JP2012016248A - Power control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power control system capable of control to realize a desired environment in prescribed areas at a low cost while efficiently controlling power consumption.SOLUTION: An operation control apparatus 100 has an environmental information measuring unit 110 which measures and collects environmental information in areas controlled by a plurality of electric apparatus 200, 210 and 220 which are monitoring objects, and is configured to be able to receive basic determination information, which shows whether or not to perform a power control, transmitted from communication means 20 installed at proper places. Thus, the operation control apparatus 100 can determine how and which of the electric apparatus 200, 210 and 220 should be controlled to achieve the power control conforming to the basic determination information while maintaining a desired environment based on the environmental information obtained through measurement by the environmental information measuring unit 110.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power control system that appropriately controls power used by a plurality of electrical devices.

  In recent years, various systems for controlling the power consumption of electric devices have been proposed from the viewpoint of energy saving. For example, in Patent Document 1, the total power consumption is compared with a target power value to determine the necessity of control of an electrical device to be monitored, the operating state of each electrical device is monitored, and the operating state is output to the main unit. And the demand control apparatus which determines the control content of each electric equipment based on it, and outputs the control signal to each electric equipment is disclosed.

  On the other hand, in Patent Documents 2 and 3, in order to automatically maintain a comfortable environment, a system that measures an environmental situation by a self-propelled robot and automatically controls each electric device based on the environmental situation. Is disclosed.

JP-A-6-197450 JP 2007-147217 A Japanese Patent No. 3996140

  However, in the case of Patent Document 1, in order to output the operation state of each electric device to the main body device, it is necessary to provide a mechanism and a communication means for monitoring the operation state of each electric device separately in each electric device, and the cost. It takes. On the other hand, the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 can detect environmental information such as indoor temperature and humidity by using a self-propelled robot. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism or a communication means for monitoring the operating state in each electric device. However, the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 merely control the output of each electric device based on the detected environmental information in order to maintain a predetermined area in a desired environment. It is not intended.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power control system capable of realizing control of a predetermined area to a desired environment while efficiently controlling power used and at a low cost.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a power control system according to the present invention is a power control system that controls power used by a plurality of electrical devices to be monitored, and transmits basic information for determining whether to perform power control. A communication means including a determination basic information transmission unit; and a driving control device that includes a determination basic information reception unit that receives the determination basic information transmitted from the determination basic information transmission unit, and controls the operation of each electric device. The operation control device further includes an environmental information measuring unit that measures and collects environmental information in an area controlled by the electric device, and a method for selecting and controlling the electric device that performs power control. A control content determining unit that determines control content based on the basic determination information received by the basic determination information receiving unit and the environmental information measured by the environmental information measuring unit; and the control content Characterized in that it comprises a control execution unit that executes control in accordance with control contents determined by tough.

  A current detector for detecting each current of the plurality of electrical devices; and the communication means is attached to the current detector, and the determination basic information transmitting unit uses the current detection as the determination basic information. Each current value information of each electrical device detected by a device is transmitted, and the operation control device further compares each received current value information with a preset current limit value for power control. A current control determining unit for determining necessity, and the control content determining unit refers to the environment information when the power control is determined to be necessary as a result of determination by the current control determining unit; It is preferable to adopt a configuration to be determined.

  The communication means is capable of receiving power control value information in accordance with a demand control command transmitted from a power transmission system, and the determination basic information transmission unit uses the received power control value information as the determination basic information. Preferably, the control content determination unit determines the control content based on the power control value information and the environment information.

  The environmental information measuring unit is preferably a unit that measures at least one environmental information among temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and illuminance in an area controlled by the electrical device to be monitored. It is preferable that the control execution unit includes at least one of a unit that operates an operation control unit of the electric device and a unit that outputs the control content by voice. It is preferable that the operation control device includes a mobile robot that autonomously moves in an area controlled by the electrical device to be monitored.

  The present invention includes an environmental information measuring unit that measures and collects environmental information in an area controlled by a plurality of electrical devices to be monitored, and is transmitted from a communication means installed at an appropriate place. The basic information for determining whether or not to perform power control is received. Therefore, based on the environmental information obtained by the environmental information measurement unit itself, it is determined how to control which electrical equipment can achieve power control according to the basic determination information while maintaining the desired environment. it can. That is, the present invention can achieve energy saving by performing power control while achieving control to a desired environment, and the operation control device itself is configured to measure environmental information, so that each monitored electric device is in an operating state. It is not necessary to separately provide a means for monitoring and transmitting the message, and can be realized at low cost.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a power control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the operation control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a process of power control in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a power control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a power control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The power control system includes a current detector 10 and an operation control device 100.

  The current detector 10 detects the current of each electric device 200, 210, 220,... To be monitored, and its mounting position is not limited as long as each current can be detected. For example, it can attach between each electric equipment 200,210,220 ... and an outlet. A communication means 20 is attached to the current detector 10. The communication unit 20 includes a determination basic information transmission unit 21. The determination basic information transmission unit 21 sends current value information of each electric device 200, 210, 220,... Detected by the current detector 10 as basic determination information for determining whether or not to perform power control to the operation control device 100. Send.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the operation control apparatus 100 includes an environment information measurement unit 110, a basic determination information reception unit 120, a current control determination unit 130, a control content determination unit 140, and a control execution unit 150. The environmental information measurement unit 110 may be any device that can measure environmental information in an area controlled by each electrical device. Typically, at least one of temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and illuminance can be measured, that is, includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an air cleanliness sensor, and an illuminance sensor It is preferable.

  The determination basic information receiving unit 120 includes hardware including a receiving device that receives each current value information that is determination basic information transmitted from the determination basic information transmitting unit 21 of the communication unit 20 provided in the current detector 10 and its operation. It consists of a computer program that controls.

  The current control determination unit 130 is a program that determines the necessity of current limitation using each current value information received by the basic determination information reception unit 120. For example, the sum of the current value information (may be information acquired from an ampere breaker) is compared with the current limit value stored in advance in the storage unit of the operation control apparatus 100. As a result of the comparison, for example, if the sum of each current value information exceeds the current limit value, or if the current limit value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (eg, 90% or more of the current limit value), the current Judge that restriction is necessary. Of course, each current value information may be compared with each current limit value stored in advance in the storage unit to determine the necessity of current limit.

  The control content determination unit 140 controls the electric devices 200, 210, 220,... That execute power control based on the determination basic information received by the determination basic information reception unit 120 and the environment information measured by the environment information measurement unit 110. A computer program that determines the contents. Specifically, if the current control determination unit 130 determines that current control is necessary by comparing the current value information, which is basic determination information, with the current limit value, it is measured by the environment information measurement unit 110. The stored environmental information is read out, and the method for selecting and controlling the electric devices 200, 210, 220. For example, when the room temperature in the A area is measured as 20 degrees as the environmental information, the temperature is compared with the appropriate temperature in the A area stored in advance in the storage unit of the operation control device 100, and the appropriate temperature is determined. Suppose that it is judged that it is below. In this case, since the cooling set temperature of the electric device 200 (air conditioner) by the user is too low, it can be determined that the temperature is lower than the appropriate temperature. Therefore, the electric device 200 (air conditioner) is selected as a control target. Then, a control method such as lowering the cooling operation output to a predetermined value or stopping the cooling operation is determined. Alternatively, in each area, cooling operation is performed, and if the room temperature exceeds the appropriate temperature in any area, the electric device 200 (air conditioner) in the area where the difference from the appropriate temperature is small It is also possible to select the control object and determine the control method so as to stop the operation. Furthermore, the control content determination unit 140 refers to each piece of current value information, selects an electrical device (for example, a liquid crystal television, a washing machine, etc.) that does not contribute to the indoor environment control for a large amount of power consumption. It is also possible to determine the control content so as to stop the operation or weaken the output.

  The control execution unit 150 includes hardware and a computer program that execute control according to the control content determined by the control content determination unit 140. For example, a control signal is transmitted by infrared communication to a means for operating the operation control unit of the electric devices 200, 210, 220..., Specifically, to the operation control unit of the electric devices 200, 210, 220. Thus, it can be configured by means for automatically controlling, or means including a robot hand 151 that can be directly operated by holding a remote control device having an operation button for operating the operation control unit.

  The control execution unit 150 can also be configured from a voice output unit. That is, in the above example, when the control content determining unit 140 determines that the control content of raising the set temperature of the electric device 200 (air conditioner) by 5 degrees, the audio output means that is the control execution unit 150 determines the determination. Then, the voice “Please raise the set temperature by 5 degrees” is output. Thereby, if a person operates the operation button of the electric device 200 (air conditioner) and raises the set temperature, the power consumption of the electric device 200 can be controlled while maintaining an appropriate environment. Further, the control execution unit 150 may be configured to have a plurality of means for operating the above-described operation control unit, voice output means, and the like.

  Here, the operation control apparatus 100 is a zone controlled by the electrical devices 200, 210, 220,... To be monitored (for example, zone A controlled by the electrical devices 200, 210, zone B controlled by the electrical device 220). ) Is preferably composed of a mobile robot that moves autonomously. In other words, the environment information measuring unit 110, the basic determination information receiving unit 120, the current control determination unit 130, the control content determination unit 140, and the control execution unit 150 are provided, and the map information of the area to be monitored and the traveling means (wheel, Leg) and the like, and can be moved to a desired position by traveling means according to the map information.

  Next, the power control process will be described with reference to FIG. The operation control device 100 made up of a mobile robot travels in an area (A area, B area, etc.) controlled by the monitored electric devices 200, 210, 220... The environmental information is measured and stored every time (S301). Moreover, the current value information of each electric device 200, 210, 220... Is acquired from the communication means 20 attached to the current detector 10, for example, every predetermined time (S302, S303). The operation control apparatus 100 sums the current value information acquired every predetermined time, compares the sum with a current limit value stored in advance (S304), and determines whether or not the current control value exceeds a predetermined threshold, for example. It judges by 130 (S305). As a result of the determination, when the sum of the current value information does not exceed the predetermined threshold value (in the case of “No” in S305), the power control is not performed.

  When the sum of the current value information exceeds a predetermined threshold (in the case of “Yes” in S305), the control content determination unit 140 selects the electric devices 200, 210, 220. A control method is determined (S306), and control is executed (S307). For example, when the current value information exceeds a predetermined threshold value even when the room temperature in the A area is appropriate, and the electric device 210 including the humidifier is ON, the electric In order to weaken the output of the device 210 (humidifier), the robot hand 151 that is the control execution unit 150 operates the operation button of the operation control unit of the electric device 210 (humidifier) to switch the output to “weak”. Alternatively, when the room temperature in the area A becomes lower than a desired temperature, the power of the electric device 200 (air conditioner) is turned off or the electric device 200 (air conditioner) is turned off while the power consumption is low. Or turn on the electrical equipment. As a result, the power used can be controlled while keeping the environment in the predetermined area in a desired state as much as possible (S308).

  FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment described above, basic information for determining whether or not to perform power control is current value information obtained from the current detector 10, but in this second embodiment, a demand control command transmitted from the power transmission system is used. The power control value information according to the above is used as basic determination information. That is, for example, when a demand control command is distributed from a power transmission system constituting a smart grid at the time of peak power demand, the electrical devices 200, 210, 220,... Are controlled according to the power control value information. It is.

  In the present embodiment, the communication means 20 is attached to the distribution board 30, the power control value information according to the demand control command transmitted from the power transmission system is received by the power control value information receiving unit 22, and the determination basics The information transmission unit 21 transmits the power control value information to the operation control device 100.

  Since the operation control apparatus 100 performs power control according to the power control value information, it is necessary to include the current control determination unit 130 for determining whether or not to perform power control as in the first embodiment. Absent. That is, the operation control apparatus 100 includes a determination basic information receiving unit 120 that receives power control value information from the communication unit 20, a control content determination unit 140, and a control execution unit 150 in addition to the environment information measurement unit 110. Just do it. Then, the control content determination unit 140 refers to the environment information so as to use the power according to the power control value information, and selects and controls the electric devices 200, 210, 220... Any configuration may be used.

  According to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the operation control apparatus 100 including the mobile robot is controlled by the monitored electric devices 200, 210, 220. The environmental information is measured and stored by the environmental information measuring unit 110, for example, every predetermined time. When a demand control command is transmitted from the power transmission system in this state, power control value information is transmitted to the operation control apparatus 100 via the communication unit 20. If this information is received by the determination basic information receiving unit 120, the control content determination unit 140 selects the electric devices 200 and 210 to execute control and controls the control method so that the information is within the range of the power limit value information. decide. Then, control is executed, and the output of at least one of the electric devices 200, 210, 220... Is reduced, or the driving is stopped. Thereby, the power control corresponding to the smart grid can be performed while keeping the environment in the predetermined area in a desired state as much as possible.

  For example, it is assumed that the basic determination information receiving unit 120 receives information “10% reduction in power” as power control value information. In this case, for example, when the room temperature of “A section” is stored as 23 degrees, the control content determination unit 140 determines the control contents so as to increase this by 5 degrees. Then, in accordance with the control content of the control content determination unit 140, the control execution unit 150 operates the remote control device, for example, and executes control so that the set temperature of the electric device 200 (air conditioner) is 28 degrees. In addition, refer to the block diagram etc. of each electric equipment memorize | stored beforehand about how much electric power will be reduced if each control is performed about each electric equipment 200,210,220 ... This information is obtained from the latest environmental information measured by the environmental information measuring unit 110 or from a current detector (not shown in FIG. 4) installed corresponding to each electric device 200, 210, 220. It can be obtained by referring to each current value information and performing a predetermined calculation each time.

  The present invention can of course be used for power control for each individual house, but can also be applied to power control for each of a plurality of rooms in an apartment house such as a condominium or a hospital.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Current detector 20 Communication means 21 Determination basic information transmission part 100 Operation control apparatus 110 Environmental information measurement part 120 Determination basic information reception part 130 Current control determination part 140 Control content determination part 150 Control execution part 151 Robot hand 200,210,220 Electrical equipment

Claims (6)

A power control system that controls power consumption of a plurality of electrical devices to be monitored,
A communication means including a determination basic information transmission unit for transmitting determination basic information on whether to perform power control;
A determination basic information receiving unit that receives the determination basic information transmitted from the determination basic information transmission unit, and an operation control device that controls the operation of each electric device;
The operation control device further includes an environmental information measuring unit that measures and collects environmental information in an area controlled by the electric device, and a control content including a method of selecting and controlling the electric device that executes power control, A control content determination unit that is determined based on the basic determination information received by the basic determination information reception unit and the environmental information measured by the environmental information measurement unit, and control according to the control content determined by the control content determination unit is executed. A power control system comprising: a control execution unit that performs control. A current detector for detecting each current of the plurality of electrical devices; and the communication means is attached to the current detector, and the determination basic information transmitting unit uses the current detection as the determination basic information. Is configured to transmit each current value information of each electrical device detected by a device,
The operation control device further includes a current control determination unit that determines the necessity of power control by comparing each received current value information with a preset current limit value, and the control content determination unit includes the current control value determination unit. 2. The power control system according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that power control is necessary as a result of determination by the control determination unit, the control content is determined with reference to the environment information. The communication means is capable of receiving power control value information in accordance with a demand control command transmitted from a power transmission system, and the determination basic information transmission unit uses the received power control value information as the determination basic information. It is a configuration to send,
The power control system according to claim 1, wherein the control content determination unit is configured to determine control content based on the power control value information and the environment information.   The environmental information measuring unit is means for measuring at least one environmental information among temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and illuminance in an area controlled by the electrical device to be monitored. The power control system according to 1.   The power control according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control execution unit includes at least one of a unit that operates an operation control unit of the electric device and a unit that outputs the control content by voice. system.   The power control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operation control device includes a mobile robot that autonomously moves in an area controlled by the electric device to be monitored.

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