JP7538992B2 - Fuel cell system, private power generation system, and method for operating the private power generation system - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a fuel cell system, a private power generation system, and a method for operating a private power generation system that utilizes weather information linkage.

Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel cell control system that calculates the time when power can be generated by a solar power generation means based on weather information acquired from outside and the time elapsed since the fuel cell started operating, and stops the operation of the fuel cell at that time. This fuel cell control system includes a fuel cell, a solar power generation means that receives sunlight and generates power, a communication means that acquires weather information from outside, and a storage means that stores the time that has elapsed since the fuel cell started operating.

JP 2014-179169 A

The present disclosure provides a fuel cell system that stops power generation by a fuel cell, enabling efficient self-consumption of electricity generated by a power generation device that uses renewable energy.

The fuel cell system disclosed herein includes a fuel cell that supplies generated power to a power receiving facility, a receiving unit that receives information about weather information from an external server, and a control unit that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell based on power demand and heat demand and operates the fuel cell based on the operation plan. The control unit calculates an operation period of a power generating device that supplies power generated using renewable energy to the power receiving facility based on the information received by the receiving unit, and if the operation period is equal to or longer than a predetermined first period, sets the operation plan as a stop period during which at least a portion of the operation period is stopped, and if the operation period is shorter than the first period, sets the operation plan without taking the stop period into consideration.

The fuel cell system, private power generation system, and method of operating a private power generation system disclosed herein can stop power generation by the fuel cell during the period when private consumption of the electricity generated by the power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy is most promoted. Therefore, it has the effect of consuming the electricity generated by the power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy most efficiently.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a private power generation system. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the fuel cell system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between months, seasons, and times when power generation by the fuel cell is restricted. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between weather information and the operating state of a fuel cell. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between weather information and the operating state of the fuel cell. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing another example of the relationship between weather information and the operating state of a fuel cell. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing another example of the relationship between weather information and the operating state of the fuel cell. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the process up to when the fuel cell system receives weather information from the weather information server. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing how the fuel cell system converts received weather information. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a process for setting an operation plan for the fuel cell system based on received weather information. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a process for setting an operation plan for the fuel cell system based on received weather information. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing how to set an operation plan for the fuel cell system based on received weather information.

Below, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanations than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of matters that are already well known, or duplicate explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following explanation unnecessarily redundant and to make it easier for those skilled in the art to understand.

The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG.
[1-1. Configuration of private power generation system]
[1-1-1. Overall configuration of the private power generation system]
1, a private power generation system 1000 includes a fuel cell system 100, a weather information server 300, a solar power generation device 400, and a power source 500. The fuel cell system 100 and the weather information server 300 are connected via a network 200.

The fuel cell system 100 transmits location information to the weather information server 300 and calculates the operating time of the solar power generation device 400 from the weather information acquired from the weather information server 300. In this embodiment, the location information of the fuel cell system 100 is the latitude and longitude of the fuel cell system 100 acquired by a Global Positioning System (GPS). The location information of the fuel cell system 100 may be the latitude and longitude of the fuel cell system 100 input by a service operator and set in the weather information server.

The weather information that the fuel cell system 100 acquires from the weather information server 300 is, for example, information regarding weather forecasts such as sunny, cloudy, and rainy. Note that the weather information may also include weather forecasts other than sunny, cloudy, and rainy, such as light cloudiness and sleet. Specifically, the weather information that the fuel cell system 100 acquires is information indicating the weather forecast for every hour over a specified period, for example, a day. Note that the information indicating the weather forecast in the weather information is not limited to information for every hour, and may be information for every 30 minutes, for example.

Furthermore, the fuel cell system 100 generates power according to the calculated operation time of the solar power generation device 400. The power generated by the fuel cell system 100 is supplied to the power receiving equipment (not shown) of the consumer. The specific configuration of the fuel cell system 100 will be described later.

The weather information server 300 transmits weather information to the fuel cell system 100 based on the location information acquired from the fuel cell system 100. Specifically, the weather information server 300 acquires the location information of the fuel cell system 100, and transmits to the fuel cell system 100 weather information corresponding to the acquired location information of the fuel cell system 100.

The network 200 in the present disclosure may be, for example, a low power wide area (LPWA) network.
The network 200 in the present disclosure may be any network that enables communication between the fuel cell system 100 in the present disclosure and the weather information server 300. For example, the network 200 may be an IEEE 802.11-compatible wireless LAN that wirelessly communicates with a WiFi (registered trademark) router, a third generation mobile communication system (commonly known as 3G), a fourth generation mobile communication system (commonly known as 4G), or an IEEE 802.16-compatible WiMax (registered trademark), as a wireless connection with the weather information server 300 via a base station or the like.

The solar power generation device 400 includes a solar cell panel (not shown) and an inverter (not shown) that converts the electricity generated by the solar cell panel from direct current to alternating current.

The power source 500 is a power system that supplies power supplied from an external power company to a consumer's power receiving equipment (not shown). The power source 500 is a system that integrates power generation, transformation, transmission, and distribution, and supplies power to the consumer's power receiving equipment at voltages such as 100V and 200V, for example. In this embodiment, when the power obtained by the power generation of the solar power generation device 400 and the fuel cell system 100 is insufficient compared to the consumer's power demand, power is supplied from the power source 500. Note that power related to the start-up of the fuel cell system 100 may also be supplied from the power source 500.

[1-1-2. Configuration of fuel cell system]
Next, the configuration of the fuel cell system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

The fuel cell system 100 includes a fuel cell 10, a hot water tank 20, a receiver 30, a controller 40, and a display 50.

The fuel cell 10 generates electricity by using hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the outside. The fuel cell 10 is, for example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Note that the fuel cell 10 is not limited to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and may be, for example, a solid oxide fuel cell, etc.

The hot water storage tank 20 stores hot water by utilizing the exhaust heat generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 10. Specifically, the cooling water flowing through the fuel cell 10 exchanges heat with the heat of reaction associated with the power generation of the fuel cell 10, and the cooling water whose temperature has been increased by the heat exchange is supplied to the hot water storage tank 20, thereby storing hot water in the hot water storage tank 20. The hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 20 is used for an external heat load (not shown). The heat load is, for example, a water heater including a bath and a shower, an air conditioner, and a floor heating system.

The receiving unit 30 receives weather information from the weather information server 300 via the network 200, and transmits the received weather information to the control unit 40. The receiving unit 30 is, for example, an antenna, specifically a patch antenna, a dipole antenna, or the like. Note that there are no particular limitations on the directivity and frequency band of the antenna performance of the receiving unit 30, and it is sufficient that the performance is such that communication with the weather information server is possible.

The control unit 40 controls the fuel cell 10, the hot water tank 20, and the display unit 50. The control unit 40 includes a memory and a processor. The memory is a storage device that non-volatilely stores the programs and data executed by the processor. The memory is composed of a magnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage element such as a flash ROM (Read Only Memory), or other types of non-volatile storage devices. The memory may also include a RAM (Random Access Memory) that constitutes the work area of the processor. The memory stores data processed by the control unit 40 and control programs executed by the processor. The processor may be composed of a single processor, or may be configured such that multiple processors function as processors. The processor executes the control program to control each part of the fuel cell system 100. For example, the processor outputs an instruction to execute a process corresponding to an operation received by the display unit 50 to each part of the fuel cell system 100. Examples of processors include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit).

The control unit 40 also sets an operation plan for the fuel cell 10 based on the power demand and heat demand of the consumer. The control unit 40 operates the fuel cell 10 based on the set operation plan.

The display unit 50 is, for example, a remote control installed in the user's home. The display unit 50 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) (not shown), a speaker (not shown), and a communication unit (not shown) capable of communicating with the control unit 40. The display unit 50 accepts input from the user. In this embodiment, the display unit 50 accepts user settings as input from the user, and power generation suppression of the fuel cell system 100 is performed based on the user settings. The LCD displays information received from the control unit 40 via the communication unit. The speaker outputs various sounds based on information received from the control unit 40 via the communication unit. Note that power generation suppression of the fuel cell based on user settings will be described later.
[1-2. Operation]
The following describes the operation of the fuel cell system 100 configured as above. In this embodiment, the power generation suppression period of the fuel cell system 100 is also referred to as a stop period during which the operation of the fuel cell system 100 is stopped.

Figure 3 shows the relationship between the month, season, and the time when power generation by the fuel cell 10 is suppressed. In general, the hours of sunlight vary from month to month, i.e., from season to season. Since the hours during which the solar power generation device 400 operates depend on the hours of sunlight, for example, in the summer, such as May to July, when the hours of sunlight are long, it is necessary to extend the time when power generation by the fuel cell 10 is suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the time when power generation is suppressed for the fuel cell 10 is set from 9:00 to 15:00 in the winter season, i.e., from October to February. Similarly, the time when power generation is suppressed for the fuel cell 10 is set from 8:00 to 16:00 in the spring season, i.e., from March and April. The time when power generation is suppressed for the fuel cell 10 is set from 8:00 to 16:00 in the autumn season, i.e., from August and September. The time when power generation is suppressed for the fuel cell 10 is set from 7:00 to 17:00 in the summer season, i.e., from May to July. The time when power generation is suppressed for the fuel cell 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned months and seasons.

Figures 4A and 4B show an example of the relationship between the weather information received from the weather information server 300 and the operating state of the fuel cell 10. Specifically, Figures 4A and 4B show the relationship between the weather information and the period of power generation suppression of the fuel cell 10 when the weather information subject to power generation suppression of the fuel cell 10 is set as "sunny and cloudy" as a user setting.

Note that user settings refer to the presetting of weather information that is the target of suppressing power generation by the fuel cell 10. In this embodiment, for example, "sunny and cloudy" indicates a setting selected by the user via the display unit 50, which will be described later, when the user determines that power generation by the solar power generation device 400 can be expected not only on sunny days but also on cloudy days.

In FIG. 4A, for example, the period from 10:00 to 12:00 includes three hours of "sunny and cloudy," and the "sunny and cloudy" period is the longest period. In other words, 10:00 to 12:00 is the period during which the solar power generation device 400 generates power for the longest period, that is, the period during which the amount of solar power generation by the solar power generation device 400 is relatively large. Therefore, the control unit 40 sets the period from 10:00 to 12:00 as a candidate for the power generation suppression period of the fuel cell 10. Note that in this embodiment, the solar power generation device 400 can generate sufficient power not only on sunny days but also on cloudy days, depending on the installation status of the solar power generation panel equipped in the solar power generation device 400. Therefore, in this embodiment, not only sunny days but also cloudy days are defined as periods during which the solar power generation device 400 can generate power, and the user setting is set to "sunny and cloudy."

In FIG. 4A, the period from 2:00 to 3:00 pm includes more than two hours of sunny and cloudy weather. However, since the fuel cell 10 has a limit on the number of times it can generate electricity, in order to use it continuously for a long period of time, it is necessary to limit the number of times it generates electricity in a day. Therefore, the control unit 40 suppresses power generation by the fuel cell 10 only during the period of the day that includes the longest period of sunny and cloudy weather.

In addition, in FIG. 4B, there are two periods in which the weather is sunny and cloudy for more than two consecutive hours. In this case, the control unit 40 suppresses power generation by the fuel cell 10 during the relatively earliest period of the day. The reason for suppressing power generation by the fuel cell 10 during the early period is that many households use hot water and electricity in the evening, and electricity and hot water can be used more efficiently if the fuel cell 10 generates electricity around the evening.

Figures 5A and 5B show another example of the relationship between the weather information received from the weather information server 300 and the operating state of the fuel cell 10. Specifically, Figures 5A and 5B show an example of a power generation suppression threshold setting by a user.

Figure 5A shows the relationship between weather information and the period of power generation suppression of the fuel cell 10 when the weather information targeted for power generation suppression of the fuel cell 10 is "sunny." Figure 5B shows the relationship between weather information and the period of power generation suppression of the fuel cell 10 when the weather information targeted for power generation suppression of the fuel cell 10 is "sunny and cloudy."

When the target for power generation suppression of the fuel cell system 100 is set to "sunny," the control unit 40 selects the period between 10:00 and 11:00, when sunny days are most continuous, as shown in Figure 5A, as a candidate for the power generation suppression period of the fuel cell 10.

In addition, if the power generation suppression target of the fuel cell system 100 is set to "sunny and cloudy," power generation suppression of the fuel cell system 100 is implemented between 10:00 and 12:00, when "sunny and cloudy" conditions are most continuous, as shown in Figure 5B.

As described above, the fuel cell system 100 calculates the operation period of the solar power generation device 400 based on the weather information received from the weather information server 300.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the process by which the fuel cell system 100 receives weather information from the weather information server 300.

First, the control unit 40 acquires location information (step S101) and proceeds to step S102.

Next, the control unit 40 transmits the acquired location information to the weather information server 300 (step S102) and proceeds to step S103. The weather information server 300 stores the received location information of the fuel cell system 100 in a database.

Next, the fuel cell system 100 accepts user input on the display unit 50 as to whether or not to use the function of suppressing power generation of the fuel cell system 100 based on weather information (step S103). Specifically, the user inputs a user setting of "sunny," "sunny and cloudy," or "off" via the display unit 50. Note that when the user setting is "sunny" or "sunny and cloudy," this is also referred to as a state in which a user setting is present. Note that when the user setting is "off," this is also referred to as a state in which a user setting is not present. After accepting the user input, the control unit 40 transitions to step S104. Note that the user setting is not limited to the above, and may include items other than those mentioned above, or may not include any of the items mentioned above.

Next, the control unit 40 determines whether or not there is a user setting input in step S103 (step S104). In step S104, if the user setting is "sunny" or "sunny and cloudy", i.e., if there is a user setting (step S104: Yes), the control unit 40 transitions the process to step S105. On the other hand, in step S104, if the user setting is "off", i.e., if there is no user setting (step S104: No), the control unit 40 returns the process to step S103.

Next, the receiving unit 30 receives weather information for a predetermined period, for example, two days, from the weather information server 300 (step S105), and ends the process. Note that two days' worth of weather information in this embodiment refers to weather information from 00:00 on the following day to 23:59 on the day after that, based on the day on which the receiving unit 30 receives weather information from the weather information server 300.

The weather information server 300 may transmit weather information to the fuel cell system 100 at a predetermined time. In this embodiment, the weather information server 300 transmits weather information to the fuel cell system 100 at 6 p.m., for example. The time at which the weather information server 300 transmits weather information to the fuel cell system 100 is not limited to the above, and may be set according to the setting status of the fuel cell system 100, or the communication status between the fuel cell system 100 and the weather information server 300, etc.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing how the fuel cell system 100 converts received weather information.

First, the control unit 40 converts the received weather information to sunny or rainy based on the user setting received in step S103 (step S106), and proceeds to step S107. For example, if the user setting in step S103 is "sunny", the control unit 40 converts "cloudy" in the received weather information to "rain". For example, if the user setting in step S103 is "sunny and cloudy", the control unit 40 converts "cloudy" in the received weather information to "sunny". Note that the control unit 40 may proceed to step S107 without converting the received weather information. For example, if the received weather information does not include "cloudy", the control unit 40 may proceed to step S107 without converting the received weather information.

Next, the control unit 40 determines whether the received weather information includes any locations where the interval between adjacent sunny days is within a predetermined period, for example, two hours (step S107). If the received weather information includes any locations where the interval between adjacent sunny days is within two hours (step S107: Yes), the control unit 40 transitions the process to step S108. On the other hand, if the received weather information does not include any locations where the interval between adjacent sunny days is within two hours (step S107: No), the control unit transitions the process to step S109.

The operation of step S107 will be described in detail. For example, in FIG. 4A, the weather forecast for the period from 11:00 to 14:00 is "sunny," "cloudy," "rain," and "sunny," in that order, from 11:00. In this case, the period between "cloudy" and "rain" is two hours, so the interval between adjacent sunny days is within two hours. Therefore, in this case, in step S107, the control unit 40 determines that there is a location where the interval between sunny days is within two hours, and transitions to step S108.

The interval between adjacent sunny days that the control unit 40 determines in step S107 is not limited to two hours. For example, the control unit 40 may determine in step S107 whether or not there is a location where the interval between adjacent sunny days is within one hour.

Next, the control unit 40 converts the weather information for locations where the interval between adjacent sunny days is within 2 hours to sunny (step S108) and transitions to step S109.

Next, the control unit 40 determines whether the received weather information includes a period of two consecutive hours of sunny weather (step S109). If it is determined that the weather information includes a period of two consecutive hours of sunny weather (step S109: Yes), the control unit 40 ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the weather information does not include a period of two consecutive hours of sunny weather (step S109: No), the control unit 40 transitions the process to step S110.

Next, the control unit 40 converts sunny to rainy in the received weather information (step S109) and ends the process.

Figure 8 shows a flowchart for changing the operation plan of the fuel cell system 100 based on received weather information.

First, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the received weather information includes sunny weather (step S111). If the received weather information includes sunny weather (step S111: Yes), the control unit 40 transitions to step S112. On the other hand, if the received weather information does not include sunny weather (step S111: No), the control unit 40 ends the process.

The operation of step S111 will be described in detail. The processes from step S107 to step S110 result in the weather information including only sunny or rainy weather. Specifically, the weather information includes sunny weather only if sunny weather continues for two consecutive hours in step S109. Therefore, the determination operation of step S111 can be said to be a process of determining whether the operating period (sunny weather) of the solar power generation device 400 is longer than two hours.

Next, the control unit 40 identifies the longest duration of sunny weather in a day based on the received weather information (step S112), and proceeds to step S113. Note that a day in this embodiment may be the time during which power generation by the fuel cell 10 is suppressed as described above. For example, in July, i.e., the summer season, a day is from 7:00 to 17:00. Note that the longest duration of sunny weather in a day is also the period during which the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 400 is the greatest.

Next, the control unit 40 determines whether the period with the longest duration of sunny weather occurred once (step S113). If the period with the longest duration of sunny weather occurred once (S113: Yes), the control unit 40 transitions the process to step S114. On the other hand, if the period with the longest duration of sunny weather occurred multiple times (step S113: No), the control unit 40 transitions the process to step S115.

Next, the control unit 40 sets the period during which the sunny weather continues for the longest period as the power generation suppression period for the fuel cell system 100 (step S114) and proceeds to step S116.

The control unit 40 also sets the period during which the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 400 is relatively large among the multiple periods during which the duration of sunny weather is the longest as the power generation suppression period for the fuel cell system 100 (step S115), and transitions to step S116.

Next, the control unit 40 changes the operation plan (step S116) for operating the fuel cell system 100 based on the power generation suppression period of the fuel cell system 100 set in step S114 or step S115, and ends the process. Specifically, the control unit 40 changes the operation plan by setting the period set as the power generation suppression period of the fuel cell system 100 in the preset operation plan of the fuel cell system 100 as a stop period for stopping the operation of the fuel cell system 100. Note that if it is determined in step S111 that sunny weather is not included (step S111: No), there is no period set as the power generation suppression period of the fuel cell system 100, so the control unit 40 sets the operation plan without considering the power generation suppression period, i.e., without including the stop period.

When the operation plan of the fuel cell system 100 includes a stop period, the amount of electricity and hot water obtained by the power generation of the fuel cell system 100 is less than when the operation plan of the fuel cell system 100 does not include a stop period. Therefore, when the operation plan of the fuel cell system 100 includes a stop period, in order to compensate for the shortage of electricity and hot water, for example, the start-up time of the fuel cell system 100 may be advanced, the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell system 100 may be increased, or the operation plan may be changed so that the total value of the consumed energy of electricity and gas supplied to consumers from outside is relatively small. In this way, the shortage of electricity and hot water can be compensated for even when the operation plan of the fuel cell system 100 includes a stop period.

As shown in FIG. 9, instead of step S115, the control unit 40 may predict future power demand from past power demand (step S120), and set the period with the longest duration of sunny weather, among multiple periods, in which future power demand is relatively high, as the power generation suppression period of the fuel cell system 100 (step S121).

Also, as shown in FIG. 10, instead of step S115, the control unit 40 may predict future power demand and heat demand from past power demand and heat demand (step S130), and create an operation plan (step S131) based on multiple periods with the longest duration of sunny weather and future power demand and heat demand so that the total value of the consumed energy of power and gas supplied to the consumer from outside is relatively small. Note that the operation plan created in step S131 may include a power generation suppression period of the fuel cell system 100.

[1-3. Effects, etc.]
As described above, the fuel cell system 100 of this embodiment comprises a fuel cell 10 that supplies generated electricity to a power receiving equipment, a receiving unit 30 that receives information related to weather information from a weather information server 300, and a control unit 40 that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell 10 based on power demand and heat demand, and operates the fuel cell 10 based on the operation plan.

The control unit 40 calculates the operation period of the solar power generation device 400, which supplies power generated using renewable energy to the power receiving equipment, based on the information received by the receiving unit 30. If the operation period is equal to or longer than a predetermined first period (2 hours), the control unit 40 sets an operation plan with at least a portion of the operation period as a stop period in which the operation of the fuel cell 10 is stopped, and if the operation period is shorter than the first period (2 hours), the control unit 40 sets an operation plan without taking the stop period into consideration.

The private power generation system 1000 of this embodiment includes a fuel cell system 100 having a fuel cell 10 that supplies generated power to a power receiving facility, and a solar power generation device 400 that supplies power generated using renewable energy to the power receiving facility. The fuel cell system 100 includes a receiving unit 30 that receives information about weather information from a weather information server 300, and a control unit 40 that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell 10 based on power demand and heat demand, and operates the fuel cell 10 based on the operation plan.

The control unit 40 calculates the operation period of the solar power generation device 400 based on the information received by the receiving unit 30. If the operation period is equal to or longer than a predetermined third period (2 hours), the control unit 40 sets an operation plan in which at least a portion of the operation period is a stop period in which the operation of the fuel cell 10 is stopped, and if the operation period is shorter than the third period (2 hours), the control unit 40 sets an operation plan without taking the stop period into consideration.

The method of operating the private power generation system 1000 of this embodiment is a private power generation system 1000 including a fuel cell system 100 having a fuel cell 10 that supplies generated power to a power receiving facility, and a solar power generation device 400 that supplies power generated using renewable energy to the power receiving facility, and includes the steps of receiving information about meteorological information, setting an operation plan for the fuel cell 10 based on power demand and heat demand, calculating the operation period of the solar power generation device 400 based on the received information, setting the operation plan as a stop period for stopping the operation of the fuel cell 10 for at least a part of the operation period if the operation period is equal to or longer than a predetermined fifth period (2 hours), setting the operation plan without considering the stop period if the operation period is shorter than the fifth period (2 hours), and operating the fuel cell 10 based on the operation plan.

As a result, when the operating period of the solar power generation device 400 is equal to or longer than a predetermined period (first period, third period, fifth period), i.e., when sufficient power generation by the solar power generation device 400 is expected, power generation suppression of the fuel cell system 100 can be implemented. Also, when the operating period of the solar power generation device 400 is shorter than a predetermined period (first period, third period, fifth period), i.e., when sufficient power generation by the solar power generation device 400 is not expected, power generation suppression of the fuel cell system 100 is not implemented. Therefore, in the fuel cell 10, which has a fixed number of times of power generation in its lifetime, waste of the number of times of power generation can be suppressed.

The fuel cell system 100 of this embodiment also includes a fuel cell 10 that supplies the generated power to the power receiving equipment, a receiving unit 30 that receives information about weather information from a weather information server 300, and a control unit 40 that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell 10 based on the power demand and heat demand, and operates the fuel cell 10 based on the operation plan.

Based on the information received by the receiving unit 30, the control unit 40 calculates multiple operation periods of the solar power generation device 400 that supplies power generated using renewable energy to the power receiving equipment. The control unit 40 sets an operation plan in which at least a portion of the period during which the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 400 is relatively large among the multiple operation periods is set as a stop period during which the operation of the fuel cell 10 is stopped.

The private power generation system 1000 of this embodiment includes a fuel cell system 100 having a fuel cell 10 that supplies generated power to a power receiving facility, and a solar power generation device 400 that supplies power generated using renewable energy to the power receiving facility. The fuel cell system 100 includes a receiving unit 30 that receives information about weather information from a weather information server 300, and a control unit 40 that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell 10 based on power demand and heat demand, and operates the fuel cell 10 based on the operation plan.

The control unit 40 calculates multiple operation periods of the solar power generation device 400 based on the information received by the receiving unit 30. The control unit 40 sets an operation plan in which at least a part of the period in which the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 400 is the greatest among the multiple operation periods is set as a stop period in which the operation of the fuel cell 10 is stopped.

The method of operating the private power generation system 1000 of this embodiment is a private power generation system 1000 including a fuel cell system 100 having a fuel cell 10 that supplies generated power to a power receiving facility, and a solar power generation device 400 that supplies power generated using renewable energy to the power receiving facility, and includes the steps of receiving information about meteorological information, setting an operation plan for the fuel cell 10 based on power demand and heat demand, calculating multiple operation periods of the solar power generation device 400 based on the received information, setting an operation plan for stopping the operation of the fuel cell 10 during at least a portion of the period during which the solar power generation device 400 generates the most power among the multiple operation periods, and operating the fuel cell 10 based on the operation plan.

This allows the power generation of the fuel cell 10 to be suppressed during the longest operating period of the solar power generation device 400. Therefore, the power generated by the solar power generation device 400 can be efficiently consumed by the device itself.

In addition, in the case where the multiple operating periods include multiple longest operating periods, the control unit 40 of this embodiment may set an operation plan with at least a part of an operating period that is set as the relatively earliest period in the second period (1 day) among the multiple longest operating periods as a stop period.

This allows the fuel cell 10 to set a relatively early period for suppressing power generation. Therefore, power generation by the fuel cell 10 can be performed during the evening, when hot water is generally most needed, and hot water can be produced efficiently.

The fuel cell system 100 of this embodiment also includes a fuel cell 10 that supplies the generated power to the power receiving equipment, a receiving unit 30 that receives information about weather information from a weather information server 300, and a control unit 40 that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell 10 based on the power demand and heat demand, and operates the fuel cell 10 based on the operation plan.

Based on the information received by the receiving unit 30, the control unit 40 calculates multiple operation periods of the solar power generation device 400 that supplies power generated using renewable energy to the power receiving equipment. The control unit 40 predicts future power demand, which is the future power demand, from past power demand. The control unit 40 sets an operation plan with at least a portion of the period among the multiple operation periods in which the future power demand is relatively high as a stop period in which the operation of the fuel cell 10 is stopped.

The private power generation system 1000 of this embodiment includes a fuel cell system 100 having a fuel cell 10 that supplies generated power to a power receiving facility, and a solar power generation device 400 that supplies power generated using renewable energy to the power receiving facility. The fuel cell system 100 includes a receiving unit 30 that receives information about weather information from a weather information server 300, and a control unit 40 that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell 10 based on power demand and heat demand, and operates the fuel cell 10 based on the operation plan.

The control unit 40 calculates multiple operation periods of the solar power generation device 400 based on the information received by the receiving unit 30. The control unit 40 predicts future power demand, which is the future power demand, from past power demand. The control unit 40 sets an operation plan with at least a portion of the period in which the future power demand is relatively high among the multiple operation periods as a stop period in which the operation of the fuel cell 10 is stopped.

The method of operating the private power generation system 1000 of this embodiment is a private power generation system 1000 including a fuel cell system 100 having a fuel cell 10 that supplies generated power to a power receiving facility, and a solar power generation device 400 that supplies power generated using renewable energy to the power receiving facility, and includes the steps of receiving information related to meteorological information, setting an operation plan for the fuel cell 10 based on power demand and heat demand, calculating multiple operation periods of the solar power generation device 400 based on the received information, predicting future power demand, which is future power demand, from past power demand, setting an operation plan as a stop period for stopping operation of the fuel cell 10 for at least a portion of the multiple operation periods during which future power demand is relatively high, and operating the fuel cell 10 based on the operation plan.

This allows the fuel cell system 100 to be shut down during periods of relatively high future electricity demand. This can therefore promote self-consumption of electricity generated by the solar power generation device 400.

In addition, in the present embodiment, when the operation plan includes a stop period, the control unit 40 sets the operation plan for the fuel cell 10 so that the start-up time of the fuel cell 10 is earlier than when the operation plan does not include a stop period, the amount of power generated by the fuel cell 10 is increased, or the combined energy consumption value of the electricity and gas supplied from the outside is relatively small.

As a result, when an operation plan includes a stop period, the operation plan can be set to advance the start-up time of the fuel cell 10, increase the amount of power generated by the fuel cell 10, or make the total value of the consumed energy of the electric power and gas supplied from the outside relatively smaller than when the operation plan does not include a stop period. Therefore, it is possible to compensate for the shortage of electric power and heat caused by the inclusion of a stop period in the operation plan.

The fuel cell system 100 of this embodiment also includes a fuel cell 10 that supplies the generated power to the power receiving equipment, a receiving unit 30 that receives information about weather information from a weather information server 300, and a control unit 40 that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell 10 based on the power demand and heat demand, and operates the fuel cell 10 based on the operation plan.

The control unit 40 calculates multiple operation periods of the solar power generation device 400, which supplies power generated using renewable energy to the power receiving equipment, based on the information received by the receiving unit 30. The control unit 40 predicts future power demand, which is the future power demand, from past power demand. The control unit 40 predicts future heat demand, which is the future heat demand, from past heat demand. The control unit 40 sets an operation plan based on the multiple operation periods, future power demand, and future heat demand so that the total value of the energy consumption of electricity and gas supplied from outside is relatively small.

The private power generation system 1000 of this embodiment includes a fuel cell system 100 having a fuel cell 10 that supplies generated power to a power receiving facility, and a solar power generation device 400 that supplies power generated using renewable energy to the power receiving facility. The fuel cell system 100 includes a receiving unit 30 that receives information about weather information from a weather information server 300, and a control unit 40 that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell 10 based on power demand and heat demand, and operates the fuel cell 10 based on the operation plan.

The control unit 40 calculates multiple operation periods of the solar power generation device 400 based on the information received by the receiving unit 30. The control unit 40 predicts future power demand, which is the future power demand, from past power demand. The control unit 40 predicts future heat demand, which is the future heat demand, from past heat demand. The control unit 40 sets an operation plan based on the multiple operation periods, the future power demand, and the future heat demand so that the total value of the energy consumption of electricity and gas supplied from outside is relatively small.

The method of operating the private power generation system 1000 of this embodiment is a private power generation system 1000 including a fuel cell system 100 having a fuel cell 10 that supplies generated power to a power receiving facility, and a solar power generation device 400 that supplies power generated using renewable energy to the power receiving facility, and includes the steps of receiving information related to meteorological information, setting an operation plan for the fuel cell 10 based on power demand and heat demand, calculating multiple operation periods of the solar power generation device 400 based on the received information, predicting future power demand, which is future power demand, from past power demand, predicting future heat demand, which is future heat demand, from past heat demand, setting an operation plan based on multiple operation periods, future power demand, and future heat demand so that the total value of the energy consumed of power and gas supplied from outside is relatively small, and operating the fuel cell 10 based on the operation plan.

This allows the total energy consumption of electricity and gas supplied to consumers from outside to be reduced, thus improving energy efficiency.

In addition, the fuel cell system 100 and the private power generation system 1000 of this embodiment are equipped with a solar power generation device 400 as a power generation device.

This allows the power generation of the fuel cell 10 to be suppressed when the solar power generation device 400 is in operation. This therefore promotes self-consumption of the electricity generated by the solar power generation device 400.

The above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology disclosed herein, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

Other Embodiments
As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. In addition, it is also possible to combine the components described in the first embodiment to create a new embodiment.

Therefore, other embodiments are given below as examples.

In the first embodiment, a remote control has been described as an example of the display unit 50. However, the display unit 50 is not limited to a remote control, and may be anything that can communicate with the control unit 40. For example, the display unit 50 may be a terminal device carried by the user. In this case, the user can operate the fuel cell system 100 from outside the home via the terminal device as the display unit 50.

In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the period of weather information received by the receiving unit 30 is two days. However, the period of weather information received by the receiving unit 30 is not limited to two days. For example, the weather information received by the receiving unit 30 may be for three days. By the receiving unit 30 receiving weather information for a period longer than two days, the control unit 40 can create an operation plan for an even longer period.

In the first embodiment, "Off", "Sunny", and "Sunny and cloudy" were described as examples of user settings. However, the user settings are not limited to the above. For example, the user settings may include the presence or absence of obstacles blocking sunlight around the solar power generation device 400, such as "obstacles present" and "no obstacles present". In addition, after selecting "Off", "Sunny", or "Sunny and cloudy" as the user setting, the user may be further configured to select "obstacles present" or "no obstacles present". In this case, the user settings can be classified in more detail according to the installation status of the solar power generation device 400.

In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the time when the power generation suppression of the fuel cell 10 is set based on the month and season. However, the time when the power generation suppression of the fuel cell 10 is set is not limited to the above. For example, the time when the power generation suppression of the fuel cell 10 is set based on the area in which the fuel cell system 100 or the solar power generation device 400 is installed, or the installation conditions of the fuel cell system 100 or the solar power generation device 400. In this case, the time when the power generation suppression of the fuel cell 10 is set can be set according to the hours of sunlight in the area in which the solar power generation device 400 is installed, for example.

In the first embodiment, the solar power generation device 400 has been described as a component of the private power generation system 1000, but the present invention is not limited to the above. For example, instead of the solar power generation device 400, a power generation device that generates power using renewable energy, such as a wind power generation device, may be provided, and the time when the power generation of the fuel cell 10 is suppressed may be set according to the operation of the wind power generation device.

In the first embodiment, the control unit 40 sets the power generation suppression period of the fuel cell system 100 based on whether the interval between adjacent sunny days is two hours or more, but the present invention is not limited to the above. For example, the control unit 40 may set the power generation suppression period of the fuel cell system 100 based on the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 400. Even if the interval between adjacent sunny days is long, the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 400 may be insufficient. Therefore, by setting the power generation suppression period of the fuel cell system 100 based on the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 400, the power generation suppression period of the fuel cell system 100 can be set during a period in which the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 400 can be sufficiently secured.

This disclosure is applicable to fuel cell systems that can efficiently consume electricity generated by solar power generation. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to household fuel cells, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 fuel cell 20 hot water tank 30 receiving unit 40 control unit 50 display unit 100 fuel cell system 200 network 300 weather information server 400 solar power generation device 500 power source 1000 private power generation system

Claims (18)

A fuel cell that supplies the generated electricity to a power receiving facility;
A receiving unit that receives information regarding weather information from an external server;
a control unit that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell based on a power demand and a heat demand, and operates the fuel cell based on the operation plan;
The control unit is
Calculating an operation period of a power generation device that supplies power generated by utilizing renewable energy to the power receiving equipment based on the information received by the receiving unit;
When the operation period is equal to or longer than a predetermined first period, setting the operation plan as a stop period during which operation of the fuel cell is stopped for at least a part of the operation period;
If the operation period is shorter than the first period, the operation plan is set without taking the stop period into consideration.
Fuel cell system.
A fuel cell that supplies the generated electricity to a power receiving facility;
A receiving unit that receives information regarding weather information from an external server;
a control unit that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell based on a power demand and a heat demand, and operates the fuel cell based on the operation plan;
The control unit is
Calculating a plurality of operation periods of a power generation device that supplies power generated by utilizing renewable energy to the power receiving equipment based on the information received by the receiving unit;
and setting the operation plan as a stop period during which the operation of the fuel cell is stopped for at least a part of a period during which the amount of power generated by the power generation device is relatively large among the plurality of operation periods.
Fuel cell system.
When the plurality of operation periods includes a plurality of longest operation periods, the control unit sets the operation plan as the stop period for at least a part of an operation period that is set to a relatively earliest period in a second period among the plurality of longest operation periods.
The fuel cell system according to claim 2 .
A fuel cell that supplies the generated electricity to a power receiving facility;
A receiving unit that receives information regarding weather information from an external server;
a control unit that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell based on a power demand and a heat demand, and operates the fuel cell based on the operation plan;
The control unit is
Calculating a plurality of operation periods of a power generation device that supplies power generated by utilizing renewable energy to the power receiving equipment based on the information received by the receiving unit;
predicting a future power demand, which is the future power demand, from the past power demand;
setting the operation plan as a stop period during which the operation of the fuel cell is stopped for at least a part of a period during which the future power demand is relatively high among the plurality of operation periods;
Fuel cell system.
when the operation plan includes the stop period, the control unit advances the start-up time of the fuel cell compared to when the operation plan does not include the stop period, increases the amount of power generated by the fuel cell, or sets the operation plan so that a total value of consumed energy of electric power and gas supplied from an external source is relatively small.
The fuel cell system according to claim 1 .
A fuel cell that supplies the generated electricity to a power receiving facility;
A receiving unit that receives information regarding weather information from an external server;
a control unit that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell based on a power demand and a heat demand, and operates the fuel cell based on the operation plan;
The control unit is
Calculating a plurality of operation periods of a power generation device that supplies power generated by utilizing renewable energy to the power receiving equipment based on the information received by the receiving unit;
predicting a future power demand, which is the future power demand, from the past power demand;
predicting a future heat demand, which is the heat demand in the future, from the heat demand in the past;
setting the operation plan based on the plurality of operation periods, the future power demand, and the future heat demand so that a total value of consumed energy of electric power and gas supplied from an external source becomes relatively small;
Fuel cell system.
The power generation device is a solar power generation device.
7. A fuel cell system according to claim 1.
a fuel cell system having a fuel cell that supplies generated electric power to a power receiving facility;
A private power generation system including a power generation device that supplies power generated by utilizing renewable energy to the power receiving equipment,
The fuel cell system includes:
A receiving unit that receives information regarding weather information from an external server;
a control unit that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell based on a power demand and a heat demand, and operates the fuel cell based on the operation plan;
The control unit is
Calculating an operation period of the power generation device based on the information received by the receiving unit;
When the operation period is equal to or longer than a predetermined third period, the operation plan is set so that at least a part of the operation period is a stop period during which the operation of the fuel cell is stopped;
If the operation period is shorter than the third period, the operation plan is set without taking the stop period into consideration.
Self-generating power system.
a fuel cell system having a fuel cell that supplies generated electric power to a power receiving facility;
A private power generation system including a power generation device that supplies power generated by utilizing renewable energy to the power receiving equipment,
The fuel cell system includes:
A receiving unit that receives information regarding weather information from an external server;
a control unit that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell based on a power demand and a heat demand, and operates the fuel cell based on the operation plan;
The control unit is
Calculating a plurality of operation periods of the power generation device based on the information received by the receiving unit;
and setting the operation plan as a stop period during which the operation of the fuel cell is stopped for at least a part of a period during which the amount of power generated by the power generation device is relatively large among the plurality of operation periods.
Self-generating power system.
When the plurality of operation periods includes a plurality of longest operation periods, the control unit sets the operation plan to include at least a part of an operation period that is set to a relatively earliest period in a fourth period among the plurality of longest operation periods as the stop period.
The private power generation system according to claim 9.
a fuel cell system having a fuel cell that supplies generated electric power to a power receiving facility;
A private power generation system including a power generation device that supplies power generated by utilizing renewable energy to the power receiving equipment,
The fuel cell system includes:
A receiving unit that receives information regarding weather information from an external server;
a control unit that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell based on a power demand and a heat demand, and operates the fuel cell based on the operation plan;
The control unit is
Calculating a plurality of operation periods of the power generation device based on the information received by the receiving unit;
predicting a future power demand, which is the future power demand, from the past power demand;
setting the operation plan as a stop period during which the operation of the fuel cell is stopped for at least a part of a period during which the future power demand is relatively high among the plurality of operation periods;
Self-generating power system.
when the operation plan includes the stop period, the control unit advances the start-up time of the fuel cell compared to when the operation plan does not include the stop period, increases the amount of power generated by the fuel cell, or sets the operation plan so that a total value of consumed energy of electric power and gas supplied from an external source is relatively small.
The private power generation system according to any one of claims 8 to 11.
a fuel cell system having a fuel cell that supplies generated electric power to a power receiving facility;
A private power generation system including a power generation device that supplies power generated by utilizing renewable energy to the power receiving equipment,
The fuel cell system includes:
A receiving unit that receives information regarding weather information from an external server;
a control unit that sets an operation plan for the fuel cell based on a power demand and a heat demand, and operates the fuel cell based on the operation plan;
The control unit is
Calculating a plurality of operation periods of the power generation device based on the information received by the receiving unit;
predicting a future power demand, which is the future power demand, from the past power demand;
predicting a future heat demand, which is the heat demand in the future, from the heat demand in the past;
setting the operation plan based on the plurality of operation periods, the future power demand, and the future heat demand so that a total value of consumed energy of electric power and gas supplied from an external source becomes relatively small;
Self-generating power system.
The power generation device is a solar power generation device.
The private power generation system according to any one of claims 8 to 13.
a fuel cell system having a fuel cell that supplies generated electric power to a power receiving facility;
A private power generation system including a power generation device that supplies power generated by utilizing renewable energy to the power receiving equipment,
receiving information regarding weather information;
setting an operation plan for the fuel cell based on a power demand and a heat demand;
calculating an operation period of the power generation device based on the received information;
When the operation period is equal to or longer than a predetermined fifth period, setting the operation plan to set at least a part of the operation period as a stop period during which operation of the fuel cell is stopped;
If the operation period is shorter than the fifth period, setting the operation plan without taking into account the stop period;
and operating the fuel cell based on the operation plan.
How to operate a self-generating power system.
a fuel cell system having a fuel cell that supplies generated electric power to a power receiving facility;
A private power generation system including a power generation device that supplies power generated by utilizing renewable energy to the power receiving equipment,
receiving information regarding weather information;
setting an operation plan for the fuel cell based on a power demand and a heat demand;
calculating a plurality of operation periods of the power generating device based on the received information;
setting the operation plan as a stop period during which operation of the fuel cell is stopped for at least a part of a period during which the amount of power generated by the power generation device is relatively large among the plurality of operation periods;
and operating the fuel cell based on the operation plan.
How to operate a self-generating power system.
a fuel cell system having a fuel cell that supplies generated electric power to a power receiving facility;
A private power generation system including a power generation device that supplies power generated by utilizing renewable energy to the power receiving equipment,
receiving information regarding weather information;
setting an operation plan for the fuel cell based on a power demand and a heat demand;
calculating a plurality of operation periods of the power generating device based on the received information;
A step of predicting a future power demand, which is the future power demand, from the past power demand;
setting the operation plan as a stop period during which operation of the fuel cell is stopped for at least a part of a period during which the future power demand is relatively high among the plurality of operation periods;
and operating the fuel cell based on the operation plan.
How to operate a self-generating power system.
a fuel cell system having a fuel cell that supplies generated electric power to a power receiving facility;
A private power generation system including a power generation device that supplies power generated by utilizing renewable energy to the power receiving equipment,
receiving information regarding weather information;
setting an operation plan for the fuel cell based on a power demand and a heat demand;
calculating a plurality of operation periods of the power generating device based on the received information;
A step of predicting a future power demand, which is the future power demand, from the past power demand;
A step of predicting a future heat demand, which is the heat demand in the future, from the heat demand in the past; A step of setting the operation plan based on the plurality of operation periods, the future power demand, and the future heat demand so that a total value of consumed energy of electric power and gas supplied from outside is relatively small;
and operating the fuel cell based on the operation plan.
How to operate a self-generating power system.