JP2015228746A - Power management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power management system that rouses a user to easily take a power saving action by increasing chances to access information of an HEMS.SOLUTION: An electric power management system includes an electric power measuring instrument which measures an amount associated with a power consumption of electric equipment, communication means for transmitting information measured by the electric power measuring instrument to an electric power management server via a network, and a terminal for receiving information from the electric power management server, and the terminal receives information from the electric power management server through a service server other than the electric power management server, thereby constructing the electric power management system such that a user easily accesses information of an HEMS and is roused to easily take a power saving action.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power management system.

  In recent years, from the viewpoint of environmental protection and energy problems, efforts have been made to raise awareness of energy saving (hereinafter also referred to as “energy saving”) of electrical equipment (mainly home appliances) used in the home. Energy saving is intended to reduce energy consumption by efficiently using energy or suppressing the consumption of excess energy. As a system for supporting such efforts, HEMS (Home Energy Management System) has been put into practical use. By using such HEMS, home power management and power control can be performed more easily.

  FIG. 10 shows a conventional home power management system. An electricity price indicator 50, a monitoring center server computer (hereinafter referred to as a server) 51, and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) 52 connected to the Internet 54 via a home LAN.

  The electrical device 60 is attached to the outlet 61 via the electricity rate display device 50.

  The electricity charge display device 50 measures the current flowing through the connected home appliances, and “electricity charge”, “power consumption”, “CO2 emission”, “expected electricity charge per hour”, “electricity charge” Data such as “charge”, “power consumption”, “CO2 emission amount”, and “estimated amount of electricity charge per hour” are displayed and transmitted to the personal computer 52 and the server 51.

  The server 51 of the monitoring center collects data for each unit of the electricity rate indicator 50 installed in the home via the Internet 54, and manages it as a database. For example, life behavior can be analyzed by managing data in a database in time series and used for energy diagnosis and services.

  The personal computer 52 is owned by a user in the home where the electricity rate indicator 50 is installed, and can be connected to the Internet 54 via a wireless router 53.

  By connecting to the server 51 via the Internet line 54 using a personal computer 52 or a portable terminal, the user can know information regarding the amount of power used at home.

JP 2011-254441 A

  The general user's interest in power saving by HEMS becomes weaker as time passes since the introduction of HEMS. Therefore, as in the above-described HEMS, in a system in which a user directly accesses the HEMS server and obtains power usage information for confirming the power usage status, the user connects to the HEMS server as the user's interest in power saving decreases. As a result, the frequency of obtaining information on household power consumption is decreasing. Therefore, as the period after the HEMS is installed in the home becomes longer, it has become difficult to obtain a power saving effect as in the initial introduction.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power management system that facilitates a power-saving action by increasing a user's opportunity to access HEMS information.

  A power management system according to the present invention includes a power measuring device that measures an amount related to power consumption of an electrical device, a communication unit that transmits information measured by the power measuring device to a power management server via a network, and power management. A power management system including a terminal for receiving information from a server, wherein the terminal receives information from the power management server via a service server other than the power management server.

  The power management system of the present invention associates a service server and a power management server by logging in to the power management server while logged in to the service server from a terminal.

  Moreover, the power management system of this invention displays the safety information which the power management server produced based on the information measured with the power meter on a terminal, when a terminal accesses the said service server.

  Moreover, the power management system of the present invention displays on the terminal that the terminal accesses the service server to the effect that the power management server is controlling the electrical device based on the information measured by the power meter. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to construct a power management system in which a user can easily access information on HEMS and easily promote power saving behavior.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the power management system of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process for associating a HEMS controller with a HEMS server. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process in which a user is associated from a service site. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process in which the homepage containing HEMS information is displayed on a user terminal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of consumption of electric power. It is a graph which shows transition of the access number and energy saving rate to HEMS information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the power management system which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the method of generating safety information. It is a figure which shows the power management system which is the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the conventional home electric power management system.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the power management system of the present invention. Electrical equipment 11 such as an air conditioner 11a, a refrigerator 11b, and a television 11c is connected to an outlet via a tap 12 that is a power measuring device. The air conditioner 11a is connected to the tap 12a, the refrigerator 11b is connected to the tap 12b, and the television 11c is connected to the tap 12c. The tap 12 is connected to an outlet 13 and is connected to a distribution board 15 via a home wiring 14.

  A CT sensor 16 is attached to the home wiring 14 near the distribution board 15. The CT sensors 16a, 16b, and 16c are attached to the home wirings 14a, 14b, and 14c extending from the distribution board, respectively, and measure power related to power such as the power of each wiring or the amount of power and transmit it to the CT sensor unit 17. To do. In this manner, the CT sensor unit 17 can grasp the power consumption of the devices connected to the home wirings 14a, 14b, and 14c and the total power consumption in the home.

  The tap 12 and the CT sensor unit 17 can communicate with the HEMS controller 19 via a wireless network 18 such as ZigBee (registered trademark). A unique wireless network ID for the wireless network 18 is assigned to each of the tap 12, the CT sensor unit 17, and the HEMS controller 19 configuring the wireless network 18.

  The tap 12 measures a value related to the power consumption of the connected electrical device 11 and sequentially transmits information related to the power consumption such as power and power amount to the HEMS controller 19 via the wireless network 18 such as ZigBee (registered trademark). Sending. The correspondence relationship with the electric device 11 is registered in the HEMS controller 19. Therefore, the HEMS controller 19 recognizes that the air conditioner 11a is connected to the tap 12a, the refrigerator 11b is connected to the tap 12b, and the television 11c is connected to the tap 12c. The HEMS controller 19 stores information on the power consumption transmitted by the tap 12 connected to the electrical device 11 in the memory of the HEMS controller 19 for each electrical device.

  Further, the CT sensor unit 17 calculates the total power consumption in the home based on the amount related to the power measured by the CT sensor 16, and sequentially transmits information related to the power consumption to the HEMS controller 19 via the wireless network 18. Yes.

  The HEMS controller 19 can store in the memory of the HEMS controller 19 information regarding the total power consumption in the home transmitted by the CT sensor unit 17.

  The router 20, the HEMS controller 19, the tablet terminal 21a, and the personal computer 21b constitute a LAN (Local Area Network) 22, and each is assigned a unique MAC address. The HEMS controller 19 is assigned both the ID and MAC address of the wireless network 18. The router 20 is connected to the Internet 24.

  The user terminal 21 such as the tablet terminal 21a and the personal computer 21b user can refer to information stored in the HEMS controller 19. Moreover, if the electric equipment 11 can be controlled via the wireless network 18, the electric equipment 11 can be controlled via the HEMS controller 19 from the tablet terminal 21a and the personal computer 21b.

  The HEMS site 25 connected to the Internet 24 includes a HEMS server 25a, which is a power management server, and an authentication server 25b. When the user first accesses the HEMS server, first, authentication registration is performed from the user terminal. At this time, a HEMS ID and a password for receiving services from the HEMS site are set.

  A service site 26 often used by users other than the HEMS site 25 is connected to the Internet 24. The service site 26 includes a service server 26a and an authentication server 26b. The service site 26 includes a search site, a news site, a shopping site, a blog site, and the like. The user holds an ID used in the service site 26 and can log in with personal authentication.

  Next, the user associates the HEMS controller 19 with the HEMSID so that the HEMS controller 19 can transmit information related to the power of the electrical device 11 and the CT sensor unit 17 associated with the HEMS controller 19 to the HEMS server 25a.

  FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating steps for associating a HEMS controller with a HEMS server. The user is authenticated by the authentication server 25b using the HEMSID at the user terminal 21, and is logged into the HEMS server 25a. The HEMS controller 19 stores the address of the HEMS server 25a. The user operates the user terminal 21 to transmit the MAC address of the HEMS controller 19 to the HEMS server as authentication data (S101). It is not always necessary to use all the MAC addresses, and a part of the MAC address may be used as long as the user can specify the MAC address.

  Next, the HEMS server 25a accepts the test communication of the HEMS controller 19 for a predetermined time of about 1 minute (S102). Within a predetermined time, the user operates the HEMS controller 19 to transmit the MAC address of the HEMS controller 19 to the HEMS server 25a (S103). When receiving the transmission from the HEMS controller 19, the HEMS server 25a performs authentication by comparing the authentication data sent from the user terminal 21 with the MAC address received from the HEMS controller 19 (S104). If the authentication is successful, the HEMS server 25a transmits information indicating that the authentication has been successful to the HEMS controller 19 (S105). Further, the HEMS controller 19 receives the transmission indicating that the authentication is successful from the HEMS server, and displays that fact on the display unit of the HEMS controller 19 (S106).

  Thereafter, the HEMS controller 19 can transmit information on the power stored in the internal memory to the HEMS server 25a at a predetermined interval or in response to a request from the HEMS server 25a (S107). At this time, the user can access the HEMS server 25a from the user terminal 21 to check whether the authentication is successful.

  Thereafter, the HEMS server 25a prepares advice for the user based on the information regarding the power transmitted from the HEMS controller 19. The user can access the HEMS site 25 and receive advice on power consumption.

  When using the HEMS system shown in FIG. 1, the user first sets the wireless network 18 and the LAN 22 that are connected to the router 20, and then connects to the HEMS server 25 a via the Internet 24. Connect and configure settings.

  FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process of associating a user from a service site. The user logs in to the service server after authenticating with the user name and password for the service server. A link button for changing to the HEMS server input screen is set on the home page of the service server. The user operates the link button (S111). Then, the service server requests an authentication request from the user terminal to the authentication server 25b of the HEMS site 25 by redirection (S112). The authentication server 25b requests the user terminal to input an ID / password for accessing the HEMS site (S113). When the user sends the ID password to the authentication server 25b (S114), the authentication server performs an authentication procedure (S115). If the authentication is successful (S116), the HEMS server 25a associates the service server 26a with the user (S117). Next, the HEMS server 25a transmits HEMS information such as power consumption amount and power saving advice to the user to the service server 26a (S118). The service server 26a combines the provided HEMS information with HP data to be transmitted to the user terminal 21 (S119), and sends the HP data including the HEMS information to the user terminal (S120), thereby providing a service site with HEMS information. Can be displayed on the user terminal.

  In steps S113 and S114, when the ID and password are transmitted to the authentication server 25b, the same ID and password as used to log in to the HEMS server are used. However, the service server authentication ID and password are issued in advance. By entering the service server authentication ID and password when there is an authentication request by redirect from the service server (S112), it is not necessary to use a password that can access the HEMS server, so that security can be improved. it can.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process of displaying a home page including HEMS information on the user terminal. In the HEMS server 25a, the service server 26a is associated with the user, and the user terminal 21 can log in to the service server 26a. The user accesses the home page of the service server 26a from the user terminal. At this time, authentication is performed by inputting a user name, a password, and the like on the authentication server 26b (not shown) at the service site as necessary (S121). Next, the service server 26a requests the HEMS server 25a to provide the user's HEMS information (S122). The HEMS server 25a provides the HEMS information to the service server 26a based on the association between the service server 26a and the user (S123). The service server 26a combines the provided HEMS information with its own HP data (S124). Next, the service server 26a transmits the combined HP data to the user terminal 21, and causes the user terminal 21 to display a home page containing the HEMS information (S125).

  The HEMS information for sending advice to the user is created by the HEMS server 25a as follows. First, the target value of the electricity rate is set for each month according to the state of each household. This target value may be set based on the past power consumption value and power charge of the home where the target value is set, or may be set based on the user's target power charge. Next, the HEMS server 25a sets the target value of the electricity bill for each day based on the target value for the current month. Subsequently, the HEMS server 25a obtains the power consumption amount for each hour based on the household power consumption pattern, and creates a reference power consumption amount pattern.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of power consumption for a certain day. A target power consumption pattern for a certain day in a certain home was calculated as indicated by a curve C1. C2 is a curve showing actual power consumption, and at time T1, the predetermined power amount Wa was exceeded with respect to the predicted power consumption amount. Then, assuming that the power consumption amount has changed as shown by the curve C3, the HEMS server 25a starts from time T1 until the predicted power consumption amount falls below a predetermined power amount Wb smaller than Wa at time T2. In the meantime, when the user visits the home page of the HEMS server 25a, a message to suppress power consumption is displayed on the home page.

  FIG. 6 is a graph showing changes in the number of accesses to the HEMS information and the energy saving rate. FIG. 6A shows the transition of the number of accesses and the energy saving rate when HEMS information is displayed only on the HEMS site in a demonstration experiment at home using HEMS. The bar graph indicates the number of times the HEMS site or the HEMS information is referred to, and the line graph indicates the energy saving rate indicating the ratio of the electric energy that the user can reduce compared to the conventional case. The number of times the user accesses the HEMS site decreases to about 10 times a month after 12 months, and the energy saving rate is about 3%.

  FIG. 6B shows the transition of the number of accesses and the energy saving rate when the HEMS information is displayed not only on the HEMS site but also on the home page of the search site which is a service site. The bar graph indicates the number of times the HEMS information is referred to through the HEMS site or the search engine, and the line graph indicates the energy saving rate indicating the ratio of the electric energy that the user can reduce compared to the conventional case. Households linked to the HEMS site maintained more than 20 opportunities to access HEMS information through the search site even after 12 months. As a result, the energy saving effect of about 7% was maintained.

  From the above, by obtaining HEMS information via service sites that users usually use, such as search engine sites, the user's interest in energy saving can be maintained, and in homes where HEMS has been introduced, Energy consumption can be reduced.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the power management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration is the same as in FIG. 1 except that the terminal 27 outside the house where the power management system is installed is connected to the Internet. Information on the safety of elderly people living in remote areas is obtained using the power management system. The terminal 27 is connected to the Internet line, and can log in to the HEMS server and grasp the operation status of the electrical device 11 at a remote location.

It is assumed that a person who is confirmed to be safe uses the television 11c regularly and repeats turning on and off the television 11c every day. In such a case, safety information can be obtained by monitoring changes in the power consumption of the television 11c.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method for generating safety information. Since the television 11c has standby power, a power threshold value is set in advance, and it is determined that the power is ON when the threshold is equal to or greater than OaFF when the threshold is equal to or smaller than the threshold. Further, an upper limit of the time during which ON and OFF are continued is determined (S201). After the television 11c starts the timer count (S202), the power consumption is monitored every predetermined time (5 minutes) (S203). In the monitored numerical value, it is determined whether the power has changed across the threshold (S204). When it is determined that the power has changed over the threshold and the ON / OFF has been switched, the timer count is reset. On the other hand, when it is determined that the power does not change across the threshold and the ON / OFF is not switched, it is determined whether or not the timer exceeds a predetermined value (S205). If the predetermined value is not exceeded, power consumption monitoring is continued. When the timer reaches a predetermined amount (for example, 10 hours) or more, preparation is made to issue a message prompting confirmation of the resident's safety (S206). Thereafter, when the user connects to the service site (S207), a message prompting confirmation of the safety of the homepage of the service site is displayed to prompt confirmation of safety (S208).

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a power management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The configuration other than the control box 28 is the same as in FIG. The control box 28 is attached to the air conditioner 11 a and can communicate with the HEMS controller 19 through the wireless network 18. Further, the HEMS controller 19 can control the air conditioner 11 a via the control box 28. If the electrical device 11 has a function capable of controlling communication via the wireless network 18, the control box 28 can be omitted for the electrical device.

  The user accesses the HEMS server 25a from the terminal in advance so that a signal related to advice for energy saving can be sent from the HEMS server 25a to the HEMS controller 19. The HEMS server 25a analyzes data regarding power consumption from the HEMS controller 19. When the HEMS server 25a determines that the power is excessively used, the HEMS server 25a creates an advice to be displayed when the user accesses, and sends a signal related to the energy saving advice to the HEMS controller 19. The HEMS controller 19 receives a signal related to the advice for energy saving from the HEMS server, and instructs the control box 28 to adjust the set temperature of the air conditioner 11a to reduce the power consumption. The control box 28 receives the instruction from the HEMS controller, controls the air conditioner 11a, and reduces power consumption. In this example, the temperature of the air conditioner 11a is adjusted. However, if the electric device 11 includes a device that can be controlled by a signal from the HEMS controller 19, the power consumption of the electric device can be adjusted. At this time, the fact that the air conditioner 11a is being controlled is transmitted from the HEMS controller 19 to the HEMS server 25a. The HEMS server 25a receives the transmission from the HEMS controller 19 and prepares to display a message on the home page of the service site. Next, when the user accesses, the service server 26a synthesizes a message indicating that the air conditioner is being controlled by the HEMS controller with the home page of the service site, and transmits it to the user's terminal. In this way, the user can know that the air conditioner 11a is being controlled by the HEMS controller 19.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Electric equipment 12 ... Tap 13 ... Outlet 14 ... Home wiring 15 ... Distribution board 16 ... CT sensor 17 ... CT sensor unit 18 ... Wireless network 19 ... HEMS controller 20 ... Router 21 ... Terminal 23 ... LAN
24 ... Internet 25 ... HEMS site 25a ... HEMS server 25b ... Authentication server 26 ... Service site 26a ... Service server 26b ... Authentication site 27 ... Terminal 28 ... Control box

Claims (4)

A power meter that measures quantities related to the power consumption of electrical equipment;
Communication means for transmitting information measured by the power meter to a power management server via a network;
A power management system including a terminal for receiving information from the power management server,
The power management system, wherein the terminal receives information from the power management server via a service server other than the power management server.   The power management system according to claim 1, wherein the service server and the power management server are associated by logging in to the power management server in a state where the terminal is logged in from the terminal.   The power management according to claim 1 or 2, wherein safety information created by the power management server based on information measured by the power meter is displayed on the terminal when the terminal accesses the service server. system. The terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal displays that the power management server is controlling an electrical device based on information measured by the power meter, by the terminal accessing the service server. The described power management system.