Power generation system and method of operating the same

A power generation system comprising:

• a fuel cell unit including a fuel cell configured to generate electric power by using a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, a casing housing the fuel cell, an air supply device configured to introduce outside air into the casing through an air supply passage, and a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of the outside air;
• a combustion apparatus configured to combust a combustible gas and discharge a flue gas through a discharge passage;
• and
• a controller, wherein
• the air supply passage is configured to exchange heat with the discharge passage,
• the temperature detector is disposed in the air supply passage at a position where the outside air and the flue gas exchange heat with each other, or disposed outside a building in which the casing is set, and
• the controller is configured such that when a start-up signal has been inputted to the fuel cell unit, the controller:
• refrains from causing the fuel cell unit to start up if the temperature detected by the temperature detector is lower than or equal to a predetermined first temperature and the combustion apparatus is not in operation;
• and
• causes the fuel cell unit to start up if the temperature detected by the temperature detector is lower than or equal to the first temperature and the combustion apparatus is in operation.

A method of operating a power generation system, the power generation system including:

• a fuel cell unit configured such that a fuel cell is housed inside a casing, into which outside air is introduced through an air supply passage;
• and a combustion apparatus configured to combust a combustible gas and discharge a flue gas through a discharge passage, the flue gas being generated as a result of combusting the combustible gas, the air supply passage and the discharge passage being configured in such a manner as to allow a medium flowing through the air supply passage and a medium flowing through the discharge passage to exchange heat with each other,
• the method comprising:
• detecting a temperature of the outside air that is introduced into the casing;
• refraining from causing the fuel cell unit to start up if the detected temperature is lower than or equal to a predetermined first temperature and the combustion apparatus is not in operation;
• and
• causing the fuel cell unit to start up if the detected temperature is lower than or equal to the first temperature and the combustion apparatus is in operation.