JP2018130022A - Electric power management system, electric power management method, electric power control device and fuel cell device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric power management system, an electric power management method, an electric power control equipment, and a hot-water supply system, enabling equipment to be appropriately controlled.SOLUTION: In a network configuration of an energy management system, an EMS (Energy Management System) 200 comprises a reception part, a transmission part, and a control part, and receives a message showing either a status in which a fuel cell device 150 stops or a status in which the fuel cell device 150 generates electric power.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a power management system, a power management method, a power control device, and a fuel cell device that include a fuel cell device that generates power using fuel and a control device that communicates with the fuel cell device.

  In recent years, a power management system having a plurality of devices and a control device that controls the plurality of devices has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). The plurality of devices are, for example, home electric appliances such as air conditioners and lighting devices, and distributed power sources such as solar cells, storage batteries, and fuel cell devices. Controller, for example, HEMS (Home Energy Management System), SEMS (Store Energy Management System), BEMS (Building Energy Management System), FEMS (Factory Energy Management System), referred to as CEMS (Cluster / Community Energy Management System) Is done.

  In order to spread the management system described above, it is effective to make a message format common between a plurality of devices and a control device, and attempts have been made to make such a message format common.

JP 2010-128810 A

  The above-mentioned standardization of the message format has just begun, and various studies are necessary for the message format for appropriately controlling the device.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a management system, a management method, a control device, and a fuel cell device that can appropriately control equipment. To do.

  A management system according to a first feature includes a fuel cell device that generates electric power using fuel, and a control device that communicates with the fuel cell device. The control device receives a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device.

  In the first feature, the control device receives a message indicating the presence or absence of a function of transmitting a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device, prior to receiving the message indicating the type of the fuel cell device.

  In the first feature, the type of the fuel cell device is any one of a solid oxide fuel cell, a solid polymer fuel cell, a phosphoric acid fuel cell, a molten carbonate fuel cell, and a gas engine power generator. Including.

  In the first feature, the control device receives a message indicating status information of the fuel cell device in addition to a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device.

  In the first feature, the message indicating the status information includes information on planned shutdown of the fuel cell device.

  In the first feature, the message indicating the status information includes information indicating whether or not the heat radiating unit of the fuel cell device is used.

  The management method according to the second feature is a method used in a management system having a fuel cell device that generates electric power using fuel and a control device that communicates with the fuel cell device. The management method includes a step in which the control device receives a message indicating a type of the fuel cell device.

  The control device according to the third feature communicates with a fuel cell device that generates electric power using fuel. The control device includes a receiving unit that receives a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device.

  The fuel cell device according to the fourth feature generates electric power using fuel. The fuel cell device includes a transmission unit that transmits a message indicating a type of the fuel cell device to a control device that communicates with the fuel cell device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a management system, a management method, a control device, and a hot water supply system that can appropriately control equipment.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an energy management system 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the customer 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the fuel cell device 150 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the EMS 200 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a message format according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a message format according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a message format according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the management method according to the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

  However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions and the like are different from actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

[Outline of Embodiment]
The management system according to the embodiment includes a fuel cell device that generates electric power using fuel, and a control device that communicates with the fuel cell device. The control device receives a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device.

  Here, the types of fuel cell devices include solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC), and phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC). Acid Fuel Cell), Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC), gas engine type power generation device, and the like are conceivable. Since these fuel cell devices have different characteristics, it is very important for the control device to grasp the type of the fuel cell device in order to appropriately control the fuel cell device.

  In the embodiment, since the control device receives a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device, the control device can appropriately control the fuel cell device.

[First Embodiment]
(Energy management system)
Hereinafter, the energy management system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an energy management system 100 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the energy management system 100 includes a customer 10, a CEMS 20, a substation 30, a smart server 40, and a power plant 50. The customer 10, the CEMS 20, the substation 30 and the smart server 40 are connected by a network 60.

  The consumer 10 includes, for example, a power generation device and a power storage device. The power generation device is a device that outputs electric power using fuel gas, such as a fuel cell. The power storage device is a device that stores electric power, such as a secondary battery.

  The consumer 10 may be a detached house or an apartment house such as a condominium. Alternatively, the customer 10 may be a store such as a convenience store or a supermarket, a commercial facility such as a building, or a factory.

  In the first embodiment, a customer group 10 </ b> A and a customer group 10 </ b> B are configured by a plurality of consumers 10. The consumer group 10A and the consumer group 10B are classified by, for example, a geographical area.

  The CEMS 20 controls interconnection between the plurality of consumers 10 and the power system. The CEMS 20 may be referred to as a CEMS (Cluster / Community Energy Management System) in order to manage a plurality of consumers 10. Specifically, the CEMS 20 disconnects between the plurality of consumers 10 and the power system at the time of a power failure or the like. On the other hand, the CEMS 20 interconnects the plurality of consumers 10 and the power system when power is restored.

  In the first embodiment, a CEMS 20A and a CEMS 20B are provided. For example, the CEMS 20A controls interconnection between the customer 10 included in the customer group 10A and the power system. For example, the CEMS 20B controls interconnection between the customer 10 included in the customer group 10B and the power system.

  The substation 30 supplies electric power to the plurality of consumers 10 via the distribution line 31. Specifically, the substation 30 steps down the voltage received from the power plant 50.

  In the first embodiment, a substation 30A and a substation 30B are provided. For example, the substation 30A supplies power to the consumers 10 included in the consumer group 10A via the distribution line 31A. For example, the substation 30B supplies power to the consumers 10 included in the consumer group 10B via the distribution line 31B.

  The smart server 40 manages a plurality of CEMSs 20 (here, CEMS 20A and CEMS 20B). The smart server 40 also manages a plurality of substations 30 (here, the substation 30A and the substation 30B). In other words, the smart server 40 comprehensively manages the customers 10 included in the customer group 10A and the customer group 10B. For example, the smart server 40 has a function of balancing the power to be supplied to the consumer group 10A and the power to be supplied to the consumer group 10B.

  The power plant 50 generates power using thermal power, wind power, hydraulic power, nuclear power, and the like. The power plant 50 supplies power to the plurality of substations 30 (here, the substation 30A and the substation 30B) via the power transmission line 51.

  The network 60 is connected to each device via a signal line. The network 60 is, for example, the Internet, a wide area network, a narrow area network, a mobile phone network, or the like.

(Customer)
Below, the consumer which concerns on 1st Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating details of the customer 10 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the customer 10 includes a distribution board 110, a load 120, a PV device 130, a storage battery device 140, a fuel cell device 150, a hot water storage device 160, and an EMS 200.

  In the first embodiment, the customer 10 has an ammeter 180. The ammeter 180 is used for load following control of the fuel cell device 150. On the power line connecting the storage battery device 140 and the fuel cell device 150 and the system, the ammeter 180 is downstream (on the side away from the system) from the connection point between the storage battery device 140 and the power line, and the fuel cell device 150 It is provided upstream (side closer to the grid) than the connection point with the power line. Of course, the ammeter 180 is provided upstream of the connection point between the load 120 and the power line (on the side closer to the grid).

  In the first embodiment, it should be noted that each device is connected to the power line in the order of the PV device 130, the storage battery device 140, the fuel cell device 150, and the load 120 when viewed from the order close to the system.

  Distribution board 110 is connected to distribution line 31 (system). Distribution board 110 is connected to load 120, PV device 130, storage battery device 140, and fuel cell device 150 via a power line.

  The load 120 is a device that consumes power supplied via a power line. For example, the load 120 includes devices such as a refrigerator, a freezer, lighting, and an air conditioner.

  The PV device 130 includes a PV 131 and a PCS 132. The PV 131 is an example of a power generation device, and is a solar power generation device that generates power in response to reception of sunlight. The PV 131 outputs the generated DC power. The amount of power generated by the PV 131 changes according to the amount of solar radiation applied to the PV 131. The PCS 132 is a device (Power Conditioning System) that converts DC power output from the PV 131 into AC power. The PCS 132 outputs AC power to the distribution board 110 via the power line.

  In the first embodiment, the PV device 130 may include a pyranometer that measures the amount of solar radiation irradiated on the PV 131.

  The PV device 130 is controlled by an MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) method. Specifically, the PV device 130 optimizes the operating point (a point determined by the operating point voltage value and the power value, or a point determined by the operating point voltage value and the current value) of the PV 131.

  The storage battery device 140 includes a storage battery 141 and a PCS 142. The storage battery 141 is a device that stores electric power. The PCS 142 is a device (Power Conditioning System) that converts AC power supplied from the distribution line 31 (system) into DC power. Further, the PCS 142 converts DC power output from the storage battery 141 into AC power.

  The fuel cell device 150 includes a fuel cell 151 and a PCS 152. The fuel cell 151 is an example of a power generation device, and is a device that generates electric power using fuel (gas). The PCS 152 is a device (Power Conditioning System) that converts DC power output from the fuel cell 151 into AC power.

  The fuel cell device 150 operates by load following control. Specifically, the fuel cell device 150 controls the fuel cell 151 so that the power output from the fuel cell 151 becomes the target power for load following control. In other words, the fuel cell device 150 controls the power output from the fuel cell 151 so that the current value detected by the ammeter 180 becomes the target received power.

  The hot water storage device 160 is a device that generates hot water or maintains the water temperature using fuel (gas). Specifically, the hot water storage device 160 has a hot water storage tank, and the water supplied from the hot water storage tank is generated by heat generated by combustion of fuel (gas) or exhaust heat generated by operation (power generation) of the fuel cell 151. warm. Specifically, the hot water storage device 160 warms the water supplied from the hot water storage tank and returns the heated hot water to the hot water storage tank.

  In the embodiment, it should be noted that the fuel cell device 150 and the hot water storage device 160 constitute a hot water supply unit 170 (hot water supply system).

  The EMS 200 is a device (Energy Management System) that controls the PV device 130, the storage battery device 140, the fuel cell device 150, and the hot water storage device 160. Specifically, the EMS 200 is connected to the PV device 130, the storage battery device 140, the fuel cell device 150, and the hot water storage device 160 via signal lines, and the PV device 130, the storage battery device 140, the fuel cell device 150, and the hot water storage device. 160 is controlled. The EMS 200 controls the power consumption of the load 120 by controlling the operation mode of the load 120.

  The EMS 200 is connected to various servers via the network 60. Various servers store, for example, information (hereinafter referred to as energy charge information) such as the unit price of power supplied from the grid, the unit price of power received from the grid, and the unit price of fuel gas.

  Or various servers store the information (henceforth energy consumption prediction information) for predicting the power consumption of the load 120, for example. The energy consumption prediction information may be generated based on, for example, the past power consumption actual value of the load 120. Alternatively, the energy consumption prediction information may be a model of power consumption of the load 120.

  Or various servers store the information (henceforth PV power generation amount prediction information) for predicting the power generation amount of PV131, for example. The PV power generation prediction information may be a predicted value of the amount of solar radiation irradiated on the PV 131. Alternatively, the PV power generation prediction information may be weather forecast, season, sunshine time, and the like.

(Fuel cell device)
The fuel cell device according to the first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the fuel cell device 150 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel cell device 150 includes a fuel cell 151, a PCS 152, a blower 153, a desulfurizer 154, an ignition heater 155, a radiator 156, and a control board 157.

  As described above, the fuel cell 151 is a device that outputs power using fuel gas. Specifically, the fuel cell 151 includes a reformer 151A and a cell stack 151B.

  The reformer 151A generates reformed gas from the fuel gas from which the odorant has been removed by the desulfurizer 154 described later. The reformed gas is a gas composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

  The cell stack 151B generates power by a chemical reaction between air (oxygen) supplied from a blower 153, which will be described later, and the reformed gas. Specifically, the cell stack 151B has a structure in which a plurality of cells are stacked. Each cell has a structure in which an electrolyte is sandwiched between a fuel electrode and an air electrode. Reformed gas (hydrogen) is supplied to the fuel electrode, and air (oxygen) is supplied to the air electrode. A chemical reaction of the reformed gas (hydrogen) and air (oxygen) occurs in the electrolyte to generate electric power (DC electric power) and heat.

  As described above, the PCS 152 is a device that converts DC power output from the fuel cell 151 into AC power.

  The blower 153 supplies air to the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B). The blower 153 is configured by a fan, for example.

  The desulfurizer 154 removes the odorant contained in the fuel gas supplied from the outside. The fuel gas may be city gas or propane gas.

  The ignition heater 155 is a heater that ignites a fuel that has not chemically reacted in the cell stack 151B (hereinafter, unreacted fuel) and maintains the temperature of the cell stack 151B at a high temperature. That is, the ignition heater 155 ignites unreacted fuel leaking from the opening of each cell constituting the cell stack 151B. It should be noted that the ignition heater 155 may ignite the unreacted fuel in a case where the unreacted fuel is not combusted (for example, when the fuel cell device 150 is activated). Once ignited, thereafter, the unreacted fuel that overflows little by little from the cell stack 151B continues to burn, so that the temperature of the cell stack 151B is maintained at a high temperature.

  The radiator 156 cools the cell stack 151B so that the temperature of the cell stack 151B does not exceed the upper limit of the allowable temperature. For example, even if the heat of the cell stack 151B is used in the hot water storage device 160, the radiator 156 cools the cell stack 151B in a case where the temperature of the cell stack 151B exceeds the upper limit of the allowable temperature. It should be noted that the state in which the radiator 156 is used is a state in which the operation efficiency of the fuel cell device 150 is lowered because the heat of the cell stack 151B is not effectively used.

  The control board 157 is a board on which a circuit for controlling the fuel cell 151, the PCS 152, the blower 153, the desulfurizer 154, the ignition heater 155, and the control board 157 is mounted.

  In the first embodiment, the cell stack 151B is an example of a power generation unit that generates power by a chemical reaction. The reformer 151A, the blower 153, the desulfurizer 154, the ignition heater 155, and the control board 157 are examples of auxiliary devices that assist the operation of the cell stack 151B. Further, a part of the PCS 152 may be handled as an auxiliary device.

  In the first embodiment, a power generation mode, an idling mode, and a temperature maintenance mode are provided as operation modes of the fuel cell device 150.

  The power generation mode is an operation mode (load following control) in which the power output from the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) is controlled so as to follow the power consumption of the load 120 connected to the fuel cell device 150. Specifically, in the power generation mode, the power output from the fuel cell 151 is controlled so that the current value detected by the ammeter 180 becomes the target received power. Here, since the fuel cell device 150 is provided downstream of the ammeter 180, it should be noted that the power consumption of the auxiliary device is covered by the power output from the fuel cell 151.

  Here, the temperature of the cell stack 151B in the power generation mode is maintained at a power generation temperature of 650 to 1000 ° C. (about 700 ° C.) by chemical reaction and combustion of unreacted gas. Such a power generation temperature is a temperature range in which a chemical reaction occurs positively if the reformed gas (hydrogen) and air (oxygen) are obtained.

  Incidentally, the fuel cell device 150 can be completely stopped. For example, it may be completely stopped when it is not used for a long time. However, when it is completely stopped, the auxiliary devices are also stopped and the temperature of the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) becomes low, so that it takes a long time to rise to a temperature that can generate power. Therefore, it should be noted that the load followability is low. For this reason, in the first embodiment, in order to avoid a complete stop as much as possible, an idling mode and a temperature maintenance mode are provided in the operation mode.

  The idling mode is an operation mode in which the power consumed by the auxiliary device is covered by the power output from the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B). However, it should be noted that in the idling mode, the power consumption of the load 120 is not covered by the power output from the fuel cell 151.

  Here, the temperature of the cell stack 151B in the idling mode is maintained at the same power generation temperature (for example, about 700 ° C.) as that in the power generation mode due to the chemical reaction and the combustion of the unreacted gas. That is, the temperature of the cell stack 151B in the idling mode is a temperature range in which a chemical reaction is positively generated if the reformed gas (hydrogen) and air (oxygen) are obtained, as in the power generation mode. The idling mode is an operation mode applied when a power failure occurs, for example.

  The temperature maintenance mode is an operation mode in which the power consumption of the auxiliary device is covered by power supplied from the outside and the cell stack 151B is maintained in a predetermined temperature range. In the temperature maintenance mode, the power consumption of the auxiliary device may be covered by power supplied from the grid or may be supplied by power supplied from the PV 131 or the storage battery 141. In the temperature maintenance mode, the power output from the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) is at least smaller than the power consumption of the auxiliary device, and is slightly less than that for operating the auxiliary device as in the idling mode. For example, power is not output from the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) in the temperature maintenance mode.

  Here, the temperature of the cell stack 151B in the temperature maintenance mode is mainly maintained by the combustion of the unreacted gas. In addition, the temperature of the cell stack 151B in the temperature maintenance mode is lower than the temperature of the cell stack 151B in the power generation mode. Similarly, the temperature of the cell stack 151B in the temperature maintenance mode is lower than the temperature of the cell stack 151B in the idling mode. However, due to the combustion of the unreacted gas, the temperature of the cell stack 151B in the temperature maintenance mode is maintained at a certain high temperature (predetermined temperature range).

  In the first embodiment, the predetermined temperature range is slightly lower than the power generation temperature, for example, about 450 ° C. to 600 ° C. Even if the reformed gas (hydrogen) and air (oxygen) are obtained, a sufficient chemical reaction is achieved. This is a temperature range where it is difficult for When the temperature of the cell stack 151B is within a predetermined temperature range, the reaction speed of the chemical reaction is insufficient, so that the voltage output from the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) is lower than the rated voltage (200V). In the temperature maintenance mode, no chemical reaction may occur or some chemical reaction may occur. However, since the predetermined temperature range is maintained at a temperature that is clearly higher than room temperature, even when it is necessary to generate power, a chemical reaction is actively generated compared to a state where the power supply is completely stopped. The time required to reach the temperature to be achieved is short, and the time required to output the required power is shortened (load followability is high).

  Further, the amount of fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell device 150 in the temperature maintenance mode is smaller than the amount of fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell device 150 in the power generation mode.

(Network configuration)
In the following, a network configuration according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the network includes a load 120, a PV device 130, a storage battery device 140, a fuel cell device 150, a hot water storage device 160, an EMS 200, and a user terminal 300. The user terminal 300 includes a user terminal 310 and a user terminal 320.

  The user terminal 310 is connected to the EMS 200, and information for visualizing the energy consumption of each device (load 120, PV device 130, storage battery device 140, fuel cell device 150, hot water storage device 160) (hereinafter, visualization information). Is displayed by a web browser. In such a case, the EMS 200 generates visualization information in a format such as HTML, and transmits the generated visualization information to the user terminal 310. The connection format between the user terminal 310 and the EMS 200 may be wired or wireless.

  The user terminal 320 is connected to the EMS 200 and displays visualization information by an application. In such a case, the EMS 200 transmits information indicating the energy consumption of each device to the user terminal 320. The application of the user terminal 320 generates visualization information based on information received from the EMS 200 and displays the generated visualization information. The connection format between the user terminal 320 and the EMS 200 may be wired or wireless.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the fuel cell device 150 and the hot water storage device 160 constitute the hot water supply unit 170. Therefore, the hot water storage device 160 may not have a function of communicating with the EMS 200. In such a case, the fuel cell device 150 performs communication of messages regarding the hot water storage device 160 with the EMS 200 on behalf of the hot water storage device 160.

  In the first embodiment, communication between the EMS 200 and each device (the load 120, the PV device 130, the storage battery device 140, the fuel cell device 150, and the hot water storage device 160) is performed by a method according to a predetermined protocol. Examples of the predetermined protocol include a protocol called “ECHONET Lite” or “ECHONET”. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the predetermined protocol may be a protocol other than “ECHONET Lite” or “ECHONET”.

(Configuration of EMS)
Hereinafter, the EMS according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the EMS 200 according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the EMS 200 includes a reception unit 210, a transmission unit 220, and a control unit 230.

  The receiving unit 210 receives various signals from a device connected via a signal line. For example, the receiving unit 210 may receive information indicating the power generation amount of the PV 131 from the PV device 130. The receiving unit 210 may receive information indicating the storage amount of the storage battery 141 from the storage battery device 140. The receiving unit 210 may receive information indicating the power generation amount of the fuel cell 151 from the fuel cell device 150. The receiving unit 210 may receive information indicating the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage device 160 from the hot water storage device 160.

  In the first embodiment, the reception unit 210 may receive energy charge information, energy consumption prediction information, and PV power generation amount prediction information from various servers via the network 60. However, the energy fee information, the energy consumption prediction information, and the PV power generation amount prediction information may be stored in the EMS 200 in advance.

  In the first embodiment, the reception unit 210 receives a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150 or a message indicating the status of the fuel cell device 150 when the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally. In the embodiment, it is received from the control board 157) of the fuel cell device 150. In other words, the control board 157 of the fuel cell device 150 constitutes a transmission unit that transmits the above-described message.

  Here, the types of the fuel cell device 150 are a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), and a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC). Any one of an acid fuel cell (MCFC), a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), and a gas engine type power generator is included.

  It should be noted that the status of the fuel cell device 150 is not an error when an abnormality occurs in the fuel cell device 150, but indicates a status when the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally.

  For example, the status of the fuel cell device 150 includes one of a status in which the fuel cell device 150 is stopped and a status in which the fuel cell device 150 is generating power. When the type of the fuel cell device 150 is SOFC, PEFC, PAFC, or MCFC, it is a device that tends to cause continuous use of fuel (gas). For this reason, for some reasons, a configuration may be adopted in which the gas consumption is forcibly stopped for a certain period so that the gas consumption does not continue for a long period of time. Such a stop is not a stop due to an error such as a failure, and even after returning from the stop and restarting after that, it will stop when the period elapses again. For example, particularly in the case of SOFC among the fuel cell devices 150, it is desirable to stop the fuel cell device 150 before the timing when a certain period (for example, 27 days) when the gas meter determines that gas leaks is reached. ing. On the other hand, in the case of PEFC, for example, it stops once a day for one hour. This difference in correspondence is due to the difference in the structure for inducing chemical changes even in the same fuel cell, so the time from stop to operating state due to the difference in the reaction temperature of the power generation unit, etc. Is attributed. In view of this, the EMS 200 receives a message indicating the status, including the period of the operation, the stoppage, and the stoppage date if the operation is stopped or stopped. When the EMS 200 receives the message indicating the status in this way, the EMS 200 grasps the type of the fuel cell apparatus 150, and further grasps the conditions such as the period of operation stoppage and the period of stoppage for each type. It can be determined that the outage within these conditions is a planned outage and not a failure. Conversely, if the stop plan for each type of fuel cell device 150 does not match, warning information may be generated and notified to the user that some error has occurred. Further, the EMS 200 receives the information on the planned stop of each type of the fuel cell device 150 of the fuel cell device 150 and grasps the stop plan so that the prediction accuracy of the future power generation amount can be further improved. And other devices (such as the load 120) can be appropriately controlled.

  The status of the fuel cell device 150 includes any of a plurality of stages from the state where the fuel cell device 150 is generating power to the state where the fuel cell device 150 is stopped. Here, when the type of the fuel cell device 150 is SOFC, it takes about one day from the state where the fuel cell device 150 is generating power to the state where the fuel cell device 150 is stopped. Therefore, when the EMS 200 receives such a message indicating the status, the EMS 200 can grasp the power generation amount of the fuel cell device 150 and appropriately control other devices (such as the load 120). Alternatively, the status message may be a time required to stop or a stop time.

  Alternatively, the status of the fuel cell device 150 includes whether or not the radiator 156 is being used. As described above, in the state where the radiator 156 is used, not all of the exhaust heat can be recovered by the hot water storage device 160 and is radiated into the air, that is, the operating efficiency of the fuel cell device 150 is reduced. It can be said that it is in a state of being. Therefore, when the EMS 200 receives a message indicating such a status, the EMS 200 can grasp the operation efficiency of the fuel cell device 150 and appropriately control other devices (such as the hot water storage device 160). For example, if the heat radiating unit such as the radiator 156 is used, the amount of hot water used is small, the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage device 160 is increased, and the use of exhaust heat in the hot water storage device 160 is reduced. It is in a state. For this reason, for example, the exhaust heat recovery rate may be controlled to be increased by raising the set temperature further than the preset hot water temperature in the hot water storage device 160 or increasing the set amount of the hot water storage. Alternatively, since the exhaust heat is not available, the energy use efficiency is calculated, and until the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage device 160 is reduced, the fuel cell device 150 is refrained from active use and shifted to the idling mode or the temperature maintenance mode. Also good. Furthermore, control may be performed so as to reduce the power consumption of the load equipment in the consumer by the amount corresponding to the decrease in the supply power accompanying the decrease in the output of the fuel cell device 150. In other words, depending on whether or not the radiator 156 is used, the EMS 200 improves energy efficiency by changing the setting of the hot water storage device 160, changing the operation mode of the fuel cell device, and controlling the operating state of the load device. Can do.

  Alternatively, the status of the fuel cell device 150 includes the temperature of the cell stack 151B (power generation unit). Here, when the type of the fuel cell device 150 is SOFC, the power generation amount of the fuel cell device 150 varies greatly depending on the temperature of the cell stack 151B. Therefore, when the EMS 200 receives such a message indicating the status, the EMS 200 can grasp the power generation amount of the fuel cell device 150 and appropriately control other devices (such as the load 120). It is also possible to grasp the stage between the state where the fuel cell device 150 is generating power and the state where the fuel cell device 150 is stopped depending on the temperature of the cell stack 151B.

  In the first embodiment, the receiving unit 210 receives a message indicating whether or not there is a function of transmitting a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150 from the hot water supply unit 170 prior to receiving the message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150. To do. Alternatively, the reception unit 210 may determine whether the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally prior to receiving a message indicating the status of the fuel cell device 150 when the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally. A message indicating the presence or absence of a function for transmitting a message indicating the status of device 150 is received from hot water supply unit 170. In the present embodiment, the radiator 156 is installed in the fuel cell device 150, but the radiator 156 may be installed in the hot water storage device 160. In the case where the temperature of the hot water stored in the hot water storage device 160 exceeds the upper limit of the allowable temperature, the radiator 156 hot water is cooled. A message indicating the status of the radiator 156 may be sent to the EMS 200.

  The transmission unit 220 transmits various signals to a device connected via a signal line. For example, the transmission part 220 transmits the signal for controlling the PV apparatus 130, the storage battery apparatus 140, the fuel cell apparatus 150, and the hot water storage apparatus 160 to each apparatus. The transmission unit 220 transmits a control signal for controlling the load 120 to the load 120.

  In the first embodiment, the transmission unit 220 sends a message requesting a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150 or a message indicating the status of the fuel cell device 150 when the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally. It is transmitted to the hot water supply unit 170 (in the embodiment, the control board 157 of the fuel cell device 150).

  In the first embodiment, the transmission unit 220 supplies a message requesting a message indicating whether or not there is a function of transmitting a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150 prior to receiving the message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150. Transmit to unit 170. Alternatively, the transmission unit 220 may determine whether the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally before receiving the message indicating the status of the fuel cell device 150 when the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally. A message requesting a message indicating the presence or absence of a function for transmitting a message indicating the status of device 150 is transmitted to hot water supply unit 170.

  The control unit 230 controls the load 120, the PV device 130, the storage battery device 140, the fuel cell device 150, and the hot water storage device 160.

  In the first embodiment, the control unit 230 instructs the fuel cell device 150 about the operation mode of the fuel cell device 150. In the first embodiment, the operation modes of the fuel cell device 150 include the power generation mode (load following control), the idling mode, and the temperature maintenance mode as described above.

  When the power output from the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit 230 controls the fuel cell device 150 to operate in the power generation mode. On the other hand, for example, the control unit 230 controls the fuel cell device 150 to operate in the temperature maintenance mode when the power output from the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) falls below a predetermined threshold. In addition, for example, when a power failure occurs, the control unit 230 controls the fuel cell device 150 to operate in the idling mode.

(Message format)
The message format according to the first embodiment will be described below. 6 to 8 are diagrams illustrating an example of a message format according to the first embodiment.

  For example, the message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150 has the format shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the message has a message type field and a type field.

  The message type field indicates the type of the message. In the first embodiment, the message indicates that the message includes the type of the fuel cell device 150. The message type field is common to each message.

  The type field indicates the type of the fuel cell device 150. For example, the types of the fuel cell device 150 include a solid oxide type (SOFC), a solid polymer type (PEFC), and a gas engine type.

  The message indicating the status of the fuel cell device 150 when the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally has the format shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the message has a message type field and a status field.

  The message type field indicates the type of the message. In the first embodiment, the message indicates that the message includes the status of the fuel cell device 150. The message type field is common to each message.

  The status field indicates the status of the fuel cell device 150. In the case shown in FIG. 7, the status of the fuel cell device 150 is expressed using a code space that is different for each type of the fuel cell device 150. Therefore, the EMS 200 can specify the type of the fuel cell device 150 by referring to the code space of the status field.

  Alternatively, the message indicating the status of the fuel cell device 150 when the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally has the format shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the message has a type field, a message type field, and a status field.

  The type field indicates the type of the fuel cell device 150. For example, the types of the fuel cell device 150 include a solid oxide type (SOFC), a solid polymer type (PEFC), and a gas engine type.

  The message type field indicates the type of the message. In the first embodiment, the message indicates that the message includes the status of the fuel cell device 150. The message type field is common to each message.

  The status field indicates the status of the fuel cell device 150. The code space of the status field is common to each message.

(Management method)
Hereinafter, a management method according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating the management method according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in step 10, EMS 200 transmits a message (code group request) requesting a code group corresponding to hot water supply unit 170 to hot water supply unit 170. The code group request is an example of a message requesting a message indicating the presence / absence of a function for transmitting a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150. Alternatively, the code group request is a message requesting a message indicating whether or not there is a function of transmitting a message indicating the status of the fuel cell device 150 and the hot water storage device 160 when the fuel cell device 150 and the hot water storage device 160 are operating normally. It is an example.

  In step 20, hot water supply unit 170 transmits a message (code group response) indicating a code group to which hot water supply unit 170 corresponds to EMS 200. The code group response is an example of a message indicating whether or not there is a function of transmitting a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150. Alternatively, the code group response is an example of a message indicating whether or not there is a function of transmitting a message indicating the status of the fuel cell device 150 and the hot water storage device 160 when the fuel cell device 150 and the hot water storage device 160 are operating normally. .

  In step 30, EMS 200 transmits a message (type request) requesting the type of fuel cell apparatus 150 to hot water supply unit 170.

  In step 40, the hot water supply unit 170 transmits a message (type response) indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150 to the EMS 200.

  In step 50, EMS 200 transmits a message (status request) requesting the status of hot water supply unit 170 when hot water supply unit 170 is operating normally to hot water supply unit 170.

  In step 60, the fuel cell device 150 transmits a message (status response) indicating the status of the hot water supply unit 170 when the hot water supply unit 170 is operating normally to the EMS 200.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, since the EMS 200 receives a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150, the fuel cell device 150 can be appropriately controlled.

  In the first embodiment, EMS 200 receives a message indicating a status when hot water supply unit 170 is operating normally, not an error when abnormality occurs in hot water supply unit 170. Thereby, EMS200 can grasp | ascertain the electric power generation amount etc. of the fuel cell apparatus 150, and can control other apparatuses (a load, a hot water storage apparatus, etc.) appropriately.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiments, it should not be understood that the descriptions and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, the system is operated in the idling mode during a system power failure. However, if there is a power demand at the load, not only the power supply for the auxiliary device is performed by the fuel cell 151 itself but also the fuel cell device 150 is connected. Alternatively, the self-sustained operation mode may be employed in which the output of the fuel cell 151 is increased so that the output power corresponding to the demand at the load is obtained. That is, the self-sustained operation mode and the idling mode are different in that whether or not the generated power is output externally, but are common in that the power supply to the auxiliary equipment is covered by self-power generation during a system power failure. For this reason, the two modes in which power is supplied to the auxiliary device by self-power generation during a system power failure may be referred to as a self-sufficiency mode for convenience.

  Further, in the temperature maintenance mode, the power consumption of the auxiliary devices is covered by the power supply from the system, but it may be covered by the output of the PV device 130 or the storage battery device 140.

  The EMS 200 may be a HEMS (Home Energy Management System), a SEMS (Store Energy Management System), a BEMS (Building Energy Management System), or an FEM. There may be.

  In the embodiment, the customer 10 includes a load 120, a PV device 130, a storage battery device 140, a fuel cell device 150, and a hot water storage device 160. However, the consumer 10 should just have the fuel cell apparatus 150 and the hot water storage apparatus 160 at least.

  In the embodiment, the message indicating the status of the fuel cell device 150 includes a status when the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally, but includes a status indicating an error when an abnormality occurs in the fuel cell device 150. But you can.

  Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment, timing for initial setting of the fuel cell device 150, timing for recovery from a power failure, timing for turning on the power of the fuel cell device 150, timing for turning on the power of the EMS 200, fuel cell device It is preferable that the code group request and the code group response are transmitted and received at a timing when it is necessary to confirm the setting of 150.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Consumer, 20 ... CEMS, 30 ... Substation, 31 ... Distribution line, 40 ... Smart server, 50 ... Power plant, 51 ... Transmission line, 60 ... Network, 100 ... Energy management system, 110 ... Distribution board, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 ... Load, 130 ... PV unit, 131 ... PV, 132 ... PCS, 140 ... Storage battery unit, 141 ... Storage battery, 142 ... PCS, 150 ... Fuel cell unit, 151 ... Fuel cell, 151A ... Reformer, 151B ... Cell Stack, 152 ... PCS, 153 ... Blower, 154 ... Desulfurizer, 155 ... Ignition heater, 156 ... Control board, 160 ... Hot water storage unit, 170 ... Hot water supply unit, 180 ... Ammeter, 200 ... EMS, 210 ... Receiver, 220 ... Transmission unit, 230 ... Control unit, 300, 310, 320 ... User terminal

Claims (10)

Equipment installed in the consumer,
A power control device that is provided in the consumer and receives a message having a predetermined format with the device;
The device includes a fuel cell device that generates electric power using fuel,
The power control system receives a message indicating that the fuel cell device is stopped from the fuel cell device as a message having the predetermined format.   The power management system according to claim 1, wherein during the stop of the fuel cell device, a stop due to an error is excluded.   3. The power control device according to claim 1, wherein the power control device receives, as a message having the predetermined format, a message indicating a period during which the fuel cell device is stopped from the fuel cell device. 4. Power management system.   4. The power control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power control apparatus receives a message indicating a future stoppage schedule of the fuel cell apparatus from the fuel cell apparatus as the message having the predetermined format. The described power management system.   When the stop of the fuel cell device specified by the message indicating that the fuel cell device is stopped does not coincide with the stop plan grasped by the type of the fuel cell device, the power control device The power management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an error is notified to a user.   The said power control apparatus receives the message which shows the presence or absence of the function which transmits the message which shows the said stop of the said fuel cell apparatus from the said fuel cell apparatus, The Claim 1 thru | or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Power management system.   The power management system according to claim 1, wherein the power control device requests the fuel cell device to transmit a message indicating that the fuel cell device is stopped. A power control device provided in a consumer comprises a step A for receiving a message having a predetermined format with a device provided in the consumer;
The device includes a fuel cell device that generates electric power using fuel,
The step A includes a step in which the power control device receives a message indicating that the fuel cell device is stopped from the fuel cell device as a message having the predetermined format. A power control device provided in a consumer,
A receiving unit that receives a message having a predetermined format with a device provided in the consumer,
The device includes a fuel cell device that generates electric power using fuel,
The power control device, wherein the receiving unit receives a message indicating that the fuel cell device is stopped from the fuel cell device as a message having the predetermined format. A fuel cell device that is one of the devices provided to consumers,
A transmission unit that transmits a message having a predetermined format with a power control device provided in the consumer;
The said transmission part transmits the message which shows that the said fuel cell apparatus is stopping to the said electric power control apparatus as a message which has the said predetermined format, The fuel cell apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.

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