Hydrogen Generator Operating Plan for Electricity Rate Fluctuations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen generators face challenges in optimizing hydrogen production costs due to fluctuations in electricity rates, which are influenced by weather and wind power, leading to inefficiencies in operating schedules and costs.
Innovation Solution
A planning apparatus that generates an operating plan for hydrogen generators by learning from historical data and predicting electricity rate fluctuations, using models to minimize production costs by optimizing operation times and rates, thereby reducing hydrogen generation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrogen generators operate continuously to ensure supply, then hydrogen supply reliability is improved, but production cost increases due to high electricity rates during peak periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing hydrogen in storage facilities during periods of low electricity rates (off-peak hours) when power is cheaper. This pre-production hydrogen is then supplied during peak demand periods, avoiding the need to operate generators during expensive high-rate periods. The planning apparatus calculates optimal storage amounts and timing based on predicted electricity rate fluctuations, ensuring supply reliability while minimizing production costs.
2Productivity
If hydrogen generators operate during high electricity rate periods to meet demand, then supply responsiveness is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The planning apparatus implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors actual electricity rates, compares them with predicted rates, and adjusts the operating plan accordingly. When actual rates differ from predictions, the system recalculates the optimal operating schedule, determining whether to operate during high-rate periods or rely on stored hydrogen. This feedback loop ensures supply responsiveness while minimizing production costs by adapting to real-time rate fluctuations.
3Ease of operation
If operating plans are generated without considering electricity rate fluctuations, then operational simplicity is maintained, but production cost optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The planning apparatus performs self-service by automatically generating optimized operating plans based on predicted electricity rate fluctuations without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously calculates optimal operating times, storage amounts, and supply schedules, then executes these plans. This automation maintains operational simplicity from the user perspective while achieving significant production cost optimization through intelligent rate-based scheduling.
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
The planning apparatus effectively generates operating plans that reduce hydrogen production costs by aligning hydrogen generator operations with low electricity rates, ensuring a predetermined hydrogen supply while maintaining storage within optimal ranges, thus stabilizing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogen generator and the like that generate hydrogen by electrolyzing water are known
Data Source
AI summary
The production cost of a product is reduced without reducing the production amount of a product of the electrolytic apparatus in a fixed period. There are provided a planning apparatus, a method of generating an operating plan, and a program, the planning apparatus including an electricity rate prediction unit that predicts a transition of a future electricity rate by using an electricity rate prediction model that predicts a transition of an electricity rate in a target period based on a value of a first factor available before the target period, and an operating plan generation unit that generates an operating plan of an electrolytic apparatus in a first period in a future based on a predicted transition of the future electricity rate.