Power supply system

Abstract

A power supply system (100) of the present disclosure includes: a photovoltaic facility (10) having at least one photovoltaic panel (11); a fuel cell facility (20); and a storage battery facility (30). The at least one photovoltaic panel (11) is disposed above the fuel cell facility (20) and the storage battery facility (30). For example, in a plan view with respect to a horizontal plane HP, at least a part of the fuel cell facility (20) and at least a part of the storage battery facility (30) overlap with the at least one photovoltaic panel (11).

Description

POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply system.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 describes a power supply system in which a photovoltaic device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery are in cooperation with each other.

[0003] JP2013-126339A

[0004] The present disclosure provides a technology appropriate for inhibiting decrease in power generation efficiency of a power supply system including a photovoltaic device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery.

[0005] A power supply system in the present disclosure includes: a photovoltaic facility having at least one photovoltaic panel; a fuel cell facility; and a storage battery facility, wherein the at least one photovoltaic panel is disposed above the fuel cell facility and the storage battery facility.

[0006] The technology according to the present disclosure is appropriate for inhibiting decrease in power generation efficiency of a power supply system including a photovoltaic device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery.

[0007] Fig. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a power supply system in an embodiment.Fig. 1B is a plan view of the power supply system in Fig. 1A.Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the power supply system in the embodiment.Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the power supply system in the embodiment.Fig. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a fuel cell facility is equipped with a heater.Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the fuel cell facility is equipped with an outlet.Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing still another example of the power supply system in the embodiment.Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing still another example of the power supply system in the embodiment.Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram of the power supply system in the embodiment.

[0008] (Findings and the like on which the present disclosure is based) A system that supplies power through cooperation between a photovoltaic device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery has been known (e.g., Patent Literature 1). In such a power supply system, when the temperature of the fuel cell becomes too high or too low, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell tends to decrease. When the temperature of the storage battery becomes too high or too low, the charge capacity of the storage battery tends to decrease. Decrease in the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell and decrease in the charge capacity of the storage battery lead to decrease in the power generation efficiency of the entire system. In Patent Literature 1, in a power supply system in which a photovoltaic device, a fuel cell, and storage battery are in cooperation with each other, influence of temperature rise of the fuel cell on the power generation efficiency and influence of temperature rise of the storage battery on the charge capacity are not studied at all. Therefore, the power generation efficiency of the entire system may decrease.

[0009] The present inventors studied a technology appropriate for inhibiting decrease in the power generation efficiency of a power supply system including a photovoltaic device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery.

[0010] Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessarily detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or repeated description of the substantially same configurations may be omitted. This is for preventing the following description from becoming redundant more than necessary, and for allowing easy understanding by a person skilled in the art.

[0011] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for allowing a person skilled in the art to sufficiently understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in claims.

[0012] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1A to Fig. 5.

[0013] [1-1. Configuration] An example of a power supply system in the present embodiment is shown in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B. Fig. 1A is a cross-sectional view along an IA-IA line in Fig. 1B. Fig. 1B is a plan view of Fig. 1A. A power supply system 100 shown Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B includes a photovoltaic facility 10 including a photovoltaic panel 11, a fuel cell facility 20, and a storage battery facility 30. In the power supply system 100, the photovoltaic panel 11 is disposed above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1A, sunlight Rs is incident on a surface 11a of the photovoltaic panel 11, at an incidence angle θRs. The incidence angle θRs changes in accordance with time and / or season. In the power supply system 100, since the photovoltaic panel 11 is disposed above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30, at least a part of the sunlight Rs toward the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be blocked by the photovoltaic panel 11. Accordingly, the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be reduced. Therefore, for example, in a period, such as summer, in which the amount of solar radiation particularly increases, the temperatures of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be inhibited from becoming too high. Therefore, decrease in the power generation efficiency of the power supply system 100 can be inhibited.

[0015] When the temperature of the fuel cell becomes too low, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell tends to decrease. When the temperature of the storage battery becomes too low, the charge capacity of the storage battery tends to decrease. In addition, as for the fuel cell, cooling water is caused to flow in order to control the temperature of a fuel cell stack. Therefore, for example, in a period, such as winter, in which the outdoor temperature becomes 0 degrees or lower, the pipe for the cooling water may freeze to be damaged. In the power supply system 100, since the photovoltaic panel 11 is disposed above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30, the amount of snow deposited onto the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be reduced. Therefore, for example, in a period, such as winter, in which snow falls, the temperatures of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be inhibited from becoming too low. In the fuel cell facility 20, occurrence of freezing and damage of the pipe for the cooling water is also inhibited. Therefore, decrease in the power generation efficiency of the power supply system 100 can be inhibited.

[0016] In a side view with respect to a horizontal plane HP, an installation plane IP may have a certain tilt angle θIP with respect to the horizontal plane. In the present description, the tilt angle θIP means the smallest angle between the horizontal plane HP and the installation plane IP. The tilt angle θIP may be in a range 0° or larger and 5°or smaller. As shown in Fig. 1A, the tilt angle θIP may be 0°.

[0017] In the present description, “the photovoltaic panel 11 is disposed above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30” includes the meaning that, specifically, in a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, at least a part of the fuel cell facility 20 and at least a part of the storage battery facility 30 overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11. The same applies to other elements as well. For example, “the photovoltaic panel 11 is disposed above a plurality of fuel cell units and a plurality of storage battery modules” includes the meaning that, specifically, in a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, at least a part of the fuel cell units and at least a part of the storage battery modules overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11.

[0018] In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, at least a part of the fuel cell facility 20 and at least a part of the storage battery facility 30 may overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11. With this configuration, the effect of reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is easily obtained. In addition, the effect of reducing the amount of snow deposited onto the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is easily obtained.

[0019] In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, half or more of the area occupied by the fuel cell facility 20 and half or more of the area occupied by the storage battery facility 30 may overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11. With this configuration, the effect of reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is more easily obtained. In addition, the effect of reducing the amount of snow deposited onto the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is more easily obtained.

[0020] In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, 2 / 3 or more of the area occupied by the fuel cell facility 20 and 2 / 3 or more of the area occupied by the storage battery facility 30 may overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11. With this configuration, the effect of reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is more easily obtained. In addition, the effect of reducing the amount of snow deposited onto the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is more easily obtained.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1B, in a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the entirety of the fuel cell facility 20 and the entirety of the storage battery facility 30 may overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11. With this configuration, the effect of reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is further easily obtained. In addition, the effect of reducing the amount of snow deposited onto the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30, by the photovoltaic panel 11, is further easily obtained.

[0022] The photovoltaic panel 11 may be disposed so as to cover the space above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30.

[0023] As described later, the fuel cell facility 20 includes a plurality of fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c. Each of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c includes a fuel cell stack 21, a DCDC converter 22, and a DCAC inverter 23. The fuel cell stack 21 is supplied with anode gas and cathode gas, to generate power. The anode gas is hydrogen gas. The cathode gas is oxygen-containing gas such as air. Examples of the fuel cell include a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) and a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC).

[0024] As described later, the storage battery facility 30 includes a plurality of storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c, a plurality of bidirectional DCDC converters 32a, 32b, and 32c, and a DCAC inverter 33.

[0025] In the power supply system 100, the photovoltaic panel 11 may be disposed above the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c, and the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c.

[0026] In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, at least a part of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c and at least a part of the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11. In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, half or more of the area occupied by the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c and half or more of the area occupied by the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11. In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, 2 / 3 or more of the area occupied by the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c and 2 / 3 or more of the area occupied by the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11. In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the entirety of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c and the entirety of the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11.

[0027] In the power supply system 100, the photovoltaic panel 11 may be disposed above the fuel cell stacks 21 and the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c.

[0028] In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, at least a part of the fuel cell stacks 21 and at least a part of the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11. In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, half or more of the area occupied by the fuel cell stacks 21 and half or more of the area occupied by the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11. In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, 2 / 3 or more of the area occupied by the fuel cell stacks 21 and 2 / 3 or more of the area occupied by the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11. In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the entirety of the fuel cell stacks 21 and the entirety of the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c may overlap with the photovoltaic panel 11.

[0029] In a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 may be positioned so as to be shifted from each other in the left-right direction. Such a disposition is particularly advantageous when the area of the surface 11a of the photovoltaic panel 11 is large. In the present description, “the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 are positioned so as to be shifted from each other in the left-right direction” means that the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 are disposed along a direction parallel to the installation plane IP. For example, even when each of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is placed on an installation base, as long as the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 are disposed along a direction parallel to the installation plane IP, “being positioned so as to be shifted from each other in the left-right direction” is satisfied.

[0030] In a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, each of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 may be disposed so as to face the installation plane IP. In other words, each of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 may be opposed to the installation plane IP.

[0031] A cross-sectional view showing another example of the power supply system in the present embodiment is shown in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B. In a power supply system 101A shown Fig. 2A and a power supply system 101B shown Fig. 2B, the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 are positioned so as to be shifted from each other in the up-down direction. Other than this, the power supply system 101A shown in Fig. 2A and the power supply system 101B shown in Fig. 2B have the same structure as the power supply system 100 shown in Fig. 1A. In Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, elements that are the same as those in the power supply system 100 are denoted by the same reference characters, and description thereof is omitted.

[0032] In a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 may be positioned so as to be shifted from each other in the up-down direction. Such a disposition is particularly advantageous when a height H10 of the photovoltaic facility 10 is large. In addition, the installation area necessary for the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be reduced. In the present description, “the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 are positioned so as to be shifted from each other in the up-down direction” means that the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 are disposed along a direction perpendicular to the installation plane IP. For example, even when each of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is housed in a housing, as long as the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 are disposed along a direction perpendicular to the installation plane IP, “being positioned so as to be shifted from each other in the up-down direction” is satisfied. In the present description, the height H10 of the photovoltaic facility 10 is the maximum distance from the installation plane IP to the surface 11a of the photovoltaic panel 11.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 2A, in a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the storage battery facility 30 may be disposed so as to be stacked on the fuel cell facility 20. In this case, the fuel cell facility 20 may be housed in a housing 91 so that the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 are not in direct contact with each other.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2B, in a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the fuel cell facility 20 may be disposed so as to be stacked on the storage battery facility 30. In this case, the storage battery facility 30 may be housed in a housing 92 so that the storage battery facility 30 and the fuel cell facility 20 are not in direct contact with each other.

[0035] In the power supply system 100 of the present embodiment, the fuel cell facility 20 may have at least one selected from the group consisting of a heater 210 and an outlet 220 for discharging heat generated through power generation.

[0036] As described above, in a system that supplies power through cooperation between a photovoltaic device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery, when the temperature of the fuel cell becomes too low, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell tends to decrease. The storage battery also has a similar tendency. In the power supply system 100 having the above configuration, even in a period, such as winter, in which the outdoor temperature particularly decreases, the storage battery facility 30 can be heated by heat of the heater 210 of the fuel cell facility 20 and / or heat discharged from the outlet 220 of the fuel cell facility 20. In addition, snow or ice attached to the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be melted. Therefore, the temperatures of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be inhibited from becoming too low, and thus, decrease in the power generation efficiency of the power supply system 100 can be inhibited.

[0037] When the fuel cell facility 20 has at least one selected from the group consisting of the heater 210 and the outlet 220 for discharging heat generated through power generation, it is desirable that a distance D1 between the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is 1 m or less. When the distance D1 is 1 m or less, the storage battery facility 30 is easily heated by heat of the heater 210 of the fuel cell facility 20 and / or heat discharged from the outlet 220 of the fuel cell facility 20. In the present description, the distance D1 between the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is the minimum distance from the fuel cell facility 20 to the storage battery facility 30.

[0038] The lower limit of the distance D1 is not limited in particular. However, in consideration of rise in the outdoor temperature in summer, it is desirable that the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 are not in direct contact with each other. From this viewpoint, the distance D1 may be 0.5 m or more.

[0039] Fig. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the fuel cell facility 20 is equipped with the heater 210. Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the fuel cell facility 20 is equipped with the outlet 220 for discharging heat generated through power generation.

[0040] In a power supply system 102A shown in Fig. 3A, the fuel cell facility 20 includes the heater 210. With this configuration, the fuel cell facility 20 itself is heated by heat of the heater 210, and in addition, the storage battery facility 30 can be heated by heat of the heater 210 of the fuel cell facility 20.

[0041] In the example shown in Fig. 3A, the heater 210 is disposed at a side face of the fuel cell facility 20. However, the position of the heater 210 is not limited in particular. For example, the heater 210 may be disposed at the bottom face of the fuel cell facility 20, or the heater 210 may be disposed at the upper face of the fuel cell facility 20. For example, as shown in Fig. 2A, when the storage battery facility 30 is disposed so as to be stacked on the fuel cell facility 20, if the heater 210 is disposed at the upper face of the fuel cell facility 20, heat of the heater 210 of the fuel cell facility 20 is more easily transmitted to the storage battery facility 30. As shown in Fig. 2B, when the fuel cell facility 20 is disposed so as to be stacked on the storage battery facility 30, if the heater 210 is disposed at the bottom face of the fuel cell facility 20, heat of the heater 210 of the fuel cell facility 20 is more easily transmitted to the storage battery facility 30.

[0042] Typically, the heater 210 is an electric heater.

[0043] In a power supply system 102B shown in Fig. 3B, the fuel cell facility 20 includes the outlet 220 for discharging heat generated through power generation. With this configuration, the fuel cell facility 20 itself is heated by heat generated through power generation, and in addition, the storage battery facility 30 can be heated by heat discharged from the outlet 220 of the fuel cell facility 20.

[0044] In the present description, heat generated through power generation by the fuel cell facility 20 can be that of gas having a high temperature generated through power generation by the fuel cell facility 20. For example, the gas having a high temperature may be cathode off-gas or may be anode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stacks 21 in the fuel cell facility 20. The high temperature gas may be exhaust gas generated when the solid electrolyte of the SOFC is heated.

[0045] In the example shown in Fig. 3B, the outlet 220 is positioned at a side face of the fuel cell facility 20. However, the position of the outlet 220 is not limited in particular. For example, the outlet 220 may be disposed at the bottom face of the fuel cell facility 20, or the outlet 220 may be disposed at the upper face of the fuel cell facility 20. For example, as shown in Fig. 2A, when the storage battery facility 30 is disposed so as to be stacked on the fuel cell facility 20, if the outlet 220 is positioned at the upper face of the fuel cell facility 20, heat discharged from the outlet 220 of the fuel cell facility 20 is more easily transmitted to the storage battery facility 30. As shown in Fig. 2B, when the fuel cell facility 20 is disposed so as to be stacked on the storage battery facility 30, if the outlet 220 is positioned at the bottom face of the fuel cell facility 20, heat discharged from the outlet 220 of the fuel cell facility 20 is more easily transmitted to the storage battery facility 30.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 1A, the photovoltaic facility 10 may further include an angle change part 10a that changes a tilt angle θ11, with respect to the horizontal plane HP, of the surface 11a of the photovoltaic panel 11. With this configuration, the tilt angle θ11 of the photovoltaic panel 11 can be changed in accordance with the incidence angle θRs of the sunlight Rs which changes in accordance with time and / or season. Therefore, the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic facility 10 can be improved. In addition, irrespective of time and / or season, the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be reduced by the photovoltaic panel 11.

[0047] When the tilt angle θ11 of the photovoltaic panel 11 is changed, it is sufficient that the photovoltaic panel 11 covers, in at least one posture, the space above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30. If the photovoltaic panel 11 covers, in at least one posture, the space above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30, the effect of reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is easily obtained. In addition, the effect of reducing the amount of snow deposited onto the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is easily obtained.

[0048] The tilt angle θ11 of the photovoltaic panel 11 may be controlled by the angle change part 10a such that the incidence angle θRs of the sunlight Rs is in a range of 60° to 120°. When the incidence angle θRs of the sunlight Rs is in the range of 60° to 120°, the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic facility 10 can be improved. The tilt angle θ11 of the photovoltaic panel 11 may be controlled by the angle change part 10a such that the incidence angle θRs of the sunlight Rs is in a range of 75° to 105°. When the incidence angle θRs of the sunlight Rs is in the range of 75° to 105°, the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic facility 10 can be more improved. When the incidence angle θRs of the sunlight Rs is in a range of 85° to 95°, the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic facility 10 can be still more improved. It is most desirable that the incidence angle θRs of the sunlight Rs is 90°.

[0049] The tilt angle θ11 of the photovoltaic panel 11 can be set as appropriate in accordance with: the direction in which the photovoltaic panel 11 is installed; the incidence angle θRs of the sunlight Rs; and the like. The tilt angle θ11 can be in a range larger than 0° and smaller than 90°. The tilt angle θ11 may be in a range of 5° or larger and 60° or smaller, or may be in a range of 10° or larger and 45° or smaller. For example, when the direction in which the photovoltaic panel 11 is installed is due south, if the tilt angle θ11 is 30°, the power generation efficiency can be highest.

[0050] As long as the tilt angle θ11 of the photovoltaic panel 11 can be changed, the configuration of the angle change part 10a is not limited in particular. For example, the angle change part 10a may include: an upper end member mounted to the upper end of a support 10b extending in the vertical direction from the installation plane IP; and a lower end member that is mounted to a lower part of the photovoltaic panel 11 and that is connected to the upper end member. The angle change part 10a may have a configuration in which the tilt angle θ11 of the photovoltaic panel 11 can be adjusted through relative rotation of the lower end member with respect to the upper end member.

[0051] Control of the tilt angle θ11 by the angle change part 10a may be manually carried out or may be automatically carried out. The tilt angle θ11 according to the angle change part 10a may be automatically controlled by a control device (not shown). For example, the control device receives information regarding the incidence angle θRs of the sunlight Rs from various servers 53 described later, to control operation of the angle change part 10a. For example, the control device is a computer including: a storage device that stores programs necessary for operation of the angle change part 10a; and a processor that read outs a program from a storage device and executes the program.

[0052] In Fig. 1A to Fig. 3B, for easy understanding, an example in which the photovoltaic facility 10 has one photovoltaic panel 11 has been shown. However, in the power supply system of the present embodiment, it is sufficient that the photovoltaic facility 10 has at least one photovoltaic panel 11. The at least one photovoltaic panel 11 may include a first photovoltaic panel 111, and the first photovoltaic panel 111 may be disposed above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30.

[0053] The at least one photovoltaic panel 11 may include the first photovoltaic panel 111 and a second photovoltaic panel 112, the first photovoltaic panel 111 may be disposed above the fuel cell facility 20, and the second photovoltaic panel 112 may be disposed above the storage battery facility 30.

[0054] In Fig. 1A to Fig. 3B, for easy understanding, an example in which the power supply system includes one photovoltaic facility 10, one fuel cell facility 20, and one storage battery facility 30 has been shown. However, the power supply system of the present embodiment may include a plurality of the photovoltaic facilities 10, a plurality of the fuel cell facilities 20, and a plurality of the storage battery facilities 30.

[0055] The fuel cell facility 20 is defined as a first fuel cell facility 201, and the storage battery facility 30 is defined as a first storage battery facility 301. At this time, the power supply system of the present embodiment may further include a second fuel cell facility 202 and a second storage battery facility 302, the first photovoltaic panel 111 may be disposed above the first fuel cell facility 201 and the second fuel cell facility 202, and the second photovoltaic panel 112 may be disposed above the first storage battery facility 301 and the second storage battery facility 302.

[0056] A cross-sectional view showing still another example of the power supply system in the present embodiment is shown in Fig. 4A. A power supply system 103A shown in Fig. 4A includes the photovoltaic facility 10, a plurality of the fuel cell facilities 20, and a plurality of the storage battery facilities 30. The photovoltaic facility 10 includes a plurality of the first photovoltaic panels 111. Each of the first photovoltaic panels 111 is disposed above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30. In Fig. 4A, elements that are the same as those in the power supply system 100 are denoted by the same reference characters, and description thereof is omitted.

[0057] In the power supply system 103A, the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell facilities 20 and the storage battery facilities 30 can be reduced. In addition, in the power supply system 103A, the amount of snow deposited onto the fuel cell facilities 20 and the storage battery facilities 30 can be reduced.

[0058] A cross-sectional view showing still another example of the power supply system in the present embodiment is shown in Fig. 4B. When the fuel cell facility 20 is defined as the first fuel cell facility 201 and the storage battery facility 30 is defined as the first storage battery facility 301, a power supply system 103B shown in Fig. 4B includes the photovoltaic facility 10, the first fuel cell facility 201, the second fuel cell facility 202, the first storage battery facility 301, and the second storage battery facility 302. The photovoltaic facility 10 includes the first photovoltaic panel 111 and the second photovoltaic panel 112. The first photovoltaic panel 111 is disposed above the first fuel cell facility 201 and the second fuel cell facility 202, and the second photovoltaic panel 112 is disposed above the first storage battery facility 301 and the second storage battery facility 302. In Fig. 4B, elements that are the same as those in the power supply system 100 are denoted by the same reference characters, and description thereof is omitted.

[0059] In the power supply system 103B, the amount of solar radiation reaching the first fuel cell facility 201, the second fuel cell facility 202, the first storage battery facility 301, and the second storage battery facility 302 can be reduced. In addition, in the power supply system 103B, the amount of snow deposited onto the first fuel cell facility 201, the second fuel cell facility 202, the first storage battery facility 301, and the second storage battery facility 302 can be reduced.

[0060] As a configuration of the second fuel cell facility 202, the configuration described above with respect to the fuel cell facility 20 can be applied. As a configuration of the second storage battery facility 302, the configuration described above with respect to the storage battery facility 30 can be applied.

[0061] In a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, at least a part of the first fuel cell facility 201, at least a part of the second fuel cell facility 202, at least a part of the first storage battery facility 301, and at least a part of the second storage battery facility 302 may overlap with the first photovoltaic panel 111 and the second photovoltaic panel 112. At least a part of the first fuel cell facility 201 and at least a part of the second fuel cell facility 202 may overlap with the first photovoltaic panel 111, and at least a part of the first storage battery facility 301 and at least a part of the second storage battery facility 302 may overlap with the second photovoltaic panel 112.

[0062] Next, the functional configuration of the power supply system 100 in the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a functional configuration diagram of the power supply system 100.

[0063] The power supply system 100 and a commercial power supply 2 are interconnected. The power supply system 100 supplies power to an electrical load 5. The power supply system 100 is connected to an energy management system (EMS) server 52 through a network 60.

[0064] The power supply system 100 is a distributed power supply system. The power supply system 100 includes the photovoltaic facility 10, the fuel cell facility 20, the storage battery facility 30, a control device 50a, an electric path 70, a distribution board 4, a current sensor 3a, and a current sensor 3b.

[0065] The photovoltaic facility 10 includes the photovoltaic panel 11, a DCDC converter 12, and a DCAC inverter 13. In the present embodiment, the photovoltaic panel may be replaced by a photovoltaic module or a photovoltaic device.

[0066] DC power generated by the photovoltaic panel 11 is converted to DC power having a different voltage by the DCDC converter 12. The converted DC power is converted to AC power by the DCAC inverter 13. The AC power is supplied to the electric path 70.

[0067] The fuel cell facility 20 includes the fuel cell unit 20a, the fuel cell unit 20b, and the fuel cell unit 20c. Each of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c is, for example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) system, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system, or the like. In the present embodiment, each fuel cell unit may be replaced by a fuel cell.

[0068] Each of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c includes the fuel cell stack 21, the DCDC converter 22, and the DCAC inverter 23. DC power generated in each of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c is converted to DC power having a different voltage by the DCDC converter 22. The converted DC power is converted to AC power by the DCAC inverter 23. The AC power is supplied to the electric path 70.

[0069] The storage battery facility 30 includes the storage battery module 31a, the storage battery module 31b, the storage battery module 31c, the bidirectional DCDC converter 32a, the bidirectional DCDC converter 32b, the bidirectional DCDC converter 32c, and the DCAC inverter 33. Each of the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c is, for example, a lithium-ion storage battery module, a nickel-hydrogen storage battery module, a lead storage battery module, or the like. In the present embodiment, each storage battery module may be replaced by a storage battery.

[0070] Discharge by the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c will be described. Power discharged from each of the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c is converted to DC power having a different voltage by a corresponding bidirectional DCDC converter 32a, 32b, and 32c. The converted DC power is converted to AC power by the DCAC inverter 33. The AC power is supplied to the electric path 70.

[0071] Charge by the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c will be described. AC power supplied from the electric path 70 to the DCAC inverter 33 is converted to DC power. This DC power is converted to DC power having a different voltage by each of the bidirectional DCDC converters 32a, 32b, and 32c. Each of the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c is charged with the corresponding converted DC power.

[0072] Power can flow from the electric path 70 to the commercial power supply 2. Power can flow from the commercial power supply 2 to the electric path 70. The current sensor 3a detects current flowing between the electric path 70 and the commercial power supply 2. The control device 50a monitors the current value detected by the current sensor 3a, thereby being able to cause power flowing from the commercial power supply 2 to the power supply system 100 or power flowing from the power supply system 100 to the commercial power supply 2 to track target power (e.g., 0 W).

[0073] Power can flow from the electric path 70 to the electrical load 5 through the distribution board 4. The current sensor 3b detects current flowing to the electrical load 5.

[0074] The storage battery facility 30 includes a control device 50b. The photovoltaic facility 10 includes a control device 50c. Each of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c includes a control device 50d.

[0075] The control device 50a is connected to the network 60, for example. The network 60 is, for example, a network including an electric telecommunication line such as the Internet. The network 60 may include a public line, or may include a dedicated line. For example, in addition to the control device 50a, the EMS server 52 is connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via the network 60.

[0076] The EMS server 52 may be a cloud server or may be an on-premises server. The EMS server 52 transmits an instruction regarding an operation mode of the power supply system 100, toward the control device 50a. The control device 50a receives the instruction regarding the operation mode from the EMS server 52 via the network 60. In this case, in accordance with the instructed operation mode, the control device 50a determines the control contents of operation of the photovoltaic facility 10, operation of the fuel cell facility 20, operation of the storage battery facility 30, and reception of power from the commercial power supply 2. Based on the control contents, the control device 50a transmits control signals necessary for the operation of the photovoltaic facility 10, the operation of the fuel cell facility 20, and the operation of the storage battery facility 30, respectively, to the control device 50c, the control devices 50d, and the control device 50b.

[0077] For example, the various servers 53 provide blackout information, disaster information, weather information, and the like to the EMS server 52 through the network 60. The various servers 53 can be operated by a power company and / or a weather company, for example. [1-2. Operation] With respect to the power supply system in the present embodiment configured as described above, operation and effect will be described below with reference to Fig. 1A to Fig. 5.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 1A, in the power supply system 100, the sunlight Rs is incident on the surface 11a of the photovoltaic panel 11 of the photovoltaic facility 10, at the incidence angle θRs. In the photovoltaic panel 11, light energy of the sunlight Rs is converted to electric energy, whereby DC power is generated. As shown in Fig. 5, the DC power generated by the photovoltaic panel 11 is converted to DC power having a different voltage by the DCDC converter 12, and the converted DC power is converted to AC power by the DCAC inverter 13. The AC power is supplied to the electric path 70.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 5, in the fuel cell facility 20, in each of the fuel cell units 20a, 20b, and 20c, the anode gas and the cathode gas are supplied to the fuel cell stack 21, whereby DC power is generated. The DC power generated by the fuel cell stack 21 is converted to DC power having a different voltage by the DCDC converter 22, and the converted DC power is converted to AC power by the DCAC inverter 23. The AC power is supplied to the electric path 70.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 5, in the storage battery facility 30, power discharged from each of the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c is converted to DC power having a different voltage by a corresponding bidirectional DCDC converter 32a, 32b, and 32c, and the converted DC power is converted to AC power by the DCAC inverter 33. The AC power is supplied to the electric path 70. AC power supplied from the electric path 70 to the DCAC inverter 33 is converted to DC power, and the converted DC power is converted to DC power having a different voltage by each of the bidirectional DCDC converters 32a, 32b, and 32c. Each of the storage battery modules 31a, 31b, and 31c is charged with the corresponding DC power.

[0081] In the power supply system 100, since the photovoltaic panel 11 is disposed above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30, the sunlight Rs is less likely to reach the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30, and snow is less likely to reach the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30.

[0082] In a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 may be positioned so as to be shifted from each other in the left-right direction.

[0083] In a side view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 may be positioned so as to be shifted from each other in the up-down direction.

[0084] In the power supply system 102A shown in Fig. 3A, the fuel cell facility 20 includes the heater 210. Accordingly, the fuel cell facility 20 itself is heated by heat of the heater 210, and in addition, the storage battery facility 30 can be heated by heat of the heater 210 of the fuel cell facility 20.

[0085] In the power supply system 102B shown in Fig. 3B, the fuel cell facility 20 includes the outlet 220 for discharging heat generated through power generation. Accordingly, the fuel cell facility 20 itself is heated by heat generated through power generation, and in addition, the storage battery facility 30 can be heated by heat discharged from the outlet 220 of the fuel cell facility 20.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 1A, the photovoltaic facility 10 may further include the angle change part 10a that changes the tilt angle θ11, with respect to the horizontal plane HP, of the surface 11a of the photovoltaic panel 11. Accordingly, the tilt angle θ11 of the photovoltaic panel 11 can be changed by the angle change part 10a in accordance with the incidence angle θRs of the sunlight Rs which changes in accordance with time and / or season.

[0087] In the power supply system 103A shown in Fig. 4A, each of the first photovoltaic panels 111 is disposed above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30. Accordingly, the sunlight Rs is less likely to reach the fuel cell facilities 20 and the storage battery facilities 30, and snow is less likely to reach the fuel cell facilities 20 and the storage battery facilities 30.

[0088] In the power supply system 103B shown in Fig. 4B, the first photovoltaic panel 111 is disposed above the first fuel cell facility 201 and the second fuel cell facility 202, and the second photovoltaic panel 112 is disposed above the first storage battery facility 301 and the second storage battery facility 302. Accordingly, the sunlight Rs is less likely to reach the first fuel cell facility 201, the second fuel cell facility 202, the first storage battery facility 301, and the second storage battery facility 302, and snow is less likely to reach the first fuel cell facility 201, the second fuel cell facility 202, the first storage battery facility 301, and the second storage battery facility 302.

[0089] [1-3. Effects and the like] As described above, in the present embodiment, the power supply system includes: the photovoltaic facility 10 having the at least one photovoltaic panel 11; the fuel cell facility 20; and the storage battery facility 30, and the at least one photovoltaic panel 11 is disposed above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30.

[0090] Since the at least one photovoltaic panel 11 is disposed above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30, the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be reduced. Therefore, for example, in a period, such as summer, in which the amount of solar radiation particularly increases, the temperatures of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be inhibited from becoming too high. In addition, for example, in a period, such as winter, in which snow falls, the temperatures of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be inhibited from becoming too low. In the fuel cell facility 20, occurrence of freezing and damage of the pipe for the cooling water is also inhibited. Therefore, decrease in the power generation efficiency of the power supply system can be inhibited.

[0091] In the present embodiment, in a plan view with respect to the horizontal plane HP, at least a part of the fuel cell facility 20 and at least a part of the storage battery facility 30 may overlap with the at least one photovoltaic panel 11.

[0092] Accordingly, the effect of reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is easily obtained. In addition, the effect of reducing the amount of snow deposited onto the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 is easily obtained.

[0093] In the present embodiment, the at least one photovoltaic panel 11 may include the first photovoltaic panel 111, and the first photovoltaic panel 111 may be disposed above the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30.

[0094] Accordingly, the temperatures of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be inhibited from becoming too high. In addition, for example, in a period, such as winter, in which snow falls, the temperatures of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be inhibited from becoming too low.

[0095] In the present embodiment, the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 may be positioned so as to be shifted from each other in the left-right direction.

[0096] Such a disposition is particularly advantageous when the area of the surface of the photovoltaic panel 11 is large.

[0097] In the present embodiment, the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 may be positioned so as to be shifted from each other in the up-down direction.

[0098] Such a disposition is particularly advantageous when the height H10 of the photovoltaic facility 10 is large.

[0099] In the present embodiment, the fuel cell facility 20 may have at least one selected from the group consisting of the heater 210 and the outlet 220 for discharging heat generated through power generation.

[0100] Accordingly, even in a period, such as winter, in which the outdoor temperature particularly decreases, the storage battery facility 30 can be heated by heat of the heater 210 of the fuel cell facility 20 and / or heat discharged from the outlet 220 of the fuel cell facility 20. In addition, snow or ice attached to the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be melted. Therefore, the temperatures of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be inhibited from becoming too low, and thus, decrease in the power generation efficiency of the power supply system can be inhibited.

[0101] In the present embodiment, the photovoltaic facility 10 may further have the angle change part 10a that changes the tilt angle θ11, with respect to the horizontal plane HP, of the surface 11a of the at least one photovoltaic panel 11.

[0102] Accordingly, the tilt angle θ11 of the at least one photovoltaic panel 11 can be changed in accordance with the incidence angle θRs of the sunlight Rs which changes in accordance with time and / or season. Therefore, the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic facility 10 can be improved. In addition, irrespective of time and / or season, the amount of solar radiation reaching the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 can be reduced by the at least one photovoltaic panel 11.

[0103] In the present embodiment, the at least one photovoltaic panel 11 may include the first photovoltaic panel 111 and the second photovoltaic panel 112, the first photovoltaic panel 111 may be disposed above the fuel cell facility 20, and the second photovoltaic panel 112 may be disposed above the storage battery facility 30.

[0104] Accordingly, for example, in a period, such as summer, in which the amount of solar radiation particularly increases, the temperatures of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 are inhibited from becoming too high. In addition, for example, in a period, such as winter, in which snow falls, the temperatures of the fuel cell facility 20 and the storage battery facility 30 are inhibited from becoming too low.

[0105] In the present embodiment, when the fuel cell facility 20 is defined as the first fuel cell facility 201 and the storage battery facility 30 is defined as the first storage battery facility 301, the power supply system may further include the second fuel cell facility 202 and the second storage battery facility 302, the first photovoltaic panel 111 may be disposed above the first fuel cell facility 201 and the second fuel cell facility 202, and the second photovoltaic panel 112 may be disposed above the first storage battery facility 301 and the second storage battery facility 302.

[0106] Accordingly, for example, in a period, such as summer, in which the amount of solar radiation particularly increases, the temperatures of the first fuel cell facility 201, the second fuel cell facility 202, the first storage battery facility 301, and the second storage battery facility 302 are inhibited from becoming too high. In addition, for example, in a period, such as winter, in which snow falls, the temperatures of the first fuel cell facility 201, the second fuel cell facility 202, the first storage battery facility 301, and the second storage battery facility 302 are inhibited from becoming too low.

[0107] (Other embodiments) An embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and is applicable to an embodiment obtained by making changes, replacement, addition, omission, or the like to the above embodiment. A new embodiment can also be made by combining components described in the above embodiment.

[0108] The technology according to the present disclosure is applicable to a system that supplies power through cooperation between a photovoltaic device, a fuel cell, and a storage battery. The technology according to the present disclosure is applicable to approaches such as RE100 (Renewable Energy 100%) for protecting the environment, for example.

Claims

1. A power supply system comprising: a photovoltaic facility having at least one photovoltaic panel; a fuel cell facility; and a storage battery facility, wherein the at least one photovoltaic panel is disposed above the fuel cell facility and the storage battery facility.

2. The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein in a plan view with respect to a horizontal plane, at least a part of the fuel cell facility and at least a part of the storage battery facility overlap with the at least one photovoltaic panel.

3. The power supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one photovoltaic panel includes a first photovoltaic panel, and the first photovoltaic panel is disposed above the fuel cell facility and the storage battery facility.

4. The power supply system according to claim 3, wherein the fuel cell facility and the storage battery facility are positioned so as to be shifted from each other in a left-right direction.

5. The power supply system according to claim 3, wherein the fuel cell facility and the storage battery facility are positioned so as to be shifted from each other in an up-down direction.

6. The power supply system according to claim 3, wherein the fuel cell facility has at least one selected from the group consisting of a heater and an outlet for discharging heat generated through power generation.

7. The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the photovoltaic facility further has an angle change part that changes a tilt angle, with respect to a horizontal plane, of a surface of the at least one photovoltaic panel.

8. The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one photovoltaic panel includes a first photovoltaic panel and a second photovoltaic panel, the first photovoltaic panel is disposed above the fuel cell facility, and the second photovoltaic panel is disposed above the storage battery facility.

9. The power supply system according to claim 8, wherein when the fuel cell facility is defined as a first fuel cell facility and the storage battery facility is defined as a first storage battery facility, the power supply system further comprises a second fuel cell facility and a second storage battery facility, the first photovoltaic panel is disposed above the first fuel cell facility and the second fuel cell facility, and the second photovoltaic panel is disposed above the first storage battery facility and the second storage battery facility.

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