JP2017083951A - Selection support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a selection support system for supporting selection of an electricity charge plan by experiencing control of an electrical apparatus after the electricity charge plan is changed on a trial basis.SOLUTION: A selection support system (HEMS101) includes: a reception unit 101a for receiving a selected electricity charge plan as a tentative charge plan; an apparatus controller 101c for performing operation control of an electrical apparatus on the basis of the tentative charge plan; a calculation unit 101b for calculating electricity charge when the tentative charge plan is applied to electric energy actually used during a set trial period as tentative electricity charge; and a display controller 101f for making a display unit display the tentative electricity charge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a selection support system that supports selection of an electricity rate plan.

  Along with the diversification of electricity rate plans, a system for selecting an electricity rate plan that is optimal for a power consumer from a plurality of electricity rate plans has been proposed. As an example, the electricity bill plan selection system described in Patent Document 1 below stores a plurality of patterns of power usage models that are transitions in power usage over a certain period, and actual use during a predetermined period that is shorter than the certain period. The amount is acquired, and the electricity rate plan based on the power usage model closest to the transition of the actual usage is selected.

Japanese Patent No. 5717113

  The above-described conventional technology is effective even if the electricity rate plan changes, as long as the power consumption tendency of the power consumer does not change. However, with the spread of the Home Energy Management System (hereinafter referred to as HEMS), the HEMS can automatically control the operation of electric devices and adjust the power consumption according to the electricity rate plan. come.

  The HEMS can also reduce power consumption by adjusting the air conditioning temperature of an air conditioner such as an air conditioner or the illuminance adjustment of a lighting device in accordance with a set electricity bill plan. Even if the electricity price plan is not selected by the selection based on the current power consumption status of the power consumer, it may be acceptable if the user actually experiences the HEMS control. Whether or not HEMS control based on a certain electricity rate plan is acceptable is often not understood unless it is actually experienced, and it is often difficult to judge even if a restriction is notified only by wording. . In addition, since electric devices autonomously perform power saving operation, it is difficult to know what the actual electricity charges will be by simulation alone.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and its purpose is to provide a selection support system that supports the selection of an electricity rate plan by experiencing trial control of an electrical device after the change of the electricity rate plan. There is to do.

  In order to solve the above problems, a selection support system according to the present invention is a selection support system that supports selection of an electricity rate plan, and includes a reception unit (101a) that receives the selected electricity rate plan as a provisional rate plan. A device control unit (101c) that controls the operation of the electrical device based on the temporary charge plan, and an electric charge when the temporary charge plan is applied to the amount of power actually used in the set trial period. A calculation unit (101b) that calculates the provisional electricity charge; and a display control unit (101f) that displays the provisional electricity charge on a display unit.

  According to the present invention, the provisional charge plan is set, and the electricity charge when the set provisional charge plan is applied to the actually used power amount is calculated and displayed as the provisional electricity charge. In addition to proposing, it is possible to confirm the feeling that power consumers actually used. Therefore, it is possible to experience the trial control of the electric equipment after the change of the electricity rate plan, and to support the selection of a more accurate electricity rate plan.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the selection assistance system which supports selection of an electricity rate plan can be provided by experiencing trial control of the electric equipment after an electricity rate plan change.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus configuration to which a HEMS according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the HEMS shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of services provided by the HEMS shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the HEMS shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the HEMS shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate the understanding of the description, the same constituent elements in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a HEMS 101, which is an embodiment of a selection support system according to the present invention, is applied to a house 10 used by a power consumer. The house 10 includes a HEMS 101, a display unit 102, an air conditioner 103, a lighting device 104, a heat pump water heater 105, an EV charger 106, a storage battery 107, a solar power generation device 108, and a smart meter 109. And a distribution board 110. The HEMS 101 is connected to the center 20 so as to be able to communicate information with each other. The center 20 is configured by a server group set in the power supply company. The smart meter 109 is connected to the commercial power supply 30. The commercial power supply 30 is a power supply supplied by a power supply company.

  The HEMS 101 is configured as a control system that controls the air conditioner 103, the lighting device 104, the heat pump water heater 105, the EV charger 106, and the storage battery 107. The HEMS 101 controls power supply to each device based on various information such as information received from the center 20, information stored in advance, and input information.

  The display unit 102 includes a so-called touch panel. The display unit 102 displays information output from the HEMS 101 and outputs information input to the touch panel to the HEMS 101.

  The air conditioner 103 is a device that adjusts the temperature and humidity in the house 10. The air conditioner 103 is supplied with power via the distribution board 110. The air conditioner 103 autonomously executes a power saving operation and also executes a power saving operation based on an instruction signal from the HEMS 101.

  The lighting device 104 is a device for illuminating the interior of the house 10. The lighting device 104 is supplied with electric power through the distribution board 110. The lighting device 104 autonomously executes power saving operation and also executes power saving operation based on an instruction signal from the HEMS 101.

  The heat pump water heater 105 is a device that boils hot water by a heat pump mechanism and supplies it to the house 10. The heat pump water heater 105 is supplied with electric power through the distribution board 110. The heat pump water heater 105 autonomously executes a power saving operation and also executes a power saving operation based on an instruction signal from the HEMS 101.

  The EV charger 106 is a device that supplies power to a vehicle including a storage battery such as an electric vehicle and charges the storage battery. The EV charger 106 is supplied with electric power through the distribution board 110. The EV charger 106 autonomously executes power saving operation and also executes power saving operation based on an instruction signal from the HEMS 101.

  The storage battery 107 is a device that stores electric power to be supplied to the house 10. The storage battery 107 is supplied with electric power through the distribution board 110. The storage battery 107 can also supply power through the distribution board 110. The storage battery 107 autonomously performs power storage in consideration of power saving, and also performs power storage based on an instruction signal from the HEMS 101.

  The solar power generation device 108 is a device for generating electric power by receiving sunlight and supplying electric power to the house 10. The solar power generation device 108 can supply power through the distribution board 110.

  The smart meter 109 supplies power supplied from the commercial power supply 30 to the distribution board 110. The smart meter 109 can measure how much power supplied via the commercial power supply 30 is used in the house 10 and output the measured value to the HEMS 101.

  The distribution board 110 supplies power supplied from any one of the commercial power source 30, the solar power generation device 108, and the storage battery 107 to the air conditioner 103, the lighting device 104, the heat pump water heater 105, and the EV charger 106. .

  Next, functional components of the HEMS 101 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the HEMS 101 includes a reception unit 101a, a calculation unit 101b, a device control unit 101c, a target reception unit 101d, a plan presentation unit 101e, a display control unit 101f, and an information storage unit 101g. It is equipped with. Although not described in detail and illustrated, the HEMS 101 includes a CPU, a memory such as a RAM and a ROM, and an interface for communication, and has a function as a general HEMS.

  The accepting unit 101a is a part that accepts the selected electricity rate plan as a provisional rate plan. The accepting unit 101a outputs the accepted provisional fee plan to the calculating unit 101b.

  The calculation unit 101b is a part that calculates, as a provisional electricity charge, an electricity charge when a provisional charge plan is applied to the amount of power actually used in the set trial period. The calculation unit 101b outputs the provisional fee plan output from the reception unit 101a to the device control unit 101c. The calculation unit 101b calculates a provisional electricity fee based on the control information of the electric device fed back from the device control unit 101c, the information stored in the information storage unit 101g, and the information supplied from the smart meter 109. The calculation unit 101b also calculates, as an actual charging fee, an electricity bill that is actually charged in the trial period based on the past power consumption. The temporary electricity charge and the actual billing charge calculated by the calculation unit 101b are output to the display control unit 101f.

  The device control unit 101c controls the operation of the electric device based on the temporary fee plan output from the calculation unit 101b. The device control unit 101c controls the air conditioner 103, the lighting device 104, the heat pump water heater 105, the EV charger 106, and the storage battery 107 so as to be optimized for the provisional charge plan.

  The target receiving unit 101d is a part that receives a target electricity rate. The target accepting unit 101d outputs the accepted target electricity rate to the plan presenting unit 101e.

  The plan presentation unit 101e is a part that presents an optimum electricity rate plan as a proposed rate plan in order to achieve the target electricity rate in the trial period. The plan presenting unit 101e determines a proposed rate plan based on information stored in the information storage unit 101g and information supplied from the smart meter 109. The plan presenting unit 101e outputs the proposed rate plan to be presented to the display control unit 101f.

  The display control unit 101f is a part that causes the display unit 102 to display the temporary electricity charge and the actual billing charge output from the calculation unit 101b. The display control unit 101f is also a part that causes the display unit 102 to display the proposed fee plan output from the plan presenting unit 101e.

  An overview of services using the HEMS 101 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In step S101, the power consumer considers changing the electricity rate plan. For example, the recommended electricity rate plan as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is displayed on the display unit 102. For the presentation of the plan as shown in FIG. 4, for example, the plan can be selected by selecting the item “A Plan Pay Per Use” and selecting “Selection Complete”. For the presentation of the plan as shown in FIG. 5, for example, “50 W” can be selected, and the contract power can be selected by selecting “Selection Complete”. The information on the trial electricity bill plan selected on the display unit 102 may be output to the receiving unit 101a at this timing.

  In step S102 following step S101, the HEMS 101 simulates the electricity bill based on the electricity bill plan selected in step S101. This simulation is performed based on the past record of electricity use. The simulation result is displayed on the display unit 102 as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

  In step S103 following step S102, the electric power consumer determines an electricity bill plan to be tried. In the example shown in FIG. 6, it is expected that the electricity charge will be reduced according to the selected plan, so the electricity charge plan to be tried is determined by selecting “YES”. In addition, it is preferable to notify that the electricity bill during the trial period is high because the electricity bill during the trial period is not the electricity bill plan to be tried but the previous electricity bill plan is applied. For example, when trying an electricity rate plan with a high nighttime discount rate, even if the lifestyle is changed so that the nighttime electricity usage fee is relatively increased in accordance with the electricity rate plan, it is actually applied. Since this is a conventional electricity bill plan, the electricity bill actually charged may be high. Since the reduction of the electricity bill at the time of the trial is only a simulation, it is preferable to notify the user of this point by displaying the actual billing fee. Information on the determined electricity bill plan for trial is output to the reception unit 101a. The accepting unit 101a accepts the received information on the electricity rate plan as a provisional rate plan and outputs it to the calculating unit 101b. As a result of the simulation, if it is expected that the electricity rate will not be reduced, a message such as “The electricity rate is not expected to be reduced with the selected electricity rate plan” is displayed, and the electricity consumer can select another rate plan. It is also preferable to prompt.

  In step S104 following step S103, the power consumer uses the HEMS 101 to try an electricity bill plan and confirms the electricity bill and quality of life. Specific operation of the HEMS 101 will be described later.

  In step S105 following step S104, if the power consumer is satisfied with the trial result, the electricity rate plan is actually changed.

  Next, a method for trialing an electricity rate plan using the HEMS 101 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S201, the calculation unit 101b acquires a trial provisional fee plan. The calculation unit 101b receives the details of the temporary fee plan from the center 20 based on the information output from the reception unit 101a.

  In step S202 following step S201, a trial start date and a trial end date are determined. Specifically, a screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 102, and when the power consumer selects “YES”, a screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. In the screen as shown in FIG. 9, when the power consumer inputs the trial start date and the trial end date and selects “Next”, the input information is transmitted to the reception unit 101a. The accepting unit 101a outputs the received trial start date and trial end date information to the calculating unit 101b.

  In step S203 following step S202, the calculation unit 101b determines whether the trial start date has elapsed. If the trial start date has not elapsed, the calculation unit 101b continues the determination in step S203. If the trial start date has elapsed, the calculation unit 101b proceeds to the process of step S204.

  In step S204, provisional fee plan information is output from the calculation unit 101b to the device control unit 101c. The device control unit 101c changes the device control electricity charge to a trial charge based on the provisional charge plan.

  In step S205 following step S204, the device control unit 101c executes electric device control based on the provisional charge plan and performs control so that the electricity charge is the lowest in the provisional fee plan. In this case, for example, when the contract power is actually 50 W, when the power usage exceeds 40 W when the provisional charge plan is set to 40 W, a notification to that effect is executed. This notification may be displayed on the display unit 102 or may be notified by voice or the like.

  In step S206 following step S205, the calculation unit 101b determines whether the trial end date has passed. If the trial end date has not elapsed, the calculation unit 101b does not perform a special charge update so that the device control unit 101c can continue the control in step S205. If the trial end date has passed, the calculation unit 101b proceeds to the process of step S207.

  In step S207, information is output from the calculation unit 101b to the device control unit 101c so that a normal rate plan is applied instead of the provisional rate plan. The device control unit 101c controls the electric device based on a normal price plan.

  In step S208 following step S207, the calculation unit 101b calculates information related to the electricity bill during the trial period, and outputs the information to the display control unit 101f along with information such as the number of contract power overruns. The display control unit 101f causes the display unit 102 to display such information.

  For example, when a screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 102 and the power consumer selects “YES”, a screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. By knowing the number of times that the contract power has been exceeded and the date and time, the power consumer can be used as a material for determining whether such over is avoidable or inevitable in life.

  As shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to display the electricity rate when the provisional rate plan is applied. Since the electric power consumer can know the standard of the electric charge when the charge plan is changed, it can be used as a consideration for changing the charge plan.

  As shown in FIG. 13, it is possible to display a comparison between the current electricity rate plan and the provisional rate plan under consideration. By clearly indicating which week the trial period was and what price it was, it can be used as a reference for the price plan of the power consumer.

  As shown in FIG. 14, it is also possible to display which provisional fee plan is tried every month. It can be used for examination of changing the rate plan according to the characteristics of each season, such as the A plan in spring and the C plan in summer.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when a trial is executed in a certain month, it is also possible to display what will happen if the rate plan is used throughout the year. According to the example shown in FIG. 15, although no particular problem occurs in the attempted May, it is found that the contracted power will be exceeded in August. can do.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the display control unit 101 f displays a plurality of electricity rate plans on the display unit 102, and the reception unit 101 a displays the plurality of electricity price plans displayed on the display unit 102. Of the electricity plan, the selected one can be accepted as a provisional plan. A number of provisional price plans can be tried by displaying a plurality of electricity rate plans and allowing the power consumer to select them.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the receiving unit 101a can receive the setting of the trial period as shown in FIG. By changing the setting of the trial period by the power user, it is possible to try a price plan according to the season.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the calculation unit 101b calculates, as the reference electricity rate, the electricity rate when the provisional rate plan is applied during the trial period based on the past power consumption, and the display control unit 101f As shown in FIG. 6, the reference electricity rate can be displayed on the display unit 102. Although it is difficult for a power user to judge the superiority or inferiority only by notation of the plan, it helps to select an electric plan to try by displaying an electric charge based on past results as reference data.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the calculation unit 101b calculates the power excess period exceeding the provisional contract power included in the provisional fee plan when the provisional fee plan is applied during the trial period, and the display control unit 101f As shown in FIG. 11, the power excess period can be displayed on the display unit 102. By knowing the power excess period, the power consumer can be used as a material for determining whether the excess is avoidable or unavoidable in daily life.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the display control unit 101f applies the actual electricity rate plan that is actually contracted without applying the provisional electricity plan together with the provisional electricity fee. You can also display the actual electricity price. It is possible to provide information so that power users can see at a glance whether it is cheaper to apply the provisional rate plan or cheaper to apply the actual electricity rate plan under contract.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the display control unit 101f displays the predicted electricity price when the provisional electricity plan is applied to a period other than the trial period together with the provisional electricity charge, as shown in FIG. Can do. Since the power usage varies depending on the season, if the trial period is set in a season when the power usage is relatively small, there is a possibility that a problem occurs in the season when the power usage is relatively large. Therefore, by displaying the predicted electricity rate, it is possible to estimate the amount of power used in other seasons, which can be used as a reference material for determining an electricity plan.

  Next, an aspect of setting an electricity rate plan to be tried after setting a target electricity rate will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S301, a target value for electricity charges is determined. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, by inputting a target electricity bill into the display unit 102 and selecting “next”, the information is transmitted to the target receiving unit 101 d. The target receiving unit 101d outputs the received target electricity rate to the plan presenting unit 101e.

  In step S302 following step S301, an improvement point is proposed for the target electricity rate based on the past usage status. Specifically, the plan presenting unit 101e performs a power saving action when selecting a recommended electricity rate plan and the recommended electricity rate plan based on the past usage state accumulated in the information storage unit 101g. Set. The plan presentation unit 101e outputs a recommended electricity rate plan and information on power saving behavior to the display control unit 101f. The display control unit 101f causes the display unit 102 to display information as illustrated in FIG.

  In step S303 following step S302, the electricity bill plan to be tried by the power consumer selecting “YES” in FIG. 18 is determined.

  Steps S304 and S305 are the same as steps S104 and S105 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, the present embodiment includes the target receiving unit 101d that receives the target electricity rate, and the plan presenting unit 101e that presents the optimum electricity rate plan as the proposed rate plan to achieve the target electricity rate in the trial period. The display control unit 101f can display the proposed fee plan on the display unit 102. By providing a game characteristic of setting a target electricity rate and proposing a rate plan to achieve it, it is possible to further promote the power-saving behavior of power consumers.

  In the present embodiment, the plan presenting unit 101e presents the power saving action necessary to achieve the target electricity rate in the trial period when the proposed rate plan is applied in the trial period, and the display control unit 101f The power saving action can be displayed on the display unit 102.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. Those in which those skilled in the art appropriately modify the design of these specific examples are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. Each element included in each of the specific examples described above and their arrangement, conditions, shape, and the like are not limited to those illustrated, and can be changed as appropriate. Each element included in each of the specific examples described above can be appropriately combined as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

101: HEMS
101a: reception unit 101b: calculation unit 101c: device control unit 101d: target reception unit 101e: plan presentation unit 101f: display control unit

Claims (11)

A selection support system that supports selection of an electricity rate plan,
A reception unit (101a) for accepting the selected electricity rate plan as a provisional rate plan;
A device control unit (101c) for controlling operation of the electrical device based on the provisional price plan;
A calculation unit (101b) that calculates an electricity bill as a provisional electricity bill when the provisional bill plan is applied to the amount of power actually used in the set trial period;
A display control unit (101f) for displaying the temporary electricity bill on a display unit;
A selection support system comprising: The display control unit causes the display unit to display a plurality of the electricity rate plans,
The selection support system according to claim 1, wherein the reception unit receives a selected one of the plurality of electricity price plans displayed on the display unit as the provisional price plan.   The selection support system according to claim 1, wherein the reception unit receives the setting of the trial period. The calculation unit calculates, as a reference electricity charge, an electricity charge when the provisional charge plan is applied during the trial period based on past power consumption,
The selection support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display control unit displays the reference electricity rate on the display unit. The calculation unit calculates, as an actual charging fee, an electricity bill that is actually charged in the trial period based on the past power consumption,
The selection support system according to claim 4, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the actual charging fee together with the reference electricity fee. The calculation unit calculates a power excess period exceeding the provisional contract power included in the temporary charge plan when the temporary charge plan is applied in the trial period;
The selection support system according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the power excess period on the display unit.   The said display control part is a case where the said temporary charge plan is applied in the said trial period, Comprising: When the temporary contract electric power contained in the said temporary charge plan is exceeded, the notification to that effect is performed from Claim 1 6. The selection support system according to any one of 5 above.   8. The display control unit according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays an actual electricity rate to which the actual electricity rate plan currently contracted is applied without applying the provisional rate plan together with the provisional electricity rate. The selection support system described in 1.   The selection according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the display control unit displays a predicted electricity charge when the provisional electricity plan is applied to a period other than the trial period together with the provisional electricity charge. Support system. A target receiving unit (101d) for receiving a target electricity rate;
A plan presenting unit (101e) for presenting an optimal electricity rate plan as a proposed rate plan for achieving the target electricity rate in the trial period,
The selection support system according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the proposed rate plan on the display unit. The plan presenting unit presents power saving actions necessary to achieve the target electricity rate in the trial period when the proposed rate plan is applied in the trial period;
The selection support system according to claim 10, wherein the display control unit displays the power saving action on the display unit.

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