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

Abstract

To provide a power supply management system capable of surely obtaining necessary adjustment force even if there is a power supply device that cannot normally perform information communication with a management device.SOLUTION: In a power supply management system, a management device 30 identifies communication-abled power supply devices 10 that can normally perform information communication with the management device 30 and communication-disabled power supply devices 10 that cannot normally perform information communication, performs candidate determination processing of setting the communication-abled power supply devices 10 as transmission candidates that transmit an output control command, and setting the communication-disabled power devices 10 as non-transmission candidates that do not transmit the output control command, and performs command transmission processing of transmitting the output control command to at least one of the communication-abled power supply devices 10 set as the transmission candidates. Upon receiving the output control command from the management device 30, the power supply device 10 operates with a goal of supplying output power determined based on the output control command during a control target period that is a target of the output control command.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 facility with the plurality of power supply devices, a fuel cell device and a charge / discharge device as the power supply device used in the power management system.

Background Art

[0002] In a 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. Also, power load devices installed in facilities are connected to the power system. And by increasing or decreasing the power at the power 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-mentioned power supply devices and power load devices installed in the facilities of customers, attempts have been made to provide the same functions as a power plant. Note that the power at the power receiving point of the facility includes both the power received from the power system to the facility and the reverse power flow from the facility to the power system.

[0003] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-125907) describes a power management system including a power supply device (power resource 101) installed in each of a plurality of facilities and a management device (virtual power generation central device 103) capable of communicating with the plurality of power supply devices. And the management device selects the power supply device to be the target of the operation command based on evaluation criteria such as economic efficiency, the degree of influence on customers in power load reduction, reliability in starting the power supply device, the possibility of failure of the power supply device and the extension of the operating life, the follow-up speed of the power supply device to the control command, and the communication performance of the power supply device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-125907 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Even if the management device sends an output control command to several power supply devices, if the communication between the power supply device and the management device is not carried out normally, the output control command will not be transmitted to the power supply device. Therefore, since the power supply device does not perform an operation according to the output control command, the adjustment force assumed by the management device cannot be obtained. In particular, when the information communication with a large number of power supply devices is not carried out normally, the influence becomes significant.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to surely obtain a necessary adjustment force even if there is a power supply device that cannot normally perform information communication with a management device, a power management system, a fuel cell device as the power supply device used in the power management system, and a charge and discharge device. Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] 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 supply device installed in each of a plurality of facilities and capable of outputting electric power, and a management device capable of communicating from a remote location outside the facility with the plurality of power supply devices, the power supply device includes a power supply unit connected to a power system, 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 system, Based on the information communication status between the management device and the power supply device, among the plurality of power supply devices, the management device identifies the power supply devices that can communicate and can perform information communication with the management device normally, and the power supply devices that cannot communicate and cannot perform information communication normally. The power supply devices that can communicate are set as transmission candidates for sending an output control command that determines the output power of the power supply device, and the power supply devices that cannot communicate are set as non-transmission candidates that do not send the output control command, and a candidate determination process is performed. The management device performs a command transmission process of sending the output control command to at least one of the power supply devices that can communicate and are set as the transmission candidates in the candidate determination process. When the power supply device receives the output control command from the management device, during the control target period targeted by the output control command, it operates with the goal of supplying the output power determined based on the output control command. and the power supply device when it is determined that power can be output, power supply from the power grid is normal, and information communication with the management device can be performed normally based on the information communication status between the management device and the power supply device, it operates in the communication - possible operation mode; when it is determined that power can be output, power supply from the power grid is normal, but information communication with the management device cannot be performed normally based on the information communication status between the management device and the power supply device, it operates in the communication - impossible operation mode is in this regard. Here, when the power supply device cannot output power, it notifies the management device that it cannot output power, and the management device may set the power supply device that cannot output power as the non-transmission candidate in the candidate determination process.

[0008] According to the above characteristic configuration, in the candidate determination process, the management device sets a communicable power supply device capable of normally performing information communication with the management device as a transmission candidate for transmitting an output control command that determines the output of the power supply device, and sets a non-communicable power supply device incapable of normally performing information communication as a non-transmission candidate for not transmitting the output control command. Then, the management device performs a command transmission process of transmitting an output control command to at least one of the communicable power supply devices set as transmission candidates in the candidate determination process. That is, the management device excludes a power supply device to which the output control command cannot be transmitted from the transmission targets of the output control command, and transmits an output control command to at least one of the power supply devices to which the output control command can surely be transmitted. And the power supply device that receives the output control command from the management device operates with the supply of the output power determined based on the output control command as the target during the control target period that is the target of the output control command. Therefore, even if there is a power supply device that cannot normally perform information communication with the management device, a power management system can be provided that can surely obtain the necessary adjustment power. Also, the power supply device operates in the communication - possible operation mode when it can perform information communication with the management device normally, and operates in the communication - impossible operation mode when it cannot perform information communication with the management device normally. That is, even if the power supply device cannot perform information communication with the management device normally, its operation does not stop, and it operates in the communication - impossible operation mode. As a result, the operation of the power supply device will not be stopped every time information communication with the management device cannot be performed normally.

[0011] Still 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 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 while the information communication with the management device was being normally performed.

[0012] According to the above characteristic configuration, as the inoperable communication operation mode, the power supply device can perform an operation that can be executed without problems even if it cannot perform information communication with the management device, that is, 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 while the information communication with the management device was being normally performed.

[0013] Another characteristic configuration of the power management system according to the present invention is that the management device stores the content of the operation performed by the power supply device in the inoperable communication operation mode.

[0014] According to the above characteristic configuration, the management device stores the content of the operation performed by the power supply device that cannot communicate with the management device normally, that is, the power supply device excluded from the transmission target of the output control command, in the inoperable communication operation mode. As a result, the management device can determine what kind of output control command should be transmitted to the power supply device that is the transmission target of the output control command according to the operation during the control target period by the power supply device excluded from the transmission target of the output control command.

[0015] Another characteristic configuration of the power management system according to the present invention is that 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 in the operable communication operation mode, and operates in a second operation mode during the non-control target period outside the control target period.

[0016] According to the above characteristic configuration, the power supply device can perform an operation according to the output control command during the control target period.

[0017] The characteristic configuration of the fuel cell device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a fuel cell section the power supply device used in the above power management system as the power section of is provided.

[0018] According to the above characteristic configuration, a fuel cell section 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 is provided as the power section of can provide a fuel cell device.

[0019] The characteristic configuration of the charge and discharge device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a charge - discharge section the power supply device used in the above power management systemas the power section of lies in the provisions.

[0020] According to the above characteristic configuration, a charge - discharge section 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 is provided as the power section of can provide a charge and discharge device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 4

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Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] 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.

[0023] The management device 30, also called a resource aggregator or the like, is an operator that controls the energy resources on the customer side by transmitting control information to the fuel cell device 10 and the power load device 4 as energy resources on the customer side to the facilities 20 that have 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 or the like.

[0024] 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 power at the power receiving point in the facility 20 from a plurality of facilities 20. In the present embodiment, when referring to "the load power of the power load device 4", 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 power is the adjustment margin such as the ability to increase or decrease the power at the power receiving point of the facility 20. In the present embodiment, when referring to "increasing the power at the power receiving point", it means increasing the power received 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. When referring to "decreasing the power at the power receiving point", it means decreasing the power received 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.

[0025] For example, in order to increase the power at the power receiving point 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 power at the power receiving point 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 power at the power receiving point 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 power at the power receiving point 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.

[0026] In addition, the management device 30 determines the baseline power at the power receiving point in a plurality of facilities 20 that it manages. This baseline power at the power receiving point corresponds to the sum of the power at the power receiving points of each facility 20 predicted when each facility 20 does not supply adjustment power etc. (including adjustment power provided to the power transmission and distribution operator and supply power etc. provided to the retail operator etc.).

[0027] The aggregation coordinator 40 aggregates the available power received from each management device 30 and conducts power transactions with general power transmission and distribution operators or retail electricity providers, such as by bidding in power trading markets like the supply-demand adjustment market, wholesale power market, and capacity market. Then, when the aggregation coordinator 40 receives a supply command such as an adjustment power command for a predetermined control target period in the future from a general power transmission and distribution operator or retail electricity provider that has conducted a transaction, it distributes and transmits the adjustment power and the like specified in the supply command to each management device 30.

[0028] When the management device 30 receives a supply command from the aggregation coordinator 40, it distributes and transmits the adjustment power and the like specified in the supply command to each facility 20. For example, the management device 30 can send an output control command that determines the output power of the fuel cell device 10 during a predetermined control target period to a plurality of fuel cell devices 10. As a result, at each facility 20, by controlling the fuel cell device 10 and the power load device 4 as customer-side energy resources during a predetermined control target period in the future, compared to the case where such control is not performed, the supply of adjustment power and the like is performed, such that the power at the power receiving point of the facility 20 increases or decreases.

[0029] The facility 20 is provided with a fuel cell device 10 as a power supply 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 grid 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. Although FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example in which one fuel cell device 10 is installed as a power supply device, the number of installed fuel cell devices 10 can be changed as appropriate.

[0030] Information regarding 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 regarding the power at the power receiving point is transmitted to the management device 30 at a predetermined timing such as every 10 seconds.

[0031] 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 grid 1 installed in the facility 20.

[0032] The fuel cell device 10 includes a fuel cell unit 12 as a power supply unit connected to the power grid 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 reformer that generates hydrogen, which is the fuel gas of the fuel cell unit 12.

[0033] In this way, a fuel cell device 10 having the functions of a power supply device used in the power management system and including the fuel cell unit 12 as the power supply unit can be realized.

[0034] 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 grid 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.

[0035] 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, it can derive the load power (= output power + measured power) of the power load device 4. 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.

[0036] 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. 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.

[0037] Next, the operation of the management device 30 will be described. When the management device 30 transmits an output control command for determining the output power of the fuel cell device 10 to the fuel cell device 10, it performs candidate determination processing and command transmission processing. Specifically, in the candidate determination process, the management device 30 sets a fuel cell device 10 that can communicate with the management device 30 normally as a transmission candidate for transmitting an output control command that determines the output power of the fuel cell device 10, and sets a fuel cell device 10 that cannot communicate with the management device 30 normally as a non-transmission candidate for not transmitting an output control command. In addition, the management device 30 performs a command transmission process of transmitting an output control command to at least one of the fuel cell devices 10 set as transmission candidates in the candidate determination process. In this way, even if an output control command is transmitted to a fuel cell device 10 whose information cannot be transmitted normally, there is no possibility that the output control command will be executed. However, by performing these processes by the management device 30, it is ensured that the output control command is transmitted to a fuel cell device 10 whose information can be transmitted normally, that is, a fuel cell device 10 to which the output control command can be executed.

[0038] When the fuel cell device 10 receives an output control command from the management device 30, it operates with the goal of supplying the output power determined based on the output control command during the control target period targeted by the output control command.

[0039] Next, an example of information communication performed between the fuel cell device 10 and the management device 30 will be described.

[0040] 〔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 it is in a power output stop state to the management device 30 via the communication relay device. For example, the fuel cell device 10 determines whether it can output power. Then, when the fuel cell device 10 has stopped power output due to a reason such as a failure, it transmits information indicating that it is in a power output stop state to the management device 30 via the remote controller 7 as the communication relay device (information communication A1). Then, the remote controller 7 makes a reply (information communication A2) to the fuel cell device 10 regarding receiving the information (information communication A1) indicating that it is in a power output stop state. Incidentally, when there is no reply (information communication A2) from the remote controller 7 regarding receiving the information (information communication A1) indicating that it is in a power output stop state, the fuel cell device 10 can determine that it is in a state where information communication with the management device 30 cannot be normally performed due to the remote controller 7.

[0041] Also, in FIG. 3, the remote controller 7 transmits information indicating that the fuel cell device 10 is in a power output stop state to the management device 30 (information communication A3). Then, the management device 30 makes a reply (information communication A4) to the remote controller 7 regarding receiving the information (information communication A3) indicating that the fuel cell device 10 is in a power output stop state. Incidentally, when there is no reply (information communication A4) from the management device 30 regarding receiving the information (information communication A3) indicating that the fuel cell device 10 is in a power output stop state, the remote controller 7 determines that it is in a state where 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 A5) 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 A5) indicating that communication with the management device 30 is impossible, it determines that information communication with the management device 30 cannot be normally performed, and when it does not receive the information (information communication A5) indicating that communication with the management device 30 is impossible, it determines that information communication with the management device 30 can be normally performed.

[0042] In this way, when the fuel cell device 10 is unable to output power, it notifies the management device 30 of its inability to output power, and the management device 30 sets the fuel cell device 10 that is unable to output power as a non-transmission candidate in the above-mentioned candidate determination process.

[0043] 〔Operation example when the management device 30 transmits control information to the fuel cell device 10〕 FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the 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 control 7 as a communication relay device. Then, the remote control 7 sends a reply (information communication B2) to the management device 30 regarding the reception of the control information (information communication B1). In addition, when there is no reply (information communication B2) from the remote control 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 cannot be normally performed due to the remote control 7 or the router 6.

[0044] Also, in FIG. 4, the remote control 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 sends a reply (information communication B4) to the remote control 7 regarding the reception of the control information. In addition, when there is no reply (information communication B4) from the fuel cell device 10 regarding the reception of the control information, the remote control 7 determines that the information communication between the fuel cell device 10 and the management device 30 cannot be normally performed due to the fuel cell device 10, and transmits information (information communication B5) indicating that it is unable to communicate with the fuel cell device 10 to the management device 30. Therefore, when the management device 30 receives the information (information communication B5) indicating that it is unable to communicate with the fuel cell device 10, 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 it is unable to communicate with the fuel cell device 10, it determines that the information communication with the fuel cell device 10 can be normally performed.

[0045] In this way, in the candidate determination process, the management device 30 sets, as a transmission candidate, a fuel cell device 10 that can communicate with the management device 30 normally to transmit an output control command for determining the output power of the fuel cell device 10, and sets, as a non-transmission candidate, a fuel cell device 10 that cannot communicate with the management device 30 normally to not transmit an output control command.

[0046] 〔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 to the management device 30 via a communication relay device. For example, the fuel cell device 10 transmits power information such as the above-described received point power to the management device 30 via the remote controller 7 as a communication relay device (information communication C1). Then, the remote controller 7 sends a reply (information communication C2) to the fuel cell device 10 regarding the reception of the power information etc. (information communication C1). In addition, when there is no reply (information communication C2) from the remote controller 7 regarding the reception of the power information etc. (information communication C1), 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 performed normally.

[0047] Also, in FIG. 5, the remote controller 7 transmits power information etc. to the management device 30 (information communication C3). Then, the management device 30 sends a reply (information communication C4) to the remote controller 7 regarding the reception of the power information etc. (information communication C3). In addition, 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 management device 30 or the router 6 is the cause and the information communication with the management device 30 cannot be performed normally, 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 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 performed normally, and when it does not receive 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 performed normally.

[0048] In the method as described above, the management device 30 determines the fuel cell device 10 included in the transmission candidates for transmitting the output control command that determines the output power and the fuel cell device 10 included in the non-transmission candidates that do not transmit the output control command. To explain with a specific example, the management device 30 determines the target value of the total adjustment power or the like to be supplied during the control target period from a plurality of facilities 20 that have concluded a VPP service contract. Then, the management device 30 pre-selects, for example, 100 fuel cell devices 10 among the fuel cell devices 10 of the plurality of facilities 20 that have concluded a VPP service contract, and intends to supply the above adjustment power or the like using the 100 fuel cell devices 10. However, since there may be a fuel cell device 10 that cannot perform information communication normally (that is, cannot transmit the output control command), the management device 30 uses the method as described above to identify, among the 100 fuel cell devices 10, the communicable fuel cell devices 10 that can perform information communication normally with the management device 30 and the incommunicable fuel cell devices 10 that cannot perform information communication normally. Then, the management device 30 performs a candidate determination process of setting the communicable fuel cell devices 10 among the 100 fuel cell devices 10 as transmission candidates, and setting the incommunicable fuel cell devices 10 and the fuel cell devices 10 that cannot output power as non-transmission candidates. That is, among the 100 fuel cell devices 10, the number of fuel cell devices 10 as transmission candidates may be 90 or 50. Then, the management device 30 transmits an output control command to at least one of the fuel cell devices 10 set as transmission candidates.

[0049] When the number of the communicable fuel cell devices 10 set as transmission candidates is small, the total adjustment power or the like supplied from the facility 20 where those fuel cell devices 10 are installed may be insufficient for the above target value. Therefore, when the number of the fuel cell devices 10 set as non - transmission candidates is equal to or more than the set number, the management device 30 excludes the in - communicable fuel cell devices 10 and the fuel cell devices 10 that cannot output power from the fuel cell devices 10 originally planned to supply adjustment power or the like, and adds other fuel cell devices 10 that were not originally planned to supply adjustment power or the like, and may prepare 100 new fuel cell devices 10 to be used to supply adjustment power or the like. For example, even though it was originally planned to use 100 fuel cell devices 10 to supply adjustment power or the like, if there are 50 in - communicable fuel cell devices 10 like in the above example among them, those 50 in - communicable fuel cell devices 10 are excluded from the original 100, and another 50 are added from the fuel cell devices 10 of a plurality of facilities 20 that have concluded VPP service contracts, and a total of 100 fuel cell devices 10 to be used to supply adjustment power or the like may be prepared.

[0050] Next, the operation mode determination process for determining the operation mode of the fuel cell device 10 will be described. 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 by itself. Then, if the fuel cell device 10 cannot output power by itself due to, for example, an error, it proceeds to step #15 and stops operating, and if it can output power by itself, it proceeds to step #11.

[0051] In Step #11, the fuel cell device 10 determines whether the power supply from the power grid 1 is normal. If the power supply from the power grid 1 is not normal, the fuel cell device 10 proceeds to Step #16 and operates independently. If the power supply from the power grid 1 is normal, the fuel cell device 10 proceeds to Step #12. For example, in Step #16, when the power supply from the power grid 1 is not normal, 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 an independent operation.

[0052] In Step #12, the fuel cell device 10 determines whether it is within the control target period of the received output control command. If it is within the control target period, the fuel cell device 10 proceeds to Step #13 and operates in the first operation mode as the communication-enabled operation mode. If it is not within the control target period, the fuel cell device 10 proceeds to Step #14 and operates in the second operation mode as the communication-enabled operation mode. That is, when the fuel cell device 10 can output power, the power supply from the power grid 1 is normal, and information communication with the management device 30 can be performed normally, the fuel cell device 10 operates in the communication-enabled operation mode (the first operation mode or the second operation mode). Specifically, in the communication-enabled operation mode, the fuel cell device 10 operates in the first operation mode such that 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, the fuel cell device 10 also operates in the second operation mode as corresponding to the non-control target period.

[0053] Figure 7 is a diagram schematically depicting the control target period and the non-control target period. In the example shown in Figure 7, in the control information (output control command), the period from 12:00 to 15:00 is designated as the control target period. Therefore, this fuel cell device 10 operates in the first operation mode during the control target period from 12:00 to 15:00 and operates in the second operation mode during the other non-control target periods.

[0054] The second operation mode is an operation mode preset in the plurality of fuel cell devices 10. Alternatively, the management device 30 can send 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.

[0055] For example, the fuel cell control unit 13 can continuously operate while maintaining the output power of the fuel cell device 10 at the upper limit output power as the second operation mode. Also, the fuel cell control unit 13 can perform an operation of causing the output power of the fuel cell device 10 to follow the load power of the power load device 4 as the second operation mode. For example, the fuel cell control unit 13 can perform an operation of causing the output power of the fuel cell device 10 to 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 (i.e., the power supplied from the power grid 1) becomes zero or a power close to zero. Alternatively, the fuel cell control unit 13 can perform an operation of causing the output power of the fuel cell device 10 to 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 (i.e., the power supplied from the power grid 1) becomes a set value such as +100 W or -100 W.

[0056] As described above, in the candidate determination process, the management device 30 sets a communicable fuel cell device 10 capable of normally performing information communication with the management device 30 as a transmission candidate for transmitting an output control command that determines the output power of the fuel cell device 10, and sets a non-communicable fuel cell device 10 incapable of normally performing information communication as a non-transmission candidate for not transmitting an output control command. Then, the management device 30 performs a command transmission process of transmitting an output control command to at least one of the communicable fuel cell devices 10 set as transmission candidates in the candidate determination process. That is, the management device 30 excludes the fuel cell device 10 to which the output control command cannot be transmitted from the transmission targets of the output control command, and transmits an output control command to at least one of the fuel cell devices 10 to which the output control command can surely be transmitted. Then, the fuel cell device 10 that has received the output control command from the management device 30 operates with the supply of the output power determined based on the output control command as the target during the control target period that is the target of the output control command. Therefore, even if there is a fuel cell device 10 that cannot normally perform information communication with the management device 30, a power management system that can surely obtain necessary adjustment power and the like can be provided.

[0057] <Second Embodiment> The power management system according to the second embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that both the management device 30 and the fuel cell device 10 determine whether information communication between the management device 30 and the fuel cell device 10 is normally performed. The power management system according to the second embodiment will be described below, but the description of the same configuration as the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

[0058] Similar to that described in the first embodiment above, in the candidate determination process, the management device 30 sets a communicable fuel cell device 10 capable of normally performing information communication with the management device 30 as a transmission candidate for transmitting an output control command that determines the output power of the fuel cell device 10, and sets a non-communicable fuel cell device 10 incapable of normally performing information communication as a non-transmission candidate for not transmitting an output control command. Then, the management device 30 performs a command transmission process of transmitting an output control command to at least one of the communicable fuel cell devices 10 set as transmission candidates in the candidate determination process.

[0059] In addition, the fuel cell device 10 determines whether information communication between the management device 30 and the fuel cell device 10 is performed normally, and determines the operation mode with reference to the determination result.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an operation mode determination process for determining the operation mode of the fuel cell device 10. In step #20, the fuel cell device 10 determines whether it can output power. Then, if the fuel cell device 10 cannot output power due to, for example, an error, it proceeds to step #27 and stops operating, and if it can output power, it proceeds to step #21.

[0061] In step #21, the fuel cell device 10 determines whether power supply from the power system 1 is performed normally. Then, if the power supply from the power system 1 is not performed normally, the fuel cell device 10 proceeds to step #28 and operates in self-sufficient operation, and if the power supply from the power system 1 is performed normally, it proceeds to step #22. For example, in step #28, when the power supply from the power system 1 is not performed normally, the fuel cell device 10 performs an operation of making the output power follow the load power of the power load device 4 installed in the facility 20 as self-sufficient operation.

[0062] In step #22, the fuel cell device 10 determines whether it can perform information communication with the management device 30 normally by the method described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. Then, if the fuel cell device 10 can perform information communication with the management device 30 normally, it proceeds to step #23, and if it cannot perform information communication with the management device 30 normally, it proceeds to step #26 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 system 1 is performed normally, and it cannot perform information communication with the management device 30 normally, it operates in the communication failure operation mode.

[0063] When in the communication - disabled operation mode, the fuel cell device 10 performs an operation to make the output power follow the load power of a predetermined power load device 4 installed in the facility 20, 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 30 during the period when the information communication with the management device 30 was being performed normally.

[0064] Here, the fuel cell control unit 13 may determine which operation to perform among the above - mentioned examples of the communication - disabled 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 is greater than the number of times it has received an output control command in the direction of increasing the receiving - point power from the management device 30 within a past predetermined period, that is, when it is a time zone where it is preferable to increase the output power of the 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 output power of the fuel cell device 10 can be adjusted 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 has a reverse power flow of 100 W), thereby performing an operation to make the output power follow the load power of the power load device 4.

[0065] On the contrary, when the number of times the fuel cell control unit 13 has received an output control command in the direction of increasing the receiving - point power is greater than the number of times it 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, the fuel cell control unit 13 can perform an operation to make the output power 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 (i.e., 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 (i.e., the power supplied from the power grid 1) becomes a set value such as + 100 W (i.e., always has a power reception of 100 W), thereby performing an operation to make the output power follow the load power of the power load device 4.

[0066] In Process #23, the fuel cell device 10 determines whether it is within the control target period of the received output control command. If it is within the control target period, it proceeds to Process #24 and operates in the first operation mode as the communication-enabled operation mode. If it is not within the control target period, it proceeds to Process #25 and operates in the second operation mode as the communication-enabled operation mode. That is, when the fuel cell device 10 can output power, and 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, it operates in the communication-enabled operation mode (the first operation mode or the second operation mode). Specifically, in the communication-enabled operation mode, the fuel cell device 10 operates in the first operation mode such that 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.

[0067] As described above, in this embodiment, both the management device 30 and the fuel cell device 10 determine whether information communication between the management device 30 and the fuel cell device 10 is being carried out normally. In addition, in this embodiment, the management device 30 stores the content of the operation performed by the fuel cell device 10 in the communication-disabled operation mode. For example, the management device 30 stores which operation the fuel cell device 10 performs in the communication-disabled operation mode, such as 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 being carried out normally. Therefore, although the management device 30 cannot cause the facility 20 to supply adjustment power or the like using the communication-disabled fuel cell device 10, it can predict the adjustment power or the like supplied by the facility 20 provided with the fuel cell device 10 operating in the communication-disabled operation mode.

[0068] Specifically, the management device 30 determines the total adjustment power etc. to be supplied from a plurality of facilities 20 that have concluded a VPP service contract during the control target period. Then, the management device 30 pre-selects, for example, 100 fuel cell devices 10 out of the fuel cell devices 10 of the plurality of facilities 20 that have concluded the VPP service contract, and attempts to supply the above adjustment power etc. using these 100 fuel cell devices 10. And the management device 30, by the method as described above, among these 100 fuel cell devices 10, identifies a communicable fuel cell device 10 (that is, a fuel cell device 10 that can perform normal information communication with the management device 30, namely, a fuel cell device 10 that operates according to the received output control command) and a non-communicable fuel cell device 10 (that is, a fuel cell device 10 that operates in the non-communication operation mode) that cannot perform normal information communication. In addition, the management device 30 predicts the adjustment power etc. that the facility 20 in which the fuel cell device 10 operating in the non-communication operation mode is installed will supply by itself during the control target period based on the stored information.

[0069] As an example, when the fuel cell device 10 performs an operation in which the output power follows the load power of a predetermined power load device 4 installed in the facility 20 in the non-communication operation mode, for example, consider the case where the output power of the fuel cell device 10 follows the load power of the power load device 4 at +100 W (that is, output power = load power + 100 W). In this case, the management device 30 predicts that 100 Wh of adjustment power etc. will be supplied per hour using the fuel cell device 10 of that facility 20.

[0070] Also, when the fuel cell device 10 performs an operation in which the output power is maintained at a predetermined value in the non-communication operation mode, for example, consider the case where the output power of the fuel cell device 10 is maintained at the upper limit output power (for example, 700 W etc.). In this case, since the management device 30 sequentially collects and stores the load power of the power load device 4 as power information while the information communication is being performed normally from the facility 20, the management device 30 predicts the value obtained by subtracting the latest value of the collected load power from the upper limit output power of the fuel cell device 10 as the adjustment power etc. to be supplied using the fuel cell device 10 of the facility 20.

[0071] Furthermore, consider the case where the fuel cell device 10 operates in the communication failure operation mode and performs an operation to set the power to the power determined based on the latest output control command received from the management device 30 while the information communication with the management device 30 was being normally performed. In this case, the management device 30 sequentially collects and stores the load power of the power load device 4 as power information from the facility 20, and also stores the latest output control command that the management device 30 transmitted to the fuel cell device 10 while the information communication was being normally performed. Therefore, the management device 30 predicts, as the adjustment power or the like supplied using the fuel cell device 10 of the facility 20, a value obtained by subtracting the latest value of the collected load power from the predicted output power of the fuel cell device 10 (i.e., the power determined based on the latest output control command transmitted by the management device 30 while the information communication was being normally performed).

[0072] Then, the management device 30 subtracts, from the total adjustment power or the like that needs to be supplied using the fuel cell devices 10 of the plurality of facilities 20 that have concluded a VPP service contract during the control target period, the adjustment power or the like that is predicted to be self-supplied by the facility 20 in which the fuel cell device 10 operating in the communication failure operation mode as described in the above example is provided during the control target period, and sets the obtained value as the adjustment power or the like to be supplied using the communicable fuel cell device 10 set as the transmission candidate, that is, the fuel cell device 10 operating in the communicable operation mode during the control target period. Then, the management device 30 transmits an output control command to at least one of the communicable fuel cell devices 10 set as the transmission candidate so as to supply the adjustment power or the like.

[0073] In this way, the management device 30 stores the content of the operation performed by the fuel cell device 10 that cannot normally perform information communication with the management device 30, that is, the fuel cell device 10 excluded from the transmission target of the output control command, in the communication failure operation mode. As a result, the management device 30 can determine what output control command should be transmitted to the fuel cell device 10 that is the transmission target of the output control command according to the operation during the control target period by the fuel cell device 10 excluded from the transmission target of the output control command.

[0074] <Alternative Embodiment> <1> In the above embodiment, a specific example was given to explain the configuration of the power management system of the present invention, but the configuration can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the power supply unit included in the power supply device includes the fuel cell unit 12 was 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 function 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.

[0075] <2> In the above embodiment, specific numerical values such as output power, load power, power at the power reception point, and the length of the control target period were exemplified and described, but these numerical values are described for illustrative purposes and can be changed as appropriate.

[0076] <3> In the above 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 was 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.

[0077] <4> In the above 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 was described, but the specific operation content in the communication failure operation mode may be determined according to other criteria.

[0078] 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 output - available 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 same past time zone as the current time is equal to or greater than a set ratio (for example, 2 / 3 or more) of the total output - available 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 control unit 13 maintains the output power of the fuel cell device 10 at the upper - limit output power and continuously operates it, or 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 (that is, always has a reverse power flow of 100 W), thereby enabling an operation to follow the load power of the power load device 4.

[0079] On the other hand, when the total load power of the power load devices 4 of the plurality of facilities 20 in the same past time zone as the current time is less than the set ratio (for example, less than 2 / 3) of the total output - available 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 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, or 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 (that is, always receives 100 W of power), thereby enabling an operation to follow the load power of the power load device 4.

[0080] <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.

[0081] <6> Note that the configurations disclosed in the above embodiment (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 illustrative, 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

[0082] The present invention can be used for a power management system that can surely obtain the necessary adjustment force even if there is a power supply device that cannot perform normal information communication with a management device, a fuel cell device as the power supply device used in the power management system, and a charge and discharge device.

Explanation of Signs

[0083] 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 facility between the plurality of power supply devices, The power supply device includes a power supply unit connected to a power system, The 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 system, Based on the information communication status between the management device and the power supply device, the management device identifies, among the plurality of power supply devices, the communicable power supply devices capable of normally performing information communication with the management device and the non-communicable power supply devices incapable of normally performing information communication, sets the communicable power supply devices as transmission candidates for transmitting an output control command for determining the output power of the power supply device, and sets the non-communicable power supply devices as non-transmission candidates for not transmitting the output control command, and performs a candidate determination process, The management device performs a command transmission process of transmitting the output control command to at least one of the communicable power supply devices set as the transmission candidates in the candidate determination process, When the power supply device receives the output control command from the management device, it operates with the goal of supplying the output power determined based on the output control command during the control target period targeted by the output control command, The power supply device, When it is determined that power can be output, the power supply from the power system 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, it operates in the communicable operation mode, A power management system that operates in a non-communicable operation mode when it is determined that power can be output, the power supply from the power system 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. When the power supply device cannot output power, it notifies the management device that power cannot be output, The management device sets the power supply device incapable of outputting power as the non-transmission candidate in the candidate determination process. The power management system according to claim 1.

3. The power supply device performs, in the inoperable communication operation mode, 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 performed normally. The power management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The management device stores the content of the operation performed by the power supply device in the inoperable communication operation mode. The power management system according to claim 3.

5. 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. The power management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A fuel cell device including a fuel cell unit as the power supply unit of the power supply device used in the power management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A charge and discharge device including a charge and discharge unit as the power supply unit of the power supply device used in the power management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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