Management device

Abstract

To provide generation of steam at low cost.SOLUTION: A management device 10 comprises an operation control unit 11 that controls a hydrogen generation device 6 that utilizes electric power supplied from an electric power system 4, a hydrogen boiler 9 that burns hydrogen, and an electric boiler 16 that utilizes electric power supplied from the electric power system 4, and a hydrogen storage rate monitoring unit 13 that monitors a hydrogen storage rate of a storage device 7 capable of storing hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device 6 and supplying hydrogen to the hydrogen boiler 9. The operation control unit 11 operates the hydrogen generation device 6 when the hydrogen storage rate is lower than a target value in a first period, and controls the hydrogen boiler 9 with priority over the electric boiler 16 when the hydrogen storage rate is equal to or higher than the target value in a second period and there is a load request for the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a management device.

Background Art

[0002] From the perspective of preventing global warming, the use of hydrogen as energy has been studied in various fields. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to a fuel cell that generates electricity using hydrogen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] From the perspective of preventing global warming, in the technical field related to boilers, a hydrogen boiler that uses hydrogen as fuel and an electric boiler that uses electricity have been proposed. A technology that can generate steam at low cost is desired.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to generate steam at low cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This specification discloses a management device. The management device includes an operation control unit that controls a hydrogen generation device that uses power supplied from a power grid, a hydrogen boiler that burns hydrogen, and an electric boiler that uses power supplied from the power grid, and a hydrogen storage rate monitor unit that monitors the hydrogen storage rate of a storage device that can store hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device and supply hydrogen to the hydrogen boiler. When the hydrogen storage rate is lower than the target value in the first period, the operation control unit operates the hydrogen generation device. When the hydrogen storage rate is equal to or higher than the target value and there is a load demand for the hydrogen boiler and the electric boiler in the second period, the operation control unit controls the hydrogen boiler preferentially over the electric boiler.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, steam can be generated at low cost.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [Steam Generation System] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a steam generation system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the steam generation system 1 includes a power distributor 5, a hydrogen generation device 6, a storage device 7, a pressure sensor 8, a hydrogen boiler 9, an electric boiler 16, a steam collecting header 17, a pressure sensor 19, and a management device 10.

[0010] The hydrogen generation device 6 is operated using power supplied from the power grid 4. The hydrogen generation device 6 generates hydrogen based on the power supplied from the power grid 4. Power is supplied from the power grid 4 to the hydrogen generation device 6 via the power distributor 5. Examples of the hydrogen generation device 6 include an alkaline water electrolysis device, a solid polymer type water electrolysis device, or a high-temperature water electrolysis device.

[0011] The storage device 7 stores the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device 6. The storage device 7 can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen boiler 9. The storage device 7 includes a tank. Note that the storage device 7 may include a storage material capable of absorbing and releasing hydrogen gas. The storage material is a material capable of reversibly absorbing and releasing hydrogen gas. As the storage material, metals such as Mg or V, hydrogen storage alloys such as LaNi5, TiMn 1.5 , or TiCrV, complex hydrides such as NaAlH4, adsorption-based hydrogen storage materials, and organic hydrides such as toluene are exemplified.

[0012] The pressure sensor 8 detects the pressure of the storage device 7. The detection data of the pressure sensor 8 is transmitted to the management device 10.

[0013] The hydrogen boiler 9 burns hydrogen to generate steam. The fuel of the hydrogen boiler 9 is hydrogen. At least a part of the hydrogen stored in the storage device 7 is supplied to the hydrogen boiler 9. The hydrogen boiler 9 burns the hydrogen supplied from the storage device 7.

[0014] The electric boiler 16 is operated using the electric power supplied from the power grid 4. The electric boiler 16 generates steam based on the electric power supplied from the power grid 4. Electric power is supplied from the power grid 4 to the electric boiler 16 via the power distributor 5. The electric boiler 16 may have an electric heater or may have an electrode.

[0015] The power distributor 5 distributes the electric power from the power grid 4 to the hydrogen generation device 6 and the electric boiler 16. The power distributor 5 is controlled by the management device 10.

[0016] The steam collecting header 17 is connected to the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16. The steam generated in the hydrogen boiler 9 and the steam generated in the electric boiler 16 are supplied to the steam collecting header 17. Steam is supplied from the steam collecting header 17 to the steam using device 18. The steam using device 18 uses the steam from the steam collecting header 17.

[0017] The pressure sensor 19 detects the pressure of the steam collecting header 17. The detection data of the pressure sensor 19 is transmitted to the management device 10.

[0018] The management device 10 includes a computer system. The management device 10 has a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory including a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage, and an interface including an input / output circuit. The functions of the management device 10 are stored in the storage as a computer program. The processor reads the computer program from the storage and expands it in the main memory, and executes processing according to the computer program. Note that the computer program may be distributed to the management device 10 via a network.

[0019] The management device 10 has an operation control unit 11, a header pressure monitor unit 12, and a hydrogen storage rate monitor unit 13.

[0020] The operation control unit 11 controls the power distributor 5, the hydrogen generator 6, the hydrogen boiler 9, and the electric boiler 16.

[0021] The header pressure monitor unit 12 monitors the pressure of the steam collecting header 17. The header pressure monitor unit 12 can monitor the pressure of the steam collecting header 17 by monitoring the detection data of the pressure sensor 19 provided in the steam collecting header 17.

[0022] The hydrogen storage rate monitor unit 13 monitors the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7. The hydrogen storage rate monitor unit 13 can monitor the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 by monitoring the detection data of the pressure sensor 8 provided in the storage device 7.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the steam generation system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the steam generation system 1 is controlled based on a period, the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7, and the presence or absence of a load demand for the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16. The presence or absence of a load demand for the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16 means the presence or absence of a required load for the boiler. The required load for the boiler means the steam required load. In the embodiment, the boiler includes the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16, but the required load for the boiler is a concept regardless of the type of the boiler. Further, when the boiler generates hot water, the required load for the boiler is a concept including the hot water required load.

[0024] In FIG. 2, the first period is a period in which the cost of the power supplied from the power grid 4 is lower than that in the second period. That is, the electricity cost in the first period is lower than the electricity cost in the second period. As the first period, nighttime is exemplified. As the second period, daytime is exemplified.

[0025] The power consumption of the hydrogen generator 6 per unit time is larger than the power consumption of the electric boiler 16 per unit time. When the power from the power grid 4 is distributed to the hydrogen generator 6 and the electric boiler 16, the management device 10 increases the power distributed to the hydrogen generator 6 in the first period more than the power distributed to the electric boiler 16, and increases the power distributed to the electric boiler 16 in the second period more than the power distributed to the hydrogen generator 6, whereby the electricity cost for the steam generation system 1 can be reduced.

[0026] Also, a target value and a predetermined value related to the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 are predetermined. The predetermined value is a value lower than the target value. The target value is, for example, 90%, and the predetermined value is, for example, 10%.

[0027] The priorities of a plurality of boilers (hydrogen boiler 9 and electric boiler 16) are determined. The priorities are used for the management device 10 to select a boiler to which a start signal, a stop signal, and an output change signal are output. When the amount of steam is large, for boilers with lower priorities, a signal for reducing output or a stop signal is output from the management device 10 to them earlier than to boilers with higher priorities. Conversely, when the amount of steam is small, for boilers with higher priorities, a signal for increasing output or a start signal is output from the management device 10 to them earlier than to boilers with lower priorities. Operating the second boiler preferentially over the first boiler includes the second boiler having a higher priority than the first boiler.

[0028] The operation control unit 11 controls the hydrogen generation device 6 based on the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 monitored by the hydrogen storage rate monitor unit 13 so that the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 reaches the target value.

[0029] Also, the operation control unit 11 controls at least one of the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16 based on the pressure of the steam header 17 monitored by the header pressure monitor unit 12 so that the pressure of the steam header 17 reaches the target pressure.

[0030] The target pressure of the steam header 17 is predetermined. The target pressure of the steam header 17 is a concept including one or both of the target pressure value of the steam header 17 to be targeted and the pressure range between the upper limit pressure value and the lower limit pressure value.

[0031] The operation control unit 11 controls the hydrogen generation device 6 so that the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 reaches the target value, and controls the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16 so that the pressure of the steam header 17 reaches the target pressure.

[0032] As shown in (1) of FIG. 2, when the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 is equal to or higher than the target value, the pressure of the steam collecting header 17 is lower than the target pressure, and there are load demands for the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16 in the first period, the operation control unit 11 preferentially controls the hydrogen boiler 9 rather than the electric boiler 16 so that the pressure of the steam collecting header 17 becomes the target pressure, and stops the hydrogen generation device 6. The operation control unit 11 preferentially controls the hydrogen boiler 9 rather than the electric boiler 16 until the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 decreases to a predetermined value lower than the target value in the first period. When the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 becomes lower than the predetermined value due to the consumption of hydrogen by the hydrogen boiler 9, the operation control unit 11 operates the hydrogen generation device 6 so that the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 becomes the target value.

[0033] As shown in (2) of FIG. 2, when the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 is equal to or higher than the target value and there are no load demands for the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16 in the first period, the operation control unit 11 stops the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16, and stops the hydrogen generation device 6.

[0034] As shown in (3) of FIG. 2, when the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 is lower than the target value and there are load demands for the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16 in the first period, the operation control unit 11 operates the electric boiler 16 with the hydrogen boiler 9 stopped so that the pressure of the steam collecting header 17 becomes the target pressure. Further, the operation control unit 11 operates the hydrogen generation device 6 so that the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 becomes the target value.

[0035] As shown in (4) of FIG. 2, when the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 is lower than the target value and there are no load demands for the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16 in the first period, the operation control unit 11 operates the hydrogen generation device 6.

[0036] As shown in (5) of FIG. 2, when the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 is equal to or higher than the target value in the second period and there are load demands for the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16, the operation control unit 11 controls the hydrogen boiler 9 preferentially over the electric boiler 16 so that the pressure of the steam header 17 becomes the target pressure. The operation control unit 11 controls the hydrogen boiler 9 preferentially over the electric boiler 16 until the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 decreases to a predetermined value lower than the target value in the second period. Further, the operation control unit 11 stops the hydrogen generation device 6. When the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 becomes lower than the predetermined value due to the consumption of hydrogen by the hydrogen boiler 9, the operation control unit 11 operates the hydrogen generation device 6 so that the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 becomes the target value.

[0037] As shown in (6) of FIG. 2, when the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 is equal to or higher than the target value in the second period and there are no load demands for the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16, the operation control unit 11 stops the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16 and stops the hydrogen generation device 6.

[0038] As shown in (7) of FIG. 2, when the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 is lower than the predetermined value in the second period and there is a load demand for the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16, the operation control unit 11 operates the electric boiler 16 with the hydrogen boiler 9 stopped so that the pressure of the steam header 17 becomes the target pressure.

[0039] As shown in (8) of FIG. 2, when the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 is lower than the target value in the second period and there are no load demands for the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16, the operation control unit 11 stops the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16 and stops the hydrogen generation device 6.

[0040] [Effect] As described above, in the embodiment, the management device 10 includes an operation control unit 11 that controls a hydrogen generation device 6 that uses power supplied from the power system 4, a hydrogen boiler 9 that burns hydrogen, and an electric boiler 16 that uses power supplied from the power system 4, and a hydrogen storage rate monitor unit 13 that monitors the hydrogen storage rate of a storage device 7 that can store the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device 6 and supply the hydrogen to the hydrogen boiler 9. When the hydrogen storage rate is lower than the target value in the first period, the operation control unit 11 operates the hydrogen generation device 6. When the hydrogen storage rate is equal to or higher than the target value and there is a load demand for the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16 in the second period, the operation control unit 11 controls the hydrogen boiler 9 with priority over the electric boiler 16.

[0041] According to the embodiment, the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 is monitored by the hydrogen storage rate monitor unit 13. In the first period when the electricity price is low, the hydrogen generation device 6 is operated when the hydrogen storage rate is lower than the target value. The power consumption of the hydrogen generation device 6 per unit time is higher than the power consumption of the electric boiler 16 per unit time. In the first period when the electricity price is low, by operating the hydrogen generation device 6 with a high power consumption per unit time, hydrogen is generated while suppressing the electricity price. The hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device 6 in the first period is stored in the storage device 7. When the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 is equal to or higher than the target value in the second period, that is, when there is a large amount of hydrogen stored in the storage device 7, the operation control unit 11 operates the hydrogen boiler 9 with priority over the electric boiler 16. When there is a large amount of hydrogen stored in the storage device 7, by preferentially operating the hydrogen boiler 9, the power consumption of the electric boiler 16 in the second period is suppressed. As a result, the electricity price is suppressed. The management device 10 can generate steam in the steam generation system 1 at low cost.

[0042] In the embodiment, the operation control unit 11 controls the hydrogen boiler 9 with priority over the electric boiler 16 until the hydrogen storage rate drops to a predetermined value lower than the target value in the second period. As a result, the electricity price is suppressed.

[0043] In an embodiment, the management device 10 includes a header pressure monitor unit 12 that monitors the pressure of a steam collection header 17 to which a hydrogen boiler 9 and an electric boiler 16 are connected. The operation control unit 11 controls the hydrogen generation device 6 so that the hydrogen storage rate becomes a target value, and controls at least one of the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16 so that the pressure of the steam collection header 17 becomes a target pressure.

[0044] The pressure of the steam collection header 17 is monitored by the header pressure monitor unit 12, and the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 is monitored by the hydrogen storage rate monitor unit 13. The operation control unit 11 can control the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16 based on the pressure of the steam collection header 17 monitored by the header pressure monitor unit 12 so that the pressure of the steam collection header 17 becomes a target pressure. The management device 10 can stably generate steam in the steam generation system 1.

[0045] In an embodiment, when the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 is low and there is a load demand for the hydrogen boiler 9 and the electric boiler 16, the operation control unit 11 operates the electric boiler 16. Thereby, the steam generation system 1 can stably generate steam.

[0046] [Modification Example] It is also possible to control the hydrogen generation device 6 without controlling the hydrogen boiler 9 for the purpose of making the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 reach the target value. In this case, the overall control of the target value control of the hydrogen storage rate of the storage device 7 and the pressure control of the steam collection header 17 can be simplified.

[0047] When the hydrogen generation device 6 operates with DC, an AC-DC converter is required.

[0048] [Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Led by the United Nations] The present disclosure includes matters contributing to the achievement of Goal 7, "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all" of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

Description of Reference Numerals

[0049] 1... Steam generation system, 4... Power system, 5... Power distributor, 6... Hydrogen generation device, 7... Storage device, 8... Pressure sensor, 9... Hydrogen boiler, 10... Management device, 11... Operation control unit, 12... Header pressure monitor unit, 13... Hydrogen storage rate monitor unit, 16... Electric boiler, 17... Steam collecting header, 18... Steam using equipment, 19... Pressure sensor.

Claims

1. An operation control unit that controls a hydrogen generation device that uses electric power supplied from an electric power system, a hydrogen boiler that burns hydrogen, and an electric boiler that uses electric power supplied from the electric power system, and a hydrogen storage rate monitor unit that monitors the hydrogen storage rate of a storage device that stores hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device and can supply the hydrogen to the hydrogen boiler. When the hydrogen storage rate is lower than a target value in a first period, the operation control unit operates the hydrogen generation device. When the hydrogen storage rate is equal to or higher than the target value and there is a load demand for the hydrogen boiler and the electric boiler in a second period, the operation control unit controls the hydrogen boiler preferentially over the electric boiler. Management device.

2. In the second period, the operation control unit controls the hydrogen boiler preferentially over the electric boiler until the hydrogen storage rate drops to a predetermined value lower than the target value. The management device according to Claim 1.

3. It includes a header pressure monitor unit that monitors the pressure of a steam collection header to which the hydrogen boiler and the electric boiler are connected. The operation control unit controls the hydrogen generation device so that the hydrogen storage rate becomes the target value, and controls the hydrogen boiler and the electric boiler so that the pressure of the steam collection header becomes the target pressure. The management device according to Claim 2.

4. In the first period, when the hydrogen storage rate is equal to or higher than the target value and the pressure of the steam collection header is lower than the target pressure, the operation control unit controls the hydrogen boiler preferentially over the electric boiler so that the pressure of the steam collection header becomes the target pressure. The management device according to Claim 3.

5. In the first period, the operation control unit causes the hydrogen boiler to be controlled preferentially over the electric boiler until the hydrogen storage rate drops to a predetermined value lower than the target value. The management device according to Claim 4.

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