JP2011135624A - Automatic address setting method for power converter, and photovoltaic generation system to which the method is applied - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic address setting method and the like for a power converter, which in turn automatically sets addresses for respective power converters that are connected successively through a communication path to a control apparatus in order from the front stage to the aftermost stage without double setting. <P>SOLUTION: If an address setting instruction signal is inputted, each power converter compares an electric-current value measured by a current measurement means for the self-power converter and an address of the input address setting signal, and if they match, sets this value as the self-address and outputs a matching signal to the control apparatus. If the matching signal is inputted, the control apparatus repeats an operation of outputting the address setting instruction signals, which indicate an instruction for setting an electric-current value, as the next address, which is obtained by adding the minimum electric-current value to the value that is indicated for the setting by the previous address setting instruction signal, to the respective power converters, until the matching signal is not inputted, thereby automatically setting the addresses to the respective power converters without double setting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a facility system in which a plurality of facility devices (power converters) are sequentially connected to a control device, and more specifically, a method of automatically setting identification information (address) in each facility device without duplication and the method The present invention relates to a solar power generation system to which

  Conventionally, there is a photovoltaic power generation system, for example, as an equipment system that performs address setting using this type of automatic address setting method. A solar power generation system has a solar cell array in which a plurality of solar cell modules are arranged on a roof of a building, etc., and direct-current power generated by the solar cell array is transmitted to a power converter (hereinafter referred to as a power converter) via a power transmission cable. The power is transmitted and converted into AC power by a power conditioner, and then supplied to a load device via a power carrier line. In a large-scale photovoltaic power generation system such as for business use, a plurality of solar cell arrays are installed, and a plurality of power conditioners are often installed according to the number of solar cell arrays.

  When a plurality of power conditioners are installed in this way, the plurality of power conditioners are sequentially connected to the control device via a bus line (communication path), and a communication address is set for each without duplication. And it is individually selected by the address and is controlled by the control device.

  As a method for setting addresses for each power control unit without duplication, for example, there is a method in which an equipment administrator manually sets a dip switch provided in each power control unit. However, in this method, setting mistakes may occur, and normal operation cannot be expected when addresses overlap due to setting mistakes.

  Therefore, as a method of automatically setting addresses for each device sequentially connected on the bus line without duplication, an open / close switch and a microcomputer have been conventionally provided for each device. There is a technique in which addresses can be automatically set without duplication by controlling an open / close switch with a microcomputer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-9-116565 (page 3 to page 4, FIG. 1)

  However, in the technique of the above-mentioned patent document 1, since the open / close switch is provided in each device, there is a problem that there is a malfunction due to a cost increase of the device or a contact failure, or when the open / close switch breaks down and becomes an open state. There is a problem that communication with all devices is disabled.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and automatically sets the address to each power converter in order from the first stage to the last stage without duplication without providing an open / close switch in the communication path. It is an object to obtain a power converter address automatic setting method capable of performing the above and a photovoltaic power generation system to which this method is applied.

  A method for automatically setting an address of a power converter according to the present invention includes a control device and a plurality of power converters that are sequentially connected to the control device via a communication path, each of which is set with an individual address and controlled by the control device. A power converter address automatic setting method in a photovoltaic power generation system, wherein the outputs of a plurality of power converters are connected in parallel by power carrier lines, and are output from each power converter and supplied to the power carrier line. The current is measured by current measuring means provided corresponding to each power converter, and the control device outputs an address setting command signal for instructing the minimum current value of the power converter as an initial address to each power converter. When an address setting command signal is input, the power converter Compare the current value measured by the current measuring means corresponding to the barter and the address of the input address setting signal, and if it matches, set this value as its own address and output the match signal to the control device, When a match signal is input, the control device outputs an address setting command signal that instructs to set the current value obtained by adding the minimum current value to the value specified by the previous address setting command signal as the next address to each power converter. This operation is repeated until there is no match signal input, and addresses are automatically set for each power converter without duplication.

  According to the present invention, without providing an open / close switch in the communication path (without providing an open / close switch in the power converter), addresses are automatically set for each power converter in order from the first stage to the last stage without duplication. It becomes feasible.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the whole photovoltaic power generation system to which the address automatic setting method of the equipment (power conditioner) 3 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is applied. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the address setting process by CPU7 of the power conditioner 3 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the whole photovoltaic power generation system to which the address automatic setting method of the equipment (power conditioner) 3 which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the whole photovoltaic power generation system to which the address automatic setting method of the equipment (power conditioner) 3 which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention is applied. It is a flowchart which shows the address setting process by CPU7 of the power conditioner 3 of FIG.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a photovoltaic power generation system to which an equipment address automatic setting method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied.
The solar power generation system has a plurality of solar cell arrays 1, and transmits direct-current power generated by each solar cell array 1 to a power conditioner 3 as a facility device provided for each solar cell array 1 through a power transmission cable 2. It is converted into AC power by the power converter 3. And the alternating current power converted by each power conditioner 3 is transmitted by the electric power carrier line 4 connected in parallel.

  The photovoltaic power generation system includes a control device 5 for controlling each power conditioner 3, and each power conditioner 3 is sequentially connected to the control apparatus 5 through a communication path 6, and the control device 5 and each power conditioner 3 communicate with each other. It is possible. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the power conditioner 3-1, the power conditioner 3-2, and the power conditioner 3-3 are sequentially denoted from one end side (frontmost stage) to the other end side (last stage) of each power conditioner 3 sequentially connected. Are used separately as necessary.

  The control device 5 transmits a control signal for controlling the operation of the power conditioner 3 through the communication path 6 and outputs an address setting command signal to be described later on the communication path 6. The signal output on the communication path 6 is first transmitted to the power conditioner 3-1 at the foremost stage, and then sequentially transmitted to the power conditioner 3-2 and the power conditioner 3-3.

  The power conditioner 3 includes a CPU 7 that controls the entire power conditioner 3 and a communication path controller 8 that controls communication with other power conditioners 3 and the control device 5 via the communication path 6. Input to the CPU 7 via the controller 8.

  The CPU 7 controls each unit according to the input signal. Further, the CPU 7 controls the high-frequency superimposition by the high-frequency superimposing means 10 described later to be turned on so that a high-frequency signal is input to the next-stage power-con 3 while the address is not set in the self-power-con 3. When an address is set in the self-power control device 3, control for stopping the superposition of the high frequency by turning off the superposition of the high frequency by the high frequency superimposing means 10 described later is performed, and the control of the flowchart of FIG. 2 described later is performed.

  The power conditioner 3 includes two connection connectors A and a connection connector B for connecting to external devices (the control device 5 and other power conditioners 3). On the communication path 6 between the communication path controller 8 and one of the connection connectors B, a high-frequency cut means 9 for blocking high-frequency transmission is connected, and the next stage power conditioner 3 is connected to the one connection connector B. Has been. In the following, a connection connector on the side to which the high frequency cut means 9 is connected is distinguished as a connection connector B, and a connection connector on the side to which the high frequency cut means 9 is not connected is distinguished as a connection connector A.

  The power conditioner 3 further includes a high frequency superimposing means 10 that superimposes a high frequency on the address setting command signal input to the self power conditioner 3 and inputs a high frequency signal to the CPU 7 of the next power conditioner 3. Specifically, the high frequency superimposing means 10 is constituted by, for example, an oscillator, the input line of the high frequency superimposing means 10 is connected to the CPU 7, and the output line is on the communication path 6 between the high frequency cut means 9 and the connection connector B. It is connected.

  The high-frequency superimposing means 10 is configured to turn on / off high-frequency superimposition according to a command from the CPU 7. When ON, the high-frequency superimposing means 10 superimposes high frequency on the communication path 6 to which the output line of the high-frequency superimposing means 10 is connected. As a result, a high frequency is superimposed on the communication path 6 between the high frequency cut means 9 of the own power conditioner 3 and the high frequency cut means 9 of the next level power conditioner 3, and a high frequency is superimposed on the CPU 7 of the next level power conditioner 3. Will be transmitted. Even when the high frequency superimposing means 10 is ON, the high frequency signal is not transmitted to the CPU 7 in the self-power control unit 3 because the high frequency cut means 9 blocks the high frequency. That is, the high frequency superimposing means 10 is merely a means for inputting a high frequency signal to the power conditioner 3 at the next stage, and is not a means for inputting to the self power conditioner 3. Further, the control device 5 is connected to the connection connector A of the power conditioner 3 at the front stage.

Next, an address setting method for each power conditioner 3 in the photovoltaic power generation system having such a configuration will be described.
Here, before describing the address setting method for each power conditioner 3 in the photovoltaic power generation system, the address setting operation in the power conditioner 3 when the address setting command signal output from the control device 5 is input to the power conditioner 3 is described. Will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of address setting processing by the CPU 7 of the power conditioner 3.
When the address setting command signal output from the control device 5 is input via the communication channel controller 8 when the address is not set (S1), the CPU 7 of the power conditioner 3 determines whether a high frequency signal is input (S2). . If it is determined that the high frequency signal is not input, the CPU 7 sets the address in the power inverter 3 according to the address setting command signal (S3), and returns a setting completion signal to the control device 5 (S4). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the high frequency signal is transmitted, the input address setting command signal is invalidated (S5), and the process is terminated without performing address setting. When an address setting command signal is input in a state where an address has already been set, the received address setting command signal is invalidated and the process is ended regardless of whether a high frequency signal is input. .

Next, the address automatic setting operation of each power conditioner 3 in the photovoltaic power generation system will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, description will be made assuming that the addresses 1 to 3 are set in order in the power conditioners 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3.
In a state where no address is set for each power conditioner 3, the high frequency superimposing means 10 of each power conditioner 3 is controlled to turn on the superposition of the high frequency. The high frequency generated by the high frequency superimposing means 10 is blocked by the high frequency cut means 9 in the own power conditioner 3 as described above, so that it is not transmitted to the CPU 7 as an input signal, but is transmitted to the power conditioner 3 connected to the next stage. . Therefore, in an initial state in which the addresses of all the power conditioners 3 are not set, a high-frequency signal is transmitted to the CPUs 7 of the power conditioners 3-2 and 3-3 other than the CPU 7 of the first power conditioner 3-1.

  The control device 5 first outputs an address setting command signal (ID = 1) to the power conditioner 3 to the communication path 6 in order to automatically set an address to each power conditioner 3. Since this address setting command signal is not a high frequency signal, it passes through the high frequency cut means 9 and is transmitted to each power conditioner 3. At this time, as described above, the high frequency signal is not transmitted to the power conditioner 3-1 in the foremost stage, but the high frequency signal is transmitted to the CPU 7 of the power conditioners 3-2 and 3-3.

  When the address setting command signal output from the control device 5 is input (S1), the CPU 7 of the power converter 3-1 in the foremost stage determines whether a high frequency signal is input to itself (S2). Since no signal is input, the address setting command is processed according to the command from the control device 5, and its own address is set to "1" (S3). Then, a setting completion signal indicating that the setting is completed is returned to the control device 5 (S4), and the high frequency superimposing means 10 is turned off. On the other hand, the CPU 7 of the power conditioner 3-2 and the power conditioner 3-3 receives the address setting command signal in the same manner, but the power conditioner 3-2 and the power conditioner 3-3 receive the high frequency signal as described above. The address setting command signal thus processed is processed as invalid (S5), and address setting is not performed.

  When receiving the setting completion signal, the control device 5 outputs an address setting command signal (ID = 2) for setting the next second address on the communication path 6. Since an address is already set in the power conditioner 3-1, the power conditioner 3-1 processes this command as invalid. Further, since the high frequency superimposing means 10 of the power conditioner 3-1 is controlled to be OFF when the first address is set, no high frequency is inputted to the CPU 7 of the power condition 3-2. Accordingly, the power conditioner 3-2 sets “2” as its own address in accordance with the address setting command signal, and returns a setting completion signal to the control device 5 to turn off the high frequency superimposing means 10. The CPU 7 of the power conditioner 3-3 processes the address setting command signal as invalid because the high frequency signal is inputted in the same manner as described above.

  When the control device 5 receives the setting completion signal, it similarly outputs an address setting command signal (ID = 3) on the communication path 6, sets the address “3” in the power conditioner 3-3, and then sends it to the power conditioner 3. An address setting command signal (ID = 4) is output on the communication path 6. At this time, since addresses have already been set for all the power conditioners 3, each power conditioner 3 processes the input address setting command signal as invalid. Therefore, in this case, no setting completion signal is returned from any of the power conditioners 3 to the control apparatus 5, and the control apparatus 5 assumes that address setting for all the power conditioners 3 has been completed if there is no response within a certain period. recognize.

  Thus, “1” for the power conditioner 3-1, “2” for the power conditioner 3-2, and “3” for the power conditioner 3-3, all the power conditioners 3 (3-1, 3-2, 3-3). It is possible to automatically set addresses without duplication.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, without providing an open / close switch in the communication path 6 (without providing an open / close switch in the power conditioner 3), each power conditioner 3 is sequentially ordered from the front stage to the last stage. It is possible to automatically set addresses without duplication. Thereby, the cost increase of the whole system at the time of using the said conventional opening / closing switch and each power conditioner 3 can be reduced. Further, since the high frequency cut means 9 is specifically constituted by a coil, for example, the high frequency cut means 9 is cheaper than the on / off switch, and the cost can be reduced. Further, since no opening / closing switch is required, the control device 5 and each power conditioner 3 can solve the inconvenience such as malfunction due to contact failure of the opening / closing switch. Further, it is possible to solve the problem that communication with all devices is disabled when the open / close switch is broken and opened as in the conventional case.

  In addition, this example uses a coil (high frequency cut means 9) and an oscillator (high frequency superposition means 10), and has a longer service life than a mechanical switch such as a conventional open / close switch. The service life can be extended. For this reason, the maintenance labor can be reduced.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the entire photovoltaic power generation system to which the facility device address automatic setting method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIG.
In the first embodiment, the control device 5 is connected to the connection connector A of the power conditioner 3 (the connection connector on the communication path side to which the high frequency cut means 9 is not connected). The control device 5 is connected to the connection connector B (connection connector on the communication path side to which the high frequency cut means 9 is connected). That is, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the configuration of the power conditioner 3 itself is the same in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, a plurality of pieces connected in sequence as shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, the control device 5 is connected to the connection connector B of the last-stage power conditioner 3, but the control apparatus 5 is connected to the connection connector B of the last-stage power conditioner 3. is there.

  Even in such a connection configuration, each power conditioner 3 performs exactly the same operation as that of the first embodiment. The power conditioner 3-1 is “1”, the power conditioner 3-2 is “2”, In “3-3”, “3” is set as an address. That is, at the start of address setting, the high frequency superimposing means 10 of all the power conditioners 3 performs high frequency superimposition, and a high frequency signal is input to the power conditioner 3-2 and the CPU 7 of the power conditioner 3-3 except for the power conditioner 3-1. Yes. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, first, “1” is set in the power conditioner 3-1, then “2” is set in the power conditioner 3-2, and “3” in the power conditioner 3-3. Is set.

  Thus, even with the connection configuration shown in FIG. 3, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the entire photovoltaic power generation system to which the facility device automatic address setting method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 3, the same parts as those of FIG.
The photovoltaic power generation system according to the third embodiment deletes the high frequency superimposing means 10 and the high frequency cutting means 9 from the power conditioner 3 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and is output from the power conditioner 3 to the power carrier line 4. The current measuring means 11 for measuring the current on the supplied power carrier line 4 is provided corresponding to each power conditioner 3.

  When the output current of each power conditioner 3 is 10 A (ampere), for example, the current value detected by the current measuring unit 11-3 is 10 A. Here, since the outputs of the power conditioners 3 are connected in parallel by the power carrier line 4, the current value detected by the current measuring unit 11-2 is 10 + 10 = 20 A, and the current detected by the current measuring unit 11-1. The value is 10 + 10 + 10 = 30A. In this way, the current value measured by each current measuring unit 11 is input to the CPU 7 of the corresponding power conditioner 3.

  In addition, the control device 5 stores “10” of the minimum current value 10A of the current output from the power conditioner 3 in advance, and sets “10” as an initial address and sequentially adds “10” to the address. As a setting instruction.

Hereinafter, an address automatic setting method for each power conditioner 3 in the photovoltaic power generation system according to Embodiment 3 will be described.
Here, first, prior to explaining the method of setting the address to each power conditioner 3 in the photovoltaic power generation system, the address setting in the power conditioner 3 when the address setting command signal output from the control device 5 is input to the power conditioner 3 is described. The operation will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing address setting processing by the CPU 7 of the power conditioner 3.
When the address setting command signal is input from the control device 5 (S11), the CPU 7 of the power controller 3 obtains the address value instructed by the address setting command signal and the measurement result of the current measuring means 11 corresponding to the own power controller 3. Compare (S12), and if they match, the address is set according to the address setting command signal (S13). Then, a match signal is returned to the control device 5 (S14). If they do not match in step S12, the input address setting command signal is invalidated (S15), and the process ends without performing address setting.

Next, the address automatic setting operation of each power conditioner 3 in the photovoltaic power generation system will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Here, description will be made assuming that addresses 10, 20, and 30 are set in order in the power conditioners 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3.
The control device 5 stores “10” of the minimum current value 10A of the current output from the power conditioner 3 in advance, and sends an address setting command signal to each power conditioner 3 to set and designate “10” as an initial address. Output. When an address setting command signal is input to each of the power conditioners 3 (S11), the address value instructed by the address setting command signal (here, “10”) and the current measuring unit 11 corresponding to the self power conditioner 11 respectively. The measurement result is compared (S12). Here, since the current value measured by the current measuring unit 11-1 is 10A, the comparison result is matched with the power conditioner 3-1. For this reason, the power conditioner 3-1 sets “10” as its own address (S13), and returns a match signal to the control device 5 (S14). On the other hand, since the comparison result does not match between the power control 3-2 and the power control 3-3, the input address setting command signal is invalidated (S15).

  When receiving the match signal, the control device 5 outputs an address setting command signal for setting the next address “20” to each power conditioner 3. Each power conditioner 3 performs the same processing as described above, and here, since the comparison result matches with the power conditioner 3-2, the power conditioner 3-2 sets “20” as its own address. The control device 5 inputs an operation for outputting an address setting command signal for setting the current value obtained by adding the minimum current value to the value specified by the previous address setting command as the next address to each power conditioner 3 as a match signal. Repeat until there is no more. As a result, addresses can be automatically set to all the power conditioners 3 sequentially without duplication.

  Thus, according to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

  In addition, according to the address setting method of the first to third embodiments, even if some of the power conditioners 3 break down, new power conditioners 3 are connected to the communication path 6 and the addresses of all the power conditioners 3 are temporarily set. The address can be reset easily by outputting the address setting command signal again after setting it unset. Thus, maintenance work can be greatly reduced.

  In addition, the numerical value set in embodiment mentioned above is an example, and needs to be set appropriately according to the photovoltaic power generation system to adapt. Moreover, although the address setting of the power conditioner 3 in the photovoltaic power generation system has been described in the present invention, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to an equipment system having a similar connection form.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solar cell array, 2 Power transmission cable, 3 Power conditioner, 4 Power carrier line, 5 Control apparatus, 6 Communication path, 8 Communication path controller, 9 High frequency cut means, 10 High frequency superimposition means, 11 Current measurement means.

Claims (2)

Automatic address conversion of a power converter in a photovoltaic power generation system comprising a control device and a plurality of power converters that are sequentially connected to the control device via a communication path, each of which is set with an individual address and controlled by the control device A setting method,
Outputs of the plurality of power converters are connected in parallel by power carrier lines, and currents on the power carrier lines output from the power converters and supplied to the power carrier lines are provided corresponding to the respective power converters. Measured by current measuring means,
The control device outputs an address setting command signal instructing to set the minimum current value of the power converter as an initial address to each power converter,
When each of the power converters receives the address setting command signal, the power converter compares the current value measured by the current measuring unit corresponding to its own power converter with the address of the input address setting signal to match. If this is the case, set this value as its own address and output a match signal to the control device,
When the control device receives a match signal, each power converter receives an address setting command signal for setting and instructing a current value obtained by adding the minimum current value to a value set and commanded by a previous address setting command signal as a next address. The power converter address automatic setting method is characterized in that the output operation is repeated until there is no match signal input, and the address is automatically set for each power converter without duplication. A photovoltaic power generation system comprising a control device and a plurality of power converters that are sequentially connected to the control device via a communication path, each of which is set with an individual address and controlled by the control device,
Current measurement in which the outputs of the plurality of power converters are connected in parallel by power carrier lines, and the currents on the power carrier lines output from the power converters and supplied to the power carrier lines are provided corresponding to the respective power converters. Measured by means,
The control device outputs an address setting command signal for instructing to set the minimum current value of the power converter as an initial address to each power converter,
When each of the power converters receives the address setting command signal, the power converter compares the current value measured by the current measuring unit corresponding to its own power converter with the address of the input address setting signal to match. If this is the case, set this value as its own address and output a match signal to the control device,
When the control device receives a match signal, each power converter receives an address setting command signal for setting and instructing a current value obtained by adding the minimum current value to a value specified and set by a previous address setting command signal as a next address. The photovoltaic power generation system is characterized in that the operation to output is repeated until there is no match signal input, and addresses are automatically set for each power converter without duplication.

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