JP2002135980A - Distributed independent power generator system using photovoltaic power generator and fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply system kind to the earth to steadily supply enough power using a photovoltaic power generator and a fuel cell that runs on hydrogen gas. SOLUTION: With a power supply system that uses a solar battery utilizing the solar energy and a fuel cell utilizing hydrogen gas as required, together with a battery to store the above power, a battery controller, ac power can be supplied to variety of electric appliance through a power inverter.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a simple, environmentally friendly and reliable power supply system in a relatively small area.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art First, many systems have been proposed in which power is generated using a solar cell utilizing sunlight and a secondary battery is charged by a charger.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-22829 discloses a distributed power generation system having a solar cell, a secondary battery, an inverter, and a distribution board. A distributed power generation system containing a switch for connecting a switch to an inverter, a backflow prevention device, an interconnection disconnection receiver, and an interconnection switch is disclosed.

[0004] Further, there is a proposal that, when a solar cell for charging a battery is mounted on an electric traveling vehicle, the output power of the solar cell can be effectively used regardless of its magnitude. .

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-111112 discloses a main battery for driving a traveling motor, an auxiliary battery for driving auxiliary equipment, and a changeover switch for charging each battery. A solar cell selectively connected to the solar cell, an operation control means for operating the solar cell at an operating point at which the output power is maximized, and when the output power of the solar cell is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Connecting the solar cell to the main battery and controlling the changeover switch to charge the main battery, and connecting the solar cell to the auxiliary battery when the output power of the solar cell is equal to or less than the predetermined value. And charge control means for controlling the changeover switch to charge the auxiliary battery by charging the battery.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-26 proposes that the surplus electric power when a solar car is stopped is effectively used for electric equipment connected to a wiring system such as indoor wiring.
No. 1414 is known.

This comprises an inverter for converting DC power obtained by the solar cell into AC power, an inverter controller for controlling the output of the inverter, and an AC motor driven by the AC power output from the inverter. A solar car drive system comprising: a switching circuit that disconnects the inverter from the AC motor to take out the output of the inverter to an external power supply or an external load; and a connector that connects to the external power supply. . Further, in a solar car drive system that converts DC power obtained by a solar cell into AC power by an inverter and rotates an AC motor that drives a solar car, the connection between the inverter and the AC motor is disconnected to externally output the inverter. A solar car power generation method in which an output of the inverter is connected to the external power supply or an external load to supply power when the solar car is not used for a long time, so that the solar car can be taken out to a power supply or an external load. Further, a current detector for detecting a current of a load connected to the external power supply is provided, a detection current of the current detector is input to the inverter controller, and a reactive current and a distortion current of the load are compensated by the inverter. Thus, this is a solar car power generation method in which an active filter function for improving a power factor and a waveform as viewed from a wiring system is added.

Next, as an example of a hybrid power supply system using a power supply different from solar power generation, see JP-A-10-1743.
No. 12 is known.

When the battery voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage, the switch is opened to separate the photovoltaic power generation from the wind power generation, and the photovoltaic power generation is connected to the system power supply via the inverter by the maximum power tracking control. In addition to performing system operation, the wind power generator charges the battery, and when the battery voltage becomes higher than the predetermined voltage, closes the changeover switch to connect the solar power generation and the wind power generation with direct current, and then fixes the inverter. The power supply is controlled by a power command control so as to be connected to a system power supply.

JP-A-11-69659 discloses a solar cell, a DC-DC converter for converting a generated voltage of the solar cell to a predetermined voltage, and an AC for converting an AC voltage of a commercial power supply to a DC voltage. A DC converter, a power failure secondary battery, a secondary battery charger to be charged, a solar battery when the solar battery is generating power, and the AC-DC converter when the solar battery is not generating power, to the secondary battery charger. There is disclosed an apparatus including a switching control circuit to be connected, and an inverter for converting DC power of the secondary battery for power failure into AC voltage of commercial power when a commercial power failure occurs.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, based on the above inventions, a power supply system that uses solar power generation and a fuel cell that uses hydrogen, and is stable to the earth, supplies safe and sufficient power stably. Is to provide.

[0012] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-178237 "Home power supply system" uses the power obtained by photovoltaic power generation and the late-night power and general power of an external system transmitted from a power company in the order of lowest cost. To reduce costs and provide a household power supply system that can make full use of the power obtained by photovoltaic power generation and achieve significant cost reductions. In situations where it must be done, costs are high and inefficiencies are inevitable.

On the other hand, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-225440, "photovoltaic power generation system", it is a photovoltaic power generation system in which whether the power is being purchased or sold is known indoors. A distributed power supply that converts the DC output to DC-AC and outputs AC, and that is connected to the mains connected to the commercial power supply at a location different from the commercial power supply and that matches the voltage phase with the commercial power supply and interconnects the system, A distribution board containing a main breaker inserted between a commercial power supply and a main line, and a branch breaker inserted into a branch circuit that branches off from the main line and supplies power to a load; A current transformer for detecting the instantaneous value of the current of the part, and the instantaneous value of the voltage between the commercial power supply and the distributed power supply is detected, and the average value of the product of the instantaneous value of the current detected by the current transformer is obtained. Power trading means, An indoor display that indicates whether the power is purchased from the commercial power supply or sold to the commercial power supply based on the sign of the average value obtained by the power calculation means. However, there is a problem in terms of cost in using a commercial external power supply.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to use a commercial external power source without using a commercial external power source.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system that supplies clean, environmentally friendly, simple and reliable electric power by compensating for the disadvantages of solar power generation that is affected by weather.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a power supply system appropriately using a solar cell using sunlight and a fuel cell using hydrogen as a power source. And an independent distributed power generation system comprising a storage battery for storing the electric power and an electric storage control unit, wherein an alternating current is supplied by a power inverter. Mainly consists of a high-efficiency power generator and its supply system with a sub-DC power generation system using a power source and other power generation methods.By combining two systems that generate power using clean energy, It is characterized in that a stable and simple power supply system can be obtained by compensating for each disadvantage and adding advantages.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2,
The independent distributed power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the system is mounted on an automobile and used. It can utilize the storage battery that is usually attached to the car, that is, the battery, and further expand its use as a power source for personal computers, car navigators, karaoke systems, in-car TVs, etc., which are expected to be further used in the car in the future I can expect that. Note that the automobile here includes general mobile objects that supply electric power, such as a wagon-type passenger car, a commercial vehicle, a specially equipped vehicle for performing an event, and a power supply vehicle for general construction.
Also includes large passenger vehicles such as route buses, specially equipped vehicles equipped with refrigeration equipment, and power supply vehicles for road construction.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3,
An independent distributed power generation system according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle is a commercial vehicle such as a large taxi.
There is a possibility that electric equipments and the like that require considerable electric power will be provided in a large taxi in the future, and it is possible to correspond to a refrigerator, a lighting device, electric equipment, etc. for storing drinks and the like to be served by passengers. For large taxis, it is possible to install this system. The commercial vehicle mentioned here includes a wagon-type passenger vehicle, a commercial vehicle, a specially equipped vehicle for performing an event, and the like, and a general mobile object that supplies electric power, such as a power supply vehicle for general construction.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4,
An independent distributed power generation system, wherein the vehicle according to claim 2 is a sightseeing bus, a route bus, or another large vehicle. In the case of a sightseeing bus, a large solar cell panel can be attached to the roof of the sightseeing bus, so that a larger amount of power can be obtained. In the cooling of the bus, refrigerant, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon, ammonia, etc., which does not depend on chlorofluorocarbon, can be substituted. Above all, air conditioning and heating using gas is a method that utilizes the vaporization of water,
This is called a cold / hot water generator. By reducing the pressure, the boiling point is lowered and vaporization is promoted to achieve a maximum of 7 ° C. It seems that cold air of about 10 ° C. can be output on a daily basis. The large vehicles mentioned here include large passenger vehicles such as route buses, specially equipped vehicles equipped with freezing and refrigeration facilities, and power supply vehicles for road construction.

Further, in the fifth aspect of the present invention,
An independent distributed power generation system, wherein the automobile according to claim 2 is a camper. Since a camper requires a considerable amount of electric power when the engine is stopped, the independent and distributed power generation system of the present invention exerts its maximum power. In recent years, camping has been active, but power is often a problem. However, camping cars using this system are expected to be very active in the future.

In the invention according to claim 6,
An independent distributed power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the power generation system is attached to a house and used. In a house, a solar cell panel can be sufficiently stuck to the roof, and a fuel cell can be installed at an appropriate position. Inexpensive and clean power can be provided without being affected by the weather.

Further, in the invention according to claim 7,
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the power generation system is provided with a function of charging directly from a household AC outlet. This is prepared as a reserve. Stable power from the power company can be charged directly from the AC outlet,
We can respond to emergency situations and feel safe.

Further, in the invention according to claim 8,
An independent distributed power selling system, wherein the power generated by the power generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is sold to others. In the future, small-scale power generation projects are expected to be liberalized in 2003 due to deregulation. A business that sells electricity generated using only clean energy is conceivable.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The polymer electrolyte fuel cell, or PEFC, used in the present invention is expected to be commercialized in the next few years after the phosphoric acid fuel cell, and is a next-generation type capable of generating electricity at room temperature. It is a fuel cell that is small and lightweight, has high startability, and can be expected to reduce costs by using inexpensive materials. As an operating principle, PEFC produces electricity by a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The single cell, the smallest structural unit, uses a thin film (about 0.1 mm) called a solid polymer film,
It has a structure sandwiched between two electrodes, a fuel electrode and an air electrode. Hydrogen (H ₂ ) serving as fuel is separated into hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) and electrons (e ⁻ ) by the catalytic action of the fuel electrode. Hydrogen ions move through the solid polymer membrane and combine with oxygen supplied to the air electrode to become water (H ₂ O). Electric power is generated by the electrons emitted at this time. Solar power generation is power generation by sunlight.

An embodiment of an independent distributed power generation system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 is an overall view of an independent self-sufficient power generation system of the present invention. The electricity generated by the solar cells enters a system cubicle consisting of a controller, a battery, a power inverter, and an autorelay, part of which is used to store and supply electrolytic hydrogen and create a gas flow to the fuel cell. Hydrogen fuel is also sent through gas company plumbing. Electricity generated by the fuel cell is sent to the system cubicle. Hot water produced by the fuel cell is circulated to the hot water supply pipe. Electricity from the system cubicle enters the house and is used for various purposes. The surplus electricity is sent to a power conditioner for selling surplus electricity, and sent to a power company or a power selling business. The electricity sent is already powered by the power inverter,
Those converted from DC to AC will be sold.
Further, in the present invention, the circuit is assumed to have an optimal form of up to 200 V three-phase three-wire, but is not limited to this. Each drawing showing an embodiment shows an example of a typical embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and can take various forms in which these are applied.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a connection diagram between the solar panel and the outdoor type cubicle. Electricity generated by the solar panel first enters a controller, that is, a control unit, and is supplied to a DC / AC converter, that is, an inverter. Go in.
The control unit also adjusts the battery. The alternating current from the inverter is stored in a battery. In addition, it is possible to switch between electricity from a power company and electricity generated by solar power using an automatic switch. The relay between the current passed through the automatic switching device and the current from the electric power company is further automatically switched, and is sent to the distribution board in the house through the protection against neutral phase loss.

In FIG. 3, the easiest and most suitable vehicle for implementing the present invention is an automobile. The electric power obtained by the solar power generation, the electric power from the fuel cell and the electric power generated by the generator of the car are controlled by a controller. The electric power is transferred to a lead storage battery through a charger, converted by an inverter, and used as an alternating current. The oxygen required for the fuel cell is taken from the atmosphere, and the hydrogen is stored in a hydrogen storage (or LNG,
The hot water supplied and discharged from various gas cylinders such as LPG, butane, ethanol, and methane is stored in a hot water tank.

The concept of mobile power generation is shown in FIG. The maximum alternating current can be obtained with the smallest solar cell or the like. The AC output of this mobile power generation is 2.2 kw,
In other words, it has succeeded in producing approximately 70% of the electricity used in ordinary homes of about 3 kW. The model car is a short-length Chevrolet Astro, which is an excellent system that maintains stable power even when the air conditioner, microwave oven, and refrigerator are operated at the same time, and has more reserve capacity. The solar power system can be removed from the car. In case of emergency, the battery can be charged from a household outlet. By using a high-discharge type battery, the work can be completed in a short time of three hours or less. Parallel power generation is also possible from the rotational energy of the engine.
The charge controller realizes efficient charging and overcharge prevention.

As described above, the use of the present system enables the supply of AC output to all moving bodies incorporating a fuel cell, and is expected to be used in a wide range of fields in the future.

Since the electric energy of 3 kW only needs to be on the side of the storage battery, the solar cell can be suppressed to a facility of 1.5 to 1.8 kW or less. Even if the roof is not large enough, it is possible to actually install solar power generation equipment.
Although it has the ability to cover nighttime power, it can depend on the season and weather, so a small fuel cell can be integrated into this system. An independent in-house power generation facility is now complete. Since 3kW of electric power is not always used, a fuel cell of about 2kw or less is sufficient. The reason for the existence of the storage battery exists here. The life of the storage battery depends on management,
It can be used longer than the design value. The price is not too high. Solar power produces a lot of electricity when the storage battery is charged. Connecting photovoltaic power plants (homes) opens up a way to exchange excess electricity. With the lifting of the ban on small-scale power trading from fiscal 2003, organizations that supply power to the region will be created, ultimately reducing the dependence on nuclear energy. A local unit can create an unprecedented business that delivers clean electricity made only of clean energy.

The problem of expensive equipment is solved by a business organization that supplies only clean energy. The power generation equipment is an asset and can be amortized on accounting. The sunshine and wind
It is a natural resource that has been around on earth for a long time, and does not need to be paid for, even if technology for extracting it as energy can be made. It can be said that the merits of commercialization are sufficient. If it were a public project, it should spread more quickly. Companies and organizations aiming to become business organizations commission this facility to their homes to collect excess power,
Supplying to neighboring areas will create a high-margin business that does not require procurement. With large fuel cells and substations, energy security is guaranteed on a regional basis. Fuel cells have high power generation efficiency and can use cheap city gas as fuel. Since it is only necessary to generate enough power to make up for the shortage of power, the life of the fuel cell is extended, and the cost is relatively reduced.

In the long run, profitability is more advantageous than renewable energy. In cases where large-scale power generation equipment is required, the fuel cell may be mainly used and the solar light may be used. It can make hydrogen for use in fuel cells, or it can be covered by the direct current of sunlight.

[0032]

As described above, the present invention can provide a power supply system that is gentle on the earth, can supply safe and sufficient power stably, and can be used in automobiles and the like to provide a cooler engine. It is no longer necessary and fuel costs can be saved accordingly. Power generation costs are zero and facilities can be amortized. It is safe because it has the ability to maintain its own power in the event of a disaster. Does not produce carbon dioxide. This system is effective and effective as a measure against global warming. With this equipment, you can not only provide your own service,
In addition to being able to reduce costs, in the event of a disaster, it is possible to rush to the victims and use the lights to help society.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of an independent self-sufficient power generation system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a connection diagram of the solar panel power generation system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a system in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of mobile power generation.

FIG. 5 is an external view of one embodiment of a stand-alone power system.

FIG. 6 is an external view of one embodiment of a stand-alone power system.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a battery drawer.

FIG. 8 is a connection diagram illustrating a relationship between a power company side and a solar power generation side.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual flow diagram showing a power selling business.

[Explanation of symbols]

 NP1 Power company power supply NP2 Battery charging power supply (commercial) NP3 Automatic switching operation power supply (Power company side) NP4 Solar panel power supply NP5 Automatic switching operation power supply (Solar side) NP6 Output power supply NP7 Electric power company NP8 Solar power NP9 Electric power company NP10 Solar Light NP11 Electric power company NP12 Sunlight 43 Manual OFF Automatic PB1A, 1G ON PB2A, 2G OFF RL1 Power supply to RL2 Solar power supply

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A power supply system that appropriately uses a solar cell using sunlight and a fuel cell using hydrogen as a power source, comprising: a storage battery for storing the power; and a storage control unit. And an independent distributed power generation system characterized by supplying alternating current with a power inverter. 2. The independent and distributed power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the power generation system is mounted on an automobile. 3. The independent and distributed power generation system according to claim 2, wherein the automobile is a commercial vehicle such as a large taxi. 4. The independent distributed power generation system according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle is a sightseeing bus, a route bus, or another large vehicle. 5. The independent distributed power generation system according to claim 2, wherein the automobile is a camper. 6. The independent and distributed power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the power generation system is attached to a house and used. 7. The independent distributed power generation system according to claim 1, wherein a function of directly charging the power generation system from a household AC outlet is added to the power generation system. 8. An independent distributed power selling system, wherein the power generated by the power generating system according to claim 1 is sold to another person.