Hydrogen manufacturing system

Abstract

To provide a hydrogen manufacturing system capable of promoting utilization of generated power of a power generation section for manufacturing of hydrogen and attaining an expansion of self-consumption of the power generation section as a result.SOLUTION: A hydrogen manufacturing system 1 comprises: a hydrogen manufacturing device 50 capable of manufacturing hydrogen by performing electrolysis of water using surplus power with respect to a power demand of generated power of a photovoltaic power generation section 10; a hydrogen storage device 60 capable of storing the hydrogen manufactured by the hydrogen manufacturing device 50; a fuel cell 30 capable of generating power using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60; and a control device 70 which controls operations of the hydrogen manufacturing device 50 and the fuel cell 30 on the basis of a created operation plan. In a case where it is predicted in the operation plan that a hydrogen manufacturable amount of the hydrogen manufacturing device 50 using the surplus power exceeds a hydrogen demand (YES in step S13), the control device 70 enables the fuel cell 30 to generate power using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60 (step S14).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for a hydrogen production system that utilizes electricity generated by natural energy sources such as sunlight. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a hydrogen production system that uses electricity generated by natural energy such as sunlight has been publicly known, as described in Patent Document 1, for example.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a power supply system that includes a solar power generation system capable of generating electricity using sunlight, and a hydrogen production system capable of producing hydrogen using the electricity. Recently, the selling price of electricity generated by solar power generation has been on a downward trend, and in some cases is lower than the unit price of late-night electricity. In some cases, it is economically advantageous to consume the electricity generated by solar power generation at home. Therefore, in the power supply system described in Patent Document 1, surplus electricity from solar power generation is used to produce hydrogen, thereby increasing the self-consumption of electricity generated by solar power generation.

[0004] However, because the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production system is determined by the circumstances, there is a possibility that the hydrogen supply volume may become unstable or that a large amount of surplus electricity may be generated on days when the business establishment where the hydrogen production system is installed is closed, and that the hydrogen production device may not be able to utilize all of the surplus electricity. Therefore, it is desirable to further promote the use of surplus electricity from the power generation unit for hydrogen production. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-54085 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the problem it aims to solve is to provide a hydrogen production system that can promote the use of surplus electricity from the power generation unit for hydrogen production. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention has been described above, and the means for solving this problem will now be described.

[0008] That is, in claim 1, the system comprises a power generation unit capable of generating electricity using natural energy, a hydrogen production device capable of producing hydrogen by electrolyzing water using surplus electricity relative to the electricity demand of the power generated by the power generation unit, a hydrogen storage device capable of storing hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device, a fuel cell capable of generating electricity using hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device, and a control unit that creates an operation plan for the hydrogen production device and the fuel cell and controls the operation of the hydrogen production device and the fuel cell based on the created operation plan, and when it is predicted in the operation plan that the amount of hydrogen that the hydrogen production device can produce using the surplus electricity will exceed the hydrogen demand, the control unit is capable of causing the fuel cell to generate electricity using hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device.

[0009] In claim 2, when it is predicted in the operation plan that the amount of hydrogen that can be produced by the hydrogen production device using the surplus electricity will exceed the hydrogen demand, the control unit sets the planned value of the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device in the operation plan to a value greater than or equal to the hydrogen demand.

[0010] In claim 3, the system includes a pure water production apparatus capable of producing pure water using the surplus electricity and supplying the produced pure water to the hydrogen production apparatus, and the control unit is capable of producing pure water by the pure water production apparatus using the surplus electricity if surplus electricity is still generated even after hydrogen is produced by the hydrogen production apparatus based on the operating plan.

[0011] In claim 4, the hydrogen production device is provided with a storage battery capable of charging and discharging the electricity generated by the power generation unit, and the control unit is capable of charging the storage battery with the surplus electricity if the surplus electricity is still generated even when the hydrogen production device is operated based on the operating plan.

[0012] In claim 5, the control unit is capable of producing hydrogen using the discharged power of the storage battery by the hydrogen production device when it is predicted in the operating plan that the sum of the amount of hydrogen that can be produced by the hydrogen production device using the surplus power and the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device does not exceed the hydrogen demand. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The present invention has the following advantages.

[0014] According to claim 1, it is possible to promote the use of the electricity generated by the power generation unit for hydrogen production, and thus to increase the self-consumption of the power generation unit.

[0015] In claim 2, even if the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device is consumed in advance by generating electricity using the fuel cell, the hydrogen demand can be met with the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device on that day.

[0016] In claim 3, the operation of the pure water production system can further increase the self-consumption of the power generation unit.

[0017] In claim 4, the self-consumption of the power generation unit can be further expanded by charging the storage battery.

[0018] In claim 5, by producing hydrogen using the discharged power of the storage battery, it is possible to suppress a shortage of the hydrogen supply amount relative to the hydrogen demand. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a hydrogen production system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart showing a part of the planning control and execution control of a hydrogen production device, etc. [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart showing another part of the planning control and execution control of the hydrogen production device, etc. [Figure 4] (a) A graph showing an example of predicted values ​​of electricity demand and power generation amount (b) A graph showing an example of predicted values ​​of hydrogen demand and hydrogen production amount. [Diagram 5] (a) A graph showing an example of operation plan values ​​for electricity demand and power generation amount (b) A graph showing an example of operation plan values ​​for hydrogen demand and hydrogen producible amount. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] A hydrogen production system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0021] The hydrogen production system 1 shown in FIG. 1 produces hydrogen using electric power. The hydrogen production system 1 is mainly used in factories, residential areas, and the like. The hydrogen production system 1 supplies electric power from a power grid (not shown) or electric power generated using natural energy such as solar power to an electric power load H1. The hydrogen production system 1 also produces hydrogen using surplus electric power from the electric power, and supplies the produced hydrogen to a hydrogen load H2. The hydrogen production system 1 mainly comprises a solar power generation unit 10, a storage battery 20, a fuel cell 30, a pure water production apparatus 40, a hydrogen production apparatus 50, a hydrogen storage apparatus 60, and a control device 70.

[0022] The solar power generation unit 10 is a device that generates power by utilizing sunlight. The solar power generation unit 10 is configured with a solar cell panel or the like. The solar power generation unit 10 is installed in a sunny location, for example, on the roof of a building.

[0023] The storage battery 20 is configured to be capable of charging and discharging electric power. The storage battery 20 is configured, for example, as a lithium ion battery. The storage battery 20 is configured to be capable of being charged with electric power from a system power supply (not shown) and electric power generated by the solar power generation unit 10 (electric power generated by the solar power generation unit 10).

[0024] The storage battery 20 is configured to be able to discharge the stored power to a power load H1. The storage battery 20 is also configured to be able to discharge the stored power to a pure water production system 40 and a hydrogen production system 50, which will be described later. The storage battery 20 can perform load following operation to adjust the power to be charged and discharged based on the results of detection of power from a power grid by a sensor (not shown), etc. The power charged and discharged from the storage battery 20 can also be adjusted by a control device 70, which will be described later.

[0025] The fuel cell 30 is a device that generates power using gas fuel such as hydrogen. The fuel cell 30 is configured with a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC: Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell) or a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) or the like. The fuel cell 30 can use hydrogen stored in a hydrogen storage device 60 (described later) as fuel for generating power.

[0026] The fuel cell 30 is configured to be able to output the generated electric power to an electric power load H1. The fuel cell 30 can perform load following operation to adjust the output electric power based on the results of detection of electric power from a system power supply by a sensor (not shown), etc. The electric power output from the fuel cell 30 can also be adjusted by a control device 70, which will be described later. The fuel cell 30 can store exhaust heat generated during power generation as hot water in a hot water storage tank.

[0027] The pure water production apparatus 40 purifies water to produce pure water. The pure water production apparatus 40 can use the power generated by the solar power generation unit 10, the power discharged from the storage battery 20 (the discharge power of the storage battery 20), and the power from a system power supply (not shown) as the power to produce pure water.

[0028] The hydrogen production device 50 produces hydrogen using electric power. The hydrogen production device 50 can produce hydrogen by electrolyzing pure water supplied from the pure water production device 40 or the like. The hydrogen production device 50 can use the electric power generated by the solar power generation unit 10 as the electric power used for producing hydrogen. More specifically, the hydrogen production device 50 can produce hydrogen using the surplus electric power (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "surplus electric power") of the electric power generated by the solar power generation unit 10 relative to the electric power demand of the electric power load H1. The hydrogen production device 50 can also use the discharge electric power of the storage battery 20 as the electric power used for producing hydrogen. The hydrogen production device 50 can also use electric power purchased from a system power source (not shown) as the electric power used for producing hydrogen.

[0029] The hydrogen storage device 60 stores hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 50. The hydrogen storage device 60 is configured to be able to supply the stored hydrogen to the hydrogen load H2. The hydrogen storage device 60 is also configured to be able to supply the stored hydrogen to the fuel cell 30. The hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage device 60 to the fuel cell 30 is used for power generation by the fuel cell 30.

[0030] The control device 70 controls various operations of the hydrogen production system 1. The control device 70 is electrically connected to the storage battery 20, the fuel cell 30, the pure water production system 40, and the hydrogen production system 50, and controls the operations of the storage battery 20, the fuel cell 30, the pure water production system 40, and the hydrogen production system 50. The control device 70 includes storage units such as a RAM, a ROM, and a HDD, and an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, etc.

[0031] The control device 70 is configured to be able to acquire various information (such as weather forecasts and solar radiation forecasts) from the outside, and can calculate a predicted value for the amount of power generated by the solar power generation unit 10 based on the acquired information. The control device 70 can also calculate predicted values ​​for power demand and hydrogen demand based on information acquired from the outside and past data on the power demand of the power load H1 and the hydrogen demand of the hydrogen load H2, etc. The control device 70 can perform planning control to create operation plans for the storage battery 20, the fuel cell 30, the pure water production system 40, and the hydrogen production system 50 based on the predicted value for the amount of power generated by the solar power generation unit 10 and the predicted values ​​for the power demand and hydrogen demand.

[0032] In addition, the control device 70 can perform execution control to control the operations of the storage battery 20, the fuel cell 30, the pure water production device 40, and the hydrogen production device 50 in real time based on the created operation plan.

[0033] Hereinafter, the planning control and execution control by the control device 70 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. In the flow shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the processing from steps S11 to S21 corresponds to planning control, and is performed on a day before the day on which the operation is actually performed. In the planning control from steps S11 to S21, for example, at 0:00 every day, an operation plan for one week including the day (on which the execution control is performed) is created. The created operation plan is updated each time the first day's plan is executed, without executing the remaining days. In addition, in the flow shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the processing from steps S22 to S31 corresponds to execution control, and is performed on the day on which the operation is actually performed.

[0034] In step S11 shown in Fig. 2, the control device 70 predicts the amount of solar power generation, power demand, and hydrogen demand of the solar power generation unit 10. In this process, the control device 70 calculates a predicted value of the amount of power generation (amount of solar power generation) of the solar power generation unit 10 based on information such as a weather forecast and solar radiation forecast obtained from outside, and data on the amount of power generation in the past of the solar power generation unit 10. The control device 70 also calculates a predicted value of power demand based on information such as a weather forecast and solar radiation forecast obtained from outside, and past data on the power demand of the power load H1, etc. The control device 70 also calculates a predicted value of hydrogen demand based on information such as a weather forecast and solar radiation forecast obtained from outside, and past data on the hydrogen demand of the hydrogen load H2, etc.

[0035] After performing the process of step S11, the control device 70 proceeds to step S12.

[0036] In step S12, the control device 70 calculates a predicted value of the amount of hydrogen that can be produced. Here, the "amount of hydrogen that can be produced" means the amount of hydrogen that can be produced by the hydrogen production device 50. In this process, the control device 70 calculates a predicted value of the surplus power amount of the power generated by the solar power generation unit 10 by subtracting the predicted value of the power demand calculated in step S11 from the predicted value of the amount of solar power generation calculated in step S11. Then, the control device 70 calculates a predicted value of the amount of hydrogen that can be produced based on the predicted value of the calculated surplus power amount. Specifically, the control device 70 calculates a predicted value of the amount of hydrogen that can be produced by multiplying the predicted value of the surplus power amount by the hydrogen production efficiency. Note that the "amount of hydrogen that can be produced" in step S12 is the amount of hydrogen that the hydrogen production device 50 can produce using the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10, and is a value that does not take into account the discharge power of the storage battery 20.

[0037] After performing the process of step S12, the control device 70 proceeds to step S13.

[0038] In step S13, the control device 70 determines whether the predicted value of the producible amount of hydrogen is greater than the predicted value of the hydrogen demand (producible amount of hydrogen>hydrogen demand). Here, the predicted value of the producible amount of hydrogen is the value calculated in step S12, and the predicted value of the hydrogen demand is the value calculated in step S11.

[0039] When the control device 70 determines that the producible amount of hydrogen is greater than the hydrogen demand ("YES" in step S13), the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, when the control device 70 determines that the producible amount of hydrogen is not greater than the hydrogen demand ("NO" in step S13), the process proceeds to step S16.

[0040] If the producible hydrogen amount>hydrogen demand (YES in step S13), it means that it is predicted that the hydrogen demand can be met with the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 50 on that day, without using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60. On the other hand, if the producible hydrogen amount>hydrogen demand (NO in step S13), it means that it is predicted that the hydrogen demand cannot be met with the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 50 on that day alone.

[0041] In step S14, the control device 70 causes the fuel cell 30 to generate electricity using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60. In this way, when a relatively large amount of surplus electricity is expected (YES in step S13), the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60 is consumed in advance by causing the fuel cell 30 to generate electricity, thereby expanding the room for storing hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 60. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which hydrogen cannot be produced by the hydrogen production device 50 despite the presence of surplus electricity. Therefore, more surplus electricity can be used for hydrogen production.

[0042] After performing the process of step S14, the control device 70 proceeds to step S15.

[0043] In step S15, the control device 70 sets the planned value of the amount of hydrogen production to the hydrogen demand - the amount of hydrogen that can be produced (greater than or equal to the predicted value of hydrogen demand and less than or equal to the amount of hydrogen that can be produced calculated in step S12). Here, the "amount of hydrogen production" refers to the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 50. For example, the control device 70 sets the planned value of the amount of hydrogen production to the amount of hydrogen that can be stored in the hydrogen storage device 60 when surplus electricity is generated.

[0044] Meanwhile, in step S16, the control device 70 determines whether the sum of the predicted value of the producible hydrogen amount and the predicted value of the stored hydrogen amount is greater than the predicted value of the hydrogen demand (producible hydrogen amount + stored hydrogen amount > hydrogen demand). Here, the "producible hydrogen amount" is the amount calculated in step S12, and the "hydrogen demand" is the amount calculated in step S11. Also, the "storage amount of hydrogen" indicates the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60.

[0045] When the control device 70 determines that the producible amount of hydrogen plus the stored amount of hydrogen is greater than the hydrogen demand ("YES" in step S16), the process proceeds to step S17. On the other hand, when the control device 70 determines that the producible amount of hydrogen plus the stored amount of hydrogen is not greater than the hydrogen demand ("NO" in step S16), the process proceeds to step S18 shown in FIG.

[0046] If the producible hydrogen amount + the stored hydrogen amount > the hydrogen demand (YES in step S16), it means that it is predicted that the hydrogen demand can be met by the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60 and the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 50. On the other hand, if the producible hydrogen amount + the stored hydrogen amount > the hydrogen demand is not met (NO in step S16), it means that it is predicted that the hydrogen demand cannot be met by the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60 and the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 50 alone.

[0047] In step S17, the control device 70 sets the planned value of the hydrogen production amount to hydrogen demand-hydrogen storage amount~producible hydrogen amount (greater than or equal to the predicted difference between hydrogen demand and hydrogen storage amount, and less than or equal to the producible hydrogen amount calculated in step S12).

[0048] Meanwhile, in step S18, the control device 70 recalculates the amount of hydrogen that can be produced. In this process, the control device 70 recalculates the amount of hydrogen that can be produced, taking into account the discharge power of the storage battery 20. Specifically, the control device 70 recalculates the predicted amount of hydrogen that can be produced by multiplying the sum of the predicted amount of surplus power and the predicted amount of power that can be discharged from the storage battery 20 by the hydrogen production efficiency.

[0049] After performing the process of step S18, the control device 70 proceeds to step S19.

[0050] In step S19, the controller 70 determines whether the sum of the predicted amount of hydrogen producible and the predicted amount of hydrogen stored is greater than the predicted amount of hydrogen demand (producible amount of hydrogen+hydrogen stored>hydrogen demand).

[0051] When the control device 70 determines that the producible amount of hydrogen plus the stored amount of hydrogen is greater than the hydrogen demand ("YES" in step S19), the process proceeds to step S20. On the other hand, when the control device 70 determines that the producible amount of hydrogen plus the stored amount of hydrogen is not greater than the hydrogen demand ("NO" in step S19), the process proceeds to step S21.

[0052] If "capacity of hydrogen production + storage amount of hydrogen" is greater than "hydrogen demand" (YES in step S19), this means that it is predicted that the hydrogen demand can be met by the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 50 using surplus power and the discharged power of the storage battery 20, and the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60. On the other hand, if "capacity of hydrogen production + storage amount of hydrogen" is not greater than "hydrogen demand" (NO in step S19), this means that it is predicted that the hydrogen demand cannot be met by the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 50 using surplus power and the discharged power of the storage battery 20, and the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60.

[0053] In step S20, the control device 70 sets the planned value of the amount of hydrogen production to hydrogen demand-hydrogen storage amount~producible amount of hydrogen (greater than or equal to the predicted difference between hydrogen demand and hydrogen storage amount, and less than or equal to the producible amount of hydrogen calculated in step S18). For example, the control device 70 sets the planned value of the amount of hydrogen production to the amount of hydrogen that is generated when surplus power is generated and that can be stored in the hydrogen storage device 60.

[0054] On the other hand, in step S21, the control device 70 creates an operation plan to produce hydrogen using power from a system power supply (not shown) to make up for the shortfall in the producible amount of hydrogen relative to the hydrogen demand.

[0055] As described above, the control device 70 creates an operation plan for the hydrogen production device 50, the fuel cell 30, and the storage battery 20 by performing the planned control from steps S11 to S21.

[0056] After performing the process of step S15 or step S17, the control device 70 proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, after performing the process of step S20 or step S21, the control device 70 proceeds to step S27. As described above, the processes from step S22 to S31 correspond to execution control that controls the operation of the storage battery 20, the fuel cell 30, the pure water production system 40, and the hydrogen production system 50 in real time.

[0057] In step S22, the control device 70 determines whether or not surplus power is being generated. Specifically, the control device 70 operates the hydrogen production device 50 based on the planned values ​​set in steps S11 to S17. The control device 70 then determines whether or not surplus power is being generated by the solar power generation unit 10 based on the results of detection of power from the power grid by a sensor (not shown) or the like.

[0058] If the control device 70 determines that surplus power is occurring ("YES" in step S22), it proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if the control device 70 determines that surplus power is not occurring ("NO" in step S22), it proceeds to step S26.

[0059] In step S23, the control device 70 operates the hydrogen production device 50. Specifically, the control device 70 causes the hydrogen production device 50 to produce hydrogen using surplus electricity from the solar power generation unit 10.

[0060] After performing the process of step S23, the control device 70 proceeds to step S24.

[0061] In step S24, the control device 70 operates the pure water production system 40. Specifically, if surplus power is still being generated from the solar power generation unit 10 even after the hydrogen production system 50 is operated, the control device 70 operates the pure water production system 40 to produce pure water using the surplus power. Note that if the operation of the hydrogen production system 50 causes the solar power generation unit 10 to stop generating surplus power, the pure water production system 40 does not operate.

[0062] After performing the process of step S24, the control device 70 proceeds to step S25.

[0063] In step S25, the control device 70 causes the storage battery 20 to be charged with surplus power. Specifically, when surplus power is still being generated from the solar power generation unit 10 even after the pure water production system 40 is operated, the control device 70 causes the storage battery 20 to be charged with the surplus power. Note that when the operation of the pure water production system 40 causes the solar power generation unit 10 to stop generating surplus power, the storage battery 20 does not charge. Also, when surplus power is still being generated even after the storage battery 20 has been charged with the surplus power, the surplus power is reverse-flowed to the system power supply.

[0064] On the other hand, in step S26, the control device 70 discharges the storage battery 20. This makes it possible to supply the discharged power of the storage battery 20 to the power load H1, thereby enabling a reduction in the amount of power purchased from the system power supply.

[0065] After performing the process of step S25 or S26, the control device 70 ends the control flow shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.

[0066] On the other hand, in step S27, the control device 70 determines whether or not surplus power is being generated. Specifically, the control device 70 operates the hydrogen production device 50 based on the planned values ​​set in steps S18 to S21. Then, the control device 70 determines whether or not surplus power is being generated in the power generated by the solar power generation unit 10 based on the detection result of the power from the power grid by a sensor (not shown) or the like.

[0067] If the control device 70 determines that surplus power is occurring ("YES" in step S27), it proceeds to step S28. On the other hand, if the control device 70 determines that surplus power is not occurring ("NO" in step S27), it proceeds to step S31.

[0068] In step S28, the control device 70 operates the hydrogen production device 50. Specifically, the control device 70 causes the hydrogen production device 50 to produce hydrogen using the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 and the discharged power of the storage battery 20.

[0069] After performing the process of step S28, the control device 70 proceeds to step S29.

[0070] In step S29, the control device 70 charges the storage battery 20 with surplus power. Specifically, when surplus power is still being generated in the solar power generation unit 10 even after the hydrogen production device 50 is operated, the control device 70 charges the surplus power to the storage battery 20. Note that when surplus power is no longer being generated in the solar power generation unit 10 due to the operation of the hydrogen production device 50, the storage battery 20 does not charge.

[0071] After performing the process of step S29, the control device 70 proceeds to step S30.

[0072] In step S30, the control device 70 operates the pure water production system 40. Specifically, if the solar power generation unit 10 still generates surplus power even after the storage battery 20 is charged with the surplus power, the control device 70 operates the pure water production system 40 to produce pure water using the surplus power. Note that if the solar power generation unit 10 no longer generates surplus power due to charging the storage battery 20, the pure water production system 40 does not operate. Also, if surplus power still occurs even after the pure water production system 40 is operated, the surplus power is reverse-flowed to the system power supply.

[0073] On the other hand, in step S31, the control device 70 discharges the storage battery 20. This enables the hydrogen production device 50 to produce hydrogen using the discharged power of the storage battery 20.

[0074] After performing the process of step S30 or S31, the control device 70 ends the control flow shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.

[0075] Fig. 4(a) shows an example of predicted values ​​of power demand and power generation, and Fig. 4(b) shows an example of predicted values ​​of hydrogen demand and hydrogen producible amount. Fig. 5(a) shows an example of operation plan values ​​of power demand and power generation, and Fig. 5(b) shows an example of operation plan values ​​of hydrogen demand and hydrogen producible amount.

[0076] 4(b), since there is little (no) hydrogen demand on holidays, the hydrogen demand can be met with the producible amount of hydrogen (YES in step S13). Therefore, power generation by the fuel cell 30 is planned (step S14).

[0077] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, during a period of time when electricity demand is high on the day before a holiday, hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60 is used to cause the fuel cell 30 to generate electricity. By consuming the hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 60 in advance in this way, surplus electricity from the solar power generation unit 10 on the following day (holiday) can be used to produce hydrogen by the hydrogen production device 50. As shown in Fig. 5(a), the surplus electricity after hydrogen production is used to produce pure water by the pure water production device 40 (step S24) and to charge the storage battery 20 (step S25). During periods of time when surplus electricity is not generated, hydrogen is produced by the hydrogen production device 50 by utilizing the discharge of the storage battery 20 (step S26).

[0078] On the other hand, for example, when hydrogen demand is high on a weekday and the hydrogen production capacity cannot meet the hydrogen demand (NO in step S13), no power is generated by the fuel cell 30. Similarly, hydrogen is produced by the hydrogen production device 50 using surplus power from the solar power generation unit 10 and the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60 (step S23), and if further surplus power is generated, pure water is produced by the pure water production device 40 (step S24) and the storage battery 20 is charged (step S25).

[0079] Furthermore, in a time period in which hydrogen demand cannot be met even if hydrogen is produced using the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60, hydrogen is produced using the discharged power from the storage battery 20 (step S31).

[0080] As described above, in the hydrogen production system 1 of this embodiment, when there is a large amount of surplus electricity generated by the solar power generation unit 10 and it is predicted that the amount of hydrogen that can be produced can meet the hydrogen demand (e.g., on a holiday), the fuel cell 30 is made to generate electricity and the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60 is consumed in advance, so that the surplus electricity for the next day can be more effectively used for hydrogen production.

[0081] In addition, if surplus electricity is generated when operating based on the operating plan, the surplus electricity can be used to operate the pure water production system 40 or to charge the storage battery 20, thereby increasing the self-consumption of electricity generated by the solar power generation unit 10.

[0082] As described above, the hydrogen production system 1 according to this embodiment has the following features: A solar power generation unit 10 (power generation unit) capable of generating power using natural energy; A hydrogen production device 50 capable of producing hydrogen by electrolyzing water using surplus power of the power generated by the solar power generation unit 10 with respect to the power demand; A hydrogen storage device 60 capable of storing hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 50; A fuel cell 30 capable of generating electricity using hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60; A control device 70 (control unit) that creates an operation plan for the hydrogen production device 50 and the fuel cell 30 and controls the operation of the hydrogen production device 50 and the fuel cell 30 based on the created operation plan; Equipped with The control device 70 includes: In the operating plan, if it is predicted that the amount of hydrogen that can be produced by the hydrogen production device 50 using the surplus electricity will exceed the hydrogen demand (YES in step S13), the fuel cell 30 can generate electricity using hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60 (step S14).

[0083] With such a configuration, it is possible to promote the use of the electricity generated by the solar power generation unit 10 for hydrogen production, and ultimately to increase the self-consumption of the solar power generation unit 10. Specifically, when it is predicted that there will be a large amount of surplus electricity generated by the solar power generation unit 10 (for example, when the business premises where the hydrogen production system is installed is on a holiday), the fuel cell 30 can be made to generate electricity and the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60 can be consumed in advance, thereby making it possible to make better use of the surplus electricity the next day for hydrogen production.

[0084] The control device 70 includes: If it is predicted in the operating plan that the amount of hydrogen that the hydrogen production device 50 can produce using the surplus electricity will exceed the hydrogen demand (YES in step S13), the planned value of the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 50 in the operating plan is set to a value greater than or equal to the hydrogen demand.

[0085] With this configuration, even if the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60 is consumed in advance by generating electricity in the fuel cell 30, the hydrogen demand can be met with the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 50 on that day.

[0086] In addition, the hydrogen production system 1 according to this embodiment has the following features: The hydrogen production system includes a pure water production device (40) capable of producing pure water using the surplus electricity and supplying the produced pure water to the hydrogen production device (50), The control device 70 includes: If surplus electricity is still generated even when the hydrogen production device 50 is operated based on the operating plan (YES in steps S22 and S27), pure water can be produced by the pure water production device 40 using the surplus electricity (steps S24 and S30).

[0087] With this configuration, the operation of the pure water production system 40 can further increase the self-consumption of the solar power generation unit 10.

[0088] In addition, the hydrogen production system 1 according to this embodiment has the following features: The solar power generation unit 10 includes a storage battery 20 capable of charging and discharging the generated power, The control device 70 includes: When the surplus power is still generated even when the hydrogen production device 50 is operated based on the operation plan (YES in steps S22 and S27), the surplus power can be charged into the storage battery 20 (steps S25 and S29).

[0089] With this configuration, the self-consumption of the solar power generation unit 10 can be further expanded by charging the storage battery 20.

[0090] The control device 70 also includes: In the operating plan, if it is predicted that the sum of the amount of hydrogen that can be produced by the hydrogen production device 50 using the surplus electricity and the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 60 does not exceed the hydrogen demand (NO in step S16), hydrogen can be produced using the discharge power of the storage battery 20.

[0091] With this configuration, hydrogen is produced using the discharged power of the storage battery 20, making it possible to suppress a shortage of the hydrogen supply relative to the hydrogen demand.

[0092] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

[0093] For example, in this embodiment, the power generation unit is configured to have a solar power generation unit 10, but instead of the solar power generation unit 10, another power supply source (for example, a hydroelectric power generation unit or a wind power generation unit that generates power using natural energy other than sunlight) may be included.

[0094] In the present embodiment, the hydrogen production system 1 is provided with the storage battery 20, but the storage battery 20 does not necessarily have to be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1 Hydrogen production system 10. Solar Power Generation Department 20. Storage Battery 30 Fuel Cell 40 Pure water production equipment 50 Hydrogen production equipment 60 Hydrogen storage device 70 Control device

Claims

1. A power generation unit capable of generating electricity using natural energy; a hydrogen production device capable of producing hydrogen by electrolyzing water using surplus power of the power generation unit with respect to the power demand; A hydrogen storage device capable of storing hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device; a fuel cell capable of generating electricity using hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device; a control unit that creates an operation plan for the hydrogen production device and the fuel cell, and controls operations of the hydrogen production device and the fuel cell based on the created operation plan; Equipped with The control unit is In the operation plan, when it is predicted that the amount of hydrogen that can be produced by the hydrogen production device using the surplus electricity will exceed the hydrogen demand, the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device can be used to generate electricity for the fuel cell. Hydrogen production system.

2. The control unit is When it is predicted in the operation plan that the amount of hydrogen that can be produced by the hydrogen production device using the surplus electricity will exceed the hydrogen demand, a planned value of the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device in the operation plan is set to a value equal to or greater than the hydrogen demand. The hydrogen production system according to claim 1 .

3. a pure water production device capable of producing pure water using the surplus electricity and supplying the produced pure water to the hydrogen production device; The control unit is When the surplus power is still generated even after the hydrogen production apparatus produces hydrogen based on the operation plan, the surplus power can be used to produce pure water by the pure water production apparatus. The hydrogen production system according to claim 1 .

4. A storage battery capable of charging and discharging the power generated by the power generation unit is provided. The control unit is When the surplus power is still generated even when the hydrogen production device is operated based on the operation plan, the surplus power can be charged to the storage battery. The hydrogen production system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The control unit is In the operation plan, when it is predicted that the sum of the amount of hydrogen that can be produced by the hydrogen production device using the surplus electricity and the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device does not exceed the hydrogen demand, the hydrogen production device can produce hydrogen using the discharge power of the storage battery. The hydrogen production system according to claim 4 .

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