Flight planning system

Abstract

To efficiently recover energy obtained by offshore power generation.SOLUTION: An operation planning system plans an operation of a transport ship that collects energy from a floating body that stores energy by performing power generation while performing automatic navigation. The operation planning system includes an estimation unit configured to estimate a storage time that is a time required for energy stored in the floating body to reach a predetermined amount, and a planning unit configured to generate an operation plan of the transport vessel such that an operation time of the transport vessel, which is a sum of a first time required for the transport vessel to recover the energy from the floating body, a second time required for the transport vessel to deliver the energy at the harbor, and a third time required for the transport vessel to make a round trip between a point where the transport vessel recovers the energy from the floating body and the harbor, approaches the storage time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of a navigation planning system for planning the navigation of a transport ship. [Background technology]

[0002] As this type of system, a system for supporting the operation of ships transporting materials has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5953219 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the recovery of energy obtained by offshore power generation using a transport ship.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its objective is to provide an operation planning system that generates an operation plan for a transport ship that can efficiently recover energy obtained by offshore power generation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An operation planning system according to one embodiment of the present invention is an operation planning system that plans the operation of a transport ship that recovers energy from a float that stores energy by generating electricity while sailing automatically, and is equipped with an estimation means that estimates a storage time, which is the time it takes for the energy stored in the float to reach a predetermined amount, and a planning means that generates an operation plan for the transport ship so that the operation time of the transport ship, which is the sum of a first time required for the transport ship to recover energy from the float, a second time required for the transport ship to hand over the energy at a port, and a third time required for the transport ship to travel between the point where the transport ship recovers energy from the float and the port, approaches the storage time, and the planning means sets the number of the plurality of floats according to the first time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a concept of a power generation system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a floating body according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a transport ship and a floating body according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an operation planning system according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of an operation planning system will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0009] (Power generation system configuration) The configuration of the power generation system will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In the power generation system according to this embodiment, power is generated using multiple floating bodies 20 that do not require mooring in a sea area SA that is relatively far from land. The multiple floating bodies 20 navigate automatically within the sea area SA. That is, each of the multiple floating bodies 20 generates power while automatically navigating within the sea area SA. For example, the sea area SA may be a sea area 50 kilometers away from land. As shown in Figure 1, the multiple floating bodies 20 form a formation. By forming the multiple floating bodies 20 into a formation, interference between the floating bodies 20 can be suppressed. As a result, a decrease in the power generation efficiency of one floating body 20 due to other floating bodies 20 can be suppressed.

[0010] The floating body 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. In FIG. 2(a), a floating body 20a as the floating body 20 includes a sail 21 and kites 22. The floating body 20a may use wind energy received by the sail 21 as propulsion. In the floating body 20a, as the kites 22 rise, a tether mooring the kites 22 is let out from a winch (not shown). The tether let-out operation rotates the winch drum. The rotation of the drum rotates a generator (not shown), generating electricity. When the tether is let out to a predetermined length or after a predetermined time has elapsed, the motor of the winch rotates the winch drum in a direction to reel in the tether. As a result, the kites 22 descend due to the reeling of the tether. In the floating body 20a, power is generated by repeatedly letting out and reeling in the tether. In other words, the floating body 20a performs tether-type wind power generation. The floating body 20a may also use wind energy received by the kites 22 as a propulsive force.

[0011] 2(b), a floating body 20b as the floating body 20 includes a sail 21 and an underwater turbine generator 23. The floating body 20b may use wind energy received by the sail 21 as propulsion force. As the floating body 20b moves, seawater flows into the underwater turbine generator 23. As a result, electricity is generated by the underwater turbine generator 23.

[0012] The floating body 20a may be equipped with an underwater turbine generator 23. That is, the floating body 20a may perform power generation using the underwater turbine generator 23 in addition to tethered wind power generation. Similarly, the floating body 20b may be equipped with kites 22. That is, the floating body 20b may perform power generation using the underwater turbine generator 23 in addition to tethered wind power generation.

[0013] The float 20 may store the electricity obtained by power generation in a storage battery (e.g., a lithium-ion battery). That is, the float 20 may store electrical energy as electrical energy. The float 20 may generate hydrogen by electrolyzing water using the electricity obtained by power generation. The float 20 may store the generated hydrogen. That is, the float 20 may store electrical energy as hydrogen energy. The hydrogen may be compressed and stored, or may be stored by being absorbed in a hydrogen storage alloy. The float 20 may generate ammonia using the generated hydrogen. The float 20 may store the generated ammonia. That is, the float 20 may store electrical energy as ammonia energy.

[0014] Returning to FIG. 1 , the transport ship 10 navigates between a port P located on land and a sea area SA. For example, the transport ship 10 may collect energy from multiple floating bodies 20 in an area CA on the port P side of the sea area SA. For example, if the floating body 20 stores energy in a storage battery, the transport ship 10 may collect a charged storage battery from the floating body 20. At this time, the transport ship 10 may install an uncharged storage battery on the floating body 20. In other words, the transport ship 10 may transship the storage battery in the area CA. For example, if the floating body 20 stores energy by compressing and storing hydrogen in a hydrogen tank, the transport ship 10 may collect a hydrogen tank in which hydrogen is stored from the floating body 20. At this time, the transport ship 10 may install an empty hydrogen tank on the floating body 20. In other words, the transport ship 10 may transship the hydrogen tank in the area CA. The area CA may refer to an area where the transport ship 10 and the floating body 20 can join together and where the route of the floating body 20 is not affected by the transport ship 10.

[0015] (Operation of the transport ship 10 and the floating body 20) Next, the operation of the transport ship 10 and the floating bodies 20 in the power generation system will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 3. In Figure 3, the transport ship 10 heads from port P to an energy recovery point (for example, area CA) (step S111). At this time, each floating body 20 generates power and stores energy while automatically navigating within sea area SA (step S121).

[0016] When the transport ship 10 reaches the energy recovery point and the transport ship 10 and the floating body 20 join, the floating body 20 hands over energy to the transport ship 10 (step S122), and the transport ship 10 recovers energy from the floating body 20 (step S112). For example, the transport ship 10 may recover a charged storage battery that stores electrical energy from the floating body 20, and install an uncharged storage battery on the floating body 20. For example, the transport ship 10 may recover a hydrogen tank that stores hydrogen from the floating body 20, and install an empty hydrogen tank on the floating body 20.

[0017] After performing the processing of step S122, the float 20 performs the processing of step S121. That is, the float 20 generates power while automatically navigating within the sea area SA. After the processing of step S112, the transport ship 10 heads from the energy recovery point to port P (step S113). After the transport ship 10 arrives at port P, the transport ship 10 replaces energy storage (e.g., a storage battery or a hydrogen tank) (step S114). For example, if the transport ship 10 recovers a charged storage battery from the float 20, the transport ship may unload the charged storage battery and load an uncharged storage battery. For example, if the transport ship 10 recovers a hydrogen tank containing hydrogen from the float 20, the transport ship 10 may unload the hydrogen tank and load an empty hydrogen tank. Thereafter, the transport ship 10 performs the processing of step S111. That is, the transport ship 10 heads from port P to the energy recovery point.

[0018] In this way, in this power generation system, offshore power generation is performed by the plurality of floating bodies 20, and energy transportation is performed by the transport ship 10.

[0019] (Flight planning system) For example, if the float 20 stores the electricity generated by power generation in a storage battery, the float 20 will no longer be able to store electricity in the storage battery once the storage battery is fully charged. For example, if the float 20 generates hydrogen using the electricity generated and compresses and stores the generated hydrogen in a hydrogen tank, the float 20 will no longer be able to store hydrogen in the hydrogen tank once the hydrogen tank is full. Therefore, once the storage battery is fully charged or the hydrogen tank is full, the float 20 will no longer be able to store energy until the transport ship 10 comes to retrieve it. In other words, the operational efficiency of the power generation system will decrease.

[0020] Therefore, in this embodiment, an operation planning system 100 generates an operation plan for a transport ship 10. The operation planning system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the operation planning system 100 includes a calculation device 110, a storage device 120, a communication device 130, an input device 140, and an output device 150. The calculation device 110, the storage device 120, the communication device 130, the input device 140, and the output device 150 may be connected via a data bus 160. It should be noted that the operation planning system 100 does not necessarily include at least one of the input device 140 and the output device 150.

[0021] The arithmetic device 110 may include, for example, at least one of a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU). In other words, the arithmetic device 110 may include a processor.

[0022] The storage device 120 may include, for example, at least one of a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, a solid state drive (SSD), and an optical disk array.

[0023] The communication device 130 may be capable of communicating with devices external to the operation planning system 100. Examples of devices external to the operation planning system 100 include a device mounted on the transport ship 10 and a device mounted on each of the multiple floating bodies 20. The communication device 130 may perform wired communication or wireless communication.

[0024] The input device 140 is a device capable of accepting input of information to the flight schedule planning system 100 from outside. The input device 140 may include an operation device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc.) that can be operated by a user (e.g., an operator) of the flight schedule planning system 100. The input device 140 may include a recording medium reading device that can read information recorded on a recording medium that is detachable from the flight schedule planning system 100, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Note that when information is input to the flight schedule planning system 100 via the communication device 130 (in other words, when the flight schedule planning system 100 acquires information via the communication device 130), the communication device 130 may function as an input device.

[0025] The output device 150 is a device capable of outputting information to the outside of the flight schedule planning system 100. The output device 150 may output visual information such as text or images, auditory information such as sound, or tactile information such as vibration, as the information. The output device 150 may include, for example, at least one of a display, a speaker, a printer, and a vibration motor. The output device 150 may be capable of outputting information to a recording medium that is detachable from the flight schedule planning system 100, such as a USB memory stick. Note that when the flight schedule planning system 100 outputs information via the communication device 130, the communication device 130 may function as the output device.

[0026] The storage device 120 can store desired data. The storage device 120 may store a computer program to be executed by the computing device 110. The storage device 120 may temporarily store data that is temporarily used by the computing device 110 when the computing device 110 is executing a computer program.

[0027] The computer program may be recorded on a computer-readable, non-transitory recording medium. In this case, the flight schedule planning system 100 may read the computer program from the recording medium using a recording medium reading device. The recording medium may be at least one of an optical disk, a magnetic medium, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, and any other medium capable of storing a program. The flight schedule planning system 100 may obtain the computer program from an external device (not shown) via the communication device 130.

[0028] For example, the calculation device 110 may execute a computer program stored in the memory device 120, thereby realizing within the calculation device 110 a logical functional block for executing the processing to be performed by the flight planning system 100.

[0029] 4, the arithmetic device 110 may include an acquisition unit 111, an estimation unit 112, and a planning unit 113 as logically realized functional blocks or as physically realized processing circuits. At least one of the acquisition unit 111, the estimation unit 112, and the planning unit 113 may be realized in a form in which a logical functional block and a physical processing circuit (i.e., hardware) are mixed.

[0030] The acquisition unit 111 may acquire weather information and sea condition information for the sea area in which the transport ship 10 is sailing, as well as weather information and sea condition information for the sea area SA in which the multiple floating bodies 20 generate power. For example, the acquisition unit 111 may acquire at least one of weather information and sea condition information from a public institution (e.g., the Japan Meteorological Agency, the Japan Coast Guard, etc.) via the communication device 130. For example, if a measurement device is installed on at least one of the transport ship 10 and the floating body 20, the acquisition unit 111 may acquire at least one of weather information and sea condition information from at least one of the transport ship 10 and the floating body 20 via the communication device 130.

[0031] The estimation unit 112 estimates the storage time, which is the time it takes for the energy stored in each of the multiple floating bodies 20 to reach a predetermined amount, based on weather information and sea condition information for the sea area SA. For example, if the floating body 20 stores the electricity obtained by power generation in a storage battery, the predetermined amount may be the amount of stored electricity that will bring the storage battery to a fully charged state. For example, if the floating body 20 generates hydrogen using the electricity obtained by power generation and compresses and stores the generated hydrogen in a hydrogen tank, the predetermined amount may be the maximum capacity of the hydrogen tank. In this case, reaching the predetermined amount of energy may mean that the hydrogen tank is full.

[0032] For example, the planning unit 113 may calculate a first time required for the transport ship 10 to recover energy from each of the multiple floating bodies 20 based on the storage replacement speed of the transport ship 10. Here, the first time may be a concept that includes the time required to recover storage (e.g., a charged storage battery or a hydrogen tank in which hydrogen is stored) from the floating body 20 and the time required to install new storage (e.g., an uncharged storage battery or an empty hydrogen tank) on the floating body 20. In other words, the first time may mean the time required to replace the storage of the floating body 20. Note that the calculation of the first time may be performed by the estimation unit 112 instead of the planning unit 113.

[0033] For example, the storage exchange speed may be expressed as the weight that can be exchanged per unit time. For example, if the storage exchange speed is 10 tons per hour and the weight of the storage installed on one floating body 20 is 10 tons, it will take one hour for the transport ship 10 to retrieve the storage from one floating body 20 and install a new storage on that floating body 20. The storage exchange speed may also be referred to as cargo handling efficiency.

[0034] For example, the planning unit 113 may calculate a second time required for the transport ship 10 to deliver energy at port P based on the storage exchange speed of the transport ship 10 and port P. Here, the second time may be a concept that includes the time required to unload storage (e.g., a charged storage battery or a hydrogen tank in which hydrogen is stored) from the transport ship 10 and the time required to load new storage (e.g., an uncharged storage battery or an empty hydrogen tank) onto the transport ship 10. In other words, the second time may mean the time required to exchange the storage of the transport ship 10. Note that the calculation of the second time may be performed by the estimation unit 112 instead of the planning unit 113.

[0035] For example, the planning unit 113 may calculate a third time required for the transport ship 10 to travel back and forth between the port P and the energy recovery point (e.g., area CA) based on the distance between the port P and the energy recovery point and weather and sea condition information for the sea area in which the transport ship 10 is navigating. Note that the calculation of the third time may be performed by the estimation unit 112 instead of the planning unit 113.

[0036] The planning unit 113 generates a navigation plan for the transport ship 10 so that the navigation time of the transport ship 10, which is the sum of the first time, the second time, and the third time, approaches the storage time estimated by the estimation unit 112. Preferably, the planning unit 113 generates a navigation plan for the transport ship 10 so that the navigation time matches the storage time. Note that "the navigation time approaches the storage time" may mean that "the navigation time is equal to or shorter than the storage time, and the difference between the navigation time and the storage time is as small as possible." Note that the navigation time may be longer than the storage time.

[0037] For example, the planning unit 113 may set the speed of the transport ship 10 to bring the navigation time closer to the storage time. That is, the planning unit 113 may adjust the third time to bring the navigation time closer to the storage time. For example, the planning unit 113 may set the number of floating bodies 20 from which the transport ship 10 should recover energy to bring the navigation time closer to the storage time. That is, the planning unit 113 may adjust at least one of the first time and the second time to bring the navigation time closer to the storage time.

[0038] The speed (e.g., average speed) of the transport ship 10 and the distance between the port P and the energy recovery point can be determined with relatively high accuracy. Therefore, the accuracy of the third time can be expected to be relatively high. For example, the planner 113 may obtain the exchange time (i.e., the sum of the first time and the second time) that can be spent for the storage exchange by subtracting the third time from the storage time estimated by the estimator 112. The planner 113 may set the number of floating bodies 20 from which the transport ship 10 will recover energy based on the exchange time.

[0039] For example, if the storage time is 20 hours and the third time is 10 hours, the exchange time is 10 hours. For example, assume that the storage exchange rate at the energy recovery point is 10 tons per hour and the storage exchange rate at port P is 10 tons per hour. In this case, the first time is 10 hours × (10 tons per hour / (10 tons per hour + 10 tons per hour)) = 10 hours / 2 = 5 hours. Assume that the weight of the storage installed on one floating body 20 is 10 tons. In this case, the planning unit 113 may set the number of floating bodies 20 from which the transport ship 10 recovers energy to 5 in order to bring the operation time closer to the storage time.

[0040] For example, assume that the storage exchange rate at the energy recovery point is 10 tons per hour, and the storage exchange rate at port P is 30 tons per hour. In this case, the first time is 10 hours × (30 tons per hour / (10 tons per hour + 30 tons per hour)) = 10 hours × 3 / 4 = 7.5 hours. Assume that the weight of the storage mounted on one floating body 20 is 10 tons. In this case, the planning unit 113 may set the number of floating bodies 20 from which the transport ship 10 recovers energy to 7 or 8 in order to bring the operation time closer to the storage time.

[0041] The planning unit 113 may transmit the operation plan of the transport ship 10 to the transport ship 10 via the communication device 130. The operation planning system 100 may generate the operation plan of the transport ship 10 before the operation of the above-mentioned power generation system (in other words, it may simulate the operation of the power generation system). In this case, the planning unit 113 may display the operation plan of the transport ship 10 on a display as an example of the output device 150. For example, a user of the operation planning system 100 may estimate the number of transport ships 10 to be prepared depending on the scale of power generation (e.g., the number of floating bodies 20) taking into account the operation plan of the transport ship 10.

[0042] (Technical Effects) The operation planning system 100 generates an operation plan for the transport ship 10 so that the operation time approaches the storage time (preferably so that the operation time coincides with the storage time). The operation planning system 100 sets the number of floating bodies 20 from which the transport ship 10 recovers energy in order to bring the operation time closer to the storage time. For example, the operation planning system 100 may set the number of floating bodies 20 from which the transport ship 10 recovers energy according to the first time. Therefore, the operation planning system 100 can relatively easily bring the operation time closer to the storage time. If the transport ship 10 operates in accordance with the operation plan of the transport ship 10, energy can be efficiently recovered from the multiple floating bodies 20. In other words, the operation planning system 100 enables the power generation system (in other words, the transport ship 10 and the multiple floating bodies 20) to be operated efficiently.

[0043] (First Modification) Due to at least one of the weather and sea conditions in the sea area SA, the actual storage time may be shorter than the storage time estimated by the estimation unit 112 of the operation planning system 100. If no measures are taken in this case, the timing of recovering energy from the floating body 20 will be delayed, and the operational efficiency of the power generation system will decrease.

[0044] In this case, the operation planning system 100 may change the routes of the multiple floating bodies 20 so that the energy recovery point moves toward port P. In this case, at least one of the position and size of the sea area SA may be changed. For example, the planning unit 113 of the operation planning system 100 may transmit information indicating the new route (i.e., the changed route) to each floating body 20 via the communication device 130. The planning unit 113 may transmit information indicating the new energy recovery point (i.e., the changed energy recovery point) to the transport ship 10 via the communication device 130. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the operational efficiency of the power generation system.

[0045] (Second Modification) The transport ship 10 may be a sailing ship. This configuration can increase the proportion of renewable energy used in the entire power generation system. However, sailing ships are susceptible to weather and sea conditions.

[0046] For example, suppose that the transport ship 10, which is a sailing ship, is heading to an energy recovery point according to the operation plan generated by the operation planning system 100. At this time, suppose that the transport ship 10 is unable to arrive at the energy recovery point as planned due to the influence of at least one of weather and sea conditions. If no measures are taken in this case, the timing of recovering energy from the floating body 20 will be delayed, and the operational efficiency of the power generation system will decrease.

[0047] In this case, the operation planning system 100 may change the routes of the multiple floating bodies 20 so that the energy recovery point moves toward port P. In this case, at least one of the position and size of the sea area SA may be changed. For example, the planning unit 113 of the operation planning system 100 may transmit information indicating the new route (i.e., the changed route) to each floating body 20 via the communication device 130. The planning unit 113 may transmit information indicating the new energy recovery point (i.e., the changed energy recovery point) to the transport ship 10 via the communication device 130. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the operational efficiency of the power generation system.

[0048] Aspects of the invention derived from the above-described embodiment and modifications will be described below.

[0049] A navigation planning system according to one aspect of the present invention is a navigation planning system for planning the navigation of a transport ship that recovers energy from multiple floating structures that store energy by generating power while automatically navigating, comprising: an estimation means for estimating a storage time, which is the time it takes for the energy stored in each of the multiple floating structures to reach a predetermined amount; and a planning means for generating a navigation plan for the transport ship so that the navigation time of the transport ship, which is the sum of a first time required for the transport ship to recover the energy from the multiple floating structures, a second time required for the transport ship to deliver the energy at a port, and a third time required for the transport ship to travel between a point where the transport ship recovers energy from the multiple floating structures and the port, approaches the storage time, and the planning means sets the number of the multiple floating structures according to the first time. In the above embodiment, the estimation unit 112 corresponds to an example of the estimation means, and the planning unit 113 corresponds to an example of the planning means.

[0050] In the flight planning system, the planning means may generate the flight plan so that the flight time matches the storage time.

[0051] Each of the plurality of floating bodies may store energy as hydrogen, and the predetermined amount may be the maximum capacity of a tank that stores hydrogen.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and the gist or concept of the invention as can be read from the entire specification, and operation planning systems involving such modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10...transport ship, 20...floating body, 100...operation planning system, 111...acquisition unit, 112...estimation unit, 113...planning unit

Claims

1. A navigation planning system for planning the navigation of a transport ship that recovers energy from a plurality of floating bodies that store energy by generating electricity while automatically navigating, an estimation means for estimating a storage time, which is the time it takes for the energy stored in each of the plurality of floating bodies to reach a predetermined amount; a planning means for generating a transport ship operation plan so that an operation time of the transport ship, which is a sum of a first time required for the transport ship to collect energy from the plurality of floating bodies, a second time required for the transport ship to deliver the energy at a port, and a third time required for the transport ship to travel between a point where the transport ship collects energy from the plurality of floating bodies and the port, approaches the storage time; Equipped with The planning means sets the number of the plurality of floating bodies in accordance with the first time period. Flight planning system.

2. The planning means generates the flight plan so that the flight time coincides with the storage time. The flight planning system according to claim 1 .

3. each of the plurality of floating bodies stores energy as hydrogen; The predetermined amount is the limit of the tank that stores hydrogen. The flight planning system according to claim 1 .

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