JP2009089533A - Power generating system and operating method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power generating system capable of generating power so that the amount of the generated power can coincide with the variation in power consumption of a load, and to provide an operating method thereof. <P>SOLUTION: The power generating system 100 includes: a generator 10 for generating power; an operation scheduler 12c for forming a power generation schedule of the generator 10; an operation schedule information acquirer for acquiring operation schedule information including at least an operation start schedule time of a first load operated for reservation by a user; and an operation start information acquirer 42 for acquiring operation start information including at least an operation start signal of a second load operated for activation by the user. The operation scheduler 12c generates a power generation schedule of the generator 10 on the basis of an operation start schedule time of the first load whose operation schedule information is acquired by the information acquirer 12a and the operation schedule time thereof, and an operation start schedule time of the second load whose operation schedule information is acquired by the information acquirer 12a and the operation schedule time thereof. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power generation device and a method for operating the power generation device, and more particularly, to a power generation device that matches a power generation amount of a generator with respect to fluctuations in power consumption of a load and a method for operating the power generation device.

  Conventionally, a power generation device including a fuel cell as a main body of a power generation unit has a low emission amount of nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide, and can effectively use both electric energy and thermal energy generated by power generation. Therefore, it is attracting attention as an environmentally friendly and highly efficient power generator.

  In the fuel cell included in the power generation device, when oxygen is supplied together with hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator using raw fuel, an electrochemical reaction using the supplied hydrogen and oxygen proceeds. As this electrochemical reaction proceeds, the fuel cell directly converts the chemical energy of hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy. That is, the fuel cell generates electric power through an electrochemical reaction in which hydrogen and oxygen are used. And since the usage-amount of the electric power which a system power supply supplies is suppressed by supplying the electric power output from this fuel cell to the load used at home etc., energy saving property improves.

  However, when the power generation amount of the fuel cell becomes larger than the power consumption of the load and surplus power is generated, the operation efficiency of the fuel cell is lowered. Therefore, it is required to operate the fuel cell so that the power generation amount is close to the power consumption of the load that varies from moment to moment.

  Therefore, a fuel cell power generation device has been proposed in which a microcomputer generates a power generation plan based on a history of power consumption of a load, and a controller controls the power generation amount of the fuel cell based on the generated power generation plan (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  The configuration and operation of this proposed conventional power generator will be outlined below.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventional fuel cell power generator disclosed in Patent Document 1 and a connection form with a load.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the conventional fuel cell power generation device 38 includes, as main components, a reformer 30, a CO converter 32, a CO remover 34, a fuel cell 36, a controller 101, and an operation. And a switch 104. Here, the controller 101 of the fuel cell power generation device 38 includes a microcomputer 102 and a communication I / F 110. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, each of the external loads 26A, 26B, and 26C that receive the supply of power from the fuel cell power generator 38 is provided with a microcomputer 112A, 112B, and 112C, and a communication I / F 114A, 114B and 114C are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the communication I / F 110 included in the controller 101 of the fuel cell power generation device 38 and the communication I / Fs 114A, 114B, and 114C of the external loads 26A, 26B, and 26C are connected via the network wiring 116. It is connected. Thereby, the LAN 118 is formed in the power supply system shown in FIG.

In such a conventional fuel cell power generation device 38, the microcomputer 102 of the controller 101 generates a power generation plan for the fuel cell 36 based on the history of power consumption of the external loads 26A, 26B, and 26C. In this conventional fuel cell power generation device 38, the controller 101 appropriately controls the power generation operation of the fuel cell 36 so that power corresponding to the power generation plan generated by the microcomputer 102 can be obtained. As a result, it is possible to obtain power corresponding to fluctuations in power consumption of the external loads 26A, 26B, and 26C.
JP 2002-93444 A (refer to FIG. 1 in particular)

  However, in the configuration of the conventional fuel cell power generation device 38, the microcomputer 102 of the controller 101 predicts the power consumption based on the power consumption history of the external loads 26A, 26B, and 26C, and generates the power generation plan of the fuel cell 36. However, in practice, the power consumption of the external loads 26A, 26B, and 26C often does not vary as expected. For this reason, the amount of power generated by the fuel cell 36 exceeds the power consumption of the load, generating surplus power, which may lead to a decrease in the operating efficiency of the fuel cell.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described conventional problems, and the power consumption of the load is higher than that of a power generation device in which the power generation amount is controlled by an operation plan based on the history of power consumption of the conventional load. An object of the present invention is to provide a power generation device in which a deviation between the power generation amount of the power generator and the generator is suppressed, and a method for operating the power generation device.

  The inventor of the present application has difficulty in matching the actual power consumption of the load and the power generation amount of the generator when the power generation amount of the generator is controlled by the operation plan based on the history of the power consumption of the conventional load. It is considered that one of the main factors is that it is difficult to predict the operation start time of the actual load based on the history of power consumption, and the present invention has been completed.

  That is, in order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a power generation device according to the present invention includes a generator that generates electric power, an operation planner that generates a power generation plan for the generator, and a first that is reserved by a user. An operation schedule information acquisition unit that acquires operation schedule information including at least an operation start scheduled time of the load of the load, and operation start information acquisition that acquires operation start information including at least an operation start signal of the second load activated by the user And the operation planner includes the operation start scheduled time and operation scheduled time of the first load from which the operation schedule information has been acquired by the operation schedule information acquisition unit, and the operation start information acquisition unit. A power generation plan for the generator is generated on the basis of the operation start signal and scheduled operation time of the second load from which the operation start information has been acquired.

  With this configuration, the operation planner determines the power generation plan of the generator based on the scheduled operation time of each load for the first load for which the scheduled operation start time has been set in advance and the second load that has actually started operation. Therefore, the difference between the power consumption of the load and the amount of power generated by the generator due to the predicted deviation of the operation start time of the load as in the conventional power generation plan is eliminated, and the possibility that the operation efficiency of the generator is improved is increased. .

  In this case, the operation planner does not reflect the second load in the power generation plan when the scheduled operation time of the second load from which the operation start information is acquired is less than a predetermined time threshold. It is characterized by.

  With such a configuration, the second load with a short planned operation time that is less than the predetermined time threshold is not reflected in the power generation plan, so the power generation amount of the generator is smoothed and the power generation amount fluctuates rapidly. However, even in a generator with poor followability, a decrease in operating efficiency is suppressed.

  In the above case, when the scheduled operation time of the first load from which the operation schedule information is acquired is less than a predetermined time threshold, the operation planner uses the first load as the power generation plan. It is characterized by not reflecting in principle.

  With such a configuration, the first load having a short operation scheduled time that is less than the predetermined time threshold is not reflected in the power generation plan in principle, so that the power generation amount of the generator is smoothed and the power generation amount is drastically reduced. Even in a generator with poor followability to fluctuations, a decrease in operating efficiency is suppressed.

  In this case, the operation planner includes the scheduled operation start time of the first load whose scheduled operation time is less than a predetermined time threshold, and the scheduled operation end of the first load or the second load immediately before. If the difference from the time is within a predetermined time difference threshold, the power generation plan is generated so that the generation of electric power is continued until at least the scheduled operation end time of the first load whose scheduled operation time is less than the predetermined time threshold. It is characterized by doing.

  With such a configuration, when the period from when the first load or the second load stops to when the next first load starts operation is short, the scheduled operation time of the first load is a predetermined time threshold. Even when the time is less than the predetermined time threshold, the generation of electric power is continued until the scheduled operation end time of the first load whose scheduled operation time is less than the predetermined time threshold. The amount used by the system power supply for one load is reduced, and energy saving is improved.

  In the above case, the operation planner has a predetermined difference in total power consumption of the first load and the second load before and after the scheduled operation end time of the first load or the second load. If the power difference threshold value is less than or equal to the power difference threshold value, the power generation amount is maintained so that the power generation amount before the scheduled operation end time is maintained at least until a time when the total difference of the planned power consumption after the scheduled operation end time is equal to or less than a predetermined power difference threshold It is characterized by generating a plan.

  In the above case, the first load from which the operation schedule information is acquired or the third load that is activated by the user following the second load from which the operation start information is acquired is predicted. A load operation predictor is further provided.

  With such a configuration, by further comprising a load operation predictor that predicts a first load that is a load for which the operation start time is fixed, or a third load that is activated following the second load, It is possible to incorporate the third load in which the operation start time by the user's start operation is predicted with high accuracy into the generator power generation plan.

  In this case, an operation history storage device that stores an operation history of the first load or the second load including position information where the first load or the second load and the third load are used. The load operation predictor further includes position information using the first load or the second load stored in the operation history storage device and position information using the third load. Based on the relevance, the third load activated by the user following the first load or the second load is predicted.

  With such a configuration, since the load operation predictor predicts in consideration of the relevance of the position information, the prediction accuracy of the third load that is activated following the first load or the second load is further improved. .

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problem, the operation method of the power generation apparatus according to the present invention is the operation schedule information for acquiring the operation schedule information including at least the operation start scheduled time of the first load reserved by the user. The operation start information acquisition step for acquiring the operation start information including at least the operation start signal of the second load activated by the user, and the operation schedule information acquired in the operation schedule information acquisition step. Based on the scheduled operation start time and scheduled operation time of the first load, and the operation start signal and scheduled operation time of the second load from which the operation start information was acquired in the operation start information acquisition step, An operation plan step for generating a plan, and a power generation step in which the generator generates electric power based on the power generation plan generated in the operation plan step. Characterized in that it comprises, when.

  With such a configuration, since the power generation plan of the generator is generated based on the scheduled operation time of each load for the first load for which the scheduled operation start time is set in advance and the second load that has actually started operation, The difference between the power consumption of the load and the amount of power generated by the generator due to the predicted deviation of the operation start time of the load as in the conventional operation plan is eliminated. This increases the possibility of improving the operating efficiency of the generator.

  The present invention is configured as described above, and compared with the conventional mode in which the operation is controlled by the operation plan based on the history of the power consumption of the conventional load, the load power consumption and the power generation amount of the generator are smaller. There is an effect that it is possible to provide a power generation device in which the deviation is suppressed and a method for operating the power generation device.

  In the present invention, instead of the conventional form of generating a power generation plan for a generator based on a history of power consumption of a load, driving reservation information or driving including a scheduled driving start time from a load that has been reserved or activated by a user By generating a power generation plan for a generator based on operation start information including a start signal, a power generation device that suppresses a deviation between the power consumption of the load and the power generation amount of the generator as compared to the conventional form described above. provide.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the configuration of the power generation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a characteristic configuration of the power generation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience, only the components necessary for explaining the characteristic configuration of the power generation device are illustrated, and the other components are not illustrated. In FIG. 1, for convenience, a plurality of loads are connected to the power generation device via a power line, and power is supplied to the plurality of loads from the system power supply.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a generator 10 that includes a fuel cell as a main body of its power generation unit, a controller 11, a plan formulation device 12, and a communication device 13. ing. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the plan formulation device 12 includes an information acquisition unit 12a, a load classifier 12b, a power generation planner 12c, and a power generation plan storage unit 12d. As shown in FIG. 1, the power output unit of the power generation apparatus 100 and the power supply units of a plurality of loads represented by the load 14 are electrically connected to each other by a lamp line 16. In addition, the power supply units of a plurality of loads typified by the load 14 and the system power supply 15 are electrically connected to each other via a lamp line 16 and a predetermined switch (not shown).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the load 14 includes a communication device 14a. The communication device 14 a of the load 14 communicates with the communication device 13 of the power generation apparatus 100. For example, the communication device 14 a of the load 14 transmits a message 17 a necessary for generating a power generation plan for the generator 10 to the communication device 13 of the power generation apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, transmission of the message 17a from the communication device 14a of the load 14 to the information acquisition device 12a is performed via the power line 16 connected to the network. Note that the transmission form of the message 17a from the communication device 14a of the load 14 to the information acquisition device 12a is not limited to the transmission form via the network-connected power line 16, and is, for example, wireless such as a wireless LAN. A transmission form using a communication path may be used.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, a power supply system that can supply power to a plurality of loads represented by the load 14 by connecting the power generation apparatus 100 and the system power supply 15 is configured. In the present embodiment, a plurality of loads typified by the load 14 are network-connected to the power generation apparatus 100 by the electric lamp line 16.

  The components of the power generation device 100 will be described in order. The generator 10 of the power generation device 100 includes a fuel cell (not shown) as a main body of the power generation unit. In this fuel cell, when a fuel gas containing hydrogen is supplied from a hydrogen generator (not shown) and air is supplied from an air supplier (not shown), DC power is generated by a predetermined electrochemical reaction. Generate. In the present embodiment, the DC power generated by the fuel cell of the generator 10 is transformed by, for example, a DC / DC converter (not shown). The direct current power transformed by the DC / DC converter is converted into alternating current power by, for example, a DC / AC converter (not shown). Then, this AC power is appropriately supplied to a plurality of loads represented by the load 14 via the lamp line 16.

  Further, the controller 11 appropriately controls the power generation amount of the generator 10. Specifically, the controller 11 generates a control signal based on the power generation plan information generated by the plan formulation device 12, and sends the control signal corresponding to the power generation plan information to each of the hydrogen generation device, the air supply unit, and the like. While outputting to a component, the electric power generation amount of the generator 10 is controlled suitably. In this specification, “controlling the power generation amount of the generator 10” includes setting the power generation amount to “0”, that is, stopping the power generation of the generator 10.

  On the other hand, the plan development device 12 outputs an output command related to the scheduled operation start time and scheduled operation time of the generator 10 and the power generation amount of the generator 10 based on the messages 17 a transmitted from the plurality of loads 14 received by the communication device 13. The power generation plan information including predetermined information such as values is planned, and this power generation plan information is stored in the power generation plan storage unit 12d. That is, the plan formulation device 12 generates power generation plan information for controlling the power generation amount of the generator 10 by the controller 11 based on the message 17a.

  Specifically, the information acquisition unit 12 a of the plan formulation device 12 includes an operation schedule information acquisition unit 41 and an operation start information acquisition unit 42. Here, the operation schedule information acquisition unit 41 of the information acquisition unit 12a obtains information such as at least an operation start scheduled time, preferably a name, an estimated operation time, an estimated power consumption, etc. of the first load reserved by the user. Further included operation schedule information is acquired from the message 17 a received by the communication device 13. The operation start information acquisition unit 42 of the information acquisition unit 12a further includes at least an operation start signal of the second load activated by the user, preferably information such as a name, scheduled operation time, and scheduled power consumption. The operation start information is acquired from the message 17a received by the communication device 13.

  The load classifier 12b of the plan development device 12 is based on the operation schedule information of the plurality of loads 14 acquired by the information acquisition unit 12a or the operation start information of the plurality of loads 14 acquired by the information acquisition unit 12a. A plurality of loads represented by 14 are classified. An example of a load classification form by the load classifier 12b will be described in detail later.

  In addition, the power generation planner 12c of the plan formulation device 12 includes the operation schedule information of the first load acquired by the information acquisition unit 12a, the operation start information of the second load acquired by the information acquisition unit 12a, and the load classification. A power generation plan for the generator 10 is generated based on the classification result by the generator 12b, the predetermined time threshold value and the time difference threshold value, and the predetermined power difference threshold value. An example of the generation form of the power generation plan by the power generation planner 12c will be described later in detail.

  The power generation plan storage unit 12d of the plan formulation device 12 stores the power generation plan of the generator 10 generated by the power generation planner 12c as described above, and the controller 11 stores the power generation plan stored in the power generation plan storage unit 12d. Based on the plan information, a control signal related to the control of the power generation amount of the generator 10 is generated.

  In this way, the plan development device 12 operates in response to the message 17a received by the communication device 13 by the information acquisition unit 12a, the load classifier 12b, the power generation planner 12c, and the power generation plan storage unit 12d operating in cooperation. Generate power generation plan information based on it.

  Next, the message configuration according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2A is a data configuration diagram schematically showing a characteristic configuration of a message according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 2A, each of the first to nth data schematically shows the structure of a message including each of the scheduled operation start time of the load, the estimated operation time of the load, and the expected power consumption of the load. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the message 17a transmitted by the communicator 14a of the load 14 includes a header including the name of the load 14, the first scheduled operation start time, the estimated operation time, and the estimated power consumption of the load 14. And a data body composed of second to n-th data following the first data. In other words, in the present embodiment, the message 17a is one or more data groups in which the data including the name of the load 14 and the data including the scheduled operation start time, scheduled operation time, and scheduled power consumption of the load 14 are grouped. Is a collection of

  As an example of such a message 17a including a header including the name of the load 14 and a data body including one or more data groups, a message transmitted by a communication device of an air conditioner can be given. Specifically, when an air conditioner is planned to be operated, a user inputs a time-dependent operation schedule related to the scheduled operation start time, the scheduled operation time, and the planned air conditioning capacity (scheduled power consumption) to the air conditioner control device. The In this case, the communicator included in the air conditioner sends a message including a header including its own name and a data body including one or more data groups reflecting the contents of the planned operation to the communicator 13 of the power generation apparatus 100. Send to. Here, the transmission of the message from the air conditioner to the power generation apparatus 100 is appropriately executed at the time when the input of the operation schedule information over time by the user is completed, or when the air conditioner is activated.

  Incidentally, in FIG. 2A, for the sake of convenience, the configuration of a message transmitted by the first load reserved by the user is illustrated as the message 17a. Here, in this message 17a, the “scheduled operation start time” in the first data is replaced with the “operation start signal”, and the second to nth items activated by the user are deleted by deleting the second to nth data. It can be read as an example of the structure of the message transmitted by the load. In other words, in the present embodiment, the first load reserved by the user transmits a message including a header and a data body including the first to nth data (including the scheduled operation start time) as message 17a. To do. On the other hand, the second load activated by the user transmits a message including a header and a data body including first data (including an operation start signal) as a message 17a.

  Also, in the message 17a shown in FIG. 2A, when there is an undetermined item portion, the communicator 14a of the load 14 sets “UNDEFINED” to the undetermined item portion. However, in the present embodiment, since only the load with a clear operation start time or operation start time is reflected in the power generation plan, the header and the “operation start time” or “operation start signal” in the first data are reflected. "UNDEFINED" is never set.

  For example, when the load 14 is a dryer, it is usually not directly operated by the user and operated with the operation time and power consumption set in advance. Therefore, when the load 14 is a dryer, the scheduled operation time and scheduled consumption power of the dryer are usually undecided. In such a case, the “communication start signal” flag in the first data of the communication device of the dryer is ON, and “UNDEFINED” is set in the items of “scheduled operation time” and “scheduled power consumption”. The message 17a is transmitted to the communication device 13 of the power generation apparatus 100.

  Here, in the present embodiment, even if there is an undetermined item portion in the message 17a, the undetermined item portion in the message 17a is determined based on the power consumption history (an example of the load operation history). The “scheduled operation time” or “scheduled power consumption” of the load 14 that is “UNDEFINED” is predicted.

  For example, when the load 14 is a factory lighting fixture, the factory work start time and the work end time are defined, so that there is a certain regularity in the operating time performance and power consumption performance of the lighting fixture. . Therefore, when the worker starts operating the lighting equipment, the scheduled operating time and planned power consumption of the lighting equipment are undecided, but the estimated driving time and planned power consumption are predicted based on the history of power consumption of the lighting equipment. Therefore, the portions of the items “scheduled operation time” and “scheduled power consumption” in the message transmitted by the communication device of the lighting fixture can be set as predicted values based on the power consumption history of the lighting fixture. Thereby, since the number of loads 14 reflected in the power generation plan of the power generation device 100 can be increased, the power generation device 100 can be used more effectively.

  Predicting such an undetermined item portion in the message 17a based on the power consumption history of the load 14 includes the first load reserved by the user and the second load activated by the user. It is possible to effectively carry out any of the above.

  In order to predict the undetermined item portion in the message 17 a based on the power consumption history of the load 14, the component that stores the power consumption history of the load 14, and the stored power consumption of the load 14 A component that predicts a part of an undetermined item in the message 17a based on the history is required. Such a configuration of the power generation apparatus that can predict a part of an undetermined item in the message based on the power consumption history will be specifically described in the second embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the power generation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

  In the power generation device 100 according to the present embodiment, during the power generation operation, the message 17a is transmitted from any of the plurality of loads 14a represented by the load 14, and the transmitted message 17a is transmitted to the power generation device 100. Every time it is received by the information acquisition unit 12a, the power generation plan update operation (generation operation) is executed. Here, in the present embodiment, when the message 17a is received by the information acquisition unit 12a of the power generation device 100, the load that the load 14 that transmitted the message 17a reflects in the power generation plan by the load classifier 12b of the power generation device 100. Classification about whether or not is. When the load 14 that has transmitted the message 17a is classified as a load to be reflected in the power generation plan, the power generation planner 12c of the power generation apparatus 100 updates the power generation plan so that the load is reflected in the power generation plan. Execute. Thereafter, the power generation apparatus 100 continues its power generation operation while being appropriately controlled by the controller 11 so that the generator 10 generates electric power based on the updated power generation plan. If the load 14 that transmitted the message 17a is a load that is not reflected in the power generation plan, the power generation plan is not updated (or updated so that the load 14 is not reflected in the power generation plan). The power generation apparatus 100 continues its power generation operation based on the existing power generation plan.

  Here, the operation of the load classifier 12b when the power generation plan update operation is executed in the power generation apparatus 100 will be described in detail with a specific example.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a concept when the load classifier of the plan developing device classifies the load. In FIG. 3, the vertical axis indicates the degree of predictability of the load operation start time, and the horizontal axis indicates the degree of continuity of the load operation time.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the load classifier 12b of the plan formulation device 12 according to the present embodiment can predict the operation start time of the load 14 based on the operation schedule information and the operation start information acquired by the information acquirer 12a. The affiliation of the load 14 that has transmitted the message 17a is classified into one of the four quadrants in consideration of the characteristics and the continuity of the scheduled operation time of the load 14.

  For example, the load classifier 12b of the plan development device 12 classifies the load 14 having high predictability of the operation start time and high continuity of the operation time as a load belonging to the first quadrant. As an example, the load classifier 12b of the plan developing device 12 already clearly sets the scheduled rice cooking start time and the scheduled heat retention start time by the user's reservation operation based on the operation schedule information acquired by the information acquisition unit 12a. A rice cooker that performs reserved rice cooking that has been scheduled for a long time, including the scheduled rice cooking time and the heat insulation scheduled time set at the time of the reservation, is classified as a load belonging to the first quadrant. To do. As another example, the load classifier 12b of the plan development device 12 has already clearly set the scheduled recording start time by the user's reservation operation based on the driving schedule information acquired by the information acquiring unit 12a. In addition, a video deck that performs scheduled recording and has a long scheduled recording time set at the time of reservation is classified as a load belonging to the first quadrant.

  Further, the load classifier 12b of the plan development device 12 classifies the load 14 having a high predictability of the operation start time but having a low continuity of the operation time as a load belonging to the second quadrant. As an example, the load classifier 12b of the plan formulation device 12 is clearly set with the scheduled operation start time of the compressor based on the operation schedule information acquired by the information acquirer 12a. A refrigerator in which planned operation is performed for a short time is classified as a load belonging to the second quadrant.

  Further, the load classifier 12b of the plan development device 12 classifies the load 14 having low predictability of the operation start time and low continuity of the scheduled operation time as a load belonging to the third quadrant. For example, the load classifier 12b of the plan formulation device 12 has a low predictability of the operation start time because the fan motor is directly activated by the user based on the operation start information acquired by the information acquirer 12a. A vacuum cleaner having a short time is classified as a load belonging to the third quadrant.

  Furthermore, the load classifier 12b of the plan development device 12 classifies the load 14 having low predictability of the operation start time and high continuity of the scheduled operation time as a load belonging to the fourth quadrant. For example, since the load classifier 12b of the plan development device 12 is directly activated by the user based on the operation start information acquired by the information acquisition unit 12a, the predictability of the operation start time is low, and the estimated washing time In addition, a washing machine that performs a fully automatic operation with a long drying time is classified as a load belonging to the fourth quadrant. In addition, for example, the load classifier 12b of the plan formulation device 12 is directly activated by the user based on the operation start information acquired by the information acquirer 12a, so that the operation start time is not predictable and is scheduled to be viewed. A television having a long time is classified as a load belonging to the fourth quadrant.

  Such classification of the load 14 based on the operation schedule information and the operation start information is performed by the load classifier 12b of the plan development device 12 in the name of the load 14 and the operation of the load 14 included in the operation schedule information or the operation start information. It is appropriately executed by referring to the scheduled start time or the operation start signal and the scheduled operation time of the load 14.

  In the present embodiment, the power generation planner 12c of the plan formulation device 12 reflects the load 14 classified as a load belonging to the first quadrant on the power generation plan based on the classification result by the load classifier 12b. The power generation plan update operation is executed. Similarly, in the present embodiment, the power generation planner 12c of the plan formulation device 12 generates the load 14 classified as a load belonging to the fourth quadrant based on the classification result by the load classifier 12b. The power generation plan update operation is executed so that it is reflected in the plan. The power generation planner 12c, when reflecting the operation of the load 14 in the power generation plan, is based on the planned power consumption included in the operation schedule information of the load 14 or the power consumption history of the load 14 (an example of the load operation history). A power generation plan will be made in consideration of the predicted power consumption.

  However, in the present embodiment, the power generation planner 12c of the plan formulation device 12 uses the load 14 classified as the load belonging to the second quadrant based on the classification result by the load classifier 12b in principle for the power generation plan. The power generation plan update operation is executed so that it is not reflected. In addition, the load 14 classified as the load belonging to the second quadrant is not reflected in the power generation plan in principle because the continuity of the operation time is low, but the predictability of the operation start time is extremely high. It may be reflected in the power generation plan according to the situation.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the power generation planner 12c of the plan formulation device 12 uses any load 14 classified as a load belonging to the third quadrant based on the classification result by the load classifier 12b in the power generation plan. The power generation plan update operation is executed so that it is not reflected. That is, in the present embodiment, the load 14 classified in the third quadrant with low predictability of power generation time and low continuity of power generation time is highly likely to deteriorate the accuracy of the power generation plan. In addition, since it is considered that the value to be reflected in the power generation plan is small, it will not be reflected in the power generation plan at all.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the power generation planner 12c after the power generation plan 100 is updated in the power generation apparatus 100 and the load 14 is classified by the load classifier 12b will be described in detail with specific examples.

  In the present embodiment, when the load 14 is classified by the load classifier 12b of the power generation apparatus 100, the power generation planner 12c has the first quadrant and the fourth quadrant (in some cases, the first, second and fourth quadrants). The power generation plan update operation is executed so that the load 14 classified as belonging to the power generation plan is reflected in the power generation plan. At this time, as described above, as the load 14 to be reflected in the power generation plan, the load 14 reserved by the user for suppressing the deviation between the power consumption of the load 14 and the power generation amount of the generator 10, and It is limited to the load 14 activated by the user. That is, in this embodiment, only the load 14 whose operation start scheduled time or operation start time is clear is reflected in the power generation plan. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the load 14 that is unknown when the operation is started is not reflected in the power generation plan. As a result, the difference between the power consumption of the load 14 and the amount of power generated by the generator 10 due to the predicted deviation of the operation start time as in the conventional operation plan is eliminated, and the power generation apparatus capable of improving the power generation efficiency of the generator. 100 is provided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, predetermined conditions are provided for improving energy saving or smoothing the power generation amount of the generator 10.

  For example, in this embodiment, when the scheduled operation time of the load 14 acquired from the operation start information is less than a predetermined time threshold (less than 2 to 3 minutes), the load 14 is not reflected in the power generation plan. I will decide. In addition, when the scheduled operation time of the load 14 obtained from the operation schedule information is less than the predetermined time threshold (same as above), the load 14 is not reflected in the power generation plan in principle. However, in this case, even if the scheduled operation time of the load 14 is less than the predetermined time threshold, the scheduled operation start time of the load 14 and the scheduled operation end time of the load 14 that is scheduled to be terminated immediately before that operation. If the difference is within a predetermined time difference threshold (for example, within 2 to 3 minutes), power generation continues until at least the scheduled operation end time of the load 14 whose scheduled operation time is less than the predetermined time threshold. Generate a power generation plan.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the power generation plan is generated in consideration of the load 14 whose scheduled operation time is less than the predetermined time threshold, the amount of power consumption from the system power supply is reduced and the energy saving performance is improved. To do.

  Further, in the present embodiment, for example, when the difference in the sum of the scheduled power consumption of the load 14 group before and after the scheduled operation end time of a certain load 14 is equal to or less than a predetermined power difference threshold (40 to 50 W or less). Generates a power generation plan so that the power generation amount is maintained even after the scheduled operation end time. Specifically, it is preferable to generate the power generation plan so that the power generation amount before that time is maintained at least until the time when the difference in the total power consumption is less than or equal to a predetermined power difference threshold.

  As described above, by smoothing the power generation plan of the power generator 10, a decrease in operation efficiency is suppressed even in a power generator that has poor followability with respect to a rapid fluctuation in power generation amount.

  Here, an example of the power generation plan generated by the power generation planner 12c of the power generation apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a chart diagram schematically showing changes over time in power consumption of rice cookers, refrigerators, dryers, and washing machines, and power generation plans generated based on the operation schedule information and operation start information. is there. In FIG. 4, the rice cooker that is reserved for operation is described as “rice cooker (reservation)”, the refrigerator that is planned for operation is described as “refrigerator (planned operation)”, and the washing machine that is operated fully automatically is “ "Washing machine (fully automatic)", and the power generation plan of the generator generated based on the operation schedule information and the operation start information is described as "power generation plan (present invention)". Further, in FIG. 4, the change over time in the amount of power generation in the case where the operation control of the power generation apparatus is performed according to the operation plan in which the operation prediction of the load including the operation start time of the conventional load is performed based on the power consumption history of the load. It is described as “Power generation amount (conventional)”.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows a chart when the rated power generation amount of the power generation apparatus 100 is 1000 W, the time threshold value and the time difference threshold value are each 3 minutes, and the power difference threshold value is 50 W.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the communication device of the rice cooker that has been reserved by the user performs a rice cooking operation for 60 minutes at a power consumption of 1100 W from time A to time C, and then is scheduled to be consumed from time C to time E. The operation schedule information indicating that the electric power is 20 W and the heat insulation operation is performed for 70 minutes is transmitted to the communication device 13 of the power generation apparatus 100 in advance.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the communicator of the refrigerator reserved by the user drives the compressor for 2 minutes at a power consumption of 120 W from time A to time B, and from time D to time E. After the compressor is driven for 2 minutes with a planned power consumption of 120 W, the compressor is further driven for 2 minutes with a planned power consumption of 215 W, and from time I to time J, the compressor is driven with a planned power consumption of 120 W for 2 minutes. The operation schedule information to the effect was transmitted in advance to the communication device 13 of the power generation apparatus 100.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the dryer that is activated at time F by the user and whose communication device transmits operation start information to the communication device 13 of the power generation apparatus 100 reaches time G by the power generation planner 12 c. Until then, power consumption was predicted to be used at 1200 W for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the communication device of the washing machine activated by the user at time B performs a washing operation for 60 minutes at a power consumption of 250 W from time B to time D. The operation start information indicating that the scheduled power consumption is 850 W and the drying operation for 90 minutes is performed until time H is transmitted to the communication device 13 of the power generation apparatus 100.

  The power generation planner 12c of the power generation apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment against such a change over time of the power consumption of the rice cooker (reservation), the refrigerator (planned operation), the dryer, and the washing machine (fully automatic). Generated a power generation plan for the generator 10 as follows.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the power generation planner 12 c of the power generation apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment corresponds to the rice cooking operation of the rice cooker whose time A is the scheduled operation start time. The power generation plan was generated so that the power generation amount was 1000 W at time A.

  In addition, the power generation planner 12c of the power generation apparatus 100 generates a power generation plan so that the power generation amount of the generator 10 is maintained at 1000 W from time A to time B. Here, between time A and time B, the scheduled power consumption is 120 W and the refrigerator compressor is scheduled to be driven for 2 minutes, but the power generation amount of the generator 10 is already the upper limit value of the rated power generation amount. It is set to 1000W. Therefore, the power generation planner 12c of the power generation apparatus 100 generates a power generation plan from time A to time B so that the power generation amount of the generator 10 is 1000W.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, at time B, the washing operation of the washing machine was started with the scheduled power consumption of 250 W. As described above, the power generation amount of the generator 10 is already the upper limit value of the rated power generation amount. There is a certain 1000W. Therefore, the power generation planner 12c of the power generation apparatus 100 generates the power generation plan so that the power generation amount of the generator 10 is further maintained at 1000 W from time B to time C.

  However, the power generation planner 12c of the power generation apparatus 100 is scheduled to finish the rice cooking operation of the rice cooker at the time C and switch to the 20 W thermal insulation operation, and the washing operation of the washing machine is performed until the time D after the time C. The power generation plan was generated so that the power generation amount of the generator 10 would be 270 W from time C to time D for the schedule to be continued with the power consumption planned to be 250 W. Here, the reason why the power generation planner 12c generates the power generation plan so that the power generation amount of the power generator 10 is changed from 1000 W to 270 W at the time C is that the total planned power consumption of the rice cooker and the washing machine before and after the time C is as follows. This is because the difference is 1080 W and the total difference of the scheduled power consumption exceeds 50 W, which is the power difference threshold value.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the power generation planner 12 c of the power generation apparatus 100 corresponds to the drying operation of the washing machine whose time D is the scheduled operation start time. The power generation plan was generated to be 870W. The reason why the power generation planner 12c generates the power generation plan so that the power generation amount of the power generator 10 is changed from 270 W to 870 W at time D is also the difference between the total planned power consumption of the rice cooker and the washing machine before and after time D. Is 600 W, which exceeds the power difference threshold of 50 W.

  Then, the power generation planner 12c of the power generation apparatus 100 generates the power generation plan so as to maintain the power generation amount of the generator 10 at 870 W from time D to time J.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, between time D and time E, the compressor of the refrigerator is driven for 2 minutes with a planned power consumption of 120 W, and then the compressor of the refrigerator is driven for 2 minutes with a planned power consumption of 215 W. Although it is scheduled to be driven further, each scheduled operation time was less than 3 minutes, which is the time threshold, so the compressor of the refrigerator was not reflected in the power generation plan.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, although the heat-insulating operation of the rice cooker is scheduled to end at time E, the difference in the total planned power consumption of the rice cooker and the washing machine before and after time E is 20 W. Since the difference in the total power consumption planned power is 50 W or less, which is the power difference threshold, the power generation planner 12c generates a power generation plan so as to maintain the power generation amount before time E until at least time H. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the power consumption was 1200 W and the dryer was used for 2 minutes and 30 seconds from time F to time G, but this dryer was completely unclear about the scheduled operation time and the planned power consumption. As a result, it was classified as belonging to the third quadrant by the load classifier 12b of the plan formulation device 12, and thus was not reflected at all in the power generation plan. Even if the expected operation time of the dryer (2 minutes 30 seconds) and the expected power consumption (1200 W) can be predicted based on the power consumption history, the expected operation time is less than the time threshold (3 minutes). The dryer will not be reflected in the power generation plan. In this case, the dryer is supplied with 20 W of surplus power from the power generation apparatus 100.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the power generation planner 12c of the power generation apparatus 100 finishes the washing machine drying operation at time H, and the compressor of the refrigerator is driven for 2 minutes from time I to time J. The power generation plan was generated so as to maintain the power generation amount of the generator 10 at 870 W from time H to time J. That is, under the present embodiment, from time H to time I, all loads of the rice cooker, refrigerator, dryer, and washing machine are in a dormant state, but from time H to time J, the generator 10 A power generation plan is generated to continue power generation. The reason is that the scheduled operation time from the time I to the time J of the refrigerator is 2 minutes which is less than the time threshold (3 minutes), so the refrigerator is not reflected in the power generation plan in principle, but the scheduled operation start time I of the refrigerator When the difference between the operation end time H of the washing machine and the scheduled operation end time H is within a time difference threshold (3 minutes), the power generation plan is generated so as to continue the generation of power until at least the operation end time J of the refrigerator. Because it is. In this case, the power generation amount of the generator 10 is changed to 120 W at time H because the difference in total power consumption of the washing machine and the refrigerator before and after time H is 730 W. This is because the total difference is 50 W or more which is the power difference threshold value, and the power generation plan is generated in accordance with the power consumption of the refrigerator which starts operation from time I two minutes after time H.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, power is not supplied from the generator 10 in principle to a load such as a refrigerator compressor that has a short scheduled operation time, but such a load is ignored 100%. However, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, power is supplied from the generator 10. That is, in the present embodiment, even if the scheduled operation time is short, depending on the schedule, power is supplied from the generator 10 to a load with high predictability of the scheduled operation start time.

  The power generation planner 12c of the power generation apparatus 100 generates the power generation plan so that the power generation amount of the generator 10 becomes 0 W after time J because the communication device 13 did not receive the message 17a related to time J or later.

  Further, according to the power generation plan of the power generator 10 shown in FIG. 4, the power generation amount of the power generator 10 becomes surplus at least from time E to time F and from time G to time J. Specifically, the power generation amount of the generator 10 is 20 W surplus from time E to time F and from time G to time H. In this embodiment, the surplus power generated by the generator 10 is supplied to a heater that heats water inside a hot water storage tank (not shown in FIG. 1) provided in the power generation apparatus 100. With such a configuration, even if a power generation plan is generated so that the power generation amount of the generator 10 becomes surplus, the surplus power can be used effectively.

  Here, the operation control of the power generator is performed according to the operation plan described as “power generation amount (conventional)” in FIG. 4 and performing the operation prediction of the load including the operation start time of the conventional load based on the power consumption history of the load. When the change with time of the power generation amount of the generator in the case of performing is referred to, the power generation amount of the power generator according to the present invention is smoother than that of the conventional power generation plan. Thereby, also in the generator 10 with poor followability with respect to the rapid fluctuation | variation of electric power generation amount, the fall of driving efficiency is suppressed.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, regarding the operation plan of the conventional fuel cell system, the deviation of the operation start time of each load including the rice cooker from the actual operation start time is not so large, but the power consumption of the load When based on the history, there is a possibility that the deviation is actually large, and it is possible to suppress the deviation between the power consumption of the load and the power generation amount due to the problem.

  As described above, according to the characteristic configuration of the power generation device 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the user with a power generation device capable of appropriately matching the power generation amount with respect to fluctuations in the power consumption of the load. become.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the first load from which the driving schedule information is acquired or the third load that is activated by the user following the second load from which the driving start information is acquired is displayed as the driving history. A mode in which this third load is also incorporated into the power generation plan of the generator will be described.

  First, the configuration of the power generator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a characteristic configuration of the power generation apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 5, for the sake of convenience, only the components necessary for explaining the characteristic configuration of the power generation apparatus are shown, and the other components are not shown. 5 also shows a state in which a plurality of loads are connected to the power generation device via a power line and power can be supplied from the system power supply to the plurality of loads for convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the power generation device 200 according to the present embodiment includes a generator 10, a controller 11, a plan formulation device 18, and a communication device 13. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the plan development device 18 of the power generation apparatus 200 includes an information acquisition unit 18a, a load classifier 18b, an operation history storage device 18c, an operation history analysis device 18d, and a power generation planner 18e. And a power generation plan storage unit 18f. In the present embodiment, the configurations of the generator 10, the controller 11, the information acquisition unit 18a, the load classifier 18b, the generation planner 18e, the generation plan storage unit 18f, and the communication unit 13 in the plan formulation device 18 are as follows. These are the same as the corresponding configurations of the power generation device 100 shown in the first embodiment. Similarly to the first embodiment, the power supply units of a plurality of loads represented by the load 14 are electrically connected to each other by the power output unit of the power generation apparatus 200 and the lamp line 16. The system power supply 15 is also electrically connected to each other through the lamp line 16 and a predetermined switch. The load 14 includes a communication device 14a.

  The operation history storage device 18c included in the plan formulation device 18 of the power generation device 200 uses the operation schedule information or operation start information of the load 14 acquired by the information acquisition device 18a from the message 17b received by the communication device 13, and the operation history of the load 14. Save as. In addition, the operation history analysis device 18d included in the plan formulation device 18 of the power generation device 200 reads past operation schedule information or operation start information of the load 14 stored in the operation history storage device 18c, and the past operation of the load 14 is performed. By using the history, when the operation schedule information of the first load is acquired, or when the operation start information of the second load is acquired, the third load to be activated is predicted. To do. Then, when the operation history analysis device 18d of the plan formulation device 18 predicts the third load to be activated following the first load or the second load, the operation start scheduled time and operation schedule of the third load are estimated. It operates to reflect the predicted value of time and planned power consumption in the power generation plan. The operation history analyzer 18d is an example of a load operation predictor according to the present invention.

  Next, a message configuration according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2B is a data configuration diagram schematically showing a characteristic configuration of the message according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the message 17b transmitted by the communicator 14a of the load 14 includes, for example, a header including the name and position information of the load 14, the first operation start scheduled time and the operation schedule of the load 14. It is comprised by the data main body which consists of the 1st data containing time and power consumption planned, and the 2nd-n data following this. Alternatively, the message 17b includes the header including the name and position information of the load 14, the first data including the operation start signal of the load 14, the scheduled operation time, and the scheduled power consumption, and the following second to n data ( And a data body consisting of a scheduled operation start time instead of the operation start signal. That is, in this embodiment, the message 17b further includes position information of the load 14 in addition to the configuration of the message 17a. Here, the “position information of the load 14” means information related to a position (for example, a living room) where the load 14 (for example, a television) is disposed.

  Next, the operation of the power generator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.

  In the power generation device 200 according to the present embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the message 17b is transmitted from any of the communication devices 14a of a plurality of loads represented by the load 14, and the transmitted message 17b is Every time it is received by the communication device 13 of the power generation apparatus 200, the power generation plan update operation for the generator 10 is executed.

  At this time, the operation history analysis device 18d of the plan formulation device 18 reads the past operation schedule information or operation start information of the load 14 stored in the operation history storage device 18c, and the first load from which the operation schedule information is acquired. Alternatively, a third load that is activated following the second load from which the operation start information is acquired is predicted. More specifically, the operation history analysis device 18d of the plan formulation device 18 has a predetermined first load or predetermined second based on past operation schedule information or operation start information of the first load or the second load. The probability that the third load is activated by the user's operation following the operation of the load is calculated. Then, when the calculated probability exceeds the predetermined threshold (for example, 80%), the operation history analysis device 18d of the plan development device 18 starts the third load following the first load or the second load. Predict that it will be manipulated. Then, the operation history analysis device 18d of the plan formulation device 18 predicts the scheduled operation start time, scheduled operation time, and scheduled consumption power of the third load based on the operation history, and reflects the predicted values in the power generation plan. Operate.

  As a predictive form of the third load that is activated following the first load or the second load, the correlation between the operation occurrence of the first load or the second load and the operation occurrence of the third load is used. The prediction form based on sex is also mentioned. For example, the operation start time of the device A is recorded in the array A, and the time from the operation start time of the device A to the operation start time of the device B is recorded in the array B. Then, by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient of both data for each time zone of the operation start time of device A (for example, dividing one day by a time width of 1 hour or 2 hours), A table for each time zone of the correlation coefficient with the operation occurrence of device B is created in advance. If the operation of the device A is started from 16:00 to 17:00, the correlation coefficient between the operation occurrence of the device A and the operation occurrence of the device B is obtained by referring to the previously created table. To do. Here, if the acquired correlation coefficient exceeds a predetermined threshold (for example, 0.7), it is determined that there is a correlation between the operation occurrence of device A and the operation occurrence of device B, and device A The device B is reflected in the power generation plan at the time when the operation of occurs.

  It should be noted that when the prediction based on the correlation between the operation occurrence of the first load or the second load and the operation occurrence of the third load is performed, the past operation schedule of the first load or the second load is performed. Prediction accuracy is improved by performing prediction in consideration of position information included in the information or driving start information and position information included in past driving schedule information or driving start information of the third load. Specifically, when determining the correlation by the above method, it is also considered at which position each device (load) is installed. For example, even with the same luminaire, it is conceivable that the prediction accuracy can be improved by determining the correlation by distinguishing each of the luminaire in the bathroom and the luminaire in the bedroom.

  Hereinafter, an example of the power generation plan generated by the power generation planner 18e of the power generation apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a chart schematically showing a change over time in the power consumption of the lighting fixture and the dryer, and a power generation plan generated based on the operation start information of the lighting fixture.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the power generation planner 18e included in the plan formulation device 18 of the power generation device 200 according to the present embodiment is activated at time A and the communication device transmits the operation start information (bus In order to correspond to the lighting operation of the room, a power generation plan was generated so that the power generation amount of the generator 10 was 100 W at time A. Here, the power generation planner 18e of the plan formulation device 18 has the estimated operation time and scheduled power consumption of the lighting fixture (bathroom) predicted by the operation history analysis device 18d based on the operation history, and therefore from time A to time F. The power generation plan was generated so that the power generation amount of the generator 10 was at least 100 W.

  At this time, the operation history analysis device 18d of the plan development device 18 stores past operation schedule information or operation start information of loads such as lighting fixtures (bathrooms) and dryers (basins) stored in the operation history storage device 18c. The load to be activated following the lighting fixture (bathroom) from which the operation start information was read at time A was predicted based on past operation schedule information or operation start information. As a result, the operation history analysis device 18d of the plan development device 18 predicted that the drier (basin) will be activated following the lighting fixture (bathroom) from which operation start information was acquired at time A. Further, the operation history analysis device 18d of the plan formulation device 18 predicted that the dryer (basin) will be used at 1200 W from time D to time E based on the operation history stored in the operation history storage device 18c.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the power generation planner 18e of the plan formulation device 18 has a power generation amount of 100W from the time A to the time D, and a power generation amount of the power generator 10 from the time D to the time E is 1000W. Thus, the power generation plan was generated so that the power generation amount of the generator 10 was 100 W from time E to time F. The power generation planner 18e stops the power generation operation at the time F because the communicator 13 did not receive the operation schedule information for the time after the time F when the lighting operation of the lighting fixture (bathroom) ends. Generated a power generation plan to do.

  In this way, the operation history analysis device 18d predicts the first load that is the load for which the operation start time is fixed, or the third load that is activated following the second load. Compared with the case where the operation of a given load alone is predicted based on the past operation history without considering the correlation between operations, the operation start time by the user's activation operation is predicted with high accuracy, and this is incorporated into the power generation plan. It becomes possible.

  As described above, according to the characteristic configuration of the power generation device 200 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a power generation device that generates a power generation plan that suppresses the deviation between the power consumption of the load and the power generation amount of the generator. In addition, since the number of loads to which power is supplied can be increased, it is possible to provide a power generator that can operate the generator more effectively and improve energy saving. .

  The power generation apparatus and the operation method thereof according to the present invention include a load power consumption and a generator as compared with the conventional form of generating a power generation plan for performing an operation prediction including a load power generation start time based on a load power consumption history. The present invention is industrially useful as a power generation device and a method for operating the power generation device in which a deviation from the amount of power generation is suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a characteristic configuration of the power generation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a data configuration diagram schematically showing a characteristic configuration of a message according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a concept when the load classifier of the plan developing device classifies the load. FIG. 4 is a chart diagram schematically showing changes over time in power consumption of rice cookers, refrigerators, dryers, and washing machines, and power generation plans generated based on the operation schedule information and operation start information. is there. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a characteristic configuration of the power generation apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a chart schematically showing a change over time in the power consumption of the lighting fixture and the dryer, and a power generation plan generated based on the operation start information of the lighting fixture. FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventional fuel cell power generator and a connection form with a load.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Generator 11 Controller 12 Plan formulation device 12a Information acquisition device 12b Load classifier 12c Power generation planner 12d Power generation plan memory 13 Communication device 14 Load 14a Communication device 15 System power supply 16 Power line 17a, 17b Message 18 Plan development device 18a Information acquisition unit 18b Load classifier 18c Operation history storage device 18d Operation history analysis device 18e Power generation planner 18f Power generation plan storage 26A, 26B, 26C External load 30 Reformer 32 CO transformer 34 CO remover 36 Fuel cell 38 Fuel Battery power generation apparatus 101 Controller 102 Microcomputer 104 Operation switch 110 Communication I / F
112A, 112B, 112C Microcomputer 114A, 114B, 114C Communication I / F
116 Network wiring 118 LAN
100,200 power generator

Claims (8)

A generator for generating electric power;
An operation planner for generating a power generation plan for the generator;
An operation schedule information acquisition unit for acquiring operation schedule information including at least an operation start scheduled time of the first load reserved by the user;
An operation start information acquisition unit for acquiring operation start information including at least an operation start signal of the second load activated by the user,
The operation planner acquires the operation start scheduled time and operation scheduled time of the first load from which the operation schedule information was acquired by the operation schedule information acquisition unit, and the operation start information acquired by the operation start information acquisition unit. A power generation device that generates a power generation plan for the generator based on the operation start signal and the scheduled operation time of the second load.   The operation planner does not reflect the second load in the power generation plan when the scheduled operation time of the second load from which the operation start information is acquired is less than a predetermined time threshold. The power generator described.   The operation planner, in principle, does not reflect the first load in the power generation plan when the operation planned time of the first load from which the operation schedule information is acquired is less than a predetermined time threshold. The power generator according to 1.   The operation planner includes an operation start scheduled time of the first load whose scheduled operation time is less than a predetermined time threshold, and an operation end scheduled time of the immediately preceding first load or the second load. The power generation plan is generated so that the generation of electric power is continued until at least the scheduled operation end time of the first load whose estimated operation time is less than the predetermined time threshold when the difference is within a predetermined time difference threshold. 3. The power generator according to 3.   In the operation planner, the difference between the total power consumption scheduled for the first load and the second load before and after the scheduled operation end time of the first load or the second load is equal to or less than a predetermined power difference threshold value. 2. The power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the power generation plan is generated so that the power generation amount before the scheduled operation end time is maintained even at least after the scheduled operation end time.   A load operation predictor for predicting the first load from which the operation schedule information has been acquired or the third load to be activated by the user following the second load from which the operation start information has been acquired; The power generator according to claim 1, comprising: The apparatus further comprises an operation history storage device that stores an operation history of the first load or the second load including position information where the first load or the second load and the third load are used. ,
The load operation predictor is based on a relationship between position information where the first load or the second load stored in the operation history storage device is used and position information where the third load is used. The power generation device according to claim 6, wherein the third load activated by a user following the first load or the second load is predicted. A driving schedule information acquisition step for acquiring driving schedule information including at least a driving start scheduled time of the first load reserved by the user;
An operation start information acquisition step for acquiring operation start information including at least an operation start signal of the second load activated by the user;
The scheduled operation start time and scheduled operation time of the first load from which the operation schedule information has been acquired in the operation schedule information acquisition step, and the second operation in which the operation start information has been acquired in the operation start information acquisition step. An operation plan step for generating a power generation plan for the generator based on the operation start signal of the load and the scheduled operation time;
And a power generation step in which the generator generates power based on the power generation plan generated in the operation plan step.

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