Hydrogen Power Generator Startup Control via Battery Forecasting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In power supply systems that use renewable energy, the storage battery's energy is depleted quickly when power demand is high and the hydrogen power generator's startup is delayed, leading to system shutdowns and reduced energy efficiency due to inefficient utilization of the hydrogen power generator.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that forecasts energy demand and supply using time-series forecasting units, controlling the hydrogen power generator to start generating power before the storage battery reaches its discharge limit, thereby extending its operational time and optimizing energy distribution between the storage battery and hydrogen power generator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the hydrogen power generator startup timing is delayed until the storage battery reaches the discharge limit, then the utilization rate of the hydrogen power generator is reduced, but the energy efficiency of the entire power supply system is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The forecasting unit predicts future power generation and consumption patterns in advance, allowing the control unit to determine optimal hydrogen power generator startup timing before the storage battery actually reaches its discharge limit. This preliminary forecasting action prevents system shutdowns while avoiding unnecessary early startup of the hydrogen power generator, thus maintaining energy efficiency.
2Reliability
If the hydrogen power generator is started uniformly in advance, then the time until storage battery discharge limit is extended, but the utilization rate of the hydrogen power generator increases, reducing overall energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary forecasting of power generation and consumption to determine the precise timing for hydrogen power generator startup. Instead of uniform early startup, the forecasting unit predicts when power shortage will occur and triggers startup just in time, extending battery operation without unnecessary hydrogen generator runtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the startup timing parameter of the hydrogen power generator based on forecasted power generation and consumption data. This parameter optimization balances reliability (preventing shutdowns) with energy efficiency (avoiding unnecessary operation).
3Loss of energy
If the storage battery is used preferentially for short-term responses, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the storage battery reaches discharge limit quickly under high power consumption conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The forecasting unit predicts future power balance conditions in advance, allowing the control unit to determine when to transition from battery-only operation to hybrid operation. This preliminary action extends battery operational duration by preventing depletion while maintaining preferential battery usage during periods when it remains efficient.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system according to the present embodiment is a control apparatus for a power supply system that includes a hydrogen power generator adapted to generate hydrogen using electric power supplied from a power generator and supply a load with electric power generated using the generated hydrogen, and a storage battery configured to be quicker in control response than the hydrogen power generator and adapted to get charged and discharged to offset excess and deficiency of the electric power supplied to the load from the power generator, the control apparatus including: an acquiring unit adapted to acquire information about remaining energy in the storage battery; and a controller adapted to control the hydrogen power generator so as to start generating electric power when it is expected, based on the information, that the remaining energy in the storage battery reaches a first threshold within a predetermined time.