Fuel cell system

Abstract

A fuel cell system (100) is provided with: a plurality of fuel cells (101); a fuel gas storage unit (2) that stores fuel gas; a valve device (25) that is disposed between the fuel gas supply flow path (PA1) of each of the plurality of fuel cells (101) and the fuel gas reservoir (2), and that permits or interrupts the flow of the fuel gas through the fuel gas supply flow path (PA1); and a control unit (102) that opens the valve device (25) in accordance with a valve opening command output from each of the plurality of fuel cells (101). When all of the plurality of fuel cells (101) are normal, the control unit (102) opens the valve device (25) when a valve opening command is output from at least one of the plurality of fuel cells (101).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fuel cell system having multiple fuel cells. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, in order to ensure that more people have access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and advanced energy, technologies related to fuel cells that contribute to energy efficiency are being developed. As a technology related to such fuel cells, techniques for starting fuel cell systems having multiple fuel cells are known. Such a system is described, for example, in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a fuel cell system comprising multiple control units that control multiple fuel cells respectively, and an integrated control unit that performs valve opening / closing of a high-pressure tank storing fuel gas. When the integrated control unit determines that there is no abnormality among the multiple fuel cells, it performs valve opening / closing after all multiple control units have instructed the valves to open; when it determines that at least one of the multiple fuel cells is abnormal, it performs valve opening / closing after at least one of the multiple control units has instructed the valves to open.

[0004] However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, when it is determined that there is no abnormality in multiple fuel cells, the valve opening is executed after all multiple control units have instructed the valve to open, so it is easy to take a long time until the fuel cell starts generating electricity.

[0005] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6973173 (JP6973173B2). Summary of the Invention

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a fuel cell system comprising: a plurality of fuel cells; a fuel gas storage unit for storing fuel gas; a valve device disposed between the fuel gas supply passage of each of the plurality of fuel cells and the fuel gas storage unit, for allowing or cutting off the flow of fuel gas through the fuel gas supply passage; and a control unit for opening the valve device according to an opening valve command output from each of the plurality of fuel cells. When all the plurality of fuel cells are operating normally, the control unit opens the valve device when an opening valve command is output from at least one of the plurality of fuel cells. Attached Figure Description

[0007] The objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention are further illustrated by the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0008] Figure 1 This is a diagram that schematically illustrates the main structural components of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2This is a block diagram that schematically illustrates the control structure of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 It is shown by Figure 2 A flowchart of an example of the processing performed by a separate controller; Figure 4 It is shown by Figure 2 A flowchart of an example of the processing performed by the overall controller. Detailed Implementation

[0009] The following is for reference Figures 1-4 Embodiments of the present invention will be described. The fuel cell system of the embodiments of the present invention has multiple fuel cells. This fuel cell system can be installed, for example, in large fuel cell vehicles such as fuel cell buses. Hereinafter, each of the multiple fuel cells will be referred to as a unit system. The fuel cell system has multiple unit systems, thereby increasing the overall power generation and enabling the supply of sufficient power to the drive motor of a large fuel cell vehicle.

[0010] The fuel cell system of the present invention is characterized by a structure that controls the flow of fuel gas when supplying fuel gas from a fuel gas tank storing fuel gas to multiple unit systems. Figure 1 This is a diagram that schematically illustrates the main structural components of a fuel cell system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The diagram mainly shows the supply path of the fuel gas.

[0011] like Figure 1 As shown, the fuel cell system 100 has multiple unit systems 101 (101A, 101B). For convenience, Figure 1 The diagram shows an example of a fuel cell system 100 having a pair of unit systems 101A and 101B, but the fuel cell system 100 may also have more than three unit systems 101. The multiple unit systems 101A and 101B have the same structure.

[0012] The unit system 101 includes a fuel cell stack 1, a fuel gas storage unit 2 for storing fuel gas, and a fuel gas supply unit 3 for supplying fuel gas from the fuel gas storage unit 2 to the fuel cell stack 1. The fuel gas is, for example, hydrogen.

[0013] The fuel gas supply unit 3 has a fuel gas flow channel forming section, which forms a fuel gas supply flow channel PA1 for supplying fuel gas from the fuel gas storage unit 2 to the fuel cell stack 1. Although not shown in the figure, the unit system 101 also has an oxidant gas flow channel forming section for forming an oxidant gas supply flow channel for supplying oxidant gas to the fuel cell stack 1, and a cooling medium flow channel forming section for forming a cooling medium supply flow channel for supplying cooling medium to the fuel cell stack 1. The oxidant gas is, for example, oxygen, and the cooling medium is, for example, water.

[0014] A fuel cell stack is composed of multiple stacked cells. Each cell has an electrolyte membrane, an anode separator facing one side of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode separator facing the other side of the electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane is, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. An anode electrode is formed on one side of the electrolyte membrane, and fuel gas is supplied to the anode channel between the anode separator and the anode electrode. An oxidant gas is formed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, and oxidant gas is supplied to the cathode channel between the cathode separator and the cathode electrode. The anode and cathode separators, arranged between adjacent pairs of cells, are integrated, and a cooling medium flows between these anode and cathode separators.

[0015] In the anode electrode, the fuel gas (hydrogen) supplied to the anode channel is ionized by a catalyst and moves through the electrolyte membrane towards the cathode electrode. The electrons generated are extracted as electrical energy via an external circuit. In the cathode electrode, the oxidant gas (oxygen) supplied to the cathode channel reacts with hydrogen ions introduced from the anode electrode and electrons moving from the anode electrode to produce water. The generated water provides appropriate humidity to the electrolyte membrane, and any remaining water is discharged to the outside.

[0016] The fuel gas storage unit 2 has multiple (e.g., a pair) fuel gas tanks 20 connected in parallel. The number of fuel gas tanks 20 can be one or more. The gas inlet sections of the multiple fuel gas tanks 20 are connected to filling manifolds 21. The filling manifolds 21 of the multiple unit systems 101A and 101B are connected to filling ports 23 via flow channels L1. The gas outlet sections of the multiple fuel gas tanks 20 are connected to supply manifolds 22 via electromagnetic switching valves (solenoid valves) 25. The supply manifolds 22 of the multiple unit systems 101A and 101B are connected to the fuel gas supply unit 3 via flow channels L2. Furthermore, the supply manifolds 22 of the multiple unit systems 101A and 101B are connected to each other via connecting flow channels L3.

[0017] With the switching valve 25 closed (valve shut off), fuel gas is supplied from the outside (e.g., a hydrogen refueling station) to the fuel gas storage section 2 via the filling port 23. The supplied fuel gas is evenly introduced into multiple fuel gas tanks 20 via the flow channel L1 and the filling manifold 21, where high-pressure fuel gas is stored.

[0018] The fuel cell stack 1 has an inlet port 1a and an outlet port 1b. The fuel gas supply channel PA1 is a channel from the fuel gas tank 20 to the inlet port 1a, and includes a supply channel PA11 connected between the connecting channel L3 and the inlet port 1a, an outlet channel PA12 connected to the outlet port 1b, and a circulation channel PA13 from the outlet channel PA12 to the supply channel PA11. An electromagnetic injector 31 for injecting fuel gas is disposed in the supply channel PA11. Although not shown in the figure, the injector 31 has multiple injectors connected side-by-side. An ejector 32 is also disposed in the supply channel PA11 between the injector 31 and the inlet port 1a.

[0019] A gas-liquid separator 33 is connected to the end of the discharge channel PA12 to separate moisture from the fuel gas (fuel exhaust) discharged from the outlet port 1b. The water separated by the gas-liquid separator 33 is discharged to the outside via the channel L4 and the drain valve 34. The gas-liquid separator 33 and the ejector 32 are connected via the circulation channel PA13.

[0020] The ejector 32 has a nozzle section, a suction section, a confluence section, and a diffuser section. Fuel gas injected from the injector 31 passes through the small-diameter nozzle section and flows into the diffuser section via the confluence section. At this time, fuel gas separated by the gas-liquid separator 33 is drawn into the ejector 32 via the circulation channel PA13 and the suction section. The drawn-in fuel gas merges with the fuel gas passing through the nozzle section in the confluence section, and then, after becoming a uniform airflow in the diffuser section, is supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 via the inlet port 1a.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a block diagram that schematically illustrates the control structure of the fuel cell system 100 according to this embodiment. (As shown...) Figure 2 As shown, the fuel cell system 100 includes a host controller (host ECU) 51, a main controller (main ECU) 52, and multiple individual controllers (individual ECUs) 53. Each controller 51 to 53 is configured as a computer having a CPU (central processing unit), ROM (read-only memory), RAM (random access memory), and peripheral circuitry. Sometimes, the main controller 52 and the multiple individual controllers 53 are collectively referred to as the control unit 102.

[0022] The host controller 51 and the main controller 52, and the main controller 52 and the individual controllers 53 are communicatively connected. In particular, the main controller 52 and the individual controllers 53 are communicatively connected to each other via a pair of communication lines L11 using a communication protocol such as CAN. Because of the network redundancy, the redundancy is high, so it is easy to maintain the continuity of communication between the main controller 52 and the individual controllers 53.

[0023] Individual controllers 53 are included in unit systems 101, and the number of individual controllers 53 corresponds to the number of unit systems 101. Figure 1 different, Figure 2 An example of a fuel cell system 100 with four unit systems 101 is shown, thus the fuel cell system 100 has four individual controllers 53. The number of individual controllers 53 can be multiple, or more than four.

[0024] The fuel cell system 100 of this embodiment is mounted in a vehicle. The host controller 51 calculates the required power generation of the vehicle (required power generation), that is, the overall required power generation of the fuel cell system 100. More specifically, the host controller 51 calculates the target drive torque of the drive motor based on a signal from an accelerator pedal opening sensor that detects the accelerator pedal opening, and calculates the required power generation needed by the drive motor to generate the target drive torque. Alternatively, the host controller 51 calculates the required power generation based on a signal from a battery sensor that detects the battery's remaining SOC, in a manner that the battery's remaining capacity reaches a predetermined value.

[0025] The main controller 52 determines the power generation of each unit system (individual power generation requirement) based on the required power generation. More specifically, the main controller 52 determines whether there is an abnormality (fault) in the unit system 101 based on signals from the individual controllers 53, and determines the individual power generation requirement based on the determination result. For example, if one of the four unit systems 101 malfunctions, the individual power generation requirement is determined in such a way that the required power generation is shared by the remaining (three) unit systems 101 that have not malfunctioned. In addition, the main controller 52 estimates the degree of degradation of the unit system 101 based on signals from the individual controllers 53, and determines the individual power generation requirement based on the estimation result. Specifically, the individual power generation requirement is determined by prioritizing the power generation of the unit system 101 with a lower degree of degradation (higher efficiency).

[0026] Individual controller 53 determines whether there is any abnormality in unit system 101 and estimates the degree of degradation of unit system 101 based on signals from temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc., which detect the temperature and pressure of fuel gas supply channel PA1, oxidant gas supply channel, and cooling medium supply channel. Then, it sends these results of the abnormality determination and the estimated degree of degradation to the main controller 52. Furthermore, individual controller 53 controls injectors 31, etc., to generate electricity in a manner corresponding to the individual required power output of fuel cell stack 1, according to instructions from the main controller 52.

[0027] The main controller 52 outputs control signals to multiple switching valves 25 according to instructions from individual controllers 53, causing the multiple switching valves 25 to open and close simultaneously. More specifically, when the main controller 52 outputs a hydrogen retention requirement from the individual controllers 53 during the startup of the fuel cell system 100, it opens the multiple switching valves 25.

[0028] The main controller 52 starts when it receives a start signal (start command) from the upper controller 51 after the upper controller 51 is started, for example, due to the ignition switch being turned on in the driver's seat. Then, after starting, the main controller 52 sends a start signal (start command) to the individual controller 53. As a result, the individual controller 53 starts. On the other hand, when the ignition switch is turned off, the main controller 52 sends a stop signal (stop command) to the individual controller 53.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processes related to hydrogen retention requirements executed in each individual controller 53. The processes shown in this flowchart begin when a start signal is sent from the main controller 52 to the individual controller 53, and are repeated at predetermined intervals until a stop signal is output to the individual controller 53. The main controller 52 continuously sends start signals to the individual controller 53 until an abnormality (failure) is received from the individual controller 53. This maintains the start-up state of the individual controller 53. Figure 3 In the initial state at the beginning of the process, the hydrogen requirement is to be marked as zero.

[0030] First, in step S1 (S: processing step), the CPU determines whether a start signal is output from the main controller 52, i.e., whether there is a start request. If no abnormal signal is sent from the individual controller 53, the start request is continuously output from the main controller 52. In this case, S1 is affirmative (S1: Yes), and the process proceeds to S2. In S2, the CPU sets the hydrogen retention requirement flag to 1 and outputs the hydrogen retention requirement. Then, the hydrogen retention requirement is sent to the main controller 52.

[0031] On the other hand, when S1 is determined to be negative (S1: No) due to an abnormal signal sent from the individual controller 53, the process proceeds to S3, where the CPU determines whether the hydrogen retention requirement flag is 1. If S3 is positive (S3: Yes), the process proceeds to S4; if S3 is negative (S3: No), the process ends. In S4, the CPU determines whether the fuel cell shutdown process is complete. If an abnormality is detected in the unit system 101, the CPU performs shutdown processing. During shutdown processing, the CPU controls the valves for fuel gas, oxidant gas, and cooling medium at predetermined times, and stops power generation in the fuel cell stack 1 after the residual fuel gas in the fuel cell stack is consumed. Furthermore, oxidant gas is forced into the fuel cell stack by driving an air pump, etc., to remove residual moisture in the fuel cell stack.

[0032] When S4 is affirmative (S4: Yes), proceed to S5; when S4 is negative (S4: No), the process ends.

[0033] In S5, the CPU sets the hydrogen hold requirement flag to 0, stopping the output of the hydrogen hold requirement. This stops sending hydrogen hold requirements to the main controller 52.

[0034] In the event of an anomaly occurring on both communication lines L11, the main controller 52 and the individual controller 53 cannot communicate, and the individual controller 53 cannot send an anomaly signal to the main controller 52. In this case, the main controller 52 treats it as if the individual controller 53 has not output a hydrogen retention request. On the other hand, if an anomaly occurs in one of the communication lines L11, the main controller 52 and the individual controller 53 can communicate through other systems. In this case, the individual controller 53 sends a hydrogen retention request to the main controller 52.

[0035] The operation of the individual controller 53 during startup will be explained in more detail. When the unit system 101 is functioning normally, the individual controller 53 sends a hydrogen retention request to the main controller 52 upon receiving the startup signal (S2). However, if a fault occurs in the unit system 101 that prevents normal shutdown procedures (processing using fuel gas), thus preventing the unit system 101 from generating electricity, the individual controller 53 initiates shutdown procedures and sends an abnormal signal indicating that power generation is impossible to the main controller 52. Upon receiving the abnormal signal, the main controller 52 stops sending startup signals to the individual controller 53. Therefore, the individual controller 53 stops sending hydrogen retention requests to the main controller 52 after the shutdown procedures are completed (S5).

[0036] On the other hand, if a hydrogen leak occurs in the fuel cell stack 1, making normal shutdown procedures impossible, the individual controller 53 performs a different shutdown procedure (emergency shutdown). In this case, the individual controller 53 shuts down the unit system 101 in a shorter time than usual, and then stops sending hydrogen retention requests to the main controller 52.

[0037] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing executed by the CPU of the main controller 52, particularly an example of the processing related to the opening of the switching valve 25 during the startup of the fuel cell system 100. The processing shown in this flowchart begins after the startup processing of the main controller 52 is completed and repeats at predetermined intervals. Figure 4 In the initial state before the processing begins, the switching valve 25 is closed.

[0038] exist Figure 4 In step S11, the CPU determines whether a hydrogen holding request has been received from at least one of the multiple individual controllers 53. When S11 is affirmative (S11: Yes), the process proceeds to S12, where the CPU outputs control signals to the multiple switching valves 25, simultaneously opening the multiple switching valves 25. Conversely, when S11 is negative, the process proceeds to S13, where the CPU closes the multiple switching valves 25.

[0039] The main operations of the fuel cell system 100 in this embodiment can be summarized as follows. When the vehicle's ignition switch is turned on, the host controller 51 starts, and then, according to the instructions from the host controller 51, the main controller 52 begins the start-up process. After the start-up process is completed, the main controller 52 sends start-up signals to multiple individual controllers 53. When an individual controller 53 receives a start-up signal, it determines whether there is any abnormality in the unit system 101. Then, when it is determined that there is no abnormality, that is, when no hydrogen retention request is received from any of the multiple individual controllers 53, the individual controller 53 sends a hydrogen retention request to the main controller 52 (S2).

[0040] When the main controller 52 receives a hydrogen retention request from at least one of the individual controllers 53, it simultaneously opens the multiple switching valves 25 (S12). This allows fuel gas to be supplied from the fuel gas storage unit 2 to the fuel gas supply unit 3. In this state, when the injector 31 is driven according to instructions from the individual controllers 53, fuel gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 via the fuel gas supply channel PA1, and power generation begins.

[0041] In this scenario, even if only a portion of the multiple unit systems 101 malfunctions, as long as not all of the unit systems 101 malfunction, a hydrogen retention request is output to the main controller 52, thus opening the switching valve 25. Therefore, fuel cell power generation can proceed smoothly. Furthermore, there are fluctuations in the timing of the start-up processes completed by the multiple individual controllers 53, resulting in fluctuations in the timing of the output of the hydrogen retention request flag after start-up. Regarding this, when all unit systems 101 are functioning normally, the main controller 52 instructs the switching valve 25 to open at the moment it receives the hydrogen retention request from the first started individual controller 53. This allows for earlier supply of fuel gas to the fuel cell stack 1, enabling earlier initiation of fuel cell power generation.

[0042] In contrast, if the switching valve 25 is opened only after the hydrogen supply from all individual controllers 53 has been maintained, the timing of the opening of the switching valve 25 will be later, and therefore it will take longer for the fuel cell to start generating electricity.

[0043] The following effects can be achieved by adopting this implementation method.

[0044] (1) The fuel cell system 100 includes: multiple unit systems (fuel cells) 101; a fuel gas storage unit 2 for storing fuel gas; a switching valve 25 disposed between the fuel gas supply channel PA1 of each of the multiple unit systems 101 and the fuel gas storage unit 2 (especially the fuel gas tank 20), allowing or cutting off the flow of fuel gas through the fuel gas supply channel PA1; and a control unit 102 that opens the switching valve 25 according to the valve opening command, i.e., the hydrogen retention requirement, output from each of the multiple unit systems 101. Figure 1 , Figure 2 When all the multiple unit systems 101 are functioning normally, the control unit 102 (especially the main controller 52) opens the switching valve 25 to maintain the required output hydrogen from at least one of the multiple unit systems 101. This allows the switching valve 25 to be opened earlier when the fuel cell system 100 starts up, enabling earlier commencement of power generation in the fuel cell system 100 having multiple fuel cells (unit systems 101).

[0045] (2) The control unit 102 includes: a main controller 52 that determines the required power generation for each of the plurality of unit systems 101; and a plurality of individual controllers 53 that individually control each of the plurality of unit systems 101 to generate power in accordance with the required power generation determined by the main controller 52. Figure 2 The main controller 52 determines whether a hydrogen holding requirement has been output from multiple individual controllers 53. When all multiple unit systems 101 are functioning normally, if a hydrogen holding requirement is output from at least one of the multiple individual controllers 53, the switching valve 25 will be opened. Figure 4Therefore, by aggregating the hydrogen retention requirements output from multiple individual controllers 53 by the main controller 52, the processing load can be reduced.

[0046] (3) The main controller 52 will also open the switching valve 25 even if a part of the multiple unit systems 101 malfunctions, while the output hydrogen from at least one of the multiple individual controllers 53 remains required. Figure 4 Therefore, even if a portion of the multiple unit systems 101 malfunctions, power generation can still begin.

[0047] (4) Each of the multiple individual controllers 53 is configured to be communicatively connected to the main controller 52 via a pair of communication lines L11, L11, and outputs the hydrogen retention requirement from each of the multiple individual controllers 53 via each of the pair of communication lines L11, L11. Thus, even if one of the communication lines L11, L11 malfunctions, the hydrogen retention requirement can still be output via the other communication line L11.

[0048] (5) When both of the communication lines L11 and L11 are malfunctioning, the main controller 52 determines that the individual controller 53 connected to the communication lines L11 and L11 that are malfunctioning is not outputting a hydrogen holding requirement. Therefore, even if there is an individual controller 53 that cannot communicate with the main controller 52, the main controller 52 can still open the switching valve 25 and start generating electricity because it receives the hydrogen holding requirement output from the other individual controller 53.

[0049] The above-described embodiments can be modified in various ways. Several modifications will be described below. In the above-described embodiments, an electromagnetic switching valve 25 is disposed between the fuel gas tank 20 and the supply manifold 22. By switching the valve 25 on and off, the flow of fuel gas through the fuel gas supply channel PA1 is allowed or cut off, but the structure of the valve device is not limited to this. In addition, the valve device can be disposed in other locations as long as it is disposed in the fuel gas supply channel from the fuel gas storage section 2 (fuel gas tank 20) ​​to the fuel gas supply channel of the multiple fuel cells.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the control unit 102 is composed of a main controller 52 and individual controllers 53. The main controller 52 (main control unit) instructs the opening of the switching valve 25 according to the hydrogen retention requirements (valve opening commands) output from each of the multiple fuel cells (unit system 101). However, the configuration of the control unit is not limited to this. For example, a specific individual controller 53 among the multiple individual controllers 53 (individual control units) may also have the function of the main controller 52.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the main controller 52 determines the individual power generation requirement in such a way that the required power generation is shared by the normal unit systems 101 as requested by the upper controller 51. In this case, the individual power generation requirement can also be determined by having all of the multiple normal unit systems 101 generate power, or by having only a portion of the unit systems 101 generate power. In the above embodiment, the unit system 101 in a faulty state outputs an abnormal signal; however, if it can generate power according to the instructions from the main controller 52 even in a faulty state, the unit system 101 may not output an abnormal signal. That is, even if the unit system 101 is in a faulty state, depending on the type of fault, it can be treated the same as a normal unit system 101 to generate power.

[0052] In the above embodiment, when an opening valve command is output from at least one of the multiple fuel cells (unit system 101), the control unit 102 simultaneously opens the multiple switching valves 25. That is, an opening valve command is output regardless of whether all the multiple fuel cells are functioning normally, but the control unit 102 may also output an opening valve command if all the multiple fuel cells are functioning normally. Alternatively, if all the multiple fuel cells are malfunctioning, the control unit 102 may not output an opening valve command even if an opening valve command is output from at least one of the multiple fuel cells.

[0053] In the above embodiments, an example of applying the fuel cell system 100 to a fuel cell vehicle was described, but the fuel cell system of the present invention can be applied to various mobile bodies having multiple fuel cells, and can also be applied to other mobile bodies.

[0054] It is possible to combine one or more of the above-described embodiments and variations, and to combine the variations with each other.

[0055] Using this invention, fuel cells can start generating electricity earlier.

[0056] The present invention has been described above in conjunction with preferred embodiments, but those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A fuel cell system, characterized in that, have: Multiple fuel cells (101); Fuel gas storage section (2), which stores fuel gas; A valve device (25), disposed between the fuel gas supply passage (PA1) of each of the plurality of fuel cells (101) and the fuel gas storage section (2), allows or cuts off the flow of fuel gas via the fuel gas supply passage (PA1); and The control unit (102) opens the valve device (25) according to the valve opening command output from each of the plurality of fuel cells (101). When all the fuel cells (101) are functioning normally, the control unit (102) opens the valve device (25) when it outputs the valve opening command from at least one of the plurality of fuel cells (101).

2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit (102) includes: a central control unit (52) that determines the individual power generation requirements of each of the plurality of fuel cells (101); and a plurality of individual control units (53) that individually control each of the plurality of fuel cells (101) to generate power in accordance with the individual power generation requirements determined by the central control unit (52). The main control unit (52) determines whether the valve opening command has been output from the plurality of individual control units (53), and when all the plurality of fuel cells (101) are normal, the valve device (25) is opened when it is determined that the valve opening command has been output from at least one of the plurality of individual control units (53).

3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The main control unit (25) opens the valve device (25) when at least one of the multiple individual control units (53) outputs the valve opening command even if a portion of the multiple fuel cells (101) malfunctions.

4. The fuel cell system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of individual control units (53) is configured to be communicatively connected to the main control unit (52) via a plurality of communication lines (L11), and outputs the valve opening command from each of the plurality of individual control units (53) via each of the plurality of communication lines (L11).

5. The fuel cell system according to claim 4, characterized in that, When all of the multiple communication lines (L11) malfunction, the main control unit (52) determines that the individual control unit (53) connected to the multiple communication lines (L11) that malfunctioned did not output the valve opening command.

6. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The fuel gas storage unit (2) includes multiple fuel gas storage units (2). The valve device (25) includes a plurality of valve devices (25) sandwiched between the fuel gas supply channel (PA1) of each of the plurality of fuel cells (101) and the plurality of fuel gas storage sections (2).

7. The fuel cell system according to claim 6, characterized in that, When all of the plurality of fuel cells (101) are functioning normally, the control unit (102) simultaneously opens the plurality of valve devices (25) when it outputs the valve opening command from at least one of the plurality of fuel cells (101).

8. The fuel cell system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, It also includes a higher-level control unit (51), which calculates the overall required power generation for the fuel cell system (100). The main control unit (52) starts when it receives a start command from the upper control unit (51) after the upper control unit (51) starts, and sends a start signal to the multiple individual control units (53), and then determines whether the multiple fuel cells (101) are abnormal based on the signals from the multiple individual control units (53).

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