JP2019046572A - POWER GENERATOR, CONTROL DEVICE, AND CONTROL PROGRAM - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a power generation device, a control device, and a control program for processing, which are improved with regard to processing when an abnormality occurs.SOLUTION: The power generation device includes a fuel cell, a communication unit, a control unit capable of communicating with an internal device or an external device by the communication unit, and a power conditioner. The power conditioner converts at least a part of a DC power generated by the fuel cell into AC power and supplies the AC power to outside of the power generation device. When the control unit determines that an abnormality related to communication has occurred, the control unit stops power supply from the power conditioner to the outside and controls the fuel cell so as to maintain the power generation state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a power generation device, a control device, and a control program. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a power generation device including a fuel cell, a control device of a power generation device including a fuel cell, and a control program executed by such a device.

  A power generating apparatus provided with a fuel cell such as a solid oxide fuel cell (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (hereinafter referred to as “SOFC”)) generates power using gas or the like. In such a power generation apparatus, the temperature of the fuel cell may rise abnormally. Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, when the temperature of the fuel cell abnormally increases, the power generation device is stopped.

JP, 2015-133213, A

  By the way, in the power generation device, internal devices of the power generation device sometimes transmit and receive information to each other. In addition, the power generation apparatus sometimes transmits and receives information to and from an external device. In such communication, for example, an abnormality may occur in the communication, such as temporary interruption. In the conventional power generation apparatus, there is room for improvement in processing when such an abnormality related to communication occurs.

  An object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved power generation device, control device and control program regarding processing when an abnormality occurs.

  The power generation device according to one embodiment includes a fuel cell, a communication unit, a control unit capable of communicating with an internal device or an external device by the communication unit, and a power conditioner. The power conditioner converts at least a part of the DC power generated by the fuel cell into AC power and supplies the AC power to the outside of the power generation apparatus. If the control unit determines that an abnormality related to communication has occurred, the control unit stops the power supply from the power conditioner to the outside, but controls the fuel cell to maintain the power generation state.

  The power generation device according to one embodiment includes a fuel cell, a communication unit, a control unit capable of communicating with an internal device or an external device by the communication unit, and a power conditioner. The power conditioner converts at least a part of the DC power generated by the fuel cell into AC power and supplies the AC power to the outside of the power generation apparatus. When it is determined that the communication with the communication unit is interrupted, the front power conditioner stops the power supply from the power conditioner to the outside, but controls the fuel cell to maintain the power generation state.

  A control device according to one embodiment controls a power generation device including a fuel cell and a power conditioner. The power conditioner converts at least a part of the DC power generated by the fuel cell into AC power and supplies the AC power to the outside of the power generation apparatus. The control device stops the power supply from the power conditioner to the outside when it determines that the communication with the power conditioner is interrupted, but controls the fuel cell to maintain the power generation state.

  A control program according to an embodiment is a control program of a control device that controls a power generation device including a fuel cell and a power conditioner. The power conditioner converts at least a part of the DC power generated by the fuel cell into AC power and supplies the AC power to the outside of the power generation apparatus. The control program causes the control device to execute the step of determining whether the communication with the power conditioner has been discontinued. Furthermore, the control program causes the control device to stop the power supply from the power conditioner to the outside when it determines that the communication with the power conditioner has been interrupted, but places the fuel cell in a power generation state. Perform control steps to maintain.

  According to one embodiment, it is possible to provide an improved power generation device, controller and control program regarding processing when an abnormality occurs.

It is a functional block diagram showing roughly the composition of the power generator concerning a 1st embodiment of this indication. It is a flow chart which shows operation of a power generator concerning a 1st embodiment of this indication. It is a flow chart which shows operation of a power generator concerning a 2nd embodiment of this indication. It is a functional block diagram showing roughly the composition of the power generator concerning a 3rd embodiment of this indication. It is a flow chart which shows operation of a power generator concerning a 3rd embodiment of this indication. It is a functional block diagram showing roughly a modification of composition of a power generator concerning a 1st embodiment of this indication.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the power generation device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a power generation device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to a hot water storage tank 60, a load 100, and a commercial power supply (grid) 200. As shown in FIG. 1, gas, water and air as an oxygen-containing gas are supplied to the power generation device 1 from the outside. The power generation device 1 generates electric power by the supplied gas, water and air. The power generation device 1 supplies the generated power to the load 100 and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation device 1 includes a control unit 10, a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, a fuel cell module 20, a gas supply unit 32, an air supply unit 34, and a reforming water supply unit. 36, the power conditioner 40, the exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50, and the circulating water processing unit 52.

  The power plant 1 includes at least one processor as a controller 10 to provide control and processing capabilities to perform various functions, as will be described in more detail below. According to various embodiments, at least one processor may be implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC) or as a plurality of communicatively coupled integrated circuits IC and discrete circuits. . The at least one processor can be implemented according to various known techniques.

  In one embodiment, a processor includes one or more circuits or units configured to perform one or more data calculation procedures and processes. For example, the processor may be one or more processors, controllers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, or any combination or combination thereof. The functions described below may be implemented by including other known devices or combinations of configurations.

  The control unit 10 is connected to the communication unit 11, the storage unit 12, the fuel cell module 20, the gas supply unit 32, the air supply unit 34, the reforming water supply unit 36, and the power conditioner 40, It controls and manages the power generation device 1 as a whole including these functional units. The control unit 10 acquires a program stored in the storage unit 12. The control unit 10 realizes various functions related to each unit of the power generation device 1 by executing the acquired program.

  The control unit 10 can communicate with another internal device or an external device such as a remote controller by the communication unit 11. The control unit 10 causes the communication unit 11 to transmit and receive control signals or various types of information to and from an internal device such as the power conditioner 40 or the like. The control unit 10 and the other internal devices may be connected by wire or wireless via the communication unit 11. Further, the control unit 10 and the external device may be connected by wire or wireless via the communication unit 11.

  The control unit 10 periodically transmits a request for requesting a response (hereinafter referred to as a “request”) to the power conditioner 40 by the communication unit 11. For example, the control unit 10 transmits a request to the power conditioner 40 by the communication unit 11 every one second.

  The communication unit 11 is an interface that transmits and receives information to and from another internal device or an external device such as a remote controller. The communication unit 11 can communicate with other internal devices or external devices via wired or wireless communication.

  The storage unit 12 stores the information acquired from the control unit 10. The storage unit 12 also stores programs and the like executed by the control unit 10. In addition, the storage unit 12 also stores various data such as calculation results by the control unit 10, for example. Hereinafter, storage unit 12 will be described as one that can further include a work memory and the like when control unit 10 operates. The storage unit 12 may be configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the storage unit 12 may be any storage device. For example, the storage unit 12 may be an optical storage device such as an optical disk, or may be a magneto-optical disk or the like.

  The fuel cell module 20 includes a reformer 22 and a cell stack 24. The fuel cell module 20 generates power by the cell stack 24. The fuel cell module 20 supplies the generated DC power to the power conditioner 40. The fuel cell module 20 is also referred to as a "hot module". In the fuel cell module 20, the cell stack 24 generates heat as power is generated. In the present embodiment, the cell stack 24 which actually generates power is appropriately referred to as a "fuel cell". Further, in the present disclosure, any functional unit including the cell stack 24 may also be collectively referred to as a “fuel cell” as appropriate. For example, as a "fuel cell", a single cell or a fuel cell module etc. are mentioned to others.

  The reformer 22 generates steam using the reforming water supplied from the reforming water supply unit 36. Furthermore, the reformer 22 generates hydrogen and / or carbon monoxide using the raw fuel gas supplied from the gas supply unit 32 by steam reforming using the generated steam. The reformer 22 supplies the generated hydrogen and carbon monoxide to the cell stack 24. The hydrogen supplied to the cell stack 24 by the reformer 22 is also referred to as “fuel gas” in distinction from the raw fuel gas before steam reforming supplied by the gas supply unit 32 to the reformer 22. The cell stack 24 generates power by reacting hydrogen and / or carbon monoxide supplied from the reformer 22 with oxygen in the air supplied from the air supply unit 34. In other words, in the present embodiment, the cell stack 24 of the fuel cell generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction. The reformer 22 is not limited to the above-described reformer that performs steam reforming. For example, the reformer 22 may be a reformer that performs partial oxidation reforming (Partial Oxidation (POX)) that generates hydrogen using air or the like containing oxygen.

  Hereinafter, the cell stack 24 will be described as being an SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell). However, the cell stack 24 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the SOFC. The cell stack 24 according to this embodiment includes, for example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC)), a phosphoric acid fuel cell (Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC)), and a molten carbonate fuel cell ( A fuel cell such as Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, the fuel cell module 20 may be provided with, for example, four cell stacks capable of generating about 700 W by itself. In this case, the fuel cell module 20 can output power of about 3 kW as a whole.

  The fuel cell module 20 and the cell stack 24 according to the present embodiment are not limited to the configuration as described above. Various configurations can be employed for the fuel cell module 20 and the cell stack 24. For example, the fuel cell module 20 may include only one cell stack 24. In the present embodiment, the power generation device 1 may be provided with a fuel cell that generates electric power using at least a gas. Therefore, for example, the power generation device 1 may include only one fuel battery cell as the fuel cell, not the cell stack 24. Further, the fuel cell according to the present embodiment may be a fuel cell included in a module (case) having no reformer, like PEFC.

  The gas supply unit 32 can be driven by the power supplied from the power supply 43 of the power conditioner 40. The gas supply unit 32 supplies a gas (raw material gas) to the reformer 22 of the fuel cell module 20. At this time, the gas supply unit 32 controls the amount of gas supplied to the reformer 22 based on the control signal from the control unit 10. In the present embodiment, the gas supply unit 32 may be configured by, for example, a gas line. Further, in the present embodiment, the gas supply unit 32 may perform desulfurization treatment of the gas, or may preheat the gas. The exhaust heat of the cell stack 24 may be used as a heat source to heat the gas. The gas is, for example, city gas or LPG, but is not limited thereto. For example, the gas may be natural gas or coal gas or the like depending on the fuel cell. In the present embodiment, the gas supply unit 32 supplies a gas used for an electrochemical reaction when the cell stack 24 generates power.

  The air supply unit 34 can be driven by the power supplied from the power supply 43 of the power conditioner 40. The air supply unit 34 supplies air as the oxygen-containing gas to the cell stack 24 of the fuel cell module 20. At this time, the air supply unit 34 controls the amount of air supplied to the cell stack 24 based on the control signal from the control unit 10. In the present embodiment, the air supply unit 34 may be configured by, for example, an air line. Alternatively, the air supply unit 34 may preheat the air taken from the outside and supply the cell stack 24 with the air. In the present embodiment, the air supply unit 34 supplies air used for an electrochemical reaction when the cell stack 24 generates power. The air supply unit 34 may supply an oxygen-containing gas other than air to the cell stack 24. Alternatively, the air supply unit 34 may supply only the oxygen to the cell stack 24.

  The reforming water supply unit 36 can be driven by the power supplied from the power supply 43 of the power conditioner 40. The reforming water supply unit 36 supplies reforming water to the reformer 22 of the fuel cell module 20. At this time, the reforming water supply unit 36 controls the amount of reforming water supplied to the reformer 22 based on the control signal from the control unit 10. In the present embodiment, the reforming water supply unit 36 may be configured by, for example, a reforming water line. The reforming water supply unit 36 may generate reforming water using the water recovered from the exhaust of the cell stack 24 as a raw material. The exhaust heat of the cell stack 24 may be used as a heat source for producing the reformed water.

  The power conditioner 40 converts at least a part of the DC power generated by the cell stack 24 into AC power and supplies the AC power to the outside of the power generation device 1. AC power output from the power conditioner 40 to the outside of the power generation device 1 is supplied to the load 100 via a distribution board or the like. The load 100 receives the power output from the power conditioner 40 via a distribution board or the like. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the load 100 as a single member, the load 100 may be any number of various electric devices that configure the load. The load 100 can also receive power from the commercial power supply 200 via a distribution board or the like.

  The power conditioner 40 includes a converter 41, an inverter 42, a power supply 43, a control unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a communication unit 46.

  The converter 41 is, for example, a DC-DC converter. The converter 41 is connected to the cell stack 24 of the fuel cell module 20. The converter 41 converts the DC voltage supplied from the cell stack 24 into a predetermined DC voltage. The converter 41 supplies the converted DC voltage to the inverter 42. The converter 41 can also supply a part of the converted direct current power to the power supply 43.

  Inverter 42 is connected to converter 41. The inverter 42 converts DC power supplied from the converter 41 into AC power. The inverter 42 supplies the converted AC power to the load 100 or the like through the distribution board or the like. The inverter 42 may be a bidirectional inverter. In this case, the inverter 42 may convert AC power supplied from the commercial power supply 200 into DC power. Furthermore, the inverter 42 may supply the DC power after conversion to the power supply 43.

  The power source 43 is, for example, a secondary battery. The power supply 43 can be charged by the power supplied from the cell stack 24 via the converter 41. In addition, when the inverter 42 is a bidirectional inverter, the power supply 43 can also be charged by the power supplied from the commercial power supply 200 via the inverter 42. The power source 43 may not be a secondary battery. The power from the commercial power source 200 or the power generated by the cell stack may be supplied to the converter 41 or the inverter 42 in the power conditioner.

  The power source 43 supplies power to a part of the accessories in the power generation device 1 by discharging the charged power. Auxiliary equipment is a fuel cell peripheral device. The accessories to which the power supply 43 supplies power include, for example, a gas supply unit 32, an air supply unit 34, a reforming water supply unit 36, and a circulating water processing unit 52. However, the accessories to which the power supply 43 supplies power are not limited to these. For example, the accessory to which the power supply 43 supplies power may include a solenoid valve attached to the gas line, a solenoid valve attached to the air line, a solenoid valve attached to the reforming water line, and the like.

  The control unit 44 includes a processor that controls and manages the entire power conditioner 40, including the functional blocks of the power conditioner 40 such as the converter 41 and the inverter 42. The control unit 44 includes a processor such as a CPU that executes a program or the like that defines a control procedure. This program is stored in a storage medium such as the storage unit 45, for example.

  The control unit 44 receives a control instruction from the control unit 10 by the communication unit 46. The control unit 44 controls the converter 41 and the inverter 42 in accordance with the received control instruction.

  When the control unit 44 receives the above-described request from the control unit 10, the communication unit 46 transmits a response to the received request to the control unit 10.

  The storage unit 45 stores the information acquired from the control unit 44. The storage unit 45 also stores programs to be executed by the control unit 44. In addition, the storage unit 45 also stores various data such as calculation results by the control unit 44, for example. Hereinafter, storage unit 45 will be described as being capable of further including a work memory and the like when control unit 44 operates. The storage unit 45 may be configured of, for example, a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk. However, the storage unit 45 is not limited to this, and may be any storage device. For example, the storage unit 45 may be an optical storage device such as an optical disk, or may be a magneto-optical disk or the like.

  The communication unit 46 is an interface that transmits and receives information to and from the control unit 10. The communication unit 14 can communicate with the control unit 10 via a wired or wireless connection.

  The exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 recovers exhaust heat from the exhaust generated by the power generation of the cell stack 24. The exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 may be configured by, for example, a heat exchanger or the like. The exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 is connected to the circulating water processing unit 52 and the hot water storage tank 60.

  The circulating water processing unit 52 can be driven by the power supplied from the power supply 43 of the power conditioner 40. The circulating water processing unit 52 circulates water from the hot water storage tank 60 to the exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50. The water supplied to the exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 is heated by the exhaust heat recovered by the exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 and returns to the hot water storage tank 60. The exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 discharges the exhaust that has recovered the exhaust heat to the outside. Further, as described above, the heat recovered by the exhaust heat recovery processing unit can be used for heating gas, air or reforming water.

  The hot water storage tank 60 is connected to the exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 and the circulating water processing unit 52. The hot water storage tank 60 can store hot water generated using exhaust heat recovered from the cell stack 24 and the like.

  Next, the operation of the control unit 10 will be described.

  The control unit 10 determines whether an abnormality related to communication has occurred. In the first embodiment, the control unit 10 determines whether or not communication with the power conditioner 40 is interrupted as a determination as to whether or not an abnormality related to communication has occurred.

  Specifically, the control unit 10 periodically transmits the above-described request to the power conditioner 40 by the communication unit 11. The control unit 10 determines that the communication with the power conditioner 40 is interrupted when the response from the power conditioner 40 does not continue for a predetermined number of times in response to the request for periodical transmission. For example, the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the power conditioner 40 is interrupted when the response from the power conditioner 40 is not continuously sent ten times in response to the request to transmit periodically.

  If the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the power conditioner 40 is interrupted, that is, if it determines that an abnormality related to the communication has occurred, the control unit 10 operates the power generation device 1 in the idling mode. The idling mode is a mode in which power supply to the outside of the power generation device 1 is stopped but power generation in the power generation device 1 is maintained. In the idling mode, the control unit 10 stops the power supply from the power conditioner 40 to the outside of the power generation device 1, but controls the cell stack 24 to maintain the power generation state.

  Specifically, in the idling mode, the control unit 10 causes the communication unit 11 to transmit a control instruction to the effect that the inverter 42 be stopped to the power conditioner 40. The control instruction may be transmitted to the power conditioner 40 via a communication path different from the communication path in which the control unit 10 transmits a request to the power conditioner 40 by the communication unit 11. For example, when the communication unit 11 and the power conditioner 40 are connected by a plurality of communication cables, the control instruction is transmitted to the power conditioner 40 through a communication cable different from the communication cable to which the request is transmitted. You may

  In the idling mode, control unit 10 continues to drive converter 41 without stopping it. By continuing to drive converter 41, power load is applied to cell stack 24 even in the idling mode, and cell stack 24 can maintain the power generation state.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the cell stack 24 can maintain the power generation state even in the idling mode. Therefore, the control unit 10 may keep driving a part of the accessories with the power generated by the cell stack 24 even in the idling mode. That is, even when it is determined that an abnormality related to communication has occurred, the control unit 10 may continue to drive a part of the auxiliary equipment with the power generated by the cell stack 24. Here, as described above, in the idling mode, the control unit 10 stops the inverter 42. Therefore, control unit 10 reduces the duty ratio of the switching element of converter 41, and the power supplied from cell stack 24 to converter 41 corresponds to the power supplied from converter 41 to the accessory via power supply 43. You may control to gain. In this case, the control unit 10 causes the communication unit 11 to transmit, to the power conditioner 40, a control instruction to reduce the duty ratio of the switching element of the converter 41. The control instruction may be transmitted to the power conditioner 40 via a communication path different from the communication path for the control unit 10 to transmit a request to the power conditioner 40 by the communication unit 11 as described above. The accessories that can be driven by the power generated by the cell stack 24 include, for example, accessories that can be driven by the power from the power supply 43. For example, an accessory that can be driven by the power generated by the cell stack 24 includes a gas supply unit 32, an air supply unit 34, a reforming water supply unit 36, and a circulating water processing unit 52.

  While operating the power generation device 1 in the idling mode, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the abnormality regarding the communication has been eliminated. In the first embodiment, the control unit 10 determines whether communication with the power conditioner 40 has been recovered, as a determination as to whether or not an abnormality related to communication has been eliminated. Specifically, the control unit 10 periodically transmits the above-described request to the power conditioner 40 by the communication unit 11 while the power generation device 1 is operated in the idling mode. The control unit 10 determines that communication with the power conditioner 40 is restored when the communication unit 11 receives a response from the power conditioner 40 continuously for a predetermined number of times in response to a request for periodical transmission. . For example, when the control unit 10 receives a response from the power conditioner 40 continuously ten times by the communication unit 11, the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the power conditioner 40 is recovered.

  The control unit 10 cancels the idling mode of the power generation device 1 when the communication with the power conditioner 40 is restored before a predetermined time elapses after shifting the power generation device 1 to the idling mode. That is, the control unit 10 cancels the idling mode of the power generation device 1 when the abnormality related to the communication is eliminated before the predetermined time elapses. In the first embodiment, the predetermined time may be set based on the frequency at which the request is transmitted. The predetermined time may be, for example, about 60 seconds when the request is transmitted every second. When the idling mode of the power generation device 1 is released, the control unit 10 operates the power generation device 1 in the normal mode. In the normal mode, the control unit 10 transmits a control instruction to operate the inverter 42 to the power conditioner 40 by the communication unit 11. With such control, the power supply from the power conditioner 40 to the outside of the power generation device 1 can be resumed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the communication with the power conditioner 40 has been restored within a predetermined time after the power generation device 1 is shifted to the idling mode, the control unit 10 changes the power generation device 1 from the idling mode to the stop mode. Migrate. That is, the control unit 10 shifts the power generation device 1 from the idling mode to the stop mode when the abnormality regarding the communication is not resolved within the predetermined time. In the stop mode, the control unit 10 stops the power generation of the cell stack 24.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power generation device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

  The control unit 10 transmits the above-described request to the power conditioner 40 by the communication unit 11 (step S10). The control unit 10 determines whether the communication unit 11 has received a response to the transmitted request from the power conditioner 40 (step S11). When the control unit 10 determines that a response has been received from the power conditioner 40 (step S11: Yes), the process returns to step S10. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that the response is not received from the power conditioner 40 (step S11: No), the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step S12.

  In the process of step S12, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the determination result of not receiving a response from the power conditioner 40 in the process of step S11 is continuously output a predetermined number of times. When the control unit 10 determines that the determination result is continuously output a predetermined number of times (step S12: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that the determination result is not continuously output a predetermined number of times (step S12: No), the control unit 10 returns to the process of step S10.

  In the process of step S13, the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the power conditioner 40 is interrupted. As described above, when the response from the power conditioner 40 does not continue for a predetermined number of times in response to the request periodically transmitted by the process of step S10, the control unit 10 communicates with the power conditioner 40. It determines that it has stopped. In the process of step S14, the control unit 10 shifts the power generation device 1 to the idling mode.

  In the process of step S15, the control unit 10 determines whether the communication with the power conditioner 40 has been recovered. When the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the power conditioner 40 is recovered (step S15: Yes), the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step S16. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 does not determine that the communication with the power conditioner 40 has been recovered (step S15: No), the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step S17.

  In the process of step S16, the control unit 10 cancels the idling mode of the power generation device 1 and operates the power generation device 1 in the normal mode. As described above, when the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the power conditioner 40 is restored before a predetermined time elapses after the power generation device 1 is shifted to the idling mode, the idling mode of the power generation device 1 Release

  In the process of step S17, the control unit 10 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the power generation device 1 is shifted to the idling mode. When the control unit 10 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S17: Yes), the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step S18. On the other hand, when it is not determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S17: No), the control unit 10 returns to the process of step S15.

  In the process of step S18, the control unit 10 shifts the power generation device 1 to the stop mode. In the stop mode, the control unit 10 stops the power generation of the cell stack 24. Thus, the control unit 10 stops the power generation of the cell stack 24 if the communication with the power conditioner 40 is not recovered within the above-described predetermined time.

  As described above, in the power generation device 1 according to the first embodiment, the control unit 10 operates the power generation device 1 in the idling mode when it determines that the communication with the power conditioner 40 is interrupted. In the idling mode, the control unit 10 stops the power supply from the power conditioner 40 to the outside of the power generation device 1 and maintains the cell stack 24 in the power generation state. By stopping the power supply from the power conditioner 40 to the outside, the power generated by the cell stack 24 can be reduced. As described above, the power generation device 1 according to the present embodiment may be excellent in safety by reducing the power generated by the cell stack 24 when an abnormality related to communication occurs. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, an improved power generation device 1 can be provided with regard to processing when an abnormality occurs.

  Furthermore, in the power generation device 1 according to the first embodiment, the control unit 10 can keep driving a part of the accessories with the power generated by the cell stack 24 during the idling mode. That is, in the present embodiment, even when it is determined that an abnormality related to communication has occurred, the control unit 10 can continue driving a part of the auxiliary equipment with the power generated by the cell stack 24. By such control, the power generation device 1 according to the present embodiment can effectively use the gas.

  Here, as a comparative example, it is assumed that the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped when an abnormality related to communication occurs. A power generating apparatus provided with a fuel cell operating at a high temperature such as SOFC needs to raise the temperature of the fuel cell to a temperature at which it can generate power when it resumes power generation after stopping power generation. Therefore, when power generation is stopped, it may take a long time to restart power generation. Furthermore, there are many communication abnormalities, such as temporary interruptions. Therefore, there are many cases in which an abnormality related to communication is quickly resolved. Therefore, in the power generation device, when power generation is stopped when an abnormality occurs in communication, it is assumed that it becomes difficult to restart power generation promptly even if the abnormality related to communication is quickly resolved. If power generation can not be resumed promptly, it is assumed that it will be difficult to resume power supply from the power generating apparatus to the outside immediately.

  On the other hand, in the power generation device 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 10 operates the power generation device 1 in the idling mode to maintain the cell stack 24 in the power generation state when determining that an abnormality related to communication has occurred. By such control, when the abnormality related to the communication is promptly recovered, the power generation device 1 according to the present embodiment can quickly shift to the normal mode by canceling the idling mode. That is, the power generation device 1 according to the present embodiment can quickly resume the power supply from the power conditioner 40 to the outside of the power generation device 1. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the power generation device 1 excellent in the user's convenience can be provided.

  Further, in the power generation device 1 according to the first embodiment, the control unit 10 shifts the power generation device 1 to the stop mode when communication with the power conditioner 40 is not recovered within the above-described predetermined time. That is, in the power generation device 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 10 shifts the power generation device 1 to the stop mode when the abnormality regarding the communication is not resolved within the above-described predetermined time. In the communication-related abnormality, an abnormality that can not be resolved within a predetermined time is often a severe abnormality such as a disconnection of the communication cable. With such control, the power generation device 1 can stop power generation after a predetermined time even if a serious communication abnormality occurs. Therefore, the power generation device 1 according to the present embodiment can be excellent in safety.

Second Embodiment
Next, a power generation device according to a second embodiment will be described. The power generation device according to the second embodiment can adopt the same configuration as the power generation device 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, differences with the first embodiment will be mainly described with reference to FIG.

  Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 10 determines whether or not communication with the power conditioner 40 is interrupted as the determination as to whether or not an abnormality related to communication has occurred. However, the second embodiment and the first embodiment are different in the process of determining whether the communication with the power conditioner 40 is interrupted. The details will be described below.

  The control unit 44 of the power conditioner 40 periodically transmits the predetermined information to the control unit 10 by the communication unit 46. The predetermined information is, for example, information such as a current value measured by a current sensor in the power conditioner 40. For example, the control unit 44 causes the communication unit 46 to transmit predetermined information to the control unit 10 every two milliseconds.

  In the second embodiment, when the communication unit 11 does not receive the predetermined information from the power conditioner 40 within the first time, the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the power conditioner 40 is interrupted. The first time may be set based on the frequency at which the power conditioner 40 transmits the predetermined information. The first time may be, for example, about 100 milliseconds when the power conditioner 40 transmits predetermined information every 2 milliseconds.

  When determining that the communication with the power conditioner 40 is interrupted, the control unit 10 operates the power generation device 1 in the idling mode as in the first embodiment.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the control unit 10 determines whether communication with the power conditioner 40 is restored while the power generation device 1 is operated in the idling mode, as in the first embodiment as in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, when the control unit 10 receives the predetermined information from the power conditioner 40, the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the power conditioner 40 has been recovered.

  The control unit 10 cancels the idling mode of the power generation device 1 when the communication unit 11 receives the predetermined information from the power conditioner 40 before the predetermined time elapses after shifting the power generation device 1 to the idling mode. In the second embodiment, the predetermined time may be set on the assumption that the temporary interruption can be recovered. In the second embodiment, for example, it may be about 15 minutes.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 10 does not receive the predetermined information from the power conditioner 40 within a predetermined time after shifting the power generation device 1 to the idling mode, the control unit 10 shifts the power generation device 1 to the stop mode from the idling mode. In the stop mode, the control unit 10 stops the power generation of the cell stack 24.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power generation device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not predetermined information has been received from the power conditioner 40 by the communication unit 11 within the first time (step S20). When it is determined that the predetermined information has been received from the power conditioner 40 within the first time (step S20: Yes), the control unit 10 performs the process of step S20 again. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that the predetermined information is not received from the power conditioner 40 within the first time (step S20: No), the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step S21.

  The control unit 10 executes the processes of steps S21 and S22 in the same manner as the processes of steps S13 and S14 shown in FIG.

  In the process of step S23, the control unit 10 determines whether communication with the power conditioner 40 has been recovered. In the second embodiment, in the process of step S23, the control unit 10 determines whether the communication unit 11 has received predetermined information from the power conditioner 40. When the control unit 10 determines that the communication unit 11 has received the predetermined information from the power conditioner 40 (step S23: Yes), the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step S24. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that the communication unit 11 does not receive the predetermined information from the power conditioner 40 (step S23: No), the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step S25.

  The control unit 10 executes the processes of steps S24, S25, and S26 in the same manner as the processes of steps S16, S17, and S18 illustrated in FIG.

  As described above, in the power generation device 1 according to the second embodiment, when the control unit 10 does not receive the predetermined information from the power conditioner 40 by the communication unit 11 within the first time, the control unit 10 does not receive the predetermined information. It is determined that the communication of has been lost. Furthermore, when the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the power conditioner 40 is interrupted, the control unit 10 operates the power generation device 1 in the idling mode. By operating the power generation device 1 in the idling mode, it is possible to reduce the power generated by the cell stack 24 as described in the first embodiment. By such control, as described in the first embodiment, the power generation device 1 according to the present embodiment can be excellent in safety. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, an improved power generation device 1 can be provided with regard to processing when an abnormality occurs.

  The other effects and control of the power generation device 1 according to the second embodiment are similar to those of the power generation device 1 according to the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment
Next, a power generation device according to a third embodiment will be described. In the following, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  In the third embodiment and the first embodiment, the contents of the abnormality regarding communication are different. In the third embodiment, the content of the abnormality regarding communication is that communication between the power generation device and the external device is interrupted.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a power generation device 1 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. In the components shown in FIG. 4, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

  The power generation device 1 according to the third embodiment is connected to an external remote control 70 by wire or wirelessly. The remote control 70 is a device for the user to operate the power generation device 1 from the outside. The remote control 70 is installed, for example, in the home of a user who uses the power generation device 1.

  The remote control 70 receives a user's operation input. The remote control 70 transmits the control instruction to the power generation device 1 based on the user's operation input. Further, the remote controller 70 periodically transmits a request (request) for requesting a response to the power generation device 1. For example, the remote control 70 transmits a request to the power generation device 1 every one second.

  In the third embodiment, the control unit 10 determines whether or not it is determined that the communication with the external device has been interrupted as a determination as to whether or not an abnormality related to communication has occurred. Hereinafter, the external device is assumed to be the remote control 70. However, the external device is not limited to the remote control 70. For example, the external device may be a server or the like that provides the power generation device 1 with firmware.

  The control unit 10 determines whether the communication with the external remote controller 70 is interrupted. Specifically, when the control unit 10 does not receive a request from the external remote control 70 by the communication unit 11 within the second time, the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the external remote control 70 is interrupted.

  The second time may be set in consideration of the time required to replace the remote control 70. The remote control 70 may be replaced by, for example, a maintenance contractor. For example, when maintaining the power generation device 1, the maintenance vendor replaces the remote control 70 from the normal remote control with the maintenance remote control. For example, the second time may be on the order of 10 minutes.

  When the control unit 10 does not receive a request from the external remote control 70 by the communication unit 11 within the second time, that is, when it is determined that the communication with the external remote control 70 is interrupted, the control unit 10 operates the power generation device 1 in the idling mode. .

  While operating the power generation device 1 in the idling mode, the control unit 10 determines whether or not communication with the external remote control 70 has been recovered. Specifically, when the control unit 10 receives a request from the external remote control 70 by the communication unit 11, the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the external remote control 70 has been recovered. The control unit 10 may determine that communication with the external remote control 70 has been recovered when receiving a request a predetermined number of times consecutively from the external remote control 70. For example, the control unit 10 may determine that communication with the external remote control 70 has been recovered when receiving a request ten consecutive times from the external remote control 70.

  When it is determined that the communication with the external remote controller 70 is recovered before the predetermined time elapses after the power generation device 1 is operated in the idling mode, the control unit 10 cancels the idling mode of the power generation device 1. That is, the control unit 10 cancels the idling mode of the power generation device 1 when it is determined that the abnormality regarding the communication has been eliminated. In the third embodiment, the predetermined time may be set based on the above-described first time and the frequency with which the remote control 70 transmits a request to the power generation device 1. The predetermined time may be, for example, 15 minutes.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the communication with the external remote control 70 has been restored within a predetermined time after the power generation device 1 is operated in the idling mode, the control unit 10 shifts the power generation device 1 from the idling mode to the stop mode. . That is, the control unit shifts the power generation device 1 from the idling mode to the stop mode when it is not determined that the abnormality regarding the communication has been eliminated within the predetermined time. In the stop mode, the control unit 10 stops the power generation of the cell stack 24.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power generation device 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

  The control unit 10 determines whether a request has been received from the external remote control 70 by the communication unit 11 within the second time (step S30). When the control unit 10 determines that the request has been received from the external remote control 70 within the second time (step S30: Yes), the control unit 10 performs the process of step S30 again. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that the request is not received from the external remote control 70 within the second time (step S30: No), the process proceeds to step S31.

  The control unit 10 executes the processes of steps S31 and S32 in the same manner as the processes of steps S13 and S14 shown in FIG.

  In the process of step S33, the control unit 10 determines whether communication with the external remote controller 70 has been recovered. When the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the external remote controller 70 has been recovered (step S33: Yes), the process proceeds to step S34. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that communication with the external remote control 70 is not recovered (step S33: No), the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step S35.

  The control unit 10 executes the processes of steps S34, S35, and S36 in the same manner as the processes of S16, S17, and S18 illustrated in FIG.

  As described above, in the power generation device 1 according to the third embodiment, the control unit 10 operates the power generation device 1 in the idling mode when it determines that the communication with the external remote control 70 is interrupted. By operating the power generation device 1 in the idling mode, it is possible to reduce the power generated by the cell stack 24 as described in the first embodiment. By such control, as described in the first embodiment, the power generation device 1 according to the present embodiment can be excellent in safety. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, an improved power generation device 1 can be provided with regard to processing when an abnormality occurs.

  Here, as a comparative example, it is assumed that the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped when the communication with the external remote controller is interrupted. As described in the first embodiment, when power generation is stopped, it may take a long time to resume power generation. Further, as described above, when maintaining the power generation apparatus, the remote control may be replaced with a remote control for maintenance from the normal remote control. Communication between the generator and the remote control is interrupted while the remote control is being replaced. Therefore, it is assumed that the power generation device according to the comparative example stops the power generation of the fuel cell even when the remote control is replaced. In such a case, a situation may occur in which the time required for maintenance becomes long.

  On the other hand, in the power generation device 1 according to the third embodiment, when the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the external remote control 70 is interrupted, the control unit 10 operates the power generation device 1 in the idle mode to generate the cell stack 24 in the power generation state. Keep on. Such control can prevent such a situation that the time required for the maintenance as described above becomes long.

  Further, in the power generation device 1 according to the third embodiment, the control unit 10 shifts the power generation device 1 to the stop mode when it determines that the communication with the external remote control 70 is not recovered within the above-described predetermined time. By such control, power generation can be stopped after a predetermined time even if an abnormality relating to severe communication occurs, for example, disconnection of a communication cable connecting the remote control 70 and the power generation device 1. Therefore, the power generation device 1 according to the present embodiment can be excellent in safety.

  The other effects and control of the power generation device 1 according to the third embodiment are similar to those of the power generation device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various variations and modifications based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, each functional unit, each means, the functions included in each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to contradict logically, and a plurality of functional units, steps, etc. are combined or divided into one. It is possible. Moreover, each embodiment of the present invention mentioned above is not limited to carrying out faithfully to each embodiment described respectively, and combines each feature suitably, or carries out by omitting a part. It can also be done.

  For example, in the above-described first embodiment, an example in which the power generation device 1 is operated in the idling mode has been described when the control unit 10 determines that the communication with the power conditioner 40 is interrupted. However, when the power conditioner 40 determines that the communication with the control unit 10 is interrupted, the power generation device 1 may be operated in the idling mode. In this case, when the control unit 44 does not receive a request from the control unit 10 by the communication unit 46 within the third time, the control unit 44 operates the power generation device 1 in the idling mode. The third time may be set based on, for example, the frequency at which the control unit 10 transmits a request to the power conditioner 40. The third time is, for example, about 10 seconds when the control unit 10 transmits a request every one second. In the idling mode, the control unit 44 stops the inverter 42. Furthermore, in the idling mode, as described in the first embodiment, the control unit 44 keeps the cell stack 24 in the power generation state by continuing to drive the converter 41 without stopping it. In addition, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 44 reduces the duty ratio of the switching elements of the converter 41 to compensate the power supplied from the cell stack 24 to the converter 41 from the converter 41 via the power supply 43. It may be controlled to correspond to the power supplied to the machine. By such control, as in the first embodiment, even during the idling mode, a part of the accessories can continue to be driven by the power generated by the cell stack 24. In addition, the control unit 44 may release the idling mode when it is determined that the communication with the control unit 10 has been recovered before a predetermined time has elapsed since the power generation device 1 is shifted to the idling mode. For example, the control unit 44 may determine that the communication with the control unit 10 has been recovered when the communication unit 46 receives the control unit 10 continuously from the control unit 10 a predetermined number of times. Further, when it is determined that the communication with the control unit 10 has been recovered within a predetermined time after the power generation device 1 is shifted to the idling mode, the control unit 44 shifts the power generation device 1 from the idling mode to the stop mode You may

  For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure can be realized as a control device that controls the fuel cell from the outside without including the fuel cell. An example of such an embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 2 according to the present embodiment is configured to include, for example, a control unit 10, a communication unit 11, and a storage unit 12. The control device 2 controls an external power generation device 1 provided with a fuel cell. That is, the control device 2 according to the present embodiment stops the power supply from the power conditioner 40 to the outside of the power generation device 1 when it determines that an abnormality related to communication with the power conditioner 40 has occurred. The stack 24 is controlled to be maintained in the power generation state.

  Furthermore, the embodiment of the present disclosure can also be realized as, for example, a control program that is executed by the control device 2 as described above. That is, the control program according to the present embodiment causes the control device 2 to execute the step of determining whether the communication with the power conditioner 40 is interrupted. Furthermore, when the control program determines that the control device 2 has lost communication with the power conditioner 40, the control program causes the power conditioner 40 to stop power supply to the outside of the power generation device 1, but the cell stack 24 A control step is performed to maintain the power generation state.

  As described above, in the idling mode, the control unit 10 transmits the control instruction to stop the inverter 42 to the power conditioner 40 by the communication unit 11. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this content. For example, in the idling mode, the control unit 10 instructs the control unit 44 of the power conditioner 40 to turn off the interconnection relay with the outside by the communication unit 11, and controls the control unit 44 to turn off the interconnection relay. May be

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 power generation apparatus 2 control apparatus 10 control part 11 communication part 12 memory part 20 fuel cell module 22 reformer 24 cell stack 32 gas supply part 34 air supply part 36 reforming water supply part 40 power conditioner 41 converter 42 inverter 43 power supply 44 control unit 45 storage unit 46 communication unit 50 exhaust heat recovery processing unit 52 circulating water processing unit 60 hot water storage tank 70 remote control 100 load 200 commercial power supply

Claims (12)

A power generator,
With fuel cells,
Communication department,
A control unit capable of communicating with an internal device or an external device by the communication unit;
And a power conditioner configured to convert at least a portion of the DC power generated by the fuel cell into AC power and supply the AC power to the outside of the power generation apparatus.
The power generation device, wherein the control unit stops the power supply from the power conditioner to the outside when it determines that an abnormality related to communication has occurred, but controls the fuel cell to maintain the power generation state. The power generation apparatus according to claim 1,
The fuel cell system further includes an accessory that is a peripheral device of the fuel cell,
The power generation device, which continues to drive a part of the auxiliary equipment with the power generated by the fuel cell even when the control unit determines that an abnormality related to the communication has occurred. The power generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The said control part determines with the abnormality regarding the said communication having generate | occur | produced, when it determines with the communication between the said power conditioners having been interrupted, The electric power generating apparatus. The power generation device according to claim 3,
The control unit periodically transmits a request to the power conditioner by the communication unit,
The power generation device, wherein the control unit determines that communication with the power conditioner has been interrupted when a response from the power conditioner has not continued for a predetermined number of times in response to the request for periodical transmission. The power generation device according to claim 3,
The power conditioner periodically transmits predetermined information to the control unit.
The power generation apparatus, wherein the control unit determines that the communication with the power conditioner is interrupted when the communication unit does not receive the predetermined information from the power conditioner within a first time. The power generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
The power generation device, wherein the control unit determines that an abnormality related to the communication has occurred when the control unit determines that the communication with the external device is interrupted. The power generator according to claim 6, wherein
The external device is a remote control that periodically transmits a request to the power generation device,
The power generation device, wherein the control unit determines that an abnormality related to the communication has occurred when the control unit does not receive the request from the remote control by the communication unit within a second time. The power generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein
The control unit is configured to stop the power supply from the power conditioner to the outside, but after controlling the fuel cell to be in the power generation state, the abnormality relating to the communication is eliminated before a predetermined time elapses. A power generation device that controls to resume the power supply from the power conditioner to the outside when it is determined. A power generation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein
The control unit stops the power supply from the power conditioner to the outside, but after controlling the fuel cell to maintain the power generation state, the control unit does not determine that the abnormality regarding the communication has been eliminated within a predetermined time. When the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped, a power generator. With fuel cells,
Communication department,
A control unit capable of communicating with an internal device or an external device by the communication unit;
A power conditioner that converts at least a portion of the DC power generated by the fuel cell into AC power and supplies the AC power to the outside;
When the power conditioner determines that the communication with the communication unit is interrupted, the power conditioner stops the power supply from the power conditioner to the outside, but controls the fuel cell to maintain the power generation state. apparatus. With fuel cells,
A control device for controlling a power generation apparatus, comprising: a power conditioner that converts at least a part of DC power generated by the fuel cell into AC power and supplies the AC power to the outside.
The control device controls the fuel cell to be maintained in the power generation state, although it stops the power supply from the power conditioner to the outside when it determines that the communication with the power conditioner is interrupted. With fuel cells,
A control device for controlling a power generation apparatus, comprising: a power conditioner that converts at least a part of DC power generated by the fuel cell into AC power and supplies the AC power to the outside.
Determining whether communication with the power conditioner has been discontinued;
Controlling the fuel cell to be in a power generation state while stopping the supply of power from the power conditioner to the outside when it is determined that the communication with the power conditioner has been discontinued;
A control program that causes

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