Optimal operation method with fuel cells in plural regional power systems

Since the great east Japan earthquake, photovoltaic (PV) and wind generator (WG) are introduced actively as a solution regarding shortage of electrical power with the stopping of nuclear power plants. Renewable energy source such as PV generator and WG contribute for prevention of global warming because these energy dose not use fossil fuels and it can reduce carbon dioxide emissions. However, it is difficult to predict renewable energy facility output because this output depends on weather conditions. It may reduce power quality. As a countermeasure of the fluctuation of power output, battery energy storage system (BESS) is introduced into power system. BESS is very effective facility because it can compensate the surplus and shortage power by charging and discharging. However, it is necessary to investigate the high cost for installation of large BESS. Thus, the fuel cell and the hydrogen generation apparatus are installed in the proposed scheduling method. The fuel cell can absorb surplus power, and surplus power is converted into hydrogen and it is accumulated by hydrogen storage device. Furthermore, it is possible to generate power easily by using the hydrogen which is stored in the fuel cell, when the shortage power occurs. As a consequence, the high-efficiency operation plan is determined to reduce the operation cost which had been accomplished, by introducing the fuel cell and the hydrogen generation apparatus.