Power supply management system, fuel cell device and charging / discharging device

Abstract

To provide a power supply management system which can transmit a control command matching with an actual state while suppressing cost increase.SOLUTION: In a power supply management system, a management device 30 sets command timing in order for each of a plurality of control groups to be constituted of one or more power supply devices 10 during a control object period, executes output information reception processing for receiving output power of the power devices 10 to be transmitted for every first communication interval from the power supply devices 10 in order for each of the control groups, executes power receiving point information reception processing for receiving power receiving point power to be transmitted for every second communication interval shorter than the first communication interval from a power meter, and executes control command transmission processing for commanding target individual output power determined on the basis of information received in the output information reception processing and the power receiving point information reception processing to each of the one or more power devices 10 for each of the one or more power devices 10 constituting the control group for which the command timing has arrived.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply management system that includes a power supply device installed in each of a plurality of facilities, a power meter installed in each of the plurality of facilities for measuring power at a power receiving point connected to a power grid, and a management device that can communicate with the plurality of power supply devices and the plurality of power meters from a remote location outside the facilities, and a fuel cell device and a charge / discharge device as power supply devices used in the power supply management system. [Background technology]

[0002] The system described in Patent Document 1 (JP 2019-067286 A) obtains actual results from energy resources within a predetermined time period and issues control commands to the energy resources according to the difference from the plan. Furthermore, paragraph 0056 of Patent Document 1 describes that when there is only one group, even if actual results are obtained within a predetermined time period, it will not be enough time to adjust the planned amount for the next time period that begins immediately after the end of that time period, so the actual results are used to adjust the planned amount for the time period after that. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-067286 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, the system described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that a large time lag occurs between the acquisition of performance data and the transmission of a control command. In this case, the performance data should have already changed by the time a control command is issued to an energy resource, and there is a possibility that a control command that does not match the actual situation will be sent.

[0005] Increasing the frequency of obtaining performance data and issuing control commands reduces the time lag between obtaining performance data and sending control commands. However, increasing the frequency of obtaining performance data and sending control commands increases the amount of communication data and stored data, which necessitates the expansion of facilities such as servers, resulting in increased costs.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a power supply management system that can send control commands that suit the actual situation while suppressing increases in costs, and a fuel cell device and a charge / discharge device as power supply devices used in the power supply management system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A characteristic configuration of a power supply management system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a power supply management system including: power supply devices installed in each of a plurality of facilities; power meters installed in each of the plurality of facilities for measuring power at power receiving points connected to a power grid; and a management device capable of communicating with the plurality of power supply devices and the plurality of power meters from a remote location outside the facilities, the power supply device includes a power supply unit connected to the power grid, is capable of adjusting output power within a range between an upper limit output power and a lower limit output power, and is configured to supply target individual output power instructed by the management device during a predetermined control period; a power load device installed in the facility is configured to receive power supply from at least one of the power supply device and the power system installed in the facility; the management device divides the plurality of power supply devices into a plurality of control groups, each of which is made up of one or more of the power supply devices, during the control target period, and sets a command timing for each of the plurality of control groups in order; executes an output information receiving process for receiving information capable of identifying the output power of the power supply device, which is transmitted from the power supply device at each first communication interval, in order for each of the control groups; executes a power receiving point information receiving process to receive information capable of identifying the power receiving point power measured by the power meter, the information being transmitted from the power meter at second communication intervals that are shorter than the first communication interval; For each of the one or more power supply devices that make up the control group for which the command timing has arrived, a control command transmission process is executed to instruct each of the one or more power supply devices to use the target individual output power determined based on the information received in the output information reception process and the power receiving point information reception process.

[0008] According to the above characteristic configuration, the second communication interval during which the management device receives information capable of identifying the power receiving point power in the power receiving point information reception process is shorter than the first communication interval during which the management device receives information capable of identifying the output power of the power supply device in the output information reception process. Therefore, the management device can learn the power receiving point power that is more suited to the actual situation through the power receiving point information reception process. Furthermore, in the output information reception process, the management device receives information capable of identifying the output power of the power supply device, which is transmitted from the power supply devices in sequence for each control group at each first communication interval, thereby suppressing increases in the amount of communication data and stored data. Furthermore, the management device sets command timings in sequence for each of the multiple control groups during the control target period, and executes a control command transmission process for each of the one or more power supply devices that constitute the control group for which the command timing has arrived, instructing the one or more power supply devices to set the target individual output power determined based on the information received in the output information reception process and the power receiving point information reception process. In other words, when viewed as a whole for the multiple control groups, a control command transmission process suited to the actual situation at the time of each command timing is executed frequently. Therefore, it is possible to provide a power supply management system that can transmit control commands suited to the actual situation while suppressing increases in costs.

[0009] Another characteristic configuration of the power supply management system according to the present invention is that the management device, in the control command transmission process, A deviation value is derived by subtracting a received total power receiving point power, which is the sum of the power receiving point powers of the plurality of facilities at a reference time determined based on information received in the power receiving point information receiving process, from a target total power receiving point power, which is a target value of the sum of the power receiving point powers of the plurality of facilities at the reference time a predetermined time before the start of the control command transmission process; determining a predicted individual output power, which is a predicted value of the output power of each of the plurality of power supply devices at the reference time; summing the predicted individual output powers of a plurality of the power supplies to determine a predicted total output power of the plurality of power supplies; determining a target total output power by subtracting the deviation value from the predicted total output power; Based on the target total output power, the target individual output power of each of the one or more power supply devices constituting the control group for which the command timing has arrived is determined within the range between the upper limit output power and the lower limit output power.

[0010] Even if the power supply device normally outputs the target individual output power commanded in the control command transmission process, if the load power of the power load device installed in the same facility differs from the previous assumption, there is a problem that the power receiving point of the facility will also deviate from the previous assumption. In this characteristic configuration, the management device determines a deviation value by subtracting the received total power receiving point power, which is the sum of the power receiving point powers of the multiple facilities determined based on information received in the power receiving point information reception process, from the target total power receiving point power, which is the target value of the sum of the power receiving point powers of the multiple facilities at the reference time, a predetermined time before the start of the control command transmission process.The management device then determines predicted individual output powers, which are the predicted values ​​of the output power of each of the multiple power supply devices at the reference time, sums the predicted individual output powers of the multiple power supply devices to determine the predicted total output power of the multiple power supply devices, and determines the target total output power by subtracting the deviation value from the predicted total output power.Based on the target total output power, the management device determines the target individual output power of each of the one or more power supply devices constituting the control group for which the command timing has arrived, within the range between the upper and lower output power limits.In other words, even if the power receiving point power of the facility deviates from the previous assumption, the management device can determine and issue a target individual output power that suits the actual situation.

[0011] Another characteristic feature of the power management system of the present invention is that, in the control command transmission process, the management device determines the predicted individual output power based on the actual output power of the power supply device received in the output information reception process performed most recently before the reference time and the amount of output change of the power supply device that is predicted to have occurred up to the reference time as a result of the power supply device operating in accordance with the target individual output power instructed in the control command transmission process performed most recently before the reference time.

[0012] In the output information receiving process, the management device receives information capable of identifying the output power of the power supply device, which is sent from the power supply device in sequence for each control group at each first communication interval, and therefore there are cases where the output power of the power supply device at the reference time is unknown. However, in this characteristic configuration, in the control command transmission process, the management device determines the predicted individual output power based on the actual output power of the power supply devices received in the output information reception process performed immediately before the reference time and the amount of output change of the power supply devices predicted to have occurred up to the reference time as a result of the power supply devices operating in accordance with the target individual output power commanded in the control command transmission process performed immediately before the reference time. As a result, it is possible to determine an appropriate value for the predicted individual output power, which is the predicted value of the output power of each of the multiple power supply devices at the reference time.

[0013] A characteristic feature of the fuel cell device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is that it has the functions of the power supply device used in the power supply management system, and the power supply unit comprises a fuel cell.

[0014] According to the above characteristic configuration, it is possible to provide a fuel cell device having the functions of a power supply device used in a power supply management system that can transmit control commands suited to actual conditions while suppressing increases in costs.

[0015] A characteristic configuration of a charge / discharge device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is that it has the functions of the power supply device used in the above power supply management system, and the power supply unit has a charge / discharge unit.

[0016] According to the above characteristic configuration, it is possible to provide a charge / discharge device having the functions of a power supply device used in a power supply management system that can transmit control commands suited to actual conditions while suppressing increases in costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between facilities, a management device, and an aggregation coordinator. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a facility configuration. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control period and a non-control period. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram illustrating the timing at which output information reception processing, power receiving point information reception processing, and control command transmission processing are performed. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control command transmission process. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control command transmission process. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control command transmission process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between facilities 20 in which fuel cell devices 10 and power load devices 4 are installed, a management device 30, and an aggregation coordinator 40. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example configuration of the facilities 20. The power supply management system includes a fuel cell device 10 installed in each of the multiple facilities 20, a power meter 3 installed in each of the multiple facilities 20 for measuring power at a power receiving point connected to a power grid 1, and a management device 30 that can communicate with the multiple fuel cell devices 10 and the multiple power meters 3 from a remote location outside the facility 20. The fuel cell device 10 corresponds to the "power supply device" of the present invention.

[0019] The management device 30 is also called a resource aggregator, and is an operator that controls consumer-side energy resources by transmitting control information to the fuel cell device 10 and the power load device 4 as consumer-side energy resources for the facility 20 that has concluded a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) service contract. The aggregation coordinator 40 is an operator that aggregates the amount of power controlled by each management device 30 and trades power with general power transmission and distribution companies and electricity retailers in the electricity trading market, etc.

[0020] The management device 30 sequentially collects and stores power information from multiple facilities 20, such as the output power of the fuel cell device 10, the load power of the power load devices 4, and the power receiving point power at the facilities 20. In this embodiment, the term "load power of the power load devices 4" refers to the total load power of all the power load devices 4 installed in the facility 20. The management device 30 then predicts the power that can be supplied from each facility 20 during a predetermined future time period and transmits this information to the aggregation coordinator 40. This supplyable power represents the adjustment margin, such as the facility 20's ability to increase or decrease the power receiving point power. In this embodiment, "increasing the power receiving point power" refers to increasing the power received from the power grid 1 to the power line 2 or decreasing the reverse flow power from the power line 2 to the power grid 1, and "decreasing the power receiving point power" refers to decreasing the power received from the power grid 1 to the power line 2 or increasing the reverse flow power from the power line 2 to the power grid 1.

[0021] For example, in order to increase the power receiving point power of the facility 20, it is sufficient to at least either reduce the output power of the fuel cell device 10 or increase the load power of the power load device 4, so the upward adjustment margin when increasing the power receiving point power of the facility 20 indicates how much margin there is for reducing the output power of the fuel cell device 10, and how much margin there is for increasing the load power of the power load device 4. Also, in order to decrease the power receiving point power of the facility 20, it is sufficient to at least either increase the output power of the fuel cell device 10 or decrease the load power of the power load device 4, so the downward adjustment margin when decreasing the power receiving point power of the facility 20 indicates how much margin there is for increasing the output power of the fuel cell device 10, and how much margin there is for decreasing the load power of the power load device 4.

[0022] Furthermore, the management device 30 determines baseline power receiving point power for the multiple facilities 20 that it manages. This baseline power receiving point power corresponds to the total power receiving point power of each facility 20 predicted when each facility 20 does not provide adjustment capacity, etc. (i.e., including adjustment capacity provided to the electricity transmission and distribution company and supply capacity provided to the retailer, etc.).

[0023] The aggregation coordinator 40 aggregates the available power received from each management device 30 and trades power with general electricity transmission and distribution companies and electricity retailers by bidding on electricity trading markets such as the supply and demand adjustment market, the wholesale electricity market, and the capacity market. When the aggregation coordinator 40 receives a supply command for adjustment capacity or the like for a predetermined future control period from the general electricity transmission and distribution company or the electricity retailer with which it has traded, it distributes and transmits the adjustment capacity or the like specified in the supply command to each management device 30.

[0024] When the management device 30 receives a supply command from the aggregation coordinator 40, it distributes and transmits the adjustment capacity and the like specified in the supply command to each facility 20. As a result, in each facility 20, by controlling the fuel cell devices 10 and power load devices 4 as consumer-side energy resources during a predetermined future control period, adjustment capacity and the like are supplied, which increases or decreases the power at the receiving point of the facility 20 compared to when the control is not performed.

[0025] The facility 20 is provided with a fuel cell device 10 as a power supply device, and a power load device 4. The fuel cell device 10 and the power load device 4 are connected to a power line 2 that is interconnected to a power grid 1. A power meter 3 is installed on the power line 2 to measure the power at the receiving point of the facility 20.

[0026] Information about the power receiving point power measured by the power meter 3 is transmitted to the management device 30 via the gateway 5 and the router 6. For example, the information about the power receiving point power is transmitted to the management device 30 at a predetermined timing, such as every 10 seconds.

[0027] The power load device 4 is a variety of devices such as a lighting device, an air conditioner, etc., and can receive power supply from at least one of the fuel cell device 10 installed in the facility 20 and the power system 1.

[0028] The fuel cell device 10 includes a fuel cell unit 12 as a power supply unit connected to the power grid 1, a power conversion unit 11 that converts the power generated by the fuel cell unit 12 into a predetermined voltage, frequency, and phase and supplies it to the power line 2, a fuel cell control unit 13 that controls the operation of the fuel cell unit 12 and the power conversion unit 11, and a memory unit 14 that stores information handled by the fuel cell device 10. The fuel cell device 10 may also include a fuel reformer that generates hydrogen, which is the fuel gas for the fuel cell unit 12.

[0029] In this way, a fuel cell device 10 can be realized which has the functions of a power supply device used in a power supply management system and in which the power supply section comprises the fuel cell section 12.

[0030] The fuel cell control unit 13 can adjust the output power from the fuel cell device 10 to the power line 2 between a predetermined upper limit output power and a predetermined lower limit output power. For example, the fuel cell control unit 13 can maintain the output power of the fuel cell device 10 at the upper limit output power and operate it continuously. The fuel cell control unit 13 can also operate the fuel cell device 10 so that the output power of the fuel cell device 10 follows the load power of the power load device 4. For example, the fuel cell control unit 13 can operate the fuel cell device 10 so that the output power of the fuel cell device 10 follows the load power of the power load device 4 by adjusting the output power of the fuel cell device 10 so that the power measured by the power measurement unit 8 (i.e., the power supplied from the power grid 1) becomes zero or close to zero.

[0031] The fuel cell control unit 13 has information about the output power supplied from the power conversion unit 11 to the power line 2 and information about the power measured by the power measurement unit 8, and is therefore able to derive the load power (= output power + measured power) of the power load device 4. When the sign of the power measured by the power measurement unit 8 is positive, this means that the load power is greater than the output power of the fuel cell device 10, and when the sign of the power measured by the power measurement unit 8 is negative, this means that the output power of the fuel cell device 10 is greater than the load power.

[0032] The fuel cell device 10 is connected to a remote control 7 that is operated by users of the facility 20 when issuing commands to the fuel cell device 10. Information about the output power and load power of the fuel cell device 10 is transmitted to the management device 30 via the remote control 7 and the router 6. For example, information about the output power and load power of the fuel cell device 10 is transmitted to the management device 30 at a predetermined timing, such as every minute.

[0033] As described above, the management device 30 can transmit output control commands that determine the output power of the fuel cell devices 10 to the multiple fuel cell devices 10. When the fuel cell devices 10 receive an output control command from the management device 30, they operate in a first operation mode that aims to supply the target individual output power commanded by the management device 30 during a control period that is the subject of the output control command, and they operate in a second operation mode that is different from the first operation mode during a non-control period that is outside the control period.

[0034] The second operating mode is an operating mode that is preset in the fuel cell device 10. Alternatively, the management device 30 can transmit an operating mode control command that determines the second operating mode to the fuel cell device 10, and the fuel cell device 10 determines the second operating mode in accordance with the operating mode control command received from the management device 30.

[0035] For example, in the second operation mode, the fuel cell control unit 13 can maintain the output power of the fuel cell device 10 at the upper limit output power and cause continuous operation. Furthermore, in the second operation mode, the fuel cell control unit 13 can also cause the fuel cell device 10 to operate so that the output power of the fuel cell device 10 follows the load power of the power load device 4. For example, the fuel cell control unit 13 can cause the fuel cell device 10 to operate so that the output power of the fuel cell device 10 follows the load power of the power load device 4 by adjusting the output power of the fuel cell device 10 so that the power measured by the power measurement unit 8 (i.e., the power supplied from the power grid 1) becomes zero or close to zero.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a control period and a non-control period. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the control information (output control command) specifies the period from 12:00 to 15:00 as the control period. Therefore, the fuel cell device 10 operates in the first operation mode during the control period from 12:00 to 15:00, and operates in the second operation mode during the other non-control periods.

[0037] The management device 30 divides the fuel cell devices 10 into a plurality of control groups, each consisting of one or more fuel cell devices 10, and sets command timing for each of the plurality of control groups in turn. The management device 30 then executes an output information reception process to receive, for each control group in turn, information capable of identifying the output power of the fuel cell devices 10, which is transmitted from the fuel cell devices 10 at every first communication interval. In addition, the management device 30 executes a power receiving point information reception process to receive, from the power meter 3 at every second communication interval, which is shorter than the first communication interval, information capable of identifying the power receiving point power measured by the power meter 3.

[0038] The information that the management device 30 receives in the output information reception process and that can identify the output power of the fuel cell device 10 is, for example, information on the output power of the fuel cell device 10 for each minute. As shown in Fig. 4, which will be described later, the management device 30 receives, for example, information on the output power of the fuel cell device 10 for each minute, sequentially with a time lag for each control group for each of the multiple fuel cell devices 10. Alternatively, the management device 30 may receive an average value of the output power of the fuel cell device 10 for one minute, and derive the output power of the fuel cell device 10 for each minute based on that value.

[0039] The information that the management device 30 receives in the power receiving point information reception process and that can identify the power receiving point power measured by the power meter 3 is, for example, the power receiving point power every 10 seconds. The management device 30 receives the power receiving point power, for example, every 10 seconds, for all the power meters 3. Alternatively, the management device 30 may receive the value of the cumulative power receiving point power amount measured by the power meter 3 for 10 seconds, and derive the power receiving point power every 10 seconds based on that value.

[0040] In addition, during the control period, the management device 30 executes a control command transmission process to instruct each of one or more fuel cell devices 10 that constitute a control group for which the command timing has arrived, the target individual output power determined based on the information received in the output information reception process and the power receiving point information reception process.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the timing at which the output information reception process, the control command transmission process, and the power receiving point information reception process are performed. 4, the plurality of fuel cell devices 10 are divided into six control groups A, B, C, D, E, and F. The timing for performing the output information reception process and the control command transmission process (i.e., command timing) for the fuel cell devices 10 constituting control group A is set between "(n-1) minutes 0 seconds to (n-1) minutes 10 seconds" or "n minutes 0 seconds to n minutes 10 seconds," the timing for performing the output information reception process and the control command transmission process for the fuel cell devices 10 constituting control group B is set between "(n-1) minutes 10 seconds to (n-1) minutes 20 seconds," and the timing for performing the output information reception process and the control command transmission process for the fuel cell devices 10 constituting control group C is set between "(n-1) minutes 20 seconds to (n-1) minutes 10 seconds." The timing for performing output information reception processing and control command transmission processing for the fuel cell devices 10 that make up control group D is set between "[n-1] minutes 30 seconds to [n-1] minutes 40 seconds," the timing for performing output information reception processing and control command transmission processing for the fuel cell devices 10 that make up control group E is set between "[n-1] minutes 40 seconds to [n-1] minutes 50 seconds," and the timing for performing output information reception processing and control command transmission processing for the fuel cell devices 10 that make up control group F is set between "[n-1] minutes 50 seconds to n minutes 0 seconds."

[0042] 4, the timing for performing the output information reception process and the timing for performing the control command transmission process are set to every minute for each control group. The timing for performing the output information reception process and the timing for performing the control command transmission process are set to be shifted by 10 seconds for each of the six control groups. When the timing for performing the control command transmission process, i.e., the command timing, is "n minutes 0 seconds to n minutes 10 seconds," the start time for the control command transmission process is "n minutes 0 seconds."

[0043] 4, the timing for performing the power receiving point information reception process, which receives information about the power receiving point power from the power meters 3 of all facilities 20, is set to every 10 seconds. Thus, the first communication interval, at which information capable of identifying the output power of the fuel cell device 10 is transmitted from that fuel cell device 10 to the management device 30, is every 1 minute, and the second communication interval, at which information capable of identifying the power receiving point power measured by the power meter 3 is transmitted from that power meter 3 to the management device 30, is every 10 seconds. In other words, the second communication interval is set to be shorter than the first communication interval.

[0044] Then, in the control command transmission process, the management device 30 derives a deviation value by subtracting the received total power receiving point power, which is the sum of the power receiving point powers of the multiple facilities 20 at the reference time determined based on the information received in the power receiving point information reception process, from the target total power receiving point power, which is the target value of the sum of the power receiving point powers of the multiple facilities 20 at the reference time a predetermined time before the start of the control command transmission process; determines a predicted individual output power, which is the predicted value of the output power of each of the multiple fuel cell devices 10 at the reference time; sums the predicted individual output powers of the multiple fuel cell devices 10 to determine the predicted total output power of the multiple fuel cell devices 10; determines the target total output power by subtracting the deviation value from the predicted total output power; and, based on the target total output power, determines the target individual output power of each of the one or more fuel cell devices 10 that constitute the control group for which the command timing has arrived, within the range of the upper limit output power and the lower limit output power.

[0045] Below is described an example of a method for deriving the predicted individual output power of the fuel cell device 10 of each control group in the control command transmission process of control group A, which is performed between n minutes 0 seconds and n minutes 10 seconds, as surrounded by a black frame in Figure 4, when the current time becomes n minutes 0 seconds, which is the start time of the control command transmission process, i.e., when it becomes the command timing for control group A.

[0046] First, the management device 30 determines the predicted individual output power, which is the predicted value of the output power of the fuel cell device 10 of each control group at a reference time that is a predetermined time (10 seconds) before the start of the control command transmission process (n minutes 0 seconds). In Fig. 4, the reference time is (n-1) minutes 50 seconds, which is 10 seconds before the start of the timing (n minutes 0 seconds to n minutes 10 seconds) when this control command transmission process is performed.

[0047] Then, in the control command transmission process, the management device 30 determines the predicted individual output power, which is the predicted value of the output power of each of the multiple fuel cell devices 10 at the reference time, based on the actual output power of the fuel cell device 10 received in the output information reception process performed most recently before the reference time, and the amount of output change of the fuel cell device 10 that is predicted to have occurred up to the reference time as a result of the fuel cell device 10 operating in accordance with the target individual output power commanded in the control command transmission process performed most recently before the reference time.

[0048] In the example shown in Figure 4, in the case of control group F, the predicted individual output power of the fuel cell device 10 of control group F at the reference time is determined as the sum of the output power received in the output information reception process performed between the most recent [n-2] minutes 50 seconds and [n-1] minutes 0 seconds and the predicted output change amount that occurs in the 50 seconds between [n-1] minutes 0 seconds and the reference time ([n-1] minutes 50 seconds) due to the fuel cell device 10 operating in accordance with the target individual output power commanded in the control command transmission process performed between the most recent [n-2] minutes 50 seconds and [n-1] minutes 0 seconds.

[0049] The predicted output change amount over 50 seconds is determined, for example, taking into account the output increase rate and output decrease rate of the fuel cell device 10. For example, if the output increase rate is 240 W / min, the possible increase in output over 50 seconds is 200 W. Therefore, if the output power received in the output information reception process is 400 W and the individual target output power, which is the control command value in the control command transmission process, is 700 W, the predicted output change amount of the fuel cell device 10 over 50 seconds until the reference time is 200 W. As a result, the predicted individual output power of the fuel cell device 10 at the reference time is 600 W (= 400 W + 200 W). Even if the possible increase in output over 50 seconds is 200 W, for example, if the output power received in the output information reception process is 600 W and the individual target output power in the control command transmission process is 700 W, the predicted output change amount of the fuel cell device 10 over 50 seconds until the reference time is 100 W. As a result, the predicted individual output power of the fuel cell device 10 at the reference time is 700 W (=600 W+100 W).

[0050] Similarly, in the case of control group A, the predicted individual output power of the fuel cell device 10 of control group A at the reference time is determined as the sum of the output power received in the output information receiving process performed between the most recent [n-1] minutes 0 seconds and [n-1] minutes 10 seconds and the predicted output change amount of the fuel cell device 10 that occurs during the 40 seconds from [n-1] minutes 10 seconds to the reference time ([n-1] minutes 50 seconds) due to the fuel cell device 10 operating in accordance with the target individual output power commanded in the control command transmitting process performed between the most recent [n-1] minutes 0 seconds and [n-1] minutes 10 seconds.

[0051] In the case of control group B, the predicted individual output power of the fuel cell device 10 of control group B at the reference time is determined as the sum of the output power received in the output information receiving process performed between the most recent [n-1] minutes 10 seconds and [n-1] minutes 20 seconds and the predicted output change amount of the fuel cell device 10 that occurs in the 30 seconds between [n-1] minutes 20 seconds and the reference time ([n-1] minutes 50 seconds) due to the fuel cell device 10 operating in accordance with the target individual output power commanded in the control command transmitting process performed between the most recent [n-1] minutes 10 seconds and [n-1] minutes 20 seconds.

[0052] In the case of control group C, the predicted individual output power of the fuel cell device 10 of control group C at the reference time is determined as the sum of the output power received in the output information receiving process performed between the most recent [n-1] minutes 20 seconds and [n-1] minutes 30 seconds and the predicted output change amount of the fuel cell device 10 that occurs in the 20 seconds between [n-1] minutes 30 seconds and the reference time ([n-1] minutes 50 seconds) due to the fuel cell device 10 operating in accordance with the target individual output power commanded in the control command transmitting process performed between the most recent [n-1] minutes 20 seconds and [n-1] minutes 30 seconds.

[0053] In the case of control group D, the predicted individual output power of the fuel cell device 10 of control group D at the reference time is determined as the sum of the output power received in the output information receiving process performed between the most recent [n-1] minutes 30 seconds and [n-1] minutes 40 seconds and the predicted output change amount of the fuel cell device 10 that occurs in the 10 seconds between [n-1] minutes 40 seconds and the reference time ([n-1] minutes 50 seconds) due to the fuel cell device 10 operating in accordance with the target individual output power commanded in the control command transmitting process performed between the most recent [n-1] minutes 30 seconds and [n-1] minutes 40 seconds.

[0054] In the case of control group E, the predicted individual output power of the fuel cell device 10 in control group D at the reference time is determined to be the output power received in the output information reception process performed between the most recent (n-1) minutes 40 seconds and (n-1) minutes 50 seconds. In this case, the amount of output change of the fuel cell device 10 as described above is considered to be zero.

[0055] In this way, the management device 30 determines the predicted individual output power, which is the predicted value of the output power at the reference time for each of the plurality of fuel cell devices 10. Then, as will be explained below, the management device 30 uses the determined predicted individual output power to determine the target individual output power for each of the one or more fuel cell devices 10 that make up the control group for which the command timing has arrived, and issues a command to each of the one or more fuel cell devices 10.

[0056] Next, a specific description will be given of the control command transmission process for determining and issuing a target individual output power for each of one or more fuel cell devices 10, using an example in which a plurality of fuel cell devices 10 are divided into two control groups. Fig. 5 shows an example in which one control group is made up of device A, which is a fuel cell device 10, and the other control group is made up of device B, which is also a fuel cell device 10. Fig. 5 shows a diagram illustrating the control command transmission process performed by both devices A and B at the start of the control target period, Fig. 6 shows a diagram illustrating the control command transmission process performed at the timing of issuing a command to the control group made up of device A, and Fig. 7 shows a diagram illustrating the control command transmission process performed at the timing of issuing a command to the control group made up of device B.

[0057] 5, the management device 30 derives the reference total load power (L1) as the sum of the load power predicted to be required by all of the power load devices 4 installed in each facility 20, i.e., in this example, the sum of the load power predicted to be required by the power load device 4 of the facility 20 where device A is installed and the load power predicted to be required by the power load device 4 of the facility 20 where device B is installed. The management device 30 also derives the reference total output power (L1-BL) as the sum of the output power predicted to be output by the fuel cell device 10 of the facility 20 where device A is installed if output control in accordance with the control command transmission process is not performed and the output power predicted to be output by the fuel cell device 10 of the facility 20 where device B is installed if output control in accordance with the control command transmission process is not performed. The management device 30 then derives in advance the reference total power receiving point power (BL), which is the sum of the reference values ​​of the power receiving point power in each facility 20, based on the reference total load power (L1) and the reference total output power (L1-BL). This reference total power receiving point power (BL) becomes the baseline power receiving point power when the management device 30 does not control the output power of the devices A and B.

[0058] When the management device 30 receives a supply command from the aggregation coordinator 40 to reduce the power receiving point power by "BL-L0", it transmits a control command to the devices A and B to reduce the total power receiving point power in each facility 20 where the devices A and B are installed by "BL-L0", that is, a control command to make the total power receiving point power of each facility 20 where the devices A and B are installed equal to the target total power receiving point power (L0). In other words, the management device 30 needs to transmit a control command to the devices A and B to make the total output power of the devices A and B equal to the target total output power ("L1-L0"). In this case, the management device 30 distributes the target total output power ("L1-L0") between the target individual output power of the device A and the target individual output power of the device B within the output ranges of the devices A and B, and commands the respective target individual output powers to the devices A and B. Here, there is a method for deriving the target individual output power by equally distributing the target total output power to the devices A and B, and the distribution method can be determined as appropriate.

[0059] If devices A and B actually output the target individual output power as shown in Figure 5 and the total load power of the power load devices 4 in each facility 20 where devices A and B are installed actually becomes a value corresponding to the reference total load power (L1) as shown in Figure 5, then the total power receiving point power of each facility 20 where devices A and B are installed should become the target total power receiving point power (L0) shown in Figure 5.

[0060] However, if the sum of the actual load powers (actual total load power) of the facilities 20 in which devices A and B are installed deviates from the reference total load power (L1), which is a predicted value, the sum of the power receiving point powers of the facilities 20 in which devices A and B are installed will accordingly deviate from the target total power receiving point power (L0) shown in Fig. 5. For example, in the case shown in Fig. 6, the actual total load power (L3) is larger than the predicted value (L1), so the received total power receiving point power (L2), which is the sum of the power receiving point powers of the facilities 20 in which devices A and B are installed and received in the power receiving point power reception process, is considered to be larger than the initial target total power receiving point power (L0). Therefore, it becomes necessary to update the target individual output powers of devices A and B.

[0061] Next, a control command transmission process performed by the management device 30 at the command timing of the control group made up of device A will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In this case, it is assumed that the reference time is [n-1] minutes 50 seconds.

[0062] This control command transmission process is performed sequentially for each control group, as shown in Figure 4. When it is time to perform the control command transmission process for device A, the management device 30 derives a deviation value by subtracting the received total power receiving point power (L2), which is the total of the power receiving point powers of the multiple facilities 20 and is determined based on the information received in the power receiving point information reception process at the reference time ([n-1] minutes 50 seconds) in this case, from the target total power receiving point power (L0), which is the target value for the total of the power receiving point powers of the multiple facilities 20. In the case of Figure 6, the deviation value is "L0-L2".

[0063] Furthermore, the management device 30 determines a predicted individual output power, which is the output power predicted to be output by device A at the reference time ([n-1] minutes 50 seconds) in this case, and a predicted individual output power, which is the output power predicted to be output by device B at the reference time ([n-1] minutes 50 seconds) in this case. This predicted individual output power is determined by the method described above with reference to Fig. 4. Then, the management device 30 sums the predicted individual output powers of the multiple devices A and B to determine a predicted total output power by the multiple devices A and B.

[0064] Next, the management device 30 determines a target total output power by subtracting the deviation value from the predicted total output power. The management device 30 distributes this target total output power to the target individual output power of device A and the target individual output power of device B, and commands (i.e., updates) only device A to use a target individual output power corresponding to the target individual output power after the distribution.

[0065] Therefore, when the command timing to device A shown in Figure 6 ends, device A is operating in accordance with the target individual output power explained using Figure 6, and device B is maintaining the target individual output power transmitted in the most recent past control command transmission process and is operating in accordance with that.

[0066] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the control command transmission process performed by the management device 30 at the command timing of the control group configured by device B will be described. In this case, it is assumed that the reference time is n minutes and 0 seconds. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the total actual load power (actual total load power (L3)) of each facility 20 in which devices A and B are installed has decreased from the time shown in FIG. 6 and become equal to the reference total load power (L1). Therefore, the target total output power determined at the past time shown in FIG. 6 is an excessive value. Furthermore, because devices A and B are being made to output excessive power, the received total power receiving point power (L2), which is the sum of the power receiving point powers of each facility 20 in which devices A and B are installed and received in the power receiving point power reception process, is smaller than the target total power receiving point power (L0).

[0067] The management device 30 derives a deviation value by subtracting the received total power receiving point power (L4), which is the total of the power receiving point power of the multiple facilities 20 and is determined based on information received in the power receiving point information reception process at the reference time (n minutes 0 seconds) in this case, from the target total power receiving point power (L0), which is the target value for the total power receiving point power of the multiple facilities 20. In the case of Figure 7, the deviation value is "L0-L4".

[0068] 6, the management device 30 determines a predicted individual output power, which is the output power predicted to be output by device A at the reference time (n minutes 0 seconds) in this case, and a predicted individual output power, which is the output power predicted to be output by device B at the reference time (n minutes 0 seconds) in this case. Then, the management device 30 sums the predicted individual output powers of the multiple devices A and B to determine a predicted total output power of the multiple devices A and B.

[0069] Next, the management device 30 determines a target total output power by subtracting the deviation value from the predicted total output power. The management device 30 distributes this target total output power between the target individual output power of device A and the target individual output power of device B during the control period, and commands (i.e., updates) only device B to use a target individual output power corresponding to the target individual output power after the distribution.

[0070] Therefore, when the command timing to device B shown in Figure 7 ends, device A maintains the target individual output power described using Figure 6 and operates in accordance with it, and device B operates in accordance with the target individual output power described using Figure 7.

[0071] As described above, the second communication interval during which the management device 30 receives information capable of identifying the power receiving point power in the power receiving point information reception process is shorter than the first communication interval during which the management device 30 receives information capable of identifying the output power of the fuel cell device 10 in the output information reception process. Therefore, the management device 30 can learn the power receiving point power that is more suited to the actual situation through the power receiving point information reception process. Furthermore, in the output information reception process, the management device 30 receives information capable of identifying the output power of the fuel cell device 10, which is transmitted from the fuel cell device 10 sequentially for each control group at each first communication interval, thereby suppressing an increase in the amount of communication data and stored data. Furthermore, the management device 30 sets command timings sequentially for each of the multiple control groups during the control period, and executes a control command transmission process for each of the one or more fuel cell devices 10 constituting the control group for which the command timing has arrived, instructing the one or more fuel cell devices 10 to use the target individual output power determined based on the information received in the output information reception process and the power receiving point information reception process. In other words, when viewed as a whole for the multiple control groups, a control command transmission process suited to the actual situation at the time of each command timing is frequently executed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a power supply management system that can transmit control commands suited to the actual situation while suppressing increases in costs.

[0072] <Another embodiment> <1> In the above embodiment, a specific example of the configuration of the power supply management system of the present invention has been described, but the configuration can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the power supply unit of the power supply device includes the fuel cell unit 12, but the power supply unit may be another device that can output electric power. For example, the power supply unit may be a device that includes a charge / discharge unit such as a storage battery. In that case, a charge / discharge device is realized that has the functions of a power supply device used in a power management system and in which the power supply unit includes a charge / discharge unit. Alternatively, the power supply unit may be a device including an engine and a generator driven by the engine.

[0073] <2> In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the timing for performing the output information reception process and the timing for performing the control command transmission process are set every minute, and the timing for performing the power receiving point information reception process is set every 10 seconds, but these values ​​are given for illustrative purposes and can be changed as appropriate. The number of control groups can also be changed as appropriate.

[0074] <3> The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction arises. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of not departing from the purpose of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0075] The present invention can be used in a power supply management system that can transmit control commands suited to actual conditions while suppressing increases in costs, and in a fuel cell device and a charge / discharge device as a power supply device used in the power supply management system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 Power system 2. Power lines 3. Electricity meter 4 Power load device 5 Gateway 6. Router 7 Remote Control 8 Power measurement section 10 Fuel cell device (power supply device) 11 Power conversion section 12 Fuel cell section (power supply section) 13 Fuel cell control unit 14 Storage section 20 facilities 30 Management device 40 Aggregation Coordinator

Claims

1. A power supply management system including: a power supply device installed in each of a plurality of facilities; a power meter installed in each of the plurality of facilities for measuring power at a power receiving point connected to a power grid; and a management device capable of communicating with the plurality of power supply devices and the plurality of power meters from a remote location outside the facilities, the power supply device includes a power supply unit connected to the power grid, is capable of adjusting output power within a range between an upper limit output power and a lower limit output power, and is configured to supply target individual output power instructed by the management device during a predetermined control period; a power load device installed in the facility is configured to receive power supply from at least one of the power supply device and the power grid installed in the facility; the management device divides the plurality of power supply devices into a plurality of control groups, each of which is made up of one or more of the power supply devices, during the control target period, and sets a command timing for each of the plurality of control groups in order; executes an output information receiving process for receiving information capable of identifying the output power of the power supply device, which is transmitted from the power supply device at each first communication interval, in order for each of the control groups; executes a power receiving point information receiving process to receive information capable of identifying the power receiving point power measured by the power meter, the information being transmitted from the power meter at second communication intervals that are shorter than the first communication interval; A power management system that executes a control command transmission process to instruct each of one or more power supply devices that constitute the control group for which the command timing has arrived to set the target individual output power determined based on the information received in the output information reception process and the power receiving point information reception process.

2. In the control command transmission process, the management device A deviation value is derived by subtracting a received total power receiving point power, which is the sum of the power receiving point powers of the plurality of facilities at a reference time determined based on information received in the power receiving point information receiving process, from a target total power receiving point power, which is a target value of the sum of the power receiving point powers of the plurality of facilities at the reference time a predetermined time before the start of the control command transmission process; determining a predicted individual output power, which is a predicted value of the output power of each of the plurality of power supply devices at the reference time; summing the predicted individual output powers of a plurality of the power supplies to determine a predicted total output power of the plurality of power supplies; determining a target total output power by subtracting the deviation value from the predicted total output power; 2. The power management system according to claim 1, wherein the target individual output power of each of the one or more power supply devices constituting the control group for which the command timing has arrived is determined within a range between the upper limit output power and the lower limit output power based on the target total output power.

3. 3. The power management system of claim 2, wherein the management device determines the predicted individual output power in the control command transmission process based on the actual output power of the power supply device received in the output information reception process performed most recently before the reference time and the amount of output change of the power supply device predicted to have occurred up to the reference time as a result of the power supply device operating in accordance with the target individual output power commanded in the control command transmission process performed most recently before the reference time.

4. 4. A fuel cell device comprising the functions of the power supply device used in the power supply management system according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit comprises a fuel cell.

5. A charging / discharging device having the functions of the power supply device used in the power supply management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power supply unit includes a charging / discharging unit.

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