JP2008249281A - Cogeneration system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cogeneration system, achieving energy-saving by detecting a leakage. <P>SOLUTION: This cogeneration system 1 includes flow meters 43, 44, 45 for measuring the use amount of utility such as fuel, power, water or hot water and a current meter 46; a history information recording part recording the use amount information showing the measured use amount; a use status determination part 84 for determining whether or not the use amount exceeds a first threshold based on the recorded user amount information; and an output part 85 for outputting a warning message on determining that the use amount exceeds a first threshold. When the use amount of utility exceeds the first threshold, a warning message is output, so that the user can recognize that the use amount of utility is increased over the first threshold. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cogeneration system.

As a conventional cogeneration system, a system is known in which water is converted into warm water using heat generated by a power feeding device, and the hot water is stored in a hot water tank (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This system has a function of notifying the user of the progress status of the system by a remote controller that displays a series of progress statuses from startup to power generation.
JP 2004-79454 A

  However, in the above-described cogeneration system, for example, even if utilities (heat quantity, power, water, hot water, etc.) are leaked in piping, wiring, etc., the system itself operates normally. It is difficult for the system administrator to recognize the leakage of the utility, and the utility may be wasted.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cogeneration system capable of preventing utility waste.

  That is, the cogeneration system according to the present invention generates electric power and heat using fuel, supplies a power supply device, warms water using the heat generated by the power supply device, and supplies a hot water supply device that supplies hot water, Measurement means for measuring the usage amount of the utility, which is fuel, electric power, water or hot water, recording means for recording the usage amount information indicating the usage amount measured by the measuring means, and the usage amount information recorded by the recording means A determination unit that determines whether or not the usage amount exceeds a first threshold, and an output unit that outputs a warning message when the determination unit determines that the usage amount exceeds the first threshold; It is configured with.

  With this configuration, when the utility usage exceeds the first threshold, a warning message is output, so the user or system administrator has increased the utility usage beyond the first threshold. I can recognize that. As a result, for example, it is possible to estimate utility leakage or utility overuse and prevent utility waste. Note that “water” is water that is in a liquid state regardless of its temperature, and warm water is obtained by adding heat to “water”.

  Here, in the cogeneration system, it is preferable that the warning message represents a utility leak or utility overuse. As a result, the user or system administrator who received the message can determine whether the utility is leaked or the utility is overused from the content of the warning message, so take appropriate measures. be able to.

  In the cogeneration system, the usage amount is preferably an instantaneous value or an integrated value in a predetermined period. When a threshold value is provided for the instantaneous value of utility usage, it is possible to detect leaks and excessive usage with large utility fluctuations. In addition, when a threshold value is provided for the integrated value of utility usage, it is possible to detect leakage or excessive usage with small utility fluctuations.

  In the cogeneration system, it is preferable to include an operation stop unit that stops the operation of at least one of the power supply device and the hot water supply device when a second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value is exceeded. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent the utility from being wasted.

  In addition, in the cogeneration system, it is preferable to include a supply stop unit that stops the supply of the utility when a third threshold value larger than the second threshold value is exceeded. As a result, utility waste can be prevented more reliably.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the utility from being wasted in the cogeneration system.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cogeneration system 1 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the warning system 80 of FIG. A cogeneration system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a cogeneration system that uses heat generated by the power supply device 11 to change water into hot water, and stores and uses the hot water in a hot water tank 21, for example, for home use. Is.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cogeneration system 1 includes a cogeneration unit 10, a hot water storage unit (hot water supply device) 20, a water heater 30, and a user remote control 90. The cogeneration system 1 is connected to a commercial power system 50, a water supply system 60 and a fuel system 70.

  The cogeneration system 1 supplies the electric power generated by the cogeneration unit 10 to the electric equipment EI, and stores water heated by the heat generated by the power generation in the hot water storage tank 21 and supplies it to the thermal equipment HI.

  The cogeneration unit 10 includes a power feeding device 11, a heat exchanger 12, and a control unit 13. The power supply device 11 is a device that generates both electric power and heat. For example, a fuel cell, or a combination of an internal combustion engine (for example, a gas engine) and a power supply device driven by the internal combustion engine, or an external combustion engine and a power supply. For example, a combination with a device. The power feeding device 11 is connected to the fuel system 70 via a first fuel pipe 71. On the first fuel pipe 71, a flow meter (measurement) for measuring the flow rate of fuel supplied to the cogeneration system 1, that is, the fuel flow rate. Means) 45 is connected. In addition, the power feeding device 11 outputs electric power generated using the fuel supplied from the fuel system 70 to the electric equipment EI via the power line 14, and transfers heat generated by power generation to the heat exchanger 12. To do.

  The power line 14 is connected to a power line 51 that transmits power supplied from the commercial power system 50, and supplies not only power generated in the power supply apparatus 11 but also power from the commercial power system 50 to the electrical equipment EI. .

  An ammeter (measuring unit) 46 is installed on the power line 14 connected to the power line 51. The ammeter 46 measures the power supplied from the power supply apparatus 11 and the commercial power system 50 to the electrical equipment EI, that is, the used power as a current value. In addition, the power feeding device 11 includes an ammeter (not shown) that can measure the power generated by the power feeding device 11.

  The heat exchanger 12 recovers the heat generated in the power supply device 11 and transfers the heat to the water in the heat recovery pipes 2 </ b> A and 2 </ b> B that circulates water between the heat exchanger 12 and the hot water tank 21. More specifically, the heat exchanger 12 transmits heat to the water in the heat recovery pipe 2 </ b> B that has flowed out of the hot water tank 21, and the heat is transferred to the heat recovery pipe 2 </ b> A that flows into the hot water tank 21. Run water. The control unit 13 is a means for controlling the operation of the power supply apparatus 11 and is a means for controlling the operation of the power supply apparatus 11 based on a signal from a warning system 80 described later.

  The hot water storage unit 20 has a hot water storage tank 21 and a three-way valve 25, which are connected to a hot water heater 30 via a first hot water supply pipe 22, a pipe 23, a tap water pipe 24, and a second hot water supply pipe 26. is doing. The hot water storage tank 21 is a tank that stores water that has been heat-transferred in the heat exchanger 12. The hot water tank 21 is connected to the heat recovery pipe 2A at the upper part, and is configured such that the water transferred by the heat exchanger 12 can flow in through the heat recovery pipe 2A. The hot water storage tank 21 is connected to the heat recovery pipe 2 </ b> B at the lower part, and has a configuration in which water stored in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 21 flows out and can flow into the heat exchanger 12.

  The hot water storage tank 21 is further connected to the first hot water supply pipe 22 at the upper part, and is configured to discharge hot water stored in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 21. The hot water tank 21 is connected to the pipe 23 at the lower part, and is configured to be able to supply clean water from the lower part of the hot water tank 21. Clean water flows into the pipe 23 from the clean water pipe 24.

  The three-way valve 25 is configured such that water flowing in from both the first hot water piping 22 and the tap water piping 24 can flow out to the second hot water piping 26. The water supply pipe 24 is connected to a water pipe 61 that supplies water from a commercial water supply system 60 to the hot water tank 21. A flow meter (measuring means) 43 is connected on the water pipe 61 and measures the flow rate of clean water supplied to the cogeneration system 1, that is, the amount of clean water used.

  The second hot water supply pipe 26 flows out water, which is a mixture of both the water carried by the first hot water pipe 22 and the water carried by the tap water pipe 24, or one of the water to the water heater 30.

  The water heater 30 supplies the water flowing in through the second hot water supply pipe 26 to the thermal equipment HI through the hot water supply pipe 3. A flow meter (measuring means) 44 is connected on the piping 3 for hot water, and measures the flow rate of water flowing into the thermal equipment HI, that is, the amount of hot water used. The water heater 30 is connected to the fuel system 70 via a second fuel pipe 72 connected to the first fuel pipe 71, and heats the water flowing in through the second hot water supply pipe 26 as necessary.

  The user remote controller 90 is a display device having a function of displaying the operation status of the cogeneration system 1 and a function of operating the cogeneration unit 10. For example, it is a remote controller capable of confirming the operation status of the cogeneration system 1 and turning on / off the cogeneration unit 10. The connection destination of the user remote controller 90 will be described later.

  The cogeneration system 1 configured as described above supplies the electric power generated by the cogeneration unit 10 to the electric equipment EI, and stores the water heated by the heat generated by the power generation in the hot water storage tank 21 to produce the thermal equipment. Supply to HI. Furthermore, the driving status of the cogeneration system 1 can be displayed on the user remote controller 90, and the user can check the driving status.

  Here, in particular, the cogeneration system 1 of the present embodiment includes electromagnetic valves (supply stop means) 47 and 48, a distribution board (supply stop means) 49, and a warning system 80.

  The electromagnetic valve 47 is a valve that can be opened and closed using magnetic force, and is connected to a plurality of locations on the water pipe 61 and the water supply pipe 24 to block water supplied from the water supply system 60 to the cogeneration system 1. It has a function. The electromagnetic valve 48 has the same configuration as that of the electromagnetic valve 47 and is connected to the first fuel pipe 71 and has a function of cutting off fuel supplied from the fuel system 70 to the cogeneration system 1.

  The distribution board 49 is a device for branching the distributed electricity into the house, and is connected to the power lines 14 and 51, and the power supplied from the commercial power system 50 and the power feeding device 11 is operated by the operation of the breaker. It has a function of selectively blocking.

  The warning system 80 is, for example, an electronically controlled device and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an input / output interface, and the like. Further, when the cogeneration unit 10 or the hot water storage unit 20 is provided with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., it may operate using the hardware resources.

  The warning system 80 includes a cogeneration unit 10, a user remote control 90, a monitoring center 91 where a system administrator stays, flow meters 43, 44, 45, an ammeter 46, electromagnetic valves 47, 48, and a distribution board 49. They are logically connected directly or via a network, and can transmit and receive signals.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the warning system 80 includes an information input unit 81, a history information recording unit (recording unit) 82, a usage status determination unit (determination unit) 84, and a leakage avoidance control unit (operation stop unit, supply stop unit). ) 86 and an output unit (output means) 85.

  The information input unit 81 is an input unit that inputs information on the usage amount of fuel, electric power, water, and hot water used in the cogeneration system 1, and uses the water supply amount from the flow meter 43 and the hot water supply usage from the flow meter 44. It has a function of inputting the quantity, the fuel flow rate from the flow meter 45, the used power from the ammeter 46, and the generated power from the cogeneration unit 10. Information including any one of the above fuel, electric power, water, and hot water is referred to as a utility, and information including any one of the above-mentioned water supply usage, hot water usage, fuel flow, and power usage is used as a utility. It is called quantity. Furthermore, the information input unit 81 may have a function of appropriately inputting information output from the user remote controller 90. These pieces of information are changed to a format necessary for recording as necessary. The information input unit 81 has a function of outputting the input information to the history information recording unit 82.

  The history information recording unit 82 is a recording unit that records information as a history, and has a function of recording information obtained from the information input unit 81 in the history information DB 83 together with information related to measurement dates and measurement time zones. In addition, the history information recording unit 82 has a function of outputting information obtained from the information input unit 81 to the usage status determination unit 84.

  The usage status determination unit 84 is a determination unit that determines the utility usage amount during the current or target period, and based on the past utility usage trends input from the history information DB 83, the utility during the current or target period. It has a function to judge usage. For example, in the data stored in the history information DB 83, a threshold is set based on an average value of utility usage and the usage amount of the same utility and time zone, day of the week, date, etc. in the target period. Judgment is made based on whether the value is greater than the threshold value. Further, the usage status determination unit 84 has a function of outputting the determination result to the leakage avoidance control unit 86 and the output unit 85.

  The leakage avoidance control unit 86 is a control unit that controls equipment in order to avoid leakage of piping or wiring connected to the cogeneration system 1. Based on the determination result of the utilization status determination unit 84, the leakage avoidance control unit 86, for example, functions to stop the power supply of the cogeneration unit 10 and the hot water supply unit 20, and close the electromagnetic valves 47 and 48, The breaker of the board 49 is provided with a function for turning it off. The leakage avoidance control unit 86 has a function of outputting a signal for operating the device to the output unit 85.

  The output unit 85 is an output unit that outputs a signal for operating a device of the cogeneration system 1 and a message related to a message transmitted to a user or a system administrator. The output unit 85 outputs a warning message according to the determination result of the usage state determination unit 84. Are displayed on the user remote controller 90 and output to the monitoring center 91 via mail or the Internet.

  Next, the operation of the warning system 80 provided in the cogeneration system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the operation of the warning system 80, and FIG. 5 is a message table in which messages output from the warning system 80 are stored. The warning system 80 executes the control process of FIG. 3 at a predetermined timing. For example, it may be executed once a day at a predetermined time, or may be executed when the user remote controller 90 includes a determination button and the determination button is selected.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the warning system 80 starts from a parameter creation process (S10). The process of S10 is executed by the usage status determination unit 84 and is a process for determining from which aspect the utility usage trend is determined. What kind of aspect should be determined may be determined by, for example, a parameter that is a combination of a usage amount of a target utility and a period in which the utility usage amount is compared. In this case, as the usage amount of the target utility, at least one of water usage amount, hot water usage amount, fuel flow rate and power usage is selected, and the comparison period is real time, daily, weekly and monthly. At least one of the parameters is selected to create a parameter. Here, when real-time is selected, the instantaneous value of utility usage is determined. When either daily, weekly, or monthly is selected, the utility usage for each period is selected. Will be determined. Accordingly, for example, a parameter such as “each water use amount, hot water use amount, fuel flow rate, and each integrated value of power use” + “daily unit” is created and determined. Note that these parameters may be formed by, for example, an item selected by the user by providing the user remote controller 90 with a selection button.

  In the following, considering the ease of understanding the explanation, a case will be described in which “utility of hot water supply” is selected as a parameter and “daily unit” is selected as a comparison period as parameters. When the process of S10 ends, the process proceeds to a determination process (S12).

  The determination process of S12 is a process of determining the utility usage based on the parameters created in the process of S10. That is, here, the integrated value of the amount of hot water used is compared on a daily basis, and the usage status is determined. The process of S12 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the process which inputs the hot water supply usage of the previous day is started (S14). The process of S14 is executed by the usage status determination unit 84, and is a process of inputting the hot water usage amount of the previous day from the history information DB 83. When the process of S14 is completed, the process proceeds to a process of inputting the hot water usage amount two days ago (S16).

  The process of S16 is executed by the usage status determination unit 84, and is a process of inputting the hot water usage amount two days ago from the history information DB 83. When the process of S16 ends, the process proceeds to a determination process (S18).

  The process of S18 is a process executed by the utilization status determination unit 84, and evaluates the amount of hot water used on the previous day using the amount of hot water used on the previous day. For example, it is determined whether or not the hot water usage amount of the previous day input in the processing of S14 is 1.5 times or more the hot water usage amount of the previous two days input in the processing of S16. In the process of S18, when it is determined that the amount of hot water used for the previous day is 1.5 times or more of the amount of hot water used two days ago, it is determined that it is necessary to warn of overuse, and the first message output process (S20).

  The process of S20 is a process that is executed by the output unit 85 and outputs a message. This process is a process for displaying the first message on the user remote controller 90. The output unit 85 determines the first message using the table shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, a method for determining a message output by the output unit 85 will be described. A table A in FIG. 5 is a table showing combinations of parameters, and is assigned an index (No.). Table B is a table showing the relationship between message numbers and message contents, and is prepared for each index of table A. FIG. 5 shows the table B when the index No. 2 of the table A is selected. Here, the message content of the table B is a message that may be leaked as the number increases. For example, message numbers 1 and 2 will contact you because “the amount of hot water used” has increased from the previous day as a warning message for excessive use. "And yesterday's" Hot water consumption "was too much. , And message numbers 3 and 4 have been stopped due to the large amount of “use of hot water”. Please reset if there is no problem in the leak investigation. ”And“ The amount of hot water used ”is too high, so the valve is stopped. Please reset if there is no problem in the leak investigation. ". In this way, the user can check the message content to determine whether it is an overuse warning or a leak warning.

  A message is determined using the above-described tables A and B. First, the table A is referred to, and the column corresponding to the currently executed parameter is referred to. Since the currently executed process is a case where the utility usage amount is “hot water supply usage amount” and “daily unit” is selected as the comparison period, the index No. 2 in Table A is referred to. Next, referring to the table B corresponding to the index No. 2, the message number corresponding to the output number is referred. For example, if the process is to output a first message, the message content with a message number of 1 is referred to. If the process is to output a second message, the message content with a message number of 2 is referred to. Since the process of S20 is a process of outputting the first message, the message content with the message number 1 is referred to. As a result of this operation, the usage status determination unit 84 notifies that “the amount of hot water used” has increased from the previous day. Is selected. In the process of S20, the message selected as described above is output to the user remote controller 90. Thereby, when there is much hot water supply usage compared with two days ago, it can be told to a user. When the process of S20 ends, the process proceeds to a threshold value calculation process (S22).

  The process of S22 is a process that is executed by the usage status determination unit 84 and determines a threshold used in a threshold determination process described later. A predetermined number of thresholds can be set. Here, three thresholds are set: a first threshold (first threshold), a second threshold (second threshold), and a third threshold (third threshold). Yes. Such a threshold value is determined using the history information obtained in the process of S16. For example, 2 times the amount of hot water used two days ago is set as the first threshold, 3 is set as the second threshold, and 5 is set as the third threshold. In this way, by setting multiple thresholds, it is possible to determine in stages the degree of difference compared to past usage trends, depending on the magnitude of the difference from past usage trends. The selected message can be selected. When the process of S22 ends, the process proceeds to a first threshold value determination process (S24).

  The process of S24 is a process executed by the usage status determination unit 84 to determine whether or not the hot water usage amount on the previous day input in the process of S18 is less than or equal to the first threshold value. If it is less than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined that there is no need to warn because there is no significant change compared to the past usage situation, and the warning system 80 ends the determination process of FIG. On the other hand, if it is not less than or equal to the first threshold, the process proceeds to the second threshold determination process (S26).

  The process of S26 is a process that is executed by the usage status determination unit 84 and determines whether or not the amount of hot water used on the previous day input in the process of S18 is less than or equal to the second threshold value. If it is less than or equal to the second threshold, the amount of hot water used on the previous day is greater than the first threshold and less than or equal to the second threshold, so there is no significant change compared to past usage conditions. It is determined that it is necessary to make a setting, and the process proceeds to the second message output process (S28).

  The process of S28 is executed by the output unit 85 and is a process for outputting a message. This process is a process for causing the user remote controller 90 to display a second message that is a message for warning overuse. As in the process of S20, the second message is determined using the table shown in FIG. 5, and for example, “Yesterday's“ Hot water consumption ”was large. Is output. When the process of S28 ends, the warning system 80 ends the determination process of FIG.

  On the other hand, in the process of S26, when the hot water usage amount on the previous day is not less than or equal to the second threshold, the process proceeds to a third threshold determination process (S30). The process of S30 is a process that is executed by the use status determination unit 84 and determines whether or not the hot water usage amount on the previous day input in the process of S18 is equal to or less than a third threshold value. If the threshold value is greater than the second threshold value and less than or equal to the third threshold value, there is a significant change compared to the past usage situation, so it is determined that there is a possibility of leakage of the pipe connected to the cogeneration system 1, and the third message output process (S32).

  The process of S32 is a process that is executed by the output unit 85 and outputs a message. This process is a process for displaying on the user remote controller 90 a third message that is a message for warning of leakage. As in the process of S20, the third message is determined using the table shown in FIG. 5, and for example, “the amount of hot water used” is large, so the equipment is stopped. Please reset if there is no problem in the leak investigation. Is output. When the process of S32 ends, the process proceeds to a system stop process (S34).

  The process of S34 is a process that is executed by the leakage avoidance control unit 86 and the output unit 85 and stops the operation of the cogeneration system 1, and is a process that stops the power supply of the cogeneration unit 10 or the hot water supply unit 20, for example. Thereby, damage caused by leakage can be reduced. When the process of S34 ends, the process proceeds to an administrator report process (S36).

  The process of S36 is executed by the output unit 85 and outputs a message to the system administrator. This process is, for example, a function that transmits the same message as the message sent to the user in S34 to the monitoring center where the system administrator is located via mail or the Internet. As a result, not only the user but also the system administrator can recognize the possibility of leakage. When the process of S36 ends, the warning system 80 ends the determination process of FIG.

  On the other hand, in the process of S30, when the amount of hot water used on the previous day is not less than or equal to the third threshold value, there is a large change compared to the past usage situation, and therefore there is a high possibility of leakage of the pipes connected to the cogeneration system 1 Judgment is made and the process proceeds to the fourth message output process (S38). The process of S38 is executed by the output unit 85 and is a process for outputting a message. This process is a process for causing the user remote controller 90 to display a fourth message that is a message for warning of leakage. As in the process of S38, the fourth message is determined using the table shown in FIG. 5, and for example, “the amount of hot water used” is large, so the valve is stopped. Please reset if there is no problem in the leak investigation. Is output. When the process of S38 is completed, the process proceeds to a system stop process (S40).

  The process of S40 is a process that is executed by the leakage avoidance control unit 86 and the output unit 85 as in the process of S34, and stops the operation of the cogeneration system 1. For example, the power source of the cogeneration unit 10 or the hot water supply unit 20 is turned on. It is a process to stop. When the process of S40 ends, the process proceeds to an administrator report process (S42).

  The process of S42 is a process that is executed by the output unit 85 and outputs a message to the system administrator, similar to the process of S36. This process is, for example, a function of transmitting the same message as the message sent to the user in S38 to the monitoring center where the system administrator is located through mail or the Internet. When the process of S42 is completed, the process proceeds to a pipe shutoff process (S44).

  The process of S44 is a process that is executed by the leakage avoidance control unit 86 and the output unit 85, and shuts off the piping connected to the cogeneration system 1. For example, the piping is shut off by closing the electromagnetic valve 47. Thereby, damage due to leakage can be further reduced. When the process of S44 ends, the warning system 80 ends the determination process of FIG.

  Thus, the determination process of FIG. 4, that is, the determination process of S12 of FIG. 3 ends, and the control process of FIG. Here, in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the control method for comparing the usage amount on a daily basis has been described in consideration of the ease of explanation, but when the usage amount is compared on an instantaneous value, weekly, or monthly basis Can be determined by inputting the usage value in an instantaneous value, a weekly unit, or a monthly unit and comparing them. In addition, when comparing a plurality of instantaneous values, daily units, weekly units, or monthly units, the determination processing of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be performed for each. In the case of comparing the usage tendency by paying attention to the instantaneous value, for example, the threshold value may be determined by referring to the instantaneous maximum value or average value of the past usage amount.

  3 and 4, in consideration of ease of explanation and explanation, a control method for comparing usage trends by paying attention to the usage amount of hot water is described. When paying attention and comparing the usage trends, the hot water usage amount may be replaced with any one of the tap water usage amount, the fuel flow rate, and the electric power usage. In the case of paying attention to the electric power used, the circuit breaker of the distribution board 49 may be turned off instead of the electromagnetic valves 47 and 48 as the shut-off means. In addition, in the case where the usage tendency is compared by paying attention to a plurality of water usage, hot water usage, fuel flow, and power usage, the determination process of S12 of FIG. 3 may be performed for each.

  As described above, in the cogeneration system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the utility usage exceeds the first threshold, a warning message is output. It can be recognized that the usage amount has increased beyond the first threshold. As a result, for example, it is possible to estimate utility leakage or utility overuse and prevent utility waste.

  Further, in the cogeneration system 1 according to the present embodiment, the user or system administrator who receives the message determines from the contents of the warning message whether the utility is leaked or the utility is overused. Therefore, an appropriate response can be taken.

  Moreover, in the cogeneration system 1 which concerns on this embodiment, a threshold value can be provided in the instantaneous value or integrated value of the utilization amount of a utility. When a threshold value is provided for the instantaneous value of utility usage, it is possible to detect leaks and excessive usage with large utility fluctuations. In addition, when a threshold value is provided for the integrated value of utility usage, it is possible to detect leakage or excessive usage with small utility fluctuations.

  Moreover, in the cogeneration system 1 which concerns on this embodiment, when the 2nd threshold value larger than a 1st threshold value is exceeded, by stopping operation | movement of at least one of the electric power feeder 11 and the hot water supply unit 20, utility Can be surely prevented.

  In addition, in the cogeneration system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the third threshold value that is larger than the second threshold value is exceeded, the utility supply is stopped more reliably, thereby preventing utility waste. Can do.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been specifically described above. However, the above embodiment shows an example of the cogeneration system according to the present invention, and the cogeneration system according to the present invention relates to the above embodiment. It is not limited to cogeneration systems.

  For example, although the above embodiment has been described with three thresholds, one or more thresholds may be provided. The threshold value may be set using an average value of utility usage.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the process of S18 of FIG. 4 and S20 does not necessarily need to be performed before the threshold value determination process of S24, and does not need to be implemented.

  Further, the power supply device 11 provided in the cogeneration unit 10 may be a power supply device that has a learning function and operates by calculating an operation load.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the cogeneration system which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the warning system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the warning system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the warning system of FIG. It is a table which shows the message which the warning system of FIG. 1 outputs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cogeneration system, 11 ... Power feeding apparatus, 20 ... Hot water storage unit (hot water supply apparatus), 21 ... Hot water storage tank, 43, 44, 45 ... Flow meter (measurement means), 46 ... Ammeter (measurement means), 47, 48 ... Electromagnetic valve (supply stop means), 49 ... distribution panel (supply stop means), 80 ... warning system, 82 ... history information recording section (recording means), 84 ... usage status judging section (judging means), 85 ... output (Output means), 86... Leakage avoidance control section (operation stop means, supply stop means).

Claims (5)

A power supply device that generates electric power and heat using fuel and supplies the electric power;
A hot water supply device for warming water using the heat generated by the power supply device and supplying hot water;
A measuring means for measuring a usage amount of the utility which is the fuel, the electric power, the water or the hot water;
Recording means for recording usage information indicating the usage measured by the measuring means;
Determination means for determining whether or not the usage amount exceeds a first threshold based on the usage amount information recorded by the recording means;
An output means for outputting a warning message when it is determined by the determination means that the usage amount exceeds the first threshold;
A cogeneration system characterized by comprising:   The cogeneration system according to claim 1, wherein the warning message indicates leakage of the utility or excessive use of the utility.   The cogeneration system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the usage amount is an instantaneous value or an integrated value in a predetermined period.   Any one of Claims 1-3 provided with the operation | movement stop means to stop operation | movement of at least one of the said electric power feeder and the said hot-water supply apparatus, when the 2nd threshold value larger than the said 1st threshold value is exceeded. A cogeneration system according to claim 1.   The cogeneration system according to claim 4, further comprising supply stop means for stopping the supply of the utility when a third threshold value larger than the second threshold value is exceeded.

Images