FCEV Refresh Scheduling for Microgrid Power Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell electric vehicles, the formation of an oxide film on catalyst electrodes reduces power generation efficiency, and existing methods for removing it during power supply to a microgrid are not effectively managed, potentially disrupting power grid balance.
Innovation Solution
A power management system that includes a server managing fuel cell electric vehicles, which determines and coordinates the execution timings of a 'refresh process' to remove oxide films by increasing power generation temporarily, while restricting the number of vehicles performing this process to maintain grid balance and reduce fuel cell degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fuel cell electric vehicle executes a refresh process to remove oxide films by generating electric power exceeding prescribed power, then the power generation efficiency is improved, but the power grid balance is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The server determines and notifies the execution timing of the refresh process in advance before the actual power generation exceeds prescribed power. This allows the power grid to prepare for the temporary power increase, preventing disruption to grid balance while still enabling effective oxide film removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The server monitors the state of the fuel cell electric vehicle and determines the refresh process timing based on this feedback information. This coordinated control ensures that the refresh process is executed at appropriate times that maintain both fuel cell performance and power grid stability.
2Reliability
If multiple fuel cell electric vehicles execute the refresh process simultaneously to remove oxide films, then the power generation efficiency of each vehicle is improved, but the temporary increase in supplied electric power causes excessive influence on the power grid
Solution Approach 1:
The server divides and distributes the refresh process executions across multiple fuel cell electric vehicles at different timings. Instead of allowing all vehicles to execute simultaneously, the server coordinates individual execution schedules, segmenting the total power increase into manageable portions that the power grid can handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The refresh process is executed periodically and intermittently across the fleet of fuel cell electric vehicles rather than continuously or simultaneously. This periodic distribution of refresh operations prevents excessive temporary power increases while maintaining effective oxide film removal over time.
3Reliability
If the refresh process is executed frequently to maintain power generation efficiency, then the oxide film removal is effective, but the fuel cell degradation accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The refresh process is executed with partially excessive power generation (exceeding prescribed power) for short durations rather than continuous operation. This partial excessive action is sufficient to remove oxide films effectively while limiting the total stress on the fuel cell, thereby balancing maintenance effectiveness with component lifespan preservation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively removes oxide films during power supply, maintaining power generation efficiency and balancing power supply and demand in the microgrid by coordinating the refresh process across multiple fuel cell electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell electric vehicle that supplies electric power generated by a fuel cell to the power grid
Implementation Method 2
an oxide film may be formed on a catalyst electrode of a fuel cell. When the oxide film is formed, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell decreases, and thus, the presence of the oxide film is undesirable. Therefore, a 'refresh process' that causes the fuel cell to generate electric power exceeding prescribed electric power is executed to remove the formed oxide film.
Data Source
AI summary
A power management system includes a plurality of power adjustment resources electrically connected to a microgrid, and a CEMS server that manages the plurality of power adjustment resources. The plurality of power adjustment resources include a plurality of FCEVs that supply electric power to the microgrid. Each of the plurality of FCEVs executes a refresh process that removes an oxide film formed on a catalyst electrode of an FC stack by causing the FC stack to generate electric power exceeding prescribed electric power. The CEMS server adjusts execution timings of the refresh process in the plurality of FCEVs during power supply to the microgrid, so as to respond to a request to adjust power supply and demand in the microgrid.