Method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank and power generation system

Abstract

This technology provides an improved prediction accuracy for forecasting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank. [Solution] This disclosure provides a method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank 40 used in a fuel cell device 15 including at least one fuel cell unit, comprising the steps of: predicting the time when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40 will fall below a threshold hydrogen amount based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank 40 during a first period spanning multiple days; and notifying a display device 50 of the time. If a specific day in the first period is in which the amount of power generated by the fuel cell device 15 is below a threshold power amount, the method predicts the time based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank 40 during a second period excluding the specific day from the first period.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank and a power generation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a hydrogen tank remaining amount prediction device and power generation system that predicts the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank by setting periods of low hydrogen usage, such as long holidays, as an exclusion range. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7599125 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] When predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank, setting periods of low hydrogen usage as an exclusion range may result in the use of data that should be excluded from the prediction calculation, potentially leading to lower prediction accuracy.

[0005] This disclosure provides a technology for improving the accuracy of predictions when forecasting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This disclosure is, A method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank used in a fuel cell system including at least one fuel cell unit, A step of predicting the time when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank will fall below a threshold amount based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank during a first period spanning multiple days, The system includes the step of notifying the display device of the aforementioned time, If a specific day in the first period is when the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device is below a threshold amount, the timing is predicted based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank during the second period, which is the first period excluding the specific day. This provides a method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank.

[0007] In another respect, this disclosure is: A fuel cell device including at least one fuel cell unit, A hydrogen tank that supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell device, A controller that predicts the time when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank will fall below a threshold amount based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank during a first period spanning multiple days, Equipped with, The controller predicts the timing based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank during the second period, which is the first period excluding the specified day, if the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device is less than or equal to a threshold amount on a specific day included in the first period. We provide power generation systems. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology described herein can improve the accuracy of predictions when forecasting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a power generation system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2A] Figure 2A shows an example of a sensor used to calculate the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank. [Figure 2B] Figure 2B shows an example of a sensor used to calculate the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank. [Figure 2C] Figure 2C shows an example of a sensor used to calculate the remaining hydrogen in a hydrogen tank. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the hydrogen tank remaining amount prediction apparatus (hydrogen tank remaining amount prediction method) according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the power generation system according to the second embodiment. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, an excessively detailed description may be omitted in some cases. For example, a detailed description of already well-known matters or a repeated description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0011] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for 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] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0013] [1-1. Configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the power generation system according to the first embodiment.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, a power generation system 10 includes a fuel cell device 15, a remaining amount prediction apparatus 20 for a hydrogen tank 40 used in the fuel cell device 15, and a wattmeter 60.

[0015] The fuel cell device 15 includes at least one fuel cell unit that generates electricity using hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 40. Therefore, the fuel cell device 15 may include a single fuel cell unit or multiple fuel cell units. In the latter case, the power generation system 10 may be, for example, a system that supplies a large amount of power to the power grid. In other words, in the latter case, the power generation system 10 includes a group of fuel cell units consisting of multiple fuel cell units including a fuel cell stack, and the fuel cell device 15 corresponds to each group into which the group of fuel cell units is divided. The detailed configuration of such a power generation system 10 will be described in the second embodiment.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the hydrogen tank 40 remaining amount prediction device 20 includes a communication device 21 and a controller 23.

[0017] The controller 23 predicts when the remaining hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40 will fall below a threshold hydrogen amount based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank 40 during a first period spanning multiple days. However, if a specific day in the first period is below the threshold power amount generated by the fuel cell device 15, the controller 23 predicts when the remaining hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40 will fall below a threshold hydrogen amount based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank 40 during a second period, which is the first period excluding the specific day.

[0018] Hereinafter, in this specification, the "time when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40 falls below the threshold amount of hydrogen" will also be referred to as the "remaining amount notification time."

[0019] The first period is, for example, one week or several weeks. With this configuration, the prediction of when the remaining amount will be notified is less affected by fluctuations in the amount of hydrogen used in daily activities.

[0020] The second period is the period included within the first period. For example, suppose the first period is two weeks, and there are four specific days within that period when the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device 15 is below a threshold amount. In this case, the second period is the remaining 10 days after subtracting those four specific days from the first period.

[0021] The threshold hydrogen amount is an appropriate amount of hydrogen set in advance by the user, and corresponds to a standard value that prompts the user to replenish hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40 when the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen tank 40 becomes low, or a standard value that prompts the user to replace the hydrogen tank 40 in use with a new hydrogen tank. The threshold hydrogen amount may be set to, for example, about 20% of the amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40 when it is full, but is not limited to this.

[0022] The threshold energy amount corresponds to a standard value assuming a situation where the amount of energy generated by the fuel cell device 15 is irregularly small compared to the normal amount of energy generated. The threshold energy amount may be 0 kWh. In other words, the specific days excluded from the prediction of the remaining energy notification time may be days when the amount of energy generated is 0 kWh. With such a configuration, the accuracy of the prediction can be improved.

[0023] The situation in which the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device 15 is irregularly small compared to the normal amount of electricity generated can occur due to various factors. For example, this situation may occur due to some unusual action by the user. Also, for example, this situation may occur if the power generation system 10 is unable to generate electricity properly.

[0024] The power meter 60 is positioned on the power supply line from the fuel cell device 15 to the power grid and measures the power generated (instantaneous power) of the fuel cell device 15. The measured power generated is input to the remaining charge prediction device 20. In the remaining charge prediction device 20, the power generated is integrated, and the amount of power generated is calculated and stored. The power meter 60 may also be an energy meter capable of measuring energy. The power grid includes power loads, energy storage equipment, commercial power sources, etc.

[0025] The controller 23 can be any device having a control function and comprises an arithmetic processing unit (not shown) and a storage unit for storing a control program. The controller 23 performs predetermined control by reading and executing the control program stored in the storage unit from the arithmetic processing unit. For example, a microprocessor is an example of the arithmetic processing unit. For example, a memory is an example of the storage unit. The controller 23 may also directly control the operation, including the output of the fuel cell unit in the fuel cell device 15. Alternatively, if a control device (not shown) is provided within the fuel cell unit to control its own operation, the controller 23 may indirectly control the operation, including the output of the fuel cell unit in the fuel cell device 15, via this control device.

[0026] The communication device 21 is a transmitter controlled by the controller 23 that notifies the display device 50 of information indicating when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40 will fall below a threshold amount. The display device 50 could be, for example, an information terminal of a user receiving power supply services from the power generation system 10, but is not limited to this.

[0027] Here, the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen tank 40 may be measured, for example, by an appropriate sensor. The measurement by such a sensor is performed at predetermined intervals by the arithmetic processing unit of the controller 23, and the measurement data from the sensor is sequentially stored in the memory unit of the controller 23. This "predetermined interval" may be, for example, about 30 seconds, but is not limited to this.

[0028] For example, as shown in Figure 2A, the fuel cell device 15 may be provided with a liquid hydrogen tank 40A for hydrogen replenishment and a hydrogen gas tank 41 for storing the liquid hydrogen in the liquid hydrogen tank 40A as low-pressure hydrogen gas as a hydrogen supply source. In this case, the liquid hydrogen tank 40A corresponds to the "hydrogen tank" in this disclosure, so the amount of hydrogen remaining in the liquid hydrogen tank 40A may be calculated by the controller 23 from measurement data of a liquid level sensor 42 installed in the liquid hydrogen tank 40A, for example. Alternatively, the amount of hydrogen remaining in the liquid hydrogen tank 40A may be calculated by the controller 23 from measurement data of a flow meter 43 installed in the hydrogen gas path for supplying hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas tank 41 to the fuel cell device 15. The measurement data from the liquid level sensor 42 or the flow meter 43 may be transmitted to the controller 23 via a controller (not shown) installed in the fuel cell device 15, or it may be transmitted directly to the controller 23. The controller (not shown) installed in the fuel cell device 15 corresponds to a control device 30A, etc., which will be described later.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2B, the fuel cell device 15 may be provided with a hydrogen gas tank 40B for storing high-pressure hydrogen gas for replenishment, and a hydrogen gas tank 41 for storing the high-pressure hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas tank 40B as low-pressure hydrogen gas. In this case, since the hydrogen gas tank 40B corresponds to the "hydrogen tank" in this disclosure, the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen gas tank 40B may be calculated by the controller 23 from measurement data of a pressure gauge 44 installed in the hydrogen gas tank 40B, for example. Alternatively, the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen gas tank 40B may be calculated by the controller 23 from measurement data of a flow meter 43 installed in the hydrogen gas path for supplying hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas tank 41 to the fuel cell device 15. The measurement data from the pressure gauge 44 or the flow meter 43 may be transmitted to the controller 23 via a controller (not shown) installed in the fuel cell device 15, or it may be transmitted directly to the controller 23. The controller (not shown) installed in the fuel cell device 15 corresponds to a control device 30A, etc., which will be described later.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2C, a hydrogen gas tank 40C for storing low-pressure hydrogen gas for hydrogen replenishment may be provided as a hydrogen supply source for the fuel cell device 15. In this case, since the hydrogen gas tank 40C corresponds to the "hydrogen tank" in this disclosure, the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen gas tank 40C may be calculated by the controller 23 from measurement data of a pressure gauge 44 provided in the hydrogen gas tank 40C, for example. Alternatively, the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen gas tank 40C may be calculated by the controller 23 from measurement data of a flow meter 43 provided in the hydrogen gas path for supplying hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas tank 40C to the fuel cell device 15. Note that the measurement data from the pressure gauge 44 or the flow meter 43 may be transmitted to the controller 23 via a controller (not shown) provided in the fuel cell device 15, or it may be transmitted directly to the controller 23. The controller (not shown) provided in the fuel cell device 15 corresponds to a control device 30A, etc., which will be described later.

[0031] The configuration of the hydrogen supply source for the fuel cell device 15 described above is illustrative and not limited to this example. The hydrogen supply source may be configured, for example, to replace a hydrogen gas tank with a low hydrogen level with a new hydrogen gas tank in a timely manner.

[0032] [1-2. Operation] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation (hydrogen tank remaining amount prediction method) of the hydrogen tank remaining amount prediction device 20 in the first embodiment. The following operations may be performed, for example, by the arithmetic processing unit of the controller 23 reading a control program from the storage unit of the controller 23. However, it is not necessarily required that the controller 23 perform the following operations. The operator may perform some of these operations. In the following example, the case in which the operation is controlled by the controller 23 will be explained.

[0033] First, at a predetermined timing, a configuration file pre-stored in the memory of the controller 23 is read into the arithmetic processing unit of the controller 23. The "predetermined timing" may be set, for example, at least once a week, but is not limited to this. The "configuration file" stores, for example, a first period pre-set by the user, and the type of hydrogen tank 40 (for example, a hydrogen gas tank, a liquid hydrogen tank). Then, data such as the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank 40 on each day included in the first period, and the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device 15 on each day included in the first period, are obtained from the memory of the controller 23.

[0034] Once the above operations are performed, in step S1, it is determined whether or not a specific day in the first period is one on which the amount of power generated by the fuel cell device 15 is less than or equal to a threshold amount. For example, if the first period is two weeks prior to the day on which the prediction is made, the amount of power generated for each of the 14 days up to two weeks prior is read from the storage unit, and it is determined whether or not there is a specific day on which the amount of power generated is less than or equal to a threshold amount.

[0035] The day on which the forecast is made may or may not be included in the first period. In the latter case, the data used for the forecast may be data from yesterday or earlier.

[0036] As shown in step S2, if the first period includes specific days on which the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device 15 is below a threshold amount, the timing of the remaining amount notification is predicted based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank 40 during the second period, which is the first period excluding the specific days. For example, if the number of days on which the amount of electricity generated is below the threshold amount is four specific days, the second period is the remaining 10 days after excluding those four specific days from the first period.

[0037] The timing of the remaining hydrogen level notification is predicted by, for example, the following method. First, the difference between the remaining hydrogen level in hydrogen tank 40 and the threshold hydrogen level is calculated. For example, if the remaining hydrogen level in hydrogen tank 40 is 10 m³ 3 The threshold hydrogen amount is 2m 3 In that case, the difference is 8m 3Next, the amount of hydrogen used during the second period is calculated. If the second period includes multiple days, the amount of hydrogen used during the second period is the total amount of hydrogen used for each day. Next, by dividing the amount of hydrogen used during the second period by the number of days in the second period, the average daily amount of hydrogen used during the second period is obtained. Finally, the difference between the remaining hydrogen in hydrogen tank 40 and the threshold hydrogen amount (8m) is calculated. 3 By dividing the remaining amount by the average value, the number of days until the remaining amount notification is due can be calculated. In other words, the timing of the remaining amount notification can be predicted.

[0038] On the other hand, as shown in step S3, if the first period does not include a specific day in which the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device 15 is below the threshold amount, the timing of the remaining amount notification is predicted based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank 40 during the first period. In other words, the average daily amount of hydrogen used during the first period can be obtained by dividing the amount of hydrogen used during the first period by the number of days in the first period. The number of days until the remaining amount notification can be calculated by dividing the difference between the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40 and the threshold amount of hydrogen by the average value. In other words, the timing of the remaining amount notification can be predicted.

[0039] Next, in step S4, the communication device 21 notifies the display device 50 of information indicating the remaining battery life notification time predicted in step S2 or step S3. The remaining battery life notification time may be provided to the user, for example, as year, month, and day information on a calendar displayed on the display device 50. If the remaining battery life notification time is stored in the memory of the controller 23, the stored remaining battery life notification time may be updated with new data. Subsequently, at the next predetermined timing, the operations from step S1 onward are re-executed.

[0040] According to the embodiment described above, specific days when the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device 15 is below a threshold amount are excluded from the calculation for prediction, so the timing of remaining fuel level notification can be accurately predicted. This allows the user to replenish the hydrogen tank 40 with hydrogen or replace the hydrogen tank 40 in use with a new hydrogen tank in a timely manner.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the method of this embodiment, the days to be excluded from the prediction calculation are determined by the amount of electricity generated. In this case, compared to the method of determining the days to be excluded from the prediction calculation based on hydrogen consumption, the method of this embodiment shortens the number of days until the predicted time when the remaining hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40 reaches the threshold hydrogen amount. In other words, according to the method of this embodiment, a prediction result indicating that hydrogen will run out sooner can be obtained. In this case, since hydrogen replenishment or hydrogen tank replacement can be carried out at an earlier stage, the risk of power generation stopping due to hydrogen depletion can be reduced. The reasons for this are explained below.

[0042] In the power generation system 10 of this embodiment, in order to suppress the deterioration of the fuel cell stack, hydrogen gas for pressure retention is intermittently supplied from the hydrogen tank 40 to the fuel cell unit during periods when the fuel cell unit is not generating power. When all fuel cell units are not generating power, the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device 15 is 0 kWh. However, since hydrogen gas for pressure retention is used, if we consider the amount of hydrogen used as the basis, there is a possibility that data that should be excluded from the prediction calculation may be used in the prediction calculation. In contrast, with the method of this embodiment, the specific days to be excluded from the prediction are determined based on the amount of electricity generated, so the amount of hydrogen used for pressure retention is less likely to affect the prediction result.

[0043] For example, let's assume the first period is seven days, from January 1st to January 7th. Let's assume that the power generation system 10 is shut down from January 1st to January 6th, and that it operates normally only on January 7th. In this case, let's assume that the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device 15 during the period from January 1st to January 6th is 0 kWh. Let's assume that the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device 15 on January 7th is 10 kWh. While the power generation system 10 is shut down, the amount of hydrogen used to maintain pressure in the fuel cell stack is 1 m³. 3 Let's assume it's / day. The amount of hydrogen used during operation on January 7th was 10m³. 3 Let's assume that this is the case.

[0044] Here, the hydrogen usage is 0.1 m 3 / day or less are excluded from the prediction calculation, the number of days to be excluded is zero. The amount of hydrogen used from January 1 to January 6 is 6 m 3 and the amount of hydrogen used on January 7 is 10 m 3 , so the total amount of hydrogen is 16 m 3 divided by 7 days gives 2.3 m 3 / day average value. By dividing the difference between the remaining hydrogen amount in the hydrogen tank 40 and the threshold hydrogen amount by the average value, the number of days until the remaining amount notification timing can be calculated. Assuming that the difference at the time of prediction is 20 m 3 , the number of days until the remaining amount notification timing is 20 / 2.3 = 8.7 (days).

[0045] In contrast, when days with a power generation amount of 0.1 kWh or less are excluded from the prediction calculation, the number of days to be excluded is 6 days. The second period is only January 7. The amount of hydrogen used on January 7 is 10 m 3 divided by 1 day gives 10 m 3 / day average value. By dividing the difference between the remaining hydrogen amount in the hydrogen tank 40 and the threshold hydrogen amount by the average value, the number of days until the remaining amount notification timing can be calculated. Assuming that the difference at the time of prediction is 20 m 3 , the number of days until the remaining amount notification timing is 20 / 10 = 2 (days).

[0046] As can be understood from the above calculation, the number of days until the remaining amount notification timing calculated by the method based on the power generation amount is shorter than the number of days until the remaining amount notification timing calculated by the method based on the hydrogen usage amount. According to the method of the present embodiment, a prediction result indicating that hydrogen will be exhausted earlier can be obtained. In this case, since hydrogen replenishment or hydrogen tank replacement is performed at an early stage, the risk of power generation stoppage due to hydrogen exhaustion can be reduced.

[0047] (Modified Example) The method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40 in a modified version of the first embodiment is the same as the method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40 in the first embodiment, except that when the number of days in the first period and the number of days on a specific day are the same, the timing of when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40 falls below a threshold amount is not updated.

[0048] Here, the fact that the number of days in the first period is the same as the number of days on a specific day means that the amount of electricity generated on each day included in the first period is less than or equal to the threshold amount of electricity. Therefore, according to the modified example described above, the prediction operation for the period in which the hydrogen remaining amount in the hydrogen tank 40 used in the fuel cell device 15 falls below the threshold amount of hydrogen can be not updated, thereby making the prediction operation for that period more efficient.

[0049] (Second Embodiment) Figure 4 shows an example of a power generation system according to the second embodiment. For convenience, the hydrogen tank 40 and display device 50 from the first embodiment (Figure 1) are omitted from Figure 4. Also, the configuration of the hydrogen tank 40 remaining amount prediction device 20 is the same as in the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the power generation system 10 of this embodiment comprises groups 15A to 15E, which are divisions of a group of fuel cell units corresponding to the fuel cell device 15 (see Figure 1), a hydrogen tank 40 remaining amount prediction device 20, and control devices 30A to 30E. In other words, the power generation system 10 comprises a group of fuel cell units consisting of multiple fuel cell units.

[0051] Although not shown in the diagrams, each of these fuel cell units consists of a fuel cell stack, an orthogonal converter for converting the DC power generated by the fuel cell stack into AC power for output to the power grid, and a control device for controlling the operation of these devices.

[0052] In the example shown in Figure 4, the fuel cell units are grouped into three distinct groups: fuel cell units a1-an belonging to group 15A, fuel cell units b1-bn belonging to group 15B, fuel cell units c1-cn belonging to group 15C, fuel cell units d1-dn belonging to group 15D, and fuel cell units e1-en belonging to group 15E. All fuel cell units belonging to a single group are also simply referred to as "fuel cell units within a group."

[0053] However, the above configuration of fuel cell unit groups is illustrative and not limited to this example. For example, a group of fuel cell units may be composed of a single group of fuel cell units. Also, the number of fuel cell units within a group may be one.

[0054] Control devices 30A to 30E are provided for each of the fuel cell units: a1 to an in group 15A, b1 to bn in group 15B, c1 to cn in group 15C, d1 to dn in group 15D, and e1 to en in group 15E, respectively, and control the operation of each fuel cell unit within the group.

[0055] For example, the control device 30A controls the output of each of the fuel cell units a1 to an belonging to group 15A via a communication network so that they can operate efficiently (e.g., optimize their lifespan).

[0056] The control devices 30A to 30E can be any device having a control function and include an arithmetic processing unit (not shown), a storage unit for storing a control program, and a communication device. The arithmetic processing unit reads and executes the control program stored in the storage unit, thereby performing predetermined control in the control devices 30A to 30E. An example of the arithmetic processing unit is a microprocessor. An example of the storage unit is a memory.

[0057] The configuration of the power generation system 10 described above is illustrative and not limited to this example.

[0058] For example, a control device may not be provided in the fuel cell unit, and the operation of the fuel cell units belonging to each group may be directly controlled by the control devices 30A to 30E.

[0059] Furthermore, the controller 23 (see Figure 1) of the hydrogen tank 40 remaining amount prediction device 20 performs an operation to predict when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40 will fall below a threshold amount based on the amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 40, but is not limited to this. Other control devices (for example, control devices 30A to 30E) may also perform such an operation.

[0060] Furthermore, the hydrogen tank 40 remaining amount prediction device 20 may be integrated with the control devices 30A to 30E, or in other words, it may be equipped with the control functions of the control devices 30A to 30E, and directly control the operation of each fuel cell unit within the group.

[0061] The hydrogen tank 40 remaining amount prediction method, the hydrogen tank 40 remaining amount prediction device 20, and the power generation system 10 of this embodiment may be the same as those of the first embodiment, except for the features described above.

[0062] The first and second embodiments may be combined with each other, provided that they do not exclude the other. Many improvements and other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description. Therefore, the above description should be interpreted as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the disclosure. The details of its structure and / or function may be substantially modified without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

[0063] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0064] (Technology 1) A method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank used in a fuel cell system including at least one fuel cell unit, A step of predicting the time when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank will fall below a threshold amount based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank during a first period spanning multiple days, The system includes the step of notifying the display device of the aforementioned time, If a specific day in the first period is when the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device is below a threshold amount, the timing is predicted based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank during the second period, which is the first period excluding the specific day. Method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank.

[0065] The technology described herein can improve the accuracy of predictions when forecasting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank.

[0066] (Technology 2) A hydrogen tank remaining amount prediction method according to Technology 1, wherein the timing is not updated when the number of days in the first period is the same as the number of days on the specified day. By not updating the timing when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank used in the fuel cell device falls below a threshold hydrogen amount, the prediction operation for that timing can be made more efficient.

[0067] (Technology 3) A method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank according to Technology 1 or 2, wherein the timing is predicted based on a value obtained by dividing the difference between the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank and the threshold amount of hydrogen by the average daily amount of hydrogen used during the second period. By dividing the difference between the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank and the threshold amount of hydrogen by the average value, the number of days until the remaining amount notification time can be calculated.

[0068] (Technology 4) A method for predicting the remaining amount of a hydrogen tank according to any one of the technologies 1 to 3, wherein the first period is one week or multiple weeks. With such a configuration, the prediction of the timing of remaining amount notification is less affected by fluctuations in the amount of hydrogen used in daily activities.

[0069] (Technology 5) A method for predicting the remaining amount of a hydrogen tank according to any one of the technologies 1 to 4, wherein hydrogen gas for maintaining pressure is supplied from the hydrogen tank to the fuel cell unit during periods when the fuel cell unit is not generating electricity. According to the method of this embodiment, since the specific days to be excluded from the prediction are determined based on the amount of electricity generated, the hydrogen gas used for maintaining pressure is less likely to affect the prediction results.

[0070] (Technology 6) A fuel cell system including at least one fuel cell unit, and a hydrogen tank for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell system, A controller that predicts the time when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank will fall below a threshold amount based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank during a first period spanning multiple days, Equipped with, The controller predicts the timing based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank during the second period, which is the first period excluding the specified day, if the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device is less than or equal to a threshold amount on a specific day included in the first period. Power generation system.

[0071] The technology described herein can improve the accuracy of predictions when forecasting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank.

[0072] (Technology 7) The power generation system according to Technology 6, further comprising a display device for notifying the aforementioned period. [Industrial applicability]

[0073] One aspect of this disclosure can be used in a hydrogen tank remaining amount prediction method, a hydrogen tank remaining amount prediction device, and a power generation system, which can predict more accurately than conventional methods when the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank used in a fuel cell device falls below a predetermined amount. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 10: Power generation system 15:Fuel cell device 20: Remaining quantity prediction device 21: Communication device 23: Controller 30A: Control device 30B: Control device 30C: Control device 30D: Control device 30E: Control device 40: Hydrogen tank 40A: Liquid hydrogen tank 40B: Hydrogen gas tank 40C: Hydrogen gas tank 41: Hydrogen gas tank 42: Liquid level sensor 43:Flow meter 44: Pressure gauge 50:Display device 60: Power meter a1~an: Fuel cell unit b1~bn: Fuel cell unit c1~cn: Fuel cell unit d1~dn: Fuel cell unit e1~en: Fuel cell unit

Claims

1. A method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank used in a fuel cell system including at least one fuel cell unit, A step of predicting the time when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank will fall below a threshold amount based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank during a first period spanning multiple days, The system includes the step of notifying the display device of the aforementioned time, If a specific day in the first period is when the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device is below a threshold amount, the timing is predicted based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank during the second period, which is the first period excluding the specific day. Method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank.

2. When the number of days in the first period is the same as the number of days on the specified date, the period will not be updated. A method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank according to claim 1.

3. The timing is predicted based on the value obtained by dividing the difference between the remaining hydrogen in the hydrogen tank and the threshold hydrogen amount by the average daily amount of hydrogen used during the second period. A method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank according to claim 1.

4. The first period is one week or several weeks. A method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank according to claim 1.

5. During periods when the fuel cell unit is not generating electricity, hydrogen gas for maintaining pressure is supplied to the fuel cell unit from the hydrogen tank. A method for predicting the remaining amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen tank according to claim 1.

6. A fuel cell system including at least one fuel cell unit, A hydrogen tank that supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell device, A controller that predicts the time when the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank will fall below a threshold amount based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank during a first period spanning multiple days, Equipped with, The controller predicts the timing based on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen tank during the second period, which is the first period excluding the specified day, if the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell device is less than or equal to a threshold amount on a specific day included in the first period. Power generation system.

7. The system further includes a display device that notifies the aforementioned time, The power generation system according to claim 6.

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