JP2011145076A - Power monitor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power monitor which can enhance volition of a user to attain a target by enabling a demand of the user for saving power rates to be satisfied, when the target is attained. <P>SOLUTION: The power monitor 1 includes an integrating means 16 which determines, as electrical energy to be sold, an integrated value of the surplus power made to flow reversely from a consumer to a commercial power source, out of the power measured by a measuring means 10 for each prescribed unit period. Moreover, the power monitor 1 includes a setting means 17 for setting a target value of the electrical energy to be sold in the unit period and a determining means 18, which compares the present actual result value with the target value as to the electrical energy to be sold and determines the state of attainment of the target value of the electrical energy to be sold. The user is notified of the result of determination of the determining means 18 from a notification means 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power monitor that monitors power.

  Conventionally, as this type of power monitor, there is a measuring means (voltage current measuring means) for measuring the voltage and current supplied to the load, and a function for obtaining the instantaneous power based on the measured instantaneous voltage value and instantaneous current value. The thing provided is provided (for example, refer patent document 1).

  The power monitor described in Patent Document 1 calculates the power consumption by integrating (integrating) the obtained instantaneous power every predetermined unit period such as week, day, and time, and displays the power consumption on the liquid crystal display. It has a function. Therefore, the user can know the power consumption amount of the current month, for example, by checking the display content of the liquid crystal display.

  By the way, in recent years, in some customers such as houses, introduction of a system in which a power generation facility such as a solar cell or a fuel cell is installed and a part of necessary power is covered by the power generation facility is being promoted. In particular, in the case of a solar cell, when surplus power is generated (when the output of the solar cell is larger than the power consumed by the consumer's load), the surplus power of the solar cell is generally reversed to the commercial power source. Sold to an electric power company.

  Against this background, a power monitor is provided that can display not only the power consumed by customers, but also the power sold and the power purchased from power companies (power supplied from commercial power supplies). (For example, refer to Patent Document 2). If this power monitor is used, the user can easily check the power status in the consumer.

  Furthermore, in this type of power monitor, a target value of power consumption can be set for each predetermined unit period (for example, month), and the status of achievement of the target can be determined from the relationship between the target value and the actual value of power consumption. Some have a display function added. If this power monitor is used, it becomes easier for the user to achieve the goal of keeping the power consumption amount of the unit period within the target value, leading to lower power consumption.

Japanese Patent No. 3509585 (paragraph 0012-0015) JP 2004-12376 (paragraph 0021)

  By the way, the desire for savings has been strengthened due to the recent recession, and there is a demand for consumers not only to achieve low power consumption but also to save as much as possible the electricity bills paid to the power companies. However, just displaying the power consumption target achievement status as in the power monitor described above, the power consumption achieved the target, but most of the power consumption was purchased power. There may be situations where it does not lead to savings on the electricity bills paid.

  As a result, even if the goal is achieved, the user's desire for saving electricity charges may not be met, so the user's willingness to achieve the goal may be reduced, and the significance of setting the target value may be lost .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described reasons, and a power monitor capable of improving the user's willingness to achieve the goal by satisfying the user's desire to save electricity charges when the goal is achieved. The purpose is to provide.

  In the invention of claim 1, a measuring means is provided in a consumer in which power generation equipment for generating electric power is installed separately from the commercial power source, and measures the electric power exchanged between the commercial power source and the customer through the power line; An integration means for obtaining an integrated value of surplus power generated in a power generation facility and backflowed from a consumer to a commercial power source as a power sale power amount using a measurement result of the measurement means; a setting means for setting a target value of the power sale power amount; It is characterized by comprising notifying means for notifying the user of the achievement status of the target value based on the current power sale power amount and the target value.

  According to this configuration, in the notification means, based on the sold power amount that is an integrated value of surplus power generated in the power generation facility and backflowed from the consumer to the commercial power supply, and the target value set by the setting means, the target Since the user is notified of the achievement status of the value, the user can easily achieve the goal of selling power exceeding the target value. Here, since the increase in the amount of electric power sold directly leads to the saving of the electricity bill that the user pays to the electric power company, the user's desire to save the electricity bill is satisfied when the goal is achieved, and the user's willingness to achieve the goal is improved. be able to. Note that the notification means notifies the user by the position or the number of light emitting elements that are composed of a plurality of light emitting elements and emit light, for example.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the setting unit sets the target value of the power sales power amount in a predetermined unit period, and the notification unit at least at the time of expiration of the unit period. Whether or not the ability has reached the target value is notified as an achievement status of the target value.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to aim for the amount of power sold to reach the target value within a predetermined period of unit period, and compared with the case where only the target value is determined indefinitely, The willingness to achieve the goal can be further improved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the setting means sets at least one intermediate value smaller than the target value, and the notifying means determines whether the current electric power sales amount is present. Whenever the intermediate value is exceeded, the fact that the amount of electric power sold has reached the intermediate value is notified as the achievement status of the target value.

  According to this configuration, every time the amount of electric power sold exceeds the intermediate value, the notification means notifies the user that the amount of electric power sold exceeds the intermediate value. I can know.

  In the present invention, since the notification means notifies the user of the achievement status of the target value for the amount of electric power sold, the user's desire to save electricity charges is satisfied when the target is achieved, and the user's willingness to achieve the target is improved. There is an advantage that can be made.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the electric power monitor of this invention. It is a schematic system block diagram of the grid connection system using an electric power monitor same as the above. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the external appearance of an electric power monitor same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a notification means same as the above. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an electric power monitor same as the above.

  In each of the following embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, a single-phase three-wire commercial power supply AC and a solar cell 2 as a power generation facility installed in a consumer are connected to the load circuit 3 in the consumer. The power monitor 1 used in the grid interconnection system for supplying power will be described as an example.

  In this grid-connected system, the commercial power source AC is a three-wire power line composed of two voltage lines L1, L2 (see FIG. 1) and a neutral line N (see FIG. 1). It is connected to the primary side of the breaker 5. The limiter 4 is a current limiter provided to limit the load current of the customer to a contract value or less with the electric power company. On the secondary side of the main breaker 5, a plurality of load circuits 3 are connected between the voltage line L1 and the neutral line N and between the voltage line L2 and the neutral line N via the branch breakers 6, respectively.

  The solar cell 2 is connected to a power conditioner 7 having an inverter circuit (not shown) that converts direct current into alternating current through a connection box 8 that is responsible for current collection. The output of the power conditioner 7 is connected to the secondary side of the main breaker 5, that is, to a plurality of branch breakers 6 via the interconnection breaker 9. Thus, the output of the solar cell 2 is converted into an AC voltage having a voltage and frequency substantially equal to those of the commercial power supply AC by the power conditioner 7 and supplied to the load circuit 3 through the interconnection breaker 9 and the branch breaker 6. The The interconnection breaker 9 is housed in a residential distribution board (not shown) together with the limiter 4, the main breaker 5, and the branch breaker 6.

  In this grid-connected system, the commercial power supply AC and the solar battery 2 are connected to supply power to the load circuit 3, so that the total power consumption in the load circuit 3 can be achieved only with the power generated by the solar battery 2. If it cannot be covered, the power purchased (purchased) from the power company (that is, the power from the commercial power source AC) is supplied to the load circuit 3. On the other hand, in the daytime when sufficient power is generated by the solar cell 2, the generated power of the solar cell 2 exceeds the power consumption, and a surplus is generated in the power generated by the solar cell 2 (hereinafter referred to as "surplus power"). In this case, it is assumed that the surplus power flows backward to the commercial power source AC and is sold to the power company.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the power monitor 1 according to the present embodiment includes measurement means 10 that measures the power exchanged between the commercial power supply AC and the consumer.

  The measuring means 10 calculates the instantaneous value of the current flowing through each of the voltage lines L1 and L2 (instantaneous current value) and the line voltage between the voltage line L1 and the neutral line N and between the voltage line L2 and the neutral line N. From the instantaneous value (instantaneous voltage value), it is comprised so that the electric power exchanged between commercial power supply AC-customer may be calculated | required.

  Here, the instantaneous current value is the current transformer CT1, in which each voltage line L1, L2 is inserted between the main breaker 5 and the interconnection breaker 9 (commercial power supply AC side from the connection point of the branch breaker 6). Measured by CT2. The instantaneous voltage value is measured between the main breaker 5 and the interconnection breaker 9 (on the solar cell 2 side from the connection point of the branch breaker 6).

  The measuring means 10 obtains the product of each current value detected by the current transformers CT1 and CT2 and the above line voltage, adds both products, and outputs a smoothed value as an output value.

  The power monitor 1 includes an arithmetic processing unit 11 that performs arithmetic processing on the measurement result of the measuring unit 10, a display unit 12 and a notification unit 13 that present to the user the amount of power obtained by the arithmetic processing unit 11, and a user. Operating means 14 for receiving an operation input from the computer and a storage means 15 for storing various data. The measuring unit 10 and the arithmetic processing unit 11 are configured to be able to communicate with each other by serial communication, and the output of the measuring unit 10 is transmitted to the arithmetic processing unit 11 by communication.

  The arithmetic processing unit 11 is a surplus power generated in the solar cell 2 out of the power measured by the measuring means 10 every predetermined unit period (here, one month), and is supplied from the consumer to the commercial power supply AC side. And integrating means 16 for obtaining an integrated value (hereinafter referred to as “power sold power amount”) of power (hereinafter referred to as “power sold power”) that is reversely flowed to the power company and sold to the power company. Here, the measuring means 10 measures both the power supplied from the commercial power source AC to the consumer and the power supplied from the consumer to the commercial power source AC. Assume that the integrated value is obtained only for the power supplied to the commercial power supply AC.

  In the present embodiment, when selling power from a consumer to an electric power company, an instantaneous current value during a period in which the instantaneous voltage value exceeds a predetermined threshold value using the fact that the voltage on the consumer side is higher than the commercial power supply AC. Is the product of the instantaneous voltage value and the sold power. However, the measurement of the amount of power sold is not limited to this method. For example, the amount of power generated by the solar cell 2 and the amount of power consumed by the load circuit 3 are individually measured, and the difference between the amount of power generated and the amount of power consumed is calculated. It is also possible to use electric power sales.

  The arithmetic processing unit 11 enables the display content of the display unit 12 to be switched in accordance with an operation from the user with respect to the operation unit 14, and displays at least an instantaneous value and an integrated value (amount of power sold) of the power sale power. It has a function of displaying on the means 12. Therefore, the power monitor 1 can present the current power sale power and the current power sale power amount for the current month to the user by the display on the display means 12.

  Further, the arithmetic processing unit 11 sets the target value of the power sale power amount in the unit period (one month) by the operation of the operation unit 14, and the current actual value of the power sale power amount as the target value. In comparison, a determination means 18 for determining the achievement status of the target value is provided. The determination result of the determination means 18 (that is, the achievement status of the target value) is notified from the notification means 13 to the user. The past electric power sales amount obtained by the arithmetic processing unit 11, the set target value, and the like are stored in the storage unit 15.

  The power monitor 1 includes a power supply circuit (not shown) that obtains a DC voltage for power supply from the line voltage between the voltage lines L1 and L2 and the neutral line N, and does not receive power supply separately. An operating power supply can be secured.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the power monitor 1 includes a container body 100 that is formed in a thin box shape and can be attached to a wall surface or the like, and includes the measuring means 10 and the like in the container body 100. The power monitor 1 is assumed to be installed at a position where it can easily enter the user's view on the wall of an arbitrary room (for example, a living room) in the house, separately from the housing distribution board.

  On the front of the body 100, a liquid crystal display 101 constituting the display means 12, a decision key K1 for setting / selecting each setting item, cursor keys K2 to K5 for moving the cursor, and a return key for returning the screen Operation means 14 composed of K6 is provided. A terminal (not shown) for connecting current transformers CT1 and CT2 and a terminal (not shown) for connecting voltage lines L1, L2 and neutral line N are provided on the lower surface side of vessel 100. Is arranged.

  Further, a plurality (three in this case) of LEDs (light emitting diodes) 102a to 102c constituting the notification means 13 are disposed on the front surface of the container 100. These LEDs 102a to 102c are arranged in the left-right direction on the upper left side of the liquid crystal display 101, and constitute a bar graph capable of four-level display as shown in FIG. Represents a lighted LED). That is, in the notification means 13, “level 0” when all the LEDs 102a to 102c are turned off (see FIG. 4A), “level 1” when only the LED 102a is turned on (see FIG. 4B), the LEDs 102a, Four levels can be displayed: “level 2” when only 102b is lit (see FIG. 4C) and “level 3” when all LEDs 102a to 102c are lit (see FIG. 4D). .

  Here, in this embodiment, the lighting states of the LEDs 102 a to 102 c are determined according to the output of the arithmetic processing unit 11 so that the determination result of the determination unit 18 is displayed on the notification unit 13. Specifically, at least one intermediate value (here, two) smaller than the target value is set by the setting means 17, and this is set as the achievement status of the target value each time the amount of electric power sold reaches each intermediate value. The notification means 13 notifies the user. Here, the arithmetic processing unit 11 becomes “level 0” in a state where the electric power sales amount has not reached any intermediate value, and becomes “level 1” and “level 2” every time the electric power sale amount reaches each intermediate value. Thus, the lighting state of the LEDs 102a to 102c is controlled. Further, when the amount of electric power sold reaches the target value, all the LEDs 102a to 102c are turned on as “level 3”. When the LEDs 102a to 102c constituting the notification unit 13 are turned on once, the LEDs 102a to 102c are kept on until the operation processing unit 11 instructs to turn them off.

  Further, the notification means 13 for notifying the user of the determination result in the determination means 18 is not limited to the display by the LEDs 102a to 102c as described above, and is output from the liquid crystal display 101 or a speaker (not shown). It may be based on a voice or the like.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the power monitor 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, 40% and 70% of the final target value will be described as the first intermediate value and the second intermediate value, respectively.

  First, when the user performs a predetermined operation with the operation unit 14, the power monitor 1 is switched to a setting mode in which a target value for the amount of power sold can be set. In the setting mode, a setting screen for setting a target value is displayed on the liquid crystal display 101 as the display means 12 as shown in FIG. 3 (S1). In this state, it is possible to input a target value using the operation means 14, and the set target value is displayed on the setting screen (in the example of FIG. 3, “120 kW” is set as the final target value). Have been).

  When setting of the target value is finished and the enter key K1 is operated, the power monitor 1 ends the setting mode and shifts to the normal mode. In the normal mode, the power monitor 1 repeats the integration calculation of the sold power (S3) until the unit period (here, one month) expires (S2).

  Here, when the actual value of the amount of power sold reaches the first intermediate value (here, 40% of the target value) within the unit period (S4: Yes), the power monitor 1 displays the first LED 102a of the notification means 13. Is lit (S5). Furthermore, when the actual value of the amount of electric power sold reaches the second intermediate value (here, 70% of the target value) (S6: Yes), the power monitor 1 turns on the second LED 102b of the notification means 13 (S7). ). Further, when the actual value of the amount of power sold reaches the target value (S8: Yes), the power monitor 1 turns on the third LED 102c of the notification means 13 (S9).

  When all the LEDs 102a to 102c of the notification unit 13 are lit, the power monitor 1 receives a confirmation operation from the user through the operation unit 14 (S10) or the unit period expires (S2: Yes). After resetting the actual value of the competence and turning off all the LEDs 102a to 102c that are turned on (S11), the process returns to step S2.

  According to the power monitor 1 having the configuration described above, with respect to the power sold to the power company, to what extent the amount of power sold for the current month is achieved with respect to the set target value, that is, this month It is possible to notify the user of the achievement status of the target value of minutes. Therefore, by setting an appropriate target value in advance, the user is motivated to achieve the target, and by suppressing the power consumption during the daytime when the amount of power generated by the solar cell 2 increases, You can try to increase the amount of electricity.

  Since the increase in the amount of electric power sold is directly linked to the saving of the electricity charge paid by the consumer to the electric power company, the electric charge paid to the electric power company can be saved by making an effort to increase the amount of electric power sold by the user. Therefore, by using the power monitor 1 of the present embodiment, there is an advantage that the motivation for achieving the target can be improved even for a user who is strongly saving.

  By the way, although only the electric power sales power was demonstrated so far, the electric power monitor 1 of this invention is the electric power purchased from an electric power company, the electric power generated in the solar cell 2, the load circuit 3 in addition to the electric power sales power. As for power consumption and the like, an instantaneous value and an integrated value (power amount) may be measured and displayed on the display unit 12. In this case, the power monitor 1 is configured so that target values can be set not only for the amount of electric power sold but also for the amount of electric power purchased, the amount of generated electric power, the amount of electric power consumed, etc., and the achievement status of the target value can be notified to the user. It is desirable to do.

(Embodiment 2)
The power monitor 1 according to the present embodiment is different from the power monitor 1 according to the first embodiment in that the achievement status of the target value of the power sale power amount is notified without providing a unit period.

  That is, the integrating means 16 uses the integrated value of the electric power that is surplus power generated in the solar cell 2 regardless of the period and that is reversely flowed from the consumer to the commercial power supply AC and sold to the power company as the amount of electric power sold. Ask. Further, the determination means 18 compares the target value set by the setting means 17 with the current actual value to determine the achievement status of the target value regardless of the period of the electric power sales, and notifies the determination result. The means 13 is notified to the user.

  Here, at least one intermediate value smaller than the target value is set by the setting means 17, and every time the amount of power sold reaches each intermediate value, the notification means 13 notifies the user of the achievement status of the target value. The amount of electric power sold obtained by the integrating means 16 is automatically reset when the target value is reached.

  According to this configuration, with respect to the power sold to the power company, regardless of the period, how much of the power sales amount is achieved with respect to the set target value, that is, the target value achievement status Can be notified to the user. Therefore, by setting an appropriate target value in advance, the user is motivated to achieve the target, and by suppressing the power consumption during the daytime when the amount of power generated by the solar cell 2 increases, You can try to increase the amount of electricity. Moreover, since no time period is set, it is easy to maintain a willingness to achieve the target.

  Further, when the target is achieved, the time required for the amount of electric power sold to reach the target value is displayed together with the notification of the target achievement, so that the user can be notified of the time required to achieve the target. Thereby, the user can set a goal such as achieving the goal in a shorter period next time, for example.

  Other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In each of the above embodiments, the solar cell 2 is used in the power generation facility that generates surplus power for power sale. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and surplus power that can be sold to an electric power company is generated. If so, for example, a fuel cell or the like may be used for the power generation facility.

1 Power monitor 2 Solar cell (power generation equipment)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Measuring means 13 Notification means 16 Accumulation means 17 Setting means 18 Judgment means AC Commercial power supply

Claims (3)

  A measuring means for measuring the power transferred through the power line between the commercial power source and the consumer, and a power generation facility that generates power separately from the commercial power source, Integration means for obtaining an integrated value of surplus power reversely flowed to the commercial power source as the amount of electric power sold using the measurement result of the measurement means, setting means for setting a target value of the electric power sales amount, current electric power sale amount and target And a notifying means for notifying the user of the achievement status of the target value based on the value.   The setting means sets the target value of the power sale power amount in a predetermined unit period, and the notification means determines whether or not the power sale power amount has reached a target value at least when the unit period expires. The power monitor according to claim 1, wherein notification is made as an achievement status. The setting means sets at least one intermediate value smaller than the target value, and the notification means confirms that the power sale power amount has reached the intermediate value every time the current power sale power amount exceeds the intermediate value. The power monitor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein notification is made as the achievement status of the target value.

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