Information processing device, electrolytic device, planning method, and program

Abstract

This information processing device comprises an acquisition part and a control part. The acquisition part acquires a predictive value and a minimum required amount regarding the supply of a target product. The predictive value is a predictive value of electric power to be supplied to an electrolysis device. The control part creates an operation plan in a provisional operation plan in which an electric power consumption rate and the number of times the electrolysis device is to be stopped satisfy a predetermined condition while another electric power, the value of which being not more than the predictive value, is used and not less than a minimum required amount of the target product is supplied, the operation plan corresponding to the number of times the electrolysis device is to be stopped and the electric power consumption rate. The electric power consumption rate is a value obtained by dividing electric power consumption of the electrolysis device by the supply amount of the target product.

Description

Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-058142 filed in Japan on March 31, 2022, and incorporates the entire disclosure of the previous application herein for reference.

Technical Field

[0002] [[ID=,11]]The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an electrolysis apparatus, a planning method, and a program.

Background Art

[0003] For example, an electrolysis apparatus for producing hydrogen as a target product by electrolysis of water is known (see Patent Document 1). Since an electrolysis apparatus that uses renewable energy as an input needs to stop electrolysis when the input power falls below the operating range of the electrolysis apparatus, the frequency of device stops increases, the electrode members constituting the electrolysis apparatus deteriorate due to the energization cycle, and the power consumption per unit of the electrolysis apparatus divided by the production amount of the target product increases. Furthermore, at the immediate start of power supply, the concentration of the target product in the electrolysis apparatus is low, and the target product as a product cannot be supplied even while power is being supplied. Therefore, the power consumption per unit increases as the number of stops increases with respect to the operating time of the electrolysis apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, there has been consideration of using only electricity generated from renewable energy sources for the electrolysis of electrolytic devices. However, electricity generation based on renewable energy is unstable and can cause unexpected shutdowns of the electrolytic device. An increase in the number of electrolytic device shutdowns leads to electrode degradation and loss of opportunities to supply the target product, which increases the power consumption per unit of electricity and thus increases the electricity required to produce the target product.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an information processing device, an electrolytic device, a planning method, and a program that suppress the deterioration of the electrolytic cell and reduce power consumption while producing a target product in an amount greater than or equal to the minimum required amount. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In other words, the present invention is as follows: [1] The electrolytic device has at least one operating mode, which includes an operating mode in which the electrolytic device can supply the target product in a first state in which it receives power with a current equal to or greater than the current lower limit or power equal to or greater than the power lower limit, and a stopping mode in which it stops operating in a second state in which it stops receiving power with a current equal to or greater than the current lower limit or power equal to or greater than the power lower limit, and the timing of switching between the operating modes of the electrolytic device and at least one of the current value or power value of the power supplied. For output An information processing device capable of creating a driving plan, An acquisition unit that acquires a predicted value of the power supplied to the electrolytic device and the minimum required amount of production up to the specified time for supplying the target product, Multiple first operating plans are created that include the switching point of the operating mode of at least one of the electrolytic devices and at least one of the current value or power value of the power supplied, and that use power less than or equal to the predicted value and supply a target product greater than or equal to the minimum required amount, and based on the multiple first operating plans, by a predetermined method tentative luck A relocation plan is created, and the aforementioned in the provisional operating plan Switching the electrolytic device from the operating mode to the stop mode Number of stops and the above The power consumption of the electrolytic device was divided by the amount of the target product supplied. The power consumption unit is recognized, and the number of stops and the power consumption unit corresponding to the above For output Driving plan to make It comprises a control unit and The aforementioned Output The operating plan is as follows: Temporary Record Operating meter In a picture can be, The predetermined by method teeth, Among the above-mentioned multiple first operation plans The number of stops mentioned above is the minimum. At least one of the first operating plans is selected as a second operating plan, and in at least one of the second operating plans The aforementioned power consumption The second operation plan, which has the minimum value, is generated in the control unit as a provisional operation plan. , or, Among the above-mentioned multiple first operation plans The aforementioned power consumption per unit is the minimum. The first operation plan is selected as the third operation plan, and the third In the operation plan, the power consumption unit is BUs and the number of stops is Ns. The plurality of first In each operation plan, the power consumption unit is BUn and the number of stops is Nn, and α and β are weighting coefficients greater than zero, thereby minimizing the evaluation value EV = α × BUn / BUs + β × Nn / Ns. The first operation plan is generated in the control unit as a provisional operation plan. Information processing device. [2] In the information processing apparatus described in [1], The electrolytic apparatus further includes a startup mode in the first state that stops supplying the target product until it transitions to the operating mode. Information processing device. [3] In the information processing apparatus described in [2], The operation plan includes, for each of the at least one electrolytic devices, the switching point from the stop mode to the start mode, and at least one of the current values ​​supplied to the electrolytic cell. Information processing device. [4] In the information processing device described in any one of [1] to [3], The control unit is capable of creating operation plans for multiple electrolytic devices. The power consumption unit is the value obtained by dividing the sum of the power consumption of each of the plurality of electrolytic devices by the sum of the amounts of the target products supplied by each of the plurality of electrolytic devices. The number of stops is the sum of the number of stops for each of the multiple electrolytic devices. Information processing device. [5] In the information processing device described in any one of [1] to [4], When the control unit obtains the updated predicted values, it updates the operation plan. Information processing device. [6] In the information processing device described in any one of [1] to [5], The acquisition unit acquires a process state related to operation characteristics from the at least one electrolysis device, The control unit adjusts the current lower limit value or the power lower limit value so that the concentration of gas in the electrolytic cell of the at least one electrolysis device is below the lower explosion limit based on the process state. Information processing device. [7] In the information processing device according to any one of [1] to [6], The predicted value of the power acquired by the acquisition unit includes a first power amount that can be supplied from a power generation facility using only renewable energy and a grid power amount that can be supplied from grid power. Information processing device. [8] An electrolysis device having an operation mode including an operation mode in which a target product can be supplied by the electrolysis device in a first state in which power with a current equal to or higher than a current lower limit value or power with a power equal to or higher than a power lower limit value is received, and a stop mode in which operation is stopped in a second state in which supply of power with a current equal to or higher than the current lower limit value or power with a power equal to or higher than the power lower limit value is stopped, An acquisition unit that acquires a predicted value of the power supplied to the electrolysis device and a minimum required amount of production until the time when supply of the target product is specified; Including at least one of the switching time of the operation mode and the current value or power value of the power to be supplied. For output A control unit capable of creating an operation plan, The control unit creates a plurality of first operation plans that include the switching point of the operating mode of at least one of the electrolytic devices and at least one of the current value or power value of the power supplied, and that use power less than or equal to the predicted value and supply a target product greater than or equal to the minimum required amount, and based on the plurality of first operation plans, in a predetermined manner Provisional luck Create an operation plan, and recognize the number of stops and the power unit in the provisional operation plan, and the operation plan corresponding to the number of stops and the power unit [[ID=二十九]] Switching the electrolytic device from the operating mode to the stop mode The number of stops and the The power consumption of the electrolytic device was divided by the amount of the target product supplied. Power unit For output Operation plan to make Formed, The Output Operation plan is Temporary Record The operation plan In a picture Exists, The predetermined by method Is, Among the above-mentioned multiple first operation plans The number of stops is the minimum At least one of the first operating plans is selected as a second operating plan, and in at least one of the second operating plans The power unit The second operation plan, which has the minimum value, is generated in the control unit as a provisional operation plan. , or, Among the above-mentioned multiple first operation plans The aforementioned power consumption per unit is the minimum. The first operation plan is selected as the third operation plan, and the third In the operation plan, the power consumption unit is BUs and the number of stops is Ns. The plurality of first In each operation plan, the power consumption unit is BUn and the number of stops is Nn, and α and β are weighting coefficients greater than zero, thereby minimizing the evaluation value EV = α × BUn / BUs + β × Nn / Ns. The first operation plan is generated in the control unit as a provisional operation plan. Electrolyzer. [9] The electrolytic device has at least one operating mode, which includes an operating mode in which the electrolytic device can supply the target product in a first state where it receives power with a current equal to or greater than the current lower limit or power equal to or greater than the power lower limit, and a stopping mode in which it stops operating in a second state where the supply of power with a current equal to or greater than the current lower limit or power equal to or greater than the power lower limit is stopped, and the switching time of the operating mode and at least one of the current value or power value of the power supplied. For output A method for creating a plan that can create a driving plan, The steps include obtaining a predicted value of the power supplied to the electrolytic device and the minimum required amount of production up to a specified time for supplying the target product, The steps include creating a plurality of first operating plans that include the switching point of the operating mode of at least one of the electrolytic devices and at least one of the current value or power value of the power supplied, and that use power less than or equal to the predicted value and supply a target product greater than or equal to the minimum required amount, Based on the plurality of first operation plans, by a predetermined method tentative luck Steps to create a relocation plan, In the said provisional operation plan Switching the electrolytic device from the operating mode to the stop mode Number of stops and the above The power consumption of the electrolytic device was divided by the amount of the target product supplied. Steps to recognize the power consumption unit, The number of stops and the power consumption corresponding to the above For output Driving plan to make Equipped with the steps to accomplish, The aforementioned Output The operating plan is as follows: Temporary Record Operating meter In a picture can be, The predetermined by method teeth, Among the above-mentioned multiple first operation plans The number of stops mentioned above is the minimum. At least one of the first operating plans is selected as a second operating plan, and in at least one of the second operating plans The aforementioned power consumption The second operation plan, which has the minimum value, is generated as a provisional operation plan. , or, Among the above-mentioned multiple first operation plans The aforementioned power consumption per unit is the minimum. The first operation plan is selected as the third operation plan, and the thirdIn the operation plan, the power consumption unit is BUs and the number of stops is Ns. The plurality of first In each operation plan, the power consumption unit is BUn and the number of stops is Nn, and α and β are weighting coefficients greater than zero, thereby minimizing the evaluation value EV = α × BUn / BUs + β × Nn / Ns. The above-mentioned first operation plan is generated as a provisional operation plan. Planning methods.

[10] The electrolytic device has at least one operating mode, which includes an operating mode in which the electrolytic device can supply the target product in a first state in which it receives power with a current equal to or greater than the current lower limit or power equal to or greater than the power lower limit, and a stopping mode in which it stops operating in a second state in which it stops receiving power with a current equal to or greater than the current lower limit or power equal to or greater than the power lower limit, and the timing of switching between the operating modes of the electrolytic device and at least one of the current value or power value of the power supplied. For output A program capable of creating a driving plan, Obtain the predicted value of the power supplied to the electrolytic device, and the minimum required amount of production up to the specified time for supplying the target product, Creating a plurality of first operating plans that include the switching point of the operating mode of at least one of the electrolytic devices and at least one of the current value or power value of the power supplied, and that use power less than or equal to the predicted value and supply a target product greater than or equal to the minimum required amount, Based on the plurality of first operation plans, by a predetermined method tentative luck Creating a relocation plan, In the said provisional operation plan Switching the electrolytic device from the operating mode to the stop mode Number of stops and the above The power consumption of the electrolytic device was divided by the amount of the target product supplied. Recognizing the power consumption unit, The number of stops and the power consumption corresponding to the above For output Driving plan to make To have the computer perform actions that include accomplishing, The aforementioned Output The operating plan is as follows: Temporary Record Operating meter In a picture can be, The predetermined by method teeth, Among the above-mentioned multiple first operation plans The number of stops mentioned above is the minimum. At least one of the first operating plans is selected as a second operating plan, and in at least one of the second operating plans The aforementioned power consumption The second operation plan, which has the minimum value, is generated as a provisional operation plan. , or, Among the above-mentioned multiple first operation plans The aforementioned power consumption per unit is the minimum. The first operation plan is selected as the third operation plan, and the third In the operation plan, the power consumption unit is BUs and the number of stops is Ns. The plurality of firstIn each operation plan, the power consumption unit is BUn and the number of stops is Nn, and α and β are weighting coefficients greater than zero, thereby minimizing the evaluation value EV = α × BUn / BUs + β × Nn / Ns. The above-mentioned first operation plan is generated as a provisional operation plan. program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the power consumption per unit while producing hydrogen in amounts greater than or equal to the minimum required amount. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a manufacturing system including an information processing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the electrolytic device. [Figure 3] This figure shows the trajectory of an approximate model used to explain how to find the minimum value of the objective variable using the response surface method. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation plan creation process performed by the control unit shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This graph shows the hourly power generation by solar cells to demonstrate the stability of electricity generated from solar energy. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of its essence.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, a manufacturing system 11 including an information processing device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include at least one electrolytic device 12, a control device 13, and the information processing device 10. In this embodiment, the manufacturing system 11 includes a plurality of electrolytic devices 12. The type of electrolytic device 12 is not limited, but may be, for example, an alkaline water electrolytic device, a sodium chloride electrolytic device, a polymer electrolyte water electrolytic device, or a solid oxide electrolytic device.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, the electrolytic device 12 may include an electrolytic cell 14, an electrolyte supply passage 15, a rectifier 16, a first supply passage 17, a first supply valve 18, a first exhaust passage 19, a first exhaust valve 20, a second supply passage 21, a second supply valve 22, a second exhaust passage 23, a second exhaust valve 24, a purge gas supply passage 25, a purge gas supply valve 26, and a controller 27.

[0013] The electrolytic cell 14 may be supplied with an electrolyte via an electrolyte supply passage 15. The electrolyte may include, for example, water or saline solution. The electrolytic cell 14 may be supplied with electricity generated by a renewable energy generator, with the current adjusted by a rectifier 16. The electrolytic cell 14 may, for example, electrolyze the electrolyte with the applied electricity to generate cathode products and anode products. In a configuration in which the electrolytic cell 14 electrolyzes water, the cathode product is hydrogen and the anode product is oxygen. In a configuration in which the electrolytic cell 14 electrolyzes saline solution, the cathode product is hydrogen and the anode product is chlorine.

[0014] The cathode products generated in the cathode chamber of the electrolytic cell 14 may be discharged through a first supply passage 17. A first supply valve 18 may be provided in the first supply passage 17. By opening the first supply valve 18, the cathode products as manufactured goods may be supplied. The first supply passage 17 may be connected to a first exhaust passage 19 upstream of the first supply valve 18. A first exhaust valve 20 may be provided in the first exhaust passage 19. By opening the first exhaust valve 20, the gas in the first supply passage 17 may be exhausted.

[0015] The anodic product generated in the anode chamber of the electrolytic cell 14 may be discharged through a second supply passage 21. A second supply valve 22 may be provided in the second supply passage 21. By opening the first supply valve 18, the anodic product as a manufactured product may be supplied. The second supply passage 21 may be connected to a second exhaust passage 23 upstream of the second supply valve 22. A second exhaust valve 24 may be provided in the second exhaust passage 23. By opening the second exhaust valve 24, the gas in the second supply passage 21 may be exhausted.

[0016] The electrolytic cell 14 may be supplied with purge gas via a purge gas supply passage 25. A purge gas supply valve 26 may be provided in the purge gas supply passage 25. By opening the purge gas supply valve 26, the gas remaining in the electrolytic cell 14 is discharged via the first supply passage 17 and the second supply passage 21. The purge gas is any non-flammable gas, such as nitrogen.

[0017] The controller 27 includes one or more processors and memory. The processors may include general-purpose processors that load specific programs and perform specific functions, and dedicated processors specialized for specific processing. The controller 27 may control the operation of the entire electrolytic device 12.

[0018] The controller 27 may control each component of the electrolytic device 12. For example, the controller 27 controls the rectifier 16 to switch between applying and stopping power to the electrolytic cell 14, and to adjust the current value of the power applied to the electrolytic cell 14. The controller 27 may also open and close the first supply valve 18, the first exhaust valve 20, the second supply valve 22, the second exhaust valve 24, and the purge gas supply valve 26 separately.

[0019] Furthermore, the controller 27 may control each component of the electrolytic device 12 in response to switching between the multiple operating modes of the electrolytic device 12. The electrolytic device 12 may have, for example, a stop mode and an operating mode as operating modes. The electrolytic device 12 may also have a start mode, a pause mode and a stop preparation mode as operating modes.

[0020] In stop mode, the electrolytic device 12 stops the operation of all its components. The device may switch to stop mode automatically from the stop preparation mode, which will be described later, or when it receives a switching instruction from the control device 13, which will be described later, during operation mode.

[0021] In stop mode, the controller 27 transitions the electrolytic device 12 to a state (second state) in which the supply of power to the electrolytic cell 14 in the electrolytic device 12 is stopped if the current is equal to or greater than the current lower limit or if the power is equal to or greater than the power lower limit. The current lower limit and power lower limit will be described later. After a certain amount of purge gas has been supplied, the controller 27 may control the first supply valve 18, the first exhaust valve 20, the second supply valve 22, the second exhaust valve 24, and the purge gas supply valve 26 to be closed. In stop mode, the electrolytic cell 14, the first supply passage 17, the first exhaust passage 19, the second supply passage 21, and the second exhaust passage 23 may be kept filled with purge gas.

[0022] In startup mode, the electrolytic device 12 prepares the cathode product for supply. The cathode product as a product contains cathode product at a concentration equal to or greater than the cathode product concentration threshold, and the concentration of individually required impurity gas components is below the threshold. The device may switch to startup mode if it receives a switching instruction from the control device 13, which will be described later, in shutdown mode.

[0023] In startup mode, the controller 27 transitions the electrolytic device 12 to a first state in which it supplies power equal to or greater than the current lower limit or power equal to or greater than the power lower limit to the electrolytic cell 14 in the electrolytic device 12. Specifically, the controller 27 transitions to the first state by controlling the rectifier 16. The controller 27 may start electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 14 upon transitioning to the first state. The controller 27 may exhaust the purge gas accumulated in the electrolytic cell 14, the first supply path 17, and the second supply path 21 by opening the first exhaust valve 20 and the second exhaust valve 24. The startup mode is executed and the supply of cathode products as a product may be stopped until the operation mode described later is started.

[0024] In operating mode, the electrolytic device 12 is in a first state and is capable of supplying cathode products as a product. The operating mode may be switched to after the cathode product concentration in the gas in the first supply channel 17 is equal to or greater than the cathode product concentration threshold and the concentration of impurity gas components is less than the impurity threshold in the startup mode. Switching to the operating mode may be based on the detection result of the cathode product concentration in the gas in the first supply channel 17 in the startup mode, or on the result of comparing the elapsed time since the start of the startup mode with a pre-calculated replacement time. The replacement time is the time from the start of electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 14 until the gas in the first supply channel 17 is replaced with cathode products.

[0025] In operation mode, the controller 27 may close the first exhaust valve 20 and open the first supply valve 18. Furthermore, in operation mode, after the anode product concentration in the gas in the second supply passage 21 exceeds the anode product concentration threshold, the controller 27 may close the second exhaust valve 24 and open the second supply valve 22.

[0026] In pause mode, the electrolytic device 12 temporarily stops electrolysis and the supply of cathode and anode products. The pause mode may be switched to when a decrease in the power supplied in the operating mode makes it impossible to supply a current above the lower limit. Specifically, the controller 27 may close the first supply valve 18 and the second supply valve 22.

[0027] In the stop preparation mode, the electrolytic device 12 prepares to shut down safely. The stop preparation mode may be switched to when a switching instruction is received from the control device 13, which will be described later, in the operation mode. Alternatively, the stop preparation mode may be switched to when the stop maintenance time has elapsed in the pause mode. The stop maintenance time may be a predetermined time that allows only the stopping of electrolysis and the supply of cathode and anode products to be stopped, while maintaining the operation of other components, from a safety standpoint or from a design standpoint of the components of the electrolytic device 12. Note that in the pause mode, if the supply of current is resumed before the stop maintenance time has elapsed, the device may switch back to the operation mode.

[0028] In the stop preparation mode, the controller 27 closes the first supply valve 18 and the second supply valve 22, and opens the first exhaust valve 20, the second exhaust valve 24, and the purge gas supply valve 26. After a predetermined time has elapsed since switching to the stop preparation mode, the electrolytic device 12 may transition to the stop mode.

[0029] The controller 27 may sample the process state related to the operating characteristics of the electrolytic cell 14 and provide it to the information processing device 10. The process state of the electrolytic cell 14 may include at least one of the temperature of the electrolytic cell 14, the pressure inside the electrolytic cell 14, the voltage applied to the electrolytic cell 14, and the current flowing through the electrolytic cell 14. The controller 27 may further sample the number of transitions to stop mode and the current operating mode and provide them to the information processing device 10.

[0030] The control device 13 may be, for example, an information processing device such as a server. The control device 13 may be incorporated into the controller 27 of the information processing device 10 or any electrolytic device 12 included in the manufacturing system 11.

[0031] The control device 13 may decide to switch the operating mode of at least one electrolytic device 12 based on the operation plan obtained from the information processing device 10. The control device 13 may further decide to switch the operating mode based on the power actually supplied to the manufacturing system 11.

[0032] The operation plan may include, at a minimum, the switching point from stop mode to start mode for each electrolytic unit 12. The operation plan may further include the switching point from operation mode to stop mode. In configurations where the electrolytic unit 12 has a stop preparation mode, the operation plan may include the switching point from operation mode to stop preparation mode instead of the switching point from operation mode to stop mode. In configurations where the manufacturing system 11 includes multiple electrolytic units 12, priority may be assigned to the switching from operation mode to stop mode or stop preparation mode.

[0033] The control device 13 may, for example, decide to switch the electrolytic device 12, as specified in the operation plan, to the start mode if the time measured by a timer or other device provided in the control device 13 coincides with the time to switch from stop mode to start mode. If the control device 13 decides to switch to start mode, it may issue an instruction to the electrolytic device 12 to switch to start mode.

[0034] The control device 13 may, for example, decide to switch the electrolytic device 12, as specified in the operation plan, to the stop mode if the time measured by a timer or other device provided in the control device 13 coincides with the time to switch from the operation mode to the stop mode. If the control device 13 decides to switch to the stop mode, it may issue an instruction to the electrolytic device 12 to switch to the stop mode.

[0035] The control device 13 may further decide to switch to stop mode based on the power supplied to the manufacturing system 11. In a configuration in which the manufacturing system 11 has a single electrolytic device 12, the control device 13 may decide to switch to stop mode based on the operation plan and the current power supplied to the manufacturing system 11, as described below. The control device 13 may decide to switch to stop mode if it is the time to switch from operation mode to stop mode for a particular electrolytic device 12 and it is not possible to maintain the first state. In a configuration in which the manufacturing system 11 has multiple electrolytic devices 12, the control device 13 may decide to switch to stop mode based on the operation plan and the current power supplied to the manufacturing system 11, as described below. The control device 13 may decide to switch to stop mode if it is the time to switch from operation mode to stop mode for a particular electrolytic device 12 and it is not possible to maintain the first state for that electrolytic device 12 without reducing the power supply to electrolytic devices 12 with higher priority than that electrolytic device 12.

[0036] In a configuration where the electrolytic device 12 has a stop-preparation mode as an operating mode, the control device 13 may decide to switch the electrolytic device 12 to the stop-preparation mode specified in the operation plan when it is time to switch from the operation mode to the stop-preparation mode. If the control device 13 decides to switch to the stop-preparation mode, it may issue an instruction to the electrolytic device 12 to switch to the stop-preparation mode.

[0037] The control device 13 may further decide to switch to the stop preparation mode based on the power supplied to the manufacturing system 11. This power-based decision is the same as the power-based decision in the stop mode.

[0038] The information processing device 10 is, for example, a server device. The information processing device 10 creates an operation plan for the electrolytic device 12 included in the manufacturing system 11, in other words, for at least one electrolytic device 12. As shown in Figure 1, the information processing device 10 includes an acquisition unit 28 and a control unit 29. The information processing device 10 may further include a storage unit 30.

[0039] The acquisition unit 28 acquires a predicted value of the power supplied to the total electrolytic equipment 12 included in the manufacturing system 11. The predicted value of power includes at least a first amount of power that can be supplied from a power generation facility using only renewable energy. The predicted value of power may include only the first amount of power. The predicted value of power may further include the amount of grid power that can be supplied from the grid power. The acquisition unit 28 may include a communication module that communicates with other information processing devices via a network. For example, the acquisition unit 28 acquires, for example, a predicted value of the power to be generated hourly for the next week as the first amount of power from an information processing device managed by a renewable energy power generation business operator. If the renewable energy is solar or wind power, the predicted value of power may be based on a weather forecast. The weather forecast includes, for example, environmental forecast data such as solar radiation, wind speed, and wind direction near the electrolytic equipment. For example, the acquisition unit 28 acquires the amount of available power as grid power from an information processing device of a business operator that manages grid power, based on a sales contract or demand response control for the purpose of adjusting the supply and demand of grid power.

[0040] The acquisition unit 28 acquires the minimum required quantity of the target product to be produced in the manufacturing system 11. The target product may be either a cathode product or an anode product. In water electrolysis, the target product may be hydrogen, which is the cathode product. In food electrolysis, the target product may be chlorine, which is the anode product. The minimum required quantity may be the value up to a specified point in time. The acquisition unit 28 may include an input interface capable of detecting input from a user, such as a keyboard or mouse. For example, the acquisition unit 28 acquires the minimum required quantity of the target product to be produced based on input to the input interface.

[0041] The acquisition unit 28 may acquire process status related to operating characteristics from at least one electrolytic device 12. The acquisition unit 28 may acquire the number of transitions to stop mode and the current operating mode from at least one electrolytic device 12.

[0042] The storage unit 30 may include semiconductor memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory. Examples of semiconductor memory include RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage unit 30 may function as a main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The storage unit 30 stores data used in the operation of the manufacturing system 11 and data obtained from the operation of the electrolytic device 12.

[0043] For example, the memory unit 30 stores system programs, application programs, embedded software, etc. The memory unit 30 may also store the process state of each electrolytic cell 14, the number of times it has transitioned to stop mode, and the current operating mode, which are acquired by the acquisition unit 28.

[0044] Furthermore, the memory unit 30 may store the electrolysis performance of each electrolytic device 12 included in the manufacturing system 11, the current lower limit or power lower limit, and the amount of target product generated in relation to the current flowing through the electrolytic cell 14. The electrolysis performance is the response of the output voltage to the input current and is a value specific to the electrolytic cell 14. The current lower limit is the minimum current flowing through the electrolytic cell 14 in order to keep the anode product concentration in the cathode product in the cathode chamber (e.g., oxygen concentration in hydrogen) and the cathode product concentration in the anode product in the anode chamber (e.g., hydrogen concentration in oxygen) below the explosion limit. The electrolysis performance may be estimated from operational results using an experimental or actual machine. The current lower limit may be estimated from a theoretical value or from operational results using an experimental or actual machine. The power lower limit may be estimated from a theoretical value or from operational results using an experimental or actual machine. Alternatively, the power lower limit may be calculated based on the current lower limit and the electrolysis performance.

[0045] Electrolysis performance deteriorates with increasing number of stops, and the output voltage relative to the input current increases. The memory unit 30 may store adjustment parameters for adjusting the deterioration of electrolysis performance according to the number of stops based on process conditions such as current, temperature, electrolyte concentration, pressure, electrolyte circulation flow rate, anode product concentration in the cathode product in the cathode chamber, cathode product concentration in the anode product in the anode chamber, and energization time and the number of transitions to stop mode (hereinafter also referred to as "number of stops"). The adjustment parameters for process conditions may be calculated in advance based on measured values ​​of the cell voltage of the experimental or actual machine under various process conditions for energization time and number of stops that can be considered the same. The adjustment parameters for energization time and number of stops may be predetermined based on measured values ​​of the cell voltage of the experimental or actual machine under various energization times and number of stops under the same process conditions.

[0046] The current limit increases in accordance with the deterioration of the electrolytic cell. The memory unit 30 may store adjustment parameters that adjust the increase in the current limit in accordance with the deterioration of the electrolytic cell based on process conditions such as voltage, temperature, electrolyte concentration, pressure, electrolyte circulation flow rate, anode product concentration in the cathode product in the cathode chamber, cathode product concentration in the anode product in the anode chamber, and at least one of energizing time and number of stops. The adjustment parameters for process conditions may be pre-calculated based on measured values ​​of anode product concentration in the cathode product in the cathode chamber and cathode product concentration in the anode chamber of an experimental or actual machine under various process conditions, with energizing time and number of stops that can be considered the same. The adjustment parameters for energizing time and number of stops may be predetermined based on measured values ​​of anode-cathode product concentration in the cathode product in the cathode chamber and cathode product concentration in the anode chamber of an experimental or actual machine under various energizing times and number of stops, with the same process conditions.

[0047] The power limit increases in accordance with the deterioration of the electrolytic cell. The power limit can be calculated based on the electrolytic performance adjusted by the aforementioned adjustment parameters and the current limit adjusted by the aforementioned adjustment parameters. Therefore, the power limit can be adjusted based on process conditions such as voltage, temperature, electrolyte concentration, pressure, electrolyte circulation flow rate, anode-cathode product concentration in the cathode product in the cathode chamber, cathode product concentration in the anode product in the anode chamber, and at least one of energization time and number of stops. The memory unit 30 may store adjustment parameters for adjusting the power limit.

[0048] The control unit 29 includes one or more processors and memory. The processors may include a general-purpose processor that loads a specific program and executes a specific function, and a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The control unit 29 may control the operation of the entire information processing device 10.

[0049] The control unit 29 creates an operation plan for the electrolytic devices 12 included in the manufacturing system 11. The control unit 29 may create an operation plan for a single electrolytic device 12, or it may create operation plans for multiple electrolytic devices 12. The operation plan may include, for at least one electrolytic device 12, the switching point from stop mode to start mode and at least one of the current value or power value supplied to the electrolytic cell 14.

[0050] The control unit 29 creates a provisional operation plan that satisfies predetermined conditions for the number of stops and power consumption, while using power below the predicted value and supplying a minimum required amount of target product by the specified time. The number of stops is the number of times the system switches from the operating mode to the stop mode, either directly or indirectly. Switching indirectly from the operating mode to the stop mode means switching from the operating mode to the stop mode via the stop preparation mode. In a configuration where the manufacturing system 11 includes multiple electrolytic devices 12, the number of stops is the sum of the number of stops for each of the multiple electrolytic devices 12. Power consumption is the value obtained by dividing the power consumption of the electrolytic device 12 by the amount of target product supplied. In a configuration where the manufacturing system 11 includes multiple electrolytic devices 12, the power consumption is the value obtained by dividing the sum of the power consumption of each of the multiple electrolytic devices 12 by the sum of the amount of target product supplied for each of the multiple electrolytic devices 12. Power consumption is the power consumed by the electrolytic device 12 by the specified time.

[0051] The predetermined condition may be to minimize the power consumption per unit of operation within at least one temporary operation plan that uses less power than or equal to the predicted value and supplies more than or equal to the minimum required amount of the target product, while minimizing the number of stoppages. Specifically, the control unit 29 may use any mathematical optimization method to create a temporary operation plan that uses less power than or equal to the predicted value and supplies more than or equal to the minimum required amount of the target product, while minimizing the number of stoppages. It is assumed that multiple temporary operation plans with the minimum number of stoppages will be created. Furthermore, the control unit 29 may create a provisional operation plan by selecting the operation plan with the minimum power consumption per unit of operation among the temporary operation plans with the minimum number of stoppages.

[0052] The mathematical optimization method is explained in detail by the following example. For mathematical optimization, an operation simulation is pre-designed that outputs the number of times the electrolytic device 12 stops and the power consumption per unit when arbitrary parameters related to the operation of one or more electrolytic devices 12 are input. The control unit 29 may vary the arbitrary parameters in the operation simulation to minimize the number of stops. For example, the control unit 29 may calculate the minimum value of the output result of the operation simulation in which the arbitrary parameters are varied within an arbitrary range. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3, the control unit 29 may create an approximate model using the response surface method from the output result of the operation simulation in which arbitrary parameters X1 and X2 are varied within an arbitrary range, and estimate the minimum value using the approximate model.

[0053] Alternatively, the predetermined condition is to minimize the evaluation value EV = α × BUn / BUs + β × Nn / Ns. α and β are weighting coefficients greater than zero. BUn and Nn are the power intensity and number of stoppages in each of a plurality of operation plans that use power below the predicted value and supply more than the minimum required amount of target product, respectively. BUs and Ns are the power intensity and number of stoppages in a temporary operation plan that minimizes the power intensity while using power below the predicted value and supplying more than the minimum required amount of target product, respectively. Specifically, the control unit 29 may use any mathematical optimization method to create a temporary operation plan that minimizes the power intensity while using power below the predicted value and supplying more than the minimum required amount of target product. The control unit 29 may set the power intensity and number of stoppages in the temporary operation plan to BUs and Ns. After creating a temporary operation plan, the control unit 29 may set the power intensity and number of stops in multiple operation plans, BUn and Nn, respectively, which use power below the predicted value and supply more than the minimum required amount of target product, and calculate the evaluation value EVn. The control unit 29 may use any mathematical optimization method to create a provisional operation plan that minimizes the evaluation value EVn.

[0054] Alternatively, the predetermined conditions may be to minimize the number of stops and the power consumption per unit while using power below the predicted value and supplying the minimum required amount of the target product. Specifically, the control unit 29 may use any mathematical optimization method to create a provisional operation plan that minimizes the number of stops and the power consumption per unit while using power below the predicted value and supplying more than the minimum required amount of the target product.

[0055] Furthermore, the control unit 29 creates an operation plan corresponding to the number of stops and power consumption in the provisional operation plan. The operation plan corresponding to the number of stops and power consumption in the provisional operation plan is, for example, the provisional operation plan itself. However, the operation plan corresponding to the number of stops and power consumption in the provisional operation plan is not limited to the provisional operation plan, and may be an operation plan that sets the number of stops and power consumption to a range from the said number of stops and power consumption, respectively. For example, the control unit 29 may create an operation plan corresponding to the number of stops and power consumption in the provisional operation plan in the following way: The control unit 29 may determine the number of stops and power consumption in the provisional operation plan as the minimum number of stops and minimum power consumption, respectively. The control unit 29 may determine the number of stops and power consumption in the provisional operation plan that maximizes the supply amount of the target product as the maximum number of stops and maximum power consumption. The control unit 29 may create an operation plan that satisfies specific conditions, where the number of stops falls within the top 10% of the range between the maximum and minimum number of stops, and the power consumption falls within the top 10% of the range between the minimum and maximum power consumption, as an operation plan corresponding to the number of stops and power consumption in the provisional operation plan. The specific conditions are not limited to, but include, for example, minimizing power consumption, maximizing equipment utilization, and responding to demand response control of grid power.

[0056] The control unit 29 may adjust the weighting coefficients α and β when creating an operation plan by minimizing the evaluation value EV. The weighting coefficients α and β may be based on the input to an input device such as a keyboard or mouse provided on the information processing device 10. For example, if suppressing the deterioration of the electrolytic device is prioritized, β may be adjusted to be larger than α so that Nn / Ns has a greater impact on EV than BUn / BUs. Alternatively, if maximizing the amount of target product produced is prioritized, α may be adjusted to be larger than β so that BUn / BUs has a greater impact on EV than Nn / Ns.

[0057] The control unit 29 may use a combination of the electrolytic performance and current lower limit of the electrolytic cell 14, or a power lower limit, when creating an operation plan. Specifically, the control unit 29 calculates a voltage value that will cause the current of the electrolytic cell 14 to be equal to or greater than the current lower limit, based on the electrolytic performance of each electrolytic cell 14. Based on this voltage value and current value, the control unit 29 calculates the power required in the startup mode and the operation mode. The control unit 29 may create an operation plan based on the calculated power or power lower limit.

[0058] The control unit 29 may use the current operating mode of each electrolytic cell 14 to create an operation plan. For example, an electrolytic device 12 whose operating mode is the operation mode will have its power consumption in the startup mode calculated without including the power consumption in the startup mode, and this calculation will be used to calculate the overall power consumption.

[0059] The control unit 29 may adjust the current electrolytic performance of each electrolytic cell 14 according to the energizing time and number of stops for each electrolytic cell 14. The control unit 29 may adjust the current electrolytic performance of each electrolytic cell 14 based on the process state of each electrolytic cell 14. The control unit 29 may adjust the current lower limit of each electrolytic cell 14 according to the energizing time and number of stops for each electrolytic cell 14. The control unit 29 may adjust the current lower limit or power lower limit of each electrolytic cell 14 based on the process state of each electrolytic cell 14. Therefore, the control unit 29 may adjust the current lower limit or power lower limit based on the process state so that the gas concentration in the electrolytic cell 14 of at least one electrolytic device 12 is below the lower explosion limit.

[0060] The control unit 29 may update the operation plan using the updated values ​​if the acquired power forecast includes updated values ​​for time periods for which forecast values ​​have already been acquired. For example, the control unit 29 may use the updated forecast values ​​to update the time periods included in the previous operation plan and create new time periods not included in the previous operation plan, using the value obtained by subtracting the amount of target product produced to date from the minimum requirement up to a specified point in the previously created operation plan as the minimum requirement for the updated operation plan.

[0061] The control unit 29 may create an operation plan corresponding to the sum of voltages in the operation plan, so as an operation plan corresponding to the minimized or reduced power consumption, so as to minimize the sum of voltages applied to the electrolytic cells 14 of at least one electrolytic device 12.

[0062] Next, the operation plan creation process, which is performed by the control unit 29 of the information processing device 10 in this embodiment, will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 4. The operation plan creation process is started, for example, each time the predicted power value is updated, or periodically in conjunction with the update of the predicted power value.

[0063] In step S100, the control unit 29 reads the process status of each electrolytic device 12 stored in the memory unit 30. After reading, the process proceeds to step S101.

[0064] In step S101, the control unit 29 adjusts the electrolysis performance of the electrolytic cells 14 in each electrolytic device 12 based on the process state read in step S100. The control unit 29 also adjusts the minimum current or minimum power value supplied to the electrolytic cells 14 in each electrolytic device 12 based on the process state read in step S100. After adjustment, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0065] In step S102, the control unit 29 recognizes the minimum required quantity for manufacturing the target product acquired by the acquisition unit 28. After recognition, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0066] In step S103, the control unit 29 creates an operation plan based on the electrolytic performance of each electrolytic cell 14 and the lower limit of the current of each electrolytic cell 14, which were adjusted in step S101, as well as the minimum required amount recognized in step S102. After creation, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0067] In step S104, the control unit 29 assigns the operation plan created in step S103 to the control device 13. After assigning the plan, the operation plan creation process ends.

[0068] The information processing device 10 of this embodiment, configured as described above, includes an acquisition unit 28 that acquires a predicted value of the power supplied to the electrolytic device 12 and the minimum required amount of the target product to be produced, and a control unit 29 that creates an operation plan corresponding to the number of stops and power consumption in a provisional operation plan that satisfies predetermined conditions, while using power less than or equal to the predicted value and supplying the target product at or above the minimum required amount. As mentioned above, in the electrolytic device 12, purge gas is filled into the first supply path 17 or the second supply path 21, etc., in the stop mode, so during the start mode until the purge gas is replaced with the target product, the target product cannot be supplied even though power is consumed. Therefore, in the electrolytic device 12, if the operation mode for supplying the target product is short, the power consumption increases. In addition, power generation based on renewable energy is unstable, and the power generated by such generation fluctuates. For example, as shown in Figure 5, when the renewable energy is solar power, the power generated fluctuates greatly depending on the weather. Therefore, in a configuration where the electrolytic device 12 uses electricity generated from renewable energy, the electrolytic device 12 may frequently switch from operating mode to shutdown mode during adverse weather conditions. In this way, the electrolytic device 12, which directly utilizes electricity generated from renewable energy, not only sees an increase in power consumption per unit of supply relative to the amount of target product supplied, but also an increase in the number of shutdowns relative to the amount of target product supplied. In the electrolytic device 12, the more shutdowns there are, the more the electrodes deteriorate, leading to a further increase in power consumption per unit of supply and a shortened lifespan of the electrodes. In response to these issues, the information processing device 10 having the above configuration can suppress power consumption per unit of supply while producing a target product exceeding the minimum required amount. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can reduce the number of shutdowns.

[0069] Furthermore, in the information processing device 10, the predetermined condition is to minimize the power consumption per unit of operation within at least one temporary operation plan that uses less power than the predicted value and supplies a target product greater than or equal to the minimum required amount, while minimizing the number of shutdowns. With this configuration, the information processing device 10 can suppress the power consumption per unit of operation while aiming to minimize the number of shutdowns.

[0070] Alternatively, the information processing device 10 has predetermined conditions such that, in a temporary operation plan where the power consumption is minimized while using power below the predicted value and supplying a target product greater than or equal to the minimum required amount, the power consumption is BUs and the number of stops is Ns, and in each of the multiple operation plans where the power consumption is below the predicted value and supplying a target product greater than or equal to the minimum required amount, the power consumption is BUn and the number of stops is Nn, and α and β are weighting coefficients greater than zero to minimize the evaluation value EV = α × BUn / BUs + β × Nn / Ns. With this configuration, the information processing device 10 can suppress the number of stops while aiming to minimize the power consumption.

[0071] Alternatively, in the information processing device 10, the predetermined conditions are to minimize the number of stoppages and minimize the power consumption per unit while using power below the predicted value and supplying a target product above the minimum required amount. Since the number of stoppages is a positive integer, it is possible that the number of stoppages will be minimized within any range of any explanatory variables used for creating the operation plan. Therefore, the power consumption per unit can be minimized within any range of any explanatory variables. In response to such events, the information processing device 10 having the above configuration can suppress the power consumption per unit while aiming to minimize the number of stoppages.

[0072] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment can create operation plans for multiple electrolytic devices 12. With this configuration, the information processing device 10 can provide diversity in operation patterns, for example, if it is expected that the power generation will decrease when multiple electrolytic devices 12 are in operation mode, instead of stopping all electrolytic devices 12, it can continue the operation mode of some electrolytic devices 12 with good power consumption per unit and switch the other electrolytic devices 12 to stop mode.

[0073] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment updates the operation plan when it acquires updated predicted values. With this configuration, the information processing device 10 updates the operation plan using updated predicted values, which generally have higher prediction accuracy than the predicted values ​​before the update, thereby improving the feasibility of minimizing the number of stoppages and minimizing or reducing the power consumption per unit of operation during actual operation.

[0074] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment creates an operating plan that minimizes the sum of voltages applied to the electrolytic cells 14 of at least one electrolytic device 12, corresponding to the sum of said voltages in the operating plan. With this configuration, the information processing device 10 can substantially minimize or reduce the power consumption per unit in a simpler way.

[0075] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment acquires process status related to operating characteristics from at least one electrolytic device 12, and adjusts the lower current limit or power limit based on the process status so that the gas concentration in the electrolytic cell 14 of at least one electrolytic device 12 is below the lower explosion limit. With this configuration, the information processing device 10 can contribute to minimizing the number of shutdowns and minimizing power consumption per unit or minimizing power consumption per unit while maintaining safety in accordance with the deterioration of the diaphragm and electrodes of the electrolytic cell 14.

[0076] Furthermore, in the information processing device 10 of this embodiment, the predicted power value acquired by the acquisition unit 28 includes a first amount of power that can be supplied from a power generation facility using only renewable energy, and a grid power amount that can be supplied from grid power. With this configuration, the information processing device 10 can create an operation plan that further reduces the number of shutdowns by using grid power.

[0077] While embodiments of the information processing device 10 have been described above, embodiments of the information processing device 10 can also be provided as a method or program for implementing the device, or as a storage medium on which a program is recorded (for example, an optical disc, magneto-optical disc, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, hard disk, or memory card).

[0078] Furthermore, the implementation form of the program is not limited to application programs such as object code compiled by a compiler or program code executed by an interpreter, but may also be in the form of a program module embedded in an operating system. In addition, the program may or may not be configured so that all processing is performed only on the CPU on the control board. The program may also be configured so that some or all of its processing is performed by another processing unit implemented on an expansion board or expansion unit attached to the board, as needed.

[0079] The diagrams illustrating the embodiments described herein are schematic. Dimensions and proportions shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to actual dimensions.

[0080] While embodiments relating to this disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications or alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications or alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions and other elements included in each component can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components can be combined into one or separated.

[0081] All of the constituent elements described in this disclosure, and / or all of the disclosed methods or steps of processing, can be combined in any combination except for any combination in which these features are mutually exclusive. Furthermore, each of the features described in this disclosure can be replaced by an alternative feature that works for the same, equivalent, or similar purposes, unless expressly disregarded. Thus, unless expressly disregarded, each of the disclosed features is merely an example of a comprehensive set of identical or equivalent features.

[0082] Furthermore, the embodiments relating to this disclosure are not limited to any specific configuration of the embodiments described above. The embodiments relating to this disclosure can be extended to all novel features or combinations thereof described herein, or all novel methods or processing steps or combinations thereof described herein. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 10 Information Processing Devices 11. Manufacturing System 12 Electrolyzer 13 Control device 14 Electrolytic cell 15 Electrolyte supply path 16 Rectifier 17. The first supply route 18 First supply valve 19 First exhaust passage 20 First exhaust valve 21. Second supply channel 22 Second supply valve 23 Second exhaust passage 24 Second exhaust valve 25 Purge gas supply channels 26 Purge gas supply valve 27 Controllers 28 Acquisition Department 29 Control Unit 30 Storage section

Claims

1. An information processing device capable of creating an output operation plan for at least one electrolytic device having operating modes, which includes an operating mode in which the electrolytic device can supply a target product in a first state in which it receives power with a current equal to or greater than a current lower limit or power equal to or greater than a power lower limit, and a stopping mode in which it stops operating in a second state in which it stops receiving power with a current equal to or greater than the current lower limit or power equal to or greater than the power lower limit, and at least one of the current value or power value of the power supplied, An acquisition unit that acquires a predicted value of the power supplied to the electrolytic device and the minimum required amount of production up to the specified time for supplying the target product, The system includes: a control unit which creates a plurality of first operation plans that include at least one of the switching point of the operating mode of the at least one electrolytic device and the current value or power value of the power supplied, and which use power less than or equal to the predicted value and supply a target product greater than or equal to the minimum required amount; a control unit which creates a provisional operation plan based on the plurality of first operation plans in a predetermined method; recognizes the number of times the electrolytic device is stopped to switch from the operating mode to the stop mode in the provisional operation plan and the power consumption of the electrolytic device divided by the amount of target product supplied, and creates an operation plan for the output corresponding to the number of stops and the power consumption, The aforementioned operation plan for output is the aforementioned provisional operation plan, In the aforementioned predetermined method, Among the plurality of first operation plans, at least one first operation plan having the minimum number of stops is selected as the second operation plan, and among the at least one second operation plan, the second operation plan having the minimum power consumption per unit is generated in the control unit as a provisional operation plan, or Among the plurality of first operating plans, the first operating plan with the minimum power consumption is selected as the third operating plan. The power consumption in the third operating plan is set to BUs and the number of stops to Ns, and the power consumption in each of the plurality of first operating plans is set to BUn and the number of stops to Nn. The first operating plan that minimizes the evaluation value EV = α × BUn / BUs + β × Nn / Ns is generated in the control unit as a provisional operating plan. Information processing device.

2. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The electrolytic apparatus further includes a startup mode in the first state that stops supplying the target product until it transitions to the operating mode. Information processing device.

3. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The operation plan includes, for each of the at least one electrolytic devices, the switching point from the stop mode to the start mode, and at least one of the current values ​​supplied to the electrolytic cell. Information processing device.

4. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The control unit is capable of creating operation plans for multiple electrolytic devices. The power consumption unit is the value obtained by dividing the sum of the power consumption of each of the plurality of electrolytic devices by the sum of the amounts of the target products supplied by each of the plurality of electrolytic devices. The number of stops is the sum of the number of stops for each of the multiple electrolytic devices. Information processing device.

5. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, When the control unit obtains the updated predicted values, it updates the first operation plan. Information processing device.

6. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The acquisition unit acquires process status related to operating characteristics from the at least one electrolytic device. The control unit adjusts the current lower limit or the power lower limit based on the process state so that the gas concentration in the electrolytic cell of the at least one electrolytic device is below the lower explosion limit. Information processing device.

7. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The predicted power values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit include a first amount of electricity that can be supplied from a power generation facility using only renewable energy, and a grid amount of electricity that can be supplied from the grid. Information processing device.

8. An electrolytic device having two operating modes: an operating mode in which the electrolytic device can supply the target product in a first state in which it receives power with a current equal to or greater than the current lower limit or power equal to or greater than the power lower limit, and a stopping mode in which it stops operating in a second state in which the supply of power with a current equal to or greater than the current lower limit or power equal to or greater than the power lower limit is stopped, An acquisition unit that acquires a predicted value of the power supplied to the electrolytic device and the minimum required amount of production up to the specified time for supplying the target product, The system includes a control unit capable of creating an output operation plan that includes the switching point of the operation mode and at least one of the current value or power value of the power supplied, The control unit creates a plurality of first operation plans that include at least one of the switching point of the operating mode of the at least one electrolytic device and the current value or power value of the power supplied, and that use power less than or equal to the predicted value and supply a target product greater than or equal to the minimum required amount; creates a provisional operation plan in a predetermined method based on the plurality of first operation plans; recognizes the number of times the electrolytic device is stopped to switch from the operating mode to the stop mode in the provisional operation plan and the power consumption unit obtained by dividing the power consumption of the electrolytic device by the amount of target product supplied; and creates an operation plan for the output corresponding to the number of stops and the power consumption unit. The aforementioned operation plan for output is the aforementioned provisional operation plan, In the aforementioned predetermined method, Among the plurality of first operating plans, at least one first operating plan having the minimum number of stops is selected as a second operating plan, and among the at least one second operating plan, the second operating plan having the minimum power consumption per unit is generated in the control unit as a provisional operating plan, or Among the plurality of first operating plans, the first operating plan with the minimum power consumption is selected as the third operating plan. The power consumption in the third operating plan is set to BUs and the number of stops to Ns, and the power consumption in each of the plurality of first operating plans is set to BUn and the number of stops to Nn. The first operating plan that minimizes the evaluation value EV = α × BUn / BUs + β × Nn / Ns is generated in the control unit as a provisional operating plan. Electrolyzer.

9. A planning method for creating an output operation plan for at least one electrolytic device having operating modes, the operating mode being capable of supplying a target product by the electrolytic device in a first state in which the device receives power with a current equal to or greater than a current lower limit or power equal to or greater than a power lower limit, and the stopping mode being capable of stopping operation in a second state in which the supply of power with a current equal to or greater than the current lower limit or power equal to or greater than the power lower limit is stopped, the timing of switching between the operating modes of the electrolytic device and at least one of the current value or power value of the power to be supplied, The steps include obtaining a predicted value of the power supplied to the electrolytic device and the minimum required amount of production up to a specified time for supplying the target product, The steps include creating a plurality of first operating plans that include the switching point of the operating mode of at least one of the electrolytic devices and at least one of the current value or power value of the power supplied, and that use power less than or equal to the predicted value and supply a target product greater than or equal to the minimum required amount, A step of creating a provisional operation plan in a predetermined method based on the plurality of first operation plans, Steps include recognizing the number of times the electrolytic device is stopped to switch from the operating mode to the stopping mode in the provisional operating plan, and the power consumption of the electrolytic device divided by the amount of the target product supplied, The process includes the step of creating an operation plan for the output corresponding to the number of stops and the power consumption, The aforementioned operation plan for output is the aforementioned provisional operation plan, In the aforementioned predetermined method, Among the plurality of first operating plans, at least one first operating plan having the minimum number of stoppages is selected as a second operating plan, and among at least one second operating plan, the second operating plan having the minimum power consumption per unit is generated as a provisional operating plan, or Among the plurality of first operating plans, the first operating plan with the minimum power consumption is selected as the third operating plan. The power consumption in the third operating plan is set to BUs and the number of stops to Ns, and the power consumption in each of the plurality of first operating plans is set to BUn and the number of stops to Nn. The first operating plan is then generated as a provisional operating plan, with α and β being weighting coefficients greater than zero, which minimizes the evaluation value EV = α × BUn / BUs + β × Nn / Ns. Planning methods.

10. A program capable of creating an output operation plan for at least one electrolytic device having two operating modes: an operating mode in which the electrolytic device can supply a target product in a first state where it receives power with a current equal to or greater than a current lower limit or power equal to or greater than a power lower limit, and a stopping mode in which it stops operating in a second state where the supply of power with a current equal to or greater than the current lower limit or power equal to or greater than the power lower limit is stopped, the program comprising: the switching point of the operating mode of at least one electrolytic device and at least one of the current value or power value of the power supplied, Obtain the predicted power supply to the electrolytic device and the minimum required amount of production up to the specified time for supplying the target product. Creating a plurality of first operating plans that include the switching point of the operating mode of at least one of the electrolytic devices and at least one of the current value or power value of the power supplied, and that use power less than or equal to the predicted value and supply a target product greater than or equal to the minimum required amount, A provisional operation plan is created in a predetermined manner based on the aforementioned plurality of first operation plans, The system recognizes the number of times the electrolytic device is stopped to switch from the operating mode to the stop mode in the provisional operating plan, and the power consumption of the electrolytic device divided by the amount of the target product supplied, The computer is instructed to perform an operation that includes creating an operation plan for the output corresponding to the number of stops and the power consumption, The aforementioned operation plan for output is the aforementioned provisional operation plan, In the aforementioned predetermined method, Among the plurality of first operating plans, at least one first operating plan having the minimum number of stoppages is selected as a second operating plan, and among at least one second operating plan, the second operating plan having the minimum power consumption per unit is generated as a provisional operating plan, or Among the plurality of first operating plans, the first operating plan with the minimum power consumption is selected as the third operating plan. The power consumption in the third operating plan is set to BUs and the number of stops to Ns, and the power consumption in each of the plurality of first operating plans is set to BUn and the number of stops to Nn. The first operating plan is then generated as a provisional operating plan, with α and β being weighting coefficients greater than zero, which minimizes the evaluation value EV = α × BUn / BUs + β × Nn / Ns. program.

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