Power supply system, and operation method of power supply system

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of suppressing deterioration of the storage battery due to temperature in a power supply system that uses a combination of a storage battery and a fuel cell.SOLUTION: A disclosed power supply system 1a includes: fuel cell equipment 20, battery storage equipment 30, and a control unit 50a that controls the operation of fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30. The battery storage equipment 30 includes at least one storage battery module 31 placed in a position where it is heated by heat generated by the fuel cell equipment 20. The control unit 50a controls the fuel cell equipment 20 based on the temperature of the storage battery module.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric power supply system and a method for operating an electric power supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an electronic device equipped with a storage battery. This electronic device is equipped with a deterioration prediction means for predicting the deterioration of the storage battery relative to temperature. This configuration allows the user to accurately grasp the state change of the storage battery in the electronic device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-213059 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to grasp the deterioration of a storage battery in an electronic device equipped with the storage battery as a power source, but it is difficult to suppress the deterioration of the storage battery.

[0005] On the other hand, in recent years, power supply systems have been proposed that use a storage battery in combination with a fuel cell, rather than using a storage battery alone. In such power supply systems, the heat generated when the fuel cell generates power can affect the temperature of the storage battery.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a technique capable of suppressing deterioration of a storage battery due to temperature in a power supply system that uses a combination of a storage battery and a fuel cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The power supply system according to the present disclosure includes: A fuel cell facility; A battery storage facility; a control device that controls an operation of the fuel cell equipment and an operation of the storage battery equipment; A power supply system comprising: the storage battery equipment includes at least one storage battery module arranged in a position where it is heated by heat generated by the fuel cell equipment; The control device controls the fuel cell equipment based on the temperature of the storage battery module.

[0008] The method for operating a power supply system according to the present disclosure includes: A method for operating an electric power supply system, comprising: the power supply system includes a fuel cell equipment and a storage battery equipment, the storage battery equipment includes at least one storage battery module arranged in a position where it is heated by heat generated by the fuel cell equipment; The operating method includes controlling the fuel cell equipment based on a temperature of the storage battery module. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The technology disclosed herein can suppress deterioration of a storage battery due to temperature in a power supply system that uses a combination of a storage battery and a fuel cell. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] A configuration diagram of a power supply system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a fuel cell system and an example of the positional relationship with a storage battery module; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an operation procedure of the power supply system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the control of a fuel cell facility in a power supply system according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (The knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) It is known that storage batteries have an appropriate environmental temperature range for use. For example, if the storage battery is a lithium-ion battery, the appropriate environmental temperature range for use is between 5°C and 35°C, and the optimal environmental temperature is about 25°C. If the storage battery is stored outside the appropriate environmental temperature range for use, the storage battery will deteriorate. For example, if the environmental temperature in which the storage battery is used is too high, the discharge capacity of the storage battery will decrease.

[0012] When a storage battery is used in combination with a fuel cell, for example in a power supply system equipped with a storage battery equipment and a fuel cell equipment, the storage battery equipment and the fuel cell equipment may be installed within a small area. The inventors of the present invention have studied such installation conditions of the storage battery equipment and the fuel cell equipment and have found that the temperature of the storage battery in the storage battery equipment is affected by the heat generated by the fuel cell equipment.

[0013] Based on this knowledge, the inventors have further investigated power supply systems equipped with storage battery equipment and fuel cell equipment, and have discovered the technology according to the present disclosure that can suppress deterioration of the storage battery.

[0014] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming more redundant than necessary and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0015] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0016] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG.

[0017] [1-1. Configuration] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power supply system according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply system 1a includes a fuel cell equipment 20, a storage battery equipment 30, and a control device 50a. The power supply system 1a is interconnected with a commercial power source 2. The power supply system 1a may further include a solar power generation equipment 10 as shown in FIG. 1. That is, the power supply system 1a according to the first embodiment may be a system that supplies power to a power load 5 by linking the solar power generation equipment 10, the fuel cell equipment 20, the storage battery equipment 30, and the commercial power source 2. Hereinafter, in the first embodiment, an example will be described in which the power supply system 1a has a configuration including the solar power generation equipment 10, the fuel cell equipment 20, the storage battery equipment 30, and the control device 50a.

[0018] The control device 50a controls the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the storage battery equipment 30. The control device 50a may also control the operation of the solar power generation equipment 10. The control device 50a is, for example, a computer including a storage device that stores programs required for these controls, and a processor that reads and executes the programs from the storage device.

[0019] The fuel cell equipment 20 includes, for example, a plurality of fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c. Each of the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c includes, for example, a fuel cell stack 21, a DCDC converter 22, a DCAC inverter 23, and a control device 50d. Examples of fuel cells include a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a solid oxide fuel cell, a phosphoric acid fuel cell, and a molten carbonate fuel cell. A fuel cell stack 21 is supplied with a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, and electric power is generated by the reaction of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas in the fuel cell stack 21, and the DC power is output to the outside of the fuel cell stack 21. The DCDC converter 22 converts the DC power output from the fuel cell stack 21 into DC power of a desired voltage. The DCAC inverter 23 converts the DC power output from the DCDC converter 22 into AC power suitable for power supply to the outside of the fuel cell equipment 20. The AC power is supplied to, for example, an electric circuit 70 outside the fuel cell equipment 20.

[0020] Each of the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c further includes, for example, an exhaust port 24 and an antifreeze heater 25. The exhaust port 24 exhausts heat generated by each of the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c to the outside of the system. Here, the heat generated by each of the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c includes heat generated by power generation in each of the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c, and heat generated in association with power generation in each of the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c. The exhaust port 24 may be provided with, for example, a fan. For example, when a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is used as the fuel cell, for example, anode off-gas, cathode off-gas, or both of them are exhausted from the exhaust port 24. For example, when the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c are provided with a reformer described later, or when a solid oxide fuel cell is used as the fuel cell and heating of the fuel cell is required, a burner may be provided in the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c. In that case, the exhaust gas of the burner is also discharged from the exhaust port 24. The freeze prevention heater 25 is provided, for example, inside the housing of each of the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c. The installation position of the freeze prevention heater 25 inside the housing is not particularly limited. In order to efficiently heat the inside of the housing, the freeze prevention heater 25 may be installed, for example, in a lower part inside the housing.

[0021] The control device 50d is connected to the control device 50a by wire or wirelessly so as to be able to communicate with it. For example, the control device 50d performs control necessary for the operation of the fuel cell system 20a, 20b, or 20c according to a control signal received from the control device 50a. For example, the control device 50d controls the operation of the DCDC converter 22, the DCAC inverter 23, the freeze prevention heater 25, the auxiliary equipment (not shown), and the like. Examples of the auxiliary equipment are a pump, a blower, and a valve. The pump and the blower send, for example, fuel gas and oxidant gas toward the fuel cell stack 21. The control device 50d also transmits data indicating the power generated in the fuel cell system 20a, 20b, or 20c to the control device 50a. This data may be, for example, data indicating the magnitude of the current output from the fuel cell system 20a, 20b, or 20c. The control device 50d is, for example, a computer including a storage device in which a program necessary for the operation of the fuel cell system 20a, 20b, or 20c is stored, and a processor that reads out and executes the program from the storage device.

[0022] The DCAC inverter 23 may convert AC power supplied to the fuel cell system 20a, 20b, or 20c from an electric circuit 70 outside the fuel cell equipment 20 into DC power. This DC power is used, for example, to start up the fuel cell system 20a, 20b, or 20c. For example, the DC power is used to operate auxiliary equipment.

[0023] The fuel used in the fuel cell equipment 20 is, for example, pure hydrogen. In this case, the fuel cell equipment 20 further includes a tank (not shown) in which pure hydrogen is stored. Hydrogen gas is supplied from this tank as fuel gas to the fuel cell stack 21. The fuel used in the fuel cell equipment 20 may contain a hydrocarbon gas such as methane gas, propane gas, or butane gas. In this case, the fuel cell equipment 20 includes a reformer. A hydrogen-containing gas is generated as fuel gas from the hydrocarbon gas in the reformer, and the hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 21. Examples of fuels containing hydrocarbon gas are city gas and LP gas.

[0024] The battery equipment 30 includes, for example, a battery module 31, a bidirectional DCDC converter 32, a DCAC inverter 33, a battery temperature sensor 34, and a control device 50b. The battery equipment 30 includes, for example, a plurality of battery modules 31 and a plurality of bidirectional DCDC converters 32. For example, one bidirectional DCDC converter 32 is associated with and connected to one battery module 31. A specific terminal of the bidirectional DCDC converter 32 is connected to a specific terminal of the DCAC inverter 33. The battery module 31 includes, for example, a plurality of batteries. The batteries are not limited to a specific type of battery. Examples of the batteries are a lithium ion battery, a redox flow battery, and a sodium sulfur battery. The battery temperature sensor 34 detects the temperature of the battery module 31.

[0025] At least one storage battery module 31 provided in the storage battery equipment 30 is disposed at a position where it is heated by heat generated by the fuel cell equipment 20. Here, the heat generated by the fuel cell equipment 20 includes heat generated by power generation in the fuel cell equipment 20 and heat generated in association with the power generation in the fuel cell equipment 20. Examples of heat generated in association with the power generation in the fuel cell equipment 20 include heat from the freeze prevention heater 25 and heat from a burner. The position where it is heated by the heat generated by the fuel cell equipment 20 is a position outside the installation area of ​​the fuel cell equipment 20 where the environmental temperature changes between when the fuel cell equipment 20 is operating and when it is stopped. For example, whether it is a position where it is heated during the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20 can be determined depending on the distance from the fuel cell equipment 20, the positional relationship with a device in the fuel cell equipment 20 that can be a heat source, and the like.

[0026] The position that is heated by the heat generated by the fuel cell equipment 20 is, for example, a position that is affected by the heat discharged from the exhaust port 24 of the fuel cell system 20a, 20b, or 20c. For example, even if the distance from the fuel cell equipment 20 is the same, the storage battery module 31 that is installed closer to the exhaust port 24 is more affected by the heat discharged from the exhaust port 24. With this configuration, the temperature of the storage battery module 31 can be changed by the heat of the exhaust of the fuel cell system. FIG. 2 shows an example of the fuel cell system 20a and an example of the positional relationship between the storage battery module 31. The storage battery module 31a shown in FIG. 2 is installed at a position that faces the surface on which the exhaust port 24 of the fuel cell system 20a is provided and at a position where the wind of the exhaust from the exhaust port 24 directly reaches. Such a storage battery module 31a is installed at a position that is affected by the heat discharged from the exhaust port 24 of the fuel cell system 20a.

[0027] An example of the fuel cell system 20a shown in FIG. 2 includes a housing 200 and a fuel cell stack 21. The fuel cell stack 21 is disposed inside the housing 200. Other components of the fuel cell system 20a are also disposed inside the housing 200, similar to the fuel cell stack 21. The fuel cell stack 21 has an anode 211 (fuel electrode), a cathode 212 (air electrode), and an electrolyte layer 213. The housing 200 is provided with an air inlet 220 and an exhaust port 24. The air inlet 220 is an opening for taking in air from the outside of the housing 200 into the inside of the housing 200. The air taken in from the air inlet 220 into the inside of the housing 200 can be used as an oxidizing gas for the fuel cell stack 21. The exhaust port 24 is an opening for discharging gas from the inside of the housing 200 to the outside of the housing 200. The unreacted hydrogen-containing gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 21 is diluted inside the housing 200 and discharged to the outside of the housing 200 through the exhaust port 24. The intake port 220 is provided, for example, on only one side surface of the housing 200. The exhaust port 24 is provided on an upper portion of a side surface different from the side surface on which the intake port 220 is provided. However, the exhaust port 24 may be provided on the same side surface as the side surface on which the intake port 220 is provided. A plurality of exhaust ports 24 may be provided in the housing 200. The exhaust port 24 is usually provided vertically above the intake port 220. The exhaust port 24 is provided, for example, on the upper portion of the housing 200.

[0028] An anode gas supply path 231 is connected to the anode 211 of the fuel cell stack 21. A cathode gas supply path 241 is connected to the inlet of the cathode 212. A cathode off-gas path 242 is connected to the outlet of the cathode 212.

[0029] The circulation path 233 is a path for returning the anode off-gas discharged from the anode 211 to the anode gas supply path 231. The anode off-gas is a hydrogen-containing gas that has not been used for power generation.

[0030] The cathode offgas path 242 is a path for discharging the cathode offgas discharged from the cathode 212 to the outside of the fuel cell stack 21. The cathode offgas is air that has not been used for power generation. For example, the cathode offgas path 242 connects the cathode outlet to an offgas mixer 250, which will be described later. Through the cathode offgas path 242, the cathode offgas is guided from the cathode 222 of the fuel cell stack 21 to the offgas mixer 250.

[0031] The fuel cell system 20a includes, for example, a purge path 252, an off-gas mixer 250, a gas junction 253, and a combustible gas sensor 254. In addition, in Fig. 2, reference numeral 234 denotes an anode condensed water tank, and reference numeral 244 denotes a cathode condensed water tank.

[0032] The fuel cell system 21 may further include an exhaust fan 24a. The exhaust fan 24a is disposed at a position facing the exhaust port 24.

[0033] In the gas junction 253, the exhaust fan 24a causes the air inside the housing 200 to pass through the combustible gas sensor 254 and be drawn into the gas junction 253. The purge gas discharged from the purge path 252 is further diluted by the air at the junction position of the gas junction 253. The diluted purge gas flows outside the gas junction 253 and is exhausted to the outside of the housing 200 through the exhaust port 24.

[0034] The position that is heated by the heat generated by the fuel cell equipment 20 is, for example, a position that is affected by the heat of the antifreeze heater 25 of the fuel cell system 20a, 20b, or 20c. For example, even if the distance from the fuel cell equipment 20 is the same, the storage battery module 31 that is installed closer to the antifreeze heater 25 is more affected by the heat of the antifreeze heater 25. With this configuration, the temperature of the storage battery module 31 can be changed by the heat of the antifreeze heater 25 of the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c. When the antifreeze heater 25 is installed in the lower part inside the housing of each of the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c as described above, for example, the lower part of each of the housings of the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c can be a position that is affected by the heat of the antifreeze heater 25. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the antifreeze heater 25 is installed in the lower part inside the housing 200, and the storage battery module 31b is installed below the housing 200.

[0035] When charging the battery equipment 30, AC power supplied from an electric circuit 70 outside the battery equipment 30 is converted into DC power by the DCAC inverter 33. The DC power obtained by the DCAC inverter 33 is converted into DC power of a voltage suitable for charging the battery module 31 by the bidirectional DCDC converter 32. The DC power output from the DCDC converter 32 is supplied to the battery module 31 to charge the battery module 31. In this case, the potential V1 at a specific terminal of the bidirectional DCDC converter 32 is adjusted to be lower than the potential V2 at a specific terminal of the DCAC inverter 33.

[0036] When discharging the battery equipment 30, the potential V1 at a specific terminal of the bidirectional DCDC converter 32 is adjusted to be higher than the potential V2 at a specific terminal of the DCAC inverter 33. As a result, the power stored in the battery module 31 is discharged as DC power. This DC power is converted into DC power of a desired voltage in the bidirectional DCDC converter 32. The DC power output from the bidirectional DCDC converter 32 is converted into AC power in the DCAC inverter 33, which is suitable for supplying power outside the battery equipment 30. The AC power output from the DCAC inverter 33 is supplied to an electric circuit 70 outside the battery equipment 30.

[0037] The control device 50b is connected to the control device 50a by wire or wirelessly so as to be able to communicate with it. For example, the control device 50b performs control necessary for the operation of the storage battery equipment 30 according to a control signal received from the control device 50a. For example, the control device 50b controls the operation of the bidirectional DCDC converter 32 and the DCAC inverter 33. The control device 50a also transmits data indicating the amount of stored electricity in the storage battery equipment 30 to the control device 50a. The control device 50a also transmits data indicating the temperature of the storage battery module 31 detected by the storage battery temperature sensor 34 to the control device 50a. The control device 50b is, for example, a computer including a storage device in which a program necessary for the operation of the storage battery equipment 30 is stored, and a processor that reads out and executes the program from the storage device.

[0038] The solar power generation facility 10 includes a solar power generation module 11, a DCDC converter 12, a DCAC inverter 13, and a control device 50c. The solar power generation module 11 includes a solar cell panel. Examples of the solar cell include a monocrystalline silicon solar cell, a polycrystalline silicon solar cell, a thin-film silicon solar cell, a CIS solar cell, a CIGS solar cell, an organic semiconductor solar cell, and a perovskite solar cell. The solar power generation facility 10 may include, for example, a plurality of solar power generation modules 11. The DCDC converter 12 converts the DC power generated in the solar power generation module 11 into DC power of a desired voltage. The DCAC inverter 13 converts the DC power output from the DCDC converter 12 into AC power suitable for power supply to the outside of the solar power generation facility 10. This AC power is supplied, for example, to an electric circuit 70 outside the solar power generation facility 10.

[0039] The control device 50c is connected to the control device 50a by wire or wirelessly so as to be able to communicate with it. For example, the control device 50c controls the operation of the DCDC converter 12 and the DCAC inverter 13 according to a control signal received from the control device 50a. The control device 50c also transmits data indicating the power generated in the solar power generation facility 10 to the control device 50a. This data may be, for example, data indicating the current or power output from the solar power generation facility 10. The solar power generation facility 10 may be equipped with a current sensor or a power sensor to acquire such data. The control device 50c is, for example, a computer equipped with a storage device in which a program required for the operation of the solar power generation facility 10 is stored, and a processor that reads out and executes the program from the storage device.

[0040] The power supply system 1a may further include, for example, an outside air temperature sensor 40 that detects the outside air temperature. The outside air temperature sensor 40 is connected to the control device 50a by wire or wirelessly. The control device 50a, for example, acquires the detection result of the outside air temperature from the outside air temperature sensor 40. The control device 50a controls the antifreeze heaters 25 of the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c based on, for example, the outside air temperature acquired from the outside air temperature sensor 40.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply system 1a further includes, for example, a current sensor 3a, a current sensor 3b, and a distribution board 4. The current sensor 3a is disposed between the commercial power source 2 and the distribution board 4 in the electric circuit 70. The current sensor 3a is connected to the control device 50a by wire or wirelessly. The control device 50a, for example, acquires data indicating the current at the current sensor 3a from the current sensor 3a. The current sensor 3b is disposed between the distribution board 4 and the power load 5 in the electric circuit 70. The current sensor 3b is connected to the control device 50a by wire or wirelessly. The control device 50a acquires, for example, a detection result of the load current from the current sensor 3b.

[0042] 1, the control device 50a is connected to, for example, a network 60. The network 60 is a network including, for example, an electric communication line such as the Internet. The network 60 may include a public line or a dedicated line. For example, in addition to the control device 50a, an energy management system (EMS) server 52 and various servers 54 such as a weather information server are connected to each other via the network 60 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0043] The EMS server 52 transmits instructions regarding the operation mode of the power supply system 1a to the control device 50a. The control device 50a receives the instructions regarding the operation mode from the EMS server 52 via the network 60. In this case, the control device 50a determines the control contents of the operation of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10, the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20, the operation of the storage battery equipment 30, and the reception of power from the commercial power source 2, according to the instructed operation mode. Based on the control contents, the control device 50a transmits control signals required for the operation of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10, the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20, and the operation of the storage battery equipment 30 to the control devices 50c, 50d, and 50b, respectively.

[0044] [1-2. Operation] An example of the operation of the power supply system 1a will be described.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows an example of a procedure for operating the power supply system according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the control device 50a acquires a load current detection result from the current sensor 3b at a predetermined time interval. In addition, the control device 50a acquires data indicating the current amount of stored power in the storage battery equipment 30, data indicating the actual amount of power generated in the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10, and data indicating the actual amount of power generated in the fuel cell equipment 20. The control device 50a determines the content of control based on these acquired data.

[0046] The control device 50a calculates the power consumption of the power load 5 connected to the power supply system 1a based on the detection result of the load current. When the power consumption is equal to or less than the power generated in the photovoltaic power generation facility 10, the control device 50a stops the operation of the fuel cell facility 20. In addition, the control device 50a charges the storage battery facility 30 when possible, and puts the storage battery facility 30 on hold when the current amount of stored power has reached a maximum value. When the power consumption of the power load 5 is greater than the power generated in the photovoltaic power generation facility 10 and is less than the sum of the power generated in the photovoltaic power generation facility 10 and the maximum power generated by the fuel cell facility 20, the control device 50a discharges the storage battery facility 30. This discharge is adjusted to absorb short-period fluctuations in the power consumption. The control device 50a causes the fuel cell facility 20 to generate power so as to make up for the shortage of the power generated in the photovoltaic power generation facility 10 relative to the power consumption. When the power consumption is equal to or greater than the sum of the power generated in the photovoltaic power generation facility 10 and the maximum power generated by the fuel cell facility 20, the control device 50a causes the fuel cell facility 20 to generate power at the maximum power generated. In addition, the control device 50a discharges the storage battery equipment 30 to make up for the shortfall in the sum of the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10 and the maximum power generated by the fuel cell equipment 20 relative to the power consumption. In these cases, the power supply system 1a can supply the necessary power to the power load 5 without power supply from the commercial power source 2. When the power consumption is equal to or greater than the sum of the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10 and the maximum power generated by the fuel cell equipment 20 and the amount of stored power is zero, the control device 50a permits reception of power from the commercial power source 2, and power from the commercial power source 2 is supplied to the power load 5 in proportion to the power shortfall.

[0047] When operated according to the above-described procedure, the power supply system 1a can reduce the amount of power supplied from the commercial power source 2 even when the commercial power source 2 is in an energized state, which is advantageous, for example, from the standpoint of reducing the environmental load.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 50a transmits control signals to the control devices 50b, 50c, and 50d according to the control content determined as described above. The control device 50d adjusts the operating state of the fuel cell system 20a, 20b, or 20c according to the control signal received from the control device 50a. As a result, the output from the fuel cell system 20a, 20b, or 20c is adjusted so that the desired power generation is obtained in the fuel cell equipment 20. For example, when charging or discharging the storage battery equipment 30, the control device 50b controls the operation of the bidirectional DC-DC converter 32 according to the control signal received from the control device 50a. The control device 50c controls the energization of the DC-DC converter 12 according to the control signal received from the control device 50a.

[0049] The control device 50a acquires data indicating the load current, the temperature and current storage amount of the storage battery module 31 in the storage battery equipment 30, the actual power generation in the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10, and the actual power generation in the fuel cell equipment 20 at a predetermined interval. The control device 50a again determines the control content based on these data, and transmits control signals to the control devices 50b, 50c, and 50d according to the control content. The control devices 50b, 50c, and 50d control the operation of the storage battery equipment 30, the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10, and the fuel cell equipment 20, respectively, according to the control signal received from the control device 50a. After this, the acquisition of data and the determination of the control content in the control device 50, and the control for the operation of the storage battery equipment 30, the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10, and the fuel cell equipment 20 according to the control content are repeated at a predetermined time interval. In the control device 50a, the determination of the control content for the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20 is repeated, for example, at 30-minute intervals.

[0050] The fuel cell equipment 20 is controlled based on the temperature of the storage battery module 31. This controls the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20 so as to maintain the storage battery module 31 within an environmental temperature range suitable for use, thereby suppressing deterioration due to temperature of the storage batteries included in the storage battery module 31. Here, regarding the temperature of the storage battery module 31, for example, the temperature detected by the storage battery temperature sensor 34 may be regarded as the temperature of the storage battery module 31, or the temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 40 may be regarded as the temperature of the storage battery module 31.

[0051] When the storage battery equipment 30 includes a plurality of storage battery modules 31 arranged at positions where they are heated by heat generated by the fuel cell equipment 20, for example, the plurality of storage battery modules 31 may include a reference storage battery module for determining the temperature of the storage battery modules 31. In this case, the control device 50a controls the fuel cell equipment 20 based on the temperature of the reference storage battery module. By determining the reference storage battery module in this manner and controlling the fuel cell equipment 20 based on the temperature of the reference storage battery module, it is possible to easily and quickly determine the temperature of the storage battery module 31 even when a plurality of storage battery modules 31 are present, and it is also easy to control the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20.

[0052] When the storage battery equipment 30 includes a plurality of storage battery modules 31 arranged in positions where they are heated by heat generated by the fuel cell equipment 20, for example, the control device 50a may control the fuel cell equipment 20 based on the temperatures of all of the plurality of storage battery modules 31. In this way, the fuel cell equipment 20 is controlled taking into consideration the temperatures of all of the storage battery modules 31 provided in the storage battery equipment 30, so that deterioration of all of the storage battery modules 31 can be suppressed.

[0053] Fig. 4 shows an example of the control of the fuel cell equipment 20 in the power supply system 1a according to embodiment 1. In the following, an example will be described in which the fuel cell equipment 20 includes a plurality of fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c as shown in Fig. 1.

[0054] When changing the power generation in the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c while the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c are in operation, the control device 50a controls the fuel cell equipment 20 to satisfy, for example, the following (iA), (iiA), (iiiA), and (ivA). Note that in the following (iA), (iiA), (iiiA), and (ivA), "power generation" refers to the power generation in the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c.

[0055] (iA) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range and the power generation is to be increased, the power generation is increased in the order of the fuel cell system that has the greatest thermal impact on the storage battery module 31 among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c in operation. (iiA) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is lower than the lower limit of the specified temperature range and the generated power is to be reduced, the generated power is reduced in the order of the fuel cell system that has the least thermal impact on the storage battery module 31 among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c that are in operation. (iiiA) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is higher than the upper limit of the specified temperature range and the power generation is to be increased, the power generation is increased in the order of the fuel cell system that has the least thermal impact on the storage battery module 31 among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c in operation. (ivA) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is higher than the upper limit of a predetermined temperature range and the power generation is to be reduced, among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c in operation, the power generation is reduced in order from the fuel cell system that has the least thermal impact on the storage battery module 31.

[0056] Here, the predetermined temperature range is, for example, an environmental temperature range suitable for use of the storage battery. If the storage battery is, for example, a lithium ion battery, the optimal environmental temperature for use is about 25° C. Therefore, as an example of the predetermined temperature range, for example, a range from 23° C. to 27° C., which is a temperature range with a width of ±2° C. from the optimal environmental temperature range of 25° C., may be set.

[0057] The multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c are ranked in advance based on, for example, the magnitude of the thermal effect on the storage battery module 31. The magnitude of the thermal effect on the storage battery module 31 by the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c can be determined by comprehensively using information that can be heat propagation factors, such as the distance between the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c and the storage battery module 31, and the positional relationship with parts or devices (e.g., the exhaust port 24 or the antifreeze heater 25) that can be heat sources in the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c. The control device 50a stores, for example, the above-mentioned rankings of the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c, and controls the operation of the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c of the fuel cell facility 20 according to the rankings.

[0058] When starting up the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c while the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c are stopped, the control device 50a controls the fuel cell equipment 20 to satisfy, for example, the following (iB) and (iiB). Note that in the following (iB) and (iiB), "generated power" refers to the power generated in the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c. Also, the "predetermined temperature range" in the following (iB) and (iiB) is the same as the "predetermined temperature range" in the above (iA), (iiA), (iiiA), and (ivA).

[0059] (iB) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range, among the multiple stopped fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c, the fuel cell system that is most affected by heat on the storage battery module 31 is started in order. (iiB) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is higher than the upper limit of a predetermined temperature range, among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c that are currently stopped, the fuel cell system that has the least thermal impact on the storage battery module 31 is started in order.

[0060] When the control device 50a stops the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c while they are in operation, it controls the fuel cell equipment to satisfy, for example, the following (iC) and (iiC). Note that in the following (iC) and (iiC), "generated power" refers to the power generated in the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c. Also, the "predetermined temperature range" in the following (iC) and (iiC) is the same as the "predetermined temperature range" in the above (iA), (iiA), (iiiA), and (ivA).

[0061] (iC) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range, among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c that are in operation, the fuel cell systems that have the least thermal impact on the storage battery module 31 are shut down in order. (iiC) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is higher than the upper limit of the specified temperature range, among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c that are in operation, the fuel cell system that has the greatest thermal impact on the storage battery module 31 is shut down in order.

[0062] By controlling the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20 as described above, the storage battery module 31 can be maintained within an environmental temperature range suitable for use, thereby suppressing deterioration of the storage batteries contained in the storage battery module 31 due to temperature.

[0063] When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range, the control device 50a may, for example, operate the antifreeze heater 25 provided in the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c. This makes it possible to more reliably maintain the storage battery module 31 within an environmental temperature range suitable for use, thereby further suppressing deterioration of the storage batteries included in the storage battery module 31 due to temperature.

[0064] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the power supply system 1a includes the fuel cell equipment 20, the storage battery equipment 30, and the control device 50a that controls the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the operation of the storage battery equipment 30. The storage battery equipment 30 includes at least one storage battery module 31 that is arranged in a position where it is heated by heat generated by the fuel cell equipment 20. The control device 50a controls the fuel cell equipment 20 based on the temperature of the storage battery module 31.

[0065] This allows the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20 to be controlled so as to maintain the storage battery module 31 within an environmental temperature range suitable for use, thereby suppressing deterioration of the storage batteries included in the storage battery module 31 due to temperature.

[0066] As in this embodiment, the fuel cell equipment 20 includes fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c, each of which has an exhaust port 24 for discharging heat generated by the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c, and the storage battery module 31 may be positioned in a position where it is affected by the heat discharged from the exhaust port 24.

[0067] This allows the temperature of the storage battery module 31 to be changed by the heat of the exhaust gas from the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c.

[0068] As in this embodiment, the fuel cell equipment 20 includes fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c, and the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c include an anti-freeze heater 25, and the storage battery module 31 may be positioned at a location where it is affected by the heat from the anti-freeze heater 25.

[0069] This allows the temperature of the storage battery module 31 to be changed by the heat of the antifreeze heaters 25 of the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c.

[0070] As in the present embodiment, the storage battery equipment 30 may further include a storage battery temperature sensor 34 that detects the temperature of the storage battery module 31. In this case, the control device 50a may control the fuel cell equipment 20 using the temperature detected by the storage battery temperature sensor 34 as the temperature of the storage battery module 31.

[0071] This makes it possible to easily and accurately identify the temperature of the storage battery module 31, so that deterioration of the storage batteries included in the storage battery module 31 due to temperature can be more reliably suppressed.

[0072] As in this embodiment, the power supply system 1a may further include an outside air temperature sensor 40 that detects the outside air temperature. In this case, the control device 50a may control the fuel cell equipment 20 using the temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 40 as the temperature of the storage battery module 31.

[0073] This allows the temperature of the storage battery module 31 to be easily acquired by the temperature sensor 40, which is intended to measure the outside air temperature, and makes it possible to suppress deterioration of the storage batteries included in the storage battery module 31 due to temperature.

[0074] As in this embodiment, the fuel cell equipment 20 may include a plurality of fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c. In this case, the control device 50a may control the fuel cell equipment 20 to satisfy the following (iA), (iiA), (iiiA), and (ivA) when changing the power generation in the plurality of fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c during operation of the plurality of fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c. (iA) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range and the power generation is to be increased, the power generation is increased in the order of the fuel cell system that has the greatest thermal impact on the storage battery module 31 among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c in operation. (iiA) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is lower than the lower limit of the specified temperature range and the generated power is to be reduced, the generated power is reduced in the order of the fuel cell system that has the least thermal impact on the storage battery module 31 among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c that are in operation. (iiiA) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is higher than the upper limit of the specified temperature range and the power generation is to be increased, the power generation is increased in the order of the fuel cell system that has the least thermal impact on the storage battery module 31 among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c in operation. (ivA) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is higher than the upper limit of a predetermined temperature range and the power generation is to be reduced, among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c in operation, the power generation is reduced in order from the fuel cell system that has the least thermal impact on the storage battery module 31.

[0075] By controlling the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20 as described above, the storage battery module 31 can be maintained within an environmental temperature range suitable for use, thereby suppressing deterioration of the storage batteries contained in the storage battery module 31 due to temperature.

[0076] As in the present embodiment, the fuel cell equipment 20 may include a plurality of fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c. In this case, the control device 50a may control the fuel cell equipment 20 to satisfy the following (iB) and (iiB) when starting up the plurality of fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c while the plurality of fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c are stopped. (iB) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range, among the multiple stopped fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c, the fuel cell system that is most affected by heat on the storage battery module 31 is started in order. (iiB) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is higher than the upper limit of a predetermined temperature range, among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c that are currently stopped, the fuel cell system that has the least thermal impact on the storage battery module 31 is started in order.

[0077] By controlling the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20 as described above, the storage battery module 31 can be maintained within an environmental temperature range suitable for use, thereby suppressing deterioration of the storage batteries contained in the storage battery module 31 due to temperature.

[0078] As in this embodiment, the fuel cell equipment 20 may include a plurality of fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c. In this case, the control device 50a may control the fuel cell equipment 20 to satisfy the following (iC) and (iiC) when stopping the plurality of fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c while the plurality of fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c are in operation. (iC) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range, among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c that are in operation, the fuel cell systems that have the least thermal impact on the storage battery module 31 are shut down in order. (iiC) When the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is higher than the upper limit of the specified temperature range, among the multiple fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c that are in operation, the fuel cell system that has the greatest thermal impact on the storage battery module 31 is shut down in order.

[0079] By controlling the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20 as described above, the storage battery module 31 can be maintained within an environmental temperature range suitable for use, thereby suppressing deterioration of the storage batteries contained in the storage battery module 31 due to temperature.

[0080] As in the present embodiment, the fuel cell equipment 20 includes fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c, and the fuel cell systems 20a, 20b, and 20c may each include an antifreeze heater 25. In this case, the control device 50a may operate the antifreeze heater 25 when the temperature of the storage battery module 31 is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range.

[0081] This makes it possible to more reliably maintain the storage battery module 31 within an environmental temperature range suitable for use, thereby further suppressing deterioration of the storage batteries included in the storage battery module 31 due to temperature.

[0082] As in this embodiment, the storage battery equipment 30 may include a plurality of storage battery modules 31, and the plurality of storage battery modules 31 may include a reference storage battery module for determining the temperature of the storage battery module 31. In this case, the control device 50a may control the fuel cell equipment 20 based on the temperature of the reference storage battery module.

[0083] By determining a reference battery module in this manner and controlling the fuel cell equipment 20 based on the temperature of the reference battery module, the temperature of the battery module 31 can be easily and quickly determined even when multiple battery modules 31 are present, and control of the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20 also becomes easier.

[0084] As in the present embodiment, the storage battery equipment 30 may include a plurality of storage battery modules 31. In this case, the control device 50a may control the fuel cell equipment 20 based on the temperatures of all of the plurality of storage battery modules 31.

[0085] As a result, the fuel cell equipment 20 is controlled taking into consideration the temperatures of all of the storage battery modules 31 provided in the storage battery equipment 30, so that deterioration of all of the storage battery modules 31 can be suppressed.

[0086] As in this embodiment, in the operating method of the power supply system 1a, the power supply system 1a comprises a fuel cell equipment 20 and a storage battery equipment 30, and the storage battery equipment 30 comprises at least one storage battery module 31 arranged in a position where it is heated by heat generated by the fuel cell equipment 20, and the operating method includes controlling the fuel cell equipment 20 based on the temperature of the storage battery module 31.

[0087] As a result, according to the operating method of the power supply system 1a of this embodiment, the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20 can be controlled so as to maintain the storage battery module 31 within an environmental temperature range suitable for use, thereby suppressing deterioration due to temperature of the storage batteries included in the storage battery module 31.

[0088] (Other embodiments) As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. [Industrial Applicability]

[0089] The technology according to the present disclosure is applicable to a system that supplies electric power by linking a fuel cell equipment 20 and a storage battery equipment 30, and also to a system that supplies electric power by linking a solar power generation equipment 10, a fuel cell equipment 20, a storage battery equipment 30, and a commercial power source 2. The technology according to the present disclosure is applicable to efforts to protect the environment, such as RE100 (Renewable Energy 100%). [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1a Power supply system 20 Fuel cell equipment 20a, 20n, 20c fuel cell systems 30 Battery storage equipment 31 Battery module 50a Control device

Claims

1. A fuel cell facility; A battery storage facility; a control device that controls an operation of the fuel cell equipment and an operation of the storage battery equipment; A power supply system comprising: the storage battery equipment includes at least one storage battery module arranged at a position where it is heated by heat generated by the fuel cell equipment; The control device controls the fuel cell equipment based on the temperature of the storage battery module. Power supply system.

2. The fuel cell equipment includes a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system has an exhaust port for discharging heat generated by the fuel cell system; the storage battery module is disposed at a position where it is affected by the heat discharged from the exhaust port, The power supply system according to claim 1 .

3. The fuel cell equipment includes a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system includes an antifreeze heater; the storage battery module is disposed at a position where it is affected by heat from the freeze prevention heater; The power supply system according to claim 1 .

4. The battery equipment further includes a battery temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the battery module. the control device controls the fuel cell equipment based on the temperature detected by the storage battery temperature sensor as the temperature of the storage battery module. The power supply system according to claim 1 .

5. The power supply system further includes an outside air temperature sensor for detecting an outside air temperature. the control device controls the fuel cell equipment based on the temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor as the temperature of the storage battery module. The power supply system according to claim 1 .

6. The fuel cell equipment includes a plurality of fuel cell systems, the control device controls the fuel cell equipment so as to satisfy the following (iA), (iiA), (iiiA), and (ivA) when changing the power generation in the plurality of fuel cell systems during operation of the plurality of fuel cell systems. The power supply system according to claim 1 . (iA) When the temperature of the storage battery module is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range and the generated power is to be increased, the generated power is increased in order from the fuel cell system that has the greatest thermal impact on the storage battery module among the multiple fuel cell systems in operation. (iiA) When the temperature of the storage battery module is lower than the lower limit of the specified temperature range and the generated power is to be reduced, the generated power is reduced in the order of the fuel cell system that has the least thermal impact on the storage battery module among the multiple fuel cell systems in operation. (iiiA) When the temperature of the storage battery module is higher than the upper limit of the specified temperature range and the generated power is to be increased, the generated power is increased in order from the fuel cell system that has the least thermal impact on the storage battery module among the multiple fuel cell systems in operation. (ivA) When the temperature of the storage battery module is higher than the upper limit of the specified temperature range and the generated power is to be reduced, the generated power is reduced in order from the fuel cell system that has the least thermal impact on the storage battery module among the multiple fuel cell systems in operation.

7. The fuel cell equipment includes a plurality of fuel cell systems, When starting up the plurality of fuel cell systems while the plurality of fuel cell systems are stopped, the control device controls the fuel cell equipment so as to satisfy the following (iB) and (iiB): The power supply system according to claim 1 . (iB) When the temperature of the storage battery module is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range, among the plurality of stopped fuel cell systems, the fuel cell system that is most affected by heat on the storage battery module is started in order. (iiB) When the temperature of the storage battery module is higher than the upper limit of the specified temperature range, among the plurality of fuel cell systems that are stopped, the fuel cell system that has the least thermal impact on the storage battery module is started in order.

8. The fuel cell equipment includes a plurality of fuel cell systems, When the control device stops the plurality of fuel cell systems during operation of the plurality of fuel cell systems, the control device controls the fuel cell equipment so as to satisfy the following (iC) and (iiC): The power supply system according to claim 1 . (iC) When the temperature of the storage battery module is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range, among the plurality of fuel cell systems in operation, the fuel cell system that has the least thermal effect on the storage battery module is shut down in order. (iiC) When the temperature of the storage battery module is higher than the upper limit of the predetermined temperature range, among the plurality of fuel cell systems in operation, the fuel cell systems that have the greatest thermal impact on the storage battery module are shut down in order.

9. The fuel cell equipment includes a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system includes an antifreeze heater; the control device operates the antifreeze heater when the temperature of the storage battery module is lower than a lower limit of a predetermined temperature range. The power supply system according to claim 1 .

10. The battery storage equipment includes a plurality of the battery modules, the plurality of battery modules includes a reference battery module for determining the temperature of the battery modules; The control device controls the fuel cell equipment based on the temperature of the reference storage battery module. The power supply system according to claim 1 .

11. The battery storage equipment includes a plurality of the battery modules, The control device controls the fuel cell equipment based on all of the temperatures of the plurality of storage battery modules. The power supply system according to claim 1 .

12. A method for operating an electric power supply system, comprising: the power supply system includes a fuel cell equipment and a storage battery equipment, the storage battery equipment includes at least one storage battery module arranged at a position where it is heated by heat generated by the fuel cell equipment; The operating method includes controlling the fuel cell equipment based on a temperature of the storage battery module. How to drive.

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