Power management system, fuel cell device, and charge / discharge device

Abstract

To provide a power supply management system capable of performing the appropriate operation of a power supply device even if information communication between the power supply device and a management device cannot be normally performed.SOLUTION: In a power supply management system, a management device 30 can transmit, to a plurality of power supply devices 10, an output control command that determines output power of the power supply devices 10 in a predetermined control target period. Each of the power supply devices 10 operates in a communication-possible-time operation mode, when it can output power, power supply from a power system is normally performed, and it can normally perform information communication with the management device 30, and operates in a communication-impossible-time operation mode, when it can output power, power supply from the power system is normally performed, and it cannot normally perform information communication with the management device 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power management system including a power supply device installed in each of a plurality of facilities and capable of outputting power, and a management device capable of communicating from a remote location outside the facilities with the plurality of power supply devices, a fuel cell device and a charge / discharge device as the power supply devices used in the power management system.

Background Art

[0002] In the power system, not only large-scale power plants that have existed conventionally but also power supply devices such as power generation devices and charge / discharge devices installed in facilities such as houses and offices are connected. In addition, power load devices installed in facilities are also connected to the power system. By increasing or decreasing the received power at the receiving point of the facility using the power supply device and the power load device, it is possible to contribute to the adjustment of the power supply-demand balance in the power system. In recent years, under the concept of a virtual power plant (VPP), by controlling the operation of the customer-side energy resources such as the above-described power supply devices and power load devices installed in the customer's facility, an attempt has been made to provide the same functions as a power plant. Note that the received power at the receiving point of the facility includes both the received power from the power system to the facility and the reverse power flow from the facility to the power system.

[0003] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-204407) describes a system for remotely operating information devices such as distributed power sources, energy storage devices, heat storage devices, and loads provided in a facility via a network from a server provided outside the facility. If it is possible to remotely operate these information devices provided in the facility, the received power at the receiving point of the facility can be increased or decreased.

[0004] In the system described in Patent Document 1, when the information devices such as the distributed power source provided in the facility operate according to the operation instructions given by a server provided outside the facility, if the information communication via the network is interrupted, the operation is stopped from the viewpoint of safety.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] As described in Patent Document 1, when a distributed power source or the like provided in a facility is stopped, the benefits of the users of the facility are impaired. For example, if the stop and start of a distributed power source or the like are repeated every time information communication is interrupted, it may lead to a reduction in its lifespan. In addition, extra energy (such as fuel) is consumed for the stop and start of the distributed power source or the like. Furthermore, once the distributed power source or the like is stopped, it takes time until it is restarted and power output is started. Moreover, when the distributed power source or the like is stopped, the merits of heat and light costs that should be obtained by operating it cannot be enjoyed. In addition, when a distributed power source or the like provided in a facility is stopped, the distributed power source or the like cannot be used to increase or decrease the power at the power receiving point of the facility, and the power purchase of the facility increases, resulting in an increase in the load on the power grid.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to provide a power management system capable of appropriately operating a power source device even when information communication between the power source device and the management device cannot be normally performed, a fuel cell device and a charge / discharge device as the power source devices used in the power management system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A characteristic configuration of a power management system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a power management system including a power source device installed in each of a plurality of facilities and capable of outputting power, and a management device capable of communicating with the plurality of power source devices from a remote location outside the facility, wherein the power source device includes a power source unit connected to a power grid, The power load device installed in the facility can receive power supply from at least one of the power supply device and the power system installed in the facility. The management device can send an output control command for determining the output power of the power supply device during a predetermined control target period to a plurality of the power supply devices. The power supply device When it can output power, the power supply from the power system is being performed normally, and information communication with the management device can be performed normally, it operates in the communication-enabled operation mode. When it can output power, the power supply from the power system is being performed normally, and information communication with the management device cannot be performed normally. Linked to the power system It operates in the communication-disabled operation mode. Here, when the power supply from the power system is not being performed normally, the power supply device may perform an operation of making the output power follow the load power of the power load device installed in the facility.

[0009] According to the above characteristic configuration, when the power supply device can perform information communication with the management device normally, it operates in the communication-enabled operation mode, and when information communication with the management device cannot be performed normally. Linked to the power system It operates in the communication-disabled operation mode. That is, even if the power supply device cannot perform information communication with the management device normally, its operation does not stop. Linked to the power system It operates in the communication-disabled operation mode. As a result, each time information communication with the management device cannot be performed normally, the operation of the power supply device will not be stopped. Therefore, even if information communication between the power supply device and the management device cannot be performed normally, a power management system that can appropriately operate the power supply device can be provided.

[0010] Another characteristic configuration of the power management system according to the present invention is that, in the inoperable communication operation mode, the power supply device operates to make the output power follow the load power of the power load device installed in the facility, or to maintain the output power at a predetermined value, or to make the output power the power determined based on the latest output control command received from the management device during the period when the information communication with the management device was being normally performed.

[0011] According to the above characteristic configuration, as an inoperable communication operation mode, the power supply device can be executed without problems even if it cannot perform information communication with the management device, that is, an operation to make the output power follow the load power of the power load device installed in the facility, or an operation to maintain the output power at a predetermined value, or an operation to make the output power the power determined based on the latest output control command received from the management device during the period when the information communication with the management device was being normally performed.

[0012] Yet another characteristic configuration of the power management system according to the present invention is that, in the operable communication operation mode, the power supply device operates in a first operation mode in which the output power becomes the power determined based on the output control command during the control target period determined by the output control command received from the management device, and operates in a second operation mode during a non-control target period outside the control target period.

[0013] According to the above characteristic configuration, during the control target period, the power supply device can perform an operation according to the output control command.

[0014] A characteristic configuration of the fuel cell device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is that it has the function of the power supply device used in the above power management system, and the power supply unit includes a fuel cell.

[0015] According to the above characteristic configuration, it is possible to provide a fuel cell device having the function of a power supply device used in a power management system that can provide both an adjustment force for increasing the power at the power receiving point and an adjustment force for decreasing the power at the power receiving point.

[0016] The characteristic configuration of the charge and discharge device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is that it has the function of the power supply device used in the above power management system, and the power supply unit includes a charge and discharge unit.

[0017] According to the above characteristic configuration, it is possible to provide a charge and discharge device having the function of a power supply device used in a power management system that can provide both an adjustment force for increasing the power at the power receiving point and an adjustment force for decreasing the power at the power receiving point.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between a facility 20 in which a fuel cell device 10 and a power load device 4 are provided, a management device 30, and an aggregation coordinator 40. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the facility 20. The power management system includes a fuel cell device 10 installed in each of a plurality of facilities 20 and capable of outputting power, and a management device 30 capable of communicating from a remote location outside the facility 20 between the plurality of fuel cell devices 10. In addition, the power management system of the present embodiment includes a router 6 and a remote controller 7 as communication relay devices that relay communication between the fuel cell device 10 and the management device 30. The fuel cell device 10 corresponds to the "power supply device" of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the number of power supply devices managed by one management device 30 can be set as appropriate.

[0020] The management device 30, also called a resource aggregator or the like, is an operator that controls the customer-side energy resources by transmitting control information to the fuel cell device 10 and the power load device 4 as customer-side energy resources to the facility 20 that has concluded a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) service contract. The aggregation coordinator 40 is an operator that aggregates the amounts of power controlled by each management device 30 and conducts power transactions with general power transmission and distribution operators and retail electricity operators in the electricity trading market and the like.

[0021] The management device 30 sequentially collects and stores power information such as the output power of the fuel cell device 10, the load power of the power load device 4, and the receiving point power at the facility 20 from a plurality of facilities 20. Note that when the term "load power of the power load device 4" is described in this embodiment, it means the total load power of all the power load devices 4 provided in the facility 20. Then, the management device 30 predicts the power that can be supplied from each facility 20 in a predetermined future time period and transmits it to the aggregation coordinator 40. This available supply power is the adjustment margin such as the ability to increase or decrease the receiving point power of the facility 20. Note that in this embodiment, when it is said that "increase the receiving point power", it means increasing the received power from the power grid 1 to the power line 2 or decreasing the reverse power flow from the power line 2 to the power grid 1, and when it is said that "decrease the receiving point power", it means decreasing the received power from the power grid 1 to the power line 2 or increasing the reverse power flow from the power line 2 to the power grid 1.

[0022] For example, in order to increase the receiving point power of the facility 20, at least one of reducing the output power of the fuel cell device 10 and increasing the load power of the power load device 4 may be performed. Therefore, the upward adjustment margin when increasing the receiving point power of the facility 20 indicates how much margin there is to reduce the output power of the fuel cell device 10 and how much margin there is to increase the load power of the power load device 4. Also, in order to decrease the receiving point power of the facility 20, at least one of increasing the output power of the fuel cell device 10 and decreasing the load power of the power load device 4 may be performed. Therefore, the downward adjustment margin when decreasing the receiving point power of the facility 20 indicates how much margin there is to increase the output power of the fuel cell device 10 and how much margin there is to decrease the load power of the power load device 4.

[0023] In addition, the management device 30 determines the baseline receiving point power in a plurality of facilities 20 that it manages. This baseline receiving point power corresponds to the sum of the receiving point powers of each facility 20 predicted when each facility 20 does not supply adjustment power etc. (that is, including adjustment power provided to the power transmission and distribution operator and supply power etc. provided to the retail operator etc.).

[0024] The aggregation coordinator 40 aggregates the available power received from each management device 30, and conducts power trading with general power transmission and distribution operators and retail electricity operators by, for example, bidding in power trading markets such as the supply-demand adjustment market, the wholesale power market, and the capacity market. Then, when the aggregation coordinator 40 receives a supply command such as regulation power in a predetermined control target period in the future from the general power transmission and distribution operator or retail electricity operator that has conducted the transaction, it distributes and transmits the regulation power and the like specified by the supply command to each management device 30.

[0025] When the management device 30 receives a supply command from the aggregation coordinator 40, it distributes and transmits the regulation power and the like specified by the supply command to each facility 20. For example, the management device 30 can send an output control command for determining the output power of the fuel cell device 10 in a predetermined control target period to a plurality of fuel cell devices 10. As a result, in each facility 20, by controlling the fuel cell device 10 and the power load device 4 as customer-side energy resources in a future predetermined control target period, compared with the case where such control is not performed, the supply of regulation power and the like such that the power at the power receiving point of the facility 20 increases or decreases is performed.

[0026] The facility 20 is provided with a fuel cell device 10 as a power source device and a power load device 4. The fuel cell device 10 and the power load device 4 are connected to a power line 2 connected to the power system 1. A power meter 3 for measuring the power at the power receiving point of the facility 20 is installed on the power line 2. In addition, FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example in which one fuel cell device 10 is installed as a power source device, but the number of installed fuel cell devices 10 can be appropriately changed.

[0027] Information on the power at the power receiving point measured by the power meter 3 is transmitted to the management device 30 via the gateway 5 and the router 6. For example, information on the power at the power receiving point is transmitted to the management device 30 at a predetermined timing such as every 10 seconds.

[0028] The power load device 4 is various devices such as a lighting device and an air conditioner, and can receive power supply from at least one of the fuel cell device 10 and the power system 1 installed in the facility 20.

[0029] The fuel cell device 10 includes a fuel cell unit 12 as a power supply unit connected to the power system 1, a power conversion unit 11 that converts the generated power of the fuel cell unit 12 into a predetermined voltage, frequency, and phase and supplies it to the power line 2, a fuel cell control unit 13 that controls the operations of the fuel cell unit 12 and the power conversion unit 11, and a storage unit 14 that stores information handled by the fuel cell device 10. Further, the fuel cell device 10 may include a fuel reforming device that generates hydrogen, which is the fuel gas of the fuel cell unit 12.

[0030] In this way, it is possible to realize a fuel cell device 10 that has the functions of a power supply device used in the power management system and whose power supply unit includes the fuel cell unit 12.

[0031] The fuel cell control unit 13 can adjust the output power from the fuel cell device 10 to the power line 2 between a predetermined upper limit output power and a lower limit output power. For example, the fuel cell control unit 13 can maintain the output power of the fuel cell device 10 at the upper limit output power and operate it continuously. Also, the fuel cell control unit 13 can perform an operation of making the output power of the fuel cell device 10 follow the load power of the power load device 4. For example, the fuel cell control unit 13 can perform an operation of making the output power of the fuel cell device 10 follow the load power of the power load device 4 by adjusting the output power of the fuel cell device 10 so that the power measured by the power measurement unit 8 (that is, the power supplied from the power system 1) becomes zero or a power close to zero. Incidentally, when a failure or the like occurs in the fuel cell device 10, the fuel cell control unit 13 may stop the power output from the fuel cell device 10 by stopping the operation of the fuel cell unit 12.

[0032] Since the fuel cell control unit 13 has information about the output power supplied to the power line 2 from the power conversion unit 11 and information about the measured power at the power measurement unit 8, the load power of the power load device 4 (= output power + measured power) can be derived. Incidentally, when the sign of the measured power at the power measurement unit 8 is positive, it means that the load power is greater than the output power of the fuel cell device 10, and when the sign of the measured power at the power measurement unit 8 is negative, it means that the output power of the fuel cell device 10 is greater than the load power.

[0033] The fuel cell device 10 is connected to a remote controller 7 that is operated when a user of the facility 20 gives a command to the fuel cell device 10. Then, information about the output power and load power that the fuel cell device 10 has is transmitted to the management device 30 via the remote controller 7 and the router 6. For example, information about the output power and load power that the fuel cell device 10 has is transmitted to the management device 30 at a predetermined timing such as every minute. The remote controller 7 and the router 6 correspond to the "communication relay device" of the present invention.

[0034] Next, an example of information communication performed between the fuel cell device 10 and the management device 30 will be described.

[0035] 〔Example of operation when the fuel cell device 10 transmits information indicating that it is in a state of power output stop to the management device 30〕 FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which the fuel cell device 10 transmits information indicating that the power output is stopped to the management device 30 via the communication relay device. For example, the fuel cell device 10 determines whether it can output power. When the fuel cell device 10 stops power output due to a reason such as a failure, it transmits information indicating that the power output is stopped to the management device 30 via the remote controller 7 as a communication relay device (information communication A1). Then, the remote controller 7 performs a reply (information communication A2) to the fuel cell device 10 for receiving the information (information communication A1) indicating that the power output is stopped. Note that when there is no reply (information communication A2) from the remote controller 7 to the fuel cell device 10 for receiving the information (information communication A1) indicating that the power output is stopped, the fuel cell device 10 can determine that the remote controller 7 is the cause and the information communication with the management device 30 cannot be normally performed.

[0036] Also, in FIG. 3, the remote controller 7 transmits information indicating that the fuel cell device 10 is in a state where the power output is stopped to the management device 30 (information communication A3). Then, the management device 30 performs a reply (information communication A4) to the remote controller 7 for receiving the information (information communication A3) indicating that the fuel cell device 10 is in a state where the power output is stopped. Note that when there is no reply (information communication A4) from the management device 30 to the remote controller 7 for receiving the information (information communication A3) indicating that the fuel cell device 10 is in a state where the power output is stopped, the remote controller 7 determines that the management device 30 or the router 6 is the cause and the information communication with the management device 30 cannot be normally performed, and transmits information (information communication A5) indicating that it is impossible to communicate with the management device 30 to the fuel cell device 10. Therefore, when the fuel cell device 10 receives the information (information communication A5) indicating that it is impossible to communicate with the management device 30, it determines that the information communication with the management device 30 cannot be normally performed, and when it does not receive the information (information communication A5) indicating that it is impossible to communicate with the management device 30, it determines that the information communication with the management device 30 can be normally performed.

[0037] 〔Example of operation when the management device 30 transmits control information to the fuel cell device 10〕 FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which the management device 30 transmits control information to the fuel cell device 10 via the communication relay device. For example, the management device 30 transmits control information (information communication B1), such as an output control command described later, to the fuel cell device 10 via the remote controller 7 as the communication relay device. Then, the remote controller 7 performs a reply (information communication B2) to the management device 30 regarding the reception of the control information (information communication B1). Note that when there is no reply (information communication B2) from the remote controller 7 regarding the reception of the control information (information communication B1), the management device 30 can determine that the information communication between the fuel cell devices 10 is in a state where it cannot be normally performed due to the remote controller 7 or the router 6.

[0038] Also, in FIG. 4, the remote controller 7 transmits the control information received from the management device 30 to the fuel cell device 10 (information communication B3). Then, the fuel cell device 10 performs a reply (information communication B4) to the remote controller 7 regarding the reception of the control information. Note that when there is no reply (information communication B4) from the fuel cell device 10 regarding the reception of the control information, the remote controller 7 determines that the information communication between the fuel cell device 10 and the management device 30 is in a state where it cannot be normally performed due to the fuel cell device 10, and transmits information (information communication B5) indicating that communication with the fuel cell device 10 is impossible to the management device 30. Therefore, when the management device 30 receives the information (information communication B5) indicating that communication with the fuel cell device 10 is impossible, it determines that the information communication with the fuel cell device 10 cannot be normally performed, and when it does not receive the information (information communication B5) indicating that communication with the fuel cell device 10 is impossible, it determines that the information communication with the fuel cell device 10 can be normally performed.

[0039] 〔Operation example when the fuel cell device 10 transmits power information to the management device 30〕 FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which the fuel cell device 10 transmits power information and the like to the management device 30 via the communication relay device. For example, the fuel cell device 10 transmits power information such as the received point power described above to the management device 30 via the remote controller 7 as the communication relay device (information communication C1). Then, the remote controller 7 makes a reply (information communication C2) to the fuel cell device 10 regarding the reception of the power information and the like (information communication C1). Note that when there is no reply (information communication C2) from the remote controller 7 regarding the reception of the power information and the like (information communication C1), the fuel cell device 10 can determine that the information communication with the management device 30 cannot be normally performed due to the remote controller 7.

[0040] Also, in FIG. 5, the remote controller 7 transmits power information and the like to the management device 30 (information communication C3). Then, the management device 30 makes a reply (information communication C4) to the remote controller 7 regarding the reception of the power information and the like (information communication C3). Note that when there is no reply (information communication C4) from the management device 30 regarding the reception of the power information (information communication C3), the remote controller 7 determines that the information communication with the management device 30 cannot be normally performed due to the management device 30 or the router 6, and transmits information (information communication C5) indicating that communication with the management device 30 is impossible to the fuel cell device 10. Therefore, when the fuel cell device 10 receives the information (information communication C5) indicating that communication with the management device 30 is impossible, it determines that the information communication with the management device 30 cannot be normally performed, and when it does not receive the information (information communication C5) indicating that communication with the management device 30 is impossible, it determines that the information communication with the management device 30 can be normally performed.

[0041] With the above method, the fuel cell device 10 can determine whether the information communication with the management device 30 can be normally performed, and the management device 30 can determine whether the information communication with the fuel cell device 10 can be normally performed.

[0042] Next, the operation mode determination process for determining the operation mode of the fuel cell device 10 will be described. In this embodiment, when it is determined that the fuel cell device 10 can output power, the power supply from the power grid 1 is being carried out normally, and information communication with the management device 30 can be carried out normally based on the information communication status between the management device 30 and the fuel cell device 10, the fuel cell device 10 operates in the communication-enabled operation mode. When it is determined that the fuel cell device 10 can output power, the power supply from the power grid 1 is being carried out normally, but information communication with the management device 30 cannot be carried out normally based on the information communication status between the management device 30 and the fuel cell device 10, the fuel cell device 10 operates in the communication-disabled operation mode.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation mode determination process for determining the operation mode of the fuel cell device 10. In step #10, the fuel cell device 10 determines whether it can output power. If the fuel cell device 10 cannot output power due to, for example, an error, it proceeds to step #17 and stops operating. If the fuel cell device 10 can output power, it proceeds to step #11.

[0044] In step #11, the fuel cell device 10 determines whether the power supply from the power grid 1 is being carried out normally. If the power supply from the power grid 1 is not being carried out normally, the fuel cell device 10 proceeds to step #18 and operates in independent operation. If the power supply from the power grid 1 is being carried out normally, the fuel cell device 10 proceeds to step #12. For example, in step #18, when the power supply from the power grid 1 is not being carried out normally, the fuel cell device 10 performs an operation to make the output power follow the load power of the power load device 4 installed in the facility 20 as independent operation.

[0045] In Project #12, the fuel cell device 10 determines whether it can normally perform information communication with the management device 30 by the method described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. Then, when the fuel cell device 10 can normally perform information communication with the management device 30, it proceeds to Project #13, and when it cannot normally perform information communication with the management device 30, it proceeds to Project #16 and operates in the communication failure operation mode. That is, when the fuel cell device 10 can output power, and the power supply from the power grid 1 is normally performed, and information communication with the management device 30 cannot be normally performed, it operates in the communication failure operation mode.

[0046] In the communication failure operation mode, the fuel cell device 10 performs an operation of making the output power follow the load power of a predetermined power load device 4 installed in the facility 20, or an operation of maintaining the output power at a predetermined value, or an operation of making the output power the power determined based on the latest output control command received from the management device 30 during the period when information communication with the management device 30 was normally performed.

[0047] Here, the fuel cell control unit 13 may determine which operation to perform among the above-described examples of the communication failure operation mode according to the time zone. For example, when the number of times the fuel cell control unit 13 has received an output control command in the direction of reducing the receiving point power from the management device 30 within a past predetermined period is greater than the number of times it has received an output control command in the direction of increasing the receiving point power, that is, in the time zone when it is preferable to increase the output power of the fuel cell device 10, the fuel cell device 10 maintains the output power at the upper limit output power and continuously operates, or the power measured by the power measurement unit 8 (that is, the power supplied from the power grid 1) is set to a set value such as -100 W (that is, always in a reverse power flow of 100 W). By adjusting the output power of the fuel cell device 10, an operation of making the output power follow the load power of the power load device 4 can be performed.

[0048] On the other hand, when the fuel cell control unit 13 receives from the management device 30 a larger number of output control commands in the direction of increasing the received power point power than the number of output control commands in the direction of decreasing the received power point power within a past predetermined period, the fuel cell control unit 13 can perform an operation of following the load power of the power load device 4. For example, the fuel cell control unit 13 adjusts the output power of the fuel cell device 10 so that the power measured by the power measurement unit 8 (i.e., the power supplied from the power grid 1) becomes zero or a power close to zero, or adjusts the output power of the fuel cell device 10 so that the power measured by the power measurement unit 8 (i.e., the power supplied from the power grid 1) becomes a set value such as +100 W (i.e., always receives 100 W of power), thereby performing an operation of following the load power of the power load device 4.

[0049] In step #13, the fuel cell device 10 determines whether it is a control target period of the received output control command. If it is a control target period, it proceeds to step #14 and operates in the first operation mode as the communication-enabled operation mode. If it is not a control target period, it proceeds to step #15 and operates in the second operation mode as the communication-enabled operation mode. That is, the fuel cell device 10 operates in the communication-enabled operation mode (the first operation mode or the second operation mode) when it can output power, the power supply from the power grid 1 is performed normally, and information communication with the management device 30 can be performed normally. Specifically, in the communication-enabled operation mode, the fuel cell device 10 operates in the first operation mode in which the output power becomes the power determined based on the output control command during the control target period determined by the output control command received from the management device 30, and operates in the second operation mode during the non-control target period outside the control target period. Alternatively, when the fuel cell device 10 has not received an output control command from the management device 30, that is, when it has not received a designation of the control target period, it also operates in the second operation mode as corresponding to the non-control target period.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically depicting a controlled period and a non-controlled period. In the example shown in FIG. 7, in the control information (output control command), the period from 12:00 to 15:00 is designated as the controlled period. Therefore, this fuel cell device 10 operates in the first operation mode during the controlled period from 12:00 to 15:00, and operates in the second operation mode during the non-controlled periods other than that.

[0051] The second operation mode is an operation mode preset in a plurality of fuel cell devices 10. Alternatively, the management device 30 can transmit an operation mode control command that defines the second operation mode to the plurality of fuel cell devices 10, and the fuel cell device 10 determines the second operation mode according to the operation mode control command received from the management device 30.

[0052] For example, as the second operation mode, the fuel cell control unit 13 can maintain the output power of the fuel cell device 10 at the upper limit output power and continuously operate it. Also, as the second operation mode, the fuel cell control unit 13 can perform an operation in which the output power of the fuel cell device 10 follows the load power of the power load device 4. For example, the fuel cell control unit 13 adjusts the output power of the fuel cell device 10 so that the power measured by the power measurement unit 8 (that is, the power supplied from the power system 1) becomes zero or a power close to zero, thereby performing an operation in which the output power of the fuel cell device 10 follows the load power of the power load device 4. Alternatively, the fuel cell control unit 13 adjusts the output power of the fuel cell device 10 so that the power measured by the power measurement unit 8 (that is, the power supplied from the power system 1) becomes a set value such as +100 W or -100 W, thereby performing an operation in which the output power of the fuel cell device 10 follows the load power of the power load device 4.

[0053] <Another Embodiment> <1> In the above embodiment, a specific example has been given and described for the configuration of the power management system of the present invention, but the configuration can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the power supply unit included in the power supply device includes the fuel cell unit 12 has been described, but the power supply unit may be another device that can output electric power. For example, the power supply unit may be a device including a charge / discharge unit such as a storage battery. In that case, a charge / discharge device that has the functions of the power supply device used in the power management system and includes a charge / discharge unit is realized. Alternatively, the power supply unit may be a device including an engine and a generator driven by the engine.

[0054] <2> In the above-described embodiment, specific numerical values such as output power, load power, power at the power reception point, and the length of the control target period have been exemplified and described, but these numerical values are described for illustrative purposes and can be changed as appropriate.

[0055] <3> In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the fuel cell device 10 communicates with the management device 30 via the remote controller 7 and the router 6 as communication relay devices has been described, but it may communicate with the management device 30 via other devices. For example, information communication between the fuel cell device 10 and the management device 30 may be performed using a communication relay device that uses a communication standard for mobile phones such as LTE.

[0056] <4> In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the fuel cell control unit 13 determines the specific operation content in the communication failure operation mode according to the comparison result between the number of times of receiving an output control command in the direction of decreasing the power at the power reception point and the number of times of receiving an output control command in the direction of increasing the power at the power reception point within a past predetermined period has been described, but the specific operation content in the communication failure operation mode may be determined according to other criteria.

[0057] For example, the fuel cell control unit 13 receives and stores in advance from, for example, the management device 30 information about the total load power of the power load devices 4 of the plurality of facilities 20 in each time zone of a day in a past predetermined period and information about the total outputtable power of the fuel cell devices 10 of the plurality of facilities 20. Then, the fuel cell control unit 13 refers to the stored information, and when the total load power of the power load devices 4 of the plurality of facilities 20 in the past time zone same as the current time is equal to or higher than a set ratio (for example, 2 / 3 or higher) of the total outputtable power of the fuel cell devices 10 of the plurality of facilities 20, that is, when it is a time zone in which it is preferable to increase the output power of its own fuel cell device 10, the fuel cell device 10 can be continuously operated while maintaining the output power at the upper limit output power, or the power measured by the power measurement unit 8 (that is, the power supplied from the power grid 1) can be adjusted so as to become a set value such as -100 W (that is, always have a reverse power flow of 100 W), and thus an operation can be performed to follow the load power of the power load device 4.

[0058] On the other hand, when the total load power of the power load devices 4 of the plurality of facilities 20 in the past time zone same as the current time is less than the set ratio (for example, less than 2 / 3) of the total outputtable power of the fuel cell devices 10 of the plurality of facilities 20, the fuel cell control unit 13 can perform an operation to follow the load power of the power load device 4. For example, the fuel cell control unit 13 can adjust the output power of the fuel cell device 10 so that the power measured by the power measurement unit 8 (that is, the power supplied from the power grid 1) becomes zero or a power close to zero, or adjust the output power of the fuel cell device 10 so that the power measured by the power measurement unit 8 (that is, the power supplied from the power grid 1) becomes a set value such as +100 W (that is, always receives power of 100 W), and thus an operation can be performed to follow the load power of the power load device 4.

[0059] <5> In the above embodiment, the example of information communication performed between the fuel cell device 10 and the management device 30 is not limited to that described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. For example, between the fuel cell device 10 and the remote controller 7, information such as the current time is transmitted and received at a predetermined timing, and in the process of this information communication, it may be determined whether the information communication can be performed normally.

[0060] <6> Note that the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs. Also, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be appropriately modified within the scope not departing from the object of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0061] The present invention can be used in a power management system that can appropriately operate a power supply device even when information communication between the power supply device and the management device cannot be performed normally, a fuel cell device as the power supply device used in the power management system, and a charge / discharge device.

Explanation of Signs

[0062] 1: Power system 2: Power line 3: Power meter 4: Power load device 5: Gateway 6: Router (communication relay device) 7: Remote controller (communication relay device) 8: Power measurement unit 10: Fuel cell device (power supply device) 11: Power conversion unit 12: Fuel cell unit (power supply unit) 13: Fuel cell control unit 14: Storage unit 20: Facility 30: Management device 40: Aggregation coordinator

Claims

1. A power management system comprising a power supply device installed in each of a plurality of facilities and capable of outputting power, and a management device capable of communicating from a remote location outside the facilities with the plurality of power supply devices, wherein the power supply device includes a power supply unit connected to a power grid, wherein a power load device installed in the facility can receive power supply from at least one of the power supply device installed in the facility and the power grid, wherein the management device can transmit an output control command for determining the output power of the power supply device during a predetermined control target period to the power supply device, wherein the power supply device, when it is determined that power can be output, power supply from the power grid is being normally performed, and information communication with the management device can be normally performed based on the information communication status between the management device and the power supply device, operates in a communication-enabled operation mode, A power management system that operates in a communication-disabled operation mode linked to the power grid when it is determined that power can be output, power supply from the power grid is being normally performed, and information communication with the management device cannot be normally performed based on the information communication status between the management device and the power supply device.

2. In the communication-disabled operation mode, the power supply device performs an operation of causing the output power to follow the load power of the power load device installed in the facility, or an operation of maintaining the output power at a predetermined value, or an operation of causing the output power to be the power determined based on the latest output control command received from the management device during the period when information communication with the management device was being normally performed. The power management system according to claim 1.

3. In the communication-enabled operation mode, the power supply device operates in a first operation mode in which the output power becomes the power determined based on the output control command during the control target period determined by the output control command received from the management device, and operates in a second operation mode during a non-control target period outside the control target period. The power management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When power supply from the power grid is not being normally performed, the power supply device performs an operation of causing the output power to follow the load power of the power load device installed in the facility. The power management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A fuel cell device having the functions of the power supply device used in the power management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the power supply unit includes a fuel cell.

6. A charge and discharge device having the functions of the power supply device used in the power management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the power supply unit includes a charge and discharge unit.

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