Shared Fuel Allocation Control for Multi-Facility Fuel Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a facility complex with shared fuel storage, arbitrary use of limited fuel during fuel replenishment stagnation or power outages can lead to unfair distribution of resources among facilities.
Innovation Solution
An energy management system that includes a power management server and a local control apparatus, which allocates the stored fuel amount fairly among facilities based on various allocation methods, such as equal allocation, historical power consumption, rated output power, remaining battery charge, and power generation prediction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If fuel is shared in a common storage tank among multiple facilities, then space efficiency is improved, but fuel distribution fairness deteriorates when replenishment is stagnant
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the shared fuel storage into virtual allocated quantities for each facility. The manager divides the total stored fuel amount into facility-specific allocated amounts based on predetermined criteria (power consumption history, rated output power, etc.), ensuring each facility receives a fair share even though they physically share a common storage tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the manager continuously monitors the stored fuel amount and compares it against allocated quantities for each facility. When the stored fuel falls below the allocated amount for a particular facility, the controller prioritizes fuel supply to that facility, ensuring fairness is maintained through continuous monitoring and adjustment.
2Ease of operation
If fuel is allocated based on arbitrary use during power outages, then operational flexibility is improved, but resource equity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary allocation of fuel quantities to each facility before power outages or fuel shortages occur. The manager calculates and sets allocated fuel amounts based on historical power consumption data and rated output power, so that when emergencies occur, fuel distribution follows pre-determined equitable principles rather than arbitrary decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the allocation parameters dynamically based on facility needs. The manager considers multiple parameters including power consumption history, rated output power, and current operational status to determine fair allocated quantities, adjusting these parameters to ensure equity while maintaining operational flexibility during outages.
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 ensures fairness in fuel allocation among facilities during periods of fuel replenishment stagnation or power outages, preventing arbitrary use and maintaining equitable resource distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell apparatus provided in each of a plurality of facilities outputs power using fuel
Data Source
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AI summary
An energy management method comprises a step A of outputting, by a fuel cell apparatus provided in each of a plurality of facilities, power using fuel, a step B of managing a storage amount of the fuel stored in a storage tank shared by the plurality of facilities, and a step C of allocating the storage amount of the fuel to each of the plurality of facilities.