JP6718605B2 - Power management system, power management method, control device, and hot water supply unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power management system, a power management method, a power control device, and a fuel cell device having 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) To be done.

In order to popularize the above-mentioned management system, it is effective to use a common message format between a plurality of devices and a control device, and such a common message format has been attempted.

JP, 2010-128810, A

The commonization of the message format described above is just the beginning, and various studies are needed on the message format for appropriately controlling the device.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a management system, a management method, a control device, and a fuel cell device that enable appropriate control of devices. To do.

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

In the first feature, the control device receives a message indicating whether or not the function of transmitting the message indicating the type of the fuel cell device is present prior to the reception of the message indicating the type of the fuel cell device.

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

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

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

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

The management method according to the second feature 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 type of the fuel cell device.

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

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

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

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

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

However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of respective dimensions are different from actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions should be determined in consideration of the following description. Further, it is needless to say that the drawings include portions in which dimensional relationships and ratios are different from each other.

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

Here, as the type of the fuel cell device, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), and a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC: Phosphoric). An Acid Fuel Cell, a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC: Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell), a gas engine power generator, and the like are considered. Since these fuel cell devices have different characteristics, it is very important for the control device to know the type of the fuel cell device in order to properly control the fuel cell device.

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

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

As illustrated 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 station 50. The customer 10, the CEMS 20, the substation 30, and the smart server 40 are connected by the network 60.

The customer 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 electric power, such as a secondary battery.

The customer 10 may be a detached 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, the plurality of customers 10 configure a customer group 10A and a customer group 10B. The customer group 10A and the customer group 10B are classified by, for example, a geographical area.

The CEMS 20 controls the interconnection between the plurality of consumers 10 and the electric power system. Since the CEMS 20 manages a plurality of customers 10, it may be referred to as a CEMS (Cluster/Community Energy Management System). Specifically, the CEMS 20 disconnects between the plurality of consumers 10 and the power system during a power failure or the like. On the other hand, the CEMS 20 interconnects the plurality of consumers 10 with the power system at the time of power recovery.

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

The substation 30 supplies electric power to the plurality of customers 10 via the distribution line 31. Specifically, the substation 30 steps down the voltage supplied from the power station 50.

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

The smart server 40 manages a plurality of CEMSs 20 (here, CEMS 20A and CEMS 20B). Further, 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 comprehensively manages the customers 10 included in the customer group 10A and the customer group 10B. The smart server 40 has a function of balancing the power to be supplied to the customer group 10A and the power to be supplied to the customer group 10B, for example.

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

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

(Customer)
The customer according to the first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing 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 follow-up control of the fuel cell device 150. The ammeter 180 is located on the power line connecting the storage battery device 140 and the fuel cell device 150 to the grid, downstream of the connection point between the storage battery device 140 and the power line (away from the grid), and to the fuel cell device 150. It is provided upstream (closer to the grid) than the connection point with the power line. It goes without saying that 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 grid.

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

The load 120 is a device that consumes electric power supplied via the 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 according to the reception of sunlight. 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 have a pyranometer that measures the amount of solar radiation applied to the PV 131.

The PV apparatus 130 is controlled by the 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 operating point voltage value and the current value).

The storage battery device 140 has a storage battery 141 and a PCS 142. The storage battery 141 is a device that stores electric power. The PCS 142 is a device (Power Conditioning System) that converts AC power supplied from the distribution line 31 (system) into DC power. The PCS 142 also converts the DC power output from the 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 under load follow-up control. Specifically, the fuel cell device 150 controls the fuel cell 151 so that the electric power output from the fuel cell 151 becomes the target electric 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 power reception.

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

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

The EMS 200 is an apparatus (Energy Management System) that controls the PV apparatus 130, the storage battery apparatus 140, the fuel cell apparatus 150, and the hot water storage apparatus 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 a signal line, and the PV device 130, the storage battery device 140, the fuel cell device 150, and the hot water storage device. Control 160. Further, the EMS 200 controls the power consumption of the load 120 by controlling the operation mode of the load 120.

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

Alternatively, the 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 the actual value of the power consumption of the load 120 in the past. Alternatively, the energy consumption prediction information may be a model of 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 weather forecasts, seasons, sunshine hours, and the like.

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

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

The fuel cell 151 is a device that outputs electric power using fuel gas, as described above. 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 electricity 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. The reformed gas (hydrogen) is supplied to the fuel electrode, and the air (oxygen) is supplied to the air electrode. A chemical reaction between the reformed gas (hydrogen) and air (oxygen) occurs in the electrolyte to generate electric power (DC power) and heat.

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

The blower 153 supplies air to the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B). The blower 153 is composed of, 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 the 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 forming the cell stack 151B. It should be noted that the ignition heater 155 may ignite the unreacted fuel when the unreacted fuel is not combusting (for example, when the fuel cell device 150 is started). Once ignited, the temperature of the cell stack 151B is maintained at a high temperature by continuing to burn the unreacted fuel that slightly overflows from the cell stack 151B.

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 when 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 operating 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 an example of an auxiliary device that assists 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, as the operation modes of the fuel cell device 150, a power generation mode, an idling mode, and a temperature maintenance mode are provided.

The power generation mode is an operation mode (load tracking control) in which the power output from the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) is controlled so as to follow the power consumption of the load 120 connected to the fuel cell device 150. Specifically, in the power generation mode, the power output from the fuel cell 151 is controlled so that the current value detected by the ammeter 180 becomes the target power reception. 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 by the chemical reaction and the combustion of the unreacted gas. Such a power generation temperature is a temperature range in which a chemical reaction positively occurs if reformed gas (hydrogen) and air (oxygen) are obtained.

By the way, the fuel cell device 150 can be completely stopped. For example, it may be completely stopped when it is not used for a long time. However, when completely stopped, auxiliary devices also stop and the temperature of the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) becomes low, so it takes a long time to rise to a temperature at which power can be generated. Therefore, it should be noted that the load followability is low. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the idling mode and the temperature maintaining mode are provided as the operation modes 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 a power generation temperature (for example, about 700° C.) similar to that in the power generation mode due to the chemical reaction and the combustion of the unreacted gas. That is, the temperature of the cell stack 151B in the idling mode is also a temperature range in which a chemical reaction positively occurs if reformed gas (hydrogen) and air (oxygen) are obtained, as in the power generation mode. 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 the 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 the power supplied from the PV 131 or the storage battery 141. In the temperature maintenance mode, the electric power output from the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) is at least smaller than the power consumption of the auxiliary device, and does not reach the level of operating the auxiliary device as in the idling mode. For example, in the temperature maintenance 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. Further, the temperature of the cell stack 151B in the temperature maintenance mode is lower than the temperature of the cell stack 151B in the power generation mode. Similarly, the temperature of the cell stack 151B in the temperature maintaining 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 high temperature (predetermined temperature range) to some extent.

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

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

(Network configuration)
The network configuration according to the first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing 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 is information for visualizing energy consumption of each device (load 120, PV device 130, storage battery device 140, fuel cell device 150, hot water storage device 160) (hereinafter, visualization information). Is displayed by a web browser. In such a case, the EMS 200 generates the visualization information in a format such as HTML and transmits the generated visualization information to the user terminal 310. The connection format between the user terminal 310 and the EMS 200 may be wired or wireless.

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

As described above, in the first embodiment, the fuel cell device 150 and the hot water storage device 160 form the hot water supply unit 170. Therefore, hot water storage apparatus 160 may not have the function of communicating with EMS 200. In such a case, the fuel cell device 150 acts on behalf of the hot water storage device 160 to communicate a message regarding the hot water storage device 160 with the EMS 200.

In the first embodiment, the 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, the hot water storage device 160) is performed 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”.

(Structure of EMS)
The EMS according to the first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the EMS 200 according to the first embodiment.

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

The reception 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 information indicating the amount of electricity stored in the storage battery 141 from the storage battery device 140. The receiving unit 210 may receive information indicating the power generation amount of the fuel cell 151 from the fuel cell device 150. Receiving unit 210 may receive information indicating the amount of hot water stored in hot water storage device 160 from hot water storage device 160.

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

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 transmitter that transmits the above-mentioned message.

Here, the types of the fuel cell device 150 are a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), and a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC: Phosphoric). It includes either an Acid Fuel Cell, a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC: Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell), or a gas engine power generator.

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

For example, the status of the fuel cell device 150 includes either a status in which the fuel cell device 150 is stopped or 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, MCFC, it is a device in which continuous use of fuel (gas) is likely to occur. Therefore, for some reasons, a configuration may be adopted in which gas is forcibly stopped for a certain period of time so that gas consumption does not continue for an excessively long period of time. Such a stop is not a stop caused by an error such as a failure by any means, and even if the system is restarted after returning from the stop, it will stop when the period elapses again. For example, especially in the case of SOFC in the fuel cell device 150, it is desirable to stop the fuel cell device 150 before the timing of reaching a certain period (for example, 27 days) when the gas meter determines that there is a gas leak. ing. On the other hand, in the case of PEFC, for example, it is stopped once a day for 1 hour. This difference in correspondence is due to the difference in the configuration for inducing chemical changes even in the same fuel cell, and therefore the length of time from the stop to the operating state due to the difference in the reaction temperature of the power generation part, etc. It is due. Therefore, the EMS 200 receives a message indicating the status, including such a period during operation, stoppage, or during stoppage, or a planned stoppage date in the future. By receiving the message indicating the status in this manner, the EMS 200 grasps the type of the fuel cell device 150, and further grasps the conditions such as the period of the operation stop for each type and the cycle of the stop. It is possible to judge that the stop within these conditions is a planned stop and not a failure. On the contrary, 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 stop of the fuel cell device 150 for each type of the fuel cell device 150, and also grasps the stop plan to further predict the power generation amount in the future. Therefore, other devices (such as the load 120) can be appropriately controlled.

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

Alternatively, the status of the fuel cell device 150 includes whether or not the radiator 156 is being used. As described above, when the radiator 156 is used, exhaust heat is not completely recovered by the hot water storage device 160 and is radiated into the air, that is, the operation efficiency of the fuel cell device 150 decreases. It can be said that it is in the state of doing. Therefore, when EMS 200 receives the message indicating such a status, EMS 200 can grasp the operating efficiency of fuel cell device 150 and appropriately control other devices (such as hot water storage device 160). For example, when the radiator 156 or the like is in use, the amount of hot water used is small, and the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage device 160 is increased. It is in the state of being. Therefore, for example, the exhaust heat recovery rate may be controlled to be improved by raising the set temperature more than the preset hot water temperature in hot water storage device 160 or by raising the set amount of the hot water storage amount. Alternatively, since the exhaust heat is not available, energy utilization efficiency is calculated, and active use of the fuel cell device 150 is refrained from transitioning to the idling mode or the temperature maintaining mode until the hot water storage amount of the hot water storage device 160 decreases. Good. Further, control may be performed so as to reduce the power consumption of the load device in the consumer by an amount corresponding to the reduction in the power supply accompanying the reduction in the output of the fuel cell device 150. That is, the EMS 200 can improve the energy efficiency by changing the setting of the hot water storage device 160, changing the operation mode of the fuel cell device, and controlling the operation state of the load device depending on whether or not the radiator 156 is used. You can

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 the message indicating such a status, the EMS 200 can grasp the power generation amount of the fuel cell device 150 and appropriately control other devices (the load 120 and the like). It is also possible to grasp the stage between the state in which the fuel cell device 150 is generating power and the state in which the fuel cell device 150 is stopped, depending on the temperature of the cell stack 151B.

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

The transmission unit 220 transmits various signals to 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 transmitter 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. The data 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, prior to receiving the message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150, the transmitting unit 220 supplies a message requesting a message indicating the presence or absence of the function of transmitting the message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150. Send to unit 170. Alternatively, the transmission unit 220 may receive the fuel cell when the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally, prior to receiving the message indicating the status of the fuel cell device 150 when the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally. A message requesting a message indicating the 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 fuel cell device 150 on the operation mode of the fuel cell device 150. In the first embodiment, the operation modes of the fuel cell device 150 include the power generation mode (load tracking control), the idling mode, and the temperature maintenance mode, as described above.

When the electric power output from the fuel cell 151 (cell stack 151B) exceeds a predetermined threshold value, 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, the control unit 230 controls the fuel cell device 150 to operate in the idling mode when, for example, a power failure occurs.

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

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

The message type field indicates the type of the message, and 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 solid polymer 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. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the message has a message type field and a status field.

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

The status field indicates the status of the fuel cell device 150. In the case shown in FIG. 7, the status of the fuel cell device 150 is represented using a different code space for each type of the fuel cell device 150. Therefore, the EMS 200 can identify 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 solid polymer type (PEFC), a gas engine type, or the like.

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

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

(Management method)
The management method according to the first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the management method of the first embodiment.

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

In step 30, EMS 200 transmits a message (type request) requesting the type of fuel cell device 150 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 to hot water supply unit 170 a message (status request) 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, the EMS 200 receives the message indicating the type of the fuel cell device 150, so that the fuel cell device 150 can be appropriately controlled.

In the first embodiment, EMS 200 receives a message indicating the status when hot water supply unit 170 is operating normally, not an error when abnormality occurs in hot water supply unit 170. As a result, 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, etc.).

[Other Embodiments]
Although the present invention has been described by the above-described embodiments, it should not be understood that the description and drawings forming a 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, although it is assumed that the engine is operated in the idling mode during a power outage, if there is power demand in the load, not only the fuel cell 151 itself supplies power to auxiliary devices but also the fuel cell device 150 is connected to the fuel cell device 150. Alternatively, the self-sustaining operation mode may be used in which the output of the fuel cell 151 is increased so that the output power corresponding to the demand of the load is obtained. That is, although the self-sustained operation mode and the idling mode are different in whether or not to externally output the generated power, they are common in that the power supply to the auxiliary device is covered by the self-generated power during the system power failure. Therefore, for convenience, the two modes in which the power supply to the auxiliary device is covered by the self-power generation during the system power failure may be referred to as the self-sufficiency mode.

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

The EMS 200 may be a HEMS (Home Energy Management System), may be a SEMS (Store Energy Management System), may be a BEMS (Building Energy Management), and may be a BEMS (Building Energy Management System). It may be.

In the embodiment, the customer 10 has a load 120, a PV device 130, a storage battery device 140, a fuel cell device 150, and a hot water storage device 160. However, the consumer 10 may 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 the status when the fuel cell device 150 is operating normally, but includes the status indicating the error when the abnormality occurs in the fuel cell device 150. But it's okay.

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

10... Consumer, 20... CEMS, 30... Substation, 31... Distribution line, 40... Smart server, 50... Power station, 51... Power 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 ... transmission unit, 230 ... control unit, 300, 310, 320 ... user terminal

Claims (8)

A hot water supply unit having a fuel cell device and a hot water storage device;
The hot water supply unit and a control device for transmitting and receiving a message having a predetermined format,
The control device receives, as the message, a first message indicating the presence or absence of a function of transmitting a third message indicating that the fuel cell device is stopped, from the hot water supply unit,
In response to the first message, the control device transmits, as the message, a second message requesting an operating state of the fuel cell device to the hot water supply unit,
The power management system, wherein the control device receives, as the message, the third message returned in response to the second message from the hot water supply unit. The power management system according to claim 1, wherein during the stop of the fuel cell device, stop due to an error is excluded. The power management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device receives, as the message, a message indicating a period during which the fuel cell device is stopped, from the hot water supply unit. The power management system according to claim 1, wherein the control device receives, as the message, a message indicating a future shutdown schedule of the fuel cell device from the hot water supply unit. When the stop of the fuel cell device specified by the message indicating that the fuel cell device is stopped does not match the stop plan grasped by the type of the fuel cell device, the control device causes an error of the fuel cell device. The power management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the power management system notifies the user. The control device comprises a step of transmitting and receiving a message having a predetermined format to and from the hot water supply unit having the fuel cell device and the hot water storage device,
The steps are
As the message, a step in which the control device receives from the hot water supply unit a first message indicating the presence or absence of a function of transmitting a third message indicating that the fuel cell device is stopped, and the message depending on the first message As a step, the control device transmits a second message requesting the operating state of the fuel cell device to the hot water supply unit,
The control device receives, as the message, the third message returned from the hot water supply unit in response to the second message. A communication unit for transmitting and receiving a message having a predetermined format to and from a hot water supply unit having a fuel cell device and a hot water storage device,
The communication unit receives, as the message, a first message indicating the presence or absence of a function of transmitting a third message indicating that the fuel cell device is stopped, from the hot water supply unit,
In response to the first message, the communication unit transmits, as the message, a second message requesting an operating state of the fuel cell device to the hot water supply unit,
The control device, wherein the communication unit receives, as the message, the third message returned in response to the second message from the hot water supply unit. A hot water supply unit having a fuel cell device and a hot water storage device,
A communication unit for transmitting and receiving a message having a predetermined format to and from the control device,
The communication unit transmits, as the message, a first message indicating the presence or absence of a function of transmitting a third message indicating that the fuel cell device is stopped, to the control device,
In response to the first message, the communication unit receives, as the message, a second message requesting an operating state of the fuel cell device from the control device,
The hot water supply unit, wherein the communication unit transmits the third message to the control device as the message in response to the second message.

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