Power generation planning method, power generation planning device, and power generation system

Abstract

The power generation planning method disclosed herein is a power generation planning method for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, and includes the steps of: receiving a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device; a first determination step of determining the number of fuel cell units that will generate power and the number of fuel cell units that will not generate power among the plurality of fuel cell units in order to satisfy the power generation output plan value; and a second determination step of determining the number of fuel cell units that will generate power in order to satisfy a value obtained by adding the power generation output plan value to the total standby power of the fuel cell units that are not generating power.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power generation planning method, a power generation planning device, and a power generation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a grid-connected operation control method for a fuel cell power generation system in which the output of a fuel cell is converted to alternating current by an inverter, part of the power is consumed by auxiliary equipment within the power generation system, and the remainder is output from the transmission end to another power system, the method being characterized in that the power consumption of the auxiliary equipment is added as a pre-calculated value to the output plan value given to a control unit for controlling the inverter, and the power detection value detected between the output end of the inverter and the power feed point to the auxiliary equipment is fed back to the control unit, and constant power control is performed to keep the inverter output constant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3588855 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide, as an example, a power generation planning method, a power generation planning device, and a power generation system that can determine a power generation plan for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units more appropriately than ever before. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present disclosure is a power generation planning method for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, comprising: a step of receiving a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device; a first determination step of determining the number of fuel cell units that will generate power and the number of fuel cell units that will not generate power among the plurality of fuel cell units in order to satisfy the power generation output plan value; and a second determination step of determining the number of fuel cell units that will generate power in order to satisfy a value obtained by adding the power generation output plan value to the total standby power of the fuel cell units that are not generating power.

[0006] Moreover, one aspect of the present disclosure is a power generation planning method for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, comprising the steps of: receiving a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device; a first determination step of determining an output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy the power generation output plan value; and a second determination step of determining an output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy a value obtained by adding the power generation output plan value to the total standby power of fuel cell units that have been determined to have an output of 0.

[0007] Moreover, one aspect of the present disclosure is a power generation planning device for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, comprising a communicator that receives a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device, and a controller, wherein the controller makes a first decision to determine the number of fuel cell units that will generate power and the number of fuel cell units that will not generate power among the plurality of fuel cell units in order to satisfy the power generation output plan value received via the communicator, and also makes a second decision to determine the number of fuel cell units that will generate power in order to satisfy a value obtained by adding the power generation output plan value to the total standby power of the fuel cell units that are not generating power.

[0008] Moreover, one aspect of the present disclosure is a power generation planning device for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, comprising a communicator that receives a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device, and a controller, wherein the controller makes a first decision to determine the output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy the power generation output plan value received via the communicator, and also makes a second decision to determine the output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy a value obtained by adding the power generation output plan value to the total standby power of fuel cell units that have been determined to have an output of 0.

[0009] A power generation system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, and the power generation planning device described above. Effect of the Invention

[0010] ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF THE DISCLOSURE The power generation planning method, power generation planning device, and power generation system according to one aspect of the present disclosure provide an advantage in that a power generation plan for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units can be determined more appropriately than in the past. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating that even if the number of fuel cell units generating electricity and on standby within a fuel cell device is the same, the net output of the fuel cell device differs between an AC output type fuel cell device and a DC output type fuel cell device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating that even if the number of fuel cell units generating electricity and on standby within a fuel cell device is the same, the net output of the fuel cell device differs between an AC output type fuel cell device and a DC output type fuel cell device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a power generation system including the power generation planning device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the power generation planning device (power generation planning method) of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the power generation planning device (power generation planning method) according to the example of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the power generation planning device (power generation planning method) of the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the power generation planning device (power generation planning method) according to the example of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a power generation system including a power generation planning device according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] As mentioned above, Patent Document 1 discusses a control method for covering the power consumption of the auxiliary equipment of a single fuel cell power generation device, but does not consider a control method that takes into account fuel cell power generation devices on standby in a power generation system that includes multiple fuel cell power generation devices.

[0013] Generally, there are two types of power output methods for a single fuel cell unit: AC output method, in which an internal inverter is built into the fuel cell unit, and DC output method, in which an external inverter outside the fuel cell unit is used.

[0014] In such a fuel cell unit, in order to properly operate the auxiliary equipment within the fuel cell unit, a desired amount of power is required even during power generation and standby (non-power generation state). Here, the auxiliary equipment refers to peripheral devices in the fuel cell unit, and includes, for example, electrical equipment such as control devices and sensors, and actuators such as valves and pumps.

[0015] Therefore, in an AC output type fuel cell unit, the power consumed by the auxiliary devices in the fuel cell unit is covered by the power generated by itself during power generation, and control is performed taking into account the power consumed by the auxiliary devices. This is because, in a configuration in which the power consumed by the auxiliary devices is covered by the power supplied from an external power source, separate equipment such as wiring to supply power from the external power source to the auxiliary devices is required, which leads to poor installation and increased costs.

[0016] In contrast, in a DC output type fuel cell unit, the power consumed by the auxiliary devices in the fuel cell unit is covered by the power supplied from an external power source during power generation, and control is performed without taking into account the power consumed by the auxiliary devices. This is for the following reason. In a configuration in which the power consumed by the auxiliary devices is covered by the output of the fuel cell unit, as in the above-mentioned AC output type fuel cell unit, a separate internal inverter for the auxiliary devices that converts the DC output of the fuel cell unit into an AC output is required. In addition, a configuration in which the AC output converted via an external inverter is supplied to the auxiliary devices requires DC output adjustment to obtain an AC output that takes into account the power consumed by the auxiliary devices, making power control more complicated than a configuration in which power supplied from an external power source is supplied to the auxiliary devices.

[0017] Here, the power output of a fuel cell device including multiple fuel cell units is realized by combining fuel cell units that are generating power and fuel cell units that are on standby. In this case, from the viewpoint of optimizing the life span of each fuel cell unit in the fuel cell device, it is preferable to operate each fuel cell unit at its rated output or to put it on standby (pause), compared to an operation in which all fuel cell units generate power while adjusting their output.

[0018] Furthermore, even if the number of fuel cell units generating electricity and on standby within a fuel cell device is the same, the net output of the fuel cell device differs between an AC output type fuel cell device and a DC output type fuel cell device. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the net output T of a fuel cell device differs between a case where there are two fuel cell units generating electricity and one fuel cell unit on standby within an AC output type fuel cell device (Figure 1) and a case where there is a similar fuel cell unit within a DC output type fuel cell device (Figure 2).

[0019] Therefore, a first aspect of the present disclosure is a power generation planning method for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, comprising: a step of receiving a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device; a first determination step of determining the number of fuel cell units that will generate power and the number of fuel cell units that will not generate power among the plurality of fuel cell units in order to satisfy the power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device; and a second determination step of determining the number of fuel cell units that will generate power in order to satisfy a value obtained by adding the power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device to the total standby power of the fuel cell units that are not generating power.

[0020] According to the above, the power generation planning method of this aspect can determine a power generation plan for a fuel cell apparatus including a plurality of fuel cell units more appropriately than ever before.

[0021] Specifically, the power generation planning method of this embodiment performs a second determination step of determining the number of fuel cell units that will generate power in order to satisfy the power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device plus the total standby power of the fuel cell units that are not generating power, thereby reducing the possibility of not being able to properly plan the power generation of a fuel cell device that includes multiple fuel cell units compared to when such second determination step is not performed.

[0022] A power generation planning method of a second aspect of the present disclosure is a power generation planning method of the first aspect, in which, when the output of a plurality of fuel cell units is set to AC output, a second determination step is executed to determine the number of fuel cell units that will generate power in order to satisfy a value obtained by adding the total standby power of the fuel cell units not generating power to the power generation output planned value of the fuel cell device, and when the output of the plurality of fuel cell units is set to DC output, the second determination step does not have to be executed.

[0023] As described above, even if the number of fuel cell units generating electricity and on standby within a fuel cell device is the same, the net output of the fuel cell device differs between an AC output type fuel cell device and a DC output type fuel cell device, and this can prevent the power generation of the fuel cell device from being properly planned. However, the power generation planning method of this aspect determines whether or not to execute a second determination step that determines the number of fuel cell units generating electricity to satisfy the sum of the power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device and the total standby power of the fuel cell units not generating electricity, depending on the difference in the output type of the fuel cell units, thereby reducing the above possibility compared to the case where the determination is not made whether or not to execute the second determination step.

[0024] A power generation planning method of a third aspect of the present disclosure is a power generation planning method for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, and includes a step of receiving a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device, a first determination step of determining an output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy the power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device, and a second determination step of determining an output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy a value obtained by adding the power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device to the total standby power of fuel cell units that have been determined to have an output of 0.

[0025] According to the above, the power generation planning method of this aspect can determine a power generation plan for a fuel cell apparatus including a plurality of fuel cell units more appropriately than ever before.

[0026] Specifically, the power generation planning method of this embodiment performs a second determination step of determining the output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy a value obtained by adding the total standby power of the fuel cell units whose output has been determined to be 0 to the power generation output planned value of the fuel cell device, thereby reducing the possibility that the power generation plan of a fuel cell device including multiple fuel cell units will not be properly planned compared to a case in which such second determination step is not performed.

[0027] A fourth aspect of the power generation planning method of the present disclosure is a power generation planning method according to the third aspect, in which, when the output of a plurality of fuel cell units is set to AC output, a second decision output step is executed to determine the output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy a value obtained by adding the total standby power of the fuel cell units whose output has been determined to be 0 to the power generation output planned value of the fuel cell device, and when the output of the plurality of fuel cell units is set to DC output, the second decision step does not have to be executed.

[0028] As described above, even if the number of fuel cell units generating power and on standby within a fuel cell device is the same, there is a possibility that the power generation of the fuel cell device cannot be properly planned because the net output of the fuel cell device differs between an AC output type fuel cell device and a DC output type fuel cell device. However, the power generation planning method of this embodiment reduces the above possibility compared to not determining whether to execute the second decision step by determining whether to execute the second decision step, which determines the output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy the value obtained by adding the total standby power of fuel cell units that have been determined to have an output of 0 to the power generation output planned value of the fuel cell device, depending on the difference in the output type of the multiple fuel cell units.

[0029] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a power generation planning device for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, comprising a communicator that receives a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device, and a controller, wherein the controller makes a first decision to determine the number of fuel cell units that will generate power and the number of fuel cell units that will not generate power among the plurality of fuel cell units in order to satisfy the power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device received via the communicator, and also makes a second decision to determine the number of fuel cell units that will generate power in order to satisfy a value obtained by adding the power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device to the total standby power of the fuel cell units that are not generating power.

[0030] With this configuration, the power generation planning device of this aspect can determine a power generation plan for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units more appropriately than in the past. Note that the details of the effects and advantages of the power generation planning device of this aspect are similar to those of the power generation planning method of the first aspect, and therefore will not be described here.

[0031] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a power generation planning device for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, comprising a communicator that receives a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device, and a controller, wherein the controller makes a first decision to determine the output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy the power generation output plan value received via the communicator, and makes a second decision to determine the output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy a value obtained by adding the power generation output plan value to the total standby power of fuel cell units that have been determined to have an output of 0.

[0032] With this configuration, the power generation planning device of this aspect can determine a power generation plan for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units more appropriately than in the past. Note that the details of the effects and advantages of the power generation planning device of this aspect are similar to those of the power generation planning method of the third aspect, and therefore will not be described here.

[0033] A power generation system according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure includes a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, and the power generation planning device according to the fifth or sixth aspect.

[0034] With this configuration, the power generation system of this aspect can determine the power generation plan of the fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units more appropriately than in the past. Note that the detailed effects of the power generation system of this aspect are similar to those of the power generation planning method of the first or third aspect, and therefore will not be described here.

[0035] Hereinafter, specific examples of the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific examples described below are all examples of the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, the shapes, numerical values, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components shown below do not limit the scope of the claims unless otherwise stated in the claims.

[0036] In addition, among the components described below, components that are not described in the independent claims showing the highest concept of the present disclosure are described as optional components. In addition, in the drawings, the description of components with the same reference numerals may be omitted. The drawings show each component diagrammatically to facilitate understanding, and the shapes and dimensional ratios may not be displayed accurately.

[0037] Furthermore, in the operation of the apparatus, the order of steps may be changed or known steps may be added as necessary.

[0038] (First embodiment) [Device configuration] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a power generation system including the power generation planning device of the first embodiment.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the power generation system 10 includes a fuel cell device 40, a control device 30, and a power generation planning device 20 for the fuel cell device 40.

[0040] Here, the fuel cell device 40 includes a plurality of fuel cell units, and the control device 30 controls the operation of the fuel cell device 40. Thus, the power generation system 10 can be configured as a system that supplies large power to a power grid, for example. In this case, the power generation system 10 may include a fuel cell unit group including a plurality of fuel cell units, and the fuel cell device 40 may include a plurality of fuel cell devices divided from the fuel cell unit group. The control device 30 may include a plurality of control devices, and each of the plurality of control devices may be provided corresponding to each of the plurality of fuel cell devices. A detailed configuration of the power generation system 10 as described above will be described in the third embodiment.

[0041] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the power generation planning device 20 includes a communication device 21 and a controller 23.

[0042] The communicator 21 is a receiver that receives the power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device 40. For example, the communicator 21 may receive the power generation output plan value transmitted from a terminal or a server via a communication network for each unit period.

[0043] The "unit period" may be, for example, about 30 minutes, but is not limited to this. The "unit period" may be set to an appropriate period based on the configuration of the power generation system 10, etc.

[0044] The users of the terminals or servers include direct or indirect users of the power generation planning device 20. A direct user of the power generation planning device 20 is, for example, an administrator of the power generation planning device 20. An indirect user of the power generation planning device 20 can be, for example, an owner of the power generation system 10. Such an owner may be a consumer who receives the service of supplying power generated by the power generation system 10, or a power generation business operator who supplies power to consumers using the power generation system 10.

[0045] The controller 23 makes a first decision to determine the number of fuel cell units that will generate power and the number of fuel cell units that will not generate power among the multiple fuel cell units in order to satisfy the power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device 40 received via the communication device 21, and also makes a second decision to determine the number of fuel cell units that will generate power in order to satisfy the power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device 40 plus the total standby power of the fuel cell units that are not generating power.

[0046] The controller 23 may be any device having a control function, and includes an arithmetic processing unit (not shown) and a storage unit that stores a control program. The arithmetic processing unit reads out and executes the control program stored in the storage unit, thereby performing predetermined control in the controller 23. An example of the arithmetic processing unit is a microprocessor. An example of the storage unit is a memory.

[0047] [Operation] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation (power generation planning method) of the power generation planning device of the first embodiment. The following operations may be performed, for example, by the calculation processing unit of the controller 23 reading out a control program from the storage unit of the controller 23. However, it is not essential that the following operations are performed by the controller 23. An operator may perform some of the operations. In the following example, a case where the operations are controlled by the controller 23 will be described.

[0048] First, when the operation of the power generation planning device 20 starts, in step S1, a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device 40 including a plurality of fuel cell units is received via the communication device 21. For example, the power generation output plan value transmitted from a terminal or a server via a communication network may be received for each unit period.

[0049] Next, in step S2, the number of fuel cell units that generate power and the number of fuel cell units that do not generate power are determined among the multiple fuel cell units in order to satisfy the power generation output plan value in step S1. This allows the number of fuel cell units to be provisionally (temporarily) determined. Step S2 corresponds to the "first determination step" of the present disclosure.

[0050] For example, if the power generation output plan value in step S1 is an integer multiple of the rated output of the fuel cell unit, the "number N1 of fuel cell units generating power" in step S2 is calculated using the following formula (1), and the "number N2 of fuel cell units not generating power" in step S2 is calculated using the following formula (2). N1 = planned power output value in step S1 / rated output of fuel cell unit (1) N2 = total number of fuel cell units – N1 (2)

[0051] If the power generation output plan value in step S1 is not an integer multiple of the rated output of the fuel cell unit, the "number N1 of fuel cell units generating power" and the "number N2 of fuel cell units not generating power" in step S2 may be calculated as follows.

[0052] First, when the output of the fuel cell unit can vary from 0 to the rated output, the sum (NA+1) of the number NA corresponding to the "quotient" obtained by dividing the power generation output plan value in step S1 by the rated output of the fuel cell unit and the number of fuel cell units (here, 1) operating at a desired output less than the rated output corresponds to the "number N1 of fuel cell units generating power" in step S2. Also, the "total number of fuel cell units - (NA+1)" corresponds to the "number N2 of fuel cell units not generating power" in step S2.

[0053] Next, if there is a lower limit for the output of the fuel cell unit, the "number N1 of fuel cell units generating electricity" in step S2 is determined based on the magnitude relationship between the difference between the power generation output plan value in step S1 and an appropriate integer multiple of the rated output of the fuel cell unit and the lower limit.

[0054] For example, when the rated output of the fuel cell unit is 5 kW and the lower limit is 2 kW, if the power generation output plan value in step S1 is 31 kW, a combination of six fuel cell units operated at the rated output (5 kW) and one fuel cell unit operated at 1 kW (31 kW = 5 kW x 6 + 1 kW x 1) cannot be realized. For this reason, the "number of fuel cell units generating power N1" in step S2 must be realized, for example, by a combination of five fuel cell units operated at the rated output (5 kW) and two fuel cell units operated at 3 kW (31 kW = 5 kW x 5 + 3 kW x 2), or by a combination of five fuel cell units operated at the rated output (5 kW), one fuel cell unit operated at 4 kW, and one fuel cell unit operated at 2 kW (31 kW = 5 kW x 5 + 4 kW x 1 + 2 kW x 1). However, in this case, the output of the two fuel cell units operated below the rated output may be any output other than the above as long as it is 2 kW or more.

[0055] Next, in step S3, the number of fuel cell units generating power is determined to satisfy the power generation output plan value of step S1 plus the total standby power of the fuel cell units not generating power. This finally determines the number of fuel cell units. Step S3 corresponds to the "second determination step" of the present disclosure. Information indicating the "number of fuel cell units generating power" determined in step S3 is transmitted from the power generation planning device 20 to the control device 30 at an appropriate time. Note that, if the multiple fuel cell units generating power include a fuel cell unit that does not have a rated output, information indicating the output of the fuel cell unit that does not have a rated output may also be transmitted from the power generation planning device 20 to the control device 30.

[0056] For example, the "total standby power W1 of fuel cell units not generating power" in step S3 is calculated using the following formula (3), and the "number N3 of fuel cell units generating power" in step S3 is calculated using the following formula (4) if the "power generation output plan value of step S1+W1" is an integer multiple of the rated output of the fuel cell unit. W1 = N2 × (Standby power of fuel cell unit) (3) N3 = (power generation output plan value in step S1 + W1) / rated output of fuel cell unit (4)

[0057] If the "power generation output plan value of step S1 + W1" is not an integer multiple of the rated output of the fuel cell unit, the method for calculating the "number N3 of fuel cell units generating power" in step S3 can be easily understood from the method for calculating the "number N1 of fuel cell units generating power" in step S2 above, so an explanation of this will be omitted.

[0058] When the operation of the power generation planning device 20 is completed, power generation by the fuel cell device 40 is started at an appropriate time.

[0059] According to the present embodiment described above, the power generation plan for the fuel cell system 40 including a plurality of fuel cell units can be determined more appropriately than ever before.

[0060] Specifically, according to this embodiment, by executing step S3 to determine the number of fuel cell units that will generate power in order to satisfy the power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device 40 plus the total standby power of the fuel cell units that are not generating power, the possibility of not being able to properly plan the power generation plan for the fuel cell device 40, which includes multiple fuel cell units, can be reduced compared to when step S3 is not executed.

[0061] (Example of the first embodiment) 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the power generation planning device (power generation planning method) of the example of the first embodiment. The following operation may be performed, for example, by the calculation processing unit of the controller 23 reading out a control program from the storage unit of the controller 23. However, it is not essential that the following operation is performed by the controller 23. An operator may perform some of the operations. In the following example, a case where the operation is controlled by the controller 23 will be described.

[0062] Here, since steps S1, S2, and S3 in FIG. 5 are similar to steps S1, S2, and S3 in FIG. 4, respectively, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] After the operation of step S2, in step S4, it is determined whether the outputs of the multiple fuel cell units are set to AC output or DC output.

[0064] When the output of the fuel cell units is set to AC output (when it is "AC" in step S4), the operation of step S3 is executed. In this case, the number of fuel cell units is finally determined by the operation of step S3.

[0065] On the other hand, when the output of the multiple fuel cell units is set to DC output ("DC" in step S4), the operation of step S3 is not executed. In this case, information indicating the "number of fuel cell units generating power" determined in step S2 is transmitted from the power generation planning device 20 to the control device 30 at an appropriate time. Note that, if the multiple fuel cell units generating power include a fuel cell unit that does not have a rated output, information indicating the output of the fuel cell unit that does not have a rated output may also be transmitted from the power generation planning device 20 to the control device 30.

[0066] When the operation of the power generation planning device 20 is completed, power generation by the fuel cell device 40 is started at an appropriate time.

[0067] 1 and 2, even if the number of fuel cell units generating power and on standby within the fuel cell device 40 is the same, there is a possibility that the power generation of the fuel cell device 40 cannot be appropriately planned because the net output T of the fuel cell device 40 differs between an AC output type fuel cell device and a DC output type fuel cell device. However, according to this embodiment, by determining whether or not to execute step S3, which determines the number of fuel cell units generating power in order to satisfy the sum of the power generation output plan value of step S1 plus the total standby power of the fuel cell units not generating power, depending on the difference in the output type of the fuel cell units, it is possible to reduce the above possibility compared to the case where the determination as to whether or not to execute step S3 is not made.

[0068] The power generation planning method, the power generation planning device 20, and the power generation system 10 of this embodiment may be similar to those of the first embodiment except for the above-mentioned features.

[0069] Note that this embodiment is an example of a case where two cases may exist in a fuel cell device: one where the output of multiple fuel cell units is set to AC output, and one where the output of multiple fuel cell units is set to DC output.

[0070] On the other hand, in the fuel cell device, if the output of the multiple fuel cell units is set to AC output and the output of the multiple fuel cell units is not set to DC output, after step S2, step S4 is not executed and step S3 is executed.

[0071] Second embodiment The power generation planning method of the second embodiment is similar to the power generation planning method of the first embodiment, except for the control content of the controller 23, which will be described below.

[0072] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation (power generation planning method) of the power generation planning device of the second embodiment. The following operations may be performed, for example, by the calculation processing unit of the controller 23 reading out a control program from the storage unit of the controller 23. However, it is not essential that the following operations are performed by the controller 23. An operator may perform some of the operations. In the following example, a case where the operations are controlled by the controller 23 will be described.

[0073] First, when the operation of the power generation planning device 20 starts, in step S11, a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device 40 including a plurality of fuel cell units is received via the communication device 21. For example, the power generation output plan value transmitted from a terminal or a server via a communication network may be received for each unit period.

[0074] Next, in step S12, the output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device 40 is determined so as to satisfy the power generation output plan value in step S11. This allows the output of each fuel cell unit to be provisionally (temporarily) determined. Step S12 corresponds to the "first determination step" of the present disclosure.

[0075] For example, when the power generation output plan value in step S11 is divided by the rated output of the fuel cell unit, if only a "quotient" exists, the output of the number of fuel cell units corresponding to the "quotient" is set to the rated output. The output of the other fuel cell units is set to 0.

[0076] When the power generation output plan value in step S11 is divided by the rated output of the fuel cell unit, if a "quotient" and a "remainder" exist, the "output of each fuel cell unit" in step S12 may be calculated as follows.

[0077] First, when the output of the fuel cell unit can vary from 0 to the rated output, the output of the number of fuel cell units corresponding to the "quotient" is set to the rated output, and the output of one fuel cell unit is set to "the power generation output plan value of step S11 - the quotient value x the rated output of the fuel cell unit." The output of the other fuel cell units is set to 0.

[0078] Next, if there is a lower limit for the output of the fuel cell unit, the "output of each fuel cell unit" in step S12 is determined based on the magnitude relationship between the difference between the power generation output plan value in step S11 and an appropriate integer multiple of the rated output of the fuel cell unit and the lower limit.

[0079] For example, when the rated output of the fuel cell unit is 5 kW and the lower limit is 2 kW, if the power generation output plan value in step S11 is 31 kW, a combination of a fuel cell unit operated at the rated output (5 kW) and a fuel cell unit operated at 1 kW (31 kW = 5 kW x 6 + 1 kW x 1) cannot be realized. For this reason, the "output of each fuel cell unit" in step S12 must be realized, for example, by a combination of a fuel cell unit operated at the rated output (5 kW) and a fuel cell unit operated at 3 kW (31 kW = 5 kW x 5 + 3 kW x 2), or by a combination of a fuel cell unit operated at the rated output (5 kW), a fuel cell unit operated at 4 kW, and a fuel cell unit operated at 2 kW (31 kW = 5 kW x 5 + 4 kW x 1 + 2 kW x 1). However, in this case, the output of the two fuel cell units operated below the rated output may be any output other than the above as long as it is 2 kW or more.

[0080] Next, in step S13, the output of each fuel cell unit in the fuel cell device 40 is determined so as to satisfy the power generation output plan value of step S11 plus the total standby power of the fuel cell units whose output has been determined to be 0. This results in the final determination of the output of each fuel cell unit. Step S13 corresponds to the "second determination step" of the present disclosure. Information indicating the "output of each fuel cell unit generating power" determined in step S13 is transmitted from the power generation planning device 20 to the control device 30 in a timely manner.

[0081] For example, when the power generation output plan value in step S11 plus the total standby power of the fuel cell units whose output has been determined to be 0 is added together and divided by the rated output of the fuel cell units, if only a "quotient" exists, the output of the number of fuel cell units corresponding to the "quotient" is determined to be the rated output. The output of the other fuel cell units is determined to be 0.

[0082] When the sum of the power generation output plan value in step S11 and the total standby power of the fuel cell units whose output has been set to 0 is divided by the rated output of the fuel cell unit, if a "quotient" and a "remainder" exist, the method for calculating the "output of each fuel cell unit" in step S13 can be easily understood from the method for calculating the "output of each fuel cell unit" in step S12 above, so an explanation of this will be omitted.

[0083] When the operation of the power generation planning device 20 is completed, power generation by the fuel cell device 40 is started at an appropriate time.

[0084] According to the present embodiment described above, the power generation plan for the fuel cell system 40 including a plurality of fuel cell units can be determined more appropriately than ever before.

[0085] Specifically, according to this embodiment, by executing step S13 in which the output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device 40 is determined to satisfy the sum of the power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device 40 and the total standby power of the fuel cell units whose output has been determined to be 0, the possibility that the power generation plan for the fuel cell device 40, which includes multiple fuel cell units, will not be properly planned can be reduced compared to the case in which step S13 is not executed.

[0086] Other than the above-mentioned features, the power generation planning method, the power generation planning device 20, and the power generation system 10 of this embodiment may be similar to those of the first embodiment or the example of the first embodiment.

[0087] (Example of the second embodiment) Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation (power generation planning method) of the power generation planning device of the example of the second embodiment. The following operation may be performed, for example, by the calculation processing unit of the controller 23 reading out a control program from the storage unit of the controller 23. However, it is not essential that the following operation is performed by the controller 23. An operator may perform some of the operations. In the following example, a case where the operation is controlled by the controller 23 will be described.

[0088] Here, steps S11, S12 and S13 in FIG. 7 are similar to steps S11, S12 and S13 in FIG. 6, respectively, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0089] After the operation of step S12, in step S14, it is determined whether the output of the plurality of fuel cell units is set to AC output or DC output.

[0090] When the outputs of the multiple fuel cell units are set to AC output ("AC" in step S14), the operation of step S13 is executed. In this case, the output of each of the fuel cell units is finally determined by the operation of step S13.

[0091] On the other hand, when the outputs of the multiple fuel cell units are set to DC output ("DC" in step S14), the operation of step S13 is not executed. In this case, information indicating "the output of each of the fuel cell units generating power" determined in step 12 is transmitted from the power generation planning device 20 to the control device 30 in a timely manner.

[0092] When the operation of the power generation planning device 20 is completed, power generation by the fuel cell device 40 is started at an appropriate time.

[0093] 1 and 2, even if the number of fuel cell units generating electricity and on standby within the fuel cell device 40 is the same, there is a possibility that the power generation of the fuel cell device 40 cannot be appropriately planned because the net output of the fuel cell device 40 differs between an AC output type fuel cell device and a DC output type fuel cell device. However, according to this embodiment, by determining whether or not to execute step S13, which determines the output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device 40 so as to satisfy the sum of the power generation output plan value of step S11 plus the total standby power of fuel cell units determined to have an output of 0, depending on the difference in the output type of the fuel cell units, it is possible to reduce the above possibility compared to the case where the determination as to whether or not to execute step S13 is not made.

[0094] Other than the above-mentioned features, the power generation planning method, the power generation planning device 20, and the power generation system 10 of this embodiment may be similar to any of the first embodiment, the example of the first embodiment, and the second embodiment.

[0095] Note that this embodiment is an example of a case where two cases may exist in a fuel cell device: one where the output of multiple fuel cell units is set to AC output, and one where the output of multiple fuel cell units is set to DC output.

[0096] On the other hand, in the fuel cell device, if the output of the multiple fuel cell units is set to AC output and the output of the multiple fuel cell units is not set to DC output, after step S2, step S4 is not executed and step S3 is executed.

[0097] Third embodiment FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a power generation system including a power generation planning device according to the third embodiment.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 8, the power generation system 10 includes a power generation planning device 20 (see Fig. 3), control devices 30A-30E, and fuel cell devices 40A-40E. The internal configuration of the power generation planning device 20 is similar to that of the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] Here, fuel cell devices 40A-40E correspond to the fuel cell device 40 in Fig. 3. That is, in the example shown in Fig. 8, the power generation system 10 includes a fuel cell unit group consisting of a plurality of fuel cell units. The fuel cell unit group is divided according to an appropriate rule, and a plurality of fuel cell units are grouped. Although not shown, each of these fuel cell units includes a fuel cell stack, an AC conversion device for converting DC power generated by the fuel cell stack into AC power and outputting it to the power grid, and a control device for controlling the operation of these devices.

[0100] In this example, the fuel cell units are grouped into fuel cell units a1-an belonging to fuel cell device 40A, fuel cell units b1-bn belonging to fuel cell device 40B, fuel cell units c1-cn belonging to fuel cell device 40C, fuel cell units d1-dn belonging to fuel cell device 40D, and fuel cell units e1-en belonging to fuel cell device 40E. All the fuel cell units belonging to one fuel cell device are also referred to simply as "all the fuel cell units of the fuel cell device."

[0101] However, the above configuration of the fuel cell unit group is merely an example and is not limited to this example. For example, the fuel cell unit group may be grouped by a single group of multiple fuel cell units.

[0102] Control devices 30A-30E correspond to the control device 30 in Fig. 3. That is, in the example shown in Fig. 8, control devices 30A-30E are provided respectively for fuel cell units a1-an of fuel cell device 40A, fuel cell units b1-bn of fuel cell device 40B, fuel cell units c1-cn of fuel cell device 40C, fuel cell units d1-dn of fuel cell device 40D, and fuel cell units e1-en of fuel cell device 40E, and control the operation of all of the fuel cell units in the fuel cell devices.

[0103] For example, the control device 30A controls the output of each of the fuel cell units a1-an belonging to the fuel cell device 40A via a communication network so as to enable efficient operation (e.g., optimization of the life span) of these fuel cell units. Note that the fuel cell units may not be provided with a control device, and the operation of the fuel cell units belonging to each fuel cell device may be directly controlled by the control devices 30A-30E.

[0104] The control devices 30A to 30E may have any control function, and include a calculation processing unit (not shown), a storage unit that stores a control program, and a communication device. The calculation processing unit reads out and executes the control program stored in the storage unit, thereby performing predetermined control in the control devices 30A to 30E. An example of the calculation processing unit is a microprocessor. An example of the storage unit is a memory.

[0105] In this example, the power generation planning device 20 instructs each of the control devices 30A-30E via a communication network various information such as a power generation plan including the power generation output plan values ​​of each of the fuel cell devices 40A-40E in response to, for example, a user's output request.

[0106] The above-described configuration of the power generation system 10 is merely an example, and the power generation system 10 is not limited to this example.

[0107] For example, the fuel cell units may not be provided with control devices, and the operations of the fuel cell units belonging to each group may be directly controlled by the control devices 30A to 30E.

[0108] Also, the controller 23 (see FIG. 3) of the power generation planning device 20 makes a first decision to determine the number of fuel cell units that will generate power and the number of fuel cell units that will not generate power among the multiple fuel cell units in order to satisfy the planned power generation output value of the fuel cell device 40, and makes a second decision to determine the number of fuel cell units that will generate power in order to satisfy the sum of the planned power generation output value of the fuel cell device 40 and the total standby power of the fuel cell units that are not generating power, but is not limited to this. Such decisions may be made by a control device other than the controller 23 (e.g., control devices 30A-30E).

[0109] Furthermore, the power generation planning device 20 may be integrated with the control devices 30A-30E, in other words, may be equipped with the control functions of the control devices 30A-30E, and may directly control the operation of each of all the fuel cell units in the fuel cell device .

[0110] The effects achieved by the power generation planning method, power generation planning device 20, and power generation system 10 of this embodiment are similar to those described in any of the first embodiment, the examples of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the examples of the second embodiment, so they will not be described here.

[0111] Other than the above-mentioned features, the power generation planning method, the power generation planning device 20, and the power generation system 10 of this embodiment may be similar to any of the first embodiment, the example of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the example of the second embodiment.

[0112] The first embodiment, the example of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the example of the second embodiment, and the third embodiment may be combined with each other as long as they do not exclude each other. From the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be construed as merely illustrative and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present disclosure. The details of the structure and / or function thereof may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0113] An aspect of the present disclosure can be used in a power generation planning method, a power generation planning device, and a power generation system that can determine a power generation plan for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units more appropriately than ever before. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 10: Power generation system 20: Power generation planning device 21: Communication device 23: Controller 30A: Control device 30B: Control device 30C: Control device 30D: Control device 30E: Control device 40:Fuel cell device 40A: Fuel cell device 40B:Fuel cell device 40C: Fuel cell device 40D: Fuel cell device 40E: Fuel cell device a1~an: fuel cell unit b1 to bn: fuel cell units c1~cn: fuel cell unit d1~dn: fuel cell unit e1~en: Fuel cell unit

Claims

1. A power generation planning method for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, comprising: receiving a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device; a first determination step of determining, among the plurality of fuel cell units, a number of fuel cell units that will generate power and a number of fuel cell units that will not generate power in order to satisfy the power generation output plan value; a second determination step of determining the number of fuel cell units that will generate power in order to satisfy a value obtained by adding the total standby power of the fuel cell units that are not generating power to the power generation output plan value; A power generation planning method comprising:

2. When the output of the plurality of fuel cell units is set to AC output, the second determination step is executed; 2. The power generation planning method according to claim 1, wherein the second determination step is not executed when the outputs of the plurality of fuel cell units are set to DC outputs.

3. A power generation planning method for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, comprising: receiving a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device; a first determination step of determining an output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy the power generation output plan value; a second determination step of determining the output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy a value obtained by adding the total standby power of the fuel cell units whose output has been determined to be 0 to the power generation output plan value; A power generation planning method comprising:

4. executing the second decision output step when the output of the plurality of fuel cell units is set to AC output; 4. The power generation planning method according to claim 3, wherein the second determination step is not executed when the outputs of the plurality of fuel cell units are set to DC outputs.

5. A power generation planning device for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, a communication device for receiving a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device; A controller; Equipped with The controller makes a first decision to determine the number of fuel cell units that will generate power and the number of fuel cell units that will not generate power among the plurality of fuel cell units in order to satisfy the power generation output plan value received via the communication device, and makes a second decision to determine the number of fuel cell units that will generate power in order to satisfy the power generation output plan value plus the total standby power of the fuel cell units that are not generating power.

6. A power generation planning device for a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units, a communication device for receiving a power generation output plan value of the fuel cell device; A controller; Equipped with The controller makes a first decision to determine the output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy the power generation output plan value received via the communication device, and makes a second decision to determine the output of each fuel cell unit of the fuel cell device so as to satisfy the power generation output plan value plus the total standby power of fuel cell units whose output has been determined to be 0, the power generation planning device.

7. a fuel cell device including a plurality of fuel cell units; A power generation system comprising: the power generation planning device according to claim 5 or 6.

Images