Power supply system

Abstract

The power supply system (100) of this disclosure comprises a photovoltaic power generation facility (10) having at least one photovoltaic power generation panel (11), a fuel cell facility (20), and a battery storage facility (30). At least one photovoltaic power generation panel (11) is positioned above the fuel cell facility (20) and the battery storage facility (30). For example, in a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, at least a portion of the fuel cell facility (20) and at least a portion of the battery storage facility (30) overlap with at least one photovoltaic power generation panel (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a power supply system in which a photovoltaic power generation device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery are coordinated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a technology suitable for suppressing a decrease in power generation efficiency of a power supply system including a photovoltaic power generation device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The power supply system in the present disclosure includes a photovoltaic power generation facility having at least one photovoltaic panel, a fuel cell facility, a storage battery facility, and is provided with the at least one photovoltaic panel being disposed above the fuel cell facility and the storage battery facility.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] The technology according to the present disclosure is suitable for suppressing a decrease in power generation efficiency of a power supply system including a photovoltaic power generation device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1A] Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a power supply system in an embodiment. [Figure 1B] Figure 1B is a plan view of the power supply system shown in Figure 1A. [Figure 2A] Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the power supply system in the embodiment. [Figure 2B] Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the power supply system in the embodiment. [Figure 3A] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a fuel cell system equipped with a heater. [Figure 3B] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a fuel cell system equipped with an outlet. [Figure 4A] Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view showing yet another example of the power supply system in the embodiment. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view showing yet another example of the power supply system in the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the power supply system in the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) A system is known that supplies power by coordinating a solar power generation device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery (for example, Patent Document 1). In such a power supply system, if the temperature of the fuel cell becomes too high or too low, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell tends to decrease. If the temperature of the storage battery becomes too high or too low, the charging capacity of the storage battery tends to decrease. The decrease in the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell and the decrease in the charging capacity of the storage battery lead to a decrease in the overall power generation efficiency of the system. In Patent Document 1, the effect of rising fuel cell temperature on power generation efficiency and the effect of rising battery temperature on charging capacity in a power supply system coordinating a solar power generation device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery have not been considered at all, so there is a possibility that the overall power generation efficiency of the system will decrease.

[0009] Therefore, the inventors investigated technologies suitable for suppressing the decrease in power generation efficiency of a power supply system equipped with a solar power generation device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery.

[0010] 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. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art.

[0011] The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable the parties to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] (Embodiment) The embodiments will be described below with reference to Figures 1A to 5.

[0013] [1-1. Structure] An example of the power supply system in this embodiment is shown in Figures 1A and 1B. Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along the IA-IA line in Figure 1B. Figure 1B is a plan view of Figure 1A. The power supply system 100 shown in Figures 1A and 1B includes a solar power generation facility 10 including solar power generation panels 11, a fuel cell facility 20, and a battery storage facility 30. In the power supply system 100, the solar power generation panels 11 are positioned above the fuel cell facility 20 and the battery storage facility 30.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1A, sunlight Rs is incident on the surface 11a of the photovoltaic panel 11 at an incident angle θRs. The incident angle θRs varies depending on time and / or season. According to the power supply system 100, since the photovoltaic panel 11 is disposed above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30, at least a part of the sunlight Rs heading toward the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be blocked by the photovoltaic panel 11. Thereby, the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be reduced. Therefore, for example, during a period when the amount of solar radiation, such as in summer, particularly increases, it is possible to suppress the temperature of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 from becoming too high. Accordingly, a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the power supply system 100 can be suppressed.

[0015] Also, when the temperature of the fuel cell becomes too low, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell tends to decrease. When the temperature of the storage battery becomes too low, the charging capacity of the storage battery tends to decrease. In addition, in the fuel cell, since cooling water is flowing to control the temperature of the fuel cell stack, for example, during a period when the outside air temperature is 0 degrees Celsius or lower, such as in winter, there is also a risk that the piping of the cooling water will freeze and be damaged. According to the power supply system 100, since the photovoltaic panel 11 is disposed above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30, the amount of snow accumulation on the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be reduced. Therefore, for example, during a period accompanied by snowfall, such as in winter, it is possible to suppress the temperature of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 from becoming too low. In the fuel cell facility 20, freezing and damage of the cooling water piping are also suppressed. Accordingly, a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the power supply system 100 can be suppressed.

[0016] In a side view with reference to the horizontal plane HP, the installation surface IP may have a constant inclination angle θIP with respect to the horizontal plane. However, in this specification, the inclination angle θIP means the smallest angle between the horizontal plane HP and the installation surface IP. The inclination angle θIP may be in the range of 0° or more and 5° or less. As shown in FIG. 1A, the inclination angle θIP may be 0°.

[0017] In this specification, "the solar power generation panel 11 is positioned above the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30" specifically means that, in a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, at least a portion of the fuel cell equipment 20 and at least a portion of the battery storage equipment 30 overlap with the solar power generation panel 11. The same applies to other elements. For example, "the solar power generation panel 11 is positioned above a plurality of fuel cell units and a plurality of battery storage modules" specifically means that, in a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, at least a portion of the plurality of fuel cell units and at least a portion of the plurality of battery storage modules overlap with the solar power generation panel 11.

[0018] In a plan view with horizontal HP as the reference, at least a portion of the fuel cell equipment 20 and at least a portion of the battery storage equipment 30 may overlap with the solar power generation panels 11. With such a configuration, it is easy to obtain the effect of reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30. In addition, it is easy to obtain the effect of reducing the amount of snow accumulation on the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30.

[0019] In a plan view with horizontal HP as the reference, more than half of the area occupied by the fuel cell equipment 20 and more than half of the area occupied by the battery storage equipment 30 may overlap with the solar power generation panels 11. With such a configuration, it is easier to obtain an effect of reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30. In addition, it is easier to obtain an effect of reducing the amount of snow accumulation on the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30.

[0020] In a plan view based on the horizontal plane HP, at least two-thirds of the area occupied by the fuel cell equipment 20 and at least two-thirds of the area occupied by the battery storage equipment 30 may overlap with the solar power generation panels 11. With such a configuration, it is easier to obtain an effect that reduces the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30. In addition, it is easier to obtain an effect that reduces the amount of snow accumulation on the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1B, in a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the entire fuel cell equipment 20 and the entire battery storage equipment 30 may overlap with the photovoltaic panels 11. With this configuration, it is easier to obtain an even greater effect in reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30. In addition, the photovoltaic panels 11 make it easier to obtain an even greater effect in reducing the amount of snow accumulating on the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30.

[0022] The solar power generation panels 11 may be positioned to cover the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30.

[0023] As described later, the fuel cell equipment 20 includes a plurality of fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c. Each of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c includes a fuel cell stack 21, a DC-DC converter 22, and a DC-AC inverter 23. The fuel cell stack 21 generates electricity by being supplied with anode gas and cathode gas. The anode gas is hydrogen gas. The cathode gas is an oxygen-containing gas such as air. Examples of fuel cells include polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).

[0024] As will be described later, the battery storage system 30 includes a plurality of battery storage modules 31a, 31b, and 31c, a plurality of bidirectional DC-DC converters 32a, 32b, and 32c, and a DC-AC inverter 33.

[0025] In the power supply system 100, the solar power generation panel 11 may be positioned above the multiple fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c and the multiple battery storage modules 31a, 31b, and 31c.

[0026] In a plan view with respect to the horizontal HP, at least a portion of the multiple fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c and at least a portion of the multiple battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the solar power generation panel 11. In a plan view with respect to the horizontal HP, more than half of the area occupied by the multiple fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c and more than half of the area occupied by the multiple battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the solar power generation panel 11. In a plan view with respect to the horizontal HP, more than two-thirds of the area occupied by the multiple fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c and more than two-thirds of the area occupied by the multiple battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the solar power generation panel 11. In a planar view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, all of the multiple fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c and all of the multiple battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the solar power generation panel 11.

[0027] In the power supply system 100, the solar power generation panels 11 may be positioned above the multiple fuel cell stacks 21 and the multiple battery storage modules 31a, 31b, and 31c.

[0028] In a plan view based on a horizontal HP, at least a portion of the multiple fuel cell stacks 21 and at least a portion of the multiple battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the solar power generation panel 11. In a plan view based on a horizontal HP, more than half of the area occupied by the multiple fuel cell stacks 21 and more than half of the area occupied by the multiple battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the solar power generation panel 11. In a plan view based on a horizontal HP, more than two-thirds of the area occupied by the multiple fuel cell stacks 21 and more than two-thirds of the area occupied by the multiple battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the solar power generation panel 11. In a plan view based on a horizontal HP, all of the multiple fuel cell stacks 21 and all of the multiple battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the solar power generation panel 11.

[0029] In a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 may be positioned offset from each other in the left-right direction. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous when the surface area 11a of the photovoltaic panel 11 is large. In this specification, "the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 are positioned offset from each other in the left-right direction" means that the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 are arranged along a direction parallel to the installation surface IP. For example, even if the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 are each placed on an installation base, the condition "they are positioned offset from each other in the left-right direction" is satisfied as long as the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 are arranged along a direction parallel to the installation surface IP.

[0030] In a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 may each be positioned so as to face the installation surface IP. In other words, the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 may each be facing the installation surface IP.

[0031] Figures 2A and 2B show cross-sectional views illustrating another example of the power supply system in this embodiment. In the power supply system 101A shown in Figure 2A and the power supply system 101B shown in Figure 2B, the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 are positioned offset from each other in the vertical direction. Otherwise, the power supply system 101A shown in Figure 2A and the power supply system 101B shown in Figure 2B have the same structure as the power supply system 100 shown in Figure 1A. In Figures 2A and 2B, the same reference numerals are used for elements that are the same as those in the power supply system 100, and their explanations are omitted.

[0032] In a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 may be positioned offset from each other in the vertical direction. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous when the height H10 of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10 is large. It also reduces the installation area required for the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30. In this specification, "the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 are positioned offset from each other in the vertical direction" means that the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the installation surface IP. For example, even if each of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 is housed in a casing, as long as the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the installation surface IP, the condition "they are positioned offset from each other in the vertical direction" is satisfied. In this specification, the height H10 of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10 is the maximum distance from the installation surface IP to the surface 11a of the photovoltaic power generation panel 11.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2A, in a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the battery storage equipment 30 may be stacked on top of the fuel cell equipment 20. In this case, the fuel cell equipment 20 may be housed in the enclosure 91 so that it does not come into direct contact with the battery storage equipment 30.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2B, in a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the fuel cell equipment 20 may be stacked on top of the battery equipment 30. In this case, the battery equipment 30 may be housed in the enclosure 92 so that it does not come into direct contact with the fuel cell equipment 20.

[0035] In the power supply system 100 of this embodiment, the fuel cell equipment 20 may have at least one selected from the group consisting of a heater 210 and an outlet 220 for discharging heat generated by power generation.

[0036] As described above, in a system that supplies power by coordinating a solar power generation device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery, if the temperature of the fuel cell becomes too low, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell tends to decrease. The same tendency applies to the storage battery. With the power supply system 100 having the above configuration, even during periods when the outside temperature drops particularly low, such as in winter, the storage battery equipment 30 can be heated by the heat from the heater 210 of the fuel cell equipment 20 and / or the heat emitted from the exhaust port 220 of the fuel cell equipment 20. In addition, snow or ice accumulated on the fuel cell equipment 20 and the storage battery equipment 30 can be melted. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the temperature of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the storage battery equipment 30 from becoming too low, and thereby suppress the decrease in the power generation efficiency of the power supply system 100.

[0037] If the fuel cell equipment 20 has at least one selected from the group consisting of a heater 210 and an outlet 220 for discharging heat generated by power generation, it is desirable that the distance D1 between the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 be 1 m or less. When the distance D1 is 1 m or less, the battery storage equipment 30 is easily heated by the heat from the heater 210 of the fuel cell equipment 20 and / or the heat discharged from the outlet 220 of the fuel cell equipment 20. In this specification, the distance D1 between the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 is the shortest distance from the fuel cell equipment 20 to the battery storage equipment 30.

[0038] The lower limit of the distance D1 is not particularly limited. However, considering the rise in ambient temperature during the summer, it is desirable that the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 are not in direct contact. From this perspective, the distance D1 may be 0.5m or more.

[0039] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the fuel cell equipment 20 is equipped with a heater 210. Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the fuel cell equipment 20 is equipped with an outlet 220 for discharging heat generated by power generation.

[0040] In the power supply system 102A shown in Figure 3A, the fuel cell equipment 20 includes a heater 210. With this configuration, in addition to the fuel cell equipment 20 itself being heated by the heat of the heater 210, the battery storage equipment 30 can also be heated by the heat of the heater 210 of the fuel cell equipment 20.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 3A, the heater 210 is located on the side of the fuel cell equipment 20. However, the location of the heater 210 is not particularly limited. For example, the heater 210 may be located on the bottom surface of the fuel cell equipment 20, or on the top surface of the fuel cell equipment 20. For example, as shown in Figure 2A, when a battery storage system 30 is stacked on top of the fuel cell equipment 20, if the heater 210 is located on the top surface of the fuel cell equipment 20, the heat from the heater 210 of the fuel cell equipment 20 is more easily transferred to the battery storage system 30. As shown in Figure 2B, when the fuel cell equipment 20 is stacked on top of the battery storage system 30, if the heater 210 is located on the bottom surface of the fuel cell equipment 20, the heat from the heater 210 of the fuel cell equipment 20 is more easily transferred to the battery storage system 30.

[0042] Heater 210 is typically an electric heater.

[0043] In the power supply system 102B shown in Figure 3B, the fuel cell equipment 20 includes an outlet 220 for discharging heat generated by power generation. With this configuration, in addition to the fuel cell equipment 20 itself being heated by the heat generated by power generation, the battery storage equipment 30 can be heated by the heat discharged from the outlet 220 of the fuel cell equipment 20.

[0044] In this specification, the heat generated by the power generation of the fuel cell equipment 20 may be a high-temperature gas generated by the power generation of the fuel cell equipment 20. The high-temperature gas may be, for example, anode-off gas discharged from multiple fuel cell stacks 21 in the fuel cell equipment 20, or cathode-off gas. The high-temperature gas may also be exhaust gas generated when heating the solid electrolyte of the SOFC.

[0045] In the example shown in Figure 3B, the outlet 220 is located on the side of the fuel cell equipment 20. However, the location of the outlet 220 is not particularly limited. For example, the outlet 220 may be located on the bottom surface of the fuel cell equipment 20, or on the top surface of the fuel cell equipment 20. For example, as shown in Figure 2A, when a battery storage system 30 is stacked on top of the fuel cell equipment 20, if the outlet 220 is located on the top surface of the fuel cell equipment 20, the heat emitted from the outlet 220 of the fuel cell equipment 20 is more easily transferred to the battery storage system 30. As shown in Figure 2B, when the fuel cell equipment 20 is stacked on top of the battery storage system 30, if the outlet 220 is located on the bottom surface of the fuel cell equipment 20, the heat emitted from the outlet 220 of the fuel cell equipment 20 is more easily transferred to the battery storage system 30.

[0046] As shown in Figure 1A, the photovoltaic power generation system 10 may further include an angle changing unit 10a that changes the inclination angle θ11 of the surface 11a of the photovoltaic power generation panel 11 with respect to the horizontal plane HP. With such a configuration, the inclination angle θ11 of the photovoltaic power generation panel 11 can be changed according to the incident angle θRs of sunlight Rs which changes with time and / or season. As a result, the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic power generation system 10 can be improved. In addition, the photovoltaic power generation panel 11 can reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell system 20 and the battery storage system 30 regardless of time and / or season.

[0047] When the tilt angle θ11 of the solar power generation panel 11 is changed, it is sufficient that the solar power generation panel 11 covers the top of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 in at least one orientation. If the solar power generation panel 11 covers the top of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 in at least one orientation, it is easy to obtain the effect of reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30. In addition, it is easy to obtain the effect of reducing the amount of snow accumulation on the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30.

[0048] The tilt angle θ11 of the photovoltaic panel 11 may be controlled by the angle changing unit 10a so that the incident angle θRs of sunlight Rs is in the range of 60° to 120°. When the incident angle θRs of sunlight Rs is in the range of 60° to 120°, the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10 may be improved. The tilt angle θ11 of the photovoltaic panel 11 may be controlled by the angle changing unit 10a so that the incident angle θRs of sunlight Rs is in the range of 75° to 105°. When the incident angle θRs of sunlight Rs is in the range of 75° to 105°, the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10 may be further improved. When the incident angle θRs of sunlight Rs is in the range of 85° to 95°, the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10 may be further improved. The incident angle θRs of sunlight Rs is most preferably 90°.

[0049] The tilt angle θ11 of the solar power generation panel 11 can be appropriately set according to the direction in which the solar power generation panel 11 is installed, the angle of incidence of sunlight Rs θRs, etc. The tilt angle θ11 can be in the range of greater than 0° and less than 90°. The tilt angle θ11 may also be in the range of 5° to 60°, or in the range of 10° to 45°. For example, if the direction in which the solar power generation panel 11 is installed is due south, the power generation efficiency may be highest when the tilt angle θ11 is 30°.

[0050] The configuration of the angle adjustment unit 10a is not particularly limited, as long as the tilt angle θ11 of the solar power generation panel 11 can be changed. The angle adjustment unit 10a may include, for example, an upper end member attached to the upper end of a support column 10b extending vertically from the installation surface IP, and a lower end member attached to the lower part of the solar power generation panel 11 and connected to the upper end member. The angle adjustment unit 10a may be configured to allow adjustment of the tilt angle θ11 of the solar power generation panel 11 by relatively rotating the lower end member with respect to the upper end member.

[0051] The tilt angle θ11 controlled by the angle changing unit 10a may be performed manually or automatically. The tilt angle θ11 controlled by the angle changing unit 10a may also be automatically controlled by a control device (not shown). The control device receives information regarding the incident angle θRs of sunlight Rs from various servers 53, which will be described later, and controls the operation of the angle changing unit 10a. The control device is, for example, a computer equipped with a storage device that stores the program necessary for the operation of the angle changing unit 10a, and a processor that reads and executes the program from the storage device.

[0052] Figures 1A to 3B show an example in which the solar power generation equipment 10 has one solar power generation panel 11 for ease of understanding. However, in the power supply system of this embodiment, the solar power generation equipment 10 only needs to have at least one solar power generation panel 11. The at least one solar power generation panel 11 includes a first solar power generation panel 111, and the first solar power generation panel 111 may be positioned above the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30.

[0053] At least one solar power generation panel 11 includes a first solar power generation panel 111 and a second solar power generation panel 112, wherein the first solar power generation panel 111 may be positioned above the fuel cell equipment 20 and the second solar power generation panel 112 may be positioned above the battery storage equipment 30.

[0054] Furthermore, Figures 1A to 3B show an example in which the power supply system comprises one solar power generation facility 10, one fuel cell facility 20, and one battery storage facility 30, for ease of understanding. However, the power supply system of this embodiment may comprise multiple solar power generation facilities 10, multiple fuel cell facilities 20, and multiple battery storage facilities 30.

[0055] Let us define the fuel cell equipment 20 as the first fuel cell equipment 201 and the battery storage equipment 30 as the first battery storage equipment 301. In this embodiment, the power supply system further comprises a second fuel cell equipment 202 and a second battery storage equipment 302, and the first solar power generation panel 111 may be positioned above the first fuel cell equipment 201 and the second fuel cell equipment 202, and the second solar power generation panel 112 may be positioned above the first battery storage equipment 301 and the second battery storage equipment 302.

[0056] Figure 4A shows a cross-sectional view illustrating yet another example of the power supply system in this embodiment. The power supply system 103A shown in Figure 4A comprises a photovoltaic power generation facility 10, a plurality of fuel cell facilities 20, and a plurality of battery storage facilities 30. The photovoltaic power generation facility 10 includes a plurality of first photovoltaic panels 111. Each of the plurality of first photovoltaic panels 111 is positioned above the fuel cell facilities 20 and the battery storage facilities 30. In Figure 4A, the same reference numerals are used for elements that are the same as those in the power supply system 100, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0057] The power supply system 103A can reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching the multiple fuel cell facilities 20 and the multiple battery storage facilities 30. Furthermore, the power supply system 103A can reduce the amount of snow accumulation on the multiple fuel cell facilities 20 and the multiple battery storage facilities 30.

[0058] Figure 4B shows a cross-sectional view illustrating yet another example of the power supply system in this embodiment. When the fuel cell equipment 20 is defined as the first fuel cell equipment 201 and the battery equipment 30 is defined as the first battery equipment 301, the power supply system 103B shown in Figure 4B comprises a photovoltaic power generation equipment 10, the first fuel cell equipment 201, the second fuel cell equipment 202, the first battery equipment 301, and the second battery equipment 302. The photovoltaic power generation equipment 10 includes a first photovoltaic panel 111 and a second photovoltaic panel 112. The first photovoltaic panel 111 is positioned above the first fuel cell equipment 201 and the second fuel cell equipment 202, and the second photovoltaic panel 112 is positioned above the first battery equipment 301 and the second battery equipment 302. In Figure 4B, the same reference numerals are used for elements that are the same as those in the power supply system 100, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0059] The power supply system 103B can reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching the first fuel cell facility 201, the second fuel cell facility 202, the first battery storage facility 301, and the second battery storage facility 302. Furthermore, the power supply system 103B can reduce the amount of snow accumulation on the first fuel cell facility 201, the second fuel cell facility 202, the first battery storage facility 301, and the second battery storage facility 302.

[0060] The configuration of the second fuel cell equipment 202 can be the same as the configuration of the fuel cell equipment 20 described above. The configuration of the second battery storage equipment 302 can be the same as the configuration of the battery storage equipment 30 described above.

[0061] In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, at least a portion of the first fuel cell equipment 201, at least a portion of the second fuel cell equipment 202, at least a portion of the first battery storage equipment 301, and at least a portion of the second battery storage equipment 302 may overlap with the first solar power generation panel 111 and the second solar power generation panel 112. At least a portion of the first fuel cell equipment 201 and at least a portion of the second fuel cell equipment 202 may overlap with the first solar power generation panel 111, and at least a portion of the first battery storage equipment 301 and at least a portion of the second battery storage equipment 302 may overlap with the second solar power generation panel 112.

[0062] Next, the functional configuration of the power supply system 100 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a functional configuration diagram of the power supply system 100.

[0063] The power supply system 100 is connected to the commercial power supply 2. The power supply system 100 supplies power to the power load 5. The power supply system 100 is connected to the EMS (Energy Management System) server 52 via the network 60.

[0064] The power supply system 100 is a distributed power supply system. The power supply system 100 includes a solar power generation facility 10, a fuel cell facility 20, a battery storage facility 30, a control device 50a, an electrical circuit 70, a distribution board 4, a current sensor 3a, and a current sensor 3b.

[0065] The solar power generation equipment 10 includes solar panels 11, a DC-DC converter 12, and a DC-AC inverter 13. In this embodiment, solar panels may be read as solar modules or solar power generation devices.

[0066] The DC power generated by the solar power generation panel 11 is converted to DC power of different voltages by the DC-DC converter 12. The converted DC power is then converted to AC power by the DC-AC inverter 13. The AC power is supplied to the circuit 70.

[0067] The fuel cell equipment 20 includes fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c. Each of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c is, for example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) system, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system, etc. In this embodiment, fuel cell units may be read as fuel cells.

[0068] Each of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c includes a fuel cell stack 21, a DC-DC converter 22, and a DC-AC inverter 23. The DC power generated by each of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c is converted to DC power of different voltages by the DC-DC converter 22. The converted DC power is then converted to AC power by the DC-AC inverter 23. The AC power is supplied to the circuit 70.

[0069] The battery storage system 30 includes a battery module 31a, a battery module 31b, a battery module 31c, a bidirectional DC-DC converter 32a, a bidirectional DC-DC converter 32b, a bidirectional DC-DC converter 32c, and a DC-AC inverter 33. Each of the battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c is, for example, a lithium-ion battery module, a nickel-metal hydride battery module, a lead-acid battery module, etc. In this embodiment, the term "battery module" may be read as "battery".

[0070] The discharge of battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c will now be described. The power discharged from battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c is converted into DC power of different voltages by bidirectional DC-DC converters 32a, 32b, and 32c. The converted DC power is converted into AC power by DC-AC inverter 33. The AC power is supplied to circuit 70.

[0071] The charging of battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c will now be described. The alternating current power supplied from the circuit 70 to the DC-AC inverter 33 is converted to direct current power. This direct current power is then converted to direct current power of different voltages by bidirectional DC-DC converters 32a, 32b, and 32c. The converted direct current power is used to charge the battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c.

[0072] Power can flow from circuit 70 to commercial power supply 2. Power can flow from commercial power supply 2 to circuit 70. Current sensor 3a detects the current flowing between circuit 70 and commercial power supply 2. By monitoring the current detected value of current sensor 3a, control device 50a can make the power flowing from commercial power supply 2 to power supply system 100 or from power supply system 100 to commercial power supply 2 follow a target power (e.g., 0W).

[0073] Power can flow from the circuit 70 to the power load 5 via the distribution board 4. The current sensor 3b detects the current flowing to the power load 5.

[0074] The battery storage system 30 includes a control device 50b. The solar power generation system 10 includes a control device 50c. Each of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c includes a control device 50d.

[0075] The control device 50a is connected to, for example, a network 60. The network 60 is a network that includes, for example, telecommunications lines such as the Internet. The network 60 may include public lines or dedicated lines. For example, in addition to the control device 50a, EMS servers 52 are connected to each other via the network 60 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0076] The EMS server 52 may be a cloud server or an on-premise server. The EMS server 52 transmits instructions regarding the operating mode of the power supply system 100 to the control device 50a. The control device 50a receives instructions regarding the operating mode from the EMS server 52 via the network 60. In this case, the control device 50a determines the control content for the operation of the solar power generation equipment 10, the fuel cell equipment 20, the battery storage equipment 30, and the reception of power from the commercial power source 2, according to the instructed operating mode. Based on the control content, the control device 50a transmits the necessary control signals for the operation of the solar power generation equipment 10, the fuel cell equipment 20, and the battery storage equipment 30 to the control devices 50c, 50d, and 50b, respectively.

[0077] The various servers 53 provide, for example, power outage information, disaster information, weather information, etc., to the EMS server 52 via the network 60. The various servers 53 may be operated, for example, by a power company and / or a weather company. [1-2. Operation] The operation and function of the power supply system in this embodiment, configured as described above, will be explained below with reference to Figures 1A to 5.

[0078] As shown in Figure 1A, in the power supply system 100, sunlight Rs is incident on the surface 11a of the photovoltaic power generation panel 11 of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 10 at an incident angle θRs. In the photovoltaic power generation panel 11, the light energy of sunlight Rs is converted into electrical energy, and DC power is generated. As shown in Figure 5, the DC power generated in the photovoltaic power generation panel 11 is converted into DC power of different voltages by the DC-DC converter 12, and the converted DC power is converted into AC power by the DC-AC inverter 13. The AC power is supplied to the circuit 70.

[0079] As shown in Figure 5, in the fuel cell equipment 20, anode gas and cathode gas are supplied to the fuel cell stack 21 in each of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c to generate DC power. The DC power generated in the fuel cell stack 21 is converted to DC power of different voltages by the DC-DC converter 22, and the converted DC power is converted to AC power by the DC-AC inverter 23. The AC power is supplied to the circuit 70.

[0080] As shown in Figure 5, in the battery storage system 30, the power discharged from each of the battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c is converted into DC power of different voltages by bidirectional DC-DC converters 32a, 32b, and 32c, and the converted DC power is converted into AC power by a DC-AC inverter 33. The AC power is supplied to the circuit 70. The AC power supplied from the circuit 70 to the DC-AC inverter 33 is converted into DC power, and the converted DC power is converted into DC power of different voltages by bidirectional DC-DC converters 32a, 32b, and 32c. The DC power is used to charge the battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c.

[0081] In the power supply system 100, the solar power generation panels 11 are positioned above the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30, making it difficult for sunlight Rs to reach the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30, and also making it difficult for snowfall to reach the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30.

[0082] In a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 may be positioned offset from each other in the left-right direction.

[0083] In a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 may be positioned offset from each other in the vertical direction.

[0084] In the power supply system 102A shown in Figure 3A, the fuel cell equipment 20 includes a heater 210. As a result, the fuel cell equipment 20 itself is heated by the heat of the heater 210, and the battery storage equipment 30 can also be heated by the heat of the heater 210 of the fuel cell equipment 20.

[0085] In the power supply system 102B shown in Figure 3B, the fuel cell equipment 20 includes an outlet 220 for discharging heat generated by power generation. As a result, in addition to the fuel cell equipment 20 itself being heated by the heat generated by power generation, the battery storage equipment 30 can also be heated by the heat discharged from the outlet 220 of the fuel cell equipment 20.

[0086] As shown in Figure 1A, the photovoltaic power generation system 10 may further include an angle changing unit 10a that changes the inclination angle θ11 of the surface 11a of the photovoltaic power generation panel 11 with respect to the horizontal plane HP. This allows the angle changing unit 10a to change the inclination angle θ11 of the photovoltaic power generation panel 11 in accordance with the incident angle θRs of sunlight Rs, which changes with time and / or season.

[0087] In the power supply system 103A shown in Figure 4A, each of the multiple first solar power generation panels 111 is positioned above the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30. This makes it difficult for sunlight Rs to reach the multiple fuel cell equipment 20 and the multiple battery storage equipment 30, and also makes it difficult for snowfall to reach the multiple fuel cell equipment 20 and the multiple battery storage equipment 30.

[0088] In the power supply system 103B shown in Figure 4B, the first solar power generation panel 111 is positioned above the first fuel cell equipment 201 and the second fuel cell equipment 202, and the second solar power generation panel 112 is positioned above the first battery storage equipment 301 and the second battery storage equipment 302. As a result, sunlight Rs is less likely to reach the first fuel cell equipment 201, the second fuel cell equipment 202, the first battery storage equipment 301, and the second battery storage equipment 302, and snowfall is less likely to reach the first fuel cell equipment 201, the second fuel cell equipment 202, the first battery storage equipment 301, and the second battery storage equipment 302.

[0089] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the power supply system comprises a solar power generation facility 10 having at least one solar power generation panel 11, a fuel cell facility 20, and a battery storage facility 30, wherein at least one solar power generation panel 11 is positioned above the fuel cell facility 20 and the battery storage facility 30.

[0090] As a result, at least one solar power generation panel 11 is positioned above the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30, thereby reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30. Therefore, for example, during periods when solar radiation is particularly high, such as in summer, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 from becoming too high. Also, for example, during periods with snowfall, such as in winter, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 from becoming too low. In the fuel cell equipment 20, freezing and damage to the cooling water piping are also prevented. Therefore, a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the power supply system can be suppressed.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, at least a portion of the fuel cell equipment 20 and at least a portion of the battery storage equipment 30 may overlap with at least one solar power generation panel 11.

[0092] This makes it easier to reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30. It also makes it easier to reduce the amount of snow accumulating on the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30.

[0093] In this embodiment, at least one solar power generation panel 11 includes a first solar power generation panel 111, and the first solar power generation panel 111 may be positioned above the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30.

[0094] This prevents the temperature of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 from becoming too high. Furthermore, it prevents the temperature of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 from becoming too low, for example, during periods of snowfall such as winter.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 may be positioned offset from each other in the left-right direction.

[0096] Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous when the surface area of ​​the solar power generation panel 11 is large.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 may be positioned offset from each other in the vertical direction.

[0098] This type of arrangement is particularly advantageous when the height H10 of the solar power generation equipment 10 is large.

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fuel cell equipment 20 may have at least one selected from the group consisting of a heater 210 and an outlet 220 for discharging heat generated by power generation.

[0100] As a result, even during periods of particularly low outside temperatures, such as winter, the heat from the heater 210 of the fuel cell equipment 20 and / or the heat emitted from the exhaust port 220 of the fuel cell equipment 20 can warm the battery equipment 30. Furthermore, snow or ice accumulated on the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery equipment 30 can be melted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery equipment 30 from becoming too low, thereby suppressing a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the power supply system.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the solar power generation equipment 10 may further include an angle changing unit 10a that changes the inclination angle θ11 of the surface 11a of at least one solar power generation panel 11 with respect to the horizontal plane HP.

[0102] This allows the tilt angle θ11 of at least one photovoltaic panel 11 to be changed according to the incident angle θRs of sunlight Rs, which changes with time and / or season. As a result, the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic equipment 10 can be improved. In addition, at least one photovoltaic panel 11 can reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30, regardless of time and / or season.

[0103] In this embodiment, at least one solar power generation panel 11 may include a first solar power generation panel 111 and a second solar power generation panel 112, with the first solar power generation panel 111 positioned above the fuel cell equipment 20 and the second solar power generation panel 112 positioned above the battery storage equipment 30.

[0104] This prevents the temperature of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 from becoming too high, for example, during periods when solar radiation is particularly high, such as in summer. It also prevents the temperature of the fuel cell equipment 20 and the battery storage equipment 30 from becoming too low, for example, during periods accompanied by snowfall, such as in winter.

[0105] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the fuel cell equipment 20 is defined as the first fuel cell equipment 201 and the battery storage equipment 30 is defined as the first battery storage equipment 301, the power supply system may further include the second fuel cell equipment 202 and the second battery storage equipment 302, with the first solar power generation panel 111 positioned above the first fuel cell equipment 201 and the second fuel cell equipment 202, and the second solar power generation panel 112 positioned above the first battery storage equipment 301 and the second battery storage equipment 302.

[0106] This prevents the temperatures of the first fuel cell equipment 201, the second fuel cell equipment 202, the first battery storage equipment 301, and the second battery storage equipment 302 from becoming too high, for example, during periods when solar radiation is particularly high, such as in summer. Also, it prevents the temperatures of the first fuel cell equipment 201, the second fuel cell equipment 202, the first battery storage equipment 301, and the second battery storage equipment 302 from becoming too low, for example, during periods accompanied by snowfall, such as in winter.

[0107] (Other embodiments) As described above, embodiments have been explained as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, omitted, etc. Furthermore, it is possible to create new embodiments by combining the components described in the above embodiments. [Industrial applicability]

[0108] The technology disclosed herein is applicable to systems that supply electricity by coordinating solar power generation equipment, fuel cells, and storage batteries. The technology disclosed herein is applicable, for example, to environmental protection initiatives such as RE100 (Renewable Energy 100%).

Claims

1. A solar power generation facility having at least one solar power generation panel, Fuel cell equipment, Battery storage equipment, Equipped with, The at least one solar power generation panel is positioned above the fuel cell equipment and the battery storage equipment. Power supply system.

2. In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane, at least a portion of the fuel cell equipment and at least a portion of the battery storage equipment overlap with at least one solar power generation panel. The power supply system according to claim 1.

3. The at least one solar power generation panel includes a first solar power generation panel, The first solar power generation panel is positioned above the fuel cell equipment and the battery storage equipment. The power supply system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The fuel cell equipment and the battery storage equipment are positioned offset from each other in the left-right direction. The power supply system according to claim 3.

5. The fuel cell equipment and the battery storage equipment are positioned offset from each other in the vertical direction. The power supply system according to claim 3.

6. The fuel cell equipment has at least one selected from the group consisting of a heater and an outlet for discharging heat generated by power generation. The power supply system according to claim 3.

7. The aforementioned solar power generation equipment further includes an angle changing unit that changes the inclination angle of the surface of at least one solar power generation panel with respect to the horizontal plane. A power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The at least one solar power generation panel includes a first solar power generation panel and a second solar power generation panel, The first solar power generation panel is positioned above the fuel cell equipment, The second solar power generation panel is positioned above the battery storage equipment. A power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. When the fuel cell equipment is defined as the first fuel cell equipment, and the battery equipment is defined as the first battery equipment, The power supply system further comprises a second fuel cell facility and a second battery storage facility. The first solar power generation panel is positioned above the first fuel cell equipment and the second fuel cell equipment. The second solar power generation panel is positioned above the first battery storage facility and the second battery storage facility. The power supply system according to claim 8.

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