Information processing device, hydrogen production system, power supply system, operation plan creation method, and computer program

Abstract

This hydrogen producing system 10 comprises a hydrogen producing instrument 14 and a management server 40. The management server 40 includes an operation plan creation unit 52 and an operation plan output unit 54. The operation plan creation unit 52 creates an operation plan of the hydrogen producing instrument 14. The operation plan output unit 54 outputs data including an operation plan created by the operation plan creation unit 52. The operation plan creation unit 52 creates the operation plan of the hydrogen producing instrument 14 on the basis of an energy amount consumed by the hydrogen producing instrument 14, and a degradation loss of the hydrogen producing instrument 14.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to data processing technology, particularly to information processing equipment, hydrogen production systems, power supply systems, operation planning methods, and computer programs. [Background technology]

[0002] Hydrogen production facilities that produce hydrogen by electrolyzing water, and hydrogen production facilities that produce hydrogen by reforming city gas are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-046600 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] Traditionally, operating plans for hydrogen production facilities were created based on hourly hydrogen demand and the cost of energy used (e.g., electricity). However, the degradation rate of hydrogen production facilities varies depending on the load factor (e.g., the ratio of actual hydrogen production to rated hydrogen production), but this load factor was not considered in conventional operating plan creation methods. Therefore, conventional operating plan creation methods could potentially lead to operations that result in significant economic losses.

[0005] This disclosure is made in light of these circumstances, and one of its purposes is to provide technology that helps in creating efficient operating plans for hydrogen production facilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, an information processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a processor. The processor performs a first step of creating an operating plan for a hydrogen production facility based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production facility and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production facility, and a second step of outputting data including the operating plan created in the first step.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a hydrogen production system. This hydrogen production system comprises a hydrogen production facility and an information processing device. The information processing device performs a first step of creating an operating plan for the hydrogen production facility based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production facility and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production facility, and a second step of outputting data including the operating plan created in the first step.

[0008] Another aspect of this disclosure is a power supply system. This power supply system supplies power to a power grid using electricity obtained from a renewable energy power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy, and comprises: a power conditioner device that adjusts the electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation device; a battery capable of storing and discharging at least a portion of the surplus electricity adjusted by the power conditioner device that is not supplied to the power grid; a hydrogen production facility that produces hydrogen using at least a portion of the surplus electricity adjusted by the power conditioner device that is not supplied to the power grid; a hydrogen storage facility capable of storing and releasing the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production facility; a fuel cell that generates electricity using the hydrogen released by the hydrogen storage facility; and control means for controlling the operation of at least the hydrogen production facility. The control means creates an operating plan for the hydrogen production facility based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production facility and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production facility, and controls the hydrogen production facility based on the operating plan.

[0009] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for generating an operation plan. This method includes a first step in which a computer generates an operation plan for a hydrogen production facility based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production facility and the deterioration loss of the hydrogen production facility, and a second step in which the computer outputs data including the operation plan generated in the first step.

[0010] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a computer program. This computer program causes a computer to perform a first step of generating an operation plan for a hydrogen production facility based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production facility and the deterioration loss of the hydrogen production facility, and a second step of outputting data including the operation plan generated in the first step.

[0011] Note that any combination of the above components, and conversions of the expressions of the present disclosure, such as those on a recording medium recording a computer program, are also effective as aspects of the present disclosure.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] [[ID=!4]] According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to assist in generating an efficient operation plan for a hydrogen production facility.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the hydrogen production system of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a plurality of constants used in generating an operation plan. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a plurality of variables used in generating an operation plan. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a method for determining the deterioration acceleration rate in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing the trial calculation results of the first embodiment and the comparative example. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing the trial calculation results of the first embodiment and the comparative example. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the power supply system of the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The subject of the apparatus or method in this disclosure comprises a computer. The functions of the subject of the apparatus or method in this disclosure are realized by the computer executing a computer program. The computer comprises a processor as its main hardware component, which operates according to the computer program. The processor is of any type as long as it can realize its functions by executing the computer program. The processor consists of one or more electronic circuits, including semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs, LSIs, etc.). The computer program is recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a ROM, optical disc, or hard disk drive that is readable by the computer. The computer program may be pre-stored on the recording medium or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0015] The technology of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings, based on preferred embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative and not limiting to the invention, and not all features or combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the scale and shape of each part shown in each figure are set for convenience to facilitate explanation and are not to be interpreted restrictively unless otherwise specified. In addition, when terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used in this specification or claims, they do not indicate any order or importance, unless otherwise specified, but are used to distinguish one configuration from another.

[0016] <First Example> First, let's explain the outline of the first embodiment. As mentioned above, conventional operation planning methods may result in operations that incur significant economic losses.

[0017] One way to avoid losses due to the deterioration of hydrogen production equipment is to operate it within a range where deterioration is considered minor, such as by controlling the load factor. However, conventionally, it has been difficult to quantitatively handle the degree of deterioration of hydrogen production equipment. For example, it has been difficult to express the differences in the rate of deterioration of hydrogen production equipment within the operational range. Furthermore, in order to improve the economic efficiency of the entire system, there are cases where it is better to operate the hydrogen production equipment within a range where deterioration is greater, but dealing with such cases has also been difficult.

[0018] Therefore, in the first embodiment, we propose a technology for creating an operating plan for a hydrogen production facility based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production facility and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production facility. This realizes an operating plan for a hydrogen production facility that balances suppression of degradation of the hydrogen production facility with economic efficiency. In the first embodiment, mathematical programming is used to create the operating plan for the hydrogen production facility. Mathematical programming is a method for finding explanatory variables that minimize or maximize (collectively referred to as "optimization") an objective function while satisfying predetermined constraints. In the hydrogen production system of the first embodiment, the objective function, which includes a degradation coefficient (degradation acceleration rate) that depends on the operating state of the hydrogen production facility, is optimized. In other words, the degradation rate of the hydrogen production facility according to the load factor of the hydrogen production facility is expressed as the load factor dependence of the equipment depreciation cost, and the objective function with this degradation rate as one element is optimized.

[0019] Specifically, in the hydrogen production system of the first embodiment, a plan for operating the hydrogen production equipment is created by performing a mathematical programming process on the objective function. In other words, a plan for operating the hydrogen production equipment is created using mathematical programming that optimizes (minimizes in the first embodiment) the objective function. The objective function includes a first term (the first term of the objective function f described later) that shows the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment during operation, and a second term (the second and third terms of the objective function f described later) that shows the cost based on the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment during operation. This creates an optimal plan for operating the hydrogen production equipment. The plan for operating the hydrogen production equipment can be described as a plan that defines the time-series electrolysis power, hydrogen production amount, or operating amount of the hydrogen production equipment. For example, the plan for operating the hydrogen production equipment may include a data set showing the electrolysis power, hydrogen production amount, or operating amount per unit time during a predetermined planning period.

[0020] The first embodiment will be described in detail. Figure 1 shows the configuration of the hydrogen production system 10 of the first embodiment. The hydrogen production system 10 includes a hydrogen station 12 and a management server 40. The hydrogen station 12 is a service station that produces, stores, and supplies hydrogen used in equipment such as fuel cell vehicles (hereinafter also referred to as "FCVs").

[0021] The hydrogen station 12 comprises a hydrogen production facility 14, a hydrogen storage facility 16, and a gateway device 18. The hydrogen production facility 14 includes a hydrogen generator (also called a water electrolyzer or electrolytic cell) that produces hydrogen by electrolyzing water using electricity supplied from the power grid. The hydrogen storage facility 16 includes a hydrogen tank for storing the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production facility 14. The gateway device 18 is a device that communicates with external devices (including a management server 40, described later, in the first embodiment).

[0022] The management server 40 is an information processing device that creates an operation plan for the hydrogen production facility 14. The management server 40 may also create operation plans for multiple hydrogen stations 12. The gateway device 18 of the hydrogen station 12 and the management server 40 are connected via a communication network 30 including LAN, WAN, the internet, etc., and constitute an energy management system (EMS). In the first embodiment, the creation of the operation plan for the hydrogen production facility 14 by the management server 40 is provided to the hydrogen station 12 as a cloud service. As a modification, the function of creating the operation plan for the hydrogen production facility 14 (the function of the management server 40 in the first embodiment) may be implemented in a device installed at the hydrogen station 12.

[0023] The management server 40 is also connected to the electricity market price distribution device 32 via the communication network 30. The electricity market price distribution device 32 provides actual or predicted electricity price data in the electricity market to external devices (such as the management server 40). In the first embodiment, the electricity price may fluctuate per unit time (in the first embodiment, 30 minutes, hereinafter also referred to as "times"). The unit of the electricity price is, for example, yen / kWh (kilowatt-hour).

[0024] Figure 1 includes a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the management server 40. Each block shown in the block diagrams of this specification can be realized in hardware terms by a computer processor (CPU, etc.), memory and other elements, electronic circuits, and mechanical devices, and in software terms by a computer program, etc., but here we are depicting functional blocks that are realized through the cooperation of these. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combinations of hardware and software.

[0025] The management server 40 comprises a control unit 42, a storage unit 44, and a communication unit 46. The control unit 42 performs various data processing for creating an operation plan for the hydrogen production facility 14. The storage unit 44 includes either a non-volatile storage area or a volatile storage area, and stores data that is referenced or updated by the control unit 42. The communication unit 46 communicates with external devices according to a predetermined communication protocol. The control unit 42 sends and receives data with the gateway device 18 and the electricity market price distribution device 32 via the communication unit 46.

[0026] The memory unit 44 stores multiple constants used in creating the operation plan, in other words, multiple constants included in the objective function and constraints used in mathematical programming. Constants can be described as parameters whose values ​​do not change during the optimization calculation of the objective function based on mathematical programming. Each constant may be set to a value obtained from an external device, a historical value, a design value, or an assumed value.

[0027] Figure 2 shows several constants used in creating the operation plan. The index i of each constant represents the time frame number. One time frame is a unit of time used in creating the operation plan, and in the first embodiment, one time frame is 30 minutes. In the first embodiment, the target period for creating the operation plan is one day (0:00 to 24:00), and the operation plan is created for each day of the target period based on the information obtained at 9:00 the previous day. This is repeated based on 30 days of information to create a 30-day operation plan. The initial value of index i is 0, and the final value is 47 (2 time frames / hour × 24 hours - 1). However, the unit time for creating the operation plan can be any length, and the target period for creating the operation plan can also be any length. WE,CA Regarding (Electrolytic Cell CAPEX), CAPEX stands for Capital Expenditure, which is the expenditure for capital investment. N (number of frames) is set to 48 (2 frames / hour × 24 hours), which is the number of frames for one day.

[0028] Furthermore, the memory unit 44 stores multiple variables used in creating the operation plan, in other words, multiple variables included in the objective function and constraints used in mathematical programming. These variables can be described as parameters whose values ​​are optimized by the optimization calculation of the objective function based on mathematical programming.

[0029] Figure 3 shows several variables used in creating the operation plan. The index i of each variable is the same as the index i of the constant. Electrolysis power P during actual operation of hydrogen production facility 14. WE,i This can also be considered the operating volume of the hydrogen production equipment 14 in each frame.

[0030] Deterioration acceleration rate a deg,i This represents the ratio of the degree of deterioration of the hydrogen production equipment 14 when it is shut down to the degree of deterioration of the hydrogen production equipment 14 when it is operating in a particular time slot. For example, if the degree of deterioration of the hydrogen production equipment 14 when it is shut down is set to "1", then if the degree of deterioration of the hydrogen production equipment 14 when it is operating in a particular time slot is twice that of when it is shut down, the deterioration acceleration rate will be "2". The deterioration acceleration rate in each time slot is determined according to the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production equipment 14 in each time slot, and specifically, it is determined according to the load factor of the hydrogen production equipment 14 in each time slot (for example, the ratio of the actual amount of hydrogen produced to the rated amount of hydrogen produced).

[0031] In the first embodiment, the degradation acceleration rate is formulated as a piecewise linear function based on the amount of hydrogen produced. Hydrogen production amount and degradation acceleration rate a deg,i The relationship can be expressed using a piecewise linear function and described as a constraint for the mixed-integer linear programming method described later. Figure 4 shows the method for determining the degradation acceleration rate in the first embodiment. The horizontal axis of the figure represents the amount of hydrogen produced in a given time frame, and the vertical axis represents the degradation acceleration rate in that time frame. For example, when the amount of hydrogen produced corresponds to interval L1, the degradation acceleration rate has a slope S a1 It becomes a function of the interval L. Also, the amount of hydrogen produced is in the interval L. n If this applies, the rate of deterioration is slope S. an It becomes a function of the following. Also, the hydrogen production amount is from interval L3 to interval L nWhen it corresponds to [the above], as the hydrogen production amount increases, the deterioration acceleration rate decreases. As a modification, the deterioration acceleration rate may be formulated as a continuous function based on the hydrogen production amount. The deterioration acceleration rate can be appropriately set based on experiments and simulations according to the properties of the electrolytic cell. Also, the deterioration acceleration rate may be formulated as a discontinuous function regarding the hydrogen production amount.

[0032] The control unit 42 includes a parameter acquisition unit 48, a demand prediction unit 50, an operation plan creation unit 52, and an operation plan output unit 54. A computer program in which the functions of these plurality of functional blocks are implemented may be installed in the storage (such as the storage unit 44) of the management server 40. The control unit 42 may be realized by a processor (such as a CPU) of the management server 40. The processor of the management server 40 may exhibit the functions of these plurality of functional blocks by reading the above computer program into the main memory and executing it.

[0033] The parameter acquisition unit 48 acquires the value of a parameter (for example, the value of a constant parameter) used in the creation of an operation plan from an external device and stores it in the storage unit 44. For example, the parameter acquisition unit 48 acquires data of the electricity price C el,i (the electricity price per period) from the electricity market price distribution device 32. The parameter acquisition unit 48 may acquire the electricity price data of the same month of the previous year as the electricity price data for the period (hereinafter also referred to as the "planned target period") for creating an operation plan.

[0034] The demand prediction unit 50 predicts the hydrogen sales volume V H2,sell,i (which can also be said to be the hydrogen demand) per period in the planned target period and stores the data in the storage unit 44. The demand prediction unit 50 may predict the hydrogen sales volume in the planned target period based on the past performance of hydrogen sales volume, the increasing and decreasing trends, weather information, traffic information, etc. regarding the planned target period.

[0035] The operation plan creation unit 52 creates an operation plan for the hydrogen production facility 14 using mathematical programming methods. Equation 1 shows the objective function f in the creation of an operation plan.

number

[0036] The objective function f is the sum of electricity purchase costs and depreciation costs due to equipment degradation, totaled over all timeframes in the planned period. The first term of the objective function f represents the electricity purchase costs for each timeframe to operate the hydrogen production equipment 14, or in other words, the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment 14 for each timeframe. The second and third terms represent the costs based on the degradation losses of the hydrogen production equipment 14 for each timeframe associated with its operation. Specifically, the second term represents the costs based on the degradation losses associated with the starting and stopping of the hydrogen production equipment 14 for each timeframe. In the first embodiment, the indicator variable is set to 1 when the electrolytic device is started, and to 0 in all other cases. The third term represents the costs based on the degradation losses over time associated with the operation of the hydrogen production equipment 14 for each timeframe.

[0037] The third term of the objective function f is the frame-by-frame degradation acceleration rate a. deg,i This includes the following. The operation plan creation unit 52 calculates the degradation acceleration rate a in the optimization calculation of the objective function f. deg,i As such, a pre-formulated function (the piecewise linear function in Figure 4 in the first embodiment) is set. As shown in Figure 4, the degradation acceleration rate a in a certain frame i deg,i The size of is determined according to the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production equipment 14 in that frame i (in other words, the operating amount of the hydrogen production equipment 14). For example, the amount of hydrogen produced in a certain frame i is from section L3 to section L n In the case described above, when the amount of hydrogen produced (in other words, the operating volume of the hydrogen production equipment 14) is relatively small, the rate of deterioration acceleration of the hydrogen production equipment 14 (i.e., deterioration loss) will be relatively large. On the other hand, when the amount of hydrogen produced (in other words, the operating volume of the hydrogen production equipment 14) is relatively large, the rate of deterioration acceleration of the hydrogen production equipment 14 (i.e., deterioration loss) will be relatively small.

[0038] Equations 2 to 7 below show the constraints in creating the operation plan.

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number

number

number

number

number

[0039] Equation 2 is the amount of electricity purchased from the power grid per unit E grid,i However, the power consumption of hydrogen production equipment 14 E WE,i This shows the constraints that are consistent with the following. Equation 3 is given by the amount of hydrogen produced V H2,prod,i and the power consumption E of hydrogen production equipment 14 WE,i This shows the constraints regarding the relationship. Equations 4-6 show the constraints regarding the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage facility 16 (hydrogen tank). Equation 7 shows the electrolysis power P of the hydrogen production facility 14. WE,i This is a constraint (in other words, a constraint on power consumption).

[0040] Equations 4 and 6 stipulate that the amount of hydrogen produced must be sufficient to meet the amount of hydrogen sold. Equation 4 stipulates that the tank volume is the sum of the increase from past hydrogen production and the decrease from hydrogen supply to FCVs. Equation 6 stipulates that the tank volume must not fall below the minimum storage volume and must not exceed the maximum storage volume. The minimum storage volume is, for example, the minimum amount of hydrogen that should be stored to meet the amount of hydrogen sold. The maximum storage volume is, for example, the capacity of the hydrogen tank. Alternatively, the minimum storage volume or maximum storage volume may be an amount with a margin added to these.

[0041] Equation 5 specifies that the tank volume (final tank volume) at the end of one operation plan (i.e., when the index i of the frame number reaches its final value) should be a specified value. Without Equation 5, optimizing the objective function would create an operation plan in which the final tank volume becomes 0. However, if the tank volume becomes 0, hydrogen cannot be supplied to the FCV. By including Equation 5, it is possible to create an optimal operation plan while leaving a specified amount of hydrogen in the final tank volume. In the first embodiment, the final tank volume is set to half of the maximum storage capacity of the hydrogen tank.

[0042] The operation planning unit 52 derives the operating volume of the hydrogen production facility 14 that optimizes the objective function f shown in Equation 1 using mathematical programming (e.g., mixed integer linear programming). Specifically, the operation planning unit 52 derives the values ​​of the explanatory variables that minimize the objective function f (i.e., minimize costs) under the constraints shown in Equations 2 to 7, based on the parameter values ​​stored in the memory unit 44. These explanatory variables are, for example, E grid,i gamma i a deg,i , P WE,i , E WE,i , V H2,prod,i , V H2,tank,i This includes the following. The solution of explanatory variables using mathematical programming may be performed using known techniques.

[0043] The operation plan creation unit 52 creates operation plan data for the hydrogen production facility 14 based on the derived variable values. For example, the operation plan creation unit 52 calculates the amount of electricity purchased E for each time slot of the planning period. grid,i , the electrolysis power (in other words, operating amount) of hydrogen production equipment 14 P WE,i , indicator variable γ i You may create driving plan data that includes the value of .

[0044] The operation plan output unit 54 transmits data including the operation plan created by the operation plan creation unit 52 to the hydrogen station 12 (gateway device 18).

[0045] The operation of the hydrogen production system 10 with the above configuration will now be explained. The parameter acquisition unit 48 of the management server 40 acquires values ​​of various parameters necessary for creating an operation plan for the hydrogen production equipment 14 from an external device and stores them in the storage unit 44. The demand forecasting unit 50 of the management server 40 forecasts the amount of hydrogen to be sold for the planning period and stores the forecast values ​​in the storage unit 44. The operation plan creation unit 52 of the management server 40 inputs the values ​​of multiple parameters stored in the storage unit 44 into the objective function of Equation 1 and the constraints of Equations 2 to 7, and derives explanatory variables (such as the amount of electricity purchased) that minimize the objective function using mathematical programming. The operation plan creation unit 52 creates operation plan data based on the variable values ​​derived using mathematical programming. For example, the management server 40 (information processing device) is equipped with a processor, and the processor creates an operation plan for the hydrogen production equipment 14 based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production equipment (first step).

[0046] The operation plan output unit 54 of the management server 40 transmits the operation plan data to the gateway device 18 of the hydrogen station 12. For example, the processor of the management server 40 outputs data including the operation plan created in the first step (second step). At the hydrogen station 12, the purchase of electricity from the power grid and the operation of the hydrogen production equipment 14 are controlled according to the operation plan data transmitted from the management server 40, and hydrogen is produced.

[0047] According to the hydrogen production system 10 (management server 40) of the first embodiment, it is possible to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production facility 14 that is capable of supplying hydrogen to meet the hydrogen sales volume, and that reduces economic losses due to equipment deterioration. This makes it possible to improve the overall economic efficiency of operating the hydrogen production facility 14.

[0048] The following describes the calculation results using the operation plan creation method of the first embodiment and the operation plan creation method of the comparative example. In this calculation, the electricity price C el,iAs such, the actual contract price in the Japanese domestic electricity wholesale market (Tokyo area price from June 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018) was used. In addition, a demand curve was created assuming that 50 FCVs visit hydrogen station 12 per day, and the hydrogen sales volume V for each time segment was calculated. H2,sell,i I set it.

[0049] Equation 8 shows the objective function for the comparative example.

number

[0050] In both the first embodiment and the comparative example, a 30-day operation plan for the hydrogen production facility 14 was created by repeatedly performing a daily operation plan based on 30 days of information. The unit hydrogen production amount (here, 1 Nm³) when the hydrogen production facility 14 was operated according to the operation plan was then calculated. 3 The cost of electricity purchased per 30 days was estimated. This cost of electricity purchased is calculated by summing the first term of the objective function over 30 days, and the amount of hydrogen produced V H2,prod,i This is the value obtained by dividing by the sum of 30 days.

[0051] Furthermore, the degradation loss per unit hydrogen production was estimated for both the first example and the comparative example. This degradation loss is calculated by summing the third term of the objective function over 30 days, and the hydrogen production amount V H2,prod,i This is the value obtained by dividing by the sum of 30 days. However, the degradation loss in each frame of the comparative example is the hydrogen production amount V calculated in the comparative example. H2,prod,i The degradation acceleration rate a corresponding to the value of a deg,i The value of is determined in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and its a deg,i The value was calculated by inputting it into the third term of the objective function in the first embodiment.

[0052] Figures 5 and 6 show the calculation results for the first embodiment and the comparative example. Figure 5 shows the electricity purchase cost and degradation loss per unit amount of hydrogen produced for the first embodiment and the comparative example, respectively. In the operation plan creation method of the first embodiment, degradation loss was reduced without significantly increasing electricity purchase costs compared to the comparative example, and as a result, the sum of electricity purchase costs and degradation losses related to hydrogen production was reduced. In other words, the operation plan creation method of the first embodiment made it possible to create an operation plan with relatively high economic efficiency for the entire system.

[0053] Figure 6 shows the operating volume (electrolysis power P during actual operation) of the hydrogen production equipment 14 derived in the first embodiment and the comparative example, respectively. WE,i This shows the results. In the operation plan creation method of the first embodiment (solid line), an operation plan was created that avoided operation in the low-load region where the degradation acceleration rate is relatively high. On the other hand, in the comparative example (dashed line), operation in the low-load region increased, and the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment 14 increased.

[0054] The present disclosure has been explained above based on the first embodiment. The first embodiment is illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each component or combination of each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0055] For example, in the first embodiment described above, the objective function f consists only of a first term representing the cost of electricity and a second and third term representing equipment degradation losses, but other configurations are also acceptable. For example, if the cost of electricity is always constant, the objective function may not include the first term. Also, for example, if the price of hydrogen sold varies depending on the time of day, the time-based sum of the product of the price of hydrogen sold and the amount of hydrogen produced may be included in the objective function. Furthermore, the constraints used in the first embodiment do not necessarily have to be used, and other constraints may be used. For example, if hydrogen is not produced outside of business hours, a constraint may be included that sets the amount of hydrogen produced outside of business hours to 0.

[0056] Furthermore, for example, in the first embodiment described above, the hydrogen production equipment 14 was installed in the hydrogen station 12, but as a modification, the hydrogen production equipment 14 may be installed in a hydrogen supply facility such as one for fuel cells or for chemical synthesis. Also, the hydrogen production equipment 14 may be installed in an energy (electricity, heat, hydrogen, etc.) supply system, and the energy supply system may include a storage battery, a fuel cell, etc., together with the hydrogen production equipment 14.

[0057] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the operation plan output unit 54 of the management server 40 transmitted the operation plan data to the hydrogen production system 10 (gateway device 18). As a variation, the operation plan output unit 54 may store the operation plan data in a predetermined local or remote storage area. Alternatively, the operation plan output unit 54 may output the operation plan data to a predetermined display device and display the operation plan on that display device.

[0058] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the planning period was set to one day. However, the planning period is not limited to this. If longer-term demand forecasts or price forecasts are available, the planning period can be longer than one day. In this case, the planning period may be, for example, seven days (2 segments / hour × 24 hours × 7 days = 336 segments). Alternatively, shorter-term operation plans may be created at a higher frequency. For example, a plan for the next six hours may be created every three hours.

[0059] Furthermore, the parameter acquisition unit 48 of the management server 40 may acquire parameter values ​​for creating operation plans for multiple hydrogen production facilities 14 from an external device. The storage unit 44 of the management server 40 may store parameter values ​​for creating operation plans for multiple hydrogen production facilities 14. These multiple hydrogen production facilities 14 may be centrally installed in one hydrogen station 12, or they may be distributed across multiple hydrogen stations 12. The operation plan creation unit 52 of the management server 40 may create an operation plan for each of the multiple hydrogen production facilities 14 based on the amount of energy consumed by each of the multiple hydrogen production facilities 14 and the degradation loss of each of the multiple hydrogen production facilities 14. The operation plan output unit 54 of the management server 40 may transmit data including the operation plans for each of the multiple hydrogen production facilities 14 to the gateway device 18 of the hydrogen station 12 where each hydrogen production facility 14 is installed.

[0060] Furthermore, although not mentioned in the first embodiment, the hydrogen station 12 may be equipped with a device (referred to here as the "instruction device") that instructs the hydrogen production equipment 14 to produce hydrogen based on data including the operation plan transmitted from the hydrogen production equipment 14. For example, the instruction device may instruct the hydrogen production equipment 14 to produce hydrogen for each time slot indicated in the operation plan. WE,i Accordingly, the operation of the hydrogen production equipment 14 may be controlled. The gateway device 18 of the hydrogen station 12 may also include the function of an instruction device. Furthermore, the hydrogen production equipment 14 may produce hydrogen based on instruction data from the instruction device, and may also vary the amount of hydrogen produced in each time slot.

[0061] <Second Example> The second embodiment of this disclosure will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, with explanations of common points omitted as appropriate. It goes without saying that the features of the second embodiment can be combined with those of the first embodiment and its modifications in any way. Components of the second embodiment that are identical or corresponding to those of the first embodiment will be appropriately denoted by the same reference numerals in the description.

[0062] In the second embodiment, the technical concept described in the first embodiment is applied to a power supply system including a hydrogen production facility. Figure 7 shows the configuration of the power supply system 100 of the second embodiment. The power supply system 100 is an independent power supply system that supplies power to the power grid 104 using electricity from a renewable energy power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy, for example, a solar power generation device (solar panel 102) that generates electricity using sunlight. The power grid 104 is a system owned by a general transmission and distribution company, and is an integrated system of generation, transformation, transmission, and distribution for supplying power to the receiving equipment of consumers.

[0063] The power supply system 100 includes a power conditioner unit 110 (hereinafter referred to as "PCS110"), a water storage tank 112, a hydrogen production facility 114, a hydrogen storage facility 116, a fuel cell 118, a battery 120, and a control device 106. In the example shown in Figure 7, the control device 106 is located outside the power supply system 100, but the system is not limited to this example. The control device 106 may also be configured as part of the power supply system 100.

[0064] The solar panel 102 includes a solar cell and constitutes a solar power generation device that generates electricity by receiving sunlight with the solar cell and performing photoelectric conversion. Figure 7 shows the solar panel 102 as an example, but any other power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy may be used. For example, a wind power generation device that generates electricity from wind power may be used. Alternatively, a hydroelectric power generation device that generates electricity from water power may be used. Geothermal power generation devices, wave power generation devices, thermoelectric power generation devices, and biomass power generation devices may also be used. Furthermore, a combination of these power generation devices that generate electricity using renewable energy may be used.

[0065] The PCS110 adjusts the power generated by the solar panels 102. Here, the PCS110 converts the power from the solar panels 102 into power that can be supplied to the power grid 104.

[0066] The water storage tank 112 stores water and supplies the stored water to the hydrogen production equipment 114 and the fuel cell 118. In the example in Figure 7, the water storage tank 112 is located inside the power supply system 100, but the system is not limited to this example. The water storage tank 112 may be located outside the power supply system 100. As a variation, the power supply system 100 may supply water directly to the hydrogen production equipment 114 and the fuel cell 118 from an external source (e.g., a water pipe).

[0067] The hydrogen production equipment 114 corresponds to the hydrogen production equipment 14 of the first embodiment. The hydrogen production equipment 114 produces hydrogen using at least a portion of the surplus electricity that is not supplied to the power grid 104 from the electricity adjusted by the PCS 110. Specifically, under the control of the control device 106, the hydrogen production equipment 114 produces hydrogen by electrolyzing water supplied from the water storage tank 112 using electricity that has been generated by the solar panels 102 and then adjusted by the PCS 110. The hydrogen production equipment 114 also includes measuring instruments such as gas sensors, pressure gauges, and flow meters (not shown), and the data measured by these measuring instruments is output to the control device 106 as a data signal.

[0068] The hydrogen storage facility 116 corresponds to the hydrogen storage facility 16 of the first embodiment. The hydrogen storage facility 116 can employ known equipment capable of storing and releasing hydrogen. For example, the hydrogen storage facility 116 is equipped with a hydrogen storage alloy that is excellent at absorbing and releasing hydrogen, and stores and releases hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production facility 114 under the control of the control device 106. The hydrogen storage facility 116 also includes measuring instruments (not shown) such as a gas sensor, a pressure gauge, and a flow meter, and the data measured by these measuring instruments is output to the control device 106 as a data signal.

[0069] Under the control of the control device 106, the fuel cell 118 generates electricity using hydrogen released from the hydrogen storage facility 116, and also produces hot water using water supplied from the water storage tank 112 and waste heat. The electricity generated by the fuel cell 118 is supplied to the power grid 104. The fuel cell 118 also includes measuring instruments such as a gas sensor, pressure gauge, and flow meter (not shown) and measuring instruments for measuring the amount of hydrogen stored (not shown), and the data measured by these measuring instruments is output as a data signal to the control device 106.

[0070] The battery 120 stores at least a portion of the surplus power adjusted by the PCS 110 that is not supplied to the power grid 104, and discharges the stored power. Specifically, under the control of the control device 106, the battery 120 stores the power generated by the solar panels 102 and adjusted by the PCS 110. The power stored in the battery 120 can be supplied to the power grid 104 by being discharged under the control of the control device 106. The battery 120 also includes a measuring device (not shown) for measuring the amount of stored power, and the data measured by the measuring device is output to the control device 106 as a data signal.

[0071] The control device 106 is implemented, for example, as an energy management system (EMS) and is configured as a control means for controlling each part of the power supply system 100. The control device 106 includes an arithmetic unit (not shown) and a memory (not shown), and controls each part by having the arithmetic unit perform calculations using a program stored in the memory device. For example, the control device 106 controls the amount of hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production facility 114, the amount of hydrogen absorbed / released in the hydrogen storage facility 116, the amount of power generated in the fuel cell 118, and the amount of energy stored / discharged in the battery 120, based on various information obtained from outside and inside the power supply system 100.

[0072] The control device 106 is connected to the electricity market price distribution device 32 via a communication network. The control device 106 has the functions of the management server 40 of the first embodiment. For example, the control device 106 may include a parameter acquisition unit 48, a demand forecasting unit 50, an operation plan creation unit 52, and an operation plan output unit 54, similar to the management server 40 of the first embodiment (not shown).

[0073] The control device 106, similar to the management server 40 in the first embodiment, creates an operation plan for the hydrogen production equipment 114 based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment 114 and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production equipment 114. The configuration described in the first embodiment can be applied to create the operation plan. Furthermore, the control device 106 controls the hydrogen production equipment 114 based on the created operation plan, similar to the instruction device in the modified example described above.

[0074] According to the power supply system 100 of the second embodiment, an efficient operating plan for the hydrogen production facility 114 can be created that takes into account economic losses due to equipment deterioration, thereby improving the overall economic efficiency of the operation of the hydrogen production facility 114 in the power supply system 100.

[0075] The present disclosure has been explained above based on the second embodiment. The second embodiment is illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each component or combination of each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0076] Any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present disclosure. The new embodiments resulting from such combinations will possess the combined effects of the respective embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be performed by each component described in the claims can be achieved by each component shown in the embodiments and modifications individually or in combination thereof.

[0077] The technologies described in this disclosure can also be expressed as follows: [Item 1] Equipped with a processor (42), The aforementioned processor (42) A first step (52) is to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production equipment (14) based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment (14) and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production equipment (14), The second step (54) is performed, which outputs data including the operation plan created in the first step (52), Information processing device (40). According to this information processing device, it is possible to create an operating plan for hydrogen production facilities that takes into account economic losses due to equipment deterioration, thereby improving the overall economic efficiency of operating hydrogen production facilities. [Item 2] The first step (52) involves performing a mathematical programming operation on the objective function to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production facility (14), The objective function includes a first term representing the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment (14), and a second term representing the cost based on the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment (14). Information processing device (40) as described in item 1. According to this information processing device, it is possible to create a more efficient operating plan for hydrogen production facilities, taking into account economic losses due to equipment deterioration, using mathematical programming. [Item 3] The first item above shows the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment (14) per unit time. The second paragraph above shows the cost based on the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment (14) per unit time. Information processing device (40) as described in item 2. According to this information processing device, it is possible to determine the optimal operating amount for hydrogen production equipment per unit time and create a more useful operating plan. [Item 4] The second paragraph includes a degradation acceleration rate determined according to the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production equipment (14) in the unit time, Information processing device (40) as described in item 3. According to this information processing device, the magnitude of degradation losses in hydrogen production equipment can be appropriately determined, and the operating volume of the hydrogen production equipment can be derived with greater accuracy. [Item 5] The aforementioned degradation acceleration rate is configured to be relatively large when the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production equipment (14) in a certain unit time is relatively small, and relatively small when the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production equipment (14) in a certain unit time is relatively large. Information processing device (40) as described in item 4. According to this information processing device, the magnitude of degradation losses in hydrogen production equipment can be appropriately determined, and the operating volume of the hydrogen production equipment can be derived with greater accuracy. [Item 6] The first step involves creating an operating plan for each of the multiple hydrogen production facilities (14) based on the amount of energy consumed by each of the multiple hydrogen production facilities (14) and the degradation losses of each of the multiple hydrogen production facilities (14). An information processing device (40) as described in any of items 1 to 5. This information processing device allows for the simultaneous creation of efficient operating plans for multiple hydrogen production facilities. [Item 7] Hydrogen production equipment (14), The system includes an information processing device (40) and The aforementioned information processing device (40) The first step is to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production equipment (14) based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment (14) and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production equipment (14), The second step involves outputting data including the operation plan created in the first step, Hydrogen production system (10). This hydrogen production system allows for the creation of an operating plan for the hydrogen production facility that takes into account economic losses due to equipment degradation, thereby improving the overall economic efficiency of operating the hydrogen production facility. [Item 8] The device further includes a device that instructs the hydrogen production facility (14) to produce hydrogen based on data including an operation plan output from the information processing device (40). Hydrogen production system (10) as described in item 7. This hydrogen production system enables efficient operation of hydrogen production facilities according to the operating plan. [Item 9] The hydrogen production equipment (14) produces hydrogen based on instructions from the instruction device. Hydrogen production system as described in item 8 (10). This hydrogen production system enables efficient operation of hydrogen production facilities according to the operating plan. [Item 10] A power supply system (100) that supplies power to a power grid (104) using electricity obtained from a renewable energy power generation device (102) that generates electricity using renewable energy, A power conditioner device (110) that adjusts the electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation device (102), A storage battery (120) capable of storing and discharging at least a portion of the surplus power that is not supplied to the power grid (104) from the power adjusted by the power conditioner device (110), A hydrogen production facility (114) that produces hydrogen using at least a portion of the surplus electricity that is not supplied to the power grid (104) from the power adjusted by the power conditioner device (110), A hydrogen storage facility (116) capable of storing and releasing hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production facility (114), A fuel cell (118) that generates electricity using hydrogen released from the hydrogen storage facility (116), At least a control means (106) for controlling the operation of the hydrogen production equipment (114), Equipped with, The control means (106) creates an operating plan for the hydrogen production equipment (114) based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment (114) and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production equipment (114), and controls the hydrogen production equipment (114) based on the operating plan. Power supply system (100). This power supply system allows for the creation of operating plans for hydrogen production facilities that take into account economic losses due to equipment degradation, thereby improving the overall economic efficiency of operating hydrogen production facilities. [Item 11] Computer (40) A first step (52) is to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production equipment (14) based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment (14) and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production equipment (14), The second step (54) is performed, which outputs data including the operation plan created in the first step, Method for creating a driving plan. This method of creating an operating plan allows for the creation of an operating plan for hydrogen production facilities that takes into account economic losses due to equipment deterioration, thereby improving the overall economic efficiency of operating hydrogen production facilities. [Item 12] Computer (40), A first step (52) is to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production equipment (14) based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment (14) and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production equipment (14), A second step (54) is performed which outputs data including the operation plan created in the first step, Computer program. This computer program allows the computer to create an operating plan for hydrogen production facilities that takes into account economic losses due to equipment deterioration, thereby improving the overall economic efficiency of operating hydrogen production facilities. [Industrial applicability]

[0078] The technology of this disclosure can be applied to an apparatus or system for creating an operating plan for a hydrogen production facility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10 Hydrogen production system, 14 Hydrogen production equipment, 40 Management server, 44 Memory unit, 48 Parameter acquisition unit, 50 Demand forecasting unit, 52 Operation plan creation unit, 54 Operation plan output unit, 100 Power supply system, 102 Solar panels, 104 Power grid, 106 Control device, 110 PCS, 114 Hydrogen production equipment, 116 Hydrogen storage equipment, 118 Fuel cell, 120 Storage battery.

Claims

1. Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, The first step is to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production equipment based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production equipment, The second step involves outputting data including the operation plan created in the first step, and then performing the following: The first step involves performing a mathematical programming process on the objective function to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production facility. The objective function includes a first term representing the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment, and a second term representing the cost based on the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment. The first item above shows the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment per unit time, The second paragraph represents the cost based on the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment per unit time, and includes a degradation acceleration rate determined according to the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production equipment in that unit time. Information processing device.

2. The aforementioned degradation acceleration rate is configured to be relatively large when the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production equipment in a given unit time is relatively small, and relatively small when the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production equipment in a given unit time is relatively large. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The first step involves creating an operating plan for each of the multiple hydrogen production facilities based on the amount of energy consumed by each of the multiple hydrogen production facilities and the degradation losses of each of the multiple hydrogen production facilities. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Hydrogen production equipment, Equipped with an information processing device, The aforementioned information processing device is The first step is to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production equipment based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production equipment. The second step involves outputting data including the operation plan created in the first step, and then performing the following: The first step involves performing a mathematical programming process on the objective function to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production facility. The objective function includes a first term representing the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment, and a second term representing the cost based on the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment. The first item above shows the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment per unit time, The second paragraph represents the cost based on the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment per unit time, and includes a degradation acceleration rate determined according to the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production equipment in that unit time. Hydrogen production system.

5. The device further includes a device that instructs the hydrogen production facility to produce hydrogen based on data including an operation plan output from the information processing device. The hydrogen production system according to claim 4.

6. The hydrogen production equipment produces hydrogen based on instructions from the instruction device. The hydrogen production system according to claim 5.

7. A power supply system that uses electricity obtained from a renewable energy power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy to supply power to the power grid, A power conditioner device that adjusts the electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation device, A storage battery capable of storing and discharging at least a portion of the surplus power that is not supplied to the power grid from the power adjusted by the power conditioner device, A hydrogen production facility that produces hydrogen using at least a portion of the surplus electricity that is not supplied to the power grid from the power adjusted by the power conditioner device, A hydrogen storage facility capable of storing and releasing hydrogen produced by the aforementioned hydrogen production facility, A fuel cell that generates electricity using hydrogen released from the aforementioned hydrogen storage facility, At least control means for controlling the operation of the hydrogen production equipment, Equipped with, The control means creates an operating plan for the hydrogen production equipment based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production equipment, and controls the hydrogen production equipment based on the operating plan. Creating an operating plan for the hydrogen production facility includes performing a mathematical programming approach on the objective function to create the operating plan for the hydrogen production facility. The objective function includes a first term representing the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment, and a second term representing the cost based on the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment. The first item above shows the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment per unit time, The second paragraph represents the cost based on the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment per unit time, and includes a degradation acceleration rate determined according to the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production equipment in that unit time. Power supply system.

8. Computers The first step is to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production equipment based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production equipment, The second step involves outputting data including the operation plan created in the first step, and then performing the following: The first step involves performing a mathematical programming process on the objective function to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production facility. The objective function includes a first term representing the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment, and a second term representing the cost based on the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment. The first item above shows the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment per unit time, The second paragraph represents the cost based on the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment per unit time, and includes a degradation acceleration rate determined according to the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production equipment in that unit time. Method for creating a driving plan.

9. On the computer, The first step is to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production equipment based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment and the degradation losses of the hydrogen production equipment, The second step involves outputting data including the operation plan created in the first step, and then executing the second step. The first step involves performing a mathematical programming process on the objective function to create an operating plan for the hydrogen production facility. The objective function includes a first term representing the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment, and a second term representing the cost based on the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment. The first item above shows the cost based on the amount of energy consumed by the hydrogen production equipment per unit time, The second paragraph represents the cost based on the degradation loss of the hydrogen production equipment per unit time, and includes a degradation acceleration rate determined according to the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production equipment in that unit time. Computer program.

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