Supply Management System

Abstract

To provide a supply management system that can efficiently generate hydrogen.SOLUTION: A supply management system includes: a calculation unit that calculates, on the basis of weather forecast information obtained from an outside, a power generation index that indicates degree of weather in which power can be generated with respect to weather for a specific future period; and a control unit that predicts, on the basis of information including past performance data indicating an amount of hydrogen filled in a fuel cell device in the past, a future residual quantity of hydrogen in a storage tank after the fuel cell device is filled during the specific period, and controls, on the basis of the power generation index and the future residual quantity, driving of a hydrogen generation device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a supply management system. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a supply management system that generates hydrogen in a water electrolysis device using electricity generated by renewable energy such as solar power generation, and supplies the generated hydrogen to a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell (for example, Patent Document 1). This supply management system stores the hydrogen (hydrogen gas) generated by the operation of the water electrolysis device in a storage device, and fills the vehicle with the hydrogen stored in the storage device as needed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-34089 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 does not describe a specific method for driving the water electrolysis device, and the current situation is that the hydrogen generation device is started by human judgment. Therefore, it cannot be said that renewable energy is being effectively utilized, and there is a demand for efficient hydrogen generation in a supply management system.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a supply management system capable of generating hydrogen efficiently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) One aspect of the present invention is a supply management system comprising a hydrogen generation device that generates hydrogen using power generated by renewable energy, a hydrogen supply device that stores the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device in a storage tank and fills a fuel cell device with the stored hydrogen, and a control device that controls the operation of the hydrogen generation device, wherein the control device comprises: a calculation unit that calculates a power generation index that indicates the degree of weather suitability for generating the power for a specific future period based on weather forecast information obtained from outside; a prediction unit that predicts a future tank remaining amount, which is the amount of hydrogen remaining in the storage tank after filling the fuel cell device during the specific period, based on information including past performance data that indicates the amount of hydrogen filled into the fuel cell device in the past; and a control unit that controls the operation of the hydrogen generation device based on the power generation index and the future tank remaining amount.

[0007] (2) In the supply management system described above in (1), the power generation index may be a percentage of sunny days relative to the weather during the specific period or an index calculated from the percentage of sunny days.

[0008] (3) In the supply management system of (1) or (2) above, the prediction unit may predict a predicted filling amount, which is the amount of hydrogen to be filled from the hydrogen generation device to the fuel cell device during the specific period, based on the past performance data, and may predict the future tank remaining amount using information including the predicted predicted filling amount and the current amount of hydrogen remaining in the storage tank.

[0009] (4) In any of the supply management systems described in (1) to (3) above, the specific period may be a period within operating hours of a day, and the calculation unit may calculate the power generation index for each day from the current day to at least one day later.

[0010] (5) In the supply management system of (4) above, the control unit may determine whether or not to operate the hydrogen generation device based on the power generation index for multiple days and the future tank remaining capacity, and if it is determined that the hydrogen generation device should be operated, the hydrogen may be generated by starting up the hydrogen generation device.

[0011] (6) In any of the supply management systems described in (1) to (5) above, the control unit may drive the hydrogen generation device regardless of the power generation index when the current amount of hydrogen remaining in the storage tank falls below a threshold value, and the threshold value may indicate the minimum amount of hydrogen remaining that can be used to fill the hydrogen from the hydrogen supply device to the fuel cell device. Effect of the Invention

[0012] As described above, according to the present invention, hydrogen can be efficiently generated in a supply management system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a supply management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a functional unit of the control device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of predicted operation setting information according to the embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for calculating a power generation index according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a power generation index according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the operation of a prediction unit and a processing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the operation of a determination unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The supply management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a supply management system 1 according to this embodiment. The supply management system 1 includes a power generation device 10, a storage battery 20, a water electrolysis device 30, a hydrogen supply device 40, one or more fuel cell vehicles 50, and a control device 60. The water electrolysis device 30 is an example of a "hydrogen generation device." The supply management system 1 need only fill the fuel cell vehicle 50 with hydrogen, and may be configured without including the fuel cell vehicle 50. In other words, the fuel cell vehicle 50 is not an essential component of the supply management system 1. The fuel cell vehicle 50 is an example of a "fuel cell device," which is a device that uses hydrogen as fuel.

[0016] The power generation device 10 is a power source that generates power using renewable energy. The power generation device 10 is, for example, a solar power generation device or a wind power generation device. As an example of the present embodiment, when the power generation device 10 uses solar power generation, the power generation device 10 may include a solar panel and a PCS (power conditioning subsystem). The power generated by the power generation device 10 (hereinafter referred to as "generated power") is stored in the storage battery 20 or supplied to the water electrolysis device 30. Information on the amount of power generated by the power generation device 10 (hereinafter referred to as "power generation amount") may be sequentially transmitted to the control device 60 via the communication network NW.

[0017] The communication network NW may be a wireless communication transmission path (e.g., wireless LAN), a wired communication transmission path, or a combination of a wireless communication transmission path and a wired communication transmission path. The communication network NW may be a mobile communication network such as a mobile phone line network, a wireless packet communication network, the Internet, a dedicated line, or a combination of these. For example, the communication network NW may use a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN), or may use short-range wireless communication standards such as ZigBee (registered trademark), WiFi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0018] The storage battery 20 stores the generated power. For example, the storage battery 20 is electrically connected to the power generation device 10 and stores the generated power generated by the power generation device 10. The generated power stored in the power generation device 10 is supplied to the water electrolysis device 30. However, the supply management system 1 does not necessarily have to include the storage battery 20. In other words, the supply management system 1 does not necessarily require the storage battery 20.

[0019] The water electrolysis device 30 is driven by the power generated by the power generation device 10 to generate hydrogen (hydrogen gas). The water electrolysis device 30 can be driven by the power generated by the power generation device 10 as a driving source, and electrolyzes water to generate hydrogen. The generated power that is the driving source of the water electrolysis device 30 may be power supplied directly from the power generation device 10, may be power stored in the storage battery 20, or may be both.

[0020] The water electrolysis device 30 is connected to the control device 60 via the communications network NW, and transmits and receives information to and from the control device 60. When the water electrolysis device 30 receives a drive command from the control device 60 via the communications network NW, the water electrolysis device 30 starts driving using the generated power as its operating source, and starts generating hydrogen.

[0021] The hydrogen supply device 40 stores hydrogen generated by the water electrolysis device 30 and supplies the stored hydrogen to the fuel cell vehicle 50. The hydrogen supply device 40 includes, for example, a storage tank 41 and a filling device 42. The hydrogen supply device 40 may be an on-site type or an off-site type.

[0022] The storage tank 41 stores the hydrogen generated by the water electrolysis device 30. The storage tank 41 includes, for example, a buffer tank and a plurality of pressure accumulators 411. The storage tank 41 stores the hydrogen generated by the water electrolysis device 30 and compressed by a compressor (not shown).

[0023] A pressure gauge and a thermometer are provided in the storage tank 41. The hydrogen supply device 40 transmits the measured values ​​of the pressure gauge and the thermometer, i.e., information on the measured values ​​of the pressure and temperature of the hydrogen stored in the storage tank 41, to the control device 60 via the communication network NW. For example, each of the pressure accumulators 411 is provided with a pressure gauge and a thermometer, and the measurement results are transmitted to the control device 60 via the communication network NW.

[0024] The filling device 42 fills the fuel cell vehicle 50 with hydrogen stored in the storage tank 41. For example, the filling device 42 is a dispenser that fills the fuel cell vehicle 50 with hydrogen from the storage tank 41. When the filling device 42 fills the fuel cell vehicle 50 with hydrogen gas, it records information on the amount of hydrogen filled (hereinafter referred to as the "filling amount") and the date and time of filling, and transmits the recorded information to the control device 60. The filling device 42 may also transmit information on the pressure accumulator 411 used for filling to the control device 60.

[0025] A fuel cell vehicle 50 is a vehicle that uses hydrogen as fuel. For example, the fuel cell vehicle 50 may be a fuel cell automobile (Fuel Cell Vehicle: FCV) or may be a fuel cell forklift (FCFL) as shown in FIG. 1. For example, the fuel cell vehicle 50 is driven automatically or manually to a hydrogen supply device 40, where it is filled (replenished) with hydrogen. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the supply management system 1 has one or more fuel cell vehicles 50. The supply management system 1 is not limited to fuel cell vehicles 50, and may be any device that uses hydrogen as fuel.

[0026] The control device 60 may be a computer. The control device 60 may be a server device. The server device may include at least one physical server. The physical servers are connected to each other via a communication network, and are thereby capable of communicating with each other. The physical server may include at least one virtual server. The virtual server may be a server on a cloud system (cloud server).

[0027] The control device 60 is connected to the water electrolysis device 30 via the communications network NW, and controls the operation of the water electrolysis device 30. The control device 60 performs drive determination to determine whether or not to drive the water electrolysis device 30 using weather forecast information obtained from outside, the current remaining amount of hydrogen in the storage tank 41, and data on the past amount of hydrogen filled into the fuel cell device. When the control device 60 determines based on the drive determination that the water electrolysis device 30 should be driven (operated), it transmits a drive signal to the water electrolysis device 30 via the communications network NW. This enables the control device 60 to start up and operate the water electrolysis device 30.

[0028] The functional units of the control device 60 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the functional units of the control device 60 according to this embodiment.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 60 includes a calculation unit 61, a prediction unit 62, a past performance database 63, and a control unit 64.

[0030] The calculation unit 61 calculates a power generation index indicating the degree of weather that allows power generation for a future specific period based on weather forecast information obtained from outside. For example, the specific period is a period during operation hours in a day. For example, if the operation hours are 8:00 to 17:00, the specific period may be included within the period from 8:00 to 17:00, and may be the morning period from 8:00 to 12:00, or the afternoon period from 12:00 to 17:00, or may be both. The specific period may indicate multiple periods in a day, such as morning and afternoon. In the example described below, the specific period indicates operation hours, but is not limited to this, and may be several days or several weeks.

[0031] Here, in the case where the power generation device 10 is a device that generates power using solar power generation, the weather in which the power can be generated is "fine."

[0032] The calculation unit 61 acquires weather forecast information for the area including the power generation device 10 from the external server 100 via the communication network NW. The external server 100 is, for example, a server operated by at least one of the Japan Meteorological Agency and a company other than the Japan Meteorological Agency.

[0033] The weather forecast information includes information that associates a forecast time, which is a time from the current time, with forecast information on the weather in the area at the forecast time. The weather forecast information is information on weather conditions such as sunny, cloudy, and rainy.

[0034] For example, the calculation unit 61 acquires weather forecast information for each unit time for multiple days from the external server 100. Multiple days may be two or more days. The calculation unit 61 acquires weather forecast information for each unit time for each day from the present to n days (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1) from the external server 100. For example, when n=2, the calculation unit 61 acquires weather forecast information for each unit time for three days, that is, the current day, one day later, and two days later.

[0035] The calculation unit 61 calculates the power generation index for each day based on the acquired weather forecast information. That is, the calculation unit 61 collects data indicating "sunny" for each unit time of a specific period in a day from the acquired weather forecast information, and calculates the degree of sunshine relative to the overall weather forecast information for the specific period as the power generation index. In this way, the calculation unit 61 calculates the power generation index for each day from the current day to n days later.

[0036] The power generation index may indicate the proportion of sunny days relative to the overall weather forecast information for a specific period (hereinafter simply referred to as the "sunny day proportion"), or may be an index calculated from the sunny day proportion. For example, the calculation unit 61 calculates the sunny day proportion. The calculation unit 61 then determines which proportion category the calculated sunny day proportion falls into among a plurality of categories (hereinafter referred to as the "proportion categories") (a), (b), and (c) illustrated below. As an example, the range of categories is 0 to 100% divided into a plurality of categories. Note that the proportion categories (a), (b), and (c) illustrated below are merely examples, and the number of proportion categories and the range of the proportion categories are not particularly limited.

[0037] - More than 70% of the time the weather is sunny...(a) -Percentage of sunny days is between 30% and 70%...(b) - Less than 30% sunny weather...(c)

[0038] The calculation unit 61 identifies a ratio category to which the sunny percentage fits from among the multiple ratio categories. Then, the calculation unit 61 transmits information on the identified ratio category to the control unit 64. Note that this ratio category is an example of a power generation index. In other words, the ratio category is an example of an index calculated from the sunny percentage.

[0039] The past performance database 63 stores past performance data indicating the amount of hydrogen filled into the fuel cell vehicle 50 in the past. This past performance data may be information obtained from a pressure gauge, a thermometer, or the like installed in the storage tank 41. As an example, the past performance database 63 includes, as the past performance data, filling amount data for each filling performed on the fuel cell vehicle 50. The filling amount data is data obtained for each filling, and is data that associates the date and time when charging was performed (hereinafter referred to as the "charging date and time") with the charging amount at that charging date and time.

[0040] The prediction unit 62 predicts the remaining amount of hydrogen in the storage tank 41 during a specific period on the current day (hereinafter referred to as the "future tank remaining amount"), based on information including past performance data indicating the amount of hydrogen previously filled into the fuel cell vehicle 50. The current day refers to the day on which the drive determination is performed or the day on which the control device 60 controls the drive of the water electrolysis device 30.

[0041] The future tank remaining amount is a predicted value of the remaining amount of hydrogen in the storage tank 41 after the fuel cell vehicle 50 is filled in a specific future period on the day. For example, if it is assumed that the fuel cell vehicle 50 will be filled within a specific period on the day with the amount of hydrogen predicted for that day from past performance data (hereinafter referred to as "predicted filling"), the remaining amount of hydrogen in the storage tank 41 after the predicted filling corresponds to the future tank remaining amount. An example of a method for predicting the future tank remaining amount is described below.

[0042] The prediction unit 62 predicts the predicted filling amount X1 for the fuel cell vehicle 50 on that day based on information including past performance data. The predicted filling amount X1 for that day is a cumulative value of the filling amount predicted to be filled on that day. Note that, hereinafter, the predicted value of the predicted filling amount for that day may be referred to as the "predicted filling amount." Here, when predicting the predicted filling amount X1, the prediction unit 62 calculates an average predicted filling amount X0 for that day. The average predicted filling amount X0 for that day is the average filling amount per day predicted to be filled on that day.

[0043] For example, the prediction unit 62 determines whether or not the fuel cell vehicle 50 was filled on the day before the current day based on past performance data. The day on which the fuel cell vehicle 50 was filled may be referred to as the "filling day." If the prediction unit 62 determines that the previous day was not a filling day, it sets the average predicted filling amount for the previous day (hereinafter referred to as the "previous day average predicted filling amount") X0' to the average predicted filling amount for the current day X0. The previous day average predicted filling amount X0' is the average filling amount per day on the previous day that is predicted to be filled into the fuel cell vehicle 50. This previous day average predicted filling amount X0' is determined by the prediction unit 62 based on past performance data.

[0044] When the prediction unit 62 determines that the fuel cell vehicle 50 was filled with hydrogen on the day before the current day, it identifies the date on which the fuel cell vehicle 50 was filled with hydrogen on or after the day before that (hereinafter referred to as the "past filling date"). This past filling date is a day that precedes the previous day and is the filling date closest to the previous day. In other words, if the previous day is the previous filling date, then the past filling date is the filling date before last.

[0045] The prediction unit 62 obtains the number of days N1 from the previous day to the past filling date. If there are non-working days between the previous day and the past filling date, the prediction unit 62 calculates the number of non-working days N2. The prediction unit 62 then obtains the number of days N3 (=N1-N2) by subtracting the number of days N2 from the number of days N1. The number of days N3 indicates the number of working days among the number of days from the previous day to the past filling date.

[0046] The prediction unit 62 acquires the previous day's average predicted filling amount X0' and calculates the current day's average predicted filling amount X0 based on the following formula (1). Note that the previous day's accumulated filling amount X2' shown in formulas (1), (2) and (3) is the accumulated amount of hydrogen actually filled on the previous day, and is a measured value.

[0047] Average predicted filling amount for the day X0 = {(accumulated filling amount for the previous day X2' ÷ number of days N3) + average predicted filling amount for the previous day X0'} ÷ 2...(1)

[0048] As described above, when the previous day is not a past filling day, the prediction unit 62 sets the predicted filling amount X0 for the day to the value of the previous day's average predicted filling amount X0'. On the other hand, when the previous day is a past filling day, the prediction unit 62 calculates the average predicted filling amount X0 for the day based on formula (1).

[0049] Next, the prediction unit 62 calculates the predicted filling amount X1 for the day using the average predicted filling amount X0 for the day. If the previous day is not a filling day, the prediction unit 62 calculates the predicted filling amount X1 for the day using the following formula (2). Note that the predicted filling amount X1' for the previous day shown in formulas (2) and (3) is set to the value of the predicted filling amount X1 calculated for the previous day.

[0050] Forecasted filling amount for the day X1 = Forecasted filling amount for the previous day X1' + Average forecasted filling amount for the day X0...(2)

[0051] On the other hand, if the previous day is the refilling day, the prediction unit 62 calculates the predicted refill amount X1 for that day using the following formula (3).

[0052] Forecasted filling amount for the day X1 = Forecasted filling amount for the previous day X1' - Accumulated filling amount for the previous day X2' + Average forecasted filling amount for the day X0 ... (3)

[0053] The predicted filling amount X1' of the previous day is a cumulative value of the filling amount predicted to be filled on the previous day. For example, the operation days can be registered in advance, and holidays are not counted.

[0054] The prediction unit 62 monitors the remaining amount of hydrogen W0 in the storage tank 41. The prediction unit 62 calculates the future remaining tank amount W1 from the following equation (4) using the predicted filling amount X1, the remaining hydrogen amount W0, and the cumulative filling amount X2 for the day. The cumulative filling amount X2 for the day is an actual measured value.

[0055] "Future tank remaining amount W1" = "Current hydrogen remaining amount W0" - ("Predicted amount of fuel filled on that day X1" - "Total amount of fuel filled on that day X2")...(4)

[0056] Here, if the predicted filling amount X1≦the accumulated filling amount X2, the prediction unit 62 may process (X1-X2) as 0 (zero). The prediction unit 62 adds the predicted filling amount X1 for the day on a daily basis. The prediction unit 62 outputs the calculated future tank remaining amount W1 to the control unit 64.

[0057] The control unit 64 controls the operation of the water electrolysis apparatus 30 based on the power generation index determined by the calculation unit 61 and the future remaining tank amount W1 predicted by the prediction unit 62. The configuration of the control unit 64 will be described below.

[0058] The control unit 64 according to this embodiment includes a processing unit 71 , a determination unit 72 , and a driving unit 73 .

[0059] The processing unit 71 executes a predicted remaining amount determination to determine whether the future tank remaining amount W1 exceeds the threshold value L. If the future tank remaining amount W1 exceeds the threshold value L, the processing unit 71 determines that there will be a sufficient amount of hydrogen remaining in the storage tank 41 even after the predicted filling. If the future tank remaining amount W1 is equal to or less than the threshold value L, the processing unit 71 determines that the amount of hydrogen remaining in the storage tank 41 will be equal to or less than the threshold value L after the predicted filling. The processing unit 71 outputs the result of the predicted remaining amount determination to the control unit 64.

[0060] The processing unit 71 executes a current remaining amount determination to determine whether or not the current remaining amount W0 of hydrogen is less than the threshold value L. The processing unit 71 outputs to the control unit 64 a result of the current remaining amount determination.

[0061] The processing unit 71 monitors the remaining hydrogen amount W2 in the accumulator 411 with the highest pressure. The remaining hydrogen amount in the accumulator 411 with the highest pressure is the minimum remaining hydrogen amount that can be filled into the fuel cell vehicle 50. The processing unit 71 sets a threshold value LL for the remaining hydrogen amount W2 in the accumulator 411 with the highest pressure, and executes an emergency determination to determine whether the remaining hydrogen amount W2 is equal to or less than the threshold value LL. The threshold value LL is a threshold for the remaining hydrogen amount that can be filled into the fuel cell vehicle 50 from the hydrogen supply device 40, and is set in advance. Therefore, if the remaining hydrogen amount W2 is equal to or less than the threshold value LL, it may not be possible to fill the fuel cell vehicle 50 to full capacity from the hydrogen supply device 40. The processing unit 71 outputs the result of the emergency determination to the control unit 64.

[0062] The determination unit 72 executes drive determination at a preset determination time. For example, the determination unit 72 determines whether to drive the water electrolysis apparatus 30 based on a combination of each power generation index for multiple days and the future remaining tank amount on the day. An example of the drive determination is described below.

[0063] For example, the determination unit 72 has in advance prediction operation setting information as illustrated in FIG. 3. The prediction operation setting information includes, as setting conditions, conditions for driving the water electrolysis device 30 (hereinafter referred to as "operation conditions") and conditions for not driving the water electrolysis device 30 (hereinafter referred to as "stop conditions"). FIG. 3 is an example of the prediction operation setting information when n = 2, where the setting conditions corresponding to "ON" are "operation conditions" and the setting conditions corresponding to "OFF" are "stop conditions".

[0064] For example, in the prediction operation setting information, combinations of a plurality of rate categories (hereinafter simply referred to as "rate category combinations") that each of a plurality of days from the current day to n days later can take are set. When n = 2, a plurality of combinations of the rate category on the current day, the rate category one day later, and the rate category two days later (rate category combinations) are set. Here, there are three rate categories of (a), (b), and (c) described above in this embodiment. Therefore, when n = 2, the number of rate category combinations is 27.

[0065] In the prediction operation setting information, for each of the plurality of rate category combinations, information on whether to drive the water electrolysis device 30 is associated with the case where the future tank remaining amount W1 exceeds the threshold value L and the case where the future tank remaining amount W1 on the current day is less than or equal to the threshold value L. That is, in the prediction operation setting information, for each of the case where the future tank remaining amount W1 on the current day exceeds the threshold value L (W1 > L) and the case where the future tank remaining amount W1 on the current day is less than or equal to the threshold value L (W1 ≤ L), information on whether to drive the water electrolysis device 30 or stop the water electrolysis device 30 (hereinafter referred to as "operation information") is set for each rate category combination.

[0066] In the prediction operation setting information, for each of the plurality of rate category combinations, operation information on whether to drive the water electrolysis device 30 is associated with the case where the current hydrogen remaining amount W0 is less than the threshold value L (W0 < L).

[0067] The predicted operation setting information is associated with operation information indicating whether or not to drive the water electrolysis apparatus 30 when the remaining hydrogen amount W2 is equal to or less than the threshold value LL (W2≦LL) for each of a plurality of ratio category combinations.

[0068] The determination unit 72 determines whether the setting condition corresponding to the combination of the power generation index for each day from the current day to two days later (information of any of the ratio categories (a) to (c)) calculated by the calculation unit 61 and the determination result of the predicted remaining amount determination by the processing unit 71 is an operation condition or a stop condition, from the predicted operation setting information. If the setting condition is an operation condition, the determination unit 72 outputs an operation signal indicating that to the drive unit 73. If the setting condition is a stop condition, the determination unit 72 outputs a stop signal indicating that to the drive unit 73. That is, if the operation information corresponding to the combination of the power generation index for each day from the current day to two days later calculated by the calculation unit 61 and the determination result of the predicted remaining amount determination by the processing unit 71 is "ON", the determination unit 72 outputs an operation signal to the drive unit 73, and if the operation information is "OFF", the determination unit 72 outputs a stop signal to the drive unit 73.

[0069] Here, when the current hydrogen remaining amount W0 is less than the threshold value L as a result of the current remaining amount determination by the processing unit 71, the determination unit 72 may determine whether the set condition corresponding to the combination of the power generation index for each day from the current day to two days later calculated by the calculation unit 61 and the current hydrogen remaining amount W0 being less than the threshold value L is an operation condition or a stop condition from the predicted operation setting information, regardless of the result of the predicted remaining amount determination. In this case, the determination unit 72 outputs an operation signal to the drive unit 73 when the set condition is an operation condition, and outputs a stop signal to the drive unit 73 when the set condition is a stop condition. That is, when the current hydrogen remaining amount W0 is less than the threshold value L as a result of the current remaining amount determination by the processing unit 71, the determination unit 72 outputs an operation signal to the drive unit 73 when the operation information corresponding to the combination of the power generation index for each day from the current day to two days later and the hydrogen remaining amount W0 being less than the threshold value L is "ON", and outputs a stop signal to the drive unit 73 when the operation information is "OFF".

[0070] Furthermore, when the result of the emergency judgment by the processing unit 71 indicates that the remaining hydrogen amount W2 is equal to or less than the threshold value LL, the judgment unit 72 may judge from the predicted operation setting information whether the set condition corresponding to the combination of the power generation index for each day from the current day to two days after calculated by the calculation unit 61 and the remaining hydrogen amount W2 being equal to or less than the threshold value LL is an operation condition or a stop condition, regardless of the judgment results of the predicted remaining amount judgment and the current remaining amount judgment. In this case, the judgment unit 72 outputs an operation signal to the drive unit 73 when the set condition is an operation condition, and outputs a stop signal to the drive unit 73 when the set condition is a stop condition. In the example shown in FIG. 3, when the result of the emergency judgment by the processing unit 71 indicates that the remaining hydrogen amount W2 is equal to or less than the threshold value LL, the judgment unit 72 outputs an operation signal to the drive unit 73 regardless of the judgment results of the predicted remaining amount judgment and the current remaining amount judgment.

[0071] When the driver 73 receives an operation signal from the determination unit 72, it transmits a drive signal to the water electrolysis device 30. When the driver 73 receives a stop signal from the determination unit 72, it does not transmit a drive signal.

[0072] Hereinafter, a flow of an example of a method for calculating a power generation index according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of the method for calculating a power generation index according to this embodiment.

[0073] The calculation unit 61 acquires weather forecast information for the area including the power generation device 10 from the external server 100 via the communication network NW (step S101). Based on the acquired weather forecast information, the calculation unit 61 calculates the percentage of sunny days to the overall weather forecast information for the specific period for each of n days from the current day (step S102). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the calculation unit 61 acquires hourly weather forecast information for the current day when the operation time is 8:00 to 17:00. In this case, when the specific period is the operation time, the calculation unit 61 obtains the percentage of sunny days = (6 / 10) x 100 = 60%. When the specific period is two periods, morning and afternoon, the calculation unit 61 obtains the percentage of sunny days in the morning = (2 / 5) x 100 = 40% and the percentage of sunny days in the afternoon = (4 / 5) x 100 = 80%.

[0074] The calculation unit 61 identifies which of the above-mentioned (a), (b), and (c) proportion categories the calculated sunny percentage falls into (step S103). The calculation unit 61 performs a process of identifying whether the calculated sunny percentage falls into a proportion category for each of the sunny percentages n days from the current day, thereby identifying a proportion category for each of the n days from the current day (the current day, 1 day later, ..., n days later), and outputs information on the identified proportion category to the control unit 64.

[0075] The flow of operations of the prediction unit 62 and the processing unit 71 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flow diagram of operations of the prediction unit 62 and the processing unit 71 according to this embodiment.

[0076] The prediction unit 62 predicts the predicted filling amount X1 for the fuel cell vehicle 50 on that day based on past performance data (step S201). The prediction unit 62 measures the cumulative filling amount (accumulated filling amount X2) for the fuel cell vehicle 50 on that day using a sensor or the like installed in the storage tank 41 (step S202). The prediction unit 62 also measures the remaining amount of hydrogen W0 in the storage tank 41 on that day using a sensor or the like installed in the storage tank 41 (step S203). The prediction unit 62 uses the predicted filling amount X1, the cumulative filling amount X2, and the remaining amount of hydrogen W0 in the storage tank 41 to determine the future tank remaining amount W1, which is the remaining amount of hydrogen in the storage tank 41 after the predicted filling (step S204).

[0077] The processing unit 71 executes a predicted remaining amount determination to determine whether or not the future remaining amount W1 in the tank will exceed the threshold value L, and outputs the determination result to the determination unit 72 (step S205). The processing unit 71 executes a current remaining amount determination to determine whether or not the current remaining amount W0 of hydrogen is less than the threshold value L, and outputs the determination result to the control unit 64 (step S206). The processing unit 71 monitors the remaining amount W2 of hydrogen in the accumulator 411, which has the highest pressure, and executes an emergency determination to determine whether or not the remaining amount W2 of hydrogen is equal to or less than the threshold value LL (step S207).

[0078] The flow of operations of the determination unit 72 and the drive unit 73 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flow diagram of the operation of the determination unit 72 according to this embodiment.

[0079] The determination unit 72 determines whether the current time is a determination time (step S301). The determination time is, for example, a time to start up the equipment of the supply management system 1, or a time to shut down the equipment of the supply management system 1. However, the determination time is not limited to this and can be changed by a user, etc.

[0080] When the determination unit 72 determines that the current time is not the determination time, the determination unit 72 does not execute the drive determination. When the determination unit 72 determines that the current time is the determination time, the determination unit 72 executes the drive determination. Specifically, the determination unit 72 determines whether the setting condition corresponding to the combination of each ratio category (power generation index) n days from the current day by the calculation unit 61 and the determination result of the predicted remaining amount determination by the processing unit 71 is either an operation condition or a stop condition from the predicted operation setting information (step S302). In other words, the determination unit 72 determines whether the operation condition is established or not based on the combination of each ratio category (power generation index) n days from the current day by the calculation unit 61 and the determination result of the predicted remaining amount determination by the processing unit 71.

[0081] For example, when using the predictive operation setting information illustrated in FIG. 3, if the ratio category for the current day is (b), the ratio category for one day later is (a), the ratio category for two days later is (c), and the determination result of the predicted remaining amount determination is "W1>L", since the drive information is "OFF", the determination unit 72 determines that the operation condition is not satisfied. On the other hand, if the ratio category for the current day is (b), the ratio category for one day later is (a), the ratio category for two days later is (c), and the determination result of the predicted remaining amount determination is "W1≤L", since the drive information is "ON", the determination unit 72 determines that the operation condition is satisfied. However, when the ratio category for the current day is (b), the ratio category for one day later is (a), and the ratio category for two days later is (c), if "W0<L" or "W2≤LL", the determination unit 72 determines that the operation condition is satisfied because the drive information is "ON" regardless of the determination result of the predicted remaining amount determination.

[0082] When the drive unit 73 determines that the operation condition is satisfied, it operates the auxiliary equipment of the water electrolysis device 30 via the network NW (step S303). Then, after a certain period of time (for example, preparatory operation) has elapsed since the drive unit 73 operates the auxiliary equipment of the water electrolysis device 30, it starts and operates the water electrolysis device 30 (step S304).

[0083] On the other hand, when the drive unit 73 determines that the operation condition is not satisfied, it stops the operation of the water electrolysis device 30 (step S305). Then, the drive unit 73 stops the operation of the auxiliary equipment of the water electrolysis device 30 (step S306).

[0084] As described above, based on the weather prediction information obtained from the outside, the control device 60 calculates a power generation index indicating the degree of weather capable of generating power for the weather in a specific future period, and predicts the future tank remaining amount W1, which is the remaining amount of hydrogen in the storage tank 41 after filling the fuel cell vehicle 50 in the specific period, based on the information including the past performance data. Then, the control device 60 controls the drive of the water electrolysis device 30 based on the power generation index and the future tank remaining amount W1.

[0085] With this configuration, the supply management system 1 can efficiently utilize renewable energy, efficiently generate hydrogen, and reduce the amount of electricity used. Furthermore, the supply management system 1 of this embodiment can operate fully automatically, and even unmanned, compared to when hydrogen production is determined by human judgment on days when electricity generation is expected.

[0086] 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 1000 functioning as the calculation unit 61, the prediction unit 62, the past performance database 63, and the control unit 64 of the control device 60. A program installed in the computer 1000 can cause the computer 1000 to function as one or more "units" of the device according to the present embodiment, or cause the computer 1000 to execute operations or one or more "units" associated with the device according to the present embodiment, and / or cause the computer 1000 to execute a process or steps of the process according to the present embodiment. Such a program can be executed by the CPU 1010 to cause the computer 1000 to execute specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks of the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0087] 8 includes a processor 1010, memory 1020, storage 1030, input devices 1040, output devices 1050, and an external device interface 1060. In some embodiments, some or all of computer 1000 is implemented as a system-on-a-chip.

[0088] The processor 1010 is operable to execute the above-mentioned program stored in the memory 1020 and execute the operation described by the program. As an example, the processor 1010 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The calculation unit 61, the prediction unit 62, and the control unit 64 may be the processor 1010, or may be realized by the processor 1010 executing the program (software) stored in the memory 1020.

[0089] The storage device 1030 may be a non-volatile information storage device such as a hard drive, a solid state drive, etc. For example, the storage device 1030 is the past performance database 63.

[0090] The input devices 1040 may include any type of human-machine interface, such as buttons, switches, motion-sensitive controllers, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen input device, a gesture input device, or an audio input device (e.g., a microphone).

[0091] Output device(s) 1050 may include any type of device operable to provide an indication of an operating state to a user, such as a display device of controller 60 or an audio output device (eg, a speaker).

[0092] The external device interface 1060 is a wired or wireless interface using any type of protocol. As an example, the external device interface 1060 includes a wired or wireless connection to the external server 100, the hydrogen supply device 40, and the water electrolysis device 30.

[0093] The programs may be provided by a computer-readable storage medium. The programs are read from the computer-readable storage medium, installed in the storage device 1030 or memory 1020, which are also examples of computer-readable storage media, and executed by the processor 1010. Information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 1000, and causes cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be configured by implementing operations or processing of information according to the use of the computer 1000.

[0094] A computer-readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by a suitable device, such that the computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon comprises an article of manufacture that includes instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, and the like. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memories (RAMs), read-only memories (ROMs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs or flash memories), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), static random access memories (SRAMs), compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROMs), digital versatile disks (DVDs), Blu-ray (RTM) disks, memory sticks, integrated circuit cards, and the like.

[0095] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, the matters described for a specific embodiment can be applied to other embodiments to the extent that they are not technically inconsistent. Furthermore, each component may have the same characteristics as other components having the same name but different reference numerals. It is clear from the claims that forms with such modifications or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0096] Furthermore, the term "part" used in the specification means a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be embodied as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software.

[0097] 1...supply management system, 10...power generation device, 20...storage battery, 30...water electrolysis device, 40...hydrogen supply device, 50...fuel cell vehicle, 60...control device, 61...calculation unit, 62...prediction unit, 63...past performance database, 64...control unit

Claims

1. A hydrogen generating device that generates hydrogen using electricity generated by renewable energy; a hydrogen supply device that stores the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device in a storage tank and fills the stored hydrogen into a fuel cell device; A control device for controlling the operation of the hydrogen generation device; Equipped with The control device includes: a calculation unit that calculates a power generation index that indicates a degree of weather favorable for generating the power for a specific future period based on weather forecast information obtained from an external source; a prediction unit that predicts a future tank remaining amount, which is the amount of hydrogen remaining in the storage tank after the fuel cell device has been filled with hydrogen during the specific period, based on information including past performance data that indicates the amount of hydrogen filled into the fuel cell device in the past; a control unit that controls the operation of the hydrogen generation device based on the power generation index and the future remaining tank amount; Equipped with The prediction unit, when predicting the future remaining tank amount, Based on the past performance data, a previous day average predicted filling amount X0', which is the average filling amount per day on the day before the specific period predicted to be filled into the fuel cell device, a number of days N3 indicating the number of operating days among the number of days from the day before the specific period to a past filling day which is a day earlier than the day before the specific period and is the closest filling day to the day before the specific period, and a previous day's accumulated filling amount X2', which is the accumulated amount of hydrogen actually filled into the fuel cell device on the previous day, are obtained, and an average predicted filling amount X0 for the day is predicted based on the following formula (1) using the obtained previous day average predicted filling amount X0', the number of days N3, and the previous day's accumulated filling amount X2' If the day before the specific period is not a charging day, the following formula (2) is used to predict a predicted charging amount X1 for that day, which is a charging amount to be charged from the hydrogen generation device to the fuel cell device during the specific period, If the day before the specific period is a refilling day, the predicted refill amount X1 on that day is predicted using the following formula (3): Supply management system. (Equation 1) Average predicted filling amount of the day X0={(accumulated filling amount of the previous day X2′÷number of days N3)+average predicted filling amount of the previous day X0′}÷2 (1) (Equation 2) Predicted filling amount of the day X1 = Predicted filling amount of the previous day X1' + Average predicted filling amount of the day X0 ... (2) (Equation 3) Predicted filling amount of the day X1=Predicted filling amount of the previous day X1′−Accumulated filling amount of the previous day X2′+Average predicted filling amount of the day X0...(3) Here, the predicted filling amount X1' of the previous day in formulas (2) and (3) is a cumulative value of the filling amount predicted to be filled on the previous day of the specific period.

2. The power generation index is a ratio of sunny days to the weather in the specific period or an index calculated from the ratio of sunny days, The supply management system of claim 1 .

3. the prediction unit predicts the future remaining tank amount using information including the predicted filling amount and a current remaining amount of hydrogen in the storage tank; A supply management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The specific period is a period within the operation hours of a day, The calculation unit calculates the power generation index for each day from the current day to at least one day later. A supply management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The control unit determines whether or not to drive the hydrogen generation device based on the power generation index for multiple days and the future tank remaining amount, and when it is determined that the hydrogen generation device should be driven, the control unit starts up the hydrogen generation device to generate the hydrogen. The supply management system according to claim 4.

6. the control unit drives the hydrogen generation device regardless of the power generation index when the current remaining amount of hydrogen in the storage tank falls below a threshold value; the threshold value indicates a remaining amount of hydrogen that can be filled from the hydrogen supply device to the fuel cell device; A supply management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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