Power supply system and method of operating the same

Abstract

To provide a power supply system that implements unique noise countermeasures.SOLUTION: A power supply system 1a comprises: a plurality of fuel battery units 25 arranged in a predetermined area; a server that stores noise information provided from inhabitants living around the predetermined area; and a control device that control operation and suspension of the plurality of fuel battery units 25 on the basis of the noise information stored in the server. The noise information includes location information indicating the locations of houses of the inhabitants or of facilities used by the inhabitants, for example.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In recent years, distributed power sources have been attracting attention as one type of power supply system. Distributed power sources are small-scale power sources that are placed near areas of demand. Specifically, solar power generation facilities, wind power generation facilities, and fuel cell facilities are suitable for distributed power sources.

[0003] Distributed power sources, by nature of being located near demand areas, can be accompanied by noise problems. In particular, fuel cell equipment has auxiliary equipment such as pumps and blowers, which can become a noise source. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a home fuel cell system that is configured to operate with reduced noise. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-311084 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Some power supply systems include a plurality of fuel cell units arranged in a given area. By increasing or decreasing the number of fuel cell units, it is possible to meet a wide range of customer needs. Since such power supply systems are sometimes installed in relatively large outdoor sites, it is difficult to completely prevent noise from leaking to the surrounding area even if certain noise control measures are implemented for each fuel cell unit. Even if the noise level is sufficiently low, the level of discomfort felt by residents varies depending on conditions such as the season, direction, and time of day. Therefore, there is a demand for a power supply system that implements unique noise control measures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure relates to A plurality of fuel cell units arranged in a predetermined area; A server that stores noise information provided by residents around the specified area; a control device that controls operation and suspension of the plurality of fuel cell units based on the noise information stored in the server; The present invention provides a power supply system comprising:

[0007] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for producing a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising: storing noise information provided by residents around a predetermined area in which a plurality of fuel cell units are arranged in a server; Controlling operation and suspension of the plurality of fuel cell units based on the noise information stored in the server; The present invention provides a method for operating a power supply system, comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the technique of the present disclosure, it is possible to operate a power supply system while taking into consideration complaints about noise from surrounding residents. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] A configuration diagram of a power supply system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] A diagram explaining the environment in which the power supply system is installed [Diagram 3] Conceptual diagram of the noise database [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an operation procedure of the power supply system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of control content of a power supply system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] A flowchart showing a process for determining which fuel cell unit to operate based on noise information. [Figure 7]A diagram explaining the operational priority of multiple blocks consisting of multiple fuel cell units. [Figure 8A] Configuration diagram of a power supply system according to Modification 1 [Figure 8B] Configuration diagram of a power supply system according to Modification 2 [Figure 8C] Configuration diagram of a power supply system according to Modification 3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in some cases, more detailed explanations than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or duplicate explanations of substantially the same configurations may be omitted.

[0011] 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.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] [1-1. Configuration] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power supply system according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the power supply system 1a includes a solar power generation facility 10, a fuel cell facility 20, a storage battery facility 30, and a control device 50a. The power supply system 1a is interconnected with a commercial power source 2. The power supply system 1a is a system that supplies power to a power load 5 by linking the solar power generation facility 10, the fuel cell facility 20, the storage battery facility 30, and the commercial power source 2.

[0014] The control device 50a controls the operation of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10, the fuel cell equipment 20, and the storage battery equipment 30. The control device 50a is, for example, a computer including a storage device that stores programs necessary for these controls, and a processor that reads and executes the programs from the storage device.

[0015] 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 to, for example, an electric circuit 70 outside the solar power generation facility 10.

[0016] The control device 50c is connected to the control device 50a in a wired or wireless manner so as to be able to communicate with the control device 50a. For example, the control device 50c controls the operations of the DCDC converter 12 and the DCAC inverter 13 in accordance with a control signal received from the control device 50a. The control device 50c also controls the power generation P PV The control device 50c transmits data indicating the current or power output from the photovoltaic power generation facility 10 to the control device 50a. This data may be, for example, data indicating the current or power output from the photovoltaic power generation facility 10. The photovoltaic 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 that stores a program required for operating the photovoltaic power generation facility 10, and a processor that reads out and executes the program from the storage device.

[0017] The fuel cell equipment 20 includes, for example, a plurality of fuel cell units 25. Each of the fuel cell units 25 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 a reaction between 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.

[0018] 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 unit 25 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, auxiliary equipment (not shown), etc. Examples of the auxiliary equipment are a pump, a blower, and a valve. The pump and the blower send fuel gas and oxidant gas toward the fuel cell stack 21, for example. The control device 50d also transmits data indicating the power generated in the fuel cell unit 25 to the control device 50a. This data may be, for example, data indicating the magnitude of the current output from the fuel cell unit 25. 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 unit 25 is stored, and a processor that reads out and executes the program from the storage device.

[0019] The DCAC inverter 23 may convert AC power supplied to the fuel cell unit 25 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 unit 25. For example, auxiliary equipment is operated using this DC power.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The storage battery equipment 30 includes, for example, a storage battery module 31, a bidirectional DCDC converter 32, a DCAC converter 33, and a control device 50b. The storage battery equipment 30 includes, for example, a plurality of storage 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 storage battery module 31. A specific terminal of the bidirectional DCDC converter 32 is connected to a specific terminal of the DCAC converter 33. The storage battery module 31 includes a plurality of storage batteries. The storage batteries are not limited to a specific type of storage battery. Examples of the storage batteries are a lithium ion battery, a redox flow battery, and a sodium sulfur battery.

[0022] 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 converter 33. The DC power obtained by the DCAC converter 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 converter 33.

[0023] 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 converter 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 converter 33, which is suitable for supplying power outside the battery equipment 30. The AC power output from the DCAC converter 33 is supplied to an electric circuit 70 outside the battery equipment 30.

[0024] 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 converter 33. In addition, the control device 50a transmits data indicating the amount of stored electricity in the storage battery equipment 30 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 1, the control device 50a is connected to, for example, a network 60. The network 60 is a network including, for example, a telecommunication 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, a noise information server 54, and an operation information server 56 are connected to each other via the network 60 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0027] The EMS server 52 transmits instructions related to the operation of the power supply system 1a to the control device 50a. The control device 50a receives the instructions related to the operation 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, in response to the received instructions. 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.

[0028] The noise information server 54 is a server that stores noise information provided by residents living in the vicinity of the area in which the power supply system 1a is installed. The noise information is registered in a noise database of the noise information server 54 by an administrator of the power supply system 1a.

[0029] The operation information server 56 is a server that sequentially stores operation information of the power supply system 1a. The operation information is information indicating the operation status of the power supply system 1a, and includes, for example, information indicating the charge / discharge power of the battery equipment 30, the amount of stored power in the battery equipment 30, the power output of the solar power generation equipment 10, the power output of the fuel cell equipment 20, the power consumption of the load 5, the power purchased from the commercial power source 2, and the history thereof.

[0030] The EMS server 52, the noise information server 54, and the operation information server 56 may be operated by a single server. For example, the EMS server 52 may have the functions of the noise information server 54 and the operation information server 56. That is, the operation information may be managed by the EMS server 52. The noise database may be managed by the EMS server 52. Furthermore, the functions of the EMS server 52, the noise information server 54, and the operation information server 56 may be implemented in a computer that plays the role of the control device 50a.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an environment in which the power supply system 1a is installed. The power supply system 1a is installed, for example, on an outdoor site R. The outdoor site R includes a storage battery area R1, a fuel cell area R2, and a solar cell area R3. A storage battery equipment 30 is arranged in the storage battery area R1. Fuel cell units 25 are arranged in the fuel cell area R2. Photovoltaic power generation modules 11 are arranged in the solar cell area R3. A plurality of residences 90 exist around the site R. There may also be facilities such as schools, hospitals, community centers, meeting halls, parks, churches, and temples around the site R.

[0032] 2, a plurality of fuel cell units 25 (e.g., 100 units) are arranged in two rows in a fuel cell area R2. The fuel cell area R2 is a long and narrow area extending in the east-west direction. Information indicating the number and arrangement of the fuel cell units 25 is registered in advance in the EMS server 52.

[0033] Of the facilities in power supply system 1a, fuel cell facility 20 has auxiliary machinery such as a pump and a blower, and can therefore be a noise source. When complaints about noise are submitted from nearby residents to the manager of power supply system 1a, the provided complaints are registered as noise information in a noise database in noise information server 54 by the manager of power supply system 1a. A terminal for inputting noise information to noise information server 54 may be possessed by noise information server 54, or may be a terminal connected to network 60 separately from noise information server 54.

[0034] The noise information registered and stored in the noise database of the noise information server 54 includes, for example, location information indicating the location of the residence of the resident who filed the complaint or the facility used by the resident. The location information includes at least one of directional information indicating the direction of the residence or facility as seen from the fuel cell area R2, and distance information indicating the distance from the fuel cell area R2 to the residence or facility. When such information is included in the noise information, by referring to the noise information, one or more fuel cell units 25 can be selected from the multiple fuel cell units 25 and operated so as to reduce the level of noise reaching a specific residence or facility.

[0035] The noise information includes, for example, time information indicating the time or time period when the noise was reported by a resident. This time or time period is the time or time period when the resident actually felt uncomfortable with the noise. When such information is included in the noise information, by referring to the noise information, one or more fuel cell units 25 can be selected from the multiple fuel cell units 25 and operated so as to reduce the level of noise reaching a particular residence or facility at a particular time or time period.

[0036] The noise information includes, for example, frequency information indicating the number of times information has been provided by the same resident. When such information is included in the noise information, by referring to the noise information, it is possible to select and operate one or more fuel cell units 25 from the multiple fuel cell units 25 so as to preferentially reduce the noise level for residents who have made the most complaints.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the noise database. The noise database 54a exists in the noise information server 54. The noise database 54a includes, as noise information, "resident ID," "date," "distance to residence or facility," "direction of residence or facility," "time period," and "number of times." The "resident ID" is unique information assigned to the person who made the noise complaint (the resident). The "date" indicates the date on which the noise complaint was made. The "distance to residence or facility" indicates the distance from the fuel cell area R2 to the residence of the resident who made the complaint or a facility used by the resident. The "direction of residence or facility" indicates the direction of the residence or facility as seen from the fuel cell area R2. The "time period" indicates the time period when the noise was pointed out by the resident. The "number of times" indicates the number of times a complaint has been made by a resident with the same ID.

[0038] In the noise database 54a, the "distance to the residence or facility" and the "direction to the residence or facility" correspond to location information indicating the location of the residence or facility. In this embodiment, the location of the residence or facility can be specified by the distance and direction. However, the location of the residence or facility may be registered in the noise database 54a by other information such as latitude and longitude.

[0039] In the noise database 54a, the "time period" corresponds to time information indicating the time period during which noise was reported by residents. In this embodiment, the time information is registered in the noise database 54a in one-hour units, such as "7:00 to 9:00" or "18:00 to 19:00". However, the time information may be information indicating a single point in time, such as "7:00" or "18:00".

[0040] [1-2. Operation] An example of the operation of the power supply system 1a will be described. Fig. 4 shows the procedure of operation of the power supply system according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, when the control device 50a receives an operation instruction from the EMS server 52, it acquires the detection result of the load current from the current sensor 3b. In addition, the control device 50a acquires data indicating the current amount of stored power in the battery equipment 30 and the generated power P in the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10. PV The control device 50a acquires data showing the results of the above. The control device 50a determines the control content based on the acquired data. The amount of stored electricity may be expressed as a physical quantity having a dimension such as ampere-hours or watt-hours, or may be expressed as a quantitative indication of the state of stored electricity relative to a fully charged state and a fully discharged state such as SOC (State of Charge).

[0041] 5 shows an example of the control contents of the power supply system according to the first embodiment. The control device 50a calculates the power consumption PL 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 PL is calculated based on the power generation power P PV If the power consumption PL is smaller than the power generation P, the control device 50a stops the operation of the fuel cell equipment 20. In addition, the control device 50a charges the battery equipment 30 when possible, and puts the battery equipment 30 on hold when the current amount of stored electricity has reached the maximum value. PV and the power consumption PL is greater than the power generation P PV and the maximum power generation P of the fuel cell equipment 20 FCMAX If the power consumption PL is less than the sum of the generated power P and the power consumption PL, the control device 50a discharges the battery equipment 30. This discharge is adjusted to absorb short-period fluctuations in the power consumption PL. PV The fuel cell equipment 20 is made to generate power to make up for the shortage of the power consumption PL. PV and the maximum power generation P of the fuel cell equipment 20 FCMAX If the power generation capacity is greater than the sum of the power generation capacity and the power consumption, the control device 50a controls the fuel cell equipment 20 to the maximum power generation capacity P FCMAX In addition, the control device 50a controls the power generation P PVand the maximum power generation P of the fuel cell equipment 20 FCMAX 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. PV and the maximum power generation P of the fuel cell equipment 20 FCMAX 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 shortage.

[0042] 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 energized, which is advantageous from the standpoint of reducing the environmental load, for example.

[0043] The control content determined by the control device 50a includes the power generation requested of the fuel cell equipment 20. Information indicating the power generation requested of the fuel cell equipment 20 is sent from the control device 50a to the EMS server 52. As shown in Fig. 4, in response to obtaining the information indicating the power generation requested of the fuel cell equipment 20, the EMS server 52 accesses the noise database 54a (Fig. 3) of the noise information server 54, and searches for and obtains noise information including the current time from the noise information server 54.

[0044] Next, the EMS server 52 as a control device performs processing for determining which one or more fuel cell units 25 should be operated. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing for determining which fuel cell unit 25 should be operated based on noise information.

[0045] In step S1, it is determined whether there is an excess in the number of fuel cell units 25. For example, if the fuel cell equipment 20 has 100 fuel cell units 25 and each fuel cell unit 25 has a rated output of 5 kW, the maximum power generation of the fuel cell equipment 20 is 500 kW. If the power generation required of the fuel cell equipment 20 is equal to the maximum power generation (500 kW), there is no excess in the number of fuel cell units 25. Therefore, in step S2, an instruction to operate all of the fuel cell units 25 is created.

[0046] On the other hand, if the power generation requested of the fuel cell equipment 20 is less than the maximum power generation, it is determined that there is a surplus in the number of fuel cell units 25. In this case, in step S3, it is determined whether or not there is noise information including the current time. In the example shown in Fig. 3, noise information exists for the time slots from 7:00 to 9:00, 18:00 to 19:00, and 12:00 to 13:00.

[0047] If there is no noise information including the current time, then in step S4, the EMS server 52 creates an instruction to preferentially operate the fuel cell unit 25 with the shortest accumulated operating time so as to satisfy the requested generated power.

[0048] If there is noise information including the current time, in step S5, the EMS server 52 creates an instruction to operate the fuel cell units 25 located away from the residence or facility specified by the noise information with priority. According to the noise database 54a shown in FIG. 3, there was one noise complaint from a resident of a residence or facility located 50 m northeast of the fuel cell area R2 during the time period from 7:00 to 9:00. Therefore, when the current time is 8:00 AM, an instruction is created to operate the fuel cell units 25 located away from the residence or facility located 50 m northeast with priority. The fuel cell units 25 located close to the residence or facility are shut down with priority. For example, if 75 of the 100 fuel cell units 25 need to be operated, the 25 fuel cell units 25 located on the northeast side of the fuel cell area R2 are shut down, and the remaining 75 fuel cell units 25 are instructed to operate.

[0049] That is, the EMS server 52 as a control device selects at least one fuel cell unit 25 to operate from among the multiple fuel cell units 25, depending on the direction of the residence of the resident who provided the noise information or the facility used by the resident, and the number of times that noise information has been provided. With this configuration, the power supply system 1a can be operated efficiently while taking into consideration complaints about noise from surrounding residents.

[0050] It is not essential that an operation priority be set for each fuel cell unit 25. For example, the fuel cell units 25 provided in the fuel cell equipment 20 may be divided into multiple blocks, and an operation priority may be set for each block. Multiple fuel cell units 25 belong to one block. Multiple fuel cell units 25 that belong to a block located away from a residence or facility identified by noise information may be preferentially operated, and multiple fuel cell units 25 that belong to a block located close to the residence or facility may be preferentially stopped.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining the operation priority of multiple blocks (1st block to Nth block, N is a natural number) consisting of multiple fuel cell units 25. As shown in FIG. 7, the fuel cell units 25 belong to either the 1st block, the 2nd block, to the Nth block. The EMS server 52 calculates a numerical value indicating the operation priority for each block according to a predetermined rule and updates the numerical value at a predetermined cycle. The predetermined cycle is, for example, one day. The operation priority of each block is calculated by multiplying "coefficient A for distance," "coefficient B for time zone," and "coefficient C for direction." The smaller the numerical value indicating the operation priority, the higher the operation priority of that block.

[0052] The "coefficient A for distance" is a coefficient determined according to the distance from the nearest residence or facility. The shorter the distance from the residence or facility, the larger the value of the coefficient A. For example, since the distance from the first block to the nearest residence or facility is "50m", the coefficient A of the first block is set to "1". Since the distance from the second block to the nearest residence or facility is "70m", the coefficient A of the second block is set to "0.8". Since the distance from the Nth block to the nearest residence or facility is "100m", the coefficient A of the Nth block is set to "0.5". In other words, the coefficient A is set so that the priority of driving in blocks located farther from residences or facilities is increased and the priority of driving in blocks located closer to residences or facilities is decreased.

[0053] The "coefficient B for a time period" is a coefficient determined according to the number of times noise information is provided in a specific time period. The values ​​α1, α2, ... αN of the coefficient B can change according to the time period. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the first block, the second block, ... the Nth block are located from the west side to the east side of the fuel cell area R2. If the number of times noise information is provided from the residence 90 on the west side in a specific time period (for example, from 18:00 to 19:00) is large, the value α1 of the coefficient B of the first block is set to a large value. The value α2 of the coefficient B of the second block is set to a value smaller than the value α1. The value αN of the coefficient B of the Nth block is set to a value smaller than the value α2. As a result, the time period in which noise information is provided and the number of times noise information is provided are reflected in the priority of driving. The coefficient B is set so that the priority of driving is lowered as the number of times noise information is provided in a specific time period increases.

[0054] The "coefficient C for direction" is a coefficient determined according to the direction in which each block is located in the fuel cell area R2 (FIG. 2) and the number of times that noise information is provided. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the first block is located on the west side of the fuel cell area R2, so when the number of times that noise information is provided from the northwest, west, and southwest directions is large, a small value is set for the coefficient C of the first block. The Nth block is located on the east side of the fuel cell area R2, so when the number of times that noise information is provided from the northeast, east, and southeast directions is large, a small value is set for the coefficient C of the Nth block. In the example of FIG. 7, the number of times that noise information is provided from the west side is large, so a value of "0.5" is set for the coefficient C of the first block. The number of times that noise information is provided from the east side is small, so a value of "1.5" is set for the coefficient C of the Nth block. The number of times that noise information is provided can be acquired from the noise database 54a shown in FIG. 3.

[0055] The calculation of the numerical value indicating the priority of the operation may be sequentially performed in the EMS server 52 following the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0056] 4, an operation instruction including information specifying one or more fuel cell units 25 to be operated is sent to the control device 50a from the EMS server 52. The control device 50a controls the fuel cell equipment 20 in accordance with the operation instruction.

[0057] According to this embodiment, the EMS server 52 as a control device preferentially operates a first fuel cell unit included in the plurality of fuel cell units 25 and preferentially shuts down a second fuel cell unit included in the plurality of fuel cell units 25. The first fuel cell unit is a fuel cell unit 25 located a first distance (e.g., 100 m) from the residence or facility of the resident who is the noise information provider. The second fuel cell unit is a fuel cell unit 25 located a second distance (e.g., 50 m) from the residence or facility. The first distance is greater than the second distance. With this configuration, the power supply system 1a can be operated efficiently while taking into consideration complaints from surrounding residents about noise.

[0058] The EMS server 52 as a control device gives priority to operating the first fuel cell unit included in the plurality of fuel cell units 25 and giving priority to shutting down the second fuel cell unit included in the plurality of fuel cell units 25 during the time and / or period when noise is reported by residents. With this configuration, the power supply system 1a can be operated efficiently while taking into consideration complaints about noise from surrounding residents.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 5, the control device 50a transmits control signals to the control devices 50b, 50c, and 50d according to the control content determined as described above. For example, when charging or discharging the 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. The control device 50d adjusts the operating state of the fuel cell unit 25 according to the control signal received from the control device 50a. As a result, for example, the output from the fuel cell unit 25 is adjusted so that the desired generated power is obtained in the fuel cell equipment 20.

[0060] The control device 50a monitors the load current, the current amount of stored power in the battery equipment 30, and the generated power P PV The results of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the generated power P FC The control device 50a acquires data showing the results of the above. Based on these data, the control device 50a again determines the control content according to the relationship shown in FIG. 3, and transmits control signals to the control devices 50b, 50c, and 50d according to the control content. The control devices 50b, 50c, and 50d each control the operation of the storage battery equipment 30, the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10, and the fuel cell equipment 20 according to the control signal received from the control device 50a. After this, the control device 50 repeats the acquisition of data and the determination of the control content, 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. 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 intervals of 30 minutes.

[0061] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the control device 50a and the EMS server 52 control the operation and suspension of the multiple fuel cell units 25 based on the noise information stored in the noise information server 54. Therefore, the power supply system 1a can be operated while taking into consideration complaints about noise from surrounding residents.

[0062] In addition, in this embodiment, the noise information may include location information indicating the location of the resident's residence or the facility used by the resident.

[0063] In addition, in this embodiment, the location information may include at least one of directional information indicating the direction of the residence or facility when viewed from a specified area, and distance information indicating the distance from the specified area to the residence or facility.

[0064] When the noise information contains the above-mentioned information, by referring to the noise information, one or more fuel cell units 25 can be selected from among a plurality of fuel cell units 25 and operated in a manner that reduces the level of noise reaching a particular residence or facility.

[0065] In this embodiment, the noise information may also include time information indicating the time or period of time when the noise was reported by a resident. When such information is included in the noise information, by referring to the noise information, one or more fuel cell units 25 can be selected from the multiple fuel cell units 25 and operated so as to reduce the level of noise reaching a specific residence or facility at a specific time or period of time.

[0066] In this embodiment, the noise information may also include frequency information indicating the number of times information has been provided by the same resident. When such information is included in the noise information, by referring to the noise information, one or more fuel cell units 25 can be selected from the multiple fuel cell units 25 and operated so as to preferentially reduce the noise level for residents who have made the most complaints.

[0067] In this embodiment, the multiple fuel cell units 25 may include a first fuel cell unit located a first distance from the residence of the resident who is the noise information provider or a facility used by the resident, and a second fuel cell unit located a second distance from the residence or facility, the first distance may be greater than the second distance, and the control device (EMS server 52) may give priority to operating the first fuel cell unit and giving priority to shutting down the second fuel cell unit. With this configuration, the power supply system 1a can be operated efficiently while taking into consideration complaints from surrounding residents about noise.

[0068] In this embodiment, the control device (EMS server 52) may preferentially operate the first fuel cell unit and preferentially shut down the second fuel cell unit during the time and / or period when noise is reported by residents. With this configuration, the power supply system 1a can be operated efficiently while taking into consideration complaints about noise from surrounding residents.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control device (EMS server 52) may select at least one fuel cell unit 25 to be operated from among the multiple fuel cell units 25, depending on the direction of the residence of the resident who is the noise information provider or the facility used by the resident, and the number of times that noise information has been provided. With this configuration, the power supply system 1a can be operated efficiently while taking into consideration complaints about noise from surrounding residents.

[0070] In this embodiment, the control device (EMS server) may instruct the operation of the fuel cell units 25 in units of multiple blocks to which each of the multiple fuel cell units 25 belongs, and may determine the priority of operation for the multiple blocks according to the distance from a specified area to the residences of residents or facilities used by residents, the time or time period when noise was reported by residents, and the number of times noise information was provided. With this configuration, noise generation can be suppressed on a block-by-block basis.

[0071] Moreover, the power supply system 1a of the present embodiment may further include a solar power generation facility 10. The power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 varies. By combining the solar power generation facility 10 with the fuel cell facility 20, even if the power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 is insufficient, the fuel cell facility 20 can compensate for this. As a result, the amount of power purchased from the commercial power source 2 can be reduced, and the utilization rate of renewable energy can be increased.

[0072] Moreover, the power supply system 1a of the present embodiment may further include a storage battery equipment 30. By combining the storage battery equipment 30 with the fuel cell equipment 20, short-term power shortages can be compensated for by the storage battery equipment 30. As a result, the amount of power purchased from the commercial power source 2 can be reduced, and the utilization rate of renewable energy can be increased.

[0073] (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.

[0074] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0075] 3, if the number of times that noise information has been provided in a particular time period exceeds a threshold (e.g., 10 times), the number of fuel cell units 25 in operation may be limited. For example, even if a demand forecast indicates that 50 fuel cell units 25 need to be operated, if the number of times that noise information has been provided in the relevant time period exceeds a threshold, the number of fuel cell units 25 obtained by multiplying the planned number by a coefficient less than 1 (e.g., 0.8) (e.g., 50×0.8=40) will be operated. Any power shortage can be made up by the storage battery equipment 30.

[0076] 8A is a configuration diagram of a power supply system according to Modification 1. The power supply system 1b is obtained by omitting the solar power generation facility 10 from the power supply system 1a shown in FIG.

[0077] 8B is a configuration diagram of a power supply system according to Modification 2. The power supply system 1c is obtained by omitting the photovoltaic power generation system 10 and the battery storage system 30 from the power supply system 1a shown in FIG.

[0078] 8C is a configuration diagram of a power supply system according to Modification 3. A power supply system 1d is obtained by omitting the battery equipment 30 from the power supply system 1a shown in FIG.

[0079] The technology described in the first embodiment can also be applied to the power supply systems 1b, 1c, and 1d shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C. [Industrial Applicability]

[0080] The technology according to the present disclosure is applicable to a power supply system, and is also applicable to efforts to protect the environment, such as RE100 (Renewable Energy 100%). [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d Power supply system 2 Commercial power supply 3a, 3b Current sensor 4. Distribution board 5 Power load 10. Solar power generation facilities 11 Photovoltaic modules 12 DC-DC Converter 13 DCAC Inverter 20 Fuel cell equipment 21 Fuel Cell Stack 22 DC-DC converter 23 DCAC inverter 25 Fuel Cell Unit 30 Battery storage equipment 31 Battery module 32 Bidirectional DC / DC converter 33 DCAC Converter 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d Control device 52 EMS Server 54 Noise Information Server 54a Noise Database 56 Operational Information Server 60 Network 70 Electric circuit 90 Residences R Site R1 Battery Area R2 fuel cell area R3 solar cell area

Claims

1. A plurality of fuel cell units arranged in a predetermined area; A server that stores noise information provided by residents around the specified area; a control device that controls operation and suspension of the plurality of fuel cell units based on the noise information stored in the server; A power supply system comprising:

2. The noise information includes location information indicating the location of the resident's residence or a facility used by the resident. The power supply system according to claim 1 .

3. The location information includes at least one of direction information indicating a direction of the residence or the facility as viewed from the specified area, and distance information indicating a distance from the specified area to the residence or the facility. The power supply system according to claim 2 .

4. The noise information includes time information indicating the time or time period when the noise was reported by the resident. The power supply system according to claim 1 .

5. The noise information includes frequency information indicating the number of times information has been provided by the same resident. The power supply system according to claim 1 .

6. the plurality of fuel cell units include a first fuel cell unit located a first distance from a residence of the resident who is the provider of the noise information or a facility used by the resident, and a second fuel cell unit located a second distance from the residence or the facility; the first distance is greater than the second distance; the control device gives priority to operating the first fuel cell unit and gives priority to shutting down the second fuel cell unit; The power supply system according to claim 1 .

7. the control device preferentially operates the first fuel cell unit and preferentially shuts down the second fuel cell unit during a time and / or a time period when noise is reported by the resident; The power supply system according to claim 6.

8. the control device selects at least one fuel cell unit to be operated from among the plurality of fuel cell units according to a direction of the residence of the resident who is the provider of the noise information or a facility used by the resident, and the number of times the noise information has been provided. The power supply system according to claim 1 .

9. the control device instructs operation of the fuel cell units in units of multiple blocks to which each of the multiple fuel cell units belongs, and determines the priority of operation of the multiple blocks according to the distance from the specified area to the residence of the resident or the facility used by the resident, the time or time period when the noise was reported by the resident, and the number of times the noise information was provided. The power supply system according to claim 1 .

10. Equipped with solar power generation equipment, The power supply system according to claim 1 .

11. Equipped with battery storage equipment, The power supply system according to claim 1 .

12. storing noise information provided by residents around a predetermined area in which a plurality of fuel cell units are arranged in a server; Controlling operation and suspension of the plurality of fuel cell units based on the noise information stored in the server; A method for operating an electric power supply system, comprising:

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