Hydrogen manufacturing system

Abstract

To provide a hydrogen manufacturing system capable of performing expansion of utilization of surplus power and improvement of efficiency of hydrogen manufacturing.SOLUTION: A controller 40 makes a hydrogen manufacturing device 20 perform operation with power consumption depending on surplus power when a hydrogen storage amount of a hydrogen storage device 30 is smaller than Hhigh (step S14 to S16); and when the hydrogen storage amount is equal to or larger than Hhigh, makes the hydrogen manufacturing device 20 perform rated operation (step S18) in the case that the surplus power is equal to or larger than power consumption (EH2+Ea) of the hydrogen manufacturing device 20 at the time of the rated operation (YES in step S17) and stops operation of the hydrogen manufacturing device 20 (step S19) in the case that the surplus power is smaller than the power consumption (EH2+Ea) of the hydrogen manufacturing device 20 at the time of the rated operation (NO in step S17).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a hydrogen production system that includes a solar power generation unit capable of generating electricity using sunlight, and a hydrogen production device that can produce hydrogen using the electricity generated by the solar power generation unit. Recently, the selling price of electricity generated by solar power generation has been on a downward trend, and in some cases it is lower than the price of late-night electricity. In some cases, it is more economical to consume the electricity generated by solar power generation within the home. Therefore, the power supply system described in Patent Document 1 aims to expand the use of surplus electricity by utilizing surplus electricity from solar power generation for hydrogen production.

[0004] As described above, in conventional technologies, the amount of hydrogen produced by a hydrogen production device may depend on surplus power from solar power generation. When the amount of hydrogen produced depends solely on surplus power, if the surplus power is less than the rated power consumption of the hydrogen production device, the hydrogen production device will operate at a power consumption lower than the rated power consumption, which may reduce the efficiency of hydrogen production by the hydrogen production device. Therefore, a hydrogen production system that can expand the use of surplus power and improve the efficiency of hydrogen production is desired. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-54085 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

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

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

[0008] That is, in claim 1, the device comprises a power generation unit capable of generating electricity using natural energy, a hydrogen production device capable of producing hydrogen using surplus electricity relative to the electricity demand of the power generated by the power generation unit, a hydrogen storage device capable of storing hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device, and a control unit that controls the operation of the hydrogen production device, wherein the control unit operates the hydrogen production device with power consumption corresponding to the surplus electricity when the hydrogen storage amount in the hydrogen storage device is less than a first threshold, operates the hydrogen production device at rated power when the hydrogen storage amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the surplus electricity is equal to or greater than the power consumption during rated operation of the hydrogen production device, and stops the operation of the hydrogen production device when the surplus electricity is less than the power consumption during rated operation of the hydrogen production device.

[0009] In claim 2, the hydrogen production device is capable of producing hydrogen using electricity from a grid power source, and the control unit operates the hydrogen production device at rated power using the surplus electricity and electricity from the grid power source when the amount of hydrogen stored is less than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value.

[0010] In claim 3, the control unit preferentially uses the surplus power over the power from the system power supply for power consumption by the hydrogen production device during rated operation of the hydrogen production device.

[0011] In claim 4, the system power supply is a renewable energy power supply.

[0012] In claim 5, the control unit stops the operation of the hydrogen production device when the amount of stored hydrogen is equal to or greater than a third threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value.

[0013] According to claim 6, the power generating device does not include a storage battery capable of charging and discharging the power generated by the power generating section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The present invention has the following effects.

[0015] According to claim 1, it is possible to expand the use of surplus electricity and improve the efficiency of hydrogen production.

[0016] According to claim 2, it is possible to suppress a shortage of the hydrogen supply amount relative to the demand for hydrogen load.

[0017] According to claim 3, it is possible to further expand the use of surplus electricity.

[0018] According to claim 4, the system can be made to have a low environmental impact.

[0019] According to claim 5, it is possible to prevent hydrogen from being produced in excess of the capacity of the hydrogen production device.

[0020] In claim 6, the configuration can be simplified. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a hydrogen production system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation control of the hydrogen production device. [Figure 3] 10 is a graph showing an example of solar-generated power and remaining hydrogen amount. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] A hydrogen production system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0023] The hydrogen production system 1 shown in FIG. 1 produces hydrogen using electric power. The hydrogen production system 1 is primarily used in factories, residential areas, etc. The hydrogen production system 1 supplies electric power from a power grid S, electric power generated using natural energy such as sunlight, etc. to an electric power load Ha. The hydrogen production system 1 can also produce hydrogen using surplus electric power from the power grid S, etc., and supplies the produced hydrogen to a hydrogen load Hb. The hydrogen production system 1 primarily comprises a solar power generation unit 10, a hydrogen production device 20, a hydrogen storage device 30, and a control device 40.

[0024] The solar power generation unit 10 is a device that generates power using sunlight. The solar power generation unit 10 is configured with a solar cell panel or the like. The solar power generation unit 10 is installed in a sunny location, such as on the roof of a building. The power generated by the solar power generation unit 10 is supplied to a power load Ha.

[0025] The hydrogen production device 20 produces hydrogen using electric power. The hydrogen production device 20 can produce hydrogen by electrolyzing pure water. The hydrogen production device 20 can use the electric power generated by the solar power generation unit 10 as the electric power used to produce hydrogen. More specifically, the hydrogen production device 20 can produce hydrogen using the surplus electric power (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "surplus electric power") of the electric power generated by the solar power generation unit 10 relative to the electric power demand of the electric power load Ha. Furthermore, the hydrogen production device 20 can use electric power purchased from a grid power source S as the electric power used to produce hydrogen. The grid power source S is preferably a renewable energy power source (RE power source) that can supply renewable energy electric power.

[0026] The hydrogen storage device 30 stores the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 20. The hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 30 is supplied to the hydrogen load Hb.

[0027] The control device 40 controls various operations of the hydrogen production system 1. The control device 40 is electrically connected to the hydrogen production device 20 and controls the operation of the hydrogen production device 20. The control device 40 is also electrically connected to the hydrogen storage device 30 and can acquire information such as the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 30 (hereinafter referred to as "remaining hydrogen amount"). The control device 40 includes a memory unit such as a RAM, a ROM, a HDD, and an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU.

[0028] The operation control by the control device 40 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. The operation control shown in Fig. 2 is repeatedly executed.

[0029] 2, the control device 40 makes a determination based on the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 30. Specifically, the control device 40 determines whether the remaining amount of hydrogen is H low Less than (remaining hydrogen <H low ), the process proceeds to step S12. low " is a threshold value corresponding to the "second threshold value" in the present invention. low is set to the lower limit of the remaining amount of hydrogen that should be secured (the minimum remaining amount of hydrogen that should be secured), and is set to, for example, 20% of the maximum storage amount (capacity) of the hydrogen storage device 30.

[0030] In step S12, the control device 40 performs hydrogen production (rated operation) at the rated output of the hydrogen production device 20. Specifically, the control device 40 performs rated operation of the hydrogen production device 20 using surplus power from the solar power generation unit 10 and, if necessary (when no surplus power is generated or when the surplus power alone is not enough to cover the rated power consumption of the hydrogen production device 20), using power from the system power supply S.

[0031] In this way, when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 30 is low, the control device 40 operates the hydrogen production device 20 at rated power using surplus power from the solar power generation unit 10, and if the surplus power is not enough, also using power from the grid power supply S. This makes it possible to prevent the remaining amount of hydrogen from becoming insufficient relative to the hydrogen load Hb.

[0032] On the other hand, in step S11, the control device 40 determines whether the remaining amount of hydrogen is H low Above and H high Less than (remaining hydrogen amount = H low ~H high ), the process proceeds to step S13. high " is a threshold value corresponding to the "first threshold value" in the present invention, and H low (second threshold value). high " is set to a hydrogen remaining amount sufficient to cover the hydrogen load Hb, for example, 80% of the maximum storage amount (capacity) of the hydrogen storage device 30.

[0033] In step S13, the control device 40 makes a determination based on the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10. Specifically, the control device 40 determines whether the "surplus power-E a " is E min Smaller (surplus power - E a <E min ) (i.e., when the surplus power is E min +E a If "E" is smaller than "E", the process proceeds to step S14. a " indicates the startup power (power required for startup) of the hydrogen production device 20. min " indicates the lower limit of the power consumption at which the hydrogen production device 20 can be operated.

[0034] In step S14, the control device 40 puts the hydrogen production device 20 into a standby state and stops the production of hydrogen.

[0035] On the other hand, in step S13, the control device 40 a " is E min Above and E H2Less than (surplus power - E a =E min ~E H2 ) (i.e., when the surplus power is E min +E a Above and E H2 +E a If "E" is less than "E", the process proceeds to step S15. H2 " indicates the rated power consumption of the hydrogen production device 20.

[0036] In step S15, the control device 40 a The hydrogen production device 20 is operated with the power consumption being determined as follows: ". That is, the hydrogen production device 20 is operated so that the power consumption follows the magnitude of the surplus power.

[0037] On the other hand, in step S13, the control device 40 a " is E H2 or more (surplus power -E a >E H2 ) (i.e., when the surplus power is E H2 +E a If the number of the detected errors is equal to or greater than the number of the detected errors, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0038] In step S16, the control device 40 uses the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 to operate the hydrogen production device 20 at rated power.

[0039] In this way, the hydrogen production device 20 detects whether the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 30 is H low ~H high When the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 is less than the predetermined value (more specifically, the surplus power-E), hydrogen is produced using only the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 without using the power from the grid power supply S. a ≧E min On the other hand, the hydrogen production device 20 is in a standby state until the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (more specifically, the surplus power -E a ≧E minWhen the amount of surplus power is less than the predetermined value, the hydrogen production device 20 operates in accordance with the surplus power (steps S15 and S16). Therefore, the amount of hydrogen produced depends on the amount of surplus power.

[0040] On the other hand, in step S11, the control device 40 determines whether the remaining amount of hydrogen is H high Above and H max Less than (remaining hydrogen amount = H high ~H max ), the process proceeds to step S17. max " is a threshold value corresponding to the "third threshold value" in the present invention, and H high (first threshold value). max " is set to the maximum storage amount (capacity) of the hydrogen storage device 30, for example.

[0041] In step S17, the control device 40 a " is E H2 Greater than (surplus power - E a >E H2 ) ("YES" in step S17), the control device 40 proceeds to step S18. a " is E H2 Not greater than (surplus power - E a ≦E H2 ) ("NO" in step S17), the process proceeds to step S19. H2 " indicates the rated power consumption of the hydrogen production device 20.

[0042] In step S18, the control device 40 uses the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 to operate the hydrogen production device 20 at rated power.

[0043] On the other hand, in step S19, the control device 40 puts the hydrogen production device 20 into a standby state and stops the production of hydrogen.

[0044] On the other hand, in step S11, the control device 40 determines whether the remaining amount of hydrogen is H max or more (hydrogen storage amount ≧ H max), the process proceeds to step S20.

[0045] In step S20, the control device 40 stops the production of hydrogen by the hydrogen production device 20.

[0046] In this way, the hydrogen production device 20 detects whether the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 30 is H high (80%) or more, the rated operation is performed using only the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 without using power from the grid power supply S. Therefore, when the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 is equal to or greater than the rated power consumption of the hydrogen production device 20 (more specifically, when the surplus power -E a >E H2 ), the hydrogen production device 20 is in a standby state (step S19). On the other hand, when the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 is equal to or greater than the rated power consumption of the hydrogen production device 20 (more specifically, surplus power -E a >E H2 ), the hydrogen production device 20 performs rated operation using the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 (step S18). max When the charge reaches 100%, the hydrogen production device 20 stops operating.

[0047] After performing the processes of steps S12, S14, S15, S16, S18, S19 and S20, the control device 40 ends the operation control shown in FIG.

[0048] 3 shows an example of the transition of the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 30 and the power generated by the solar power generation unit 10. In the graph shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 30 and the power generated by the solar power generation unit 10.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the remaining hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 30 was 20% (H low), the hydrogen production device 20 performs "rapid production" to produce hydrogen at rated output using not only the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 but also the power from the grid power supply S (step S12). In the example shown in FIG. 3, the solar power generation unit 10 is not generating surplus power, so the hydrogen production device 20 performs rated operation using the power from the grid power supply S.

[0050] In this way, the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 30 is relatively small (H low When the power consumption is less than 100 W, the hydrogen production device 20 operates at rated power using the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 and, if necessary, power from the grid power source S, thereby preventing a shortage of hydrogen supply relative to the demand for hydrogen load Hb.

[0051] The remaining hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 30 is 20% (H low ), the hydrogen production device 20 stops the "rapid production". Then, the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 (more specifically, the surplus power -E a ) is E min In this case, the hydrogen production device 20 performs "surplus linked production" in which hydrogen is produced by following the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 without using power from the grid power supply S (steps S14 to S16). In the example shown in FIG. 3, the surplus power -E a <E min If so, the hydrogen production device 20 does not operate (step S14). a ≧E min If so, the hydrogen production device 20 produces hydrogen according to the surplus power (step S15 or S16).

[0052] In this way, the hydrogen storage device 30 can secure a minimum amount of hydrogen remaining (when the hydrogen remaining amount is H low In the above case, hydrogen can be produced by making maximum use of the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10. Therefore, the utilization of the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10 can be expanded.

[0053] The remaining hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 30 is 80% (Hhigh ), the hydrogen production device 20 generates surplus power (more specifically, surplus power-E a ) is greater than the rated power consumption, the system performs rated operation ("rated production") (steps S18 and S19). In the example shown in FIG. 3, the surplus power -E a >E H2 If not, the hydrogen production device 20 does not operate. Then, during the period from 9:00 to 12:00 on the second day, the surplus power -E a >E H2 In this case, the hydrogen production device 20 performs rated operation using the surplus power of the solar power generation unit 10. At 12 o'clock on the second day, the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 30 becomes 100% (H max ), the hydrogen production device 20 stops operating.

[0054] As described above, the hydrogen production system 1 of this embodiment selects an appropriate pattern from three control patterns: rapid production, surplus-linked production, and rated production, depending on the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 30 and the status of surplus power in the solar power generation unit 10.This makes it possible to make maximum use of surplus power and produce hydrogen efficiently without causing a hydrogen shortage, even without providing a storage battery that can charge and discharge the power generated by the solar power generation unit 10.

[0055] As described above, the hydrogen production system 1 according to this embodiment has the following features: a solar power generation unit 10 (power generation unit) capable of generating electricity using natural energy; a hydrogen production device (20) capable of producing hydrogen using surplus power generated by the solar power generation unit (10) relative to power demand; a hydrogen storage device 30 capable of storing hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 20; A control device 40 (control unit) that controls the operation of the hydrogen production device; Equipped with The control device 40 The amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 30 is H highIf the surplus power is less than a first threshold value, for example, 80%, the hydrogen production device 20 is operated with power consumption according to the surplus power (steps S14 to S16), The hydrogen storage amount is H high (When the surplus power is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, for example, 80%), the surplus power is equal to or greater than the power consumption (E H2 +E a ) or more (YES in step S17), the hydrogen production device 20 is operated at rated power (step S18), and the surplus power is calculated based on the power consumption (E H2 +E a ) (NO in step S17), the operation of the hydrogen production device 20 is stopped (step S19).

[0056] This configuration makes it possible to increase the utilization of surplus electricity and improve the efficiency of hydrogen production. Specifically, the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 30 is H high If the surplus power is less than 80%, for example, the hydrogen production device 20 operates with power consumption according to the surplus power, thereby making it possible to increase the utilization of the surplus power. On the other hand, the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 30 is H high If the surplus power is above 80%, for example, and there is a relatively large margin, the hydrogen production device 20 will be operated at rated power if the surplus power can cover the power consumption during rated operation, and hydrogen production by the hydrogen production device 20 will be stopped if the surplus power cannot cover the power consumption during rated operation. Therefore, the hydrogen production device 20 will not be operated at a power consumption lower than the rated power consumption, and the efficiency of hydrogen production by the hydrogen production device 20 can be improved. As described above, priority is basically given to expanding the use of surplus electricity, and when there is a relatively large amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 30, priority is given to the efficiency of hydrogen production, thereby making it possible to expand the use of surplus electricity and improve the efficiency of hydrogen production according to the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 30.

[0057] Further, the hydrogen production device 20 includes: Hydrogen can be produced using electricity from the grid power source S, The control device 40 The amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 30 is H high (H smaller than the first threshold, e.g., 80%) low If it is less than a second threshold value (for example, 20%), the hydrogen production device 20 is operated at a rated voltage using the surplus power and the power from the system power supply S (step S12).

[0058] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a shortage of hydrogen supply relative to the demand for hydrogen-loaded Hb. Specifically, when the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage device 30 is relatively small, the hydrogen production device 20 can be operated at rated power using not only the surplus power from the solar power generation unit 10 but also the power from the system power source S, thereby preventing hydrogen shortages and improving the efficiency of hydrogen production by the hydrogen production device 20.

[0059] The control device 40 also During rated operation of the hydrogen production device 20, the surplus power is used for power consumption of the hydrogen production device 20 with priority over power from the system power supply S.

[0060] With this configuration, it is possible to further expand the use of surplus power.

[0061] Moreover, the system power source S is a renewable energy power source.

[0062] Such a configuration allows the system to have a low environmental impact.

[0063] The control device 40 also The amount of hydrogen stored is H high (H greater than a first threshold, e.g., 80%) max If the value is equal to or greater than the third threshold value (for example, 100%), the operation of the hydrogen production device 20 is stopped.

[0064] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent hydrogen from being produced in excess of the capacity of the hydrogen storage device 30.

[0065] Furthermore, the hydrogen production system 1 according to this embodiment does not include a storage battery capable of charging and discharging the power generated by the solar power generation unit 10.

[0066] Such a configuration can simplify the configuration.

[0067] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

[0068] For example, in this embodiment, the power generation unit is configured to have a solar power generation unit 10, but instead of the solar power generation unit 10, it may have another power supply source (for example, a hydroelectric power generation unit or a wind power generation unit that generates power using natural energy other than sunlight).

[0069] In addition, H used in the determination of step S11 low (second threshold), H high (first threshold) and H max The third threshold value is not limited to the value in this embodiment and can be changed as appropriate. By changing the threshold value, it is possible to adjust the risk of hydrogen shortage or increase the rate at which rated production (step S12) is performed.

[0070] Furthermore, the control patterns of the hydrogen production device 20 are not limited to the three control patterns of rapid production, surplus interlocking production, and rated production, but may be, for example, two control patterns of surplus interlocking production and rated production, or may include other control patterns. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Hydrogen production system 10. Solar Power Generation Department 20 Hydrogen production equipment 30 Hydrogen storage device 40 Control device

Claims

1. a power generation unit capable of generating electricity using natural energy; a hydrogen production device capable of producing hydrogen using surplus power of the power generation unit relative to power demand; a hydrogen storage device capable of storing hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device; a control unit that controls the operation of the hydrogen production device; Equipped with The control unit When the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device is less than a first threshold value, the hydrogen production device is operated at a power consumption rate corresponding to the surplus power; When the amount of stored hydrogen is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the hydrogen production device is operated at rated power when the surplus power is equal to or greater than the power consumption during rated operation of the hydrogen production device, and the operation of the hydrogen production device is stopped when the surplus power is less than the power consumption during rated operation of the hydrogen production device. Hydrogen production system.

2. The hydrogen production device includes: Hydrogen can be produced using electricity from a grid power source. The control unit When the amount of stored hydrogen is less than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value, the hydrogen production device is operated at a rated capacity using the surplus power and the power from the grid power supply. The hydrogen production system according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit During rated operation of the hydrogen production device, the surplus power is used for power consumption of the hydrogen production device with priority over power from the system power supply. The hydrogen production system according to claim 2 .

4. The grid power supply is a renewable energy power supply. The hydrogen production system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The control unit When the amount of stored hydrogen is equal to or greater than a third threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value, the operation of the hydrogen production device is stopped. The hydrogen production system according to claim 1 .

6. The power generation unit does not include a storage battery capable of charging and discharging the power generated by the power generation unit. The hydrogen production system according to claim 1 .

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