JP2021131983A - Fuel cell system and fuel cell system control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To perform appropriate control according to whether a fuel cell is in the power generation state or the standby state when information on a power failure is acquired.SOLUTION: A fuel cell system 100 includes a fuel cell 3, and a control device 1 that controls the fuel cell 3, and the control device 1 includes an information reception unit 111 that accepts power outage information that shows information on power outages, and a power generation control unit 115 that generates power of the fuel cell 3 by a first power generation process when the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state in a case in which the power failure information is received, and generate power of the fuel cell 3 by a second power generation process different from the first power generation process when the fuel cell 3 is in the standby state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell system including a fuel cell that generates electricity using hydrogen, and a control method for the fuel cell system.

Conventionally, a fuel cell system including a fuel cell that generates electricity using hydrogen is known. With this type, the fuel cell cannot be started in the event of a power outage. Therefore, for example, a technique has been proposed in which the start-up process is started at a timing earlier than the time when the power failure occurs, based on information such as a planned power failure (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-94328

However, in the one proposed in Patent Document 1, for example, when information on rolling blackouts is acquired, appropriate control is performed depending on whether the fuel cell is in the power generation state or the standby state at that time. There is a problem that it cannot be done.

The present disclosure solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can perform appropriate control according to whether the fuel cell is in a power generation state or a standby state, and a fuel cell system and a control method for the fuel cell system. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure includes a fuel cell, a reception unit for receiving power generation information indicating information on a power generation, and a control unit for controlling the fuel cell, and the control unit includes the power generation information. When the fuel cell is in the power generation state, the fuel cell is generated by the first power generation process, and when the fuel cell is in the standby state, the fuel cell is different from the first power generation process. It is characterized in that power is generated by the second power generation process.

According to the present disclosure, when the information regarding the power failure is acquired, appropriate control can be performed depending on whether the fuel cell is in the power generation state or the standby state.

Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the fuel cell system according to the present embodiment A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the hydrogen generating apparatus according to the present embodiment. A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device according to the present embodiment. (A) Time chart showing the first example of the operation of the fuel cell system (B) Time chart showing the second example of the operation of the fuel cell system (A) Time chart showing a third example of operation of the fuel cell system (B) Time chart showing a fourth example of operation of the fuel cell system (A) Time chart showing the fifth example of the operation of the fuel cell system (B) Time chart showing the sixth example of the operation of the fuel cell system Time chart showing the 7th example of operation of fuel cell system A flowchart showing an example of processing of the control device according to the present embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of processing of the control device according to the present embodiment.

The first invention includes a fuel cell, a reception unit for receiving power failure information indicating information on a power failure, and a control unit for controlling the fuel cell. When the control unit receives the power failure information, the control unit is described. When the fuel cell is in the power generation state, the fuel cell is generated by the first power generation process, and when the fuel cell is in the standby state, the fuel cell is subjected to the second power generation process different from the first power generation process. It is a fuel cell system characterized by generating power.
According to this, when the information regarding the power failure is acquired, appropriate control can be performed depending on whether the fuel cell is in the power generation state or the standby state.

According to the second invention, in the fuel cell system of the first invention, in the second power generation process, when the control unit receives the power failure information, the control unit receives the power failure information before the timing at which the power failure is predicted to start. It is characterized in that the fuel cell is started and the power generation of the fuel cell is continued for a predetermined power generation time.
According to this, when the fuel cell is in the standby state, when the power failure information is received, the fuel cell is started before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start, so that the fuel is fueled during the power failure. The battery can generate power. Further, in order to continue the power generation of the fuel cell for a predetermined power generation time, the fuel cell can be generated during a power failure by setting the power generation time to an appropriate value. For example, the power generation time may be set to include the time from the time when the power failure information is received until the time when the power failure occurs and the power is restored.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the fuel cell system of the first invention, in the first power generation process, when the control unit receives the power failure information, the control unit continues to generate power of the fuel cell for a predetermined power generation time. It is characterized by letting it.
According to this, when the fuel cell is in the power generation state, when the power failure information is received, the power generation time is set to an appropriate value in order to continue the power generation of the fuel cell for a predetermined power generation time. This makes it possible to generate electricity from the fuel cell during a power outage. For example, the power generation time may be set to include the time from the time when the power failure information is received until the time when the power failure occurs and the power is restored.

The fourth invention is the fuel cell system according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the control unit is in power generation in the first power generation process or the second power generation process. It is determined whether or not to stop the power generation of the fuel cell according to the operating state of the fuel cell, and if it is determined to stop the power generation of the fuel cell, the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped. It is characterized by.
According to this, it is determined whether or not to stop the power generation of the fuel cell according to the operating condition of the fuel cell, and when it is determined to stop the power generation of the fuel cell, the power generation of the fuel cell is performed. Therefore, the power generation of the fuel cell can be stopped according to the operating condition of the fuel cell. For example, when the continuous power generation period indicating the period during which the fuel cell continuously generates power is equal to or longer than a predetermined maximum power generation period, the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped, the fuel cell is started, and then the fuel cell is started. The fuel cell can generate electricity. In this case, since the fuel cell can be started before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start, it is possible to generate electricity during the power failure.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel cell system of the fourth invention, the control unit determines that the continuous power generation period indicating the period during which the fuel cell continuously generates power is equal to or longer than a predetermined maximum power generation period. It is characterized in that it is determined that the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped, the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped, the fuel cell is started, and then the fuel cell is made to generate power.
According to this, when the continuous power generation period indicating the period during which the fuel cell continuously generates power is equal to or longer than the predetermined maximum power generation period, the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped and the fuel cell is started. Later, the fuel cell can generate electricity. Therefore, since the fuel cell can be started before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start, it is possible to generate electricity during the power failure.

According to the sixth invention, in the fuel cell system of the fourth invention, the control unit determines that the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped when the power generation stop error indicating that the power generation state cannot be continued is determined, and the fuel It is characterized by stopping the power generation of the battery.
According to this, when the power generation stop error indicating that the power generation state cannot be continued is confirmed, it is determined that the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped, and the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped, so that the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped properly. can.

A seventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the fuel cell system of the sixth invention, the control unit activates the fuel cell and then causes the fuel cell to generate power when the power generation stop error is released. And.
According to this, when the power generation stop error is cleared, the fuel cell is started and then the fuel cell is made to generate power. Therefore, the fuel cell is started before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start. Will be possible. Therefore, even when the power generation stop error occurs, the fuel cell can generate power during a power failure.

According to the eighth invention, in the fuel cell system of the sixth invention or the seventh invention, when the power generation stop error is confirmed, the control unit notifies the user that the power generation stop error is confirmed. It is a feature.
According to this, when the power generation stop error is confirmed, the user is notified that the power generation stop error has been confirmed, so that the user can easily recognize that the power generation stop error has been confirmed.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the fuel cell system of the fourth invention, when a retry error indicating that the control unit needs to be restarted in order to continue the power generation state is detected, the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped. It is characterized in that it is determined that the fuel cell is to be generated, the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped, the fuel cell is started, and then the fuel cell is generated.
According to this, when a retry error indicating that a restart is required to continue the power generation state is detected, it is determined that the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped, the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped, and the fuel is stopped. Since the fuel cell is generated after the battery is started, it is possible to start the fuel cell before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start. Therefore, even if a retry error occurs, the fuel cell can be generated to generate electricity during a power failure.

The tenth invention comprises a hot water storage tank for storing hot water heated by the heat generated by the fuel cell in the fuel cell system according to any one of the first to ninth inventions, and the control thereof. The unit is characterized in that when the power failure information is received, the hot water storage tank is controlled so as to discharge the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank.
According to this, when the power failure information is received, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is controlled so as to discharge the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, so that the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank exceeds a predetermined amount. It is possible to prevent the fuel cell from being stopped due to this. Therefore, the fuel cell can be reliably generated during a power outage.

According to the eleventh invention, in the fuel cell system of the tenth invention, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is discharged to the bathtub, and the control unit removes the plug of the bathtub when receiving the power failure information. It is characterized by notifying the user of information prompting the user.
According to this, when the power failure information is received, in order to notify the user of the information urging the user to remove the plug of the bathtub, when the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is discharged to the bathtub, the hot water is discharged from the bathtub. Can be suppressed from overflowing.

A twelfth invention is a fuel cell system according to any one of the first to eleventh inventions, wherein the control unit is a user during power generation in the first power generation process or the second power generation process. The fuel cell is shifted to the standby state when there is an operation of stopping power generation by the user, and the fuel cell is shifted to the power generation state when there is an operation other than stopping power generation by the user.
According to this, in order to shift the fuel cell to the standby state when there is an operation of stopping power generation by the user during power generation in the first power generation process or the second power generation process, the first power generation process or Even during power generation in the second power generation process, the user can operate to stop power generation. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be improved. Further, since the fuel cell is shifted to the power generation state when the user performs an operation other than stopping the power generation, the fuel cell can be started before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start. Therefore, it is possible to generate electricity from the fuel cell during a power outage.

A thirteenth invention is a fuel cell system according to any one of the first to twelfth inventions, wherein the control unit performs power generation in the first power generation process or the second power generation process. It is characterized in that the power generation of the fuel cell is continued when a power failure occurs, and the fuel cell is shifted to the power generation state in the first power generation process or the second power generation process when the power is restored.
According to this, when the power generation occurs, the fuel cell continues to generate power, and when the power is restored, the fuel cell shifts to the power generation state in the first power generation process or the second power generation process. The fuel cell can be generated during and after the power is restored.

The fourteenth invention is the fuel cell system of the second invention or the third invention, when the control unit receives the power failure information during the power generation in the first power generation process or the second power generation process. In addition, the power generation time is extended.
According to this, when the power failure information is received during the power generation in the first power generation process or the second power generation process, the fuel cell is surely generated during the power failure in order to extend the power generation time. Can be done.

A fifteenth invention is a control method of a fuel cell system including a fuel cell and a reception unit for receiving power failure information indicating information on a power failure, and when the power failure information is received, the fuel cell is in a power generation state. In a certain case, the fuel cell is generated by the first power generation process, and when the fuel cell is in the standby state, the fuel cell is generated by the second power generation process different from the first power generation process. And.
According to this, when the information regarding the power failure is acquired, appropriate control can be performed depending on whether the fuel cell is in the power generation state or the standby state.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited by the present embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the fuel cell system 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 100 includes a control device 1, a hydrogen generation device 2, a fuel cell 3, a hot water storage tank 4, and a display device 5.
The control device 1 is communicably connected to each of the hydrogen generation device 2, the fuel cell 3, the hot water storage tank 4, and the display device 5.
Further, the control device 1 is communicably connected to the server device 200 via a network. The network is, for example, the Internet. The network is not limited to the Internet. The network may be a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network).
The server device 200 transmits power failure information to the control device 1. Power outage information indicates information about a power outage. The server device 200 transmits power failure information including the date and time of the power failure to the control device 1 when a power failure is predicted to occur due to, for example, a typhoon.

The control device 1 controls the operation of the fuel cell system 100. The control device 1 includes a processor 11 and a memory 12.
The memory 12 is a storage device that non-volatilely stores programs and data executed by the processor 11. The memory 12 is composed of a magnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage element such as a flash ROM (Read Only Memory), or another type of non-volatile storage device. Further, the memory 12 may include a RAM (Random Access Memory) constituting the work area of the processor 11. The memory 12 stores data processed by the control device 1 and a control program executed by the processor 11.

The processor 11 may be configured by a single processor, or may be configured such that a plurality of processors function as the processor 11. The processor 11 executes a control program to control each part of the fuel cell system 100. For example, the processor 11 outputs a process execution instruction corresponding to the operation received by the display device 5 to each part of the fuel cell system 100.

The hydrogen generation device 2 generates a hydrogen-containing gas by a reforming reaction using raw materials and steam, and supplies the generated hydrogen-containing gas to the fuel cell 3. The hydrogen generating apparatus 2 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The fuel cell 3 is a fuel cell that uses hydrogen to generate electricity, and is, for example, a solid polymer fuel cell. The fuel cell 3 is not limited to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The fuel cell 3 may generate electricity by using hydrogen. For example, the fuel cell 3 may be a solid oxide fuel cell or the like.

The hot water storage tank 4 recovers the heat energy generated when the fuel cell 3 generates electricity with water and stores it as high-temperature water, that is, hot water. Water may be directly supplied to the fuel cell 3 from the hot water storage tank 4 to recover heat energy, or by using a heat exchanger or the like, a refrigerant path circulating between the fuel cell 3 and the heat exchanger and hot water storage. A heat exchanger may be used to exchange heat with the water path circulating between the tank 4 and the heat exchanger.

In the hot water storage tank 4, low-temperature water is taken out from below the hot water storage tank 4, the thermal energy of the fuel cell 3 is recovered by the water, and the hot water is returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 4 to enter the hot water storage tank 4. Stores heat energy in. The stored heat energy can be used by the user for hot water supply, floor heating, and the like.

Here, if the heat energy recovered from the fuel cell 3 continues to exceed the heat energy used from the hot water storage tank 4, the inside of the hot water storage tank 4 will be filled with high-temperature water. In that case, the heat energy generated in the fuel cell 3 cannot be recovered by the water in the hot water storage tank 4, the temperature of the fuel cell 3 rises, and the fuel cell 3 may deteriorate.

When such a situation occurs, in the present embodiment, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is drained through, for example, a bath tub (not shown), low-temperature water is taken out from below the hot water storage tank 4, and the water is used as fuel. Control is performed to recover the thermal energy of the battery 3 and return the hot water to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 4.

The display device 5 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 51, a touch sensor 52, and a speaker 53.
The LCD 51 is formed in a rectangular shape and displays various images. The LCD 51 notifies various guidance information according to the instruction from the control device 1.
The touch sensor 52 is formed integrally with the display surface of the LCD 51 and receives an operation from the user. The LCD 51 and the touch sensor 52 function as a so-called touch panel.
The speaker 53 outputs various sounds according to the instruction from the control device 1.
In the present embodiment, a case where the server device 200 transmits power failure information to the control device 1 will be described, but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. The display device 5 may receive an operation from the user, and the control device 1 may receive the power failure information based on the operation from the user.
In the present embodiment, the display device 5 includes a touch panel, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this. The display device 5 may be configured to be able to accept operations from the user. For example, the display device 5 may include a plurality of keys and accept operations from the user for the plurality of keys.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the hydrogen generating apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment.
The hydrogen generator 2 includes a reformer 21, a raw material supply device 22, a reforming water supply device 23, a combustor 24, an air supply device 25, a frame rod 26, a reforming temperature detector 27, and the like. The first sealer 28, the first path 29, the second sealer 210, the second path 211, the third sealer 212, the third path 213, the CO remover 220, and CO removal. It includes a vessel temperature detector 221 and a CO remover heater 222. Electric power is supplied to the hydrogen generation device 2 from the system power supply 20.

The reformer 21 uses the raw material and steam to generate a hydrogen-containing gas by a reforming reaction. As the raw material, city gas is used in this embodiment. City gas refers to, for example, LNG gas supplied from a gas company to households and the like through piping. The raw material may be, for example, natural gas, LP gas, or the like supplied by a pipeline, as long as it contains at least an organic compound containing carbon and hydrogen as constituent elements.

As the reforming reaction of the present embodiment, steam reforming in which the raw material and steam are reacted is used. Any reforming reaction may be used as long as the hydrogen-containing gas is generated from the raw material and water vapor, such as an autothermal reaction in which air is added to the raw material and water vapor, or a partial oxidation reaction in which the raw material and air are reacted. It may be. The hydrogen-containing gas generated by the reformer 21 is supplied to the fuel cell 3 via the first path 29.

When the hydrogen-containing gas is not supplied to the fuel cell 3, the hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the combustor 24 via the second path 211. Further, the hydrogen-containing gas left unused in the fuel cell 3 is supplied to the combustor 24 via the third path 213. A first sealer 28, a second sealer 210, and a third sealer 212 are provided in each path, and the gas supply destination can be switched by these.

The raw material supply device 22 supplies the raw material to the reformer 21. The reformed water supply device 23 supplies the reformed water to the reformer 21. The combustor 24 heats the reformer 21. The air supply device 25 is, for example, a fan that supplies combustion air to the combustor 24. The frame rod 26 detects combustion in the combustor 24.

The grid power supply 20 is a power supply supplied from a commercial distribution line network to a general household or the like.
During the start-up process in which the hydrogen generator 2 is started, the system power supply 20 is used to obtain electric power for driving auxiliary equipment such as the raw material supply device 22, the reformed water supply device 23, and the CO remover heater 222. Is used.

The display device 5 shown in FIG. 1 operates the fuel cell system 100 when the hydrogen generating device 2 can supply the hydrogen-containing gas to the fuel cell 3 or when the fuel cell 3 starts power generation. Notify the user of the status and amount of power generation.

In the present embodiment, in the starting step, in order to generate the hydrogen-containing gas in the hydrogen generation device 2, the hydrogen-containing gas can be generated in the hydrogen generation device 2 after the hydrogen generation device 2 is started to operate. Corresponds to the operation of the hydrogen generator 2 until. Starting the start-up process means starting the operation of the hydrogen generation device 2, and represents the same as starting or starting the start-up process.

Further, the fuel cell system 100 can operate the fuel cell system 100 by using the generated electric power by generating electric power in the fuel cell 3 from the time when the hydrogen generating device 2 can generate the hydrogen-containing gas. Therefore, it is possible to continue power generation in the fuel cell system 100 even if there is no power supply from the system power source 20.
In the following description, starting the hydrogen generating device 2 and generating electricity with the fuel cell 3 from the time when the hydrogen generating device 2 can generate the hydrogen-containing gas is simply referred to as "starting the fuel cell 3". May be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 1 includes an information reception unit 111, a period determination unit 112, an error determination unit 113, an operation reception unit 114, a power generation control unit 115, a notification unit 116, and a drainage control unit. 117 and. Specifically, when the processor 11 of the control device 1 executes the control program stored in the memory 12, the information reception unit 111, the period determination unit 112, the error determination unit 113, the operation reception unit 114, and the power generation control unit 115 , A notification unit 116, and a drainage control unit 117.
The control device 1 corresponds to an example of a “control unit”.

The information receiving unit 111 receives power failure information from the server device 200. Power outage information indicates information about a power outage. The power failure information includes information indicating the date and time when the power failure occurred.
The information reception unit 111 corresponds to an example of the “reception unit”.
In the present embodiment, the control device 1 includes the information receiving unit 111, but the information receiving unit 111 may be arranged outside the control device 1. For example, the illustrated communication unit that communicates with the server device 200 may function as the information reception unit 111.

The period determination unit 112 determines whether or not the power generation time TG in the specific power generation mode exceeds the threshold power generation time TGS. The power generation time TG indicates the time during which the fuel cell 3 is generating power. The threshold power generation time TGS is, for example, 24 hours. The threshold power generation time TGS corresponds to the “predetermined power generation time”. The "specific power generation mode" is composed of a first power generation mode MG1 and a second power generation mode MG2. The specific power generation mode is different from the normal mode and indicates a power generation mode in preparation for the occurrence of a power failure. The normal mode includes a load following mode, a hot water supply priority mode, and a power generation stop mode.
The load following mode indicates an external load power, that is, a mode in which the generated power of the fuel cell 3 is controlled according to the power consumption. The hot water supply priority mode indicates a mode in which the generated power of the fuel cell 3 is preferentially used to increase the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 rather than the external load power, that is, the power consumption.
The first power generation mode MG1 corresponds to an example of "first power generation processing", and the second power generation mode MG2 corresponds to an example of "second power generation processing".

The power generation control unit 115 causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power in the first power generation mode MG1 when the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state when the information reception unit 111 receives the power failure information. In the first power generation mode MG1, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3 for the threshold power generation time TGS.
Further, the power generation control unit 115 generates power in the second power generation mode MG2, which is different from the first power generation mode, when the fuel cell 3 is in the standby state when the information reception unit 111 receives the power failure information. Let me. Here, "in the standby state" means that the power is not in the power generation state. In the second power generation mode MG2, the power generation control unit 115 activates the fuel cell 3 before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start, and continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3 for the threshold power generation time TGS.
In the present embodiment, the power generation control unit 115 causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power in the first power generation mode MG1 when the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state, and in the second power generation mode MG2 when the fuel cell 3 is in the standby state. It generates electricity, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this. When the power generation control unit 115 receives the power failure information from the information reception unit 111, the fuel cell 3 may generate power in the specific power generation mode.
That is, in the specific power generation mode, when the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3 for the threshold power generation time TGS. Further, in the specific power generation mode, when the fuel cell 3 is in the standby state when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the power generation control unit 115 sets the fuel cell 3 before the timing when the power generation is predicted to start. Is activated, and the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is continued for the threshold power generation time TGS.

The period determination unit 112 determines whether or not the continuous power generation period CGP, which indicates the period during which the fuel cell 3 continuously generates power, is equal to or longer than the predetermined maximum power generation period CGPS. The maximum power generation period CGPS is, for example, 120 hours.
The fact that the continuous power generation period CGP is equal to or longer than the longest power generation period CGPS corresponds to an example of "fuel cell operating status".
During power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 or the second power generation mode MG2, when the period determination unit 112 determines that the continuous power generation period CGP is equal to or longer than the longest power generation period CGPS, the power generation control unit 115 of the fuel cell 3 After determining that the power generation is to be stopped, the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped, the fuel cell 3 is started, and then the fuel cell 3 is made to generate power.

The error determination unit 113 determines whether or not the power generation stop error ER1 is determined during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 or the second power generation mode MG2. The power generation stop error ER1 indicates that the fuel cell 3 cannot continue the power generation state. Further, the error determination unit 113 determines whether or not the power generation stop error ER1 has been released.
The confirmation of the power generation stop error ER1 corresponds to an example of "fuel cell operating status".
The power generation stop error ER1 is, for example, when the fuel cell 3 exceeds the upper limit temperature, when the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 reaches the upper limit value, or when the supply of the raw material to the reformer 21 shown in FIG. 2 is cut off. Etc.
If the error determination unit 113 determines that the power generation stop error ER1 has been determined during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 or the second power generation mode MG2, the power generation control unit 115 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3. Is determined, and the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped. After that, when the error determination unit 113 determines that the power generation stop error ER1 has been released, the power generation control unit 115 activates the fuel cell 3 and then causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power.

In the present embodiment, when the error determination unit 113 determines that the power generation stop error ER1 has been determined, the power generation control unit 115 determines that the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped, and stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3. , The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. When the control device 1 determines whether or not to stop the power generation of the fuel cell 3 according to the operating status of the fuel cell 3, and determines that the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped, the power generation control unit 115 determines. The power generation of the fuel cell 3 may be stopped. The operating status of the fuel cell 3 includes, for example, determination of the power generation stop error ER1, detection of the retry error ER2, and the continuous power generation period CGP being equal to or longer than the longest power generation period CGPS.

The error determination unit 113 determines whether or not the retry error ER2 is detected during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 or the second power generation mode MG2. The retry error ER2 indicates that the fuel cell 3 needs to be restarted in order to continue the power generation state.
The retry error ER2 corresponds to, for example, a case where a malfunction of the hydrogen generating device 2 occurs.
The detection of the retry error ER2 corresponds to an example of "fuel cell operating status".
When the error determination unit 113 determines that the retry error ER2 has been detected, the power generation control unit 115 determines that the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped, stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3, and starts the fuel cell 3. After that, the fuel cell 3 is generated to generate electricity.

The operation reception unit 114 determines whether or not the user has operated to stop power generation during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 or the second power generation mode MG2. The operation of stopping power generation is detected by the display device 5 shown in FIG.
When the operation reception unit 114 determines that the user has operated to stop power generation, the power generation control unit 115 shifts the fuel cell 3 to the standby state. Specifically, the power generation control unit 115 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3 and shifts the fuel cell 3 to the standby state.
Further, the operation reception unit 114 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation other than stopping the power generation. The operations other than the power generation stop indicate, for example, an operation of executing the load following mode and an operation of executing the hot water supply priority mode. The load following mode indicates an external load power, that is, a mode in which the generated power of the fuel cell 3 is controlled according to the power consumption. The hot water supply priority mode indicates a mode in which the generated power of the fuel cell 3 is preferentially used to increase the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 rather than the external load power, that is, the power consumption.
When the operation reception unit 114 determines that the user has performed an operation other than stopping the power generation, the power generation control unit 115 shifts the fuel cell 3 to the power generation state. Specifically, the power generation control unit 115 starts the fuel cell 3 and then causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power.

The notification unit 116 notifies the user of various information on the display device 5 by displaying it on the LCD 51.
For example, when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the user is notified of the information indicating that the power failure information has been received.
Further, for example, when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the notification unit 116 notifies the user of the information urging the user to remove the plug of the bathtub.
Further, for example, when the error determination unit 113 determines that the power generation stop error ER1 has been determined, the notification unit 116 notifies the user that the power generation stop error ER1 has been determined.
Further, for example, when the error determination unit 113 determines that the retry error ER2 has been detected, the notification unit 116 notifies the user that the retry error ER2 has been detected.
In the present embodiment, the case where the notification unit 116 notifies the user by displaying various information on the LCD 51 will be described, but even if the notification unit 116 outputs various information by voice from the speaker 53, the notification unit 116 will be described. good.

The drainage control unit 117 controls so that the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 does not exceed a predetermined threshold value when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information. The predetermined threshold value is set to a value smaller than, for example, the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 for stopping the power generation of the fuel cell 3. For example, the drainage control unit 117 discharges the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 4 into the bathtub when the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value after the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information. Control the hot water storage tank 4.
In the present embodiment, when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is controlled so as not to exceed a predetermined threshold value, but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. The drainage control unit 117 may control the hot water storage tank 4 so that the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 4 is discharged to the bathtub when the information reception unit 111 receives the power failure information.

Next, a specific example of the operation of the fuel cell system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (A) to 7 (7). Each of FIGS. 4A to 7 shows the power generation mode MG, the operating state ST, the time axis, and the power generation mode display in order from the upper side.
The power generation mode MG includes a first power generation mode MG1, a second power generation mode MG2, and a normal mode. The operating state ST indicates the operating state of the fuel cell 3. The operating state includes a stopped state, a standby state, a starting state, and a power generation state. The power generation mode display indicates the power generation mode displayed on the display device 5.

FIG. 4A is a time chart showing a first example of the operation of the fuel cell system 100. The horizontal axis of the time chart is time T. FIG. 4A describes the operation of the fuel cell system 100 when the fuel cell 3 is in the standby state when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information at the time T11. The time T11 is, for example, 18:00.
If the fuel cell 3 is in the standby state when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the power generation control unit 115 causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power in the second power generation mode MG2. That is, the power generation control unit 115 activates the fuel cell 3 when the power failure information is received, and continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3. Then, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3 for the threshold power generation time TGS.

Specifically, at time T11, the power generation control unit 115 activates the fuel cell 3. At time T12, the start of the fuel cell 3 is completed, and the power generation control unit 115 starts the power generation of the fuel cell 3. The time T12 is, for example, 18:30. That is, the start-up time of the fuel cell 3 is 30 minutes.
Next, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3 for the threshold power generation time TGS. That is, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3 until the time T13. At time T13, the power generation control unit 115 switches the power generation mode MG from the second power generation mode MG2 to the normal mode. After that, the operating state of the fuel cell 3 is controlled according to the normal mode.

Time T13 is, for example, 18:30 the day after time T12. That is, the threshold power generation time TGS is, for example, 24 hours.
Further, from the time T11 to the time T13, the notification unit 116 indicates on the display device 5 that the "specific power generation mode" is being executed.

In FIG. 4A, when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the power generation control unit 115 activates the fuel cell 3, but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. When the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the power generation control unit 115 may start the fuel cell 3 before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start. For example, the power generation control unit 115 may start the fuel cell 3 two hours before the predicted power failure date and time. The predicted power outage date and time is included in the power outage information and indicates the timing at which the power outage is predicted to start.

FIG. 4B is a time chart showing a second example of the operation of the fuel cell system 100. The horizontal axis of the time chart is time T. FIG. 4B describes the operation of the fuel cell system 100 when the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information at the time T21. The time T21 is, for example, 18:00.
If the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the power generation control unit 115 causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power in the first power generation mode MG1. That is, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3 for the threshold power generation time TGS from the time when the power failure information is received.

Specifically, at time T21, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3 for the threshold power generation time TGS. That is, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3 until the time T22. At time T22, the power generation control unit 115 switches the power generation mode MG from the first power generation mode MG1 to the normal mode. After that, the operating state of the fuel cell 3 is controlled according to the normal mode.

Time T22 is, for example, 18:00 the day after time T21. That is, the threshold power generation time TGS is, for example, 24 hours.
Further, from the time T21 to the time T22, the notification unit 116 indicates on the display device 5 that the "specific power generation mode" is being executed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), when the fuel cell 3 is in the standby state when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the power generation control unit 115 causes the fuel cell. 3 is generated in the second power generation mode MG2, and when the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state, the power generation control unit 115 causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power in the first power generation mode MG1. Therefore, when the information regarding the power failure is acquired, appropriate control can be performed depending on whether the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state or the standby state.

FIG. 5A is a time chart showing a third example of the operation of the fuel cell system 100. The horizontal axis of the time chart is time T. FIG. 5A describes the operation of the fuel cell system 100 when there is an operation to stop power generation during power generation in the second power generation mode MG2.
In FIG. 5A, since the fuel cell 3 is in the standby state when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information at the time T31, the power generation control unit 115 sets the fuel cell 3 in the second power generation mode MG2. Generate electricity. That is, the power generation control unit 115 activates the fuel cell 3 when the power failure information is received, and causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power.
Specifically, at time T31, the power generation control unit 115 activates the fuel cell 3. At time T32, the start of the fuel cell 3 is completed, and the power generation control unit 115 starts the power generation of the fuel cell 3. The time T31 is, for example, 18:00, and the time T32 is, for example, 18:30.

Then, at time T33, the operation reception unit 114 determines that the power generation has been stopped, the power generation control unit 115 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3, and then the power generation control unit 115 stops the fuel cell 3. To shift to the standby state. Further, at the time T34, the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information. At time T35, the operation reception unit 114 determines that there has been an operation other than stopping the power generation, and the power generation control unit 115 activates the fuel cell 3. Then, at time T36, the power generation control unit 115 completes the activation of the fuel cell 3 and causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power. Next, at the time T37, the period determination unit 112 determines that the power generation time TG exceeds the threshold power generation time TGS, and the power generation control unit 115 switches from the second power generation mode MG2 to the normal mode.
Time T33 is, for example, 6 o'clock the day after time T31 and time T32, time T35 is, for example, 12 o'clock, time T36 is 12:30, and time T37 is 12:30. be. That is, from the time T36 when the fuel cell 3 starts power generation in the second power generation mode MG2, to the threshold power generation time TGS, here, the time T37 after the lapse of 24 hours, based on the determination result of the period determination unit 112. , The power generation control unit 115 ends the power generation in the second power generation mode MG2.

Further, in the period from the time T31 to the time T33 and the period from the time T35 to the time T37, the notification unit 116 indicates to the display device 5 that the "specific power generation mode" is being executed.

As described with reference to FIG. 5A, the second power generation is performed in order to shift the fuel cell 3 to the standby state when the user operates to stop power generation during power generation in the second power generation mode MG2. Even during power generation in mode MG2, the user can operate to stop power generation. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be improved. Further, since the fuel cell 3 is shifted to the power generation state when the user performs an operation other than stopping the power generation, the fuel cell 3 can be started before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start. Therefore, it becomes possible to generate electricity for the fuel cell 3 during a power failure.

Further, when the information receiving unit 111 receives the second power failure information, the period determining unit 112 extends the power generation time TG. For example, in FIG. 5A, the period determination unit 112 determines whether or not the power generation time TG from the time T36 when the fuel cell 3 starts power generation in the second power generation mode MG2 exceeds the threshold power generation time TGS. Is determined. That is, the period determination unit 112 determines the starting time of the power generation time TG from the time T31 when the information receiving unit 111 receives the first power failure information to the time T36 when the second power generation information second power generation mode MG2 starts power generation. By changing to, the power generation time TG is extended.
The period determination unit 112 may extend the power generation time TG when the information reception unit 111 receives the second power failure information. For example, the threshold power generation time TGS may be increased.

Note that, in FIG. 5A, the case where the user operates to stop power generation during power generation in the second power generation mode MG2 has been described, but the operation to stop power generation by the user during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 has been described. When there is, the control device 1 causes the fuel cell 3 to perform the same operation.
Further, in FIG. 5A, the case where the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information when the fuel cell 3 is in the standby state has been described, but the timing at which the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information is, for example, interim. It may be T32 or later.

FIG. 5B is a time chart showing a fourth example of the operation of the fuel cell system 100. The horizontal axis of the time chart is time T. FIG. 5B describes the operation of the fuel cell system 100 when the power generation stop error ER1 is determined during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1.
In FIG. 5B, when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information at the time T41, the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state. Therefore, the power generation control unit 115 sets the fuel cell 3 in the first power generation mode MG1. Generate electricity. That is, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3.
Specifically, at time T41, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3. The time T41 is, for example, 18:00.

Then, at time T42, the error determination unit 113 determines that the power generation stop error ER1 has been determined, and the power generation control unit 115 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3. Further, at the time T43, the error determination unit 113 determines that the power generation stop error ER1 has been released, and the period determination unit 112 determines that the power generation time TG does not exceed the threshold power generation time TGS. Therefore, the power generation control unit 115 Activates the fuel cell 3. Then, at time T44, the power generation control unit 115 completes the activation of the fuel cell 3 and causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power. Next, at time T45, the power generation control unit 115 switches the power generation mode MG from the first power generation mode MG1 to the normal mode. After that, the operating state of the fuel cell 3 is controlled according to the normal mode.
The time T42 is, for example, 6 o'clock the day after the time T41, the time T43 is, for example, 12 o'clock, and the time T44 is, for example, 18:00. That is, power generation control is performed based on the determination result of the period determination unit 112 from the time T41 when the fuel cell 3 starts power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 to the threshold power generation time TGS, here the time T45 after 24 hours have elapsed. The unit 115 ends the power generation in the first power generation mode MG1.

Further, in the period from the time T41 to the time T42 and the period from the time T43 to the time T45, the notification unit 116 indicates to the display device 5 that the "specific power generation mode" is being executed. Further, from the time T42 to the time T43, the notification unit 116 displays on the display device 5 that the "power generation stop error ER1" has been confirmed.

As described with reference to FIG. 5B, when the power generation stop error ER1 is determined, the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped, so that the power generation of the fuel cell 3 can be stopped properly. Further, when the power generation stop error ER1 is released, the fuel cell 3 is started and then the fuel cell 3 is generated to generate power. Therefore, the fuel cell 3 can be started before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start. become. Therefore, even when the power generation stop error ER1 occurs, the fuel cell 3 can generate power during a power failure. Further, when the power generation stop error ER1 is determined, the user is notified that the power generation stop error ER1 has been determined, so that the user can easily recognize that the power generation stop error ER1 has been determined.

Note that FIG. 5B has described the case where the error determination unit 113 determines that the power generation stop error ER1 has been determined during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1, but during power generation in the second power generation mode MG2, Even when the error determination unit 113 determines that the power generation stop error ER1 has been determined, the control device 1 causes the fuel cell 3 to perform the same operation.

FIG. 6A is a time chart showing a fifth example of the operation of the fuel cell system 100. The horizontal axis of the time chart is time T. FIG. 6A describes the operation of the fuel cell system 100 when the retry error ER2 is detected during power generation in the second power generation mode MG2.
In FIG. 6A, when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information at the time T51, the fuel cell 3 is in the standby state, so that the power generation control unit 115 sets the fuel cell 3 in the second power generation mode MG2. Generate electricity. That is, the power generation control unit 115 activates the fuel cell 3 when the power failure information is received, and causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power.
Specifically, at time T51, the power generation control unit 115 activates the fuel cell 3. At time T52, the start of the fuel cell 3 is completed, and the power generation control unit 115 starts the power generation of the fuel cell 3. The time T51 is, for example, 18:00, and the time T52 is, for example, 18:30.

Then, at time T53, the error determination unit 113 determines that the retry error ER2 has been detected, and the power generation control unit 115 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3. Further, at time T54, the power generation control unit 115 shifts the fuel cell 3 from the stopped state to the standby state. Next, at the time T55, the error determination unit 113 determines that the retry error ER2 has been resolved, and the period determination unit 112 determines that the power generation time TG does not exceed the threshold power generation time TGS. Therefore, the power generation control unit 115 Activates the fuel cell 3. Then, at time T56, the start of the fuel cell 3 is completed, and the power generation control unit 115 causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power. Next, at time T57, the power generation control unit 115 switches the power generation mode MG from the second power generation mode MG2 to the normal mode. After that, the operating state of the fuel cell 3 is controlled according to the normal mode.
Time T53 is, for example, 6 o'clock the day after time T51 and time T52, time T55 is, for example, 12 o'clock, time T56 is, for example, 12:30, and time T57 is, for example, 18:30. Minutes. That is, power generation control is performed based on the determination result of the period determination unit 112 from the time T52 when the fuel cell 3 starts power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 to the threshold power generation time TGS, here, the time T57 after 24 hours have elapsed. The unit 115 ends the power generation in the first power generation mode MG1.

Further, from the time T51 to the time T57, the notification unit 116 indicates on the display device 5 that the "specific power generation mode" is being executed.

As described with reference to FIG. 6A, when the retry error ER2 is detected, the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped, and when the retry error ER2 is eliminated, the fuel cell 3 is started, and then the fuel cell 3 is started. Since the fuel cell 3 is generated to generate electricity, the fuel cell 3 can be started before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start. Therefore, even when the retry error ER2 occurs, the fuel cell 3 can be generated to generate electricity during a power failure.

In addition, in FIG. 6A, the case where the error determination unit 113 determines that the retry error ER2 is detected during the power generation in the second power generation mode MG2 has been described, but the retry is performed during the power generation in the first power generation mode MG1. When the error determination unit 113 determines that the error ER2 has been detected, the control device 1 causes the fuel cell 3 to perform the same operation.

FIG. 6B is a time chart showing a sixth example of the operation of the fuel cell system 100. The horizontal axis of the time chart is time T. FIG. 6B describes the operation of the fuel cell system 100 when a power failure and a power recovery occur during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1.
In FIG. 6B, when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information at the time T61, the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state. Therefore, the power generation control unit 115 sets the fuel cell 3 in the first power generation mode MG1. Generate electricity. That is, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3.
Specifically, at time T61, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3. The time T61 is, for example, 18:00.

Then, at time T62, a power failure occurs, and the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3. Further, at time T63, the power is restored, and the power generation control unit 115 causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power in the first power generation mode MG1. The power generation mode MG from the time T62 to the time T63 is described as "power failure power generation".
Then, at time T64, the power generation control unit 115 switches the power generation mode MG from the first power generation mode MG1 to the normal mode. After that, the operating state of the fuel cell 3 is controlled according to the normal mode.
The time T62 is, for example, 6 o'clock the day after the time T61, the time T63 is, for example, 12 o'clock, and the time T64 is, for example, 18:00. That is, power generation control is performed based on the determination result of the period determination unit 112 from the time T61 when the fuel cell 3 starts power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 to the threshold power generation time TGS, here the time T64 after 24 hours have elapsed. The unit 115 ends the power generation in the first power generation mode MG1.

"Power failure power generation" indicates a power generation mode MG during a power failure. In "power failure power generation", the fuel cell 3 is continuously generated to generate power during a power failure. That is, in the "power failure power generation", the power generation state of the fuel cell 3 is continued during the power failure.

Further, from the time T61 to the time T64, the notification unit 116 indicates on the display device 5 that the "specific power generation mode" is being executed. Further, from the time T62 to the time T63, the notification unit 116 indicates to the display device 5 that "a power failure is occurring".

As described with reference to FIG. 6B, in order to continue the power generation of the fuel cell 3 when a power failure occurs and to shift the fuel cell 3 to the power generation state in the first power generation mode when the power is restored. , The fuel cell 3 can be generated during power failure and after power recovery.

In addition, in FIG. 6B, the case where the power failure and the power recovery occur during the power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 has been described, but the case where the power failure and the power recovery occur during the power generation in the second power generation mode MG2. Also, the control device 1 causes the fuel cell 3 to perform the same operation.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a seventh example of the operation of the fuel cell system 100. The horizontal axis of the time chart is time T. FIG. 7 describes the operation of the fuel cell system 100 when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information while the fuel cell 3 is generating power in the first power generation mode MG1.
If the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the power generation control unit 115 causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power in the first power generation mode MG1. That is, when the power generation control unit 115 receives the power failure information, the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is continued for the threshold power generation time TGS.

Specifically, at time T71, the power generation control unit 115 starts power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 of the fuel cell 3. Next, at time T72, the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, and the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3 for the threshold power generation time TGS from the time when the power failure information is received. That is, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3 until the time T73. At time T73, the power generation control unit 115 switches the power generation mode MG from the first power generation mode MG1 to the normal mode. After that, the operating state of the fuel cell 3 is controlled according to the normal mode.

The time T71 is, for example, 18:00. Time T72 is, for example, 6 o'clock the day after time T71, and time T73 is, for example, 6 o'clock the day after time T72. The time from time T72 to time T73 corresponds to the threshold power generation time TGS. The power generation time TG from the time T71 to the time T73 is 36 hours.
That is, when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information while the fuel cell 3 is generating power in the first power generation mode MG1, the power generation control unit 115 extends the power generation time TG. In FIG. 7, the power generation control unit 115 extends the power generation time from 24 hours to 36 hours.
Further, from the time T71 to the time T73, the notification unit 116 indicates on the display device 5 that the "specific power generation mode" is being executed.

As described with reference to FIG. 7, when power generation information is received during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1, the fuel cell 3 is reliably generated during the power generation in order to extend the power generation time TG. Can be done.

In FIG. 7, the case where the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 has been described, but the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information during power generation in the second power generation mode MG2. In this case, the control device 1 causes the fuel cell 3 to perform the same operation.

Further, in FIG. 7, when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the power generation time TG is extended so as to continue the threshold power generation time TGS power generation from the time when the power failure information is received. Not limited to this. When the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the power generation time TG may be extended.

Next, the processing of the control device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Each of FIGS. 8 and 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the control device 1 according to the present embodiment.
First, as shown in FIG. 8, in step S101, it is determined whether or not the information receiving unit 111 has received the power failure information.
When the information receiving unit 111 determines that the information receiving unit 111 has not received the power failure information (step S101; NO), the process proceeds to step S103.
Then, in step S103, the control device 1 operates the fuel cell 3 in the normal operation mode. After that, the process returns to step S101.
When the information receiving unit 111 determines that the information receiving unit 111 has received the power failure information (step S101; YES), the process proceeds to step S105.
Then, in step S105, the power generation control unit 115 determines whether or not the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state.

When the power generation control unit 115 determines that the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state (step S105; YES), the process proceeds to step S107.
Then, in step S107, the power generation control unit 115 determines that the fuel cell 3 is to generate power in the first power generation mode MG1.
Next, in step S109, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3, and the process proceeds to step S117.
When the power generation control unit 115 determines that the fuel cell 3 is not in the power generation state (step S105; NO), the process proceeds to step S111.
Then, in step S111, the power generation control unit 115 determines that the fuel cell 3 is to generate power in the second power generation mode MG2.
Then, in step S113, the power generation control unit 115 instructs the start of the fuel cell 3.
Next, in step S115, the power generation control unit 115 starts power generation of the fuel cell 3.

Next, in step S117, the drainage control unit 117 determines whether or not the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. The predetermined threshold value is set to a value smaller than, for example, the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 for stopping the power generation of the fuel cell 3.
When the drainage control unit 117 determines that the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is not equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (step S117; NO), the process proceeds to step S123 in FIG. When the drainage control unit 117 determines that the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (step S117; YES), the process proceeds to step S119.
Next, in step S119, the notification unit 116 notifies the user of information prompting the user to remove the plug of the bathtub.
Then, in step S121, the drainage control unit 117 controls the hot water storage tank 4 so that the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 4 is discharged to the bathtub.

Next, in step S123 shown in FIG. 9, the period determination unit 112 determines whether or not the continuous power generation period CGP is equal to or longer than the predetermined maximum power generation period CGPS. Continuous power generation period CGP indicates a period during which the fuel cell 3 continuously generates power. The maximum power generation period CGPS is, for example, 120 hours.
When the period determination unit 112 determines that the continuous power generation period CGP is not equal to or longer than the longest power generation period CGPS (step S123; NO), the process proceeds to step S129. When the period determination unit 112 determines that the continuous power generation period CGP is equal to or longer than the longest power generation period CGPS (step S123; YES), the process proceeds to step S125.
Then, in step S125, the power generation control unit 115 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3.

Next, in step S127, the power generation control unit 115 starts the fuel cell 3 and then starts the power generation of the fuel cell 3.
Next, in step S129, the period determination unit 112 determines whether or not the power generation time TG exceeds the threshold power generation time TGS.
When the period determination unit 112 determines that the power generation time TG does not exceed the threshold power generation time TGS (step S129; NO), the process returns to step S119 in FIG. When the period determination unit 112 determines that the power generation time TG exceeds the threshold power generation time TGS (step S129; YES), the process proceeds to step S131.
Then, in step S131, the power generation control unit 115 determines the operation mode of the fuel cell 3 to the normal operation mode, and the process ends.

In the present embodiment, when the period determination unit 112 determines that the continuous power generation period CGP is equal to or longer than the longest power generation period CGPS, the power generation control unit 115 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3, but the present disclosure is carried out. The form is not limited to this. When the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the control device 1 may determine the timing at which the power generation control unit 115 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3. For example, the timing at which the power generation control unit 115 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3 may be determined based on the remaining power generation period when the information reception unit 111 receives the power failure information. The remaining power generation period indicates the difference between the longest power generation period CGPS and the continuous power generation period CGP when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information.
Specifically, for example, when the remaining power generation period is less than the threshold power generation time TGS, the continuous power generation period CGP becomes the longest power generation period CGPS or more during power generation in the specific power generation mode, and the power generation control unit 115 fuels. Stop the power generation of the battery 3. Therefore, when the remaining power generation period is less than the threshold power generation time TGS, when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the power generation control unit 115 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3 and starts the fuel cell 3. After that, the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is started. On the other hand, when the remaining power generation period is equal to or longer than the threshold power generation time TGS, the continuous power generation period CGP does not exceed the maximum power generation period CGPS during power generation in the specific power generation mode. Therefore, when the remaining power generation period is equal to or longer than the threshold power generation time TGS, and the period determination unit 112 determines that the continuous power generation period CGP is equal to or longer than the longest power generation period CGPS, the power generation control unit 115 determines that the fuel cell 3 has a power generation control unit 115. Stop power generation.

Further, in the present embodiment, the threshold power generation time TGS is, for example, 24 hours, but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. The threshold power generation time TGS is set according to the period from when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information until the power is restored after the power failure occurs and the power from the system power supply 20 after the power is restored becomes stable. Is preferable. For example, when the power failure information includes the power failure predicted date / time information and the power recovery predicted date / time information, the power recovery of the power recovery predicted date / time information is performed from the time when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information for the threshold power generation time TGS. It may be set to the time from the date and time to the lapse of a predetermined time. The predetermined time includes an error in the predicted power recovery date and time and a period until the power from the system power supply 20 after the power recovery stabilizes.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the drainage control unit 117 determines that the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, the notification unit 116 notifies the user of information prompting the user to remove the plug of the bathtub. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this. For example, when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information, the notification unit 116 may notify the user of information prompting the user to remove the plug of the bathtub.

As described above, the present embodiment has the following effects.
That is, the fuel cell system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a fuel cell 3 and a control device 1 for controlling the fuel cell 3, and the control device 1 receives a power failure information indicating information on a power failure. When the power failure information is received, the fuel cell 3 is generated in the first power generation mode MG1 when the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state, and the fuel cell 3 is the first in the standby state when the fuel cell 3 is in the standby state. It includes a power generation control unit 115 that generates power in the second power generation mode MG2, which is different from the power generation mode MG1.
According to this, when the power failure information is acquired, appropriate control can be performed depending on whether the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state or the standby state.

Further, in the second power generation mode MG2, the power generation control unit 115 activates the fuel cell 3 before the timing when the power generation is predicted to start when the power generation control unit 115 receives the power generation information, and the threshold power generation time Continue power generation of TGS and fuel cell 3.
According to this, when the fuel cell 3 is in the standby state, when the power failure information is received, the fuel cell 3 is started before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start. Therefore, the fuel cell 3 is activated during the power failure. 3 can generate power. Further, in order to continue the power generation of the threshold power generation time TGS and the fuel cell 3, the fuel cell 3 can be generated during a power failure by setting the threshold power generation time TGS to an appropriate value. For example, the threshold power generation time TGS may be set to include the time from when the power failure information is received until the power failure occurs and the power is restored.

Further, in the first power generation mode MG1, when the power generation control unit 115 receives the power failure information, the threshold power generation time TGS and the power generation of the fuel cell 3 are continued.
According to this, when the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state, when the power failure information is received, the threshold power generation time TGS set in advance and the threshold power generation time TGS are set to appropriate values in order to continue the power generation of the fuel cell 3. By setting to, the fuel cell 3 can be generated to generate electricity during a power failure. For example, the threshold power generation time TGS may be set to include the time from when the power failure information is received until the power failure occurs and the power is restored.

Further, the control device 1 determines whether or not to stop the power generation of the fuel cell 3 according to the operating status of the fuel cell 3 during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 or the second power generation mode MG2, and fuels the fuel cell 3. When it is determined that the power generation of the battery 3 is stopped, the power generation control unit 115 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3.
According to this, it is determined whether or not to stop the power generation of the fuel cell 3 according to the operating condition of the fuel cell 3, and when it is determined to stop the power generation of the fuel cell 3, the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is performed. Therefore, the power generation of the fuel cell 3 can be stopped according to the operating state of the fuel cell 3. For example, when the continuous power generation period CGP indicating the period during which the fuel cell 3 continuously generates power is equal to or longer than the predetermined maximum power generation period CGPS, the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped and the fuel cell 3 is started. , The fuel cell 3 can generate electricity. In this case, since the fuel cell 3 can be started before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start, the fuel cell 3 can be generated during the power failure.

Further, the control device 1 includes a period determination unit 112 for determining whether or not the continuous power generation period CGP indicating the period during which the fuel cell 3 continuously generates power is equal to or longer than the predetermined maximum power generation period CGPS, and continuously generates power. When the period determination unit 112 determines that the period CGP is equal to or longer than the maximum power generation period CGPS, the power generation control unit 115 determines that the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped, stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3, and causes the fuel cell. After starting 3, the fuel cell 3 is made to generate electricity.
According to this, when the continuous power generation period CGP is equal to or longer than the longest power generation period CGPS, the power generation of the fuel cell 3 can be stopped, the fuel cell 3 can be started, and then the fuel cell 3 can generate power. Therefore, since the fuel cell 3 can be started before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start, the fuel cell 3 can be generated to generate electricity during the power failure.

Further, the control device 1 includes an error determination unit 113 for determining whether or not the power generation stop error ER1 indicating that the power generation state cannot be continued is determined, and the error determination unit 113 determines that the power generation stop error ER1 is determined. In this case, the power generation control unit 115 determines that the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped, and stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3.
According to this, when the power generation stop error ER1 indicating that the power generation state cannot be continued is confirmed, it is determined that the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped, and the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped. Therefore, the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is appropriate. Can be stopped at.

Further, the error determination unit 113 determines whether or not the power generation stop error ER1 has been released, and when the error determination unit 113 determines that the power generation stop error ER1 has been released, the power generation control unit 115 determines the fuel cell 3. After starting, the fuel cell 3 is made to generate electricity.
According to this, when the power generation stop error ER1 is cleared, the fuel cell 3 is started and then the fuel cell 3 is generated to generate power. Therefore, the fuel cell 3 is started before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start. Will be possible. Therefore, even when the power generation stop error ER1 occurs, the fuel cell 3 can generate power during a power failure.

Further, the control device 1 includes a notification unit 116 that notifies the user that the power generation stop error ER1 has been determined when the power generation stop error ER1 is determined.
According to this, when the power generation stop error ER1 is determined, the user is notified that the power generation stop error ER1 has been determined, so that the user can easily recognize that the power generation stop error ER1 has been determined.

Further, the control device 1 includes an error determination unit 113 that detects a retry error ER2 indicating that a restart is required to continue the power generation state, and when the error determination unit 113 detects the retry error ER2, the power generation control The unit 115 determines that the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped, stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3, starts the fuel cell 3, and then causes the fuel cell 3 to generate power.
According to this, when the retry error ER2 is detected, it is determined that the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped, the power generation of the fuel cell 3 is stopped, the fuel cell 3 is started, and then the fuel cell 3 is generated. Therefore, it becomes possible to start the fuel cell 3 before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start. Therefore, even when the retry error ER2 occurs, the fuel cell 3 can be generated to generate electricity during a power failure.

Further, a hot water storage tank 4 for storing hot water heated by the heat generated by the fuel cell 3 is provided, and the control device 1 discharges the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 4 when receiving power failure information. A drainage control unit 117 for controlling 4 is provided.
According to this, when the power failure information is received, the hot water storage tank 4 is controlled so as to discharge the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 4, so that the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 4 exceeds a predetermined amount. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fuel cell 3 from being stopped.

Further, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 4 is discharged to the bathtub, and when the notification unit 116 receives the power failure information, the notification unit 116 notifies the user of the information urging the user to remove the plug of the bathtub.
According to this, when the power failure information is received, the user is notified of the information urging the bathtub to be unplugged. Therefore, when the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 4 is discharged to the bathtub, the hot water overflows from the bathtub. Can be suppressed.

Further, the control device 1 determines whether or not the user has operated to stop power generation during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 or the second power generation mode MG2, and determines whether or not there has been an operation other than power generation stop by the user. When the operation reception unit 114 determines that the user has operated to stop the power generation, the power generation control unit 115 stops the power generation of the fuel cell 3 and puts the fuel cell 3 in the standby state. When the operation reception unit 114 determines that there has been an operation other than stopping power generation by the user, the power generation control unit 115 shifts the fuel cell 3 to the power generation state.
According to this, in order to shift the fuel cell 3 to the standby state when the user operates to stop power generation during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 or the second power generation mode MG2, the first power generation mode MG1 or Even during power generation in the second power generation mode MG2, the user can operate the power generation stop. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be improved. Further, since the fuel cell 3 is shifted to the power generation state when the user performs an operation other than stopping the power generation, the fuel cell 3 can be started before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start. Therefore, it is possible to generate electricity from the fuel cell during a power outage.

Further, the power generation control unit 115 continues the power generation of the fuel cell 3 when a power failure occurs during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 or the second power generation mode MG2, and causes the fuel cell 3 to continue power generation when the power is restored. It shifts to the power generation state in the 1 power generation mode MG1 or the 2nd power generation mode MG2.
According to this, when a power failure occurs, the fuel cell 3 continues to generate power, and when the power is restored, the fuel cell 3 shifts to the power generation state in the first power generation mode MG1 or the second power generation mode MG2. The fuel cell 3 can be generated in the middle and after the power is restored.

Further, the power generation control unit 115 extends the threshold power generation time TGS when the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 or the second power generation mode MG2.
According to this, when power failure information is received during power generation in the first power generation mode MG1 or the second power generation mode MG2, the threshold power generation time TGS is extended, so that the fuel cell 3 is surely generated during the power failure. be able to.

Further, the control method of the fuel cell system 100 according to the present embodiment is a control method of the fuel cell system 100 including the fuel cell 3 and the information receiving unit 111 for receiving the power failure information indicating the power failure information. When the information is received, the fuel cell 3 is made to generate power in the first power generation mode MG1 when the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state, and the fuel cell 3 is made to generate power in the first power generation mode MG1 when the fuel cell 3 is in the standby state. The second power generation mode MG2, which is different from the above, is used to generate power.
According to this, when the information regarding the power failure is acquired, appropriate control can be performed depending on whether the fuel cell 3 is in the power generation state or the standby state.

Although the present disclosure has been described above based on the present embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. Since this is merely an example of one embodiment of the present disclosure, it can be arbitrarily modified and applied without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

For example, in the present embodiment, the control device 1 includes the information receiving unit 111, but the information receiving unit 111 may be arranged outside the control device 1. For example, the illustrated communication unit that communicates with the server device 200 may function as the information reception unit 111.

Further, in the present embodiment, the information receiving unit 111 receives the power failure information from the server device 200, the display device 5 receives the operation from the user, and the control device 1 receives the power failure information based on the operation from the user. You may. For example, the control device 1 may receive power failure information based on a key operation arranged on the display device 5.

Each functional unit shown in FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration, and a specific mounting form is not particularly limited. That is, it is not always necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each functional unit individually, and it is of course possible to realize a configuration in which the functions of a plurality of functional units are realized by executing a program by one processor. Further, a part of the functions realized by the software in the above embodiment may be realized by the hardware, or a part of the functions realized by the hardware may be realized by the software. In addition, the specific detailed configuration of each other part of the fuel cell system 100 can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the spirit.

Further, the processing units of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are divided according to the main processing contents in order to make the processing of the control device 1 easy to understand. It is not limited by the method and name of division of the processing units shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9, and can be further divided into more processing units according to the processing content, and one processing unit is further divided. It can also be divided to include many processes. Further, the processing order of the above flowchart is not limited to the illustrated example.

Further, the control method of the fuel cell system 100 can be realized by causing the processor 11 included in the control device 1 to execute a control program corresponding to the control method of the fuel cell system 100. Further, this control program can also be recorded on a recording medium which is readable by a computer. As the recording medium, a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory device can be used. Specifically, it is a portable or fixed flexible disk, HDD, CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), DVD, Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc, magneto-optical disk, flash memory, card-type recording medium, or the like. The recording medium of the formula can be mentioned. Further, the recording medium may be a non-volatile storage device such as RAM, ROM, or HDD, which is an internal storage device included in the image processing device. Further, a control program corresponding to the control method of the fuel cell system 100 is stored in a server device or the like, and the control program is downloaded from the server device to the control device 1 to realize the control method of the fuel cell system 100. You can also.

As described above, the fuel cell system and the control method of the fuel cell system according to the present disclosure are appropriate depending on whether the fuel cell is in the power generation state or the standby state when the information on the power failure is acquired. Control can be performed.

100 Fuel cell system 1 Control device (control unit)
11 Processor 12 Memory 111 Information reception department (reception department)
112 Period Judgment Unit 113 Error Judgment Unit 114 Operation Reception Unit 115 Power Generation Control Unit 116 Notification Unit 117 Drainage Control Unit 2 Hydrogen Generator 20 System Power Supply 21 Reformer 22 Raw Material Supply Unit 23 Reformation Water Supply Unit 24 Combustor 25 Air Supply Instrument 26 Frame rod 27 Reform temperature detector 220 CO remover 3 Fuel cell 4 Hot water storage tank 5 Display device 51 LCD
52 Touch sensor 53 Speaker 200 Server device CGP Continuous power generation period CGPS Maximum power generation period ER1 Power generation stop error ER2 Retry error MG power generation mode MG1 1st power generation mode (1st power generation processing)
MG2 2nd power generation mode (2nd power generation processing)
ST operating state TG power generation time TGS threshold power generation time (predetermined power generation time)

Claims (15)

With fuel cells
A reception desk that accepts power outage information that shows information about power outages,
A control unit for controlling the fuel cell is provided.
The control unit
When the power outage information is received,
When the fuel cell is in a power generation state, the fuel cell is generated by the first power generation process.
When the fuel cell is in the standby state, the fuel cell is generated by a second power generation process different from the first power generation process.
A fuel cell system characterized by that. In the second power generation process,
When the control unit receives the power failure information, the control unit activates the fuel cell before the timing when the power failure is predicted to start, and continues the power generation of the fuel cell for a predetermined power generation time.
The fuel cell system according to claim 1. In the first power generation process,
When the control unit receives the power failure information, the control unit continues the power generation of the fuel cell for a predetermined power generation time.
The fuel cell system according to claim 1. The control unit determines whether or not to stop the power generation of the fuel cell according to the operating state of the fuel cell during the power generation in the first power generation process or the second power generation process, and determines whether or not to stop the power generation of the fuel cell. If it is determined to stop the power generation of the fuel cell, the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped.
The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fuel cell system is characterized. The control unit determines that the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped when the continuous power generation period indicating the period of continuous power generation of the fuel cell is equal to or longer than the predetermined maximum power generation period, and the fuel cell After stopping the power generation and starting the fuel cell, the fuel cell is made to generate power.
The fuel cell system according to claim 4. When the power generation stop error indicating that the power generation state cannot be continued is determined, the control unit determines that the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped, and stops the power generation of the fuel cell.
The fuel cell system according to claim 4. When the power generation stop error is released, the control unit activates the fuel cell and then causes the fuel cell to generate power.
The fuel cell system according to claim 6. When the power generation stop error is confirmed, the control unit notifies the user that the power generation stop error has been confirmed.
The fuel cell system according to claim 6 or 7. When the control unit detects a retry error indicating that a restart is required to continue the power generation state, the control unit determines that the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped, stops the power generation of the fuel cell, and causes the fuel. After activating the battery, the fuel cell is generated to generate electricity.
The fuel cell system according to claim 4. A hot water storage tank for storing hot water heated by the heat generated by the fuel cell is provided.
When the control unit receives the power failure information, the control unit controls the hot water storage tank so as to discharge the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank.
The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fuel cell system is characterized. The hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is discharged to the bathtub.
When the control unit receives the power failure information, the control unit notifies the user of information prompting the user to remove the plug of the bathtub.
The fuel cell system according to claim 10. The control unit shifts the fuel cell to the standby state when the user operates to stop power generation during power generation in the first power generation process or the second power generation process, and operates other than the user to stop power generation. When there is, the fuel cell is shifted to the power generation state.
The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The control unit continues the power generation of the fuel cell when a power failure occurs during the power generation in the first power generation process or the second power generation process, and causes the fuel cell to generate the first power generation when the power is restored. Transition to the power generation state in the processing or the second power generation processing,
The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the fuel cell system is characterized. The control unit extends the power generation time when it receives the power failure information during power generation in the first power generation process or the second power generation process.
The fuel cell system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the fuel cell system is characterized by the above. A control method for a fuel cell system including a fuel cell and a reception unit that receives power outage information indicating information on power outages.
When the power outage information is received,
When the fuel cell is in a power generation state, the fuel cell is generated by the first power generation process.
When the fuel cell is in the standby state, the fuel cell is generated by a second power generation process different from the first power generation process.
A method of controlling a fuel cell system, which is characterized in that.

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