JP3609397B2

JP3609397B2 - Power supply system, housing complex, and program

Info

Publication number: JP3609397B2
Application number: JP2003116978A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 均井熊; 真壮井上
Original assignee: Japan Research Institute Ltd
Current assignee: Japan Research Institute Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-22
Filing date: 2003-04-22
Publication date: 2005-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-22
Also published as: JP2004327448A; JP2004327120A; JP4718133B2

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、負荷に電力を供給する電力供給システム、電力供給システムを備えた集合住宅、及び電力供給システムを機能させるプログラムに関する。特に、本発明は燃料電池を有する電力供給システムに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、電力系統の補助電源として各住宅における太陽光発電、燃料電池等が考られている。また、近年の電力需要の増大により、近い将来に電力系統からの電力供給が不足することが予想される。このため、各住宅の電力供給において、太陽光発電、燃料電池等に対する依存度が高まると考えられる。つまり、従来補助電源として使用されていた燃料電池等が、各住宅の主電源として機能することが予想される。また、燃料電池の発電効率は、発電電力によって変化する。このため、燃料電池はその発電効率ができるだけ大きくなるように制御されることが好ましい。
【０００３】
例えば、複数の燃料電池を備えた発電所において、燃料電池全体の発電効率を向上させるために、電力負荷に応じて運転する燃料電池の台数を設定し、それぞれの燃料電池を発電効率の高い負荷率で運転するシステムがある。この場合、負荷率に対する燃料電池の発電効率の特性は予め与えられており、与えられた発電効率の特性に基づいて燃料電池の発電を制御している。
従来技術としては、下記の文献が発見されている。
【特許文献１】
特開２００２−１７１６７１号公報
【特許文献２】
特開平０８−２３６１２８号公報
【特許文献３】
特開２００３−０７７５０７号公報
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、燃料電池の特性は経時的に劣化するため、発電効率の特性も経時的に変動する。例えば、固体電解質燃料電池において、電解膜が過剰に加湿され、又は加湿が不十分である状態で運転された場合、燃料電池の発電効率は大きく劣化する。
【０００５】
しかし、従来のシステムでは、この経時的な変動を考慮していないため、燃料電池を高効率で運転することが困難な場合がある。例えば、それぞれの燃料電池を最大効率で運転させようとした場合であっても、燃料電池の発電効率の特性が予め測定された特性から経時的に変動し、最大効率となる発電電力が変動してしまうため、最大効率で運転させることができない。また、燃料電池の温度等の運転環境によっても、燃料電池の特性は変動してしまうため、従来の制御方法では燃料電池を高効率で運転することが困難である。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するために、本発明の第１の形態においては、負荷に電力を供給する電力供給システムであって、電力を発電し負荷に供給する燃料電池と、燃料電池の発電電力毎の発電効率を格納する効率格納部と、燃料電池の発電効率を、予め定められた期間毎に算出し、効率格納部が格納した発電効率を更新する効率算出部と、効率格納部が格納した発電効率に基づいて、燃料電池の発電力を制御する制御部とを備える電力供給システムを提供する。
【０００７】
燃料電池の余剰電力により充電される二次電池を更に備え、制御部は、燃料電池の発電効率が最大となるように燃料電池の発電量を制御し、燃料電池の発電量が負荷に供給する電力より小さい場合、二次電池から負荷に不足電力を供給させ、燃料電池の発電量が負荷に供給する電力より大きい場合、二次電池に余剰電力を充電してよい。
【０００８】
制御部は、負荷に供給するべき電力が予め定められた電力より小さく、且つ二次電池の蓄電量が予め定められた蓄電量より大きい場合、燃料電池を停止させ二次電池から負荷に電力を供給させてよい。
【０００９】
本発明の第２の形態においては、負荷に電力を供給する電力供給システムであって、電力を発電し負荷に供給する複数の燃料電池と、燃料電池の発電を制御する制御部と、発電電力毎の発電効率を、それぞれの燃料電池毎に格納する効率格納部と、それぞれの燃料電池の発電電力毎の発電効率を、予め定められた期間毎に算出し、効率格納部が格納した発電効率を更新する効率算出部とを備え、制御部は、効率格納部が格納した発電効率に基づいて、複数の燃料電池の全体の発電効率が最大となるように、それぞれの燃料電池の発電量を制御して負荷に供給するべき電力を発電させる電力供給システムを提供する。
【００１０】
制御部は、予め定められた期間毎に、補助として電力を発電するべき少なくとも一つの補助燃料電池を、複数の燃料電池から順次選択し、効率算出部は、補助燃料電池の発電効率を算出してよい。
【００１１】
制御部は、補助燃料電池の発電量を順次変化させて効率算出部に発電効率を算出させ、複数の燃料電池のうち、補助燃料電池以外の燃料電池に、負荷に供給するべき電力と補助燃料電池の発電量との差分の電力を発電させてよい。
【００１２】
効率算出部は、燃料電池の累積稼働時間に対する発電効率の劣化の大きさを示す劣化情報が予め与えられ、それぞれの燃料電池の累積稼働時間に基づいて、それぞれの燃料電池の発電効率を算出してよい。
【００１３】
効率算出部は、燃料電池の累積発電量に対する発電効率の劣化の大きさを示す劣化情報が予め与えられ、それぞれの燃料電池の累積発電量に基づいて、それぞれの燃料電池の発電効率を算出してよい。
【００１４】
効率格納部は、それぞれの燃料電池の温度毎の発電効率を格納し、制御部は、それぞれの燃料電池の温度に更に基づいて、燃料電池の発電量を制御してよい。また、効率格納部は、それぞれの燃料電池の温度毎の発電効率を格納し、制御部は、補助燃料電池の発電量を順次変化させ効率算出部に発電効率を算出させ、効率算出部は、効率格納部が格納した補助燃料電池の発電効率のうち、発電効率を算出したときの補助燃料電池の温度に対応する発電効率を更新してよい。
【００１５】
また、効率格納部は、それぞれの燃料電池の運転圧力毎の発電効率を格納し、制御部は、それぞれの燃料電池の運転圧力に更に基づいて、燃料電池の発電量を制御してよい。また、効率格納部は、それぞれの燃料電池の運転圧力毎の発電効率を格納し、制御部は、補助燃料電池の発電量を順次変化させ効率算出部に発電効率を算出させ、効率算出部は、効率格納部が格納した補助燃料電池の発電効率のうち、発電効率を算出したときの補助燃料電池の運転圧力に対応する発電効率を更新してよい。
【００１６】
制御部は、複数の燃料電池のうち、稼働時間が予め定められた時間になった燃料電池を、補助燃料電池として選択してよい。また、制御部は、複数の燃料電池のうち、総発電量が予め定められた電力になった燃料電池を、補助燃料電池として選択してよい。
【００１７】
複数の燃料電池は、排熱を供給するべき熱需要器に対応して設けられ、電力供給システムは、複数の燃料電池が発電した電力を各戸の負荷に分配し、制御部は、それぞれの燃料電池に、少なくとも対応する熱需要器の熱需要量に応じた電力を発電させる条件において、複数の燃料電池の全体の発電効率が最大となるようにそれぞれの燃料電池の発電量を制御してよい。
【００１８】
本発明の第３の形態においては、複数の住居を備える集合住宅であって、それぞれの住居毎に設けられた複数の燃料電池と、複数の燃料電池の発電を制御する制御部と、発電電力毎の発電効率を、それぞれの燃料電池毎に格納する効率格納部と、効率格納部が格納したそれぞれの燃料電池の発電効率を、予め定められた期間毎に算出し、効率格納部が格納した発電効率を更新する効率算出部とを備え、制御部は、効率格納部が格納した発電効率に基づいて、複数の燃料電池の全体の発電効率が最大となるように、それぞれの燃料電池の発電量を制御して負荷に供給するべき電力を発電させる集合住宅を提供する。
【００１９】
集合住宅は、複数の燃料電池が発電した電力を各戸の負荷に分配する配電部を更に備え、燃料電池は、対応する住居の熱需要器に排熱を供給する手段を有し、制御部は、それぞれの燃料電池に、少なくとも対応する熱需要器の熱需要量に応じた電力を発電させる条件において、複数の燃料電池の全体の発電効率が最大となるようにそれぞれの燃料電池の発電量を制御してよい。
【００２０】
本発明の第４の形態においては、電力供給システムを機能させるプログラムであって、電力供給システムを、電力を発電し負荷に供給する複数の燃料電池と、燃料電池の発電を制御する制御部と、発電電力毎の発電効率を、それぞれの燃料電池毎に格納する効率格納部と、効率格納部が格納したそれぞれの燃料電池の発電効率を、予め定められた期間毎に算出し、効率格納部が格納した発電効率を更新する効率算出部とを備え、制御部は、効率格納部が格納した発電効率に基づいて、複数の燃料電池の全体の発電効率が最大となるように、それぞれの燃料電池の発電量を制御して負荷に供給するべき電力を発電させる電力供給システムとして機能させるプログラムを提供する。
【００２１】
尚、上記の発明の概要は、本発明の必要な特徴の全てを列挙したものではなく、これらの特徴群のサブコンビネーションも又、発明となりうる。
【００２２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、発明の実施の形態を通じて本発明を説明するが、以下の実施形態は特許請求の範囲にかかる発明を限定するものではなく、又実施形態の中で説明されている特徴の組み合わせの全てが発明の解決手段に必須であるとは限らない。
【００２３】
図１は、本発明の実施形態に係る電力供給システムを備えた集合住宅１００の一例を示す。集合住宅１００は、複数の住居（１０ａ〜１０ｃ、以下１０と総称する）を備える。また、それぞれの住居１０には、電力によって駆動する負荷（３０ａ〜３０ｃ、以下３０と総称する）が設けられている。
【００２４】
電力供給システムは、それぞれの住居３０に設けられた複数の燃料電池（２０ａ〜２０ｃ）、効率算出部４０、効率格納部５０、及び制御部６０を備える。それぞれの燃料電池（ＦＣ）２０は、例えば固体電解質燃料電池である。燃料電池２０は、電力を発電し負荷３０に供給する。また、それぞれの燃料電池２０は、いずれの負荷３０に対しても電力が供給可能に設けられる。
【００２５】
効率格納部５０は、発電電力毎の発電効率を、それぞれの燃料電池２０毎に格納する。また、効率算出部４０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０の発電電力毎の発電効率を、予め定められた期間毎に算出し、効率格納部５０が格納した発電効率を更新する。
【００２６】
制御部６０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０の発電を制御する。本例において、制御部６０は、効率格納部５０が格納した発電効率に基づいて、複数の燃料電池２０の全体の発電効率が最大となるように、それぞれの燃料電池２０の発電量を制御して負荷３０に供給するべき電力を発電させる。複数の燃料電池２０の全体の発電効率は、複数の燃料電池２０の総発電量に対するそれぞれの燃料電池２０の発電量の割合、及びこのときのそれぞれの燃料電池２０の発電効率から算出することができる。
【００２７】
また制御部６０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０を、それぞれ発電効率が最大となるように制御してよい。このとき、複数の燃料電池２０の総発電量が、負荷３０に供給するべき総電力より大きい場合、制御部６０は、燃料電池２０の総発電量が負荷３０の総電量と略等しくなるように、いずれかの燃料電池２０の発電を停止又は減少させてよい。
【００２８】
本例における電力供給システムによれば、それぞれの燃料電池２０の発電電力毎の発電効率を、所定の期間毎に更新して保持するため、燃料電池２０が経時劣化した場合であっても、発電効率が最大となるように制御することができる。
【００２９】
また、それぞれの燃料電池２０の発電効率を定期的に測定するために、制御部６０は、予め定められた期間毎に、補助として電力を発電するべき少なくとも一つの補助燃料電池を、複数の燃料電池から順次選択する。そして、制御部６０は、補助燃料電池として選択した燃料電池２０の発電量を順次変化させる。このとき、効率算出部４０は、当該燃料電池２０の出力電力に基づいて、当該燃料電池２０出力電力毎の発電効率を算出する。
【００３０】
また、制御部６０は、複数の燃料電池２０のうち、補助燃料電池以外の燃料電池２０に、負荷３０に供給するべき電力と補助燃料電池の発電量との差分の電力を、発電効率が最大となるように発電させる。このような動作により、負荷３０に安定して電力を供給しつつ、それぞれの燃料電池２０の発電効率の測定を行うことができる。
【００３１】
また、それぞれの燃料電池２０の発電効率の経時変動を算出する他の例としては、効率算出部４０に、それぞれの燃料電池２０の累積稼働時間に対する発電効率の劣化の大きさを示す劣化情報が予め与えられていてもよい。この場合、効率算出部４０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０の累積稼働時間を測定し、当該累積蓄積時間に基づいてそれぞれの燃料電池２０の発電電力毎の発電効率を算出する。
【００３２】
また、それぞれの燃料電池２０の発電効率の経時変動を算出する更なる他の例としては、効率算出部４０に、それぞれの燃料電池２０の累積発電量に対する発電効率の劣化の大きさを示す劣化情報が予め与えられていてもよい。この場合、効率算出部４０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０の累積発電量を測定し、当該累積発電量に基づいてそれぞれの燃料電池２０の発電電力毎の発電効率を算出する。これらの例において、効率算出部４０に与えられる劣化情報としては、発電電力毎の発電効率のそれぞれの劣化の大きさが与えられてよく、最大発電効率の劣化の大きさ、及び最大発電効率となる発電電力の変動量が与えられていてもよい。
【００３３】
また、効率格納部５０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０の温度毎の発電効率を格納してもよい。この場合、制御部６０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０の温度を検出し、これらの温度に更に基づいて、燃料電池２０の発電量を制御する。本例によれば、燃料電池２０の温度毎の発電効率に基づいて、それぞれの燃料電池２０の発電量を制御するため、発電効率を最大にするべく精度よく燃料電池２０を制御することができる。本例において、制御部６０が検出する燃料電池２０の温度は、化学反応を行うセルの温度であることが好ましい。
【００３４】
また、効率格納部５０は、燃料電池２０の温度に代えて、燃料電池２０の周囲温度毎の発電効率を格納してもよい。この場合、制御部６０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０の周囲温度に更に基づいて、燃料電池２０の発電量を制御する。
【００３５】
図２は、燃料電池２０の温度と、発電効率との関係の一例を示す図である。図２において、横軸は発電電力を示し、縦軸は発電効率を示す。燃料電池２０は、化学反応によって電力を生成するため、図２に示すように、燃料電池２０の温度（例えばＴ_１〜Ｔ_３）によって、燃料電池の発電効率は変化する。
【００３６】
前述したように、効率格納部５０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０毎に、図２に示すような発電電力と発電効率との関係を温度毎に格納する。また、効率格納部５０が格納した発電効率を更新する場合、制御部６０は、選択した補助燃料電池の発電量を順次変化させる。このとき、効率算出部４０は、効率格納部５０が格納した当該燃料電池２０の発電効率の特性のうち、発電効率を算出したときの当該燃料電池２０の温度に対応する発電効率を更新する。効率算出部４０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０の温度を測定する手段を有することが好ましい。
【００３７】
また、同様に燃料電池２０はその運転圧力によっても発電効率が変動する。ここで、運転圧力とは、例えば燃料電池２０に供給される水素、酸素等のガスの圧力である。効率格納部５０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０の運転圧力毎の発電効率を格納してよい。この場合、制御部６０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０の運転圧力に更に基づいて、燃料電池２０の発電量を制御する。また、効率格納部５０が格納した発電効率を更新する場合、効率算出部４０は、発電効率を算出したときのそれぞれの燃料電池２０の発電効率の特性のうち、発電効率を算出したときの燃料電池の運転圧力に対応する発電効率を更新する。
【００３８】
また、それぞれの燃料電池２０の発電効率を更新するべき期間として、制御部６０は、複数の燃料電池２０のうち、累積稼働時間が予め定められた時間になった燃料電池２０を、補助燃料電池として選択して、効率算出部４０に当該燃料電池２０の発電効率を更新させてもよい。この場合、制御部６０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０の累積稼働時間を計測し、記憶する手段を有することが好ましい。
【００３９】
また、それぞれの燃料電池２０の発電効率を更新するべき期間として、制御部６０は、複数の燃料電池２０のうち、累積発電量が予め定められた電力になった燃料電池２０を、補助燃料電池として選択して、効率算出部４０に当該燃料電池２０の発電効率を更新させてもよい。この場合、制御部６０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０の累積発電量を計測し、記憶する手段を有することが好ましい。
【００４０】
また、制御部６０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０を、予め定められた発電効率の範囲で発電するように制御することが好ましい。例えば、制御部６０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０を、予め定められた発電効率以上で発電するように制御する。また、制御部６０は、補助燃料電池の発電効率を算出する場合に、予め定められた発電量の範囲において補助燃料電池の発電量を順次変化させ、効率算出部４０に当該発電量の範囲における補助燃料電池の発電効率を算出させてよい。
【００４１】
また、燃料電池２０を予め定められた発電効率の範囲で発電させるように制御する場合、それぞれの燃料電池２０に対応する二次電池を更に備えることが好ましい。制御部６０は、負荷の需要電力のうちの一部又は全部を二次電池から供給させてよい。つまり、負荷の需要電量に応じてそれぞれの燃料電池２０を制御した場合に、予め定められた発電効率以下で運転する燃料電池２０がある場合、当該燃料電池２０を停止させ、当該燃料電池２０が発電するべき電力を、対応する二次電池から負荷に供給させる。これにより、燃料電池２０を低発電効率で運転させることを防ぐことができる。また、制御部６０は、二次電池の蓄電残量が予め定められた残量より少なくなった場合に、燃料電池２０に二次電池を充電させることが好ましい。
【００４２】
図３は、電力供給システムを備える集合住宅１００の構成の他の例を示す。本例における集合住宅１００は、図１において説明した集合住宅１００の構成に加え、それぞれの住居１０に設けられた熱需要器（７０ａ〜７０ｂ、以下７０と総称する）、及び熱需要履歴格納部８０を更に備える。また、それぞれの燃料電池２０は、各住居の熱需要器７０に対応して設けられ、対応する熱需要器７０に排熱を供給する。熱需要器７０は、例えば燃料電池２０の排熱を温水として貯蔵する貯湯漕である。本例における電力供給システムにおいても、複数の燃料電池２０が発電した電力を、各住居の負荷３０の需要電力に応じて分配する。
【００４３】
制御部６０は、それぞれの燃料電池２０に、少なくとも対応する熱需要器７０の熱需要量に応じた電力を発電させる条件において、複数の燃料電池２０の全体の発電効率が最大となるようにそれぞれの燃料電池２０の発電量を制御する。
【００４４】
例えば、制御部６０は、熱需要量の過去の履歴に基づいて、それぞれの熱需要器７０に供給するべき熱量の推移を予め算出し、算出した熱量の推移に応じてそれぞれの燃料電池２０が最低限発電するべき電力の推移を算出する。そして、それぞれの燃料電池２０に、当該最低限の電力を少なくとも発電させる条件で、複数の燃料電池２０の全体の発電効率が最大となるようにそれぞれの燃料電池２０の発電を制御する。また、熱需要履歴格納部８０は、それぞれの熱需要器７０の熱需要量の過去の履歴を格納し、制御部６０は、熱需要履歴格納部８０が格納した熱需要量の履歴を参照することが好ましい。また、制御部６０は、対応する熱需要器７０の熱需要量が零、又は最も小さくなる燃料電池２０を、前述した補助燃料電池として選択してもよい。
【００４５】
図４は、電力供給システムを備えた住宅２００の構成の一例を示す。住宅２００には、電力によって駆動する負荷３０が設けられる。また、電力供給システムは、燃料電池２０、二次電池９０、効率算出部４０、効率格納部５０、及び制御部６０を備える。図４において、図１と同一の符号を付した構成要素は、図１に関連して説明した構成要素と同一又は同様の機能及び構成を有する。
【００４６】
二次電池９０は、燃料電池２０の余剰電力により充電され、燃料電池２０の発電電力が不足した場合に、負荷３０に不足電力を供給する。例えば、制御部６０は、効率格納部５０が格納した発電効率に基づいて、燃料電池２０の発電効率が最大となるように燃料電池２０の発電量を制御する。ここで、発電効率が最大となる場合の燃料電池２０の発電量が、負荷３０に供給する電力より小さい場合、二次電池９０から負荷３０に不足電力を供給させる。また、発電効率が最大となる場合の燃料電池２０の発電量が、負荷３０に供給する電力より大きい場合、余剰の電力を二次電池９０に充電する。このような動作により、燃料電池２０を効率よく発電させることができる。
【００４７】
また、制御部６０は、負荷３０に供給するべき電力が予め定められた電力より小さく、且つ二次電池９０の蓄電量が予め定められた蓄電量より大きい場合、燃料電池を停止させ、二次電池９０から負荷３０に電力を供給させてもよい。この場合、予め定められた電力とは、効率格納部５０が格納した発電効率が所定の効率となる電力であってよい。このような動作により、燃料電池を更に効率よく発電させることができる。
【００４８】
また、制御部６０は、予め定められた期間毎に、燃料電池２０の発電効率を測定するべく、燃料電池２０の発電量を順次変化させる。効率算出部４０は、燃料電池の発電量毎の発電効率を算出し、効率格納部５０に格納する。燃料電池２０の発電効率を測定するときには、制御部６０は、不足電力を二次電池９０から負荷３０に供給させる。このような動作により、負荷３０に安定して電力を供給しつつ、燃料電池２０の発電効率を更新することができる。
【００４９】
図５は、電力供給システムを制御するコンピュータ３００の構成の一例を示す。本例において、コンピュータ３００は、電力供給システムを図１、図３又は図４において説明した電力供給システムとして機能させるプログラムを格納する。また、コンピュータ３００は、電力供給システムの制御部６０、効率算出部４０、及び効率格納部５０として更に機能してもよい。
【００５０】
コンピュータ３００は、ＣＰＵ７００と、ＲＯＭ７０２と、ＲＡＭ７０４と、通信インターフェース７０６と、ハードディスクドライブ７１０と、フレキシブルディスクドライブ７１２と、ＣＤ−ＲＯＭドライブ７１４とを備える。ＣＰＵ７００は、ＲＯＭ７０２、ＲＡＭ７０４、ハードディスクドライブ７１０、フレキシブルディスク７２０、及び／又はＣＤ−ＲＯＭ７２２に格納されたプログラムに基づいて動作する。
【００５１】
例えば、コンピュータ３００を電力供給システムとして機能させるプログラムは、コンピュータ３００を、図１及び図３に関連して説明した熱需要履歴格納部８０、制御部６０、効率算出部４０、及び効率格納部５０として機能させ、燃料電池２０を図１に関連して説明したように制御させ、電力供給システムを機能させる。また、コンピュータ３００を電力供給システムとして機能させるプログラムは、コンピュータ３００を、図４に関連して説明した制御部６０、効率算出部４０、及び効率格納部５０として機能させ、燃料電池２０及び二次電池９０を図４に関連して説明したように制御させ、電力供給システムを機能させる。
【００５２】
通信インターフェース７０６は、例えば燃料電池２０、二次電池９０と通信し、それぞれの状態等に関する情報を受信し、またそれぞれを制御する制御信号を送信する。格納装置の一例としてのハードディスクドライブ７１０、ＲＯＭ７０２、又はＲＡＭ７０４は、設定情報、及びＣＰＵ７００を動作させるためのプログラム等を格納する。また、当該プログラムは、フレキシブルディスク７２０、ＣＤ−ＲＯＭ７２２等の記録媒体に格納されていてもよい。
【００５３】
フレキシブルディスクドライブ７１２は、フレキシブルディスク７２０がプログラムを格納している場合、フレキシブルディスク７２０からプログラムを読み取りＣＰＵ７００に提供する。ＣＤ−ＲＯＭドライブ７１４は、ＣＤ−ＲＯＭ７２２がプログラムを格納している場合、ＣＤ−ＲＯＭ７２２からプログラムを読み取りＣＰＵ７００に提供する。
【００５４】
また、プログラムは記録媒体から直接ＲＡＭに読み出されて実行されても、一旦ハードディスクドライブにインストールされた後にＲＡＭに読み出されて実行されてもよい。更に、上記プログラムは単一の記録媒体に格納されても複数の記録媒体に格納されても良い。また記録媒体に格納されるプログラムは、オペレーティングシステムとの共同によってそれぞれの機能を提供してもよい。例えば、プログラムは、機能の一部または全部を行うことをオペレーティングシステムに依頼し、オペレーティングシステムからの応答に基づいて機能を提供するものであってもよい。
【００５５】
プログラムを格納する記録媒体としては、フレキシブルディスク、ＣＤ−ＲＯＭの他にも、ＤＶＤ、ＰＤ等の光学記録媒体、ＭＤ等の光磁気記録媒体、テープ媒体、磁気記録媒体、ＩＣカードやミニチュアーカードなどの半導体メモリー等を用いることができる。又、専用通信ネットワークやインターネットに接続されたサーバシステムに設けたハードディスクまたはＲＡＭ等の格納装置を記録媒体として使用してもよい。
【００５６】
以上、本発明を実施の形態を用いて説明したが、本発明の技術的範囲は上記実施の形態に記載の範囲には限定されない。上記実施の形態に、多様な変更又は改良を加えることが可能であることが当業者に明らかである。その様な変更又は改良を加えた形態も本発明の技術的範囲に含まれ得ることが、特許請求の範囲の記載から明らかである。
【００５７】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から明らかなように、本発明によれば、定期的に燃料電池の発電効率を測定することにより、燃料電池が経時的に劣化した場合であっても、燃料電池を高効率の領域で運転することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施形態に係る電力供給システムを備えた集合住宅１００の一例を示す図である。
【図２】燃料電池の温度毎の、発電電力と発電効率との関係の一例を示す図である。
【図３】集合住宅１００の構成の他の例を示す図である。
【図４】本発明の実施形態に係る電力供給システムを備えた住宅２００の構成の一例を示す図である。
【図５】電力供給システムを制御するコンピュータ３００の構成の一例を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１０・・・住居、２０・・・燃料電池、３０・・・負荷、４０・・・効率算出部、５０・・・効率格納部、６０・・・制御部、７０・・・熱需要器、８０・・・熱需要履歴格納部、９０・・・二次電池、１００・・・集合住宅、２００・・・住宅、３００・・・コンピュータ、７００・・・ＣＰＵ、７０２・・・ＲＯＭ、７０４・・・ＲＡＭ、７０６・・・通信インターフェース、７１０・・・ハードディスクドライブ、７１２・・・フレキシブルディスクドライブ、７１４・・・ＣＤ−ＲＯＭドライブ、７２０・・・フレキシブルディスク、７２２・・・ＣＤ−ＲＯＭ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a power supply system that supplies power to a load, a housing complex that includes the power supply system, and a program that causes the power supply system to function. In particular, the present invention relates to a power supply system having a fuel cell.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, solar power generation, fuel cells, etc. in each house have been considered as auxiliary power sources for electric power systems. In addition, due to the recent increase in power demand, it is expected that power supply from the power system will be short in the near future. For this reason, in the electric power supply of each house, it is thought that the dependence with respect to solar power generation, a fuel cell, etc. increases. That is, it is expected that a fuel cell or the like conventionally used as an auxiliary power source functions as a main power source for each house. Further, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell varies depending on the generated power. For this reason, the fuel cell is preferably controlled so that its power generation efficiency is as large as possible.
[0003]
For example, in a power plant equipped with a plurality of fuel cells, in order to improve the power generation efficiency of the entire fuel cell, the number of fuel cells to be operated is set according to the power load, and each fuel cell is loaded with a high power generation efficiency. There is a system that drives at a rate. In this case, the power generation efficiency characteristic of the fuel cell with respect to the load factor is given in advance, and the power generation of the fuel cell is controlled based on the given power generation efficiency characteristic.
The following documents have been discovered as conventional techniques.
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-171671 A
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-236128
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-075507
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the characteristics of the fuel cell deteriorate with time, the characteristics of power generation efficiency also vary with time. For example, in a solid electrolyte fuel cell, when the electrolyte membrane is operated in an excessively humidified or insufficiently humidified state, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell is greatly degraded.
[0005]
However, the conventional system does not take into account this change over time, and thus it may be difficult to operate the fuel cell with high efficiency. For example, even when each fuel cell is intended to be operated at maximum efficiency, the power generation efficiency characteristics of the fuel cell fluctuate over time from the characteristics measured in advance, and the generated power that achieves the maximum efficiency fluctuates. Therefore, it cannot be operated at maximum efficiency. Further, since the characteristics of the fuel cell vary depending on the operating environment such as the temperature of the fuel cell, it is difficult to operate the fuel cell with high efficiency by the conventional control method.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, in the first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a power supply system for supplying power to a load, wherein the fuel cell generates power and supplies the load to the load, and for each generated power of the fuel cell. An efficiency storage unit that stores power generation efficiency, an efficiency calculation unit that calculates the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell for each predetermined period, and updates the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit, and the power generation stored in the efficiency storage unit Provided is a power supply system including a control unit that controls power generation of a fuel cell based on efficiency.
[0007]
The battery further includes a secondary battery that is charged with surplus power of the fuel cell, and the control unit controls the power generation amount of the fuel cell so that the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell is maximized, and the power generation amount of the fuel cell is supplied to the load. When the power is smaller than the power, the secondary battery is supplied with insufficient power, and when the amount of power generated by the fuel cell is larger than the power supplied to the load, the secondary battery may be charged with surplus power.
[0008]
When the power to be supplied to the load is smaller than the predetermined power and the storage amount of the secondary battery is larger than the predetermined storage amount, the control unit stops the fuel cell and supplies power from the secondary battery to the load. May be supplied.
[0009]
In the second aspect of the present invention, a power supply system for supplying power to a load, which includes a plurality of fuel cells that generate power and supply the load to the load, a control unit that controls power generation of the fuel cell, and generated power The efficiency storage unit that stores the power generation efficiency for each fuel cell, and the power generation efficiency for each power generation power of each fuel cell calculated for each predetermined period and stored in the efficiency storage unit And an efficiency calculation unit that updates the power generation amount of each fuel cell based on the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit so that the overall power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells is maximized. Provided is a power supply system that generates electric power to be controlled and supplied to a load.
[0010]
The control unit sequentially selects at least one auxiliary fuel cell to generate power as an auxiliary from a plurality of fuel cells every predetermined period, and the efficiency calculation unit calculates the power generation efficiency of the auxiliary fuel cell. It's okay.
[0011]
The control unit sequentially changes the power generation amount of the auxiliary fuel cell to cause the efficiency calculation unit to calculate the power generation efficiency, and among the plurality of fuel cells, the power to be supplied to the load and the auxiliary fuel to fuel cells other than the auxiliary fuel cell You may generate the electric power of the difference with the electric power generation amount of a battery.
[0012]
The efficiency calculation unit is given in advance deterioration information indicating the magnitude of deterioration of the power generation efficiency with respect to the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell, and calculates the power generation efficiency of each fuel cell based on the cumulative operation time of each fuel cell. It's okay.
[0013]
The efficiency calculation unit is given in advance deterioration information indicating the degree of deterioration in power generation efficiency relative to the cumulative power generation amount of the fuel cell, and calculates the power generation efficiency of each fuel cell based on the cumulative power generation amount of each fuel cell. It's okay.
[0014]
The efficiency storage unit may store the power generation efficiency for each temperature of each fuel cell, and the control unit may further control the power generation amount of the fuel cell based on the temperature of each fuel cell. The efficiency storage unit stores the power generation efficiency for each temperature of each fuel cell, the control unit sequentially changes the power generation amount of the auxiliary fuel cell to cause the efficiency calculation unit to calculate the power generation efficiency, Of the power generation efficiency of the auxiliary fuel cell stored in the efficiency storage unit, the power generation efficiency corresponding to the temperature of the auxiliary fuel cell when the power generation efficiency is calculated may be updated.
[0015]
The efficiency storage unit may store the power generation efficiency for each operating pressure of each fuel cell, and the control unit may control the power generation amount of the fuel cell based further on the operating pressure of each fuel cell. The efficiency storage unit stores the power generation efficiency for each operating pressure of each fuel cell, the control unit sequentially changes the power generation amount of the auxiliary fuel cell, causes the efficiency calculation unit to calculate the power generation efficiency, and the efficiency calculation unit Of the power generation efficiency of the auxiliary fuel cell stored in the efficiency storage unit, the power generation efficiency corresponding to the operating pressure of the auxiliary fuel cell when the power generation efficiency is calculated may be updated.
[0016]
The control unit may select, as an auxiliary fuel cell, a fuel cell having a predetermined operating time among the plurality of fuel cells. Further, the control unit may select a fuel cell in which the total power generation amount is a predetermined power among the plurality of fuel cells as the auxiliary fuel cell.
[0017]
The plurality of fuel cells are provided corresponding to heat demanders that should supply exhaust heat, the power supply system distributes the electric power generated by the plurality of fuel cells to the load of each house, and the control unit controls each fuel. The power generation amount of each fuel cell may be controlled so that the overall power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells is maximized on the condition that the battery generates power corresponding to at least the heat demand of the corresponding heat demander. .
[0018]
In the 3rd form of this invention, it is an apartment house provided with a some residence, Comprising: The some fuel cell provided for each residence, The control part which controls the electric power generation of a some fuel cell, Generated power The power generation efficiency for each fuel cell is stored for each fuel cell, and the power generation efficiency of each fuel cell stored by the efficiency storage unit is calculated for each predetermined period, and the efficiency storage unit stores the power generation efficiency. An efficiency calculation unit that updates the power generation efficiency, and the control unit generates power from each fuel cell so that the overall power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells is maximized based on the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit. An apartment house that generates electric power to be supplied to a load by controlling the amount is provided.
[0019]
The apartment house further includes a power distribution unit that distributes the power generated by the plurality of fuel cells to the load of each house, and the fuel cell has means for supplying exhaust heat to the heat demander of the corresponding residence, and the control unit is The power generation amount of each fuel cell is set so that the overall power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells is maximized under the condition that each fuel cell generates power according to the heat demand of the corresponding heat demander. You may control.
[0020]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a power supply system to function, the power supply system including a plurality of fuel cells that generate power and supply the load to a load, and a control unit that controls power generation of the fuel cell; An efficiency storage unit that stores the power generation efficiency of each generated power for each fuel cell, and the power generation efficiency of each fuel cell stored in the efficiency storage unit is calculated for each predetermined period, and the efficiency storage unit And an efficiency calculation unit that updates the power generation efficiency stored in the fuel cell, and the control unit controls each fuel so that the total power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells is maximized based on the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit. A program for controlling a power generation amount of a battery to function as a power supply system that generates power to be supplied to a load is provided.
[0021]
The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.
[0023]
FIG. 1 shows an example of an apartment house 100 including a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apartment house 100 includes a plurality of residences (10a to 10c, hereinafter collectively referred to as 10). Each residence 10 is provided with a load (30a to 30c, hereinafter collectively referred to as 30) driven by electric power.
[0024]
The power supply system includes a plurality of fuel cells (20 a to 20 c), an efficiency calculation unit 40, an efficiency storage unit 50, and a control unit 60 provided in each residence 30. Each fuel cell (FC) 20 is, for example, a solid electrolyte fuel cell. The fuel cell 20 generates electric power and supplies it to the load 30. Further, each fuel cell 20 is provided so that power can be supplied to any load 30.
[0025]
The efficiency storage unit 50 stores the power generation efficiency for each generated power for each fuel cell 20. Further, the efficiency calculation unit 40 calculates the power generation efficiency for each generated power of each fuel cell 20 for each predetermined period, and updates the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit 50.
[0026]
The control unit 60 controls the power generation of each fuel cell 20. In this example, the control unit 60 controls the power generation amount of each fuel cell 20 based on the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit 50 so that the overall power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells 20 is maximized. Power to be supplied to the load 30 is generated. The overall power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells 20 can be calculated from the ratio of the power generation amount of each fuel cell 20 to the total power generation amount of the plurality of fuel cells 20, and the power generation efficiency of each fuel cell 20 at this time. it can.
[0027]
The control unit 60 may control each fuel cell 20 so that the power generation efficiency is maximized. At this time, when the total power generation amount of the plurality of fuel cells 20 is larger than the total power to be supplied to the load 30, the control unit 60 makes the total power generation amount of the fuel cell 20 substantially equal to the total power generation amount of the load 30. The power generation of any one of the fuel cells 20 may be stopped or reduced.
[0028]
According to the power supply system in this example, the power generation efficiency for each generated power of each fuel cell 20 is updated and held every predetermined period, so even if the fuel cell 20 deteriorates over time, It can be controlled to maximize efficiency.
[0029]
In addition, in order to periodically measure the power generation efficiency of each fuel cell 20, the control unit 60 converts at least one auxiliary fuel cell to generate power as auxiliary power into a plurality of fuels every predetermined period. Select from batteries sequentially. And the control part 60 changes the electric power generation amount of the fuel cell 20 selected as an auxiliary | assistant fuel cell sequentially. At this time, the efficiency calculation unit 40 calculates the power generation efficiency for each output power of the fuel cell 20 based on the output power of the fuel cell 20.
[0030]
In addition, the control unit 60 generates the difference between the power to be supplied to the load 30 and the power generation amount of the auxiliary fuel cell to the fuel cells 20 other than the auxiliary fuel cell among the plurality of fuel cells 20, and the power generation efficiency is maximized. Power is generated so that With such an operation, it is possible to measure the power generation efficiency of each fuel cell 20 while stably supplying power to the load 30.
[0031]
Further, as another example of calculating the variation with time of the power generation efficiency of each fuel cell 20, deterioration information indicating the magnitude of the deterioration of the power generation efficiency with respect to the accumulated operation time of each fuel cell 20 is stored in the efficiency calculation unit 40. It may be given in advance. In this case, the efficiency calculation unit 40 measures the accumulated operation time of each fuel cell 20 and calculates the power generation efficiency for each generated power of each fuel cell 20 based on the accumulated storage time.
[0032]
Further, as yet another example of calculating the temporal variation of the power generation efficiency of each fuel cell 20, the efficiency calculation unit 40 indicates deterioration indicating the magnitude of power generation efficiency deterioration with respect to the accumulated power generation amount of each fuel cell 20. Information may be given in advance. In this case, the efficiency calculation unit 40 measures the accumulated power generation amount of each fuel cell 20, and calculates the power generation efficiency for each generated power of each fuel cell 20 based on the accumulated power generation amount. In these examples, the deterioration information given to the efficiency calculation unit 40 may be given the magnitude of the deterioration of the power generation efficiency for each generated power, the magnitude of the deterioration of the maximum power generation efficiency, and the maximum power generation efficiency. A fluctuation amount of generated power may be given.
[0033]
Further, the efficiency storage unit 50 may store the power generation efficiency for each temperature of each fuel cell 20. In this case, the control part 60 detects the temperature of each fuel cell 20, and controls the electric power generation amount of the fuel cell 20 further based on these temperatures. According to this example, since the power generation amount of each fuel cell 20 is controlled based on the power generation efficiency for each temperature of the fuel cell 20, the fuel cell 20 can be accurately controlled to maximize the power generation efficiency. . In this example, the temperature of the fuel cell 20 detected by the control unit 60 is preferably the temperature of a cell that performs a chemical reaction.
[0034]
Further, the efficiency storage unit 50 may store the power generation efficiency for each ambient temperature of the fuel cell 20 instead of the temperature of the fuel cell 20. In this case, the control unit 60 controls the power generation amount of the fuel cell 20 based further on the ambient temperature of each fuel cell 20.
[0035]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the temperature of the fuel cell 20 and the power generation efficiency. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the generated power, and the vertical axis indicates the power generation efficiency. Since the fuel cell 20 generates electric power through a chemical reaction, as shown in FIG. 2, the temperature of the fuel cell 20 (for example, T₁~ T₃) Changes the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell.
[0036]
As described above, the efficiency storage unit 50 stores, for each fuel cell 20, the relationship between the generated power and the power generation efficiency as shown in FIG. When updating the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit 50, the control unit 60 sequentially changes the power generation amount of the selected auxiliary fuel cell. At this time, the efficiency calculation unit 40 updates the power generation efficiency corresponding to the temperature of the fuel cell 20 when the power generation efficiency is calculated, among the characteristics of the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 20 stored by the efficiency storage unit 50. The efficiency calculation unit 40 preferably has means for measuring the temperature of each fuel cell 20.
[0037]
Similarly, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 20 varies depending on the operating pressure. Here, the operating pressure is the pressure of a gas such as hydrogen or oxygen supplied to the fuel cell 20, for example. The efficiency storage unit 50 may store the power generation efficiency for each operating pressure of each fuel cell 20. In this case, the control unit 60 controls the power generation amount of the fuel cell 20 based further on the operating pressure of each fuel cell 20. When the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit 50 is updated, the efficiency calculation unit 40 calculates the fuel at the time when the power generation efficiency is calculated among the characteristics of the power generation efficiency of each fuel cell 20 when the power generation efficiency is calculated. The power generation efficiency corresponding to the operating pressure of the battery is updated.
[0038]
In addition, as a period during which the power generation efficiency of each fuel cell 20 should be updated, the control unit 60 replaces the fuel cell 20 whose accumulated operation time is a predetermined time among the plurality of fuel cells 20 with the auxiliary fuel cell. And the efficiency calculation unit 40 may update the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 20. In this case, it is preferable that the control unit 60 has means for measuring and storing the accumulated operation time of each fuel cell 20.
[0039]
In addition, as a period in which the power generation efficiency of each fuel cell 20 is to be updated, the control unit 60 replaces the fuel cell 20 in which the accumulated power generation amount is a predetermined power among the plurality of fuel cells 20 with the auxiliary fuel cell. And the efficiency calculation unit 40 may update the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 20. In this case, the control unit 60 preferably has means for measuring and storing the accumulated power generation amount of each fuel cell 20.
[0040]
Moreover, it is preferable that the control part 60 controls each fuel cell 20 to generate electric power within a predetermined power generation efficiency range. For example, the control unit 60 controls each fuel cell 20 to generate power with a predetermined power generation efficiency or higher. Further, when calculating the power generation efficiency of the auxiliary fuel cell, the control unit 60 sequentially changes the power generation amount of the auxiliary fuel cell within a predetermined power generation amount range, and causes the efficiency calculation unit 40 to change the power generation efficiency within the range of the power generation amount. The power generation efficiency of the auxiliary fuel cell may be calculated.
[0041]
In addition, when controlling the fuel cells 20 to generate power within a predetermined power generation efficiency range, it is preferable to further include secondary batteries corresponding to the respective fuel cells 20. The control unit 60 may supply part or all of the demand power of the load from the secondary battery. In other words, when each fuel cell 20 is controlled in accordance with the demand electric power of the load, if there is a fuel cell 20 that operates at a power generation efficiency or less that is determined in advance, the fuel cell 20 is stopped and the fuel cell 20 Electric power to be generated is supplied from the corresponding secondary battery to the load. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the fuel cell 20 from being operated with low power generation efficiency. Moreover, it is preferable that the control part 60 makes the fuel cell 20 charge a secondary battery, when the electrical storage residual amount of a secondary battery becomes less than the predetermined residual amount.
[0042]
FIG. 3 shows another example of the configuration of the apartment house 100 including the power supply system. In the housing complex 100 in this example, in addition to the configuration of the housing complex 100 described in FIG. 1, heat demanders (70 a to 70 b, hereinafter collectively referred to as 70) provided in each housing 10, and a heat demand history storage unit 80 is further provided. Moreover, each fuel cell 20 is provided corresponding to the heat demander 70 of each residence, and supplies waste heat to the corresponding heat demander 70. The heat demander 70 is, for example, a hot water tank that stores the exhaust heat of the fuel cell 20 as hot water. Also in the power supply system in this example, the power generated by the plurality of fuel cells 20 is distributed according to the demand power of the load 30 of each residence.
[0043]
The control unit 60 is configured so that the power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells 20 is maximized under the condition that each fuel cell 20 generates power according to the heat demand of the corresponding heat demander 70 at least. The power generation amount of the fuel cell 20 is controlled.
[0044]
For example, the control unit 60 calculates in advance the amount of heat to be supplied to each heat demander 70 based on the past history of the amount of heat demand, and each fuel cell 20 changes according to the calculated amount of heat. Calculate the transition of the minimum power to be generated. Then, the power generation of each fuel cell 20 is controlled so that the overall power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells 20 is maximized under the condition that each fuel cell 20 generates at least the minimum power. Further, the heat demand history storage unit 80 stores a past history of the heat demand amount of each heat demander 70, and the control unit 60 refers to the history of the heat demand amount stored by the heat demand history storage unit 80. It is preferable. Moreover, the control part 60 may select the fuel cell 20 with which the heat demand of the corresponding heat demander 70 is zero or becomes the smallest as the auxiliary fuel cell described above.
[0045]
FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a house 200 equipped with a power supply system. The residence 200 is provided with a load 30 that is driven by electric power. The power supply system also includes a fuel cell 20, a secondary battery 90, an efficiency calculation unit 40, an efficiency storage unit 50, and a control unit 60. 4, components having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same or similar functions and configurations as the components described in relation to FIG.
[0046]
The secondary battery 90 is charged with surplus power of the fuel cell 20 and supplies insufficient power to the load 30 when the generated power of the fuel cell 20 is insufficient. For example, the control unit 60 controls the power generation amount of the fuel cell 20 based on the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit 50 so that the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 20 is maximized. Here, when the power generation amount of the fuel cell 20 when the power generation efficiency is maximized is smaller than the power supplied to the load 30, the insufficient power is supplied from the secondary battery 90 to the load 30. When the power generation amount of the fuel cell 20 when the power generation efficiency is maximized is larger than the power supplied to the load 30, the surplus power is charged in the secondary battery 90. By such an operation, the fuel cell 20 can be efficiently generated.
[0047]
Further, the control unit 60 stops the fuel cell when the power to be supplied to the load 30 is smaller than the predetermined power and the charged amount of the secondary battery 90 is larger than the predetermined charged amount, Electric power may be supplied from the battery 90 to the load 30. In this case, the predetermined power may be power at which the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit 50 is a predetermined efficiency. By such an operation, the fuel cell can generate power more efficiently.
[0048]
In addition, the control unit 60 sequentially changes the power generation amount of the fuel cell 20 in order to measure the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 20 for each predetermined period. The efficiency calculation unit 40 calculates the power generation efficiency for each power generation amount of the fuel cell and stores it in the efficiency storage unit 50. When measuring the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 20, the control unit 60 supplies insufficient power from the secondary battery 90 to the load 30. With such an operation, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 20 can be updated while stably supplying power to the load 30.
[0049]
FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of a computer 300 that controls the power supply system. In this example, the computer 300 stores a program that causes the power supply system to function as the power supply system described in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, or FIG. The computer 300 may further function as the control unit 60, the efficiency calculation unit 40, and the efficiency storage unit 50 of the power supply system.
[0050]
The computer 300 includes a CPU 700, a ROM 702, a RAM 704, a communication interface 706, a hard disk drive 710, a flexible disk drive 712, and a CD-ROM drive 714. The CPU 700 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 702, the RAM 704, the hard disk drive 710, the flexible disk 720, and / or the CD-ROM 722.
[0051]
For example, a program that causes the computer 300 to function as a power supply system causes the computer 300 to function as the heat demand history storage unit 80, the control unit 60, the efficiency calculation unit 40, and the efficiency storage unit 50 described with reference to FIGS. And the fuel cell 20 is controlled as described with reference to FIG. 1 to function the power supply system. Further, the program that causes the computer 300 to function as the power supply system causes the computer 300 to function as the control unit 60, the efficiency calculation unit 40, and the efficiency storage unit 50 described with reference to FIG. The battery 90 is controlled as described with reference to FIG. 4 to cause the power supply system to function.
[0052]
The communication interface 706 communicates with, for example, the fuel cell 20 and the secondary battery 90, receives information on each state and the like, and transmits a control signal for controlling each. The hard disk drive 710, the ROM 702, or the RAM 704 as an example of a storage device stores setting information, a program for operating the CPU 700, and the like. The program may be stored in a recording medium such as the flexible disk 720 and the CD-ROM 722.
[0053]
When the flexible disk 720 stores a program, the flexible disk drive 712 reads the program from the flexible disk 720 and provides it to the CPU 700. When the CD-ROM 722 stores a program, the CD-ROM drive 714 reads the program from the CD-ROM 722 and provides it to the CPU 700.
[0054]
In addition, the program may be read from the recording medium directly into the RAM and executed, or once installed in the hard disk drive, the program may be read into the RAM and executed. Further, the program may be stored in a single recording medium or a plurality of recording media. The program stored in the recording medium may provide each function in cooperation with the operating system. For example, the program may request the operating system to perform a part or all of the function and provide the function based on a response from the operating system.
[0055]
As a recording medium for storing a program, in addition to a flexible disk and a CD-ROM, an optical recording medium such as a DVD and a PD, a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MD, a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, an IC card, a miniature card, etc. A semiconductor memory or the like can be used. A storage device such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet may be used as a recording medium.
[0056]
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, by periodically measuring the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell, even if the fuel cell deteriorates over time, the fuel cell can be You can drive at.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an apartment house 100 including a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between generated power and power generation efficiency for each temperature of the fuel cell.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the apartment house 100. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a house 200 including a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a computer 300 that controls a power supply system.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Residence, 20 ... Fuel cell, 30 ... Load, 40 ... Efficiency calculation part, 50 ... Efficiency storage part, 60 ... Control part, 70 ... Heat demand device, 80 ... heat demand history storage unit, 90 ... secondary battery, 100 ... collective housing, 200 ... housing, 300 ... computer, 700 ... CPU, 702 ... ROM, 704 ... RAM, 706 ... communication interface, 710 ... hard disk drive, 712 ... flexible disk drive, 714 ... CD-ROM drive, 720 ... flexible disk, 722 ... CD-ROM

Claims

A power supply system for supplying power to a load,
A plurality of fuel cells that generate electric power and supply the load to the load;
A control unit for controlling power generation of the fuel cell;
An efficiency storage section for storing the power generation efficiency for each generated power and for each temperature of each fuel cell;
With
The control unit further uses the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit based on the temperature of each fuel cell so that the overall power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells is maximized. An electric power supply system for generating electric power to be supplied to the load by controlling an electric power generation amount of the fuel cell.

2. The power supply system according to claim 1, further comprising: an efficiency calculation unit that calculates a power generation efficiency for each of the generated power of each of the fuel cells and updates the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit.

The control unit sequentially selects at least one auxiliary fuel cell to generate power as an auxiliary from the plurality of fuel cells,
The power supply system according to claim 2, wherein the efficiency calculation unit calculates the power generation efficiency of the auxiliary fuel cell.

The control unit sequentially changes a power generation amount of the auxiliary fuel cell to cause the efficiency calculation unit to calculate the power generation efficiency, and among the plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cells other than the auxiliary fuel cell have the load The power supply system according to claim 3, wherein a difference power between the power to be supplied to the battery and the power generation amount of the auxiliary fuel cell is generated.

The efficiency calculation unit updates the power generation efficiency corresponding to the temperature of the auxiliary fuel cell when the power generation efficiency is calculated, of the power generation efficiency of the auxiliary fuel cell stored in the efficiency storage unit.
The power supply system according to claim 3.

4. The power supply system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit selects, as the auxiliary fuel cell, the fuel cell whose operating time has reached a predetermined time among the plurality of fuel cells. 5.

4. The power supply system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit selects, as the auxiliary fuel cell, the fuel cell in which the total power generation amount is a predetermined power among the plurality of fuel cells. 5.

The efficiency calculation unit is preliminarily given deterioration information indicating the degree of deterioration of the power generation efficiency with respect to the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell, and based on the cumulative operation time of each fuel cell, The power supply system according to claim 2, wherein the power generation efficiency is calculated.

The efficiency calculation unit is preliminarily given deterioration information indicating the degree of deterioration of the power generation efficiency with respect to the cumulative power generation amount of the fuel cell, and based on the cumulative power generation amount of each fuel cell, The power supply system according to claim 2, wherein the power generation efficiency is calculated.

A power supply system for supplying power to a load,
A plurality of fuel cells that generate electric power and supply the load to the load;
A control unit for controlling power generation of the fuel cell;
An efficiency storage for storing the power generation efficiency of each fuel cell for each generated power and for each operating pressure;
A power generation efficiency for each of the generated power of each of the fuel cells is calculated, and an efficiency calculation unit that updates the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit, and
The control unit uses the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit to further maximize the power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells based on the operating pressure of each of the fuel cells. A power supply system for controlling the power generation amount of the fuel cell to generate power to be supplied to the load.

The control unit sequentially selects at least one auxiliary fuel cell to generate power as an auxiliary from the plurality of fuel cells,
The power supply system according to claim 10, wherein the efficiency calculation unit calculates the power generation efficiency of the auxiliary fuel cell.

The control unit sequentially changes a power generation amount of the auxiliary fuel cell to cause the efficiency calculation unit to calculate the power generation efficiency, and among the plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cells other than the auxiliary fuel cell have the load The power supply system according to claim 11, wherein the power of the difference between the power to be supplied to the battery and the power generation amount of the auxiliary fuel cell is generated.

The said efficiency calculation part updates the said power generation efficiency corresponding to the operating pressure of the said auxiliary fuel cell when the said power generation efficiency is calculated among the said power generation efficiency of the said auxiliary fuel cell stored in the said efficiency calculation part. 11. The power supply system according to 11.

The power supply system according to claim 11, wherein the control unit selects, as the auxiliary fuel cell, the fuel cell whose operating time has reached a predetermined time among the plurality of fuel cells.

The power supply system according to claim 11, wherein the control unit selects, as the auxiliary fuel cell, the fuel cell in which the total power generation amount is a predetermined power among the plurality of fuel cells.

The efficiency calculation unit is preliminarily given deterioration information indicating the degree of deterioration of the power generation efficiency with respect to the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell, and based on the cumulative operation time of each fuel cell, The power supply system according to claim 10, wherein the power generation efficiency is calculated.

The efficiency calculation unit is preliminarily given deterioration information indicating the degree of deterioration of the power generation efficiency with respect to the cumulative power generation amount of the fuel cell, and based on the cumulative power generation amount of each fuel cell, The power supply system according to claim 10, wherein the power generation efficiency is calculated.

A plurality of fuel cells having means for supplying waste heat to the heat consumer;
A control unit for controlling power generation of the plurality of fuel cells;
An efficiency storage unit for storing the power generation efficiency for each generated power for each of the fuel cells;
An efficiency calculation unit that calculates the power generation efficiency of each of the fuel cells stored in the efficiency storage unit and updates the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit;
A power distribution unit that distributes the power generated by the plurality of fuel cells to a load;
The controller is
Based on the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit, the power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells as a whole is maximized on the condition that power is generated according to the heat demand of the corresponding heat demander. And a power supply system that generates power to be supplied to the load by controlling the power generation amount of each of the fuel cells.

The control unit sequentially selects at least one auxiliary fuel cell to generate power as an auxiliary from the plurality of fuel cells,
The power supply system according to claim 18, wherein the efficiency calculation unit calculates the power generation efficiency of the auxiliary fuel cell.

The control unit sequentially changes a power generation amount of the auxiliary fuel cell to cause the efficiency calculation unit to calculate the power generation efficiency, and among the plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cells other than the auxiliary fuel cell have the load The power supply system according to claim 19, wherein the power of the difference between the power to be supplied to the fuel and the amount of power generated by the auxiliary fuel cell is generated.

The power supply system according to claim 19, wherein the control unit selects, as the auxiliary fuel cell, the fuel cell whose operating time has reached a predetermined time among the plurality of fuel cells.

The power supply system according to claim 19, wherein the control unit selects, as the auxiliary fuel cell, the fuel cell in which the total power generation amount is a predetermined power among the plurality of fuel cells.

The efficiency calculation unit is preliminarily given deterioration information indicating the degree of deterioration of the power generation efficiency with respect to the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell, and based on the cumulative operation time of each fuel cell, The power supply system according to claim 18, wherein the power generation efficiency is calculated.

The efficiency calculation unit is preliminarily given deterioration information indicating the degree of deterioration of the power generation efficiency with respect to the cumulative power generation amount of the fuel cell, and based on the cumulative power generation amount of each fuel cell, The power supply system according to claim 18, wherein the power generation efficiency is calculated.

A power supply system for supplying power to a load,
A plurality of fuel cells provided corresponding to a heat demander to supply waste heat, and generating electric power and supplying the load to the load;
A control unit for controlling power generation of the fuel cell;
An efficiency storage unit for storing the power generation efficiency for each generated power for each of the fuel cells;
A power generation efficiency for each of the generated power of each of the fuel cells is calculated, and an efficiency calculation unit that updates the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit, and
The control unit controls the power generation amount of each of the fuel cells based on the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit so that the overall power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells is maximized. To generate electricity to be supplied to
The power supply system distributes the power generated by the plurality of fuel cells to the load of each house,
The control unit is configured so that the power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells is maximized on the condition that each of the fuel cells generates power according to the amount of heat demand of the corresponding heat demander. A power supply system for controlling the power generation amount of the fuel cell.

An apartment house with multiple residences,
A plurality of fuel cells provided for each of the residences;
A control unit for controlling power generation of the plurality of fuel cells;
An efficiency storage unit for storing the power generation efficiency for each generated power for each of the fuel cells;
An efficiency calculation unit that calculates the power generation efficiency of each of the fuel cells stored in the efficiency storage unit and updates the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit;
A power distribution unit that distributes the power generated by the plurality of fuel cells to the load of each door;
The fuel cell has means for supplying exhaust heat to the corresponding heat demander of the residence,
The controller is
Based on the power generation efficiency stored in the efficiency storage unit, the power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells as a whole is maximized on the condition that power is generated according to the heat demand of the corresponding heat demander. In addition, the apartment house controls the amount of power generated by each of the fuel cells to generate power to be supplied to the load.