An operating condition determiner compares an operation starting time (t1)
of network-connected first consuming apparatuses received by a schedule information
receiver and a consumption starting time (t2) predicted by a predicting
system based on a total consumption amount of the first consuming apparatuses and
a second consuming apparatus, which is not network-connected, and determines the
operation starting time (t1) as an operation starting time of a fuel cell
if the operation starting time (t1) is earlier than the consumption starting
time (t2) while determining the consumption starting time (t2) as
such if the operation starting time (t1) is later than the consumption starting
time (t2), so that the fuel cell can stably generate power. The fuel cell
can stably supply power at a time when the consuming apparatuses start consuming
power. The merit of introducing a cogeneration facility can be sufficiently exhibited
even if both consuming apparatuses provided with a network connecting function
and those provided with no such function exist.