Fuel cell system and its operating method

Abstract

This addresses the issue of being unable to perform necessary software updates for fuel cell systems for extended periods. [Solution] The fuel cell system 100 of this disclosure comprises a plurality of electrical equipment, including a first electrical equipment and a second electrical equipment, and an interface 50 that receives instructions for the plurality of electrical equipment and displays the operating status of the plurality of electrical equipment. At least one selected from the first electrical equipment and the second electrical equipment is a fuel cell unit 10. If the software update unit 25 cannot update the software in the first electrical equipment because the first electrical equipment continues to operate for a threshold time or longer, the interface 50 restricts the acceptance of operations to continue the operation of at least one electrical equipment selected from the plurality of electrical equipment, and / or the acceptance of operations to start the operation of an electrical equipment that is stopped among the plurality of electrical equipment.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell system and an operating method therefor. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a fuel cell system including a plurality of component devices including a fuel cell unit and a hot water storage tank. Each of the component devices includes control software for controlling operations. During updating of the control software, the operation modes of each component device are restricted. [[Prior Art Literature]] [[Patent Literature]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-185352 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] According to the prior art, when a component device requiring software update is in operation, it is necessary to wait until the component device stops to execute the software update. Therefore, the software update required for the fuel cell system may not be performed for a long time.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a technique for addressing the problem that the software update required for a fuel cell system cannot be performed for a long time. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0006] The present disclosure provides: a plurality of electrical facilities including a first electrical facility and a second electrical facility; an interface that receives instructions for the plurality of electrical facilities and displays operating states of the plurality of electrical facilities; and comprising: At least one selected from the first electrical equipment and the second electrical equipment is a fuel cell unit, The first electrical equipment includes a storage unit that stores software for controlling the first electrical equipment, and a software update unit that updates the software while the first electrical equipment is stopped. If the software update unit in the first electrical equipment is unable to update the software because the first electrical equipment continues to operate for a threshold time or longer, the interface restricts the acceptance of operations to continue the operation of at least one electrical equipment selected from the plurality of electrical equipment, and / or the acceptance of operations to start the operation of an electrical equipment that is currently stopped among the plurality of electrical equipment. We provide fuel cell systems. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to address the issue of being unable to perform necessary software updates for fuel cell systems for extended periods. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Configuration diagram of a fuel cell system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure [Figure 2] Detailed diagram of the fuel cell system [Figure 3] A flowchart showing how to update the software. [Figure 4] Flowchart following Figure 3 [Figure 5] This diagram shows an example of a dialog box displayed on the interface screen. [Figure 6] This diagram shows an example of the screen display during a software update. [Figure 7] A time chart showing an example of the relationship between the operating status of the fuel cell unit and hot water storage unit and the progress of software updates. [Figure 8A] A time chart showing the relationship between the operating status of the fuel cell unit and hot water storage unit and the timing of the dialog box display. [Figure 8B]Another time chart showing the relationship between the operating status of the fuel cell unit and hot water storage unit and the timing of the dialog box display. [Figure 8C] Another time chart showing the relationship between the operating status of the fuel cell unit and hot water storage unit and the timing of the dialog display. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted.

[0010] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8C.

[0012] [1-1. Structure] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fuel cell system according to the first embodiment. The fuel cell system 100 comprises a fuel cell unit 10, a hot water storage unit 30, and an interface 50. The fuel cell system 100 is connected to a server 200 via a communication network such as the Internet. The server 200 stores software for controlling the fuel cell system 100. The software is distributed from the server 200 to the fuel cell system 100 and installed on the fuel cell system 100.

[0013] A fuel cell system 100 includes a plurality of electric facilities that are electrically controlled by execution of software. Each of the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 is an example of an electric facility. When the fuel cell unit 10 is a first electric facility, the hot water storage unit 30 is a second electric facility. When the fuel cell unit 10 is a second electric facility, the hot water storage unit 30 is a first electric facility.

[0014] The fuel cell unit 10 generates electric power by chemically reacting hydrogen and oxygen. The hot water storage unit 30 stores hot water generated by waste heat of the fuel cell unit 10, and supplies the hot water to required locations such as a hot water tap, a bath, and a heating device. An interface 50 is a remote controller that serves as both an input device and an output device. The interface 50 accepts instructions for the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30, and displays operating states of the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30. A user can operate the interface 50 to cause the fuel cell unit 10 to operate or use hot water in the hot water storage unit 30.

[0015] Figure 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of the fuel cell system 100.

[0016] The fuel cell unit 10 includes a memory 11, a fuel cell stack 12, an auxiliary device 13, and a control device 14. The control device 14 is a microcomputer that controls the fuel cell unit 10. When the control device 14 executes software, the auxiliary device 13 such as a pump, a valve, and a blower is controlled, and electric power is generated in the fuel cell stack 12. The memory 11 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and serves to temporarily store update software downloaded from a server 200. The memory 11 is externally attached to the control device 14. However, the memory 11 can be omitted. In this case, a built-in memory of the control device 14 also serves the role of the memory 11.

[0017] The control device 14 comprises a first communication unit 21, a second communication unit 22, a third communication unit 23, a control unit 24, a software update unit 25, and a memory 26. The functions of the first communication unit 21, the second communication unit 22, the third communication unit 23, the control unit 24, and the software update unit 25 are provided by the processor and control circuit of the control device 14. The memory 26 represents a storage unit for storing software that controls the fuel cell unit 10, and a storage unit that serves as a work area.

[0018] The first communication unit 21 is responsible for receiving update software by communicating with the server 200. The second communication unit 22 is responsible for sending and receiving information between the fuel cell unit 10 and the interface 50 by communicating with the interface 50. The third communication unit 23 is responsible for sending and receiving information between the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 by communicating with the hot water storage unit 30. The control unit 24 is responsible for executing the software that controls the fuel cell unit 10. The software update unit 25 is responsible for updating the software that controls the fuel cell unit 10.

[0019] The hot water storage unit 30 comprises a control device 31, a hot water storage tank 34, and a heat source unit 35. The control device 31 includes a communication unit 32 and a control unit 33. The communication unit 32 communicates with the fuel cell unit 10 and is responsible for sending and receiving information between the hot water storage unit 30 and the fuel cell unit 10. The control unit 33 is responsible for executing software that controls the hot water storage unit 30. The hot water storage tank 34 is responsible for storing hot water generated by the waste heat of the fuel cell unit 10. The heat source unit 35 is a gas water heater that is used as a backup when the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 34 is insufficient.

[0020] The hot water storage unit 30 is connected to a hot water tap 41, a bathtub 42, and a heating device 43. Hot water is supplied from the hot water storage unit 30 to the hot water tap 41, the bathtub 42, and the heating device 43, respectively.

[0021] The heat source unit 35 may be a unit separate from the hot water storage unit 30. The heat source unit 35 may be equipped with a dedicated control device. In this case, the heat source unit 35 may be a third electrical installation.

[0022] The interface 50 includes a switch 51, a screen 52, and a communication unit 53. The switch 51 is an input unit that accepts user operations. The screen 52 is a display unit that displays various information. The switch 51 may also be an icon displayed on the screen 52. The communication unit 53 communicates with the fuel cell unit 10 and is responsible for sending and receiving information between the interface 50 and the fuel cell unit 10.

[0023] [1-2. Operation] Figures 3 and 4 are flowcharts illustrating the software update method. Each process shown in Figures 3 and 4 is executed by the control device 14 of the fuel cell unit 10. In the flowchart, "FC unit" refers to the fuel cell unit 10.

[0024] In step S1, the update software is downloaded. The server 200 sends the update software to the first communication unit 21. The first communication unit 21 writes the received update software to the memory 11.

[0025] The software update unit 25 refers to the memory 11 and determines whether the download of the update software is complete. Once the download of the update software is complete, in step S2, it starts measuring the update waiting time and increments the timer.

[0026] Next, in step S3, the software update unit 25 determines whether or not there is a power outage. If there is a power outage, only the update waiting time is measured.

[0027] If there is no power outage, in step S4, the software update unit 25 obtains operating information for the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 from the control unit 24 and determines whether the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 are stopped. In other words, the software update unit 25 determines whether a software update is possible.

[0028] The operating information for the fuel cell unit 10 indicates that the fuel cell unit 10 is in one of the following states: starting up, generating power, cooling stopped, or stopped. The operating information for the hot water storage unit 30 indicates that the hot water storage unit 30 is in one of the following states: supplying hot water, heating the bath, heating, or stopped. The operating information for the fuel cell unit 10 and the operating information for the hot water storage unit 30 are updated sequentially and stored in the memory 26 of the control device 14. Bath heating means either filling the bath or reheating the water.

[0029] In this embodiment, the state of the fuel cell unit 10 is classified into four states: "startup," "power generation," "cooling stop," and "stop." "Cooling stop" refers to the stop operation to cool the fuel cell unit 10. Immediately after power generation ends, the inside of the fuel cell unit 10 is hot, so cooling is necessary. When performing a software update in a high-temperature state, cooling stops when the power to the control device 14 is turned OFF. Stopping cooling in a high-temperature state leads to deterioration of the fuel cell unit 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, the fuel cell unit 10 allows software updates after a predetermined time (after 2 hours) from the time the operation for stopping begins. The state at the above predetermined time corresponds to "cooling stop." However, it is not essential to provide a cooling stop period.

[0030] If the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 are stopped, a software update is performed in step S5. Specifically, the update software is read from memory 11 and written to memory 26, and the control device 14 is restarted.

[0031] If at least one of the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 is not stopped, in step S6, the software update unit 25 determines whether the software update waiting time is greater than or equal to a threshold time. If the update waiting time is less than the threshold time, in step S2, the timer for measuring the update waiting time is incremented. The threshold time is, for example, 144 hours (6 days).

[0032] If the waiting time for the software update is greater than or equal to the threshold time, in step S7, the software update unit 25 determines whether the following conditions are met: the fuel cell unit 10 is stopped, the hot water storage unit 30 is not heating the bath, and there is no power outage.

[0033] According to this embodiment, the interface 50 does not restrict the acceptance of operations during a power outage. This configuration allows for prioritizing safety functions while addressing the issue of being unable to perform software updates for extended periods. Furthermore, restrictions on accepting operations are not required not only during a power outage, but also when at least one of the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 is operating in a way that performs safety-related functions.

[0034] Furthermore, if the hot water storage unit 30 is in the process of heating the bathwater, the software update will be performed after the bathwater heating operation has finished. During this time, the interface 50 will not restrict the acceptance of operations. Since bathwater heating operations often finish in a short time, performing the software update after the bathwater heating operation has finished is desirable from the standpoint of saving the user time and effort.

[0035] If the fuel cell unit 10 is stopped, the hot water storage unit 30 is not heating the bath, and there is no power outage, in step S8, the software update unit 25 determines whether the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 are stopped. In other words, the software update unit 25 determines whether a software update is possible.

[0036] If the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 are stopped, the software update is performed in step S9.

[0037] If at least one of the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 is not stopped, in step S10, the software update unit 25 instructs the control unit 24 to restrict the acceptance of operations to continue operation and operations to start new operation. Operations to continue operation mean operations to continue operation of the fuel cell unit 10 and / or the hot water storage unit 30. Operations to start new operation mean operations to start operation of the unit that is stopped among the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30. Restricting the acceptance of operations specifically means not accepting operations. By restricting the acceptance of operations to continue operation of the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 and operations to start new operation, it is possible to avoid the software update being unable to be performed for a long time.

[0038] In step S11, the software update unit 25 instructs the interface 50 via the second communication unit 22 to restrict the acceptance of operations and displays a dialog box. After receiving the instruction to start restricting the acceptance of operations, the communication unit 53 of the interface 50 transmits the instruction to start restricting the acceptance of operations to the switch 51 and the screen 52. After receiving the instruction to start restricting the acceptance of operations, the switch 51 restricts the acceptance of operations that continue and start operation. The screen 52 displays a dialog box indicating that the acceptance of operations is restricted.

[0039] Figure 5 shows an example of a dialog box displayed on screen 52 of interface 50. As shown in Figure 5, when restricting the acceptance of operations to continue and start operation, the user may be prompted to perform an operation to update the software. In addition to indicating that the acceptance of operations is restricted, interface 50 may also display an icon 52a (confirm button) on screen 52 to prompt the user to update the software.

[0040] As shown in Figure 5, according to this embodiment, the interface 50 includes a reception unit that restricts the acceptance of operations while providing an opportunity to perform a software update via external operation. Icon 52a is an example of a reception unit. With this configuration, a software update can be performed with the consent that the fuel cell unit 10 and / or the hot water storage unit 30 will be stopped. During the restriction of operation acceptance, switch operations other than those of icon 52a are invalid. This makes it possible to quickly perform a software update via user operation.

[0041] Figure 6 shows an example of how screen 52 is displayed during a software update. Screen 52 displays that the software is being updated.

[0042] Following the processing in steps S10 and S11, the screen 52 of the interface 50 displays that operation acceptance is restricted. Specifically, it displays the dialog shown in Figure 5. With this configuration, the user can be aware that operations are restricted in order to avoid delays in performing software updates.

[0043] Next, in step S12, it is determined whether or not the user has issued an instruction to update the software. In other words, it is determined whether or not the icon 52a shown in Figure 5 has been operated.

[0044] If the user requests a software update, the software is updated in step S13. Specifically, the update software is read from memory 11 and written to memory 26, and the control unit 14 is restarted.

[0045] If there is no user action to instruct a software update, the software is updated in step S14 after the maximum waiting time has elapsed. The maximum waiting time is not particularly limited and is, for example, 168 hours (7 days). The maximum waiting time may be longer than, for example, the threshold time described earlier.

[0046] After the control device 14 is restarted, the operation restrictions and display of the interface 50 are released. That is, after the software update by the software update unit 25 is completed, the interface 50 releases the restrictions on accepting operations. With this configuration, the same functionality can be provided to the user after the software update as it was before the restrictions on accepting operations were imposed.

[0047] Figure 7 is a time chart showing an example of the relationship between the operating status of the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 and the progress of the software update. At time T0, the download of the update software is completed. If at least one of the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 is operating at time T0, a software update waiting state occurs. Specifically, a software update waiting state occurs if at least one update impossible condition selected from the following is met: the fuel cell unit 10 is operating, the hot water storage unit 30 is operating, and there is a power outage.

[0048] After a software update waiting state occurs, if a threshold time TH (144 hours) has elapsed, the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 enter a stop waiting state. When the fuel cell unit 10 stops at time T1, a dialog box restricting operation acceptance is displayed on screen 52 of the interface 50. At time T2, when the user inputs an instruction to perform a software update, that is, when the icon 52a shown in Figure 5 is tapped, the software update is performed. At time T3, once the software update is complete, the restriction on operation acceptance is lifted.

[0049] Figures 8A to 8C are time charts showing the relationship between the operating status of the fuel cell unit 10 and the hot water storage unit 30 and the timing of the dialog box display.

[0050] In the example shown in Figure 8A, the download of the update software is completed at time T0. The fuel cell unit 10 stops before the threshold time TH has elapsed. However, a cooling stop period of a predetermined time (2 hours in the example shown in the figure) is required. Before the threshold time TH has elapsed, the hot water storage unit 30 starts heating operation. When the threshold time TH has elapsed, the interface 50 displays a dialog box.

[0051] In the example shown in Figure 8B, the hot water storage unit 30 is in the process of supplying hot water to the hot water tap 41 or the bath 42 when the threshold time TH has elapsed. In this case, after the bath heating operation is completed, the interface 50 displays a dialog box.

[0052] In the example shown in Figure 8C, the fuel cell system 100 is in a power outage state. In this case, the dialog box is not displayed even after the threshold time TH has elapsed. When the power outage state is resolved at time T, the interface 50 displays the dialog box.

[0053] (modified version) Interface 50 may include a restriction release unit that releases the restriction on accepting operations during a period when operation acceptance is restricted. The restriction release unit may be included in switch 51. For example, when an operation to release operation acceptance is performed on switch 51, a restriction release request indicating that an operation to release operation acceptance has been performed is sent to the second communication unit 22 of fuel cell unit 10 via communication unit 53. The second communication unit 22 of fuel cell unit 10 sends the restriction release request to software update unit 25. After receiving the restriction release request, software update unit 25 instructs control unit 24 to release the restriction on accepting operations to continue and start operation. Control unit 24 releases the restriction on continuing and starting operation.

[0054] After the control unit 24 releases the restrictions on continuing and starting operation, the software update unit 25 transmits restriction release information to the communication unit 53 of the interface 50 via the second communication unit 22, indicating that the restrictions on accepting operations have been released. After receiving the restriction release information, the communication unit 53 of the interface 50 transmits the restriction release information to the switch 51 and the screen 52. In response to receiving the restriction release information, the switch 51 releases the restrictions on continuing and starting operation. The screen 52 clears the dialog box (Figure 5) that cancels operation acceptance. This configuration improves user convenience. The user can start a new operation after recognizing that a software update is necessary.

[0055] The technology disclosed herein can also be applied to updating the software that controls the hot water storage unit 30.

[0056] [1-3. Addendum] Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0057] (Technology 1) Multiple electrical facilities, including the first electrical facility and the second electrical facility, An interface that receives instructions for the aforementioned multiple electrical equipment and displays the operating status of the aforementioned multiple electrical equipment, Equipped with, At least one selected from the first electrical equipment and the second electrical equipment is a fuel cell unit, The first electrical equipment includes a storage unit that stores software for controlling the first electrical equipment, and a software update unit that updates the software while the first electrical equipment is stopped. If the software update unit in the first electrical equipment is unable to update the software because the first electrical equipment continues to operate for a threshold time or longer, the interface restricts the acceptance of operations to continue the operation of at least one electrical equipment selected from the plurality of electrical equipment, and / or the acceptance of operations to start the operation of an electrical equipment that is currently stopped among the plurality of electrical equipment. Fuel cell system.

[0058] According to this disclosure, it is possible to address the issue of being unable to perform necessary software updates for fuel cell systems for extended periods.

[0059] (Technology 2) The fuel cell system according to Technology 1, wherein the first electrical equipment is a fuel cell unit.

[0060] (Technology 3) The fuel cell system according to Technology 2, wherein the second electrical equipment is a hot water storage unit.

[0061] (Technology 4) A fuel cell system according to any one of the technologies 1 to 3, wherein the interface does not restrict the acceptance of the operation when at least one of the aforementioned electrical equipment is operating in a safety-related function. Such a configuration allows for prioritizing safety functions while addressing the inability to perform software updates for extended periods.

[0062] (Technology 5) The fuel cell system according to Technology 3, wherein the interface does not restrict the acceptance of the operation when the hot water storage unit is heating the bath. Since bath heating operation is often completed in a short time, it is desirable to perform the software update after the bath heating operation is completed to reduce the burden on the user.

[0063] (Technology 6) The fuel cell system according to any one of the technologies 1 to 5, wherein the interface indicates that the acceptance of the operation is restricted. With such a configuration, the user can know that the operation is restricted in order to avoid being unable to perform a software update for an extended period of time.

[0064] (Technology 7) The fuel cell system according to any one of the technologies 1 to 6, wherein the interface includes a restriction release unit that releases the restriction on accepting the operation during a period in which the acceptance of the operation is restricted. Such a configuration improves user convenience. The user can start a new operation after being aware that a software update is required.

[0065] (Technology 8) A fuel cell system according to any one of the technologies 1 to 7, wherein after the software update by the software update unit has completed, the interface releases the restriction on accepting the operation. With such a configuration, the same functionality as before the restriction on accepting the operation can be provided to the user after the software update.

[0066] (Technology 9) The fuel cell system according to any one of the technologies 1 to 8, wherein the interface includes a reception unit that provides an opportunity to perform the software update by an external operation, while restricting the acceptance of the operation. With such a configuration, the software update can be performed with the consent that the fuel cell unit and / or hot water storage unit will be shut down.

[0067] (Technology 10) Operating a plurality of electrical facilities, including a first electrical facility and a second electrical facility, wherein at least one selected from the first electrical facility and the second electrical facility is a fuel cell unit, The system receives instructions for the aforementioned multiple electrical equipment and displays the operating status of the aforementioned multiple electrical equipment. Updating the software that controls the first electrical equipment while the first electrical equipment is shut down, If the software cannot be updated in the first electrical equipment because the first electrical equipment continues to operate for a threshold time or longer, the acceptance of an operation to continue the operation of at least one of the multiple electrical equipment, and / or the acceptance of an operation to start the operation of the electrical equipment that is stopped among the multiple electrical equipment, A method for operating a fuel cell system, including the operation of the fuel cell system. [Industrial applicability]

[0068] The technology disclosed herein is useful for fuel cell systems. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 10 Fuel Cell Units 11 memory 12 Fuel cell stacks 13 Auxiliary equipment 14 Control device 21. First Communications Department 22. Second Communications Department 23 Third Communications Department 24 Control Unit 25 Software Update Section 26 memory 30 Hot water storage units 31 Control device 32 Communications Department 33 Control Unit 34 Hot water storage tank 35 Heat source machine 41 Hot water tap 42 bath 43 Heating equipment 50 interfaces 51 switches 52 screens 52a Icon 53 Communications Department 100 Fuel Cell Systems 200 servers

Claims

1. Multiple electrical facilities, including the first electrical facility and the second electrical facility, An interface that receives instructions for the aforementioned multiple electrical equipment and displays the operating status of the aforementioned multiple electrical equipment, Equipped with, At least one selected from the first electrical equipment and the second electrical equipment is a fuel cell unit, The first electrical equipment includes a storage unit that stores software for controlling the first electrical equipment, and a software update unit that updates the software while the first electrical equipment is stopped. If the software update unit in the first electrical equipment is unable to update the software because the first electrical equipment continues to operate for a threshold time or longer, the interface restricts the acceptance of operations to continue the operation of at least one electrical equipment selected from the plurality of electrical equipment, and / or the acceptance of operations to start the operation of an electrical equipment that is currently stopped among the plurality of electrical equipment. Fuel cell system.

2. The first electrical equipment is a fuel cell unit. The fuel cell system according to claim 1.

3. The second electrical equipment is a hot water storage unit. The fuel cell system according to claim 2.

4. If at least one of the aforementioned multiple electrical devices is operating in a safety-related function, the interface does not restrict the acceptance of the operation. The fuel cell system according to claim 1.

5. When the hot water storage unit is heating the bath, the interface does not restrict the acceptance of the operation. The fuel cell system according to claim 3.

6. The interface indicates that it is currently restricting the acceptance of the operation. The fuel cell system according to claim 1.

7. The interface includes a restriction release unit that releases the restriction on accepting the operation during a period in which the acceptance of the operation is restricted. The fuel cell system according to claim 1.

8. After the software update by the software update unit is completed, the interface releases the restriction on accepting the operation. The fuel cell system according to claim 1.

9. The interface includes a reception unit that restricts the acceptance of the operation while providing an opportunity to perform the software update through an external operation. The fuel cell system according to claim 1.

10. Operating a plurality of electrical facilities, including a first electrical facility and a second electrical facility, wherein at least one selected from the first electrical facility and the second electrical facility is a fuel cell unit, The system receives instructions for the aforementioned multiple electrical equipment and displays the operating status of the aforementioned multiple electrical equipment. Updating the software that controls the first electrical equipment while the first electrical equipment is shut down, If the software cannot be updated in the first electrical equipment because the first electrical equipment continues to operate for a threshold time or longer, the acceptance of an operation to continue the operation of at least one of the multiple electrical equipment, and / or the acceptance of an operation to start the operation of the electrical equipment that is stopped among the multiple electrical equipment, A method for operating a fuel cell system, including the operation of the fuel cell system.

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