Distributed power generation system, and maintenance system and maintenance method utilizing the same

• US 20020192516A1
• Filed: 04/22/2002
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation (ENEOS Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Tajima, Osama
• Granted Patent: US 6,850,820 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/286
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04992 characterised by the implementation of mathematical or computational algorithms, e.g. feedback control loops, fuzzy logic, neural networks or artificial intelligence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications

Abstract

Distributed power generation systems are connected via the Internet to a managing apparatus in a managing company. The managing apparatus successively acquires and monitors the operation status of each distributed power generation system. The managing apparatus changes directly the control parameters or the sequence program of the distributed power generation system of requests a maintenance company to perform maintenance according to the type of necessary maintenance when the maintenance is needed.

Claims

1. A distributed power generation system having a generator, the system, comprising:

a communication unit which communicates with a network;

a control unit which controls generation capacity of the generator; and

a change instructing unit which changes set point values or a sequence program of the control unit in order to keep the generation capacity in accordance with an instruction issued via the network.

2. A distributed power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a table which pre-stores the set point values to keep the generation capacity in accordance with condition of the generator, wherein the change instructing unit changes a setting of the control unit referring to the table.

3. A distributed power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the generator comprises a fuel cell.

4. A distributed power generation system according to claim 2, wherein the generator comprises a fuel cell.

5. A maintenance system, comprising a managing apparatus which is connected via a network to a plurality of distributed power generation systems each having a generator, and which instructs to change set point values or a sequence program of the generator in order to keep generation capacity thereof.

6. A maintenance system, comprising:

a distributed power generation system having a generator;

a managing party, connected to said distributed power generation system via a network, which remotely controls generation capacity of the generator; and

a maintenance party which maintains the distributed power generation system,

wherein the managing party generates necessary maintenance information based on information regarding operation status of the distributed power generation system, and

wherein the managing party changes set point values or a sequence program of the distributed power generation system or requests the maintenance party to perform necessary maintenance in accordance with the maintenance information.

7. A maintenance system according to claim 6, wherein the managing party specifies the maintenance information necessary to cope with change of the distributed power generation system caused with elapse of time.

8. A maintenance system according to claim 6, wherein the managing party sets parameters to realize desirable operation status in the distributed power generation system when directly controlling the distributed power generation system.

9. A maintenance system according to claim 7, wherein the managing party sets parameters to realize desirable operation status in the distributed power generation system when directly controlling the distributed power generation system.

10. A maintenance system according to claim 6, wherein the managing party sets, in requesting the maintenance party to perform the maintenance, a first notification level in which the maintenance party is notified a fact that the maintenance is needed and a second notification level in which the maintenance party is notified information of a part which needs the maintenance.

11. A maintenance system according to claim 6, wherein the managing party notifies recommendable operation not to the maintenance party but to a user when the necessary maintenance is easy to perform.

13. Maintenance method for a distributed power generation system according to claim 12, wherein the generator comprises a fuel cell and wherein the set point values or the sequence program relates to controlling of the fuel cell.

15. Maintenance method for a distributed power generation system according to claim 14, wherein the generator comprises a fuel cell and wherein the maintenance is applied to the fuel cell.

12. Maintenance method for a distributed power generation system, comprising:

monitoring operation status of a distributed power generation system having a generator, and

changing set point values or a sequence program of the system.

14. Maintenance method for a distributed power generation system, comprising:

monitoring operation status of a distributed power generation system having a generator, and

requesting a maintenance party to perform maintenance according to type of necessary maintenance.