to the invention of claim 2, the user can learn the password by looking at the individual management device (18), and hydrogen is provided only to that user.

According to the invention of claim 3, there is provided the system of claim 1,
When the computer (41) receives a permission request from the individual management device (18), it executes a process of transmitting an ID assigned to the individual management device (18) to the control unit (105);
The system is characterized in that the control unit (105) authenticates the user by reading an ID identical to the ID.

According to the invention of claim 3, an ID is assigned to each individual management device (18), so that hydrogen is provided only to the user of that individual management device (18).

According to the invention of claim 4 , there is provided the system of claim 1,
When the computer (41) recognizes the occurrence of an unexpected event, it transmits permission to the control unit (105),
A system is provided in which, if the control unit (105) does not receive the permission, the control unit (105) does not perform a matching process for authenticating the user, and, if the control unit (105) receives the permission, the control unit (105) performs a matching process for authenticating the user.

According to the invention of claim 4 as described above, an appropriate amount of hydrogen is provided to a user who comes to the locker (100) to collect hydrogen only when an unexpected event occurs.

The present invention allows users to receive the appropriate amount of hydrogen.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hydrogen and water utilization system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a house. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the overall management device and the storage device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cartridge stocker. FIG. 5 shows a rocker. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the arrangement of cartridges and water tanks loaded on a transport vehicle.

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. The features and technical effects of the embodiments will be understood from the detailed description and drawings below. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples in the drawings.

In the following description, when ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are attached to common names, the ordinal numbers are used only to identify the objects to which they are attached. The ordinal numbers do not limit the objects to which they are attached to any particular object, nor do they specify the order, rank, order, hierarchy, priority, or subordination of the objects to which they are attached.

In the following description, the smallest unit of time and hour is not limited to, and may be, for example, 1 second, 1 minute, 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year. Time and hour may also be expressed using a calendar.

In the following description, the unit of hydrogen quantity may be the volume of hydrogen at atmospheric pressure, the weight of hydrogen, or the number of cartridges 20 described below.

<1. Overview of the hydrogen and water utilization system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hydrogen and water utilization system.
The hydrogen and water utilization system is a city located in a large region of a certain country. This hydrogen and water utilization system produces hydrogen through electrolysis of water using solar energy and other sources, and generates electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen, using hydrogen and water cyclically. Therefore, the people living in this city can live a life with minimal carbon dioxide emissions. This hydrogen and water utilization system contributes to the promotion of carbon neutrality, the realization of a decarbonized society, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A large number of homes 10 belonging to a hydrogen and water utilization system have been constructed. These homes 10 are distributed over a large area and together make up the hydrogen and water utilization system. The homes 10 are grouped into smaller areas that are smaller than the large area. In other words, the large area is divided into smaller areas, and multiple homes 10 in each small area form a group 9. A commercial power grid is laid out throughout the large area, and power from the commercial power grid is supplied to each home 10. Note that a small-scale power grid may be laid out in the small areas, and power generated by each home 10 may be shared among the homes 10 belonging to that group 9 via the small-scale power grid.

Group 9 is assigned a unique group ID. House 10 is assigned a unique house ID. House 10 is assigned the group ID of group 9 to which house 10 belongs.

The hydrogen and water utilization system includes a number of homes 10, a hydrogen production plant 1, a distribution center 2, multiple transport vehicles 3, and multiple storage facilities 8.

A hydrogen production plant 1 is established in a specific location in a large region, and a distribution center 2 is established adjacent to the plant 1. The plant 1 is equipped with hydrogen production equipment 1a, hydrogen storage equipment 1b, and hydrogen filling equipment 1c. The hydrogen production equipment 1a produces hydrogen. For example, the hydrogen production equipment may include an electrolyzer. The electrolyzer produces hydrogen by electrolyzing water using electricity supplied from a solar power generation facility or commercial power source within the plant 1, and sends the hydrogen to the hydrogen storage equipment 1b. The hydrogen storage equipment 1b stores the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production equipment 1a. The hydrogen filling equipment 1c receives hydrogen from the hydrogen storage equipment 1b and fills the hydrogen in small portions into cartridges 20 that are small enough to be carried by a person. The cartridges 20 are, for example, cylinders or reservoirs. The cylinders are filled with compressed, high-pressure hydrogen. The reservoirs contain a hydrogen storage alloy or the like, and store hydrogen by absorbing it into the hydrogen storage alloy. The cartridges 20 are cylindrical.

The cartridges 20 filled with hydrogen are sent from the plant 1 to a distribution center 2. The cartridges 20 are delivered from the distribution center 2 to each residence 10 by a transport vehicle 3 such as a freight truck or multicopter. The size of the transport vehicle 3, i.e., the maximum load capacity, is determined by the number of cartridges 20 to be transported. For example, a large transport vehicle 3 is used to transport a large number of cartridges 20, a medium-sized transport vehicle 3 is used to transport a medium amount of cartridges 20, and a small transport vehicle 3 is used to transport a small amount of cartridges 20.

Small-scale stock facilities 8 may exist in each small area, and cartridges 20 may be transported from the distribution center 2 to the stock facilities 8, where they are stored, and then delivered from the stock facilities 8 to each residence 10 in the same small area. In this case, a large transport vehicle 3 may travel between the distribution center 2 and multiple stock facilities 8, and a small transport vehicle 3 may travel between the stock facilities 8 and multiple residences 10 within the same small area.

The cartridges 20 are transported to each residence 10 on regular scheduled flights, and also on irregular scheduled flights to residences 10 where they are needed. A large transport vehicle 3 is typically used for regular flights. Regular and scheduled flights deliver full cartridges 20 to residents of residences 10 (hereinafter referred to as users) and collect empty cartridges 20 from the residences. Temporary flights are operated at the request of users of residences 10. A small or medium-sized transport vehicle 3 is typically used for temporary flights. While delivering full cartridges 20 and collecting empty cartridges 20, regular and scheduled flights may also collect water-filled water tanks 24 (see Figure 2). Regular and scheduled flights may transport the water tanks 24 to the plant 1, where the water in the water tanks 24 may be supplied to the electrolysis device of the hydrogen production facility 1a to produce hydrogen.

The transport vehicle 3 may be remotely controlled by a remote controller, or may be directly controlled. That is, an operator may drive the transport vehicle 3 from inside the transport vehicle 3, or the transport vehicle 3 may be remotely controlled to drive the transport vehicle 3. The transport vehicle 3 may also be automatically driven. If the transport vehicle 3 is a freight vehicle, the road on which the transport vehicle 3 travels may be dedicated to the transport vehicle 3, or may be shared with general vehicles other than the transport vehicle 3.

The hydrogen and water utilization system has a management system as shown in Figures 2 and 3, which manages the amount of hydrogen delivered by regular and special services, i.e., the number of cartridges 20. The management system includes an individual management device 18 used by the user of each residence 10, an overall management device 40 used by the operator of the distribution center 2, a shared locker 100, and a weather information storage device 80. The overall management device 40 is installed in a data center or the like. The individual management device 18 is installed in the residence 10 or can be carried by the user. The shared locker 100 is installed in a storage facility 8, for example.

The user uses the individual management device 18 to order the amount of hydrogen they need to receive via special delivery. The individual management device 18 then sends data indicating the ordered amount of hydrogen to the overall management device 40, which receives and stores the ordered amount. The operator operates the overall management device 40 via the vendor terminal to tally up the order amounts for each home 10, operate a special delivery, and deliver the number of cartridges 20 corresponding to the order amount for each home 10 via the special delivery.

The amount of hydrogen delivered to each home 10 and each group 9 by regular delivery, i.e., the number of cartridges 20, is calculated by the overall management device 40. The overall management device 40 collects information from each home 10 to determine the amount of hydrogen to be delivered to each home 10 and each group 9 by regular delivery. The overall management device 40 also obtains weather information from the weather information storage device 80, which records weather information, to determine the amount of hydrogen to be delivered to each home 10 and each group 9.

In addition to regular and special deliveries, users can obtain cartridges 20 from shared lockers that can be locked and unlocked. Shared lockers are installed, for example, in a stock facility 8. A shared locker is shared by users of multiple residences 10 in the same small area. In other words, multiple shared lockers belong to multiple groups 9, and in each group 9, the shared lockers belonging to that group are shared by users of multiple residences 10 that belong to that group. Multiple cartridges 20 are stored in the shared lockers.

The user is given an item with an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip. The item with an IC chip is a portable item such as a key, smartphone, mobile phone, or card. The IC chip is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. The IC chip stores the residence ID of the residence 10 in which the user resides. The user goes to the stock facility 8, unlocks the shared locker by bringing the item with the IC chip close to the reader of the shared locker, removes the cartridge 20 from the shared locker, and takes it back to their own residence 10. Tools such as a physical key, electronic key, or code may be used to unlock the shared locker. Cartridges 20 are replenished in the shared locker by special, regular, or dedicated replenishment flights. Details of the shared lockers will be described later.

<2. Weather Information Storage Device>
The weather information storage device 80 is connected to the overall control device 40. The weather information storage device 80 is a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic storage device, a NAS (Network Attached Storage), a data server, a file server, or a cloud computing system. The weather information storage device 80 may be connected to the computer 41 of the overall control device 40 via an interface circuit, or may be accessed by the computer 41 via a communication network 90.

The weather information storage device 80 stores weather forecasts for large areas as data 61. In other words, the weather information storage device 80 stores data 61 on future trends in weather over large areas. Weather refers to atmospheric conditions (such as sunny, cloudy, rainy, or snowy weather), temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and precipitation.

<3. Shared Lockers>
<3-1. Configuration of shared lockers>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the shared locker 100 installed in the storage facility 8. As shown in FIG.
The shared locker 100 has a plurality of boxes 101 of various sizes, and each box 101 has a door 102 that can be opened and closed and locked and unlocked. Each box 101 accommodates and stores a number of cartridges 20 according to its size. Each box 101 and door 102 is assigned a unique box ID.

The shared locker 100 has a display unit 103, a touch panel 104, a control unit 105, and a reader 106. The display unit 103 is composed of an LCD display or an organic EL display. The display unit 103 displays an image according to a video signal transferred from the control unit 105. The touch panel 104 is provided on the surface of the display unit 103. The touch panel 104 outputs a signal to the control unit 105 according to an operation such as touching the touch panel 104. The touch panel 104 is used to input an unlocking password such as a one-time password. The reader 106 wirelessly communicates with the IC chip of an item with an IC chip that is brought close to the reader 106, and reads the house ID from the IC chip. The reader 106 outputs the read house ID to the control unit 105.

The control unit 105 is configured as a small general-purpose computer or a dedicated computer. The control unit 105 is connected to a communication network 90, such as the Internet, via a communication device. The control unit 105 can communicate with the overall management device 40 through the communication network 90. For example, a secure communication protocol such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network) may be used for communication between the control unit 105 and the overall management device 40. The control unit 105 has the function of unlocking each door 102 by controlling each door 102.

The control unit 105 stores the permission list data. The permission list data consists of one or more items, each consisting of an authorized house ID, password, and box ID, with the house ID, password, and box ID associated with each other in each item. When the control unit 105 receives an item consisting of a house ID, password, and box ID from the overall management device 40, it adds that item to the permission list data and updates the permission list data. One house ID can be associated with one or more box IDs. Adding an item consisting of a house ID, password, and box ID to the permission list data will be explained in detail later.

<3-2. Unlocking shared lockers>
When a user brings the IC chip of an item with an IC chip close to the reader 106, the reader 106 reads the house ID from the IC chip and transfers the house ID to the control unit 105. The control unit 105 compares the house ID read by the reader 106 with the permission list data to determine whether the same house ID is included in the permission list data. If the same house ID is not included in the permission list data, the control unit 105 terminates processing. If the same house ID is included in the permission list data, the control unit 105 authenticates the user and then reads the box ID associated with the house ID from the permission list data. The control unit 105 unlocks the door 102 of the box 101 assigned to the box ID. The control unit 105 then deletes the house ID and the associated password and box ID from the permission list data and updates the permission list data. The control unit 105 then terminates processing.

Once the door 102 is unlocked, the user removes the cartridge 20 from the box 101 behind that door 102, closes and locks the door 102, and takes the cartridge 20 back to their home 10.

The user may also enter a password or house ID by operating the touch panel 104 without bringing the IC chip close to the reader 106. In this case, if the same password or house ID as the input is not included in the permission list data, the control unit 105 terminates processing. If the same password or house ID as the input is included in the permission list data, the control unit 105 unlocks the door 102 of the box 101 with the box ID associated with that password or house ID, deletes the item for the input password or house ID from the permission list data, and updates the permission list data. The control unit 105 then terminates processing.

<3-3. Sudden events such as disasters>
The cartridge 20 may be able to be removed from the shared locker 100 not only in the event of an unexpected event such as a disaster or a commercial power outage, but also during normal times. The cartridge 20 may be able to be removed from the shared locker 100 only when an unexpected event occurs.

In the former case, when a user approaches the IC chip to the reader 106 or enters a password during normal times when no unexpected event has occurred, the control unit 105 performs the password or house ID verification process described above. On the other hand, the same process may be performed when an unexpected event has occurred, or the control unit 105 may unlock the doors 102 of all boxes 101 by receiving permission from the overall management device 40. Therefore, even if regular and special services are not operating when an unexpected event has occurred, the user can obtain the cartridges 20.

In the latter case, that is, when the cartridge 20 can only be removed from the shared locker 100 when an unexpected event occurs, the overall management device 40 gives permission to the control unit 105 when the unexpected event occurs. Then, when the user brings the IC chip close to the reader 106 or enters a password, the control unit 105 performs the password or house ID verification process described above without ignoring signals from the reader 106 and touch panel 104. Therefore, the user can obtain the cartridge 20 even if regular and special services are not operating when an unexpected event occurs. On the other hand, during normal times when no unexpected event occurs, the control unit 105 does not receive permission, and therefore ignores signals from the reader 106 and touch panel 104 even if the user brings the IC chip close to the reader 106 or enters a password. Therefore, none of the doors 102 are unlocked, and the stock of cartridges 20 in the shared locker 100 does not run out under normal circumstances.

4. Housing
In order for the overall management device 40 to collect information from each residence 10, each residence 10 is configured as follows.

Figure 2 shows a house 10. The house 10 is a detached house. Each house 10 is equipped with an in-house electrical wiring network 12, a power distribution box 13, solar panels 14, a power meter 15, a power conditioner 16, a power storage device 17, an individual management device 18, a cartridge stocker 19, a hydrogen supply device 21, an air supply device 22, a fuel cell power generation device 23, a water tank 24, a fuel level meter 25, and a power meter 26.

The home electrical wiring network 12 is laid throughout the residence 10. A large number of loads 11 installed in the residence 10 are connected to the home electrical wiring network 12. The home electrical wiring network 12 is connected to a power distributor 13, which is connected to a commercial power source. Power from the commercial power source flows forward to the power distributor 13. Excess power that cannot be used in the residence 10 may flow backward to the commercial power source via the power distributor 13. The power distributor 13 may be connected to a small-scale power distribution network, and interchangeable power may flow backward to the distributor. Excess power that cannot be used in the residence 10 may flow backward to the small-scale power distribution network via the power distributor 13. Note that the power distributor 13 does not have to be connected to a commercial power source, and the residence 10 does not have to receive power from the commercial power source. Similarly, the power distributor 13 does not have to be connected to a small-scale distribution network, and the residence 10 does not have to receive interchangeable power.

The power distributor 13 distributes AC power supplied to the power distributor 13 from the commercial power source and the power conditioner 16 (described below) to the loads 11. The loads 11 receive power from the power distributor 13 through the indoor electrical wiring network 12 and consume that power. The loads 11 are electrical appliances such as lighting fixtures, refrigerators, air conditioners, water heaters, communication network equipment (routers, wireless base stations, wireless repeaters, telephones, etc.), televisions, audio equipment, video recorders, and cooking appliances. If the total power consumption of all loads 11 is less than the power supplied to the power distributor 13 from the power conditioner 16, the power distributor 13 flows the surplus power back to the commercial power source. The surplus power is the AC power supplied to the power distributor 13 from the power conditioner 16 minus the total power consumption of all loads 11.

The solar power generation panel 14 is installed on the roof of the house 10. The solar power generation panel 14 is connected to the power conditioner 16 via a power meter 15. The solar power generation panel 14 generates DC power from the energy of sunlight incident on it and supplies it to the power conditioner 16. The power meter 15 and power conditioner 16 are installed on the house 10.

The cartridge stocker 19 is installed in the house 10. The cartridge stocker 19 holds a plurality of cartridges 20. The cartridges 20 are detachable from the cartridge stocker 19. When the cartridge 20 is attached to the cartridge stocker 19, the cartridge 20 is connected to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell power generation device 23 via the hydrogen supply device 21.

The cartridge stocker 19 may also serve as a receiving box for home deliveries. Specifically, the cartridge stocker 19 has a door that can be locked and unlocked using a tool such as a physical key, an electronic key, or a code. When the door is unlocked and opened, cartridges 20 can be attached and detached from the cartridge stocker 19, and when the door is closed and locked, theft of cartridges 20 inside the cartridge stocker 19 is prevented. In this case, the cartridge stocker 19 may have an area inside for storing deliveries other than cartridges 20, in addition to an area for loading multiple cartridges 20.

The cartridge stocker 19 may have a surveillance camera that monitors the cartridges 20 loaded in the cartridge stocker 19. The surveillance camera may also monitor objects other than the cartridges 20. The surveillance camera outputs a signal of an image showing the cartridges 20 loaded in the cartridge stocker 19 to the individual management device 18, which will be described later.

The cartridge stocker 19 may have an attachment/detachment sensor that detects whether a cartridge 20 is attached or detached to the cartridge stocker 19 for each cartridge 20. The attachment/detachment sensor outputs a signal indicating whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached to the individual management device 18, which will be described later.

Since the cartridges 20 of each residence 10 are detachable from the cartridge stocker 19, users can share cartridges 20 with each other.

The cartridge stocker 19 may be configured, for example, as shown in Figure 5. The cartridge stocker 19 has an upper box 19a, doors 19b and 19c, a lower box 19d, doors 19e and 19f, and a surveillance camera 19g. The upper box 19a is mounted on top of the lower box 19d. The front and rear of the upper box 19a and the lower box 19d are open, with lockable/unlockable doors 19b and 19c attached to the front and rear of the upper box 19a, respectively, and lockable/unlockable doors 19e and 19f attached to the front and rear of the lower box 19d, respectively. The upper box 19a and the lower box 19d are mounted on the exterior walls of the house 10, with doors 19b and 19e located outdoors and doors 19c and 19f located indoors. The upper box 19a has an attachment portion on its inside, and the cartridge 20 is attached to the attachment portion within the upper box 19a. The mounting section may be positioned offset within the upper box 19a, allowing delivery items other than the cartridge 20 to be stored in the upper box 19a. A surveillance camera 19g is disposed within the upper box 19a, and the cartridge 20 and delivery items are monitored by the surveillance camera 19g. The interior of the lower box 19d may be configured similarly to the interior of the upper box 19a, and the cartridge 20 may be mounted to the mounting section within the lower box 19d. The hydrogen supply device 21 may be stored in the lower box 19d, or delivery items other than the cartridge 20 may be stored in the lower box 19d.

The locking of the exterior door 19b is controlled by the individual management device 18. Character input keys such as a numeric keypad are provided on the exterior of the door 19b, and when the character input keys are operated, a signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted to the individual management device 18. The individual management device 18 stores the valid password distributed by the overall management device 40. When someone operates the character input keys to enter a password into the individual management device 18, the individual management device 18 compares the input password with the valid password, and if the input password matches the valid password, the individual management device 18 unlocks the door 19b.

The overall management device 40 distributes the valid password to the individual management devices 18, for example, when an unexpected event occurs, such as a disaster or a commercial power outage. When an unexpected event occurs, the overall management device 40 distributes an emergency password identical to the valid password to the other individual management devices 18 in response to a request from the other individual management devices 18. In addition to the emergency password, the overall management device 40 also distributes the address of the residence 10 containing the individual management device 18 to which the valid password was distributed to the other individual management devices 18. The other individual management devices 18 receive and display the address and emergency password. Therefore, if a user of the other individual management device 18 knows the address and emergency password, visits the residence 10 at that address, operates the character input keys on the cartridge stocker 19 of the residence 10, and enters the emergency password, the door 19b will be unlocked. Therefore, the user can remove the cartridge 20 from the upper box 19a and take it back to their own residence. In this way, in the event of an unexpected event, a user can remove a cartridge 20 from a cartridge stocker 19 in another user's home 10, as will be described in more detail later.

Referring back to Figure 2, we will return to the description of each component of the house 10. The hydrogen supply device 21 has fluid equipment such as a valve. The hydrogen supply device 21 sequentially selects the cartridges 20 held in the cartridge stocker 19 and supplies hydrogen from the selected cartridge 20 to the anode of the fuel cell power generator 23. When the remaining amount of hydrogen in the selected cartridge 20 is low, the hydrogen supply device 21 selects the next cartridge 20 and supplies hydrogen from the selected plurality of cartridges 20 to the fuel cell power generator 23. When the selected cartridge 20 is empty, the hydrogen supply device 21 deselects that cartridge 20 and stops supplying hydrogen from that cartridge 20. The hydrogen supply device 21 adjusts the flow rate of hydrogen supplied from the selected cartridge 20 to the fuel cell power generator 23.

Among the cartridges 20 held in the cartridge stocker 19, the selected cartridge 20 is consuming hydrogen. The unselected cartridges 20 are filled with hydrogen. The deselected cartridges 20 are empty.

The hydrogen supply device 21 may be connectable to a hydrogen vehicle via a valve or the like. When the hydrogen vehicle is connected to the hydrogen supply device 21 via the valve, the valve opens and the hydrogen supply device 21 supplies hydrogen from the selected cartridge 20 to the hydrogen vehicle. The hydrogen vehicle has a fuel cell and a motor, etc., and the fuel cell generates electrical energy from hydrogen, and the motor converts that electrical energy into power for running the hydrogen vehicle.

The air supplier 22 is connected to the oxygen electrode of the fuel cell power generation device 23. The air supplier 22 has fluid devices such as a valve and a blower. The air supplier 22 supplies air to the oxygen electrode of the fuel cell power generation device 23. The air supplier 22 adjusts the flow rate of hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell power generation device 23.

The fuel cell power generator 23 is installed in the residence 10. The fuel electrode and oxygen electrode of the fuel cell power generator 23 are connected to the power conditioner 16 via a power meter 26. The fuel cell power generator 23 generates DC power and water by reacting hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen supplier 21 with oxygen in the air supplied by the air supplier 22 through an electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell power generator 23 outputs the generated DC power to the power conditioner 16 via the power meter 26. The fuel cell power generator 23 discharges the generated water into one or more water tanks 24.

The water tank 24 stores water supplied from the fuel cell power generation device 23. The water tank 24 may be attached to the cartridge stocker 19 together with the cartridge 20. A water tank 24 may be prepared for each cartridge 20. In this case, each cartridge 20 may be placed in its own water tank 24, and water may be stored outside the cartridge 20 and inside the water tank 24. The water tank 24 may be of a cartridge type and may be detachable from its installation location. If the water tank 24 is detachable, users can share the water tank 24 with each other, and ultimately, the water stored in the water tank 24. In particular, if the water supply to each residence 10 is cut off during a disaster or other event, the water stored in the water tank 24 can be shared.

If the water tank 24 is a removable cartridge type, the water tank 24 may be replaced with a new, empty water tank 24, which may be removably installed in the same location as the original water tank 24, and the water-filled water tank 24 may be recovered. The recovered water tank 24 may be sold together with the water contained therein. In this case, the water tank 24 may be sold together with other substances (e.g., minerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium, cooking ingredients, or bath additives). Alternatively, other substances (e.g., minerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium, or bath additives) may be added to the water in the water tank 24, and the water, water, and water tank 24 may be sold together. The addition of minerals to the water in the water tank 24 may be performed by addition equipment 1d installed in the plant 1. The addition equipment 1d may add calcium hypochlorite to the water in the water tank 24 in addition to or instead of minerals. When the water tank 24 is collected together with the water therein, an incentive such as money may be given to the user. In this case, for example, the sales price of the hydrogen may be discounted according to the amount of water collected. The sales price of the hydrogen and the discount amount may be managed by the overall management device 40. The source of the money as an incentive may be funds obtained from the sale of the collected water.

The water tank 24 may be collected by a regular or special delivery service, or by other delivery companies. When the water tank 24 is collected by a regular or special delivery service, it is loaded onto a transport vehicle 3 together with an empty or full cartridge 20, and the cartridge 20 and water tank 24 may be arranged inside the transport vehicle 3, for example, as shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6, multiple cylindrical cartridges 20 are arranged upright in a grid pattern, leaving gaps surrounded by the cartridges 20, and the water tank 24 is arranged in these gaps. This arrangement of the water tank 24 and cartridge 20 may be applied not only to loading onto the transport vehicle 3, but also to the installation of a cartridge stocker 19.

The recovered water from the water tank 24 may be transported to the plant 1, where it may be supplied to a hydrogen production facility and used to produce hydrogen. The recovered water from the water tank 24 may also be transferred to storage facilities such as large tanks.

The recovered water from the water tank 24 may be used for purposes other than those listed above. Examples of uses include boiler water, food production, beverage production, scientific experiments, cooling, humidification, industrial use, and various cleaning applications. Because the water in the water tank 24 is pure water, no limescale will form when this water is used.

The water storage tank 24 before recovery may be connected to the clean water piping that runs throughout the house 10, and the water in the water storage tank 24 may be used as clean water. The water storage tank 24 may be connected to the recycled water piping that runs throughout the house 10, and the water in the water storage tank 24 may be used as recycled water. The water in the water storage tank 24 is pure water, and an adder may be connected to the point where the water storage tank 24 connects to the clean water piping, and the adder may add minerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium to the water supplied from the water storage tank 24 to the clean water piping. When the water in the water storage tank 24 is used as clean water, a calcium hypochlorite adder may be connected to the piping between the fuel cell power generation device 23 and the water storage tank 24, and calcium hypochlorite may be added to the water sent from the fuel cell power generation device 23 to the water storage tank 24. The calcium hypochlorite adder may be connected to the point where the water storage tank 24 connects to the clean water piping, and calcium hypochlorite may be added to the water sent from the water storage tank 24 to the clean water piping.

The water meter may periodically measure the amount of water stored in the water tank 24 before collection at very short intervals and output the measurement value to the individual management device 18. In this case, each time the individual management device 18 inputs a measurement value from the water meter, it associates the measurement value with the measurement time and stores it. As a result, the individual management device 18 accumulates time-series data on the amount of stored water. Any method for measuring the amount of water using the water meter may be used. For example, a water level meter, flow meter, or weight meter may be used as the water meter. The water level meter measures the water level in the water tank 24. The flow meter measures the flow rate of water flowing into the water tank 24 and calculates the amount of stored water by integrating it over time. The weight meter measures the weight of the water tank 24 and converts that weight into the amount of stored water.

A hydrogen production device may be installed in the home 10, and water from the water tank 24 may be supplied to the hydrogen production device. This hydrogen production device produces hydrogen by electrolyzing water using electricity from the solar power generation panel 14 or a commercial power source. The hydrogen production device may be connected to a fuel cell power generation device 23, and the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device may be supplied to the fuel cell power generation device 23, which may then use the hydrogen to generate electricity.

The power meter 15 measures the power generation and amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation panel 14 periodically at very short intervals, and outputs these measurement values to the individual management device 18 .
The power meter 26 measures the generated power and generated power amount of the fuel cell power generation device 23 periodically at very short intervals, and outputs these measured values to the individual management device 18 .
The power conditioner 16 converts the DC power supplied from the solar power generation panel 14 and the fuel cell power generation device 23 into AC power, and supplies the AC power to the power distributor 13 .

The power conditioner 16 is connected to the power storage device 17. If the power storage device 17 is not fully charged, the power conditioner 16 outputs a portion of the DC power supplied from the solar power generation panel 14 and the fuel cell power generation device 23 to the power storage device 17. If the power storage device 17 is fully charged, the power conditioner 16 does not output power to the power storage device 17, but instead converts the power supplied from the solar power generation panel 14 and the fuel cell power generation device 23 to AC power and supplies it to the power distributor 13. If the power generated by the solar power generation panel 14 and the fuel cell power generation device 23 is insufficient, that is, if the total power consumed by the full load 11 is greater than the power supplied from the power conditioner 16 to the power distributor 13, the power conditioner 16 discharges the power storage device 17 and supplies the discharged power to the power distributor 13. Therefore, the power consumed by the load 11 is used in the following order of priority: solar panel 14, fuel cell power generator 23, power storage device 17, and commercial power source.

The individual management device 18 is used by a user. The individual management device 18 is assigned the home ID of the home 10 in which the user who uses it resides.

The individual management device 18 may be composed of a general-purpose computer system or a dedicated computer system. A general-purpose computer system refers to a computer system, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer, or desktop computer, on which a general-purpose operating system (OS) is installed. Examples of general-purpose OSs include Windows (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), or Unix (registered trademark). A dedicated computer system refers to a computer system installed on an interior wall of the residence 10, etc., and capable of monitoring or controlling the loads 11 of the residence 10. For example, an example of a dedicated computer system is a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) controller. The individual management device 18 may be a combination of a general-purpose computer system and a dedicated computer system. A user's terminal device may be able to access the individual management device 18 via the home network and, if necessary, the communication network 90.

The individual management device 18 has a display device. The individual management device 18 displays various information on the display device. The individual management device 18 has input devices such as a touch panel, push buttons, keys, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, a stylus, and a pointing device. When the individual management device 18 operates the input device, the individual management device 18 accepts commands and information corresponding to the operation.

The individual management device 18 has a communication device such as a mobile phone line communication module, a network card, and a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) handset. The individual management device 18 is connected to a communication network 90 such as the Internet via the communication device. The individual management device 18 can access the overall management device 40 through the communication network 90. For example, a secure communication protocol such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network) may be used for communication between the individual management device 18 and the overall management device 40.

The individual management device 18 has a storage medium that stores a program 18a. This program 18a causes the individual management device 18 to function as follows.

The individual management device 18 has a timing function that measures time and recognizes the current time.

The individual management device 18 transfers the video signal from the surveillance camera installed in the cartridge stocker 19 to the overall management device 40.

The individual management device 18 inputs the video signal from the surveillance camera installed in the cartridge stocker 19. The individual management device 18 displays the video contained in the video signal from the surveillance camera on a display device.

The individual management device 18 processes the image contained in the video signal from the surveillance camera to recognize the cartridges 20 in the image and recognize whether each cartridge 20 is installed or not installed in the cartridge stocker 19. When the individual management device 18 recognizes that a cartridge 20 in a cartridge stocker 19 has changed from installed to not installed, it displays this on a display device. When the individual management device 18 recognizes that a cartridge 20 in a cartridge stocker 19 has changed from not installed to installed, it displays this on a display device. The individual management device 18 transmits information indicating whether each cartridge 20 is installed or not to the overall management device 40.

The individual management device 18 inputs the output signal of the attachment/detachment sensor provided in the cartridge stocker 19. When a cartridge 20 changes from attached to detached, the level of the output signal of the attachment/detachment sensor changes, and when the individual management device 18 detects this change, it displays on a display device that the cartridge 20 is not attached. When a cartridge 20 changes from detached to attached, the level of the output signal of the attachment/detachment sensor changes, and when the individual management device 18 detects this change, it displays on a display device that the cartridge 20 is attached. The individual management device 18 also transmits information based on the output signal of the attachment/detachment sensor, i.e., information indicating whether each cartridge 20 is attached or not, to the overall management device 40.

Each time the individual management device 18 receives a measurement value of the power generated by the solar power generation panel 14 from the power meter 15, it associates the measurement value of the power generated by the solar power generation panel 14 with the measurement time and stores the associated value. As a result, the individual management device 18 accumulates time-series data of the measurement value of the power generated by the solar power generation panel 14. Based on the time-series data of the measurement value of the power generated by the solar power generation panel 14, the individual management device 18 displays on the display device a graph or the like showing the relationship between the measurement value of the power generated and the measurement time, and also displays the latest measurement value of the power generated along with the trend on the display device.

Each time the individual management device 18 receives a measurement value of the power generated by the solar power generation panel 14 from the power meter 15, it associates the measurement value of the power generated by the solar power generation panel 14 with the measurement time and transmits the associated value to the overall management device 40. Here, the measurement time is the time when the measurement value is input to the individual management device 18.

Each time the individual management device 18 receives a measurement value of the amount of power generated by the solar power generation panel 14 from the power meter 15, it associates the measurement value of the amount of power generated by the solar power generation panel 14 with the measurement time and stores the associated value. As a result, the individual management device 18 accumulates time-series data of the measurement value of the amount of power generated by the solar power generation panel 14. Based on the time-series data of the measurement value of the amount of power generated by the solar power generation panel 14, the individual management device 18 displays on the display device a graph or the like showing the relationship between the measurement value of the amount of power generated and the measurement time, and also displays the latest measurement value of the amount of power generated along with the trend on the display device.

Each time the individual management device 18 receives a measurement value of the amount of power generated by the solar power generation panel 14 from the power meter 15, it associates the measurement value of the amount of power generated by the solar power generation panel 14 with the measurement time and transmits it to the overall management device 40.

Each time the individual management device 18 receives a measurement value of the power generated by the fuel cell power generator 23 from the power meter 26, it stores the measurement value of the power generated by the fuel cell power generator 23 in association with the measurement time. This allows the individual management device 18 to accumulate time-series data of the measurement value of the power generated by the fuel cell power generator 23. Based on the time-series data of the measurement value of the power generated by the fuel cell power generator 23, the individual management device 18 displays, on the display device, a graph or the like showing the relationship between the measurement value of the power generated and the measurement time, and also displays the most recent measurement value of the power generated along with the trend.

Furthermore, each time the individual management device 18 receives a measurement value of the power generated by the fuel cell power generation device 23 from the power meter 26, it associates the measurement value of the power generated by the fuel cell power generation device 23 with the measurement time and transmits it to the overall management device 40.

Each time the individual management device 18 receives a measurement value of the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generator 23 from the power meter 26, it associates the measurement value of the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generator 23 with the measurement time and stores the associated value. As a result, the individual management device 18 accumulates time-series data of the measurement value of the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generator 23. Based on the time-series data of the measurement value of the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generator 23, the individual management device 18 displays on the display device a graph or the like showing the relationship between the measurement value of the amount of power generated and the measurement time, and also displays the latest measurement value of the amount of power generated along with the trend on the display device.

Each time the individual management device 18 receives a measurement value of the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generation device 23 from the power meter 26, it associates the measurement value of the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generation device 23 with the measurement time and transmits it to the overall management device 40.

The individual management device 18 recognizes the remaining amount of hydrogen in each cartridge 20. Specifically, a fuel gauge 25 is provided for each cartridge 20, and the fuel gauge 25 periodically measures the remaining amount of hydrogen in the cartridge 20 at very short intervals. The measured value is output to the individual management device 18, which then recognizes the remaining amount of hydrogen in the cartridge 20. Any method may be used for measuring the remaining amount of hydrogen in the cartridge 20 using the fuel gauge 25. For example, the remaining amount meter 25 may measure the hydrogen pressure using a hydrogen pressure gauge in the cartridge 20 and convert the measured pressure into the remaining amount of hydrogen, measure the weight of the cartridge 20 using a weighing scale and convert the measured weight into the remaining amount of hydrogen, measure the flow rate of hydrogen sent from the cartridge 20 to the hydrogen supply device 21 using a flow meter and convert the time integral of the measured flow rate into the remaining amount of hydrogen, measure the flow rate of water sent to the water tank 24 using a flow meter and convert the time integral of the measured flow rate into the remaining amount of hydrogen, measure the weight of water in the water tank 24 for each cartridge 20 and convert the measured weight into the remaining amount of hydrogen, or measure the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generation device 23 and convert the measured amount of power into the remaining amount of hydrogen.

Each time the individual management device 18 receives a measurement of the remaining amount of hydrogen from the fuel gauge 25, it associates the measurement value of the remaining amount of hydrogen with the time of measurement and stores it. As a result, the individual management device 18 accumulates time-series data of the measurement value of the remaining amount of hydrogen for each cartridge 20. Furthermore, each time the individual management device 18 receives a measurement of the remaining amount of hydrogen from the fuel gauge 25, it associates the measurement value of the remaining amount of hydrogen with the time of measurement and transmits it to the overall management device 40.

Each time the individual management device 18 receives a measurement of the remaining amount of hydrogen from the fuel gauge 25, it calculates the total amount of hydrogen remaining in the house 10 (hereinafter referred to as the total remaining amount) by summing the remaining amounts of hydrogen in all cartridges 20. Each time the individual management device 18 receives a measurement of the remaining amount of hydrogen from the fuel gauge 25, it associates the total remaining amount of hydrogen with the time of measurement and stores it. In this way, the individual management device 18 accumulates time-series data on the total remaining amount of hydrogen. Furthermore, each time the individual management device 18 receives a measurement of the remaining amount of hydrogen from the fuel gauge 25, it associates the total remaining amount of hydrogen with the time of measurement and transmits this to the overall management device 40.

As described above, among the cartridges 20 held in the cartridge stocker 19, selected cartridges 20 are consuming hydrogen, unselected cartridges 20 are filled with hydrogen, and deselected cartridges 20 are empty. In order for the individual management device 18 to recognize these, the hydrogen supply device 21 is connected to the individual management device 18 via a signal line, and the operation of the hydrogen supply device 21 is managed by the individual management device 18. The individual management device 18 recognizes whether each cartridge 20 is selected, unselected, or deselected. In other words, the individual management device 18 recognizes whether hydrogen is being supplied, no hydrogen is being supplied, or hydrogen supply has ended for each cartridge 20. Because cartridges 20 to which hydrogen has not been supplied are filled with hydrogen, the individual management device 18 recognizes these cartridges 20 as full. As a result, the individual management device 18 periodically recognizes the number of full cartridges 20 at very short intervals. Because cartridges 20 to which hydrogen supply has ended are empty, the individual management device 18 recognizes the cartridge 20 as empty. As a result, the individual management device 18 periodically recognizes the number of empty cartridges 20 at very short intervals. Note that the individual management device 18 may also calculate and recognize the number of full and empty cartridges 20 from the total amount of hydrogen remaining in the house 10 each time the measured value of the remaining amount of hydrogen is input from the hydrogen meter 25.

Each time the individual management device 18 recognizes the number of full cartridges 20 and the number of empty cartridges 20, it correlates the time with the number of full cartridges 20 and the number of empty cartridges 20 and stores them. This allows the individual management device 18 to accumulate time series data for the number of full cartridges 20 and time series data for the number of empty cartridges 20. Based on the time series data for the number of full cartridges 20, the individual management device 18 displays on the display device a graph or other representation of the relationship between the number of full cartridges 20 and time, and also displays on the display device the latest number of full cartridges 20 along with the trend. Based on the time series data for the number of empty cartridges 20, the individual management device 18 displays on the display device a graph or other representation of the relationship between the number of empty cartridges 20 and time, and also displays on the display device the latest number of empty cartridges 20 along with the trend. Each time the individual management device 18 recognizes the number of full and empty cartridges 20, it correlates the time, the number of full cartridges 20, and the number of empty cartridges 20 and transmits them to the overall management device 40.

The individual management device 18 calculates the amount of hydrogen used that is supplied to the fuel cell power generation device 23. When the number of cartridges 20 used represents the amount of hydrogen used, this count includes not only empty cartridges 20 but also cartridges 20 currently being supplied with hydrogen. The amount of hydrogen used may be cumulative since the initial start of operation of the fuel cell power generation device 23, or may be cumulative since the time it is reset to zero at predetermined intervals (e.g., monthly). The amount of hydrogen used may be cumulative since the time it is reset by the user or operator when the cartridges 20 are delivered to the residence 10 by regular delivery. The amount of hydrogen used includes not only the amount of hydrogen used from cartridges 20 delivered by regular delivery, but also the amount of hydrogen used from cartridges 20 delivered by special delivery, and the amount of hydrogen used from cartridges 20 taken from the cartridge stocker 19 or shared locker 100 of another residence 10.

Various measuring instruments may be used by the individual management device 18 to calculate the amount of hydrogen used. For example, a flow meter may be installed in the hydrogen path from the cartridge stocker 19 to the fuel cell power generation device 23, and the flow meter may measure the flow rate of hydrogen and output the measured flow rate to the individual management device 18, which may then calculate the amount of hydrogen used by integrating the measured flow rate over time. For example, the individual management device 18 may convert the measured value of the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generation device 23 input from the power meter 26 into the amount of hydrogen used. The individual management device 18 may total the number of deselected cartridges 20 based on a signal from the hydrogen supply device 21 and calculate this number as the amount of hydrogen used. For example, if the flow rate of hydrogen supplied from the cartridge stocker 19 to the fuel cell power generation device 23 is constant, the individual management device 18 may measure time and convert this measured time into the amount of hydrogen used.

Each time the individual management device 18 calculates the amount of hydrogen used, it associates the time and amount used and stores them. As a result, the individual management device 18 accumulates time-series data on the amount of hydrogen used. The individual management device 18 displays the relationship between the amount of hydrogen used and time on a display device using a graph or the like, and also displays the most recent amount used along with the trend on the display device. Each time the individual management device 18 calculates the amount of hydrogen used, it associates the time and amount used with each other and transmits them to the overall management device 40.

As described above, when the hydrogen supply device 21 switches a cartridge 20 from unselected to selected, the individual management device 18 displays this on the display device. As described above, when the hydrogen supply device 21 switches a cartridge 20 from selected to deselected, the individual management device 18 displays this on the display device. The individual management device 18 displays on the display device the identification information (e.g., number) of the full cartridge 20 and a message that the cartridge 20 is full, in correspondence with each other. The individual management device 18 displays on the display device the identification information of the cartridge 20 currently being supplied with hydrogen and a message that the cartridge 20 is being supplied, in correspondence with each other. The individual management device 18 displays on the display device the identification information of the empty cartridge and a message that the cartridge 20 is empty, in correspondence with each other. The individual management device 18 displays on the display device the identification information of each cartridge 20 and the remaining amount of hydrogen in each cartridge 20, in correspondence with each other. The individual management device 18 displays on the display device the total remaining amount of hydrogen in all cartridges 20. The remaining hydrogen and total remaining amounts may be expressed as percentages.

The individual management device 18 has the function of managing the schedule of the user residing in the residence 10. The user's schedule here refers to, for example, the occurrence of an event that will increase power consumption in the residence 10 compared to normal, and the occurrence of an event that will decrease power consumption in the residence 10 compared to normal. When the user operates the individual management device 18 to input information about the event occurrence date into the individual management device 18, the individual management device 18 stores the information about the event occurrence date and transmits it to the overall management device 40.

The user inputs the amount of hydrogen they need to order for the special delivery into the individual management device 18 using an input device. The individual management device 18 then recognizes the amount of hydrogen ordered and transmits data representing the amount of hydrogen ordered to the overall management device 40.

A user inputs a request for permission to receive hydrogen from a shared locker 100 into the individual management device 18 using an input device. The individual management device 18 then transmits the permission request to the overall management device 40. If necessary, the user inputs the required amount of hydrogen, the number of occupants, or both, in addition to the permission request into the individual management device 18 using an input device. The individual management device 18 then transmits the input amount of hydrogen, the number of occupants, or both, to the overall management device 40.

<5. Overall management device>
3 is a block diagram of the overall management device 40. The overall management device 40 is managed by the operator of the delivery center 2. The overall management device 40 is a server or host machine configured by a computer system. The overall management device 40 may also be a cloud computing system.

The overall management device 40 includes a computer 41, a memory device 45, an input device 43, a display device 44, and a communication device 42.

The computer 41 is responsible for the overall control of the overall management device 40. The computer 41 has a clocking function that measures time and recognizes the current time. The computer 41 includes a main board, one or more hardware processors, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The main board includes a bus, a bus controller, an interface circuit, and the like, and transmits information between the hardware processor, GPU, RAM, memory device 45, input device 43, display device 44, and communication device 42. The hardware processor may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The hardware processor performs various types of arithmetic processing. The RAM provides the hardware processor with a storage area or working area when the hardware processor performs arithmetic processing. The GPU performs processing that can be performed faster than the hardware processor (for example, image processing and matrix calculation processing) under the command of the hardware processor.

The input device 43 is an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, touchpad, star, pointing device, key, and push button. The input device 43 outputs a signal to the computer 41 according to the operation performed by the administrator 94 on the input device 43. The computer 41 recognizes the input and commands from the administrator 94 according to the signal transferred from the input device 43.

The display device 44 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device. The display device 44 displays an image according to a video signal input from the computer 41.

The communicator 42 may be, for example, a network card or a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) adapter. The communicator 42 is connected to the communication network 30 via a router or the like.

Memory device 45 may be a memory device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). An operating system (OS) is stored in memory device 45, and the OS is installed in the overall management device 40 so that it can be executed by computer 41. Memory device 45 stores a program 45a that can be executed on the OS by computer 41, particularly the hardware processor.

The memory device 45 stores list data 45b in which box IDs and hydrogen storage capacity information are associated with each other. The hydrogen storage capacity information indicates the amount of hydrogen stored in the box 101 with the associated box ID.

The memory device 45 stores list data 45c in which house IDs and location information are associated with each other. The location information indicates the location of the house 10 corresponding to the associated house ID.

The overall management device 40 is connected to a storage device 50. The storage device 50 is a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic storage device, a NAS (Network Attached Storage), a data server, a file server, or a cloud computing system. The computer 41 of the overall management device 40 records information in the storage device 50 and reads information recorded in the storage device 50. The storage device 50 may be connected to the computer 41 via an interface circuit, or may be accessed by the computer 41 via a communication network 90.

Next, we will explain the functions of computer 41 realized by program 45a.

The computer 41 recognizes the assigned home ID for each individual management device 18 .
The computer 41 receives the video signal from the individual management device 18 of each residence 10 and displays an image based on the video signal on the display device 44 .

As described above, when the individual management device 18 transmits the hydrogen order quantity referenced for operating the special service to the computer 41 of the overall management device 40, the computer 41 receives the order quantity and records it in the storage device 50, correlating it with the home ID assigned to the individual management device 18 that sent the order. When the operator operates the overall management device 40 via the vendor terminal, the computer 41 of the overall management device 40 reads the order quantity for each home ID from the storage device 50 and displays the order quantity for each home ID on the display device 44. The operator looks at the display device 44, tallys up the order quantities for each home 10, operates a special service, and delivers the number of cartridges corresponding to the order quantity for each home 10 via the special service.

The computer 41 displays on the display device 44 the image contained in the surveillance camera video signal transferred from the individual management device 18. This allows the manager to monitor the cartridge stocker 19. Furthermore, if the manager visually confirms a shortage of hydrogen in the cartridge stocker 19, he or she can have cartridges 20 delivered to the home 10 by special delivery.

The computer 41 receives information indicating whether each cartridge 20 is installed or not installed from the individual management device 18 of each residence 10, and based on that information, displays on the display device 44 whether each cartridge 20 of each residence 10 is installed or not.

The computer 41 collects and stores information sent from the individual management device 18 for each residence 10. Specifically, this is as follows:

Each time the computer 41 receives the measured value of the power generated by the solar power panel 14 and the measurement time from the individual management device 18, it associates the measured value of the power generated by the solar power panel 14 with the measurement time and records the associated value in the storage device 50. As a result, the computer 41 accumulates first time series data 51 of the measured value of the power generated by the solar power panel 14 in the storage device 50. The first time series data 51 is data for each house 10, and the house ID of the house 10 is assigned to the first time series data 51, thereby associating the first time series data 51 with the house 10.

Each time the computer 41 receives the measured value of the amount of power generated by the solar power panel 14 and the measurement time from the individual management device 18, it associates the measured value of the amount of power generated by the solar power panel 14 with the measurement time and records the associated value in the storage device 50. As a result, the computer 41 accumulates second time series data 52 of the measured value of the amount of power generated by the solar power panel 14. The second time series data 52 is data for each house 10, and a house ID is assigned to the second time series data 52.

Each time the computer 41 receives the measured value and measurement time of the power generated by the fuel cell power generation device 23 from the individual management device 18, it associates the measured value of the power generated by the fuel cell power generation device 23 with the measurement time and records the data in the storage device 50. As a result, the computer 41 accumulates third time series data 53 of the measured value of the power generated by the solar power generation panel 14 in the storage device 50. The third time series data 53 is data for each house 10, and a house ID is assigned to the third time series data 53.

Each time the computer 41 receives the measured value of the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generator 23 and the measurement time from the individual management device 18, it associates the measured value of the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generator 23 with the measurement time and records the associated value in the storage device 50. As a result, the computer 41 accumulates fourth time series data 54 of the measured value of the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generator 23 in the storage device 50. The fourth time series data 54 is data for each house 10, and the house ID of the house 10 is assigned to the fourth time series data 54.

Each time the computer 41 receives the measurement value of the remaining amount of hydrogen and the measurement time for each cartridge 20 from the individual management device 18, it associates the measurement value of the remaining amount of hydrogen with the measurement time and records them in the storage device 50. As a result, the computer 41 accumulates fifth time series data 55 of the measurement value of the remaining amount of hydrogen for each cartridge 20 in the storage device 50. The fifth time series data 55 is data for each house 10, and a house ID is assigned to the fifth time series data 55.

Each time the computer 41 receives the total remaining amount of hydrogen in a house 10 and the measurement time from the individual management device 18, it associates the total remaining amount of hydrogen with the measurement time and records them in the storage device 50. As a result, the computer 41 accumulates sixth time series data 56 of the total remaining amount of hydrogen in the house 10 in the storage device 50. The sixth time series data 56 is data for each house 10, and a house ID is assigned to the sixth time series data 56.

Each time the computer 41 receives the time, the number of full cartridges 20, and the number of empty cartridges 20 from the individual management device 18, it stores the time, the number of full cartridges 20, and the number of empty cartridges 20 in association with each other in the storage device 50. As a result, the computer 41 accumulates seventh time series data 57 of the number of full cartridges 20 and eighth time series data 58 of the number of empty cartridges 20 in the storage device 50. The time series data 57 and 59 are data for each residence 10, and a residence ID is assigned to the time series data 57 and 59.

Each time the computer 41 receives the time and amount of hydrogen usage from the individual management device 18, it associates the amount of hydrogen usage with the time and records it in the storage device 50. As a result, the computer 41 stores ninth time series data 59 of the amount of hydrogen usage for the house 10 in the storage device 50. The ninth time series data 59 is data for each house 10, and a house ID is assigned to the ninth time series data 59.

When the computer 41 receives information about the date an event occurred from the individual management device 18, it records this information in the storage device 50 as schedule information 60. The schedule information 60 is data for each residence 10, and a residence ID is assigned to the schedule information 60.

The storage device 50 stores first history information 61 that represents the history of the amount of hydrogen delivered to each residence 10 by regular delivery. Specifically, the storage device 50 stores the delivery time of hydrogen delivered to each residence 10 by regular delivery in association with the amount of hydrogen delivered, thereby accumulating time-series data on the amount of hydrogen delivered as the first history information 61. There is a copy of first history information 61 for each residence 10, and a residence ID is assigned to the first history information 61. The first history information 61 is accumulated by the computer 41. In other words, after the computer 41 calculates the amount of hydrogen delivered to a residence 10, it updates the first history information 61 by correlating the delivery amount with the delivery time and adding them to the first history information 61. How the computer 41 calculates the amount of hydrogen delivered to a residence 10 will be described in detail later.

The storage device 50 stores second history information 62, which represents the history of the amount of variation obtained by subtracting the amount of hydrogen used over a period from the amount of hydrogen delivered to each residence 10 the previous time by regular delivery. Specifically, the storage device 50 stores the delivery time of the current delivery of hydrogen to each residence 10 by regular delivery in association with the amount of variation (the difference between the amount of hydrogen delivered at the time of the previous delivery and the amount used over a period), thereby accumulating time-series data of the amount of variation as the second history information 62. The second history information 62 is accumulated by the computer 41. A copy of the second history information 62 is provided for each residence 10, and a residence ID is assigned to the second history information 62. Here, the amount used over a period refers to the amount of hydrogen used from the time of the previous delivery to the most recent time (which is both the current time and the time of this delivery) in the time-series data 59 of hydrogen usage.

The storage device 50 stores third history information 63 that represents the history of the amount of hydrogen delivered to each group 9 by regular delivery. Specifically, the storage device 50 stores the delivery time when hydrogen was delivered to each group 9 by regular delivery in association with the amount of hydrogen delivered, thereby accumulating time-series data on the amount of hydrogen delivered as the third history information 63. The third history information 63 is accumulated by the computer 41. The amount of hydrogen delivered to a group 9 is the total amount of hydrogen delivered to all homes 10 belonging to that group 9. There is a separate third history information 63 for each group 9, and a group ID is assigned to the third history information 63.

The storage device 50 stores fourth history information 64, which represents the history of fluctuations obtained by subtracting the sum of the amount of hydrogen used over a period of all homes 20 in the group 9 from the amount of hydrogen delivered to each group 9 by regular delivery. Specifically, the storage device 50 stores the delivery time when hydrogen was currently delivered to each group 9 by regular delivery in association with the amount of fluctuation (the difference between the sum of the amount of hydrogen delivered to all homes 20 in the group 9 at the time of the previous delivery and the sum of the amount of hydrogen used over a period of all homes 20), thereby accumulating time-series data on fluctuations in the amount of hydrogen delivered as the fourth history information 64. The fourth history information 64 is accumulated by the computer 41. There is a fourth history information 64 for each group 9, and a group ID is assigned to the fourth history information 64.

In addition, users living in the residence 10 may access the overall management device 40 using their own terminal devices and view the time-series data 51-59 and history information 61-64 associated with their residence 10. A terminal device here refers to a computer system with a general-purpose operating system (OS) installed, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer, or desktop computer.

<5-1. Calculating the amount of hydrogen delivered to each home>
When the regular delivery service makes a second or subsequent delivery to the house 10 and the group 9, the program 45a causes the computer 41 to execute a process to periodically calculate the amount of hydrogen to be delivered to the house 10 and the group 9 as follows.

The computer 41 reads the latest hydrogen delivery volume by referring to the first history information 61, which represents the history of the amount of hydrogen delivered to the house 10. The latest hydrogen delivery volume refers to the amount of hydrogen delivered to the house 10 in the previous regular delivery.

Next, the computer 41 refers to the time series data 59 of hydrogen usage and calculates the amount of hydrogen used from the time of the previous delivery to the most recent time (which is both the current time and the time of this delivery) (hereinafter referred to as the amount used during the period). Note that the amount used during the period may include not only the amount of hydrogen used by regular deliveries, but also the amount of hydrogen used by special deliveries. Furthermore, the amount of hydrogen used from cartridges 20 taken from the cartridge stockers 19 of other residences 10 or the shared lockers 100 may also be included in the amount used during the period.

Next, computer 41 determines the amount of hydrogen to be delivered this time based on the amount used over the period. For example, computer 41 compares the amount used over the period with the amount of hydrogen to be delivered the previous time, and if the comparison shows that the amount used over the period is equal to the amount of hydrogen to be delivered the previous time, computer 41 determines the amount used over the period as the amount of hydrogen to be delivered this time. For example, if the comparison shows that the amount used over the period is greater than the amount of hydrogen to be delivered the previous time, computer 41 determines the amount used over the period as the amount of hydrogen to be delivered this time. If the comparison shows that the amount used over the period is less than the amount of hydrogen to be delivered the previous time, computer 41 subtracts the amount used over the period from the amount of hydrogen to be delivered the previous time to calculate the difference as the fluctuation amount, and then subtracts the fluctuation amount from the amount used over the period to determine the difference as the amount of hydrogen to be delivered this time.

Computer 41 may refer to schedule information 60 in addition to the amount of usage for the period to determine the amount of hydrogen to be delivered during the current delivery. For example, if schedule information 60 includes a date on which an event occurs that will cause electricity consumption at home 10 to increase above normal, computer 41 will increase the amount of hydrogen to be delivered during the current delivery by adding a predetermined value to the amount of usage for the period. For example, if schedule information 60 includes a date on which an event occurs that will cause electricity consumption at home 10 to decrease below normal, computer 41 will discount the amount of hydrogen to be delivered during the current delivery by subtracting a predetermined value from the amount of usage for the period.

Computer 41 may refer to weather forecast data 61 in addition to the period usage amount to determine the amount of hydrogen to be delivered during the current delivery. For example, if weather forecast data 81 indicates continued rain, snow, high temperatures, low temperatures, high humidity, high solar radiation, or low solar radiation, computer 41 will increase the amount of hydrogen to be delivered during the current delivery by adding a predetermined value to the period usage amount. If weather forecast data 81 indicates continued comfortable atmospheric conditions, temperature, humidity, or solar radiation, computer 41 will discount the amount of hydrogen to be delivered during the current delivery by subtracting a predetermined value from the period usage amount.

Computer 41 may determine the amount of hydrogen to be delivered at the time of the current delivery taking into account the season in addition to the amount used over a certain period of time. For example, in summer or winter, computer 41 may increase the amount of hydrogen to be delivered at the time of the current delivery by adding a predetermined value to the calculated amount of hydrogen used.

Computer 41 may also calculate the delivery amount for each residence 10 using an AI (Artificial Intelligence) function. That is, computer 41 may input time series data 59 of hydrogen usage into a trained model and output the hydrogen delivery amount for the current delivery from the trained model. The trained model is a neural network trained using training data that associates various time series data of hydrogen usage with the delivery amounts associated with each of these time series data. The trained model is stored in memory device 45 as a subroutine of program 45a.

Next, the computer 41 associates the determined hydrogen delivery volume with the current delivery time, adds the delivery volume and delivery time to the first history information 61, and updates the first history information 61.

Next, the computer 41 subtracts the amount of hydrogen used during the period from the amount of hydrogen delivered at the time of the previous delivery, and calculates the difference as the amount of fluctuation.
Next, the computer 41 associates the calculated amount of change with the current delivery time, adds the amount of change and the delivery time to the second history information 62 , and updates the second history information 62 .

Computer 41 performs the above-described series of processes for each house 10 belonging to group 9. Then, computer 41 performs the following series of processes for that group 9.

First, computer 41 reads the latest delivery amount of hydrogen by referring to third history information 63 that represents the history of the delivery amount of hydrogen to group 9. The latest delivery amount of hydrogen refers to the delivery amount of hydrogen delivered to group 9 on the previous regular delivery.
Next, the computer 41 accumulates the calculated amounts of delivered hydrogen for all the homes 10 belonging to the group 9 .
Next, the computer 41 associates the cumulative amount of delivered hydrogen with the current delivery time, adds the delivered amount and delivery time to the third history information 63 , and updates the third history information 63 .
Next, the computer 41 accumulates the calculated periodic usage amounts for all the homes 10 belonging to the group 9 .
Next, the computer 41 subtracts the cumulative amount used during the period from the cumulative amount of the previous delivery in the third history information 63 to calculate the amount of change in group 9 .
Next, the computer 41 associates the calculated amount of change with the current delivery time, adds the amount of change and the delivery time to the fourth history information 64 , and updates the fourth history information 64 .

Next, computer 41 determines the size of the transport vehicle 3 to be used for delivery based on the accumulated hydrogen delivery volume. For example, if the accumulated hydrogen delivery volume is equal to or greater than a first threshold, computer 41 determines the size of the transport vehicle 3 to be large; if the accumulated hydrogen delivery volume is greater than a second threshold but less than the first threshold, computer 41 determines the size of the transport vehicle 3 to be medium; and if the accumulated hydrogen delivery volume is equal to or less than the second threshold, computer 41 determines the size of the transport vehicle 3 to be small. Here, the second threshold is smaller than the first threshold.

Next, computer 41 displays the determined delivery volume for each residence 10 on display device 44. Furthermore, computer 41 displays the cumulative delivery volume for group 9 on display device 44 along with the determined delivery volume for each residence 10. Furthermore, computer 41 displays the determined size of transporter 3 on display device 44 along with the cumulative delivery volume for group 9. Computer 41 may be connected to a printing device, and computer 41 may cause the printing device to print the determined delivery volume for each residence 10, the cumulative delivery volume for group 9, and the determined size of transporter 3. The operator may view the display device 44 or the printed matter, prepare cartridges 20 in the number corresponding to the cumulative delivery volume for group 9, prepare transporter 3 of the determined size, load the cartridges 20 onto transporter 3, and operate transporter 3 as a regular service.

<5-2. Permission to unlock shared lockers>
As described above, when a user inputs a permission request into the individual management device 18 and the individual management device 18 transmits the permission request to the overall management device 40, the computer 41 receives the permission request. When a user inputs the amount of hydrogen or the number of residents, or both, in addition to the permission request into the individual management device 18 and the individual management device 18 transmits the amount of hydrogen or the number of residents, or both, to the overall management device 40, the computer 41 receives the amount of hydrogen or the number of residents, or both.

Next, the computer 41 recognizes the home ID assigned to the individual management device 18 that sent the message and authorizes that home ID.

Next, the computer 41 generates a password. When the computer 41 sends the password to the individual management device 18, the individual management device 18 receives the password and displays it on a display device. This allows the user to know the password.

Next, the computer 41 determines the amount of hydrogen to be provided. For example, the computer 41 may determine the received amount of hydrogen as the amount of hydrogen to be provided. The computer 41 may calculate the amount of hydrogen to be provided from the received number of residents. The computer 41 may calculate the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on the most recent delivered amount of the first history information 61, which is time series data on the amount of hydrogen delivered. The computer 41 may calculate the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on fourth time series data 54 of the measured value of the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generation device 23. The computer 41 may calculate the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on the most recent total amount of hydrogen remaining in the house 10, sixth time series data 56. The computer 41 may calculate the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on the most recent number of seventh time series data 57 of the number of full cartridges 20. The computer 41 may calculate the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on the most recent number of eighth time series data 58 of the number of empty cartridges 20. The computer 41 may calculate and determine the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on ninth time series data 59 of the amount of hydrogen used in the house 10. The amount of hydrogen provided may be calculated by combining several of the calculation elements listed above.

In addition to the calculation factors listed above, computer 41 may also refer to schedule information 60 to determine the amount of hydrogen to be provided. For example, if schedule information 60 includes a date on which an event will occur that will cause electricity consumption at home 10 to increase above normal, computer 41 will increase the amount of hydrogen to be provided. For example, if schedule information 60 includes a date on which an event will occur that will cause electricity consumption at home 10 to decrease below normal, computer 41 will discount the amount of hydrogen to be provided.

In addition to the calculation factors listed above, computer 41 may also refer to weather forecast data 81 to determine the amount of hydrogen to be provided. For example, if weather forecast data 81 indicates continued rain, snow, high temperatures, low temperatures, high humidity, high solar radiation, or low solar radiation, computer 41 will increase the amount of hydrogen to be provided. If weather forecast data 81 indicates continued comfortable atmospheric conditions, temperature, humidity, or solar radiation, computer 41 will discount the amount of hydrogen to be provided.

In addition to the calculation factors listed above, computer 41 may also determine the amount of hydrogen to be provided. For example, computer 41 may increase the amount of hydrogen to be provided in summer or winter.

Next, the computer 41 refers to the list data 45b and determines one or more of the box IDs assigned to the multiple boxes 101 based on the determined amount of hydrogen to be provided. The sum of the hydrogen storage capacities associated with the determined box IDs in the list data 45b is equal to the determined amount of hydrogen to be provided.

Next, the computer 41 associates the permitted house ID, the generated password, and the determined box ID with each other and sends them to the shared locker 100. The control unit 105 of the shared locker 100 then receives the house ID, password, and box ID, associates them with each other, and adds them to the permission list data.

Then, when the user visits the stock facility 8 and brings the IC chip of the item with the IC chip close to the reader 106 of the shared locker 100 or enters the correct password on the touch panel 104, the control unit 105 of the shared locker 100 authenticates the user as described above, and the control unit 105 unlocks the door 102 of the box 101 assigned to the determined box ID. Once the door 102 is unlocked, the user removes the cartridge from the box 101 of that door 102, closes and locks the door 102, and takes the cartridge back to their home 10.

<5-2-1. Permission in the event of an unexpected event>
A process for allowing the cartridge 20 to be removed from the shared locker 100 only when an unexpected event occurs will be described.

Computer 41 recognizes the occurrence of an unexpected event. For example, when the operator operates input device 43 to input information about the occurrence of an unexpected event into computer 41, computer 41 recognizes the occurrence of an unexpected event. Alternatively, when information providers such as the government, local governments, and telecommunications carriers send out emergency alerts such as earthquake early warnings, weather warnings, disaster alerts, and nationwide instantaneous warning systems over communication network 90, computer 41 constantly monitors for the presence or absence of emergency alerts, and recognizes the occurrence of an unexpected event upon receiving an emergency alert.

When the computer 41 recognizes the occurrence of an unexpected event, it sends permission information to the shared locker 100. The control unit 105 of the shared locker 100 then receives the permission information. As a result, the control unit 105 unlocks the doors 102 of all boxes 101 or authenticates the user by performing the password or house ID verification process described above without ignoring the signals from the reader 106 and touch panel 104.

<5-3. Permission to unlock someone else's cartridge stocker in the event of an unexpected incident>
As described above, it has been explained that a user can remove a cartridge 20 from a cartridge stocker 19 in another user's house 10 in the event of an unexpected event. The processing of the computer 41 to realize this will now be described.

When computer 41 recognizes the occurrence of an unexpected event as described above, computer 41 generates a unique, legitimate password for each individual management device 18 (i.e., for each home ID) and distributes the legitimate password to each individual management device 18. Each individual management device 18 then receives and stores the legitimate password. Computer 41 also associates the legitimate password with each home ID.

On the other hand, after an unexpected event occurs, if the user inputs a permission request into the individual management device 18, and the individual management device 18 sends the permission request to the overall management device 40, the computer 41 receives the permission request. If the user inputs the amount of hydrogen or the number of residents, or both, in addition to the permission request into the individual management device 18, and the individual management device 18 sends the amount of hydrogen or the number of residents, or both, to the overall management device 40, the computer 41 receives the amount of hydrogen or the number of residents, or both.

Next, the computer 41 determines the amount of hydrogen to be provided. For example, the computer 41 may determine the received amount of hydrogen as the amount of hydrogen to be provided. The computer 41 may calculate the amount of hydrogen to be provided from the received number of residents. The computer 41 may calculate the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on the most recent delivered amount of the first history information 61, which is time series data on the amount of hydrogen delivered. The computer 41 may calculate the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on fourth time series data 54 of the measured value of the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generation device 23. The computer 41 may calculate the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on the most recent total amount of hydrogen remaining in the house 10, sixth time series data 56. The computer 41 may calculate the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on the most recent number of seventh time series data 57 of the number of full cartridges 20. The computer 41 may calculate the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on the most recent number of eighth time series data 58 of the number of empty cartridges 20. The computer 41 may calculate and determine the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on ninth time series data 59 of the amount of hydrogen used in the house 10. The amount of hydrogen provided may be calculated by combining several of the calculation elements listed above.

In addition to the calculation factors listed above, computer 41 may also refer to schedule information 60 to determine the amount of hydrogen to be provided. For example, if schedule information 60 includes a date on which an event will occur that will cause electricity consumption at home 10 to increase above normal, computer 41 will increase the amount of hydrogen to be provided. For example, if schedule information 60 includes a date on which an event will occur that will cause electricity consumption at home 10 to decrease below normal, computer 41 will discount the amount of hydrogen to be provided.

In addition to the calculation factors listed above, computer 41 may also refer to weather forecast data 81 to determine the amount of hydrogen to be provided. For example, if weather forecast data 81 indicates continued rain, snow, high temperatures, low temperatures, high humidity, high solar radiation, or low solar radiation, computer 41 will increase the amount of hydrogen to be provided. If weather forecast data 81 indicates continued comfortable atmospheric conditions, temperature, humidity, or solar radiation, computer 41 will discount the amount of hydrogen to be provided.

In addition to the calculation factors listed above, computer 41 may also determine the amount of hydrogen to be provided. For example, computer 41 may increase the amount of hydrogen to be provided in summer or winter.

Then, the computer 41 determines the home ID of one of the homes 10 based on the latest total remaining amount of hydrogen in the sixth time-series data 56 for each home 10 and the determined amount to be provided.

Next, computer 41 refers to list data 45c and reads the location information associated with the determined house ID. Computer 41 also recognizes and determines the valid password (hereinafter referred to as the first password) associated with the determined house ID.

Next, the computer 41 transmits the location information associated with the determined residence ID and the emergency password that is the same as the first password associated with the determined residence ID to the individual management device 18 that sent the permission request. The individual management device 18 then displays the emergency password and location. If the user of that individual management device 18 knows the location and emergency password, visits the residence 10 at that location, and operates the character input keys on the cartridge stocker 19 of the residence 10 to enter the emergency password that is the same as the legitimate password, the door 19b will be unlocked. This allows the user to remove the cartridge 20 from the upper box 19a and take it back to their own residence.

6. Beneficial Effects
The computer 41 of the overall management device 40 executes, for each residence 10, a storage process that stores time-series data 59 of hydrogen usage transmitted from the individual management devices 18, a calculation process that calculates the amount of hydrogen usage over the period from the previous delivery to the current delivery by referring to the time-series data 59, and a determination process that determines the amount of hydrogen to be delivered based on the amount of hydrogen usage over the period. As a result, the amount of hydrogen delivered to each residence 10 is appropriate, and the hydrogen inventory at each residence 10 is neither too much nor too little.

Computer 41 periodically executes accumulation processing, calculation processing, and determination processing. Computer 41 compares the delivery amount determined by the previous determination processing with the period usage amount. If the comparison results in the period usage amount being equal to or greater than the delivery amount determined by the previous determination processing, computer 41 determines the period usage amount as the delivery amount of hydrogen. If the comparison results in the period usage amount being less than the delivery amount determined by the previous determination processing, computer 41 subtracts the period usage amount from the delivery amount determined by the previous determination processing to calculate the difference as the fluctuation amount, and then subtracts the fluctuation amount from the period usage amount to determine the difference as the delivery amount of hydrogen. This ensures that the amount of hydrogen delivered to each home 10 is appropriate, taking into account the inventory at each home 10, and hydrogen inventory at each home 10 is neither too high nor too low. As the number of deliveries increases, the fluctuation amount converges to zero, and hydrogen inventory at each home 10 is neither too high nor too low.

In the determination process, the computer 41 references the user's schedule information 60 and determines the amount of hydrogen to be delivered to each home 10 based on the amount of hydrogen used over a period of time at each home 10. Therefore, since the user's schedule information 60 affects the amount of hydrogen used by the user's home 10, the determined amount of hydrogen to be delivered is appropriate, and the home 10 does not have too much or too little hydrogen in stock.

In the determination process, the computer 41 refers to the weather forecast data 81 and determines the amount of hydrogen to be delivered to each home 10 based on the amount of hydrogen used over a period of time at each home 10. Therefore, since the weather forecast data 81 affects the amount of hydrogen used at each home 10, the determined amount of hydrogen to be delivered is appropriate, and the hydrogen inventory at each home 10 is neither too high nor too low.

The computer 41 executes a second determination process in which it accumulates the delivery amount for each residence 10 and determines this accumulated amount as the delivery amount for the group 9. This allows the amount of hydrogen to be loaded onto the transporter 3 used for delivery to be appropriate.

When a user requests permission from their own individual management device 18, the computer 41 determines one or more box IDs from among the multiple boxes 101 in the shared locker 100 based on the amount of hydrogen to be provided, and executes a transmission process to send the determined box ID to the control unit 105 of the shared locker 100. The user then approaches the shared locker 100, and once the control unit 105 has authenticated the user using a password or IC chip, the door 102 of the box 101 associated with the determined box ID is unlocked. In this way, multiple box IDs are determined based on the amount of hydrogen to be provided, and the door 102 of the box 101 associated with the determined box ID is unlocked, so that the appropriate amount of hydrogen is provided to the user who comes to the shared locker 100 to collect hydrogen.

When a user requests permission from their own individual management device 18, the computer 41 sends the password in addition to the determined box ID to the individual management device 18 and control unit 105. The individual management device 18 displays the password, allowing the user to know it. When the control unit 105 authenticates the user by entering the same password, the control unit 105 unlocks the door 102 of the box 101 associated with the determined box ID. The hydrogen stored in that box 101 is provided only to that user.

When a user requests permission from their individual management device 18, the computer 41 transmits the user's house ID in addition to the determined box ID to the control unit 105. When the user approaches the shared locker 100 and brings an item with an IC chip close to the reader 106 of the shared locker 100, the control unit 105 compares the house ID read by the reader 106 with the received house ID and authenticates the user. The control unit 105 then unlocks the door 102 of the box 101 associated with the determined box ID. The hydrogen stored in that box 101 is provided only to that user.

When the computer 41 recognizes the occurrence of an unexpected event, it sends permission to the control unit 105. If the control unit 105 does not receive permission, it does not perform the matching process to authenticate the user; if the control unit 105 receives permission, it performs the matching process to authenticate the user. Therefore, only when an unexpected event occurs will the appropriate amount of hydrogen be provided to users who come to the shared locker 100 to collect hydrogen.

When the computer 41 recognizes an unexpected event, it distributes multiple passwords, each unique to each of the multiple individual management devices 18, to each of the multiple individual management devices 18. When a user makes a request to the overall management device 40 from their own individual management device 18, the computer 41 determines a first password from the multiple passwords based on the amount of hydrogen provided, and transmits an emergency password identical to the first password and the location of the individual management device 18 to that individual management device 18. The individual management device 18 then displays the emergency password and location. The user then faces the location and enters the emergency password using the character input keys on the cartridge stocker 19, unlocking the door 19b of that cartridge stocker 19. The user can then remove the cartridge 20 from the upper box 19a and take it back to their home.

The transport machine 3 collects the water stored in the water tank 24 of each residence 10, so the water generated by the fuel cell power generation device 23 of each residence 10 is effectively utilized.

The transporter 3 delivers multiple full cartridges 20 filled with hydrogen to each home 10 while collecting the water tanks 24 from each home 10, thereby reducing the operating costs of the transporter 3.

When transporting full cartridges 20, the full cartridges 20 are loaded onto the transporter 3 in an upright, grid-like arrangement, and the water tanks 24 are positioned in the gaps surrounded by the full cartridges 20, allowing the full cartridges 20 and water tanks 24 to be efficiently loaded onto the transporter 3.

Plant 1 is established in a hydrogen and water utilization city, and hydrogen production equipment 1a, hydrogen storage equipment 1b, and hydrogen filling equipment (1c) are installed in Plant 1, so hydrogen can be supplied to the city.

Because the addition equipment 1d is installed in the plant 1, the water in the water tank 24 can be easily used for drinking.

Solar panels 14 are installed on the roof of each house 10, and a hydrogen production device is installed in each house 10. The hydrogen production device generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water in a water tank 24 using electricity generated by the solar panels 14, and the hydrogen is supplied to a fuel cell power generation device 23, so that water and hydrogen are used in a cyclical manner using natural energy in the houses 10.
The above description includes the following systems (A) and (B).
(A) A system having a plurality of cartridge stockers and a plurality of individual management devices (18) provided in a plurality of residences (10), respectively, and a management device (40) capable of communicating with the plurality of individual management devices (18), wherein the cartridge stockers store cartridges (20) containing hydrogen and have locked doors (19b), the management device (40) has a computer (41), and when the computer (41) recognizes an unexpected event, it distributes a plurality of passwords unique to each of the plurality of individual management devices (18) to the plurality of individual management devices (18), respectively, and and after recognizing the phenomenon, when a request is received from any one first individual management device (18) of the plurality of individual management devices (18), a process is executed in which one first password is determined from the plurality of passwords based on the amount of hydrogen provided, and an emergency password identical to the first password is transmitted to the first individual management device (18), wherein the first individual management device (18) displays the emergency password, and the plurality of individual management devices (18) unlock the door (19b) by inputting a password identical to the password received by each of the plurality of individual management devices (18).
According to (A), a plurality of unique passwords are sent to a plurality of individual management devices (18), one first password is determined from the plurality of passwords based on the amount of hydrogen provided, and an emergency password identical to the first password is sent to the first individual management device (18) and displayed by the first individual management device (18), so that the user of the first individual management device (18) can know the emergency password which is identical to the first password, and when a user who comes to pick up hydrogen from the cartridge stocker enters the emergency password, the door (19b) of the cartridge stocker (19) is unlocked, and the appropriate amount of hydrogen is provided to the user.
(B) A system according to (A), characterized in that the computer (41) transmits to the first individual management device (18) the location of the individual management device (18) to which the first password is to be distributed, and the first individual management device (18) displays the location.
According to (B), the user can learn the location of the individual management device (18) to which the same password as the emergency password is delivered, and can remove the cartridge (20) from the cartridge stocker (19) at that location.

1 Plant 1a Hydrogen production equipment 1b Hydrogen storage equipment 1c Hydrogen filling equipment 1c Addition equipment 3 Transport vehicle 9 Group 10 Housing 18 Individual management device 19 Cartridge stocker 19a Upper box 19b Door 40 Overall management device 41 Computer 20 Cartridge 23 Fuel cell power generation device 24 Water tank 50 Storage device 51 to 59 Time series data 60 Schedule information 61 to 64 History information 80 Weather information storage device 81 Weather forecast data 100 Shared locker 101 Box 102 Door 105 Control unit 106 Reader

Claims (4)

A system including a locker and a management device,
The rocker is
a plurality of boxes each storing a cartridge containing hydrogen, each having a locked door and assigned a unique box ID;
a control unit;
the management device has a computer;
the computer determines the amount of hydrogen to be provided based on at least one of the number of people in the user's home, the amount of hydrogen most recently delivered to the home by regular delivery, time series data of measured values of the amount of power generated by a fuel cell power generator installed in the home, the total amount of hydrogen remaining in the home, the number of full cartridges that supply hydrogen to the fuel cell power generator, the number of empty cartridges that have supplied hydrogen to the fuel cell power generator, and time series data of the amount of hydrogen used that has been supplied from the cartridges to the fuel cell power generator;
When the computer receives a permission request from the individual management device of the user, it determines one or more box IDs from among the plurality of boxes based on the provision amount, and executes a transmission process of transmitting the determined box ID to the control unit;
The control unit
When the user is authenticated, the system unlocks the door of the box associated with the determined box ID. 10. The system of claim 1,
When the computer receives a permission request from the individual management device, the computer generates a password and transmits the password to the individual management device and the control unit;
The individual management device displays the password,
The system is characterized in that the control unit authenticates the user by inputting a password identical to the password. 10. The system of claim 1,
When the computer receives a permission request from the individual management device, it executes a process of transmitting an ID assigned to the individual management device to the control unit;
The system is characterized in that the control unit authenticates the user by reading an ID identical to the ID. 10. The system of claim 1,
When the computer recognizes the occurrence of an unexpected event, it transmits permission to the control unit,
A system characterized in that if the control unit does not receive the permission, the control unit does not perform a matching process to authenticate the user, and if the control unit receives the permission, the control unit performs a matching process to authenticate the user.