Electrolysis module cluster

Abstract

The invention relates to a microelectrolysis module cluster (100) having a first electrolysis module (140) and a second electrolysis module (140) wherein each electrolysis module (140) has: an electrolysis reactor system having a plurality of actuators and a plurality of sensors; a power electronics device coupled with the electrolytic reactor system to provide electrical energy; and control and regulation electronics (130), the control and regulation electronics being in signal coupling with the plurality of actuators and sensors and the power electronics, respectively; and wherein the control and regulation electronics (130) are arranged to be based on signals of a corresponding plurality of sensors of the electrolytic reactor system; and on the basis of the amount of electrolysis product demand provided to the electrolysis modules (140), respectively; and on the basis of one of a plurality of operating modes provided to the respective electrolysis module (140), the respective electrolysis reactor system is operated in an autonomously regulated manner by means of the actuator and the power electronics; and wherein the respective control and regulation electronics (130) of the first electrolysis module (140) and of the second electrolysis module (140) are configured and arranged to be in signal coupling with a control interface (120) in order to provide a respective operating mode and / or a respective amount of electrolysis product requirement for the autonomous regulation operation of the respective electrolysis module (140) in each case, and wherein the control and regulation electronics (130) of the first electrolysis module (140) and the second electrolysis module (140) are configured and arranged to be in signal coupling with the control interface (120).

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Recently, the number and scale of water electrolysis projects announced for the production of "green" hydrogen have increased dramatically. Current solutions for electrolysis units focus on two main approaches: one is a containerized solution, where the entire electrolysis unit is housed in one or a few containers. The other is medium- and large-scale electrolysis units with power consumption ranging from 1 MW to several GW, planned as individual components or constructed from prefabricated modules. Summary of the Invention

[0002] Requirements for medium and large-scale electrolysis plants, in addition to high overall efficiency, high equipment safety, robust and long-term operation with low maintenance time, also include dynamic operating modes, easy replacement of faulty components, and simple integration of new components to expand equipment capacity. Here, high-cost components, such as the electrolysis reactor, must be protected during operation. These requirements are difficult to meet with current control schemes used for large-scale equipment.

[0003] For example, if all components of a system are centrally controlled, a failure in one part of the system can cause downtime in other parts that were otherwise operational. Furthermore, such central control requires a complex software architecture.

[0004] According to aspects of the invention, an electrolysis module cluster and a multi-electrolysis module cluster are proposed according to the features of the independent claims. Advantageous configurations are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, an electrolysis module cluster having a first electrolysis module and a second electrolysis module is proposed. Each electrolysis module has an electrolysis reactor system with multiple actuators and multiple sensors. Additionally, each electrolysis module has an output connector, a water supply connector, and power electronics. The output connector is configured to provide the generated electrolytic gas, and the power electronics are coupled to the electrolysis reactor system to provide electrical energy. Each electrolysis module also has control and regulation electronics, which are signal-coupled to the multiple actuators, sensors, and power electronics, respectively. Here, the control and regulation electronics are configured to autonomously regulate the operation of each electrolysis reactor system based on signals from corresponding multiple sensors of the electrolysis reactor system, based on the electrolysis product quantity requirements provided to each electrolysis module, and based on an operating mode provided to each electrolysis module from among multiple operating modes, using the actuators and power electronics. The control and regulation electronics of the first and second electrolysis modules are configured and coupled to a control interface signal to provide a corresponding operating mode and / or a corresponding electrolysis product quantity requirement for the autonomous regulation operation of each electrolysis module.

[0006] An electrolytic reactor system may include an electrolytic reactor, multiple actuators, and multiple sensors. Power electronics may be configured for coupling with a power supply network, particularly via a transformer. Individual electrolytic modules may be configured to operate in a variety of selectable operating modes.

[0007] Electrolysis module clusters can be used to construct medium- or large-scale electrolysis units by connecting multiple electrolysis modules into a cluster of independently adjustable modules. These modules each have hardware- and software-compatible and / or structurally identical interfaces and / or signal interfaces. This cluster can function as a control-controlled unit based on these compatible interfaces and / or signal interfaces, capable of producing the required quantity of electrolytic products. Here, the control interface can provide different operating modes for each electrolysis module, allowing the cluster's operation to be optimized in terms of operating parameters such as lifespan and / or product yield, based on the specifications and / or operating history of each module.

[0008] Each electrolysis module can have a consistent production capacity, such as 2.5MW of power consumption. Alternatively or additionally, electrolysis modules with different production capacities can be combined into the cluster using compatible and / or structurally identical interfaces. Here, the production capacity of an individual electrolysis module can be selected independently of the production capacity of the electrolysis module cluster, thus enabling optimization of the production capacity of each electrolysis module in the cluster.

[0009] The individual electrolysis modules in the cluster can be connected to a common water supply and / or a common water circulation system. With such an electrolysis module cluster, greater power consumption and / or greater hydrogen production can be achieved.

[0010] Advantageously, electrolysis module clusters can be flexibly scaled for different electrolysis product yield requirements through modular construction of self-regulating electrolysis modules with compatible interfaces and / or signal interfaces. Each electrolysis module can be externally packaged in terms of its functionality using control and regulation electronics. Therefore, new and / or replacement electrolysis modules can be easily attached to the control interface and thus to the entire device, corresponding to the electrolysis module cluster. Furthermore, through the self-regulating operation of each individual electrolysis module, each module can operate independently of the others, especially provided there are hardware-determined limitations, such as those due to shared water circulation.

[0011] Additionally, the control interface can be set and configured so that when one electrolysis module fails or is under maintenance, the other electrolysis modules in the electrolysis module cluster can continue to operate.

[0012] Each control and regulation electronics in each electrolysis module can be set and configured to have hardware-specific information necessary for autonomous operation, such as information about components, like sensors and / or actuators of each electrolysis module, and to control and / or regulate each electrolysis module for operation accordingly. Therefore, the control interface does not require hardware-specific information about each individual electrolysis module in the electrolysis module cluster. This results in simpler and more robust software design for the control interface.

[0013] Because each electrolysis module operates autonomously, individual modules can be fully assembled during manufacturing and individually tested before delivery. This simplifies the construction of new electrolysis clusters and / or the expansion of existing ones.

[0014] The construction of an electrolysis module cluster, consisting of individual electrolysis modules, can simplify and / or reduce the training costs for operators and maintenance personnel.

[0015] The control and regulation electronics of each electrolysis module can be configured to control or regulate all functions related to the electrolysis module. The control and regulation electronics can be configured to couple with control interface signals corresponding to a higher-level control, corresponding to a secondary control (“Slave”), wherein the higher-level control is configured to control and / or regulate the cluster of electrolysis modules, corresponding to a primary control (“Master”).

[0016] In other words, the control and regulation electronics can be configured to encapsulate the functions of each electrolysis module in such a way that each electrolysis module can operate autonomously. For autonomous operation, the electrolysis module cluster can be provided with corresponding operating modes and / or target operating modes, and the corresponding electrolysis product quantity requirements can be provided for the entire electrolysis module cluster and / or for each electrolysis module.

[0017] In addition, control and regulation electronics can be configured to exchange operating parameters, safety-related messages, warnings, messages and operating status, especially with the control interface and / or with the central controller, for example via a signal interface.

[0018] Control and regulation electronics can be configured to implement safety control and control of the electrolysis module. For this purpose, the control and regulation electronics can be coupled to the sensor and actuator signals of the electrolysis module, particularly to regulate and / or control the sensors and actuators of the individual electrolysis reactor system and / or the power electronics of each individual electrolysis module. Furthermore, the control and regulation electronics can be configured to store and / or process hardware-specific data of the components of the electrolysis module, such as component drivers, calibration values, configurations, model and serial numbers, and / or licenses.

[0019] Advantageously, the control and regulation electronics can be configured to store historical data of the electrolysis module and / or the electrolysis reactor system, and / or the components of the electrolysis module and / or the sensors and / or actuators and / or power electronics of the electrolysis module and / or the electrolysis reactor system, in order to control and / or regulate the individual electrolysis modules, in particular, based on this stored historical data, with regard to the corresponding operating mode and / or the corresponding current electrolysis product production capacity and / or the corresponding electrolysis product demand.

[0020] Advantageously, the control and regulation electronics can be configured, initialized, and / or tested during manufacturing, based on the autonomous operation of each electrolysis module and with the aid of corresponding control and regulation electronics. This allows for faster deployment at the electrolysis cluster's operating location.

[0021] Advantageously, through the modular construction of the electrolysis module cluster, each individual electrolysis module can be tested, including control and regulation electronics, before delivery. Furthermore, the modular structure significantly simplifies the replacement of individual electrolysis modules and / or the integration of other and / or new electrolysis modules.

[0022] The control interface can control and / or regulate the electrolysis module cluster in accordance with the primary control. For this purpose, the control interface can be coupled to signals from multiple electrolysis modules and / or multiple actuators and / or multiple sensors, serving not only for control and / or regulation but also for communication. Therefore, the control interface can be configured to coordinate the production of each electrolysis module for electrolysis production. Thus, a simple and flexible interface for controlling the electrolysis module cluster can be provided by means of such a control interface. Furthermore, individual electrolysis modules can operate flexibly and independently of each other, and their operation and / or production can be optimally coordinated with each other.

[0023] According to one aspect, an electrolysis module cluster has a control interface, wherein the control interface is signal-coupled with the respective control and regulation electronics of the first and second electrolysis modules. The control interface is configured and set to be signal-coupled with a central controller for providing the electrolysis module cluster with a total electrolysis product quantity requirement and a target operating mode. Furthermore, the control interface is configured and set to compare the total electrolysis product quantity requirement provided for the target operating mode of the electrolysis module cluster with the sum of the current electrolysis product quantity production capacity of each electrolysis module for the target operating mode of the electrolysis module cluster. The respective control and regulation electronics of each electrolysis module are configured to provide their own electrolysis product quantity requirement corresponding to the total electrolysis product quantity requirement and a corresponding operating mode for operating the corresponding electrolysis module.

[0024] Control and regulation electronics can be configured to provide the corresponding electrolytic product quantity requirements and corresponding operating modes to the respective electrolytic modules for operation, provided that the total electrolytic product quantity production capacity is sufficient in terms of quantity, and therefore control each electrolytic module in such a way that each electrolytic module produces the corresponding electrolytic product quantity and / or consumes the corresponding electrical power.

[0025] The control and regulation electronics can be configured to compare the operating modes achievable by each electrolysis module with the operating modes provided by the control interface, and to provide the comparison result to the control interface. The control and regulation electronics can also be configured to operate the corresponding electrolysis module only in the operating mode provided by the control interface if the provided operating mode is achievable for that module.

[0026] The control interface of the electrolysis module cluster can be configured and set to be signal-coupled with the central controller to transmit and / or acquire operating parameters, such as target and actual values ​​for the operating mode, hydrogen production or electrolysis product quantity requirements, water temperature of the cooling loops of each electrolysis reactor system, and / or fluid volumetric flow rate of each electrolysis module. Additionally, the control interface can be set and configured to transmit and / or acquire and / or provide safety-related messages, for example, when safety controls of the electrolysis modules are triggered. Furthermore, the control interface can be set and configured to transmit and / or acquire and / or provide warnings, messages, and / or operating status.

[0027] For the operational control of the electrolysis module cluster, the control interface can be set and configured to coordinate and / or assign the operating modes of individual electrolysis modules. This coordination and / or assignment may include: allocating electrolysis product quantity requirements to the electrolysis modules in accordance with the requested hydrogen production, and / or calculating operating values ​​for controlling the electrolysis unit, such as the total fluid volumetric flow rate required by the electrolysis module cluster, and / or assigning target operating parameters, such as the corresponding operating mode and the corresponding electrolysis product quantity in accordance with the hydrogen production, to the control and regulation electronics of each electrolysis module.

[0028] According to one aspect, the control interface is set and configured to allocate the total electrolysis product quantity demand to each electrolysis module in accordance with the requested hydrogen production capacity based on the current corresponding electrolysis product quantity production capacity of each electrolysis module and / or in accordance with other criteria, such as minimizing the aging of the electrolysis reactor system and / or maximizing the electrolysis product quantity, for example, corresponding to hydrogen production and / or maximizing the efficiency of the device.

[0029] For example, to meet certain criteria, some of the electrolysis modules in an electrolysis module cluster can be kept in a non-productive state to control the remaining modules as closely as possible to the criteria. Alternatively, to meet another criterion, all electrolysis modules can operate with low electrolytic product requirements. Still alternatively, some electrolysis modules can be actively switched on to operate with electrolytic product requirements higher than the average requirement to maintain the modules.

[0030] The central controller, using a PLC (programmable logic computer), can be configured to control and / or regulate one or more electrolysis module clusters. Additionally, the central controller can be configured to implement safety control of the electrolysis unit (S-PLC). For this purpose, the central controller can be configured and set to communicate with the respective control interfaces of each electrolysis module cluster to, for example, request and / or provide operating parameters, such as status information, target and actual values ​​for the corresponding operating mode, hydrogen production, water temperature in the water circulation or cooling water circulation, and / or the volumetric flow rate of the corresponding fluid in the electrolysis module.

[0031] In addition, the central controller can be configured and set to communicate with the various control interfaces of the various electrolysis module clusters, for example, to exchange and / or provide safety-related status messages when safety control of one of the multiple electrolysis modules is triggered, and / or to exchange and / or request and / or provide warnings, messages and operating status.

[0032] According to one approach, the control interface is configured and set to provide a corresponding operating mode for each electrolysis module based on the target operating mode provided to the electrolysis module cluster.

[0033] Here, the target operating mode can be provided by the central controller to set the operating mode of individual electrolysis modules and / or clusters of electrolysis modules. Based on the historical data stored in each electrolysis module, and / or each electrolysis reactor system, and / or each component of each electrolysis module, and / or each sensor and / or each actuator and / or each power electronic device of each electrolysis module and / or each electrolysis reactor system, the control interface can be configured to control and / or adjust the corresponding electrolysis modules regarding the corresponding operating mode and / or the corresponding current electrolysis product production capacity and / or the corresponding electrolysis product demand.

[0034] According to one aspect, the first electrolysis module and the second electrolysis module are configured and set to operate in different operating modes and / or with different electrolysis product quantity requirements, respectively.

[0035] Therefore, the control interface can be configured to optimize the operation of each electrolysis module based on historical data stored in each electrolysis module up to the present, in accordance with the total electrolysis product demand and the target operating mode of the electrolysis module cluster.

[0036] According to one aspect, multiple operating modes and / or multiple target operating modes include: ON (power on) mode, OFF (power off) mode, COLD-Stand-by mode, WARM-Stand-by mode, Protection-OFF mode, Emergency-OFF mode, and / or Normal mode. Here, ON and OFF modes are self-explanatory. COLD-Stand-by mode describes an operating mode for each electrolysis module, in which water circulation for the electrolysis module is actively activated and sensor values ​​are analyzed and evaluated, but no current is consumed by any corresponding electrolysis module for electrolysis. WARM-Stand-by mode describes an operating state in which each electrolysis module has temperature-controlled water circulation and analyzes and evaluates sensor data, but no current is consumed by any corresponding electrolysis module for electrolysis. Protection-OFF mode indicates an OFF operating mode for each electrolysis module, in which, for example, the temperature of the water circulation for the corresponding electrolysis module exceeds a critical value and the water circulation pump is controlled to generate a higher flow rate. Emergency-OFF mode indicates an OFF operating mode for each electrolysis module, in which the power supply to the electrolysis module is interrupted, for example, due to a detected error and is shut off in response to an emergency stop. Normal mode identifies an operating mode in which each electrolysis module produces electrolytic products according to the required amount of electrolytic products.

[0037] According to one perspective, the Normal mode in the operating modes includes: a lifespan protection mode, a maximum production mode, a minimum power mode, and / or an LCOH mode (levelized cost of hydrogen). Here, the lifespan protection mode identifies an operating mode for each electrolysis module, in which the electrolysis modules are selected with respect to the supplied electrical power and / or other operating conditions, such as the temperature of the water circulation, to maximize the lifespan of each electrolysis module. The maximum production mode identifies an operating mode in which each electrolysis module operates to maximize the amount of electrolytic products. The minimum power mode identifies an operating mode for each electrolysis module, in which each electrolysis module operates with minimum electrical power and produces a correspondingly small amount of electrolytic products. The LCOH mode identifies an operating mode for each electrolysis module, in which each electrolysis module is controlled to optimize the cost of the electrolytic products (e.g., hydrogen).

[0038] According to one aspect, the control interface is configured and set to provide each electrolysis module with a corresponding electrolysis product quantity demand based on the total electrolysis product quantity demand and based on at least one quality factor (Gütefaktor) of the corresponding electrolysis module. Here, the quality factor of each electrolysis module can be defined based on stored historical data of each electrolysis module, and / or each electrolysis reactor system, and / or each component of each electrolysis module, and / or each sensor and / or actuator of each electrolysis module and / or each power electronic device of each electrolysis reactor system, so as to control and / or adjust the corresponding electrolysis module, in particular, based on the stored historical data characterizing the quality factor, regarding their respective operating modes and / or their respective current electrolysis product quantity production capacity and / or their respective electrolysis product quantity demand.

[0039] According to one approach, the control interface is configured and set to determine the corresponding operating mode for each electrolysis module based on the target operating mode provided to the electrolysis module cluster and based on at least one quality factor of the corresponding electrolysis module; and to provide each electrolysis module with possible operating modes for operation. In particular, the specific electrolysis product production capacity of each electrolysis module can also be considered.

[0040] According to one aspect, the at least one quality factor includes: the current electrolytic product production capacity of the corresponding electrolysis module, and / or the time period until the next planned maintenance of the corresponding electrolysis module, and / or the fault message history of the corresponding electrolysis module, and / or the operating time of the corresponding electrolysis module, and / or the current consumption history of the corresponding electrolysis module, and / or the temperature history of the electrolysis reactor system of the corresponding electrolysis module. Here, the at least one quality factor is defined such that it characterizes the current state of the corresponding electrolysis module in providing electrolytic product quantity, particularly taking into account the corresponding operating mode.

[0041] According to one aspect, the control and regulation electronics of each electrolysis module are configured and set to provide the control interface with the current operating mode and / or the specific electrolytic product production capacity and / or the current electrolytic product quantity of each electrolysis module. Specifically, if the technical production capacity of each electrolysis module is insufficient to meet the electrolytic product quantity requirements and / or the provided operating mode and / or the electrolytic product quantity requirements are insufficient in the provided operating mode, the control interface can be set and configured, based on the current operating mode and / or the specific electrolytic product production capacity and / or the current electrolytic product quantity, to provide a correspondingly adapted electrolytic product quantity requirement and / or an adapted operating mode for operating each electrolysis module.

[0042] A multi-electrolysis module cluster is proposed, which has a first electrolysis module cluster and a second electrolysis module cluster, corresponding to one of the electrolysis module clusters mentioned above.

[0043] Each control interface is signal-coupled with the respective control and regulation electronics of the first and second electrolytic modules in the first electrolytic module cluster, and also with the respective control and regulation electronics of the first and second electrolytic modules in the second electrolytic module cluster. Here, each control interface is configured and set to be signal-coupled with the central processing unit to provide the multi-electrolysis module cluster with the total electrolytic product quantity requirement and the target operating mode. Each control interface of the multi-electrolysis module cluster is configured to: compare the total electrolytic product quantity requirement provided by the multi-electrolysis module cluster, especially for the target operating mode, with the sum of the current electrolytic product quantity production capacities of each electrolytic module in the multi-electrolysis module cluster, especially for the target operating mode; and provide each electrolytic module's respective control and regulation electronics with its own electrolytic product quantity requirement corresponding to the total electrolytic product quantity requirement of the multi-electrolysis module cluster, especially with the corresponding operating mode, for the autonomous adjustment and operation of the corresponding electrolytic module.

[0044] Each control interface can be configured and set as described above for each control interface of the electrolysis module cluster. The functionality of each additional control interface can be additionally implemented for the corresponding additional control interface for the corresponding multiple electrolysis modules of the multi-electrolysis module cluster, so that only a single control interface is active in the multi-electrolysis module cluster.

[0045] The signal coupling between each control interface and multiple electrolysis modules can be bidirectional, especially in order to transmit the control of the corresponding electrolysis product quantity requirements and corresponding operating modes for the autonomous adjustment operation of each electrolysis module to another interface among the multiple control interfaces.

[0046] A multi-electrolysis module cluster can have multiple electrolysis module clusters, wherein each control interface is set and configured to provide all electrolysis module clusters with information on their respective electrolysis product quantity requirements and operating modes for autonomous adjustment of operation of each electrolysis module.

[0047] According to one aspect, the control interfaces of a multi-electrolysis module cluster are configured and set to provide corresponding operating modes to each electrolysis module of the multi-electrolysis module cluster based on a target operating mode provided to the multi-electrolysis module cluster. Here, the target operating mode can be provided by a central controller to set the operating mode of an individual electrolysis module and / or the electrolysis module cluster. Based on historical data stored in each electrolysis module, and / or each electrolysis reactor system, and / or each component of the electrolysis module, and / or each sensor and / or each actuator and / or each power electronic device of the electrolysis module and / or each electrolysis reactor system, the control interfaces can be configured to control and / or adjust the corresponding electrolysis modules regarding the corresponding operating mode and / or the corresponding current electrolysis product production capacity and / or the corresponding electrolysis product demand.

[0048] According to one aspect, each control interface is configured and set to provide corresponding electrolytic product quantity requirements to each electrolytic module of the multi-electrolysis module cluster based on the total electrolytic product quantity requirement for the multi-electrolysis module cluster; and based on at least one quality factor of each electrolytic module in the multi-electrolysis module cluster. Here, the quality factor can be defined as described above.

[0049] According to one approach, the control interfaces of a multi-electrolysis module cluster are configured and set to determine a corresponding operating mode for each electrolysis module based on a target operating mode provided to the cluster, and based on at least one quality factor of each module. Furthermore, an operating mode is provided to each electrolysis module for operation. In particular, the specific electrolysis product production capacity of each module can also be considered.

[0050] According to one aspect, the control interfaces of a multi-electrolysis module cluster are set and configured such that if the control interface of another electrolysis module cluster has an active cooperative state, then it has an inactive cooperative state, such that only one single control interface in the multi-electrolysis module cluster has an active cooperative state; and wherein each control interface is configured to, in the active cooperative state, compare the total electrolytic product demand provided for the multi-electrolysis module cluster with the sum of the current electrolytic product production capacity of each electrolysis module in the multi-electrolysis module cluster; and to provide the control interfaces in the inactive cooperative state with their respective electrolytic product demand corresponding to the total electrolytic product demand of the multi-electrolysis module cluster.

[0051] According to one aspect, each control interface is configured to, in an active cooperative state, compare the target operating mode provided for the multi-electrolysis module cluster with the technically possible operating modes of the electrolysis modules in the multi-electrolysis module cluster; and to provide the control interface in an inactive cooperative state with a target operating mode corresponding to the electrolysis product quantity requirement of each electrolysis module cluster.

[0052] According to one approach, the control interfaces of a multi-electrolysis module cluster are configured and set such that, based on a trigger signal, the cooperative state of each control interface is controlled from active to inactive, and the cooperative state of an inactive control interface is controlled from inactive to active, so that only one single control interface in the multi-electrolysis module cluster has an active cooperative state.

[0053] This means, in other words, that in a multi-electrolysis module cluster, each control interface always controls the electrolysis module directly connected to it. That is, all control interfaces are always active in controlling the electrolysis module to which they are assigned.

[0054] The control interfaces can coordinate the distribution of operating modes and / or total electrolysis product demand across the various electrolysis module clusters. To this end, the control interfaces can be configured to take on an active cooperative state, where each control interface can take on an active cooperative state via a trigger signal. That is, in terms of the coordinator role, there is always exactly one control interface that is active.

[0055] The control interface corresponding to an active cooperative state can be configured to provide bidirectional communication with the central controller and / or to allocate requested product quantities to the control interfaces of individual electrolysis module clusters in an inactive cooperative state. Individual control interfaces, which may be in active or inactive cooperative states, allocate requested production quantities to their respective electrolysis modules. Furthermore, control interfaces in active cooperative states can assign target operating modes to the electrolysis module cluster. Specifically, the actual operating mode of an individual electrolysis module is assigned to its corresponding electrolysis module by the corresponding control interface.

[0056] According to one aspect, the aforementioned trigger signal is generated by a fault signal and / or a planned maintenance and / or a fault message of an electrolysis module involving a multi-electrolysis module cluster.

[0057] According to one aspect, the functional configuration and settings of each control interface or the control interface of multiple electrolysis module clusters are coupled with the central controller signal to operate the multiple electrolysis module clusters; and the central controller provides the corresponding control interface of each electrolysis module cluster with the target operating mode and total electrolysis product quantity requirement for each electrolysis module cluster.

[0058] An application of electrolysis module clusters and / or multiple electrolysis module clusters for hydrogen production is proposed. Attached Figure Description

[0059] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Embodiments of the invention are shown and explained in detail below. The accompanying drawings show: Figure 1 : A schematic diagram of an electrolysis module cluster; and Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a multi-electrolysis module cluster, showing the transition of control from the control interface of the electrolysis module cluster to the control interface of the electrolysis module cluster. Detailed Implementation

[0060] Figure 1An electrolysis module cluster 100 is schematically illustrated, comprising multiple electrolysis modules 140, each having control and regulation electronics 130. These control and regulation electronics 130 are configured and set to autonomously regulate the operation of the corresponding electrolysis reactor system using actuators and power electronics, based on signals from multiple sensors corresponding to the electrolysis reactor system of each electrolysis module 140, based on the electrolysis product quantity requirements provided for each electrolysis module 140, and based on one of multiple operating modes provided for each corresponding electrolysis module. The respective control and regulation electronics 130 of each electrolysis module 140 is signal-coupled to a control interface 120 for providing a corresponding operating mode and / or corresponding electrolysis product quantity requirements for the autonomously regulated operation of the corresponding electrolysis module.

[0061] The control interface 120 is signal-coupled to the respective control and regulation electronics 130 of the multiple electrolysis modules 140. Here, the control interface 120 is configured and set to be signal-coupled with the central controller 110 to provide the total electrolysis product quantity requirement and target operating mode for the electrolysis module cluster.

[0062] The control interface 120 is configured to compare the total electrolytic product quantity requirement provided for the target operating mode of the electrolytic module cluster 100 with the sum of the current electrolytic product quantity production capacity of each electrolytic module 140 for the target operating mode of the electrolytic module cluster 100, and to provide each electrolytic module 140's respective control and regulation electronics 130 with its own electrolytic product quantity requirement corresponding to the total electrolytic product quantity requirement and the corresponding operating mode for running the corresponding electrolytic module 140.

[0063] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrates a multi-electrolysis module cluster 200, comprising multiple electrolysis module clusters 100, wherein each control interface 220, 222 of the electrolysis module cluster 100 is signal-coupled to multiple other control interfaces 220, 222 and to multiple respective control and regulation electronics 130 of the multiple electrolysis module clusters 100. Here, each control interface 220, 222 is configured and set to be signal-coupled to a central controller 210 for providing the multi-electrolysis module cluster 200 with the total electrolysis product quantity requirement and target operating mode.

[0064] Each control interface 220 and 222 is configured and set to compare the total electrolytic product quantity requirement provided for the target operating mode of the multi-electrolysis module cluster 200 with the sum of the current electrolytic product quantity production capacity of each electrolysis module 140 of the multi-electrolysis module cluster 200 for the target operating mode, and to provide each electrolysis module 140 with its own control and regulation electronics 130 corresponding to the total electrolytic product quantity requirement of the multi-electrolysis module cluster 200 and the corresponding operating mode for autonomously operating the corresponding electrolysis module 140.

[0065] Figure 2 b basically corresponds to Figure 2 a, schematically shown Figure 2 How does control interface 222, for example, control an active cooperative state from active to inactive based on a trigger signal, and how will the control interface... Figure 2 In the multi-electrolysis module cluster 100, the inactive control interface 220 is controlled from an inactive cooperative state to an active cooperative state based on a trigger signal, so that only one single control interface 222 in the multi-electrolysis module cluster 100 has an active cooperative state, so as to control multiple control and regulation electronics 130 of multiple electrolysis modules 140 of the multi-electrolysis module cluster 100 by means of the control interface 220 with the inactive cooperative state.

Claims

1. A micro-electrolysis module cluster (100), comprising a first electrolysis module (140) and a second electrolysis module (140), wherein, Each electrolysis module (140) has: An electrolytic reactor system, which has multiple actuators and multiple sensors; Power electronic devices coupled to the electrolytic reactor system to provide electrical energy; and Control and regulation electronics (130) are signal-coupled to the plurality of actuators and sensors and the power electronics, respectively; and wherein, The control and regulation electronics (130) are configured to, Based on signals from multiple sensors corresponding to the electrolytic reactor system; and Based on the required amount of electrolytic products supplied to the electrolysis module (140); and Based on one of the multiple operating modes provided to each of the electrolysis modules (140), Each of the electrolysis reactor systems operates autonomously and in a controlled manner using the actuators and power electronics; and wherein, The control and regulation electronics (130) of the first electrolysis module (140) and the second electrolysis module (140) are configured and set to be signal-coupled with the control interface (120) to provide corresponding operating modes and / or corresponding electrolysis product quantity requirements for the autonomous regulation operation of each electrolysis module (140).

2. The electrolysis module cluster (100) according to claim 1, comprising: The control interface (120), wherein, The control interface (120) is signal-coupled with the control and regulation electronics (130) of the first electrolysis module (140) and the second electrolysis module (140), respectively; and wherein the control interface (120) is configured and set to be signal-coupled with the central controller (110) for providing the electrolysis module cluster (100) with the total electrolysis product quantity requirement and target operating mode; and The control interface (120) is configured to compare the total electrolytic product quantity requirement provided for the target operating mode of the electrolytic module cluster (100) with the sum of the current electrolytic product quantity production capacity of each electrolytic module (140) for the target operating mode of the electrolytic module cluster (100); and to provide each electrolytic module (140) with its respective control and regulation electronics (130) corresponding to the total electrolytic product quantity requirement and the corresponding operating mode for running the corresponding electrolytic module (140).

3. The electrolysis module cluster (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The control interface (120) is configured and set to provide a corresponding operating mode to each electrolysis module (140) based on the target operating mode provided to the electrolysis module cluster.

4. The electrolysis module cluster (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first electrolysis module (140) and the second electrolysis module (140) are configured and set to operate in different operating modes and / or with different electrolysis product quantity requirements, respectively.

5. The electrolysis module cluster (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The plurality of operating modes and / or the plurality of target operating modes include: ON mode, OFF mode, COLD-Stand-by mode, WARM-Stand-by mode, Protection-OFF mode, Emergency-OFF mode, and / or Normal mode.

6. The electrolysis module cluster (100) according to claim 5, wherein, The Normal mode in the operating mode includes: service life protection mode, maximum production mode, minimum power mode and / or LCOH mode.

7. The electrolysis module cluster (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein, The control interface (120) is configured to provide each electrolysis module (140) with a corresponding electrolysis product quantity requirement based on the total electrolysis product quantity requirement and based on at least one quality factor of the corresponding electrolysis module (140).

8. The electrolysis module cluster (100) according to claim 7, wherein, The control interface (130) is configured and set to determine the corresponding operating mode for each electrolysis module (140) based on the target operating mode provided to the electrolysis module cluster (100) and the at least one quality factor of the corresponding electrolysis module (140); and to provide each electrolysis module (140) with a possible operating mode for operation.

9. The electrolysis module cluster (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The at least one quality factor includes: the current electrolytic product production capacity of the corresponding electrolysis module (140), and / or the time period until the next planned maintenance of the corresponding electrolysis module (140), and / or the fault message history of the corresponding electrolysis module (140), and / or the runtime of the corresponding electrolysis module (140), and / or the current consumption history of the corresponding electrolysis module (140), and / or the temperature history of the electrolysis reactor system of the corresponding electrolysis module (140).

10. The electrolysis module cluster (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The control and regulation electronics (130) of each electrolysis module (140) are configured and set to provide the control interface (120) with the current operating mode of each electrolysis module (140), and / or the specific electrolysis product production capacity, and / or the current electrolysis product quantity.

11. A multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) has the following features: The first electrolysis module cluster (100) and the second electrolysis module cluster (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 10; in, Each control interface (220, 222) is signal-coupled with the control and regulation electronics (130) of the first electrolysis module cluster (100) and the second electrolysis module (140) of the first electrolysis module cluster (100), and with the control and regulation electronics (130) of the first electrolysis module (140) and the second electrolysis module (140) of the second electrolysis module cluster (100); and Each control interface (130) is configured and set to be signal-coupled with the central controller (210) to provide the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) with the total electrolysis product quantity requirement and target operating mode; and The control interfaces (220, 222) of the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) are configured and set as follows: The total electrolytic product demand provided by the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) is compared with the sum of the current electrolytic product production capacities of the individual electrolysis modules in the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200); and Each control and regulation electronic device (130) of each electrolysis module (140) provides its own electrolysis product quantity requirement corresponding to the total electrolysis product quantity requirement of the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) for the autonomous operation of the corresponding electrolysis module (140).

12. The multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) according to claim 11, wherein, The control interfaces (220, 222) of the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) are configured and set to provide corresponding operating modes to each electrolysis module (140) of the multiple electrolysis modules (140) of the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) based on the target operating mode provided to the multi-electrolysis module cluster.

13. The multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, Each of the control interfaces (220, 222) is configured and set to provide a corresponding electrolytic product quantity requirement to each electrolytic module (140) of the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) based on the total electrolytic product quantity requirement for the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) and based on at least one quality factor of each electrolytic module (140) of the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200).

14. The multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein, Each of the control interfaces (220, 222) is configured and set to determine a corresponding operating mode for each electrolysis module (140) based on the target operating mode provided to the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) and based on the at least one quality factor of each electrolysis module (140); and to provide an operating mode for each electrolysis module (140) for operation.

15. The multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein, Each control interface (220, 222) is set and configured such that if the control interface (220, 222) of another electrolysis module cluster (100) has an active cooperative state, it has an inactive cooperative state, such that only one single control interface (222) in the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) has an active cooperative state; and wherein each control interface (220, 222) is configured to, in the active cooperative state, compare the total electrolysis product quantity demand provided for the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) with the sum of the current electrolysis product quantity production capacity of each electrolysis module of the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200); and to provide the control interface (220, 222) with the inactive cooperative state with its own electrolysis product quantity demand corresponding to the total electrolysis product quantity demand of the multi-electrolysis module cluster (200) for each electrolysis module cluster (100).

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