Controller, control method, control program for mobile body, and device for determining output of fuel cell in mobile body

By using a power schedule to optimize fuel cell and secondary battery output in mobile objects, the system addresses inefficiencies in fuel cell operation, achieving high efficiency and reduced hydrogen use.

JP7744798B2Active Publication Date: 2025-09-26KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021183452
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-11-10
Publication Date
2025-09-26
Estimated Expiration
2041-11-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing fuel cell systems in mobile objects face inefficiencies in power output due to unpredictable power demand changes, leading to suboptimal operation and increased hydrogen consumption.

Method used

A controller and control method that utilize a predetermined power schedule to adjust the output of a fuel cell and secondary battery based on anticipated power demand, optimizing power distribution between the two to maintain high efficiency.

Benefits of technology

This approach maintains high power generation efficiency of the fuel cell by balancing output between the fuel cell and secondary battery, reducing hydrogen consumption and ensuring efficient power supply despite varying demand.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a mobile body controller, a control method, a control program, and a device for determining output of a fuel battery in a mobile body, with which the high power generation efficiency of the fuel battery that is included as a power source in the mobile body can be maintained.SOLUTION: A mobile body controller is for a mobile body which includes a fuel battery and a secondary battery that can be charged with power outputted from the fuel battery. In the mobile body, a time variation of a power demand can be previously determined or estimated. The controller obtains a power schedule which indicates a time variation of a power demand in the mobile body, outputs power from the fuel battery and the secondary battery during a first time period when the power demand based on the power schedule is equal to or higher than a prescribed reference value, and controls an output of the fuel battery during a second time period when the power demand is lower than the reference value in such a way that power outputted from the fuel battery is used to charge the secondary battery by a power amount that is equal to a power amount discharged during the first time period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a controller, a control method, a control program for a mobile body, and an output determination device for a fuel cell in a mobile body. [Background technology]

[0002] Fuel cells have been attracting attention as a power source for mobile vehicles that use electricity as a motive power source. While the electricity generated by fuel cells has the advantage of having a low environmental impact, the high cost of hydrogen, which is the fuel, is a problem.

[0003] One approach to solving this problem is to increase the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell and reduce the amount of hydrogen consumed. Fuel cells generally have output characteristics in which the highest power generation efficiency exists at a maximum value on the output side lower than the rated output. Taking such output characteristics into consideration, for example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses switching between a first control that uses the power output from the fuel cell in addition to the power output from a secondary battery, and a second control that reduces the power output from the secondary battery when there is a possibility that the output power of the secondary battery will reach a limit value at which it cannot be increased any further. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-160402 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The configuration of Patent Document 1 is intended for mobile objects, such as automobiles, that do not have a predetermined power usage schedule, and aims to improve the efficiency of fuel cell output when power output requirements, i.e., power demand, change irregularly. Therefore, control switching must be performed based on actual and predicted changes in power demand. Therefore, such control switching must be performed with a certain degree of leeway to avoid a situation where output from the secondary battery is unavailable during execution of the first control. As a result, there is a risk that efficient fuel cell operation will not be fully achieved. Thus, there is room for improvement in the highly efficient operation of fuel cells used as power sources for mobile objects.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a controller, control method, control program, and output determination device for a fuel cell in a mobile body that has a fuel cell as a power source, which can maintain high power generation efficiency of the fuel cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A controller according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a controller for a mobile body that is equipped with a fuel cell and a secondary battery that can be charged using power output by the fuel cell, and in which the change in power demand over time can be specified or estimated in advance.The controller obtains a power schedule that shows the change in power demand over time that is predetermined for the mobile body, and controls the output of the fuel cell so that power is output from the fuel cell and the secondary battery during a first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, and so that during a second period in which the power demand is less than the reference value, the controller charges the secondary battery with an amount of power that matches the amount of power discharged during the first period using the power output by the fuel cell.

[0008] A control method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for a mobile body that is equipped with a fuel cell and a secondary battery that can be charged using power output by the fuel cell, and whose change in power demand over time can be specified or estimated in advance, and that obtains a power schedule showing a predetermined change in power demand over time in the mobile body, and controls the output of the fuel cell so that power is output from the fuel cell and the secondary battery during a first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, and so that during a second period in which the power demand is less than the reference value, the secondary battery is charged with an amount of power output by the fuel cell that matches the amount of power discharged during the first period.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a control program for a mobile body having a fuel cell and a secondary battery that can be charged with power output by the fuel cell, and in which the change in power demand over time can be specified or estimated in advance. The control program causes a computer to obtain a power schedule showing the change in power demand over time that is predetermined for the mobile body, and to control the output of the fuel cell so that, in a first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, power is output from the fuel cell and the secondary battery, and, in a second period in which the power demand is less than the reference value, an amount of power output by the fuel cell is charged to the secondary battery that corresponds to the amount of power discharged in the first period.

[0010] An output determination device according to another aspect of the present disclosure is an output determination device for a fuel cell in a mobile body in which the change in power demand over time can be specified or estimated in advance, the output determination device comprising a fuel cell and a secondary battery that can be charged with power output by the fuel cell, the device obtaining a power schedule showing the change in power demand over time that is predetermined for the mobile body, and determining an output ratio between the fuel cell and the secondary battery so that, during a first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, power is output from the fuel cell and the secondary battery, and during a second period in which the power demand is less than the reference value, an amount of power that matches the amount of power discharged during the first period is charged to the secondary battery using the power output by the fuel cell. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, in a mobile body that has a fuel cell as a power source, it is possible to maintain high power generation efficiency of the fuel cell. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power supply system in a fuel cell ship to which a controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power supply control system in this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic graph showing an example of a change in power demand over time. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the power generation efficiency versus the output of a typical fuel cell. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the period from time t1 to time t3 in the power schedule shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the output correction of the fuel cell based on the capacity of the secondary battery in the power schedule portion shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the output determination process of the fuel cell in this embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the output determination process for the fuel cell in this embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an output determination system according to a modified example of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding elements will be designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In the following example, a fuel cell ship that uses electricity output from a fuel cell as its power source will be used as a mobile object.

[0014] [Overall configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power supply system in a fuel cell ship to which a controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. The fuel cell ship 1 includes a power supply 2 and a drive source 3 that generates drive force using electric power from the power supply 2. The power supply 2 includes a secondary battery 21 and a fuel cell 22. The fuel cell 22 is connected to a hydrogen supply device 23 that includes a liquefied hydrogen tank, a vaporizer, etc. Note that the hydrogen supply device 23 may include a compressed hydrogen tank instead of a liquefied hydrogen tank. In this case, the hydrogen supply device 23 does not require a vaporizer. The fuel cell 22 generates electricity by reacting hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen supply device 23 with oxygen and outputs the generated electricity.

[0015] The secondary battery 21 and the fuel cell 22 are connected to a switchboard 26 via DC / DC converters 24, 25. Power loads are connected to the switchboard 26. The power loads include, for example, a drive source 3. The drive source 3 has a propulsion motor 31. A propulsion unit 32 is connected to the output shaft of the propulsion motor 31. The propulsion motor 31 is connected to the switchboard 26 via an inverter 33. The loads connected to the switchboard 26 may include other loads 4, including propulsion accessories, onboard electrical equipment, controllers, etc.

[0016] 1 shows one power system in which one power source 2 and one driving source 3 are connected via a switchboard 26, the fuel cell ship 1 may have two or more power systems. In this case, two or more power systems may be connected to a common switchboard 26, making it possible to use the power source 2 of a first power system to supply power to the driving source 3 of a second power system, and to use the power source 2 of the second power system to supply power to the driving source 3 of the first power system.

[0017] The secondary battery 21 can be charged with the power output by the fuel cell 22. In this embodiment, the secondary battery 21 is connected to the fuel cell 22 via a distribution panel 26. When the power output from the fuel cell 22 is greater than the power consumed by the power loads 3 and 4 connected to the distribution panel 26, i.e., greater than the power demand, the secondary battery 21 is charged with the surplus power. Conversely, when the power output from the fuel cell 22 is less than the power demand, the secondary battery 21 is discharged to make up for the power shortage.

[0018] The power supply 2 is controlled by a power supply controller 5. The power supply controller 5 includes a main controller 51, a secondary battery controller 52, and a fuel cell controller 53. As will be described later, the main controller 51 determines the output ratio between the secondary battery 21 and the fuel cell 22, and outputs control signals according to the determined output ratio to the secondary battery controller 52 and the fuel cell controller 53. In this way, the main controller 51 in this embodiment constitutes an output determination device.

[0019] The secondary battery controller 52 controls the operation of the secondary battery 21 based on a control signal from the main controller 51. The fuel cell controller 53 controls the operation of the fuel cell 22 based on a control signal from the main controller 51.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power supply control system in this embodiment. The main controller 5 includes a computer such as a microcontroller or a personal computer. The main controller 5 includes a CPU, a main memory such as RAM, a communication interface, etc. The main controller 5 acquires various data from a memory 61. The main controller 5 also stores the results of calculations or data acquired from a power meter 7 or a state-of-charge meter 8 (described later) in the memory 61. The memory 61 is configured with a hard disk drive or a flash memory such as an SSD.

[0021] It should be noted that the functions of the elements disclosed herein can be performed using circuits or processing circuits, including general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), conventional circuits, or combinations thereof, configured or programmed to perform the disclosed functions. A processor is considered a processing circuit or circuit because it includes transistors and other circuitry. In this specification, a circuit, unit, or means is hardware that performs the recited functions or hardware that is programmed to perform the recited functions. The hardware may be hardware disclosed herein or other known hardware that is programmed or configured to perform the recited functions. Where the hardware is a processor, which is considered a type of circuit, the circuit, unit, or means is a combination of hardware and software, and the software is used to configure the hardware or processor.

[0022] The memory 61 stores an output determination program for determining the output of the fuel cell 22, which will be described later. Furthermore, the memory 61 stores a power schedule that indicates the time variation of predetermined power demand in the fuel cell ship 1. Furthermore, the memory 61 can store state-of-charge data and actual power demand data, which will be described later.

[0023] The main controller 51 includes, as control blocks that execute based on an output determination program, a schedule acquirer 62, an output ratio determiner 63, a period determiner 64, and a state-of-charge acquirer 65. That is, in this embodiment, the main controller 51 functions as a computer that operates based on the output determination program. As described above, these control blocks are considered to be circuits.

[0024] The schedule acquirer 62 acquires the above-mentioned power schedule from the memory 61. The output ratio determiner 63 determines the output ratio between the fuel cell 22 and the secondary battery 21 based on the power schedule. The period determiner 64 acquires the actual power demand of the fuel cell ship 1 and determines the state of the fuel cell ship 1 based on the actual power demand. The charge state acquirer 65 acquires the charge state indicating the charge rate of the secondary battery 21.

[0025] The fuel cell ship 1 is equipped with a power meter 7 that measures the actual power demand of the fuel cell ship 1. In the example of FIG. 1, the power meter 7 is a power meter that measures the power supplied to the power loads 3 and 4 in the distribution board 26. Alternatively, the power meter 7 may be configured to include a first power meter that measures the power output from the secondary battery 21 and a second power meter that measures the power output from the fuel cell 22, and to add up the power measured by the first power meter and the power measured by the second power meter. The actual power demand measured by the power meter 7 is transmitted to the main controller 51.

[0026] The state of charge data is data that indicates the charging rate of the secondary battery 21, which is generally called SOC. The fuel cell ship 1 is equipped with a state of charge meter 8 that measures the state of charge of the secondary battery 21. The state of charge measured by the state of charge meter 8 is transmitted to the main controller 51.

[0027] [Power Schedule] Figure 3 is a schematic graph showing an example of changes in power demand over time. In this embodiment, the operating schedule of the fuel cell ship 1 is determined in advance, and as shown in the graph in Figure 3, changes in the power required by the fuel cell ship 1, i.e., the power schedule, are predicted to some extent in advance. In other words, the fuel cell ship 1 in this embodiment is a mobile body for which changes in power demand over time can be specified or estimated in advance.

[0028] For example, in the example of Figure 3, it is assumed that the fuel cell ship 1 is used as a tourist ship. The fuel cell ship 1, which is a tourist ship, picks up passengers at an anchorage, sails a predetermined route, anchors at the anchorage again, and lets the passengers on and off. In the example of Figure 3, the fuel cell ship 1 starts at time t0 and remains anchored at the anchorage to pick up passengers until time t1. At time t1, the fuel cell ship 1 begins sailing. At time t2, the fuel cell ship 1 returns to the anchorage and anchors.

[0029] During the berthing period Tm from time t0 to time t1, the power supply to the drive source 3 of the fuel cell ship 1 is zero or close to zero, so the power demand of the fuel cell ship 1 is mainly power consumed by other loads 4, such as onboard electrical equipment and controllers. On the other hand, during the navigation period Ts from time t1 to time t2, the power source 2 needs to supply power to the drive source 3 in addition to supplying power to the other loads 4. Therefore, the power demand P1 of the fuel cell ship 1 during the navigation period Ts is significantly greater than the power demand P2 during the berthing period Tm. For example, the power demand P1 of the fuel cell ship 1 during the navigation period Ts is close to the rated output of the fuel cell 22.

[0030] 3, these berthing periods Tm and navigation periods Ts are repeated until time t7, when the daily operation schedule of the fuel cell ship 1, which is a tourist boat, ends. That is, the berthing periods Tm are from time t2 to time t3, from time t4 to time t5, and from time t6 to time t7, and the navigation periods Ts are from time t3 to time t4 and from time t5 to time t6. The power demands P1 and P2 per unit time of the fuel cell ship 1 during the navigation periods Ts and berthing periods Tm are roughly the same in all periods.

[0031] In this way, the power required at any given time by the fuel cell ship 1 is estimated in advance based on the operating schedule of the fuel cell ship 1. The output determination device 6 determines the output of the fuel cell 22 using the power schedule estimated in advance for the fuel cell ship 1.

[0032] [Fuel cell characteristics] Figure 4 is a graph showing the power generation efficiency versus output of a typical fuel cell. As shown in Figure 4, the fuel cell 22 has a characteristic in which the power generation efficiency decreases as the output increases, i.e., as the output approaches the rated output. However, when the output is very low, the power generation efficiency decreases due to mechanical loss caused by power consumption by the auxiliary equipment of the fuel cell 22 and the hydrogen supply device 23. Therefore, the fuel cell 22 has a characteristic in which the power generation efficiency has a maximum value in the low output range. If the power output from the fuel cell 22 when the power generation efficiency is maximized is defined as the maximum efficient power Pe, the power demand P1 during the voyage period Ts is greater than the maximum efficient power Pe, and the power demand P2 during the anchorage period Tm is less than the maximum efficient power Pe.

[0033] Therefore, if the power demand P1 during the voyage period Ts is to be met entirely by the power output from the fuel cell 22, the output of the fuel cell 22 will be close to the rated output, resulting in poor power generation efficiency. Also, if only the power demand P2 during the anchorage period Tm is to be output from the fuel cell 22, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 22 will be poor due to the influence of mechanical loss, etc.

[0034] [Output determination process] Taking into consideration the characteristics of the fuel cell 22 as described above, the output ratio determiner 63 determines the output ratio between the fuel cell 22 and the secondary battery 21 so that power is output from the fuel cell 22 and the secondary battery 21 during the navigation period Ts in the power schedule, and so that during the anchorage period Tm in the power schedule, the secondary battery 21 is charged with an amount of power output by the fuel cell 22 that matches the amount of power discharged during the navigation period Ts.

[0035] During the navigation period Ts, the power demand at that time is shared between the fuel cell 22 and the secondary battery 21, which reduces output and increases power generation efficiency compared to when the power demand is met by the fuel cell 22 alone. During the anchorage period Tm, the fuel cell 22 outputs more than the power demand at that time, and the secondary battery 21 is charged with the surplus power. The secondary battery 21 uses the power charged in the secondary battery 21 during the anchorage period Tm to meet part of the power demand during the navigation period Ts.

[0036] The output ratio determiner 63 determines that the first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value Pb is the navigation period Ts, and determines that the second period in which the power demand is less than the reference value Pb is the anchorage period Tm.

[0037] The output ratio determiner 63 determines the average value of the power demand during the voyage period Ts and the anchorage period Tm as the output of the fuel cell 22 during the voyage period Ts and the anchorage period Tm. In this embodiment, the output ratio determiner 63 calculates the average value of the power demand for a predetermined period in the power schedule that includes at least one voyage period Ts and the anchorage period Tm before or after it.

[0038] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the period from time t1 to time t3 in the power schedule shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 shows one navigation period Ts and the subsequent anchorage period Tm. In this embodiment, these two periods, i.e., the period from time t1 to time t3, are set as a predetermined period, and the output ratio determiner 63 calculates the average value of power demand for this period. If the power demand at time t is P(t), the amount of power W required for the period from time t1 to time t3 is expressed by the following equation. In FIG. 5, the amount of power W required is shown as the area of ​​the shaded portion.

[0039]

number

[0040] The average value Pa of the power demand during the period from time t1 to time t3 is expressed by the following equation using the above-mentioned amount of power W.

[0041]

number

[0042] The output ratio determiner 63 determines the average value Pa calculated in this manner as the output of the fuel cell 22 during the navigation period Ts and the anchorage period Tm, and determines the difference between the power demand P1 during the navigation period Ts and the average value Pa as the output of the secondary battery 21. That is, during the navigation period Ts, the average value of the power demand Pa is output from the fuel cell 22, and the difference power ΔP1 = P1 - Pa between the power demand P1 and the average value Pa is output from the secondary battery 21. During the anchorage period Tm, the average value of the power demand Pa is also output from the fuel cell 22. The secondary battery 21 is charged with the difference power ΔP2 = Pa - P2 between the average value Pa and the power demand P2. At this time, the amount of discharge from the secondary battery 21 during the navigation period Ts matches the amount of charge from the secondary battery 21 during the anchorage period Tm.

[0043] In this way, the main controller 51 outputs power from the fuel cell 22 and the secondary battery 21 during the navigation period Ts, and controls the output of the fuel cell 22 so that during the anchorage period Tm, the secondary battery 21 is charged with an amount of power equal to the amount of power discharged during the navigation period Ts using the power output from the fuel cell 22. Note that the main controller 51 may set the output of the fuel cell 22 to a value obtained by adding or subtracting a predetermined value from the determined output ratio, taking into account a margin for actual operation.

[0044] However, if the output of the fuel cell 22 during the navigation period Ts and the anchoring period Tm is set to an average value Pa, the capacity Wz of the secondary battery 21 must be equal to or greater than the amount of power Wb charged during the anchoring period Tm. If the capacity Wz of the secondary battery 21 is less than the amount of power Wb charged during the anchoring period Tm, the power output from the secondary battery 21 during the navigation period Ts will be insufficient, and the power demand during the navigation period Ts will not be met.

[0045] For this reason, the output ratio determiner 63 determines whether the amount of power Wb charged to the secondary battery 21 during the anchorage period Tm is greater than an upper limit amount of power Wu determined based on the capacity Wz of the secondary battery 21. The upper limit amount of power Wu is determined to be equal to or less than the capacity Wz of the secondary battery 21. If the amount of power Wb charged to the secondary battery 21 during the anchorage period Tm is greater than the upper limit amount of power Wu, the output ratio determiner 63 corrects the output of the fuel cell 22 during the navigation period Ts to be less than the average value Pa and corrects the output of the fuel cell 22 during the anchorage period Tm to be greater than the average value Pa so that the amount of power Wb discharged from the secondary battery 21 during the navigation period Ts is equal to or less than the upper limit amount of power Wu. More specifically, the output ratio determiner 63 determines the output of the fuel cell 22 during the anchorage period Tm based on the upper limit amount of power Wu.

[0046] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of fuel cell output correction based on the capacity of the secondary battery in the power schedule portion shown in Fig. 5. For example, the output ratio determiner 63 determines the power Pcm=Wu / Tm, which is obtained by dividing a predetermined upper limit power amount Wu equal to or less than the capacity Wz of the secondary battery 21 by the mooring period Tm, as the output of the fuel cell 22 during the mooring period Tm.

[0047] In this case, the amount of power Wc charged to the secondary battery 21 during the anchorage period Tm is Wc = Wu - W2, where W2 is the amount of power based on the power demand P2 during the anchorage period Tm. Therefore, the amount of power Wd that the secondary battery 21 can discharge during the navigation period Ts is Wd = Wc = Wu - W2. Therefore, the amount of power Ws output by the fuel cell 22 during the navigation period Ts is Ws = W1 - Wd = W1 + W2 - Wu, using the amount of power W1 based on the power demand P1 during the navigation period Ts. The output ratio determiner 63 divides this amount of power Ws by the navigation period Ts, giving power Pcs = Ws / Ts = (W1 + W2 - Wu) / Ts, and determines this as the output of the fuel cell 22 during the navigation period Ts.

[0048] The corrected power Pcs, which is the output of the fuel cell 22 during the navigation period Ts, determined in this manner, is greater than the average value Pa. However, just as in the case where the average value Pa is used, the corrected power Pcs during the navigation period Ts is also smaller than the power P1 that would be obtained if the power demand during the navigation period Ts were met solely by the fuel cell 22. Therefore, when the corrected power Pcs is used as the output of the fuel cell 22 during the navigation period Ts, the power generation efficiency during the navigation period Ts is higher than when power P1 is output.

[0049] On the other hand, the corrected power Pcm, which is the output of the fuel cell 22 during the berthing period Tm, will be smaller than the average value Pa. However, just as in the case where the average value Pa is used, the corrected power Pcm during the berthing period Tm will also be larger than the power P2 when the fuel cell 22 only meets the power demand during the berthing period Tm. Therefore, when the corrected power Pcm is used as the output of the fuel cell 22 during the berthing period Tm, the power generation efficiency during the berthing period Tm will be higher than when only the power P2 is output.

[0050] The output of the fuel cell 22 determined in this manner, i.e., the average value Pa or the corrected powers Pcs and Pcm, is stored in the memory 61 as an output parameter. The same output of the fuel cell 22 as that from time t1 to time t3 is also used in other periods in the power schedule, for example, the period from time t3 to time t5 and the period from time t5 to time t7. Alternatively, the output of the fuel cell 22 may be determined individually for other periods in the power schedule. In this case, the average value Pa may vary depending on the ratio between the voyage period Ts and the anchorage period Tm. The individually calculated average values ​​Pa of the fuel cell 22 may also be averaged to determine the average value Pa for the entire period. The average value Pa may be calculated by averaging the power demand for a predetermined period including one voyage period Ts and the preceding anchorage period Tm.

[0051] Below, we will explain the flow for determining the output of the secondary battery 21 and the fuel cell 22 during actual operation of the fuel cell ship 1, using the corrected powers Pcs and Pcm obtained as described above as the output of the fuel cell 22.

[0052] 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing an example of a fuel cell output determination process in this embodiment. In step S1, the period determiner 64 acquires the actual power demand measured by the power meter 7. In step S2, the period determiner 64 determines whether the state of the fuel cell ship 1 is in a navigation period Ts or a berthing period Tm based on the acquired actual power demand. If the actual power demand is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value Pb, the period determiner 64 determines that the state is the first period, i.e., the navigation period Ts, and the flowchart proceeds to step S3. If the actual power demand is less than the reference value Pb, the period determiner 64 determines that the state is the second period, i.e., the berthing period Tm, and the flowchart proceeds to step S9 shown in FIG. 8.

[0053] The reference value Pb is not particularly limited as long as it is a value between the power demands P1 and P2. For example, the reference value Pb may be an intermediate value between the power demands P1 and P2 in the power schedule, or may be a power value between the power demand P1 and the intermediate value.

[0054] If it is determined that the navigation period is Ts, in step S3, the state-of-charge acquirer 65 acquires the state of charge, i.e., the SOC, of ​​the secondary battery 21 measured by the state-of-charge meter 8. The acquired SOC is sent to the output ratio determiner 63. In step S4, the output ratio determiner 63 determines whether the SOC is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value Rth1. If the SOC is equal to or greater than the first threshold value Rth1, the output ratio determiner 63 determines in step S5 whether the SOC is equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold value Rth2 that is greater than the first threshold value Rth1.

[0055] If the SOC is less than or equal to the second threshold value Rth2, i.e., if the SOC is greater than or equal to the first threshold value Rth1 and less than or equal to the second threshold value, the output ratio determiner 63 reads out the corrected power Pcs for the voyage period Ts from the memory 61 in step S6 and determines that power Pcs as the output of the fuel cell 22.

[0056] The first threshold value Rth1 is set to the lower limit of the state of charge at which the secondary battery 21 can be discharged. For example, the first threshold value Rth1 is set to 30%. The second threshold value Rth2 is set to the upper limit of the state of charge at which the secondary battery 21 can be charged. For example, the second threshold value Rth2 is set to 70%.

[0057] If the SOC is less than the first threshold value Rth1 in step S4, the output ratio determiner 63 determines the output of the fuel cell 22 to be Pcsl, which is greater than the corrected power Pcs, in step S7. As a result, the rate at which the secondary battery 21 discharges, i.e., the rate at which the secondary battery 21 covers the power demand, becomes smaller than when the fuel cell 22 outputs the power Pcs.

[0058] On the other hand, if the SOC is greater than the second threshold value Rth2 in step S5, the output ratio determiner 63 determines the output of the fuel cell 22 to be a value Pcss smaller than the corrected power Pcs in step S8. As a result, the rate at which the secondary battery 21 discharges, i.e., the rate at which the secondary battery 21 bears the power demand, becomes greater than when the fuel cell 22 outputs the power Pcs.

[0059] If it is determined that the current period is the anchorage period Tm, steps similar to steps S3 to S8 that are executed when it is determined that the current period is the voyage period Ts are executed. That is, in step S9, the SOC of the secondary battery 21 is acquired, and in steps S10 and S11, it is determined whether the SOC is equal to or greater than a first threshold value Rth1 and whether it is equal to or less than a second threshold value Rth2. As a result, if the SOC is equal to or greater than the first threshold value Rth1 and equal to or less than the second threshold value Rth2, the output ratio determiner 63 determines the output of the fuel cell 22 to be Pcm in step S12.

[0060] If the SOC is less than the first threshold value Rth1, the output ratio determiner 63 determines in step S13 the output of the fuel cell 22 to be a value Pcml that is greater than the corrected power Pcm. As a result, the proportion of the secondary battery 21 that is charged using the output of the fuel cell 22 is greater than when the power Pcm is output as the output of the fuel cell 22. If the SOC is greater than the second threshold value Rth2, the output ratio determiner 63 determines in step S14 the output of the fuel cell 22 to be a value Pcms that is less than the corrected power Pcm. As a result, the proportion of the secondary battery 21 that is charged using the output of the fuel cell 22 is less than when the power Pcm is output as the output of the fuel cell 22.

[0061] In this way, it is determined whether the current state of the fuel cell ship 1 is during the voyage period Ts or the berthing period Tm based on the actual power demand. Also, the power output by the fuel cell 22, i.e., the output ratio between the secondary battery 21 and the fuel cell 22, is changed based on the SOC of the secondary battery 21. The main controller 51 controls the output of the fuel cell 22 based on the determined output ratio.

[0062] When the SOC of the secondary battery 21 is within the appropriate range, i.e., greater than or equal to the first threshold value Rth1 and less than or equal to the second threshold value Rth2, power is output from the fuel cell 22 at the power levels Pcs and Pcm determined by the above-described determination method. At this time, for example, the SOC of the secondary battery 21 after a predetermined period has elapsed, from time t1 to time t3, becomes approximately equal to the SOC at time t1, which is the start of the predetermined period. In other words, the amount of power discharged from the secondary battery 21 during the voyage period Ts from time t1 to time t2 is charged to the secondary battery 21 during the anchorage period Tm from time t2 to time t3.

[0063] On the other hand, for example, arrival at the anchorage may be delayed due to bad weather or waiting to enter port, resulting in a longer voyage period Ts. In this case, the discharge period of the secondary battery 21 during the voyage period Ts becomes longer. As a result, the SOC of the secondary battery 21 at the end of the voyage period Ts may be lower than expected, resulting in an over-discharge state. In such a case, or if there is a possibility of such a case, even if the output of the fuel cell 22 is set to the above-mentioned power Pcm during the next berthing period Tm and the secondary battery 21 is charged with surplus power relative to the power demand, the SOC of the secondary battery 21 may remain low. If the SOC is low at the start of the voyage period Ts, there is a risk that the secondary battery 21 will not be able to meet the power demand.

[0064] Therefore, when the SOC of the secondary battery 21 is less than the first threshold value Rth1, the power output from the fuel cell 22 is set to the first state-of-charge correction values ​​Pcml, Pcsl that are greater than the powers Pcm, Pcs, thereby reducing the output rate of the secondary battery 21 and increasing the amount of power per unit time charged to the secondary battery 21. As a result, the SOC of the secondary battery 21 can be quickly returned to within the appropriate range, and the secondary battery 21 can be made up for any shortfall in power demand during the voyage period Ts.

[0065] Furthermore, for example, departure may be delayed due to bad weather or delays in passenger embarkation and disembarkation, resulting in a longer berthing period Tm. In this case, the charging period from the fuel cell 22 to the secondary battery 21 during the berthing period Tm becomes longer. As a result, the SOC of the secondary battery 21 may be higher than expected at the end of the berthing period Tm, resulting in an overcharged state. In such a case, or if there is a risk of such a case, even if the output of the fuel cell 22 is set to the above-mentioned power Pcs during the next voyage period Ts and the secondary battery 21 is discharged to make up for the shortfall in power demand, the SOC of the secondary battery 21 may remain high.

[0066] Therefore, when the SOC of the secondary battery 21 is greater than the second threshold value Rth2, the power output from the fuel cell 22 is set to the second state of charge correction values ​​Pcms and Pcss, which are smaller than the powers Pcm and Pcs, thereby increasing the output rate of the secondary battery 21 and increasing the amount of power discharged per unit time by the secondary battery 21. As a result, the SOC of the secondary battery 21 can be quickly returned to within the appropriate range.

[0067] The first state of charge correction values ​​Pcml, Pcsl and the second state of charge correction values ​​Pcms, Pcss, which are the output voltages of the fuel cell 22 when the SOC of the secondary battery 21 is outside the appropriate range, may be determined in advance in association with the powers Pcs, Pcs and stored in the memory 61. Alternatively, the output ratio determiner 63 may calculate the state of charge correction values ​​Pcml, Pcsl, Pcms, Pcss each time depending on the state of the fuel cell ship 1, such as the SOC at that time. Furthermore, when the SOC of the secondary battery 21 is greater than the second threshold value Pth2, the output ratio determiner 63 may determine the power output from the fuel cell 22 to be zero.

[0068] [effect] As described above, with the above configuration, the output ratio between fuel cell 22 and secondary battery 21 is determined based on a predetermined power schedule. At this time, power is output from fuel cell 22 and secondary battery 21 during a first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value Pb, i.e., during the navigation period Ts in this embodiment. As a result, the output of fuel cell 22 during the high-output period of fuel cell 22 is reduced, and the power generation efficiency of fuel cell 22 is increased.

[0069] Furthermore, during a second period in which the power demand in the power schedule is less than the predetermined reference value Pb, i.e., during the berthing period Tm in this embodiment, the secondary battery 21 is charged with power output from the fuel cell 22. This increases the output of the fuel cell 22 during the low fuel cell output period, and increases the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 22. Therefore, in the fuel cell ship 1, which is a mobile body having the fuel cell 22 as the power source 2, it is possible to maintain a high power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 22 and reduce the amount of hydrogen consumed by the fuel cell 22.

[0070] Moreover, the output ratio between the fuel cell 22 and the secondary battery 21 during the navigation period Ts is set so that the amount of power discharged from the secondary battery 21 during the navigation period Ts matches the amount of power charged to the secondary battery 21 during the anchorage period Tm. Therefore, there is no need to control the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 21 separately from the output control of the fuel cell 22, making it possible to achieve a simple control system.

[0071] Furthermore, with the above configuration, the output of the fuel cell 22 during the navigation period Ts and the anchorage period Tm is determined based on the average value Pa of the power demand in the power schedule for the navigation period Ts and the anchorage period Tm, and the output of the secondary battery 21 is determined based on the difference between the power demand P1 during the navigation period Ts and the average value Pa. Therefore, the output ratio between the fuel cell 22 and the secondary battery 21 that results in an output of the fuel cell 22 with high power generation efficiency can be determined by simple calculation based on the predetermined power schedule.

[0072] Furthermore, if the amount of power Wb charged to the secondary battery 21 during the anchorage period Tm is greater than the capacity Wz of the secondary battery 21, the output of the fuel cell 22 during the navigation period Ts is determined to be power Pcs less than the average value Pa, and the output of the fuel cell 22 during the anchorage period Tm is determined to be power Pcm greater than the average value Pa, so that the power discharged from the secondary battery 21 during the navigation period Ts is equal to or less than the capacity Wz of the secondary battery 21. This makes it possible to achieve output control that increases the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 22 while preventing excess or deficiency in power demand, even when the capacity Wz of the secondary battery 21 is limited.

[0073] Furthermore, with the above configuration, output control is performed according to the actual power demand and the actual state of charge of the secondary battery 21. Therefore, appropriate output control can be performed according to the actual state of the fuel cell ship 1.

[0074] [Other embodiments] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements, changes, and modifications are possible.

[0075] 7 and 8, the corrected powers Pcm and Pcs are used as the output of the fuel cell 22, but the average value Pa itself may be used as the output of the fuel cell 22. When the average value Pa is used as the output of the fuel cell 22, that is, when the capacity of the secondary battery 21 can be sufficiently secured, it is not necessary to determine whether the fuel cell ship 1 is in the navigation period based on the actual power demand. That is, steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 7 may be omitted.

[0076] Furthermore, if the calculated average value Pa is smaller than the maximum efficient power Pe, the output ratio determiner 63 sets the output of the fuel cell 22 to the maximum efficient power Pe, and the charging period Tch for charging the secondary battery 21 during the anchorage period Tm may be set to a period shorter than the anchorage period Tm. For example, the charging period Tch is set to Tch = W / Pe - Ts. For example, if the anchorage period Tm is sufficiently longer than the navigation period Ts, the power generation efficiency can be further improved by adopting the maximum efficient power Pe as the output of the fuel cell 22.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the average value Pa is calculated by setting one navigation period Ts and the preceding or following anchorage period Tm as the predetermined period, but the predetermined period may be set to include two or more navigation periods Ts and the same number of anchorage periods Tm, and the average value for that period may be calculated. Also, the entire power schedule for one day may be set as the predetermined period.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the navigation period Ts as a first period and the anchorage period Tm as a second period alternate, but the power schedule may include a third period separate from the first and second periods. For example, the first period may be a period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a first reference value, the second period may be a period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or less than a second reference value that is smaller than the first reference value, and the third period may be a period in which the power demand in the power schedule is smaller than the first reference value and greater than the second reference value.

[0079] For example, the fuel cell ship 1 may be configured as a cargo ship equipped with a work machine for loading and unloading cargo. In this case, the predetermined power schedule includes, in addition to the navigation period Ts and anchorage period Tm similar to those in the above embodiment, a work period during which the work machine is operated to load and unload cargo while anchored. The work period has a higher power demand than the anchorage period Tm during which the work machine is not operated, but a lower power demand than the navigation period Ts. In such a case, the work period may be defined as a third period, and the output of the fuel cell 22 may be determined based on a power schedule including the first, second, and third periods, as in the above embodiment. That is, for example, the output ratio determiner 63 may calculate an average value of the power demand in the power schedule for the first, second, and third periods, and determine the output of the fuel cell 22 for each period based on the average value.

[0080] Furthermore, the output ratio determiner 63 may determine whether to adopt the output determination mode of the fuel cell 22 as in the above-described embodiment depending on the value of the power demand in the power schedule. For example, a first period may be defined as a period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a first reference value and equal to or less than a third reference value that is greater than the first reference value, and a second period may be defined as a period in which the power demand in the power schedule is less than the first reference value and equal to or greater than a fifth reference value that is smaller than the first reference value. During the first and second periods, the output ratio determiner 63 may determine the output of the fuel cell 22 based on the output determination mode in the above-described embodiment. In this case, during a period in which the power demand in the power schedule is greater than the third reference value or less than the fifth reference value, the output ratio determiner 63 may determine the output of the fuel cell 22 based on a determination mode other than the output determination mode in the above-described embodiment.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control blocks 62, 63, 64, and 65 for determining the output ratios are performed by the main controller 51 that controls the power supply of the fuel cell ship 1, but the output of the fuel cell 22 may be determined by a controller other than the main controller 51 that is installed on the fuel cell ship 1. Furthermore, the memory 61 may be installed on land. In this case, for example, the memory 61 may be configured as storage for a cloud server.

[0082] Furthermore, some or all of the control blocks 62, 63, 64, and 65 for determining the output ratio may be executed by a computer external to the fuel cell ship 1. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an output determination system in a modified example of this embodiment. Components similar to those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the modified example shown in FIG. 9, the output determination device 6 is configured by a computer such as a management device installed on land. The output determination device 6 performs calculations similar to those of the control blocks 62, 63, 64, and 65 described in the above embodiment. The output determination device 6 is communicatively connected to a plurality of fuel cell ships 1 via a communication network 9 such as the Internet or satellite communication. Similarly, the output determination device 6 is communicatively connected to a memory 61 via the communication network 9.

[0083] The fuel cell ship 1 transmits its own power schedule information to the output determination device 6 via the communication network 9. The power schedule information may be the power schedule data itself, or an associated ID. For example, if the memory 61 stores multiple power schedules associated with schedule IDs, the power schedule information may be the schedule ID assigned to the power schedule adopted by the fuel cell ship 1. Also, for example, if the memory 61 stores a power schedule adopted by the fuel cell ship 1 associated with the ship ID of the fuel cell ship 1, the power schedule information may be the ship ID assigned to the fuel cell ship 1.

[0084] The output determination device 6, which has received the power schedule information, determines the output ratio of the fuel cells 22 and secondary batteries 21 of the corresponding fuel cell ship 1 based on the corresponding power schedule. The output determination device 6 transmits data on the determined output ratio to the corresponding fuel cell ship 1 via the communication network 9. The fuel cell ship 1 controls the output of the fuel cells 22 based on the received output ratio data. Alternatively, the fuel cell ship 1 may display the received output ratio information on a specified monitor. In this case, adjustment of the output of the fuel cells 22 in the fuel cell ship 1 may be performed by the crew of the fuel cell ship 1.

[0085] When the output determination device 6 obtains the actual power demand of the fuel cell ship 1 or the charging state of the secondary battery 21, the actual power demand or the charging state of the secondary battery 21 may be transmitted from the fuel cell ship 1 to the output determination device 6 via the communication network 9.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the output determination device 6 is described as determining the output of the fuel cell 22 installed on the fuel cell ship 1, but the present invention can also be applied to mobile bodies other than the fuel cell ship 1, as long as the mobile body is equipped with a fuel cell 22 and a secondary battery 21 and has a power schedule, i.e., a time-dependent change in power demand, that can be specified or estimated in advance. For example, mobile bodies may include trains, buses, airplanes, etc. Furthermore, when the mobile body is the fuel cell ship 1, the use of the fuel cell ship 1 is not limited as long as the power schedule can be determined in advance. For example, the fuel cell ship 1 includes liners sailing on regular routes, ferries, cargo ships, tourist ships, etc.

[0087] The power schedule stored in advance in the memory 61 only needs to be stored in the memory 61 before the moving body starts moving, and does not need to be the same power schedule each time. For example, when starting up the moving body, an operator may use a predetermined operation device to input a power schedule for a predetermined period, such as a power schedule for that day, and store it in the memory 61. In this case, the power schedule may change for each predetermined period. The predetermined period of the power schedule may also be changeable.

[0088] Summary of this disclosure A controller according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a controller for a mobile body that is equipped with a fuel cell and a secondary battery that can be charged using power output by the fuel cell, and in which changes in power demand over time can be specified or estimated in advance, and obtains a power schedule that shows changes in power demand over time in the mobile body, and controls the output of the fuel cell so that power is output from the fuel cell and the secondary battery during a first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, and so that during a second period in which the power demand is less than the reference value, the secondary battery is charged with an amount of power output by the fuel cell that matches the amount of power discharged during the first period.

[0089] According to the above configuration, power is output from the fuel cell and the secondary battery during a first period in which the power demand in a predetermined power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value. This reduces the output of the fuel cell during a high-output period of the fuel cell, increasing the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell. Furthermore, the secondary battery is charged with the power output from the fuel cell during a second period in which the power demand in the power schedule is less than the predetermined reference value. This increases the output of the fuel cell during a low-output period of the fuel cell, increasing the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell. Therefore, in a mobile body that uses a fuel cell as a power source, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell can be maintained high and the amount of hydrogen consumed by the fuel cell can be reduced.

[0090] Furthermore, the output ratio between the fuel cell and the secondary battery during the first period is set so that the amount of power discharged from the secondary battery during the first period matches the amount of power charged to the secondary battery during the anchorage period. This eliminates the need to control the charging and discharging of the secondary battery separately from the output control of the fuel cell, allowing for a simple control system.

[0091] The controller may determine the average value of the power demand during the first period and the second period as the output of the fuel cell during the first period and the second period, and determine the difference between the power demand during the first period and the average value as the output of the secondary battery. This makes it possible to determine, by simple calculation based on the power schedule, the output ratio between the fuel cell and the secondary battery that results in a fuel cell output with high power generation efficiency.

[0092] If the amount of power charged to the secondary battery during the second period is greater than an upper limit of power determined based on the capacity of the secondary battery, the controller may correct the output of the fuel cell during the first period to be less than the average value and the output of the fuel cell during the second period to be greater than the average value so that the amount of power discharged from the secondary battery during the first period is equal to or less than the upper limit of power. This makes it possible to achieve output control that increases the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell while preventing excess or deficiency in power demand, even when the capacity of the secondary battery is limited.

[0093] The controller may obtain an actual power demand of the mobile body and determine whether the state of the mobile body is in the first period or the second period based on the actual power demand, thereby making it possible to appropriately determine the actual state of the mobile body and reliably determine the output of the fuel cell accordingly.

[0094] The controller may acquire a state of charge indicating the charging rate of the secondary battery, and increase the output of the fuel cell when the charging rate is less than a first threshold, and decrease the output of the fuel cell when the charging rate is equal to or greater than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold, thereby enabling appropriate output control to be performed according to the actual state of the fuel cell ship.

[0095] The vehicle may be a ship, a bus, a train, or an aircraft.

[0096] A control method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for a mobile body that has a fuel cell and a secondary battery that can be charged with power output by the fuel cell, and whose change in power demand over time can be specified or estimated in advance, and that obtains a power schedule that shows the change in power demand over time in the mobile body, and controls the output of the fuel cell so that power is output from the fuel cell and the secondary battery during a first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, and so that during a second period in which the power demand is less than the reference value, the secondary battery is charged with an amount of power output by the fuel cell that matches the amount of power discharged during the first period.

[0097] A control program according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a control program for a mobile body that has a fuel cell and a secondary battery that can be charged using power output by the fuel cell, and whose change in power demand over time can be identified or estimated in advance, and causes a computer to obtain a power schedule that shows the change in power demand over time in the mobile body, and to control the output of the fuel cell so that power is output from the fuel cell and the secondary battery during a first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, and so that during a second period in which the power demand is less than the reference value, the secondary battery is charged with an amount of power output by the fuel cell that matches the amount of power discharged during the first period.

[0098] An output determination device according to another aspect of the present disclosure is an output determination device for a fuel cell in a mobile body where the change in power demand over time can be specified or estimated in advance, the output determination device comprising a fuel cell and a secondary battery that can be charged with power output by the fuel cell, the device obtaining a power schedule showing the change in power demand over time in the mobile body, and determining an output ratio between the fuel cell and the secondary battery so that during a first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, power is output from the fuel cell and the secondary battery, and during a second period in which the power demand is less than the reference value, an amount of power that matches the amount of power discharged during the first period is charged to the secondary battery using the power output by the fuel cell. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1 Fuel cell ship 2 power supply 6. Output determination device 21 Secondary battery 22 Fuel Cell 51 Main Controller 61 Memory device 63 Output ratio determiner 64 Period determiner 65 Charging status acquirer

Claims

1. A controller for a mobile body including a fuel cell and a secondary battery that can be charged by power output from the fuel cell, and capable of specifying or estimating a time change in power demand, obtaining a power schedule indicating a time change in the power demand of the mobile object; A controller that outputs power from the fuel cell and the secondary battery during a first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, and controls the output of the fuel cell so that during a second period in which the power demand is less than the reference value, the secondary battery is charged with an amount of power that matches the amount of power discharged during the first period using the power output by the fuel cell.

2. 2. The controller of claim 1, wherein an average value of the power demand during the first period and the second period is determined as the output of the fuel cell during the first period and the second period, and a difference between the power demand during the first period and the average value is determined as the output of the secondary battery.

3. 3. The controller of claim 2, wherein if the amount of power charged to the secondary battery during the second period is greater than an upper limit of power determined based on the capacity of the secondary battery, the controller corrects the output of the fuel cell during the first period to be less than the average value and the output of the fuel cell during the second period to be greater than the average value so that the amount of power discharged from the secondary battery during the first period is equal to or less than the upper limit of power.

4. The controller according to claim 1 , further comprising: acquiring an actual power demand of the mobile body; and determining whether the state of the mobile body is in the first period or the second period based on the actual power demand.

5. acquiring a charging state indicating a charging rate of the secondary battery; 5. A controller as described in claim 1, wherein the controller increases the output of the fuel cell when the charging rate is less than a first threshold, and reduces the output of the fuel cell when the charging rate is equal to or greater than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold.

6. The controller according to claim 1 , wherein the moving body is a ship, a bus, a train, or an aircraft.

7. A control method for a mobile body that includes a fuel cell and a secondary battery that can be charged by power output from the fuel cell, and in which time change in power demand can be specified or estimated in advance, comprising: obtaining a power schedule indicating a time change in the power demand of the mobile object; A control method comprising: outputting power from the fuel cell and the secondary battery during a first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value; and controlling the output of the fuel cell during a second period in which the power demand is less than the reference value so that the amount of power output by the fuel cell charges the secondary battery with an amount of power equal to the amount of power discharged during the first period.

8. A control program for a mobile body including a fuel cell and a secondary battery that can be charged by power output from the fuel cell, the control program being capable of specifying or estimating a time-varying change in power demand, the program comprising: Computer, obtaining a power schedule indicating a time change in the power demand of the mobile object; A control program that functions to control the output of the fuel cell so that, during a first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, power is output from the fuel cell and the secondary battery, and during a second period in which the power demand is less than the reference value, the output of the fuel cell is used to charge the secondary battery with an amount of power that matches the amount of power discharged during the first period.

9. 1. An output determination device for a fuel cell in a mobile body, the mobile body including a fuel cell and a secondary battery that can be charged by power output from the fuel cell, the device comprising: obtaining a power schedule indicating a time change in the power demand of the mobile object; an output determination device that determines an output ratio between the fuel cell and the secondary battery so that, during a first period in which the power demand in the power schedule is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, power is output from the fuel cell and the secondary battery, and during a second period in which the power demand is less than the reference value, the secondary battery is charged with an amount of power output by the fuel cell that matches the amount of power discharged during the first period.

Citation Information

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