Power generation system and information processing device

Abstract

Provided are an electricity generating system and an information processing device capable of appropriately evaluating a value of heat generated by a fuel cell. An electricity generating system (1) is provided with an electricity generating device (10) provided with an electricity generating unit (101) including a fuel cell, and an information processing device (40), the electricity generating system (1) being configured to be capable of providing a user with heat generated by the fuel cell, wherein the information processing device calculates a monetary value on the basis of a detected amount of the heat provided to the user. The electricity generating device is provided with a heat medium unit (102) which stores a heat medium for holding at least a portion of the heat generated by the fuel cell, and which has connected thereto a heat conduit for guiding out heat, and the information processing device may calculate the monetary value on the basis of a detected amount of heat in the heat conduit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-139424 (filed August 27, 2021) and Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-054361 (filed March 29, 2022), the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical Field]

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a power generation system and an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, the impact of greenhouse gases, such as rising temperatures on a global scale, has become a serious problem. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for evaluating the value of green power consumption in a residence in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the use of green power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-61733 Summary of the Invention

[0005] A power generation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a power generation device including a power generation unit including a fuel cell; an information processing device, The heat generated by the fuel cell can be provided to users, The information processing device calculates a monetary value based on the detected amount of heat provided to the user.

[0006] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: In a power generation system configured to be able to provide heat generated by a fuel cell included in a power generation unit of a power generation device to a user, a monetary value is calculated based on a detected amount of heat provided to the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a power generation system including an information processing device that calculates a thermal environment point. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a power generation system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power generation system according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a power generation system according to another embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining calculation of monetary value. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a power generation system 1 including a power generation device 10 and an information processing device 40 that calculates thermal environment points as monetary value, which will be described later. Thermal environment points are numerical information that evaluates the value of heat generated by a fuel cell 11 (see FIG. 2) included in a power generation unit 101 and provided to a user (hereinafter referred to as "user"). Thermal environment points are also numerical information corresponding to the greenhouse gas emission reduction effect, and are exchangeable for monetary value. In other words, monetary value includes things that are not direct monetary value but can be exchanged for monetary value. In the explanation of the first embodiment, an example will be described in which thermal environment points are calculated as monetary value. Thermal environment points are given to the user of the power generation device 10 by the information processing device 40. Thermal environment points may be exchangeable for other points that can be used to pay for money or goods at a predetermined exchange rate.

[0009] The power generation device 10 includes a power generation unit 101 including a fuel cell 11. The power generation device 10 may be a cogeneration system including both a fuel cell facility (power generation unit 101) and a heat transfer medium facility (heat transfer unit 102) as in this embodiment. The power generation device 10 may also be a monogeneration system that does not include a heat transfer medium facility. The power generation device 10 may also be a pure hydrogen fuel cell that uses hydrogen directly as fuel. The power generation device 10 may also be used together with, for example, a solar power generation device, or may also be used alone. The power generation device 10 may also be used for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes.

[0010] The fuel cell 11 generates heat when generating electricity. A portion of the generated heat is used, for example, to maintain the temperature of the fuel cell 11 and heat the heat medium circulating in the power generation unit 101, and is stored in the heat medium tank 18 (see FIG. 2) of the heat medium unit 102. In this embodiment, the heat medium may be water or an antifreeze liquid.

[0011] The heat transfer medium unit 102 stores a heat transfer medium that retains at least excess heat. The heat transfer medium unit 102 shown in FIG. 1 has a clean water heat exchanger 22 in addition to the heat transfer medium tank 18 described above. As shown in FIG. 1, the clean water heat exchanger 22 receives heated heat transfer medium from the heat transfer medium tank 18 and clean water from the water inlet side for heat exchange. The clean water (hot water) heated by the heat exchange is supplied (discharged) from the hot water outlet side and used for private consumption via the hot water supply line. Meanwhile, the heat transfer medium cooled by heat exchange in the clean water heat exchanger 22 returns to the heat transfer medium tank 18. For example, the hot water supply line may be a pipe for hot water supply to a house in which the power generation device 10 is installed.

[0012] In this embodiment, a heat conduit 30 for discharging heat is connected to the hot water supply path. The heat conduit 30 may be directly connected to the heat medium tank 18. Heated water (hot water) is supplied through the heat conduit 30 as surplus heat not consumed by the home. The heat conduit 30 may be a pipe different from the hot water supply path of the home in which the power generation device 10 is installed (or a pipe branching off from the hot water supply path). The heat conduit 30 allows the surplus heat (hot water not consumed by the home) to be used for purposes such as hot water supply and heating in facilities and buildings other than the home in which the power generation device 10 is installed, thereby enabling the heat to be utilized across the entire area. In other words, the surplus heat of the fuel cell 11 supplied through the heat conduit 30 has value that can be exchanged for money. Here, because the fuel cell 11 does not emit carbon dioxide when generating electricity, using the fuel cell 11 can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the surplus heat of the fuel cell 11 supplied through the heat conduit 30 has environmental value.

[0013] The information processing device 40 acquires the detection results of sensors and the like provided in the heat conduit 30 and calculates the value of the surplus heat of the fuel cell 11 supplied (used) by the heat conduit 30. In other words, the information processing device 40 calculates thermal environment points based on the detected amount of heat from the surplus heat that is provided to the user. The formula for calculating thermal environment points will be described later. When calculating thermal environment points based on the detected amount of heat provided to the user, the information processing device 40 may calculate the thermal environment points based on the heat actually used by the user of the surplus heat and the detected amount.

[0014] Here, the information processing device 40 may be configured to include, for example, a communication unit, a storage unit, a control unit, and a display unit.

[0015] The communication unit may be an interface for communicating with sensors or the like provided in the thermal conduit 30 via at least one of wired and wireless communication. The communication unit may include communication interfaces for mobile communication standards such as 4G and 5G, wired and wireless LAN standards, and the like.

[0016] The storage unit is one or more memories, such as, but not limited to, semiconductor memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory.

[0017] The control unit is one or more processors. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these and may be any processor. The dedicated processor may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor may include a programmable logic device (PLD). The PLD may include a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The control unit may be either a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or a system in a package (SiP) in which one or more processors work together. The control unit controls the overall operation of the information processing device 40.

[0018] The display unit displays the calculated thermal environment point to the user. The display unit may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an OEL (Organic Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0019] The information processing device 40 may be realized, for example, by a computer. The computer may include, for example, a communication device for connecting to a network, a storage device such as a memory, a CPU, and a display device such as a display. The communication unit, storage unit, control unit, and display unit of the information processing device 40 may be realized, for example, by a communication device, a storage device, a CPU, and a display device, respectively. The CPU may be configured to read a program stored in the storage device and execute a process for calculating the thermal environment point. The information processing device 40 may be located in the house where the power generation device 10 is installed, or may be located away from the house as long as it can send and receive information via a network with sensors installed in the heat conduit 30, etc. Furthermore, if the information processing device 40 is implemented as a mobile phone application, it is possible to improve operability, visibility, and the complexity of procedures, etc.

[0020] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power generation system 1 according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, the power generation system 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0021] The power generation device 10 includes a fuel cell 11, a heat exchanger 12, a circulation path 13, a liquid flow path 14, a control unit 15, a reforming water tank 16, a reforming water pump 17, a heat medium tank 18, and a heat medium pump 19. In this embodiment, the heat medium unit 102 includes a part of the hot water supply path 21 of the liquid flow path 14, a clean water heat exchanger 22, and the heat medium tank 18, and the power generation unit 101 includes other components. Here, the power generation device 10 does not need to include all of the components shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the power generation device 10 may include other components than those shown in FIG. 2.

[0022] The fuel cell 11 generates power using the supplied gas, air, and reformed water. The fuel cell 11 discharges high-temperature exhaust gas as it generates power. The fuel cell 11 has an exhaust path. The fuel cell 11 sends the exhaust gas to the heat exchanger 12 via the exhaust path. In this embodiment, the fuel cell 11 performs indirect heat exchange, in which clean water exchanges heat with the heat medium in the heat medium tank 18 in the clean water heat exchanger 22 and outputs hot water. The fuel cell 11 may be of a type in which the clean water heat exchanger 22 is provided inside the heat medium tank 18. Furthermore, as will be described later, the fuel cell 11 may be of a direct heat exchange type, in which the heat medium (hot water) stored in the heat medium tank 18 is directly output.

[0023] The heat exchanger 12 exchanges heat with a heat medium, which exchanges exhaust heat emitted by the fuel cell 11 via exhaust gas. As described above, in this embodiment, the heat medium may be water or an antifreeze liquid. The reforming water (condensed water) obtained by condensing the exhaust gas through heat exchange with the heat medium in the heat exchanger 12 is stored in the reforming water tank 16. In other words, the reforming water (condensed water) generated by cooling the exhaust gas from the fuel cell 11 with water sent from the heat medium tank 18 of the heat medium unit 102 is sent to the reforming water tank 16. The reforming water stored in the reforming water tank 16 is pressurized by a reforming water pump 17 and supplied to the fuel cell 11.

[0024] The circulation path 13 circulates the heat medium while passing through the heat exchanger 12. The circulation path 13 may circulate the heat medium between the heat exchanger 12 and a heat medium tank 18. The heat medium tank 18 may store the heat medium.

[0025] A heat medium pump 19 may be provided in the circulation path 13. The heat medium pump 19 increases the pressure of the heat medium to circulate it through the circulation path 13. The heat medium pump 19 may be operated by being controlled by the control unit 15.

[0026] The liquid flow path 14 is a path for liquid movement other than the circulation path 13, which is related to the operation of the fuel cell 11. The liquid flow path 14 includes, for example, a supply path 20 that supplies reforming water to the fuel cell 11, and a hot water supply path 21 that supplies hot water by utilizing heat obtained from the heat medium. The supply path 20 is connected to the fuel cell 11 from the reforming water tank 16 via a reforming water pump 17. Clean water is supplied to the hot water supply path 21 from the water inlet side, and as the clean water passes through the clean water heat exchanger 22, heat is exchanged with the heat of the heat medium in the heat medium tank 18, and the heat-exchanged water (hot water) is discharged from the hot water outlet side.

[0027] The heat conduit 30 is composed of a pipe branching off from the hot water supply path 21. Hot water is supplied via the heat conduit 30 to facilities other than the house in which the power generation device 10 is installed, and can be used in those facilities for purposes such as hot water supply and heating, and surplus heat (hot water) is effectively utilized through area-wide utilization of heat. This reduces the need to waste surplus heat and also prevents the amount of power generated by the fuel cell 11 from being limited by the amount of heat stored in the heat medium tank 18.

[0028] Furthermore, since excess heat can be provided to users simply by connecting the heat conduit 30 to the hot water supply line, there is no need to make major modifications to existing facilities, providing excess heat to users in a simple and inexpensive manner. Here, a mixing pipe that mixes clean water to adjust the temperature of the hot water may be connected to the hot water supply line for private consumption. In this case, connecting the heat conduit 30 upstream of the connection point with the mixing pipe allows for the provision of higher-temperature excess heat. The heat conduit 30 may be connected to the hot water supply line 21 via a three-way valve. Furthermore, by increasing the frequency of lowering the temperature of the heat medium in the heat medium tank 18, the volume of the heat medium tank 18 required to continue power generation can be reduced, thereby improving the inherent disadvantage of fuel cells, namely, the large space required to install the heat medium tank 18. Furthermore, the fuel cell 11 can be easily applied in situations where heat demand is low relative to power demand, contributing to increased adoption of fuel cells.

[0029] The flow rate sensor 50 detects the amount (flow rate) of hot water flowing through the heat conduit 30. The first temperature sensor 51 is provided on the water inlet side of the hot water supply path 21 and detects the temperature of the water entering the heat medium tank 18. The second temperature sensor 52 is provided in the heat conduit 30 and detects the temperature of the hot water flowing through the heat conduit 30. The first temperature sensor 51 and the second temperature sensor 52 may be thermistors, but are not limited to this.

[0030] The information processing device 40 receives the flow rate (F) detected by the flow rate sensor 50, the temperature (T1) detected by the first temperature sensor 51, and the temperature (T2) detected by the second temperature sensor 52 as the detected amount of heat provided to the user out of the excess heat. Then, the information processing device 40 calculates the thermal environment point (P) using the following formula (1).

[0031] P = (T2 - T1) × F × a … (1)

[0032] Here, “a” is a coefficient corresponding to the effect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As will be described later, the information processing device 40 may change “a” depending on the operating status of the power generation device 10.

[0033] The control unit 15 includes one or more processors and memories. The processor may include a general-purpose processor that loads a specific program to execute a specific function, and a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated processor may include an ASIC. The processor may include a PLD. The PLD may include an FPGA. The control unit 15 may be either an SoC or SiP in which one or more processors work together.

[0034] The control unit 15 controls each component of the power generation device 10, including the fuel cell 11. For example, the control unit 15 operates or stops the fuel cell 11. The control unit 15 may also output information related to the operation of the power generation device 10 to the information processing device 40. The information related to the operation of the power generation device 10 may include information indicating that there is a reverse power flow when the power generation device 10 is used together with a solar power generation device or the like. The information related to the operation of the power generation device 10 may also include information indicating that the power generation unit 101 has a virtual power plant or demand response function. If the power generation unit 101 has a reverse power flow, virtual power plant, or demand response function, this increases user benefits. This can also contribute to an increased adoption rate of fuel cells that have a reverse power flow, virtual power plant, or demand response function, and can also lead to a stable power supply.

[0035] The control unit 15 may control the power generation device 10 so that clean water (hot water) that has undergone heat exchange in the clean water heat exchanger 22 is discharged from the heat conduit 30 not only during a power outage but also during normal power generation. Conventionally, power generation devices 10 have sometimes had a function for discharging hot water from the heat medium tank 18 from the hot water outlet side to prevent power generation from being stopped during a power outage. In this embodiment, even during normal power generation, clean water (hot water) that has undergone heat exchange in the clean water heat exchanger 22 is discharged from the heat conduit 30, and the heat medium in the heat medium tank 18 is heat exchanged with clean water in the clean water heat exchanger 22, resulting in the cooled heat medium being returned to the heat medium tank 18. This allows the temperature of the heat medium in the heat medium tank 18 to be lowered, thereby preventing the power generation device 10 from stopping. Furthermore, unlike the conventional discharge of hot water during a power outage, the continuous supply of hot water through the heat conduit 30 in this embodiment is effectively utilized as a heat medium and is not wasted.

[0036] Furthermore, this type of control can suppress the operation of the power generation device 10, which is normally performed when the heat medium tank 18 is full. For example, if the fuel cell 11 is an SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell), a radiator will operate to lower the temperature of the heat storage unit when the heat medium tank 18 is full. The control of the control unit 15 described above reduces the use of the radiator, making it quieter, and eliminating the radiator altogether can also make the power generation device 10 smaller and less costly.

[0037] The control unit 15 may control the power generation device 10 so that warm water heated in the clean water heat exchanger 22 is supplied via the heat conduit 30 before the heat medium tank 18 of the heat medium unit 102 becomes full. This allows for safer suppression of the operation of the power generation device 10 that would be performed if the heat medium tank 18 becomes full.

[0038] Furthermore, for example, when the power generation device 10 is used together with a solar power generation device or the like, the information processing device 40 may adjust "a" so that the thermal environment points increase if there is a reverse power flow.

[0039] Furthermore, the information processing device 40 may adjust "a" so that the thermal environment points are increased, for example, when the power generating unit 101 has a virtual power plant or a demand response function (participates in these mechanisms).

[0040] As described above, the power generation system 1 and the information processing device 40 according to this embodiment can appropriately evaluate the value of the heat generated by the fuel cell 11 due to the above-described configuration.

[0041] (Second embodiment) Figure 3 shows another embodiment (second embodiment). Description of the same configuration as that described in Figures 1 and 2 will be omitted. In Figure 3, the water inlet pipe and hot water supply pipe of the hot water supply path 21 are attached to a heat medium tank 18, which is a heat medium unit 102. In other words, the heat medium in the heat medium tank 18 may be water, and the water stored in the heat medium tank 18 is directly discharged, showing a direct heat exchange type.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, clean water supplied from the water inlet side flows through the circulation path 13 and undergoes heat exchange in the heat exchanger 12. The clean water that has undergone heat exchange is stored in the heat medium tank 18. When the heat medium tank 18 becomes full, the water (hot water) in the heat medium tank 18 is discharged from the heat conduit 30, and an equal amount of clean water is supplied to the heat medium tank 18, thereby lowering the temperature of the heat medium in the heat medium tank 18. This reduces the need to waste excess heat. Furthermore, by connecting the heat conduit 30 to a heat conduit 30 for surface heat utilization that connects to facilities and buildings other than the home, it is possible to make effective use of heat, as in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0043] In this embodiment, the information processing device 40 receives the flow rate (F) detected by the flow rate sensor 50, the temperature (T2) detected by the second temperature sensor 52, and the temperature (T3) detected by the outside air temperature sensor 53 as the detected amount of usable heat provided to the user out of the excess heat. Then, the information processing device 40 calculates the thermal environment point (P) using the following formula (2).

[0044] P = (T2 - T3) × F × b … (2)

[0045] Here, "b" is a coefficient corresponding to the effect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The information processing device 40 may change "b" depending on the operating status of the power generation device 10.

[0046] 3 and Equation (2) may also be applied, for example, when the fuel cell 11 is a PEFC (Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell). In a PEFC, power generation is stopped or output is reduced when the heat transfer medium tank 18 becomes full. For example, the heat transfer medium tank 18 is likely to become full during times of high electricity consumption and in the summer when hot water consumption is low. In this case, if power generation is stopped or output is reduced, more electricity must be purchased from the grid, and the benefits of fuel cells, such as reduced utility costs, cannot be realized. In this embodiment, the control of the control unit 15 described above prevents power generation from being stopped, increasing the degree of freedom in power generation and improving the inherent disadvantage of PEFCs, namely, the amount of power generation being limited by the amount of heat stored in the heat transfer medium tank 18.

[0047] Furthermore, in the PEFC, supplying excess heat from the heat conduit 30 reduces the need to waste excess heat, and at the same time, the temperature of the heat medium in the heat medium tank 18 can be lowered. This allows the PEFC to operate continuously for a long period of time (for example, one month) without waste. Furthermore, this improves the inherent disadvantage of the PEFC itself, that is, the inability to operate independently if a power outage occurs when power generation is stopped due to full storage.

[0048] In addition, in the above formulas (1) and (2), "a" and "b" may be adjusted depending on the type of feed gas so as to increase the thermal environment points. For example, when hydrogen, which does not emit carbon dioxide, is used as the feed gas, further environmental value may be added to the thermal environment points because no greenhouse gases are generated.

[0049] Furthermore, the information processing device 40 may use the excess heat generated by draining the water from the heat medium tank 18 during a long absence to award thermal environment points. In this case, the thermal environment points may be calculated using formula (2).

[0050] Furthermore, conventionally, power generation was often stopped or reduced at night because electricity usage was low. In the future, as electric vehicles (EVs) become more common, it is conceivable that rated output or power generation will be increased to allow charging at home at night. Even in such cases, excess heat will not be discarded but will be used effectively, so it will not go to waste.

[0051] (Third embodiment) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a power generation system 1 according to another embodiment (third embodiment). The same components as those described in FIGS. 1 to 3 will not be described again. In the first and second embodiments, the information processing device 40 calculates thermal environment points, but the monetary value may be calculated more directly without using points. While the first and second embodiments mainly use clean water as an example of surface heat utilization, surface heat utilization of wastewater (sewage) used in one's own home is also possible. In this embodiment, surface heat utilization will be described using sewage as an example. In the following description, the use of heat generated by the fuel cell 11 in one's own home is referred to as "self-consumption." Furthermore, gray water refers to wastewater from the home, excluding human waste and wastewater from flush toilets. Gray water includes, for example, bathroom wastewater discharged from the bathroom and kitchen wastewater discharged from the kitchen.

[0052] In the power generation system 1 according to this embodiment, surplus heat in the wastewater after self-consumption, among the heat generated in the fuel cell 11, is conducted through the heat conduit 30. A hot water supply unit 201 is arranged between the fuel cell 11 and the facility 202 where self-consumption takes place. As will be described later, the flow rate of the wastewater is used to calculate the monetary value, and the flow rate of the wastewater is measured by a flow rate sensor 50 provided in the hot water supply unit 201. The surplus heat generated in the power generation device 10 and provided to users is detected by a third temperature sensor 54 provided between the clean water heat exchanger 22 and the hot water supply unit 201. Here, the facility 202 where self-consumption takes place is, for example, a bathroom, a kitchen, a washroom, etc. The hot water (including water) used in the facility 202 where self-consumption takes place passes through the hot water supply unit 201, and therefore the flow rate of the wastewater is measured by the flow rate sensor 50 provided in the hot water supply unit 201.

[0053] In this embodiment, a drainage facility 203 including a heat conduit 30 connecting the self-consumption facility 202 and the sewer pipe 204 is disposed between the self-consumption facility 202 and the sewer pipe 204. As will be described later, the temperature of the drainage water is used to calculate the monetary value, and the temperature of the drainage water is measured in the heat conduit 30 included in the drainage facility 203. That is, in this embodiment, a second temperature sensor 52 is provided in the heat conduit 30 included in the drainage facility 203 and detects the temperature of the hot water flowing through the heat conduit 30. Here, the surplus heat provided by the power generation device 10 is measured by a third temperature sensor 54. Therefore, if the third temperature sensor 54 is greater than or equal to the second temperature sensor 52, the value of the second temperature sensor 52 may be regarded as the temperature of the water drained from the power generation device 10 to calculate the monetary value. Furthermore, if the third temperature sensor 54 is less than the second temperature sensor 52, the value of the third temperature sensor 54 may be regarded as the temperature of the water drained from the power generation device 10 to calculate the monetary value. If a bypass flow path is provided from the water inlet line to the hot water supply unit 201, a flow rate sensor 50 and a third temperature sensor 54 may be provided in the flow path connecting the power generation device 10 and the hot water supply unit 201, closer to the power generation device 10 than the junction with the bypass flow path. The flow rate sensor 50 and the third temperature sensor 54 may then confirm the presence or absence of wastewater from the power generation device 10 and the temperature of the wastewater. Also, if there is no change in the temperature of the third temperature sensor 54, it can be determined that there is no wastewater from the power generation device 10. In the following explanation, assuming that the third temperature sensor 54 is greater than or equal to the second temperature sensor 52, a case will be described in which the value of the second temperature sensor 52 is regarded as the temperature of the water discharged from the power generation device 10 and the monetary value is calculated. Here, the power generation system 1 may further include an outside air temperature sensor 53 so that air temperature information can be obtained.

[0054] In this embodiment, the wastewater whose temperature is measured and whose monetary value is calculated is gray water. The wastewater whose temperature is measured also includes at least bathroom wastewater. This is because bathrooms use a lot of hot water and often flush hot wastewater, so the surface use of heat is greater than that of other types of gray water.

[0055] When using sewage heat as in this embodiment, it is preferable for each individual household to detect the temperature of the hot water flowing through the heat conduit 30. The second temperature sensor 52 may be disposed, for example, between the facility 202 where self-consumption takes place and the sewage manhole. However, in the case of an apartment building, since a shared sewage manhole is often installed, the second temperature sensor 52 may be disposed downstream of the gray water.

[0056] Furthermore, when using sewage heat as in this embodiment, it is considered that a heat user will often use sewage heat from multiple homes together. Therefore, the information processing device 40 may tally up the detected amount of heat provided to the user from each home (heat provided by the power generation device 10) and the amount of heat actually used by the user as a whole, and calculate a monetary value that is apportioned according to the contribution of each of the multiple power generation devices 10.

[0057] 5 is a diagram for explaining calculation of monetary value. The information processing device 40 receives the flow rate (F) detected by the flow rate sensor 50, the temperature (T1) detected by the first temperature sensor 51, and the temperature (T2) detected by the second temperature sensor 52. Then, the information processing device 40 may calculate the monetary value (V) using the following formula (3).

[0058] V = (T2 - T1) × F × α … (3)

[0059] Here, "α" is a predetermined coefficient. The predetermined coefficient may be a value that serves as a reference for monetary value. In the example of FIG. 5, in a household having fuel cell A, T2 (discharge temperature) is 40°C, T1 (inlet water temperature) is 20°C, and F (flow rate) is a liter, so the monetary value is 20×a×α. Also, in a household having fuel cell B, T2 (discharge temperature) is 50°C, T1 (inlet water temperature) is 25°C, and F (flow rate) is b liters, so the monetary value is 25×b×α. Also, in a household having fuel cell C, T2 (discharge temperature) is 45°C, T1 (inlet water temperature) is 15°C, and F (flow rate) is c liters, so the monetary value is 30×c×α.

[0060] As an example, the predetermined coefficient α may be a value obtained by dividing Z by the total amount of heat used (y) when a heat user receives heat usage fee income (Z) from consumers. In the example of Figure 5, the total amount of heat used, y, can be calculated as a + b + c + ... For example, the monetary value of fuel cell A is 20 x a x Z x α / y.

[0061] As another calculation example, the information processing device 40 receives the flow rate (F) detected by the flow rate sensor 50, the temperature (T2) detected by the second temperature sensor 52, and the temperature (T3) detected by the outside air temperature sensor 53. Then, the information processing device 40 may calculate the monetary value (V) using the following equation (4). In most cases, the actual area utilization of heat is not carried out over such a wide range that there is a significant difference in the temperatures (T3) on the fuel cell A to C sides, but for convenience of explanation, it will be described in this manner.

[0062] V = (T2 - T3) × F × β … (4)

[0063] Here, "β" is a predetermined coefficient. β may be the same as or a different coefficient from α. In the example of FIG. 5, in a home having fuel cell A, T2 (discharge temperature) is 40°C, T3 (air temperature) is 20°C, and F (flow rate) is a liter, so the monetary value is 20×a×β. Here, a reference temperature T0 may be used instead of T3 in equation (4). The reference temperature T0 may be set to, for example, 20°C regardless of the outside air temperature. The reference temperature T0 may also be changed by season or month. The monetary value (V) may also be calculated by tallying up the cumulative temperature difference between the temperature (T2) detected by the second temperature sensor 52 and the reference temperature over a certain period, and F (flow rate).

[0064] Furthermore, although the description of the hot water supply unit is omitted in the first and second embodiments, if a hot water supply unit is provided in the first and second embodiments, the monetary value may be calculated in the same manner as in the third embodiment.

[0065] Furthermore, when methanation gas synthesized from hydrogen and carbon dioxide is used as the raw material gas, further environmental value may be added to the thermal environmental points.

[0066] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure, and therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Power generation system 10 Power generating equipment 11 Fuel Cell 12 Heat exchanger 13 Circulation path 14 Liquid flow path 15 Control Unit 16. Reformed water tank 17. Reformed water pump 18 Heat Transfer Tank 19 Heat Transfer Pump 20 Supply route 21 Hot water supply line 22 Water heat exchanger 30 heat conduit 40 Information processing equipment 50 Flow Sensor 51 First temperature sensor 52 Second temperature sensor 53 Outside air temperature sensor 54 Third Temperature Sensor 101 Power Generation Unit 102 Heat Transfer Unit 201 Hot water unit 202 Facilities where self-consumption occurs 203 Drainage equipment 204 Sewer pipe

Claims

1. a power generation device including a power generation unit including a fuel cell; an information processing device, The heat generated by the fuel cell after self-consumption can be provided to a user other than the self-consumption user, The information processing device calculates a monetary value based on the detected amount of heat provided to the user.

2. the power generation device includes a heat medium unit that stores a heat medium for retaining at least a portion of the heat generated by the fuel cell and is connected to a heat conduit that delivers the heat; The power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the information processing device calculates the monetary value based on the amount of heat detected in the heat conduit.

3. The power generation system according to claim 2 , wherein the power generation device is controlled so that heated water is supplied from the heat medium unit through the heat conduit not only during a power outage but also during normal power generation.

4. The power generation system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the power generation device is controlled so that the heat medium is supplied from the heat medium unit through the heat conduit before the heat medium tank of the heat medium unit becomes full.

5. The power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the information processing device calculates the monetary value so that the monetary value is greater when there is a reverse flow of power.

6. The power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the information processing device calculates the monetary value so that it is greater when the power generation unit has a virtual power plant function or a demand response function.

7. The power generation system according to claim 2 , wherein surplus heat in wastewater after self-consumption of heat generated by the fuel cell is conducted through the heat conduit.

8. a hot water supply unit is disposed between the fuel cell and the facility where self-consumption is performed; The power generation system according to claim 7 , wherein the flow rate of the wastewater is used to calculate the monetary value and is measured by a flow rate sensor provided in the hot water supply unit.

9. a drainage facility including the heat conduit connecting the facility where self-consumption is performed and the sewer pipe is disposed between the facility where self-consumption is performed and the sewer pipe; The power generation system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the temperature of the wastewater is used in calculating the monetary value and is measured in the thermal conduit included in the wastewater facility.

10. The power generation system according to claim 9 , wherein the wastewater whose temperature is measured is gray water.

11. The power generation system according to claim 10 , wherein the wastewater whose temperature is measured includes at least bathroom wastewater.

12. The power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information processing device compiles the detected amount of heat provided to the user from the power generation device and the total amount of heat actually used by the user, and calculates a monetary value that is apportioned according to the contribution of each of the multiple power generation devices.

13. An information processing device that calculates monetary value based on the detected amount of heat provided to a user in a power generation system configured to be able to provide heat generated by a fuel cell included in a power generation unit equipped with a power generation device after self-consumption to a user other than the self-consumption user.

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