Microgrid Operation Plan Creation for Hydrogen Electrolysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for operating hydrogen production devices in microgrids do not adequately consider the power consumption characteristics, leading to inefficiencies and potential instability in power systems when integrating renewable energy sources.

Innovation Solution

An operation plan creation device and method that takes into account prediction values of renewable energy generation, power consumption characteristics of load devices, and temporary power consumption needs to optimize start and stop operations of load devices, such as water electrolysis units, within a microgrid, while also considering energy storage and external energy exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If operation plans are created without considering power consumption characteristics and temporary power consumption, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of power system stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower system stabilityVSAvoidoperation plan complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting renewable energy generation in advance and pre-calculating temporary power consumption requirements for start/stop operations. This allows the operation plan creation to consider power consumption characteristics beforehand, ensuring power system stability without adding complex real-time control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The operation plan creation device dynamically adjusts operation plans based on predicted renewable energy generation and power consumption characteristics. The system adapts to varying conditions by incorporating temporary power consumption data, allowing flexible optimization of load device operations while maintaining power system stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If operation plans consider detailed power consumption characteristics and temporary power consumption, then productivity of hydrogen production is improved, but loss of time in calculation and planning increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen production efficiencyVSAvoidoperation plan calculation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary prediction of renewable energy generation and pre-calculates temporary power consumption for start/stop operations. By preparing this data in advance, the system can quickly create optimized operation plans that maximize hydrogen production without requiring extensive real-time calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The operation plan creation device efficiently processes power consumption characteristics and temporary power consumption data by focusing on critical parameters. The system skips unnecessary calculations and directly utilizes predicted renewable energy generation data to rapidly determine optimal operation plans, reducing calculation time while maintaining hydrogen production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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

This approach allows for a flexible and efficient operation plan that reduces operational burdens, minimizes power fluctuations, and ensures stable energy exchange with external systems, maximizing hydrogen production and reducing obstacles in execution.

Implementation Method 1

power generated by photovoltaic power generation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic power generation: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

water electrolysis device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater electrolysis: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS20230185258A1Operation plan creation device, operation plan creation method, and operation plan creation program

Publication Date: 2023.06.15 IHI CORP

AI summary

Provided is an operation plan creation device that creates an operation plan for a load device in a microgrid including a renewable energy generation device and the load device. The operation plan includes a plan for performing a start operation or a stop operation of the load device. The operation plan creation device includes a creation unit that creates the operation plan on the basis of information related to a prediction value of power generated in the renewable energy generation device for an entire creation period of the operation plan, information related to power consumption characteristics of the load device, and information related to temporary power consumption necessary for the start operation or the stop operation of the load device included in the operation plan.