JP6672418B2 - Power management system, power management method, power management device, and fuel cell device - Google Patents

Description

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

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

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

JP 2010-128810 A

  The above-mentioned common use of message formats has only just begun, and various studies are required on message formats for appropriately controlling devices.

  Then, this invention is made in order to solve the above-mentioned subject, and an object of this invention is to provide a management system and a management method, a control device, and a fuel cell device which can appropriately control equipment. I do.

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

  In the first aspect, the control device receives a message indicating whether or not there is a function of transmitting the message indicating the status before receiving the message indicating the status.

  In the first aspect, the status includes one of a status in which the fuel cell device is stopped and a status in which the fuel cell device is generating power.

  In the first aspect, the status includes any one of a plurality of stages from a state in which the fuel cell device is stopped to a state in which the fuel cell device is generating power.

  In the first aspect, the status includes any one of a plurality of stages from a state where the fuel cell device is generating power to a state where the fuel cell device is stopped.

  In the first feature, the fuel cell device has a radiator. The status includes whether a radiator is used.

  In the first feature, the fuel cell device has a cell stack. The status includes a temperature of the cell stack.

  A management system according to a second feature includes a hot water supply unit having a fuel cell device that generates electric power using fuel and a hot water storage device, and a control device that communicates with the hot water supply unit. In the management system, the control device receives a message indicating a status when at least one of the fuel cell device and the hot water storage device is operating normally.

  A management method according to a third aspect is a method used in a management system including a fuel cell device that generates electric power using fuel and a control device that communicates with the fuel cell device. The management method includes a step in which the control device receives a message indicating a status when the fuel cell device is operating normally.

  A control device according to a fourth aspect communicates with a fuel cell device that generates electric power using fuel. The control device includes a receiving unit that receives a message indicating a status when the fuel cell device is operating normally.

  The fuel cell device according to the fifth aspect generates electric power using fuel. The fuel cell device includes a transmission unit that transmits a message indicating a status when the fuel cell device is operating normally to a control device that communicates with the fuel cell device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a management system, a management method, a control device, and a hot water supply system capable of appropriately controlling devices.

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

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

  However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions are different from actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. In addition, it is needless to say that dimensional relationships and ratios are different between drawings.

[Overview of Embodiment]
The management system according to the embodiment includes a fuel cell device that generates electric power using fuel, and a control device that communicates with the fuel cell device. The control device receives a message indicating a status when the fuel cell device is operating normally.

  In the embodiment, the control device receives a message indicating a status when the fuel cell device is operating normally, not an error when an abnormality occurs in the fuel cell device. Thereby, the control device can grasp the power generation amount of the fuel cell device and the like, and can appropriately control other devices (load, hot water storage device, and the like).

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

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

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

  The customer 10 may be a single-family house or an apartment such as an apartment. Alternatively, the customer 10 may be a store such as a convenience store or a supermarket, a commercial facility such as a building, or a factory.

  In the first embodiment, a plurality of customers 10 constitute a customer group 10A and a customer group 10B. The customer group 10A and the customer group 10B are classified, for example, by geographical area.

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

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

  The substation 30 supplies power to a plurality of customers 10 via a distribution line 31. Specifically, the substation 30 reduces the voltage supplied from the power plant 50.

  In the first embodiment, a substation 30A and a substation 30B are provided. The substation 30A supplies power to the customers 10 included in the customer group 10A via the distribution line 31A, for example. The substation 30B supplies power to the customers 10 included in the customer group 10B via the distribution line 31B, for example.

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

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

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

(Consumer)
Hereinafter, the consumer according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating details of the customer 10 according to the first embodiment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The EMS 200 is connected to various servers via the network 60. The various servers store information (hereinafter, energy fee information) such as a purchase price of power supplied from the grid, a sale price of power supplied from the grid, and a purchase price of fuel gas.

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

  Alternatively, the various servers store, for example, information for predicting the power generation amount of the PV 131 (hereinafter, PV power generation amount prediction information). The PV power generation prediction information may be a predicted value of the amount of solar radiation applied to the PV 131. Alternatively, the PV power generation prediction information may be a weather forecast, a season, a sunshine duration, or the like.

(Fuel cell device)
Hereinafter, the fuel cell device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the fuel cell device 150 according to the first embodiment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The ignition heater 155 is a heater that ignites fuel that has not chemically reacted in the cell stack 151B (hereinafter, unreacted fuel) and maintains the temperature of the cell stack 151B at a high temperature. That is, the ignition heater 155 ignites the unreacted fuel leaking from the openings of the cells constituting the cell stack 151B. It should be noted that the ignition heater 155 only needs to ignite the unreacted fuel in a case where the unreacted fuel is not burning (for example, when starting the fuel cell device 150). Once the fuel is ignited, the unreacted fuel that slightly overflows from the cell stack 151B continues to burn, so that the temperature of the cell stack 151B is maintained at a high temperature.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  By the way, the fuel cell device 150 can be completely stopped. For example, when the device is not used for a long time, it may be completely stopped. However, when the engine is completely stopped, the auxiliary devices are also stopped and the temperature of the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) becomes low, so that it takes a long time to raise the temperature to a level at which power can be generated. It should be noted that the load following ability is low. For this reason, in the first embodiment, an idling mode and a temperature maintaining mode are provided in the operation mode in order to avoid a complete stop as much as possible.

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

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

  The temperature maintenance mode is an operation mode in which the power consumption of the auxiliary device is covered by power supplied from the outside, and the cell stack 151B is maintained in a predetermined temperature range. In the temperature maintenance mode, the power consumption of the auxiliary device may be covered by the power supplied from the grid, or may be covered by the power supplied from the PV 131 or the storage battery 141. In the temperature maintaining mode, the power output from the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) is at least smaller than the power consumption of the auxiliary device, and is slightly less than the operation of the auxiliary device in the idling mode. For example, in the temperature maintaining mode, no power is output from the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B).

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

  In the first embodiment, the predetermined temperature range is slightly lower than the power generation temperature, for example, about 450 ° C. to 600 ° C. Even if the reformed gas (hydrogen) and the air (oxygen) are obtained, a sufficient chemical reaction is performed. This is a temperature range in which is difficult to occur. When the temperature of the cell stack 151B is in a predetermined temperature range, the reaction speed of the chemical reaction is insufficient, and thus the voltage output from the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) is lower than the rated voltage (200 V). In the temperature maintenance mode, no chemical reaction may occur, or some chemical reaction may occur. However, since the predetermined temperature range is maintained at a temperature clearly higher than the normal temperature, even when it is necessary to perform power generation, a chemical reaction occurs more actively than in a completely stopped state. The time until the temperature reaches the required temperature is shortened, and the time until the required power is output is shortened (the load followability is high).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  In the first embodiment, the receiving unit 210 sends a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150 or a message indicating the status of the fuel cell device 150 when the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally to the hot water supply unit 170 ( In the embodiment, it is received from the control board 157) of the fuel cell device 150. In other words, the control board 157 of the fuel cell device 150 constitutes a transmitting unit that transmits the above-mentioned message.

  Here, the type of the fuel cell device 150 is a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell), a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC: Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell), a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC: Phosphoric). Acid Fuel Cell), a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), and a gas engine type power generator.

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

  For example, the status of the fuel cell device 150 includes one of a status in which the fuel cell device 150 is stopped and a status in which the fuel cell device 150 is generating power. When the type of the fuel cell device 150 is SOFC, PEFC, PAFC, or MCFC, the device is a device in which continuous use of fuel (gas) is likely to occur. For this reason, for some reason, a configuration is sometimes adopted in which the gas consumption is forcibly stopped for a certain period of time so that the gas consumption is not continued for an excessively long period of time. Such a stop is not a stop caused by an error such as a failure, and even if the operation is resumed after returning from the stop, the stop will be performed again after a lapse of the period. For example, in the case of SOFC in particular among the fuel cell devices 150, it is considered desirable to stop the fuel cell device 150 before a timing when a gas meter reaches a certain period (for example, 27 days) when it is determined that there is a gas leak. ing. On the other hand, in the case of PEFC, for example, the operation is stopped once a day for one hour. Such a difference in response is due to the difference in the reaction temperature of the power generation unit and the length of time from stop to operation due to differences in the reaction temperature of the power generation unit, even for the same fuel cell. Is due. Therefore, the EMS 200 receives a message indicating the status, including the status of the operation, the stop, the stop if it is stopped, the scheduled stop date in the future, and the like. When the EMS 200 receives the message indicating the status in this way, the EMS 200 grasps the type of the fuel cell device 150, and further grasps conditions such as a period of the operation stop for each type, a period of the stop, and the like. It is determined that an outage within these conditions is a planned outage and not a failure. Conversely, if the stop plan for each type of the fuel cell device 150 does not match, warning information may be generated to notify the user that some error has occurred. Further, the EMS 200 receives the information on the planned shutdown of the fuel cell device 150 for each type of the fuel cell device 150 and grasps the shutdown plan to further improve the prediction accuracy of the future power generation amount. Thus, other devices (the load 120 and the like) can be appropriately controlled.

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

  Alternatively, the status of the fuel cell device 150 includes whether or not the radiator 156 is used. As described above, in the state where the radiator 156 is used, all the exhaust heat cannot be recovered by the hot water storage device 160 and the heat is radiated into the air, that is, the operating efficiency of the fuel cell device 150 is reduced. It can be said that it is in the state of doing. Therefore, when the EMS 200 receives such a message indicating the status, the EMS 200 can grasp the operation efficiency of the fuel cell device 150 and appropriately control other devices (such as the hot water storage device 160). For example, if the use of a heat radiator such as the radiator 156 is occurring, the amount of hot water used is small, the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage device 160 is increased, and the utilization of waste heat in the hot water storage device 160 is reduced. It is in the state that it is. Therefore, control may be performed to increase the waste heat recovery rate by, for example, raising the set temperature higher than a preset hot water temperature in hot water storage device 160 or increasing the set amount of the hot water storage amount. Alternatively, since the waste heat is not available, the energy use efficiency is calculated, and until the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage device 160 is reduced, the fuel cell device 150 is shifted to the idling mode or the temperature maintenance mode by refraining from active use. Is also good. Furthermore, control may be performed such that the power consumption of the load equipment in the customer is reduced by the amount corresponding to the reduction in the supply power accompanying the output reduction of the fuel cell device 150. That is, depending on whether the radiator 156 is used or not, the EMS 200 can further improve the energy efficiency by changing the setting of the hot water storage device 160 or changing the operation mode of the fuel cell device, and further controlling the operation state of the load device. Can be.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The type field indicates the type of the fuel cell device 150. For example, the type of the fuel cell device 150 is a solid oxide type (SOFC), a polymer electrolyte type (PEFC), a gas engine type, or the like.

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

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

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

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

  The type field indicates the type of the fuel cell device 150. For example, the type of the fuel cell device 150 is a solid oxide type (SOFC), a polymer electrolyte type (PEFC), a gas engine type, or the like.

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

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

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

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

  In step 20, hot water supply unit 170 transmits a message (code group response) indicating a code group corresponding to hot water supply unit 170 to EMS 200. The code group response is an example of a message indicating the presence or absence of a function of transmitting a message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150. Alternatively, the code group response is an example of a message indicating the presence or absence of a function of transmitting a message indicating the status of the fuel cell device 150 and the hot water storage device 160 when the fuel cell device 150 and the hot water storage device 160 are operating normally. .

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

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

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

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

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

  In the first embodiment, EMS 200 receives a message indicating a status when hot water supply unit 170 is operating normally, not an error when hot water supply unit 170 has an abnormality. Accordingly, the EMS 200 can grasp the power generation amount of the fuel cell device 150 and the like, and can appropriately control other devices (load, hot water storage device, and the like).

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

  For example, it is assumed that the system is operated in the idling mode during a power outage. However, if there is a demand for electric power at the load, not only the fuel cell 151 itself supplies electric power to the auxiliary device but also the power supply to the fuel cell device 150. A self-sustaining operation mode may be used in which the output of the fuel cell 151 is increased so as to obtain output power that meets the demand at the load. That is, the self-sustained operation mode and the idling mode are different in whether or not to output the generated power externally, but are common in that the power supply to the auxiliary devices is covered by self-generated power during a system power failure. For this reason, the two modes in which power is supplied to the auxiliary devices by self-power generation during a system power failure may be referred to as a self-supply mode for convenience.

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

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

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

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

  Although not specifically described in the embodiment, the timing for performing the initial setting of the fuel cell device 150, the timing for recovering from the power failure, the timing for turning on the power of the fuel cell device 150, the timing for turning on the power of the EMS 200, It is preferable that the transmission and reception of the code group request and the code group response are performed at the timing when it becomes necessary to confirm the setting of 150.

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

Claims (8)

A fuel cell device that transmits a message having a predetermined format to the power management device,
A transmission unit that transmits the message indicating a power generation operation state that is a state of the fuel cell device to the power management device,
The fuel cell device, wherein the power generation operation state includes at least a stop operation which is a state from a state where the fuel cell device is generating power to a state where the fuel cell device is stopped . The stop operation is an operation for stopping the fuel cell system leakage of the gas supplied to the fuel cell system before the timing when a certain period has elapsed gas meter to determine, fuel cell according to claim 1 apparatus. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the stop operation is an operation of stopping the fuel cell device without causing an error in the fuel cell device. A power management device that receives a message having a predetermined format from a fuel cell device,
A receiving unit that receives the message indicating the power generation operation state that is the state of the fuel cell device from the fuel cell device,
The power management apparatus , wherein the power generation operation state includes at least a stop operation which is a state from a state where the fuel cell device is generating power to a state where the fuel cell device is stopped . The power management device according to claim 4, further comprising a control unit that controls devices other than the fuel cell device based on a stop operation of the fuel cell device after receiving the message.   The power management device according to claim 5, wherein the device other than the fuel cell device includes at least one of a load, a solar cell device, and a storage battery device. The stop operation, the a fuel cell system operation for stopping the fuel cell system leakage of the gas supplied before the timing when a predetermined period has elapsed the gas meter determines the of claims 4 to 6 The power management device according to claim 1. The power management device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the stop operation is an operation of stopping the fuel cell device without causing an error in the fuel cell device.

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