Optimizing contractual management of the total output of a fleet of fuel cells
First Claim
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1. A power generator, comprising:
- a fuel cell fleet comprising a plurality of fuel cell systems, wherein at least one or more of the plurality of fuel cell systems is operational;
a data server operably connected to each of the plurality of fuel cell systems, wherein the data server is configured to obtain operational data from each of the plurality of fuel cell systems; and
a total maintained output (TMO) controller operably connected to the data server and configured to;
determine a TMO power for the fleet integrated over a first portion of a predetermined time period from the operational data;
compare the TMO power over the first time period to a TMO power set point established for the fleet for a first portion of the predetermined period; and
increase the power output of the operational fuel cell systems of the fleet for a second portion of the predetermined time period when the TMO power over the first portion of the predetermined time period is less than the TMO power set point for the first portion of the predetermined time period, wherein the increased power output during the second portion of the predetermined time period is configured to make up for a lost amount of TMO power below the TMO power set point over the first portion of the predetermined time period by an end of the predetermined time period; and
wherein the predetermined period comprises a lifetime of the power generator.
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Abstract
A fuel cell fleet has a plurality of fuel cell systems each connected to a data server. The data server may be configured to obtain operational data from of the plurality of fuel cell systems. An efficiency controller operably connected to the data server and is configured to predict an efficiency and a power output of the fleet from the operational data and optimize the efficiency of the fleet to minimize the fleet fuel consumption while maintaining a desired fleet output power. The efficiency may be determined by a ratio of the fleet output current or output power to the fleet fuel consumption.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A power generator, comprising:
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a fuel cell fleet comprising a plurality of fuel cell systems, wherein at least one or more of the plurality of fuel cell systems is operational; a data server operably connected to each of the plurality of fuel cell systems, wherein the data server is configured to obtain operational data from each of the plurality of fuel cell systems; and a total maintained output (TMO) controller operably connected to the data server and configured to; determine a TMO power for the fleet integrated over a first portion of a predetermined time period from the operational data; compare the TMO power over the first time period to a TMO power set point established for the fleet for a first portion of the predetermined period; and increase the power output of the operational fuel cell systems of the fleet for a second portion of the predetermined time period when the TMO power over the first portion of the predetermined time period is less than the TMO power set point for the first portion of the predetermined time period, wherein the increased power output during the second portion of the predetermined time period is configured to make up for a lost amount of TMO power below the TMO power set point over the first portion of the predetermined time period by an end of the predetermined time period; and wherein the predetermined period comprises a lifetime of the power generator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification