Hydrogen Power Supply System Control for Electricity Expense Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply systems interconnected with electric power systems face increased electricity expenses due to inefficient management of surplus and demand fluctuations, leading to premature capacity limits in storage devices and unnecessary electricity purchases or sales.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system that includes a control device managing the ratios of electric power supplied to and released from hydrogen-type power storage devices and power storage devices, optimizing the use of both systems to prevent capacity limits and adjust electricity expenses based on unit electricity prices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conventional power supply system purchases electric power from the electric power system when power is insufficient, then the load can be supplied with sufficient electric power, but electricity expenses increase due to inefficient management of surplus and demand fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary actions by storing surplus electric power in the power storage device and generating hydrogen from excess power before peak demand periods occur. This proactive approach prevents the need to purchase expensive electricity during high-demand periods, thereby reducing electricity expenses while ensuring power supply reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors the operation states of the natural energy power generation device, power storage device, hydrogen generation device, fuel cell, and load. Based on this feedback, it dynamically adjusts power distribution ratios to optimize the use of stored power and generated hydrogen, minimizing the need to purchase electricity from the electric power system and thus reducing electricity expenses.
2Loss of energy
If the power storage device is used to store surplus electric power, then the electric power can be supplied to the load during demand periods, but the power storage device reaches its upper limit capacity prematurely, causing loss of surplus electric power
Solution Approach 1:
The control device segments the surplus electric power management into two distinct pathways: (1) storing power in the power storage device when capacity is available, and (2) converting excess power to hydrogen via the hydrogen generation device when the power storage device reaches its upper limit. This segmentation ensures complete utilization of surplus electric power without premature capacity limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides multi-functionality by enabling the power storage device to serve dual purposes: storing electric power directly and working in conjunction with the hydrogen generation device to store energy in hydrogen form. This universal approach allows the system to handle varying capacity conditions flexibly, preventing loss of surplus electric power regardless of the power storage device's current state.
3Ease of operation
If the conventional power supply system operates without considering unit electric power prices, then the system operation is simplified, but electricity expenses increase due to suboptimal timing of electricity purchases and sales
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs self-service by automatically acquiring unit electric power prices and using this information to optimize power distribution decisions. It autonomously determines the optimal timing for purchasing electricity from the electric power system versus using stored power or hydrogen-generated power, thereby reducing electricity expenses without requiring complex manual intervention while maintaining ease of operation.
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 system reduces electricity expenses by effectively utilizing both power storage and hydrogen-type power storage devices, minimizing losses from surplus electricity and reducing the need for costly purchases, thereby achieving economic operation.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogen generation device that uses electric power to generate hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
a fuel cell system that uses hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device to generate electric power
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A power supply system includes: a hydrogen generation device that uses electric power to generate hydrogen; a hydrogen storage device that stores hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device; a fuel cell system that uses hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device to generate electric power; a power storage device; and a control device executing at least one of first control and second control based on an electricity expense, the first control controlling a first ratio between electric power to be supplied from a natural energy power generation device to the hydrogen generation device and electric power to be supplied from the natural energy power generation device to the power storage device, the second control controlling a second ratio between electric power to be supplied from the power storage device to a load and electric power to be supplied from the fuel cell system to the load.