JP2017103853A - Electricity supply management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electricity supply management system which suppresses the excessive use of electricity by a customer to enable the use and the payment for the electricity within an upper-limit charge desired by the customer.SOLUTION: A host terminal sets a threshold of a power use amount (fee), and at the excess of (an approach to) the threshold, outputs an instruction to switch over a breaker on the consumer side from the power company (power supply) side to a smart meter, in a manner to restrict the use of power or a use amount except power necessary for consumer living. Based on the instruction from the power company side, the smart meter controls the supply (stop) of power on a breaker-by-breaker basis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electricity supply management system that suppresses excessive use of electricity by a customer and enables use and payment of electricity at an upper limit desired by the customer.

Conventionally, in the charge collection business, there is a case in which the customer is charged an unexpected electricity charge due to excessive use of electricity, and as a result, the monthly electricity charge is delayed.
As a technique for solving such a problem, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, energy usage information is received from a meter at an energy usage destination, and the total energy usage amount of the energy usage destination is calculated using this information. The calculated total energy usage amount is already set by the user. A technique is described in which when a predetermined upper limit line is exceeded, the user's portable terminal is informed so that the user can selectively control the energy usage device of the energy usage destination.

JP2012-14702

  However, in this conventional technology, the customer has all of the controlling body of the total energy consumption, so if the customer still uses it without reluctant to use energy, the electricity charge will exceed the customer's payable amount. There is a risk that. Therefore, an electricity supply management system that suppresses excessive use of electricity by the customer and enables use and payment of electricity at the upper limit desired by the customer is desired.

  The present invention sets the threshold of the customer's power consumption (fee) on the electric power company side, and when the threshold is exceeded (approached), by restricting the use of electric power on a breaker basis, Providing an electricity supply management system that prevents customers from exceeding their payable amount and suppresses excessive use of electricity by the customer, enabling the use and payment of electricity at the maximum amount desired by the customer With the goal.

  (1) An electricity supply management system of the present invention is installed in a power server management server for storing customer electricity usage, a host terminal connected to the management server, and a customer's house. A smart meter that measures usage and transmits the electrical usage information in units of breakers to the management server, wherein the host terminal sets a threshold for the electrical usage of the customer according to a customer request A setting unit, an electricity usage monitoring unit that monitors the electricity usage acquired from the smart meter installed in the customer's house, and determines whether the customer's electricity usage exceeds the threshold; and the electricity When the usage monitoring unit determines that the customer's electricity usage has exceeded the threshold, a breaker is provided that specifies a circuit breaker to be opened from among a plurality of branch breakers installed on the customer's house. And the electricity usage monitoring unit output a command to the smart meter to instruct to open the breaker set by the breaker setting unit when the customer's electricity usage exceeds the threshold value. An output unit, and the smart meter has a breaker control unit that switches a breaker set by the command when the command is received.

According to the electricity supply management system of (1), when the customer sets the upper limit of the amount of electricity used as a threshold, the customer's use of electricity is regulated when the amount of electricity used by the customer exceeds the threshold. Is done. That is, since the upper limit of the customer's electricity usage is set in advance, it is possible to set in advance the electricity charge that the customer should pay.
For this reason, it becomes possible to make an advance payment of the electricity charge, and it becomes unnecessary for the customer to worry about the amount of payment of the electricity charge, and the satisfaction of the customer can be improved.
In addition, it becomes possible for the electric power company to reduce the number of customers who have not yet stored electricity charges. In addition, since it becomes possible for the power company to control the breaker of the customer's distribution board via the smart meter, for example, when the amount of electricity used approaches the threshold, some restrictions on the customer's use of electricity It becomes possible to do.
By doing so, it is possible to prevent the electricity bill charged to the customer from becoming an amount that cannot be paid by the customer.

  (2) The host terminal of the present invention monitors the electricity usage obtained from the threshold setting unit for setting the customer electricity usage threshold according to the customer's request and the smart meter installed in the customer's house. The electricity usage monitoring unit for determining whether or not the customer's electricity usage exceeds the threshold, and the electricity usage monitoring unit determines that the customer's electricity usage exceeds the threshold. When a breaker setting unit that specifies a breaker to be opened from among a plurality of branch breakers of a distribution board installed in a house and the electricity usage monitoring unit determine that the customer's electricity usage exceeds the threshold value And an output unit that outputs an instruction to the smart meter to instruct to open the breaker set by the breaker setting unit.

  According to the host terminal of (2), when the customer sets the upper limit of the amount of electricity used as a threshold, the customer's use of electricity is regulated when the amount of electricity used by the customer exceeds the threshold. . That is, since the upper limit of the customer's electricity usage is set in advance, it is possible to set in advance the electricity charge that the customer should pay. In addition, since it becomes possible for the power company to control the breaker of the customer's distribution board via the smart meter, for example, when the amount of electricity used approaches the threshold, some restrictions on the customer's use of electricity It becomes possible to do.

  (3) The output unit included in the host terminal of the present invention further includes a pre-registered customer email address when the electricity usage monitoring unit determines that the customer's electricity usage exceeds the threshold. A notification that enables input of the release of the breaker designated by the breaker setting unit is transmitted.

  According to the host terminal of (3), even when the amount of electricity used exceeds a preset threshold, it becomes possible for the customer to cancel the designation of the breaker to be opened as necessary. Flexible operation becomes possible.

  (4) A smart meter according to the present invention includes a measuring unit that measures electricity usage in units of breakers installed in a customer's house, a transmission unit that transmits information on electricity usage in units of breakers to a management server, and the customer Receiving a command for instructing to open a specified breaker from among a plurality of branch breakers of a distribution board installed in the house of, and when the receiving unit receives the command, And a breaker control unit that switches a breaker designated by an instruction.

  According to the smart meter of (4), the amount of electricity used by the customer is measured by measuring the amount of electricity used for each breaker installed in the customer's house, and transmitting the amount of electricity used for each breaker to the management server. It is possible to determine whether or not the threshold is exceeded. In addition, by providing a breaker control unit that switches designated breakers, it becomes possible to regulate the amount of electricity used on a breaker basis.

  According to the present invention, the excessive use of electricity by the customer is suppressed, and the use and payment of electricity at the upper limit desired by the customer are enabled.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the electric supply management system 1 in one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the circuit structure of the distribution board 40 in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the specific operation example of the electric supply management system 1 in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the specific operation example of the electric supply management system 1 in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the specific operation example of the electric supply management system 1 in one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electricity supply management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electricity supply management system 1 includes a management server 10 and a host terminal 12 provided on the electric power company side, a smart meter 20 provided in a customer's house, a home terminal 30 and a distribution board. 40 and a network 50.

  The management server 10 collects information transmitted from the smart meter 20 of each home, for example, the number of instructions for the amount of electricity used in the unit of the branch breaker 46 installed in the customer's house, and the unit of the branch breaker 46 in the unit of customer. The power consumption is accumulated and stored, the power consumption is calculated by analyzing the electricity usage for each customer, and the smart meter 20 provided in the customer's house is remotely operated.

  The host terminal 12 is connected to the management server 10 so as to be able to transmit and receive, monitors the customer's electricity usage stored in the management server 10, and transmits various command signals to the management server. In addition, the host terminal 12 sends a warning notification command and a use restriction command to the smart meter 20 via the network 50 to the smart meter 20 provided in the customer's house. Details will be described later.

The smart meter 20 is a power meter that digitally measures the amount of electricity used in a customer's house, and has a function of transmitting the amount of electricity used to the management server 10 every 30 minutes, for example.
Further, the smart meter 20 measures the amount of electricity used in units of the branch breaker 46 in the customer's house and transmits it to the management server 10.
The smart meter 20 has a breaker control unit 22 that switches a breaker designated by these instructions when receiving either a warning notification instruction or a use restriction instruction, as will be described in detail later.

The in-home terminal 30 is connected to the smart meter 20 so as to be communicable, and from the smart terminal 20 to a branch breaker 46 opened by the breaker control unit 22 to be described later. It is called so-called HEMS, which has a function to receive such information and display the customer's power consumption, branch breaker status, etc. on the display device of the home terminal 30 itself, a personal computer, a smartphone, a mobile terminal, etc. in an easy-to-understand manner. Terminal.
In addition, when the home terminal 30 receives a warning notification or usage restriction notification from the smart meter 20, the warning terminal or usage restriction notification is displayed on the display device of the home terminal 30 itself, a personal computer, a smartphone, a mobile terminal, or the like in an easy-to-understand manner. It has the function to do.

  The distribution board 40 distributes the electricity supplied to the customer's house through pole transformers and service lines installed on the utility poles, to the plurality of branch lines 102. An outlet is connected to the branch line, and electric power can be supplied to the electric device by connecting the electric device to the outlet.

The network 50 connects the management server 10 and the smart meter 20 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 50 is called A route. In the A route, for example, a single “concentrator” (concentrator) collects data from hundreds to thousands of smart meters, and the concentrator sends the data to the charge calculation system of the power company via broadband. It can be constituted as follows.
Next, with reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, each component of the electric supply management system 1 is demonstrated. First, the distribution board 40 will be described.

<Distribution panel 40>
As shown in FIG. 1, the distribution board 40 includes a main breaker 42, a leakage breaker 44, a branch breaker 46, and a control unit 48.

  The main breaker 42 automatically opens the electric circuit and cuts off the power supply from the power source side when electricity exceeding the contracted capacity is used at one time.

  The earth leakage breaker 44 automatically opens the circuit when the occurrence of earth leakage is detected or when any event occurs when the sum of the currents flowing through the plurality of branch breakers 46 exceeds a specified value. However, the power supply from the power source side is cut off.

  The branch breaker 46 automatically opens the electric circuit and cuts off the power supply from the power source side when a current exceeding a specified value (for example, 20 A) flows.

The control unit 48 performs control to open and close the branch breaker 46.
Here, the plurality of branch breakers 46 are configured to be opened under the control of the control unit 48 except when a current exceeding a specified value flows.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a circuit configuration of the distribution board 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the distribution board 40 distributes electricity supplied via a pole transformer (not shown) mounted on a power pole and a lead-in line 100 to a plurality of branch lines 102. is there. A smart meter 20 is connected to the lead-in line 100, and a main breaker 42 and an earth leakage breaker 44 are connected to the subsequent stage of the smart meter 20. Further, a plurality of branch lines 102 are branched from the subsequent stage of the leakage breaker 44 in the lead-in line 100, and a branch breaker 46 is connected to these branch lines.
Although not shown, an outlet is connected to the branch line 102 on the downstream side (load side) with respect to the branch breaker 46, and electric power is supplied to the electric equipment by connecting the electric equipment to the outlet. It becomes possible. Here, when a current value exceeding a specified value flows through the branch line 102 at once, the branch breaker 46 connected to the branch line 102 cuts off the power supply from the power source side.

  The branch line 102 extending from the branch breaker 46 is wired to each room, living room, kitchen, etc. of the customer's house. For example, when electricity exceeding a specified value is used at once in the kitchen, it is wired for the kitchen. The branch breaker 46 connected to the branch line 102 is opened (so-called breaker is dropped).

<Host terminal 12>
As shown in FIG. 1, the host terminal 12 includes a threshold setting unit 14, an electricity usage monitoring unit 16, a breaker setting unit 17, and an output unit 18.

<Threshold setting unit 14>
The threshold setting unit 14 sets a threshold for the amount of electricity used for each customer in accordance with the customer's request. As thresholds, the usage limit is the threshold for electricity usage corresponding to the maximum amount of payment requested by the customer, and the warning usage is the threshold for issuing a warning when the electricity usage is close to the usage limit. The amount is set.
For example, when the customer requests the amount of electricity used for 10,000 yen per month, the threshold setting unit 14 sets the amount of electricity used for 10,000 yen as the limit use value. Further, the threshold setting unit 14 can set, for example, an electric usage amount of 80% as a warning usage amount with respect to the limited usage amount. Note that a plurality of types of warning usage can be set in stages, for example, 50% and 80%. As will be described later, the warning usage amount can be set by the customer.

The threshold setting unit 14 may notify the customer to set the upper limit amount of payment for the current month, for example, at the beginning of each month.
As a notification method, the notification contents are transmitted to a customer's mail address registered in advance for notification. Alternatively, a dedicated application may be created on the power supply side, the application may be introduced in advance to the customer's terminal, and the notification content from the power supply side may be viewed by the customer starting the application. . Alternatively, the notification may be made to the home terminal 30 via the smart meter 20. Here, the transmission is preferably performed by a push method.

Further, the threshold setting unit 14 calculates the limit usage based on the customer's past electricity usage record stored in the management server 10, and further proposes the maximum payment amount to the customer in consideration of the customer's offer. You may make it do. For example, a payment upper limit amount setting screen may be displayed on the customer's terminal, and the customer may input an optimum payment upper limit amount by making various inputs on the screen.
Specifically, the threshold value setting unit 14 displays on the customer's terminal a check box for designating an electrical product (TV, refrigerator, electric light, component, etc.) that the customer (customer) will use, The threshold setting unit 14 approximates the limit usage amount in consideration of the selection content of the electrical appliance and the past same month usage record or the past three month usage record stored in the management server 10. It is possible to calculate an electricity charge corresponding to this limited usage amount and present this electricity charge on the customer's terminal as a payment upper limit amount. The customer can input the payment upper limit amount from the customer terminal with reference to the limit usage amount and the payment upper limit amount displayed on the customer terminal. Further, a preset value may be used for the warning usage amount. In addition, the customer may input a plurality of types of warning usage, such as 50% and 80%, in stages from the customer's terminal.

  Further, the threshold setting unit 14 may guide the customer through the customer's terminal when the payment upper limit amount is set. For example, when there is a room that does not use electricity depending on the time of day, there is a service that opens the branch breaker 46 of the branch line 102 that distributes electricity to the room in a time zone that does not use electricity, or the amount of electricity used. When the warning usage amount is reached, a service may be provided that opens the branch breakers 46 of the branch lines 102 other than the branch line 102 that supplies electricity essential for life.

<Electricity usage monitoring unit 16>
The electricity usage monitoring unit 16 monitors the electricity usage obtained from the smart meter 20 provided in the customer's house, and the warning usage is set for the customer by the threshold setting unit 14. Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the limit usage has been exceeded.

  When the electricity usage exceeds the warning usage set for the customer by the threshold setting unit 14, the electricity usage monitoring unit 16 notifies the output unit 18 to that effect.

Furthermore, when it is determined that the electricity usage amount exceeds the restricted usage amount, the electricity usage amount monitoring unit 16 confirms whether or not the customer has agreed in advance to pay the restriction cancellation fee. If the customer's consent to pay the restriction release fee has been selected in advance, the supply of electricity is continued as it is.
If the customer's consent to pay the restriction cancellation fee has not been selected in advance, the output unit 18 is notified accordingly.

<Breaker setting unit 17>
The breaker setting unit 17 is a breaker unit stored in the management server 10 with a branch breaker 46 that is opened when the electricity usage monitoring unit 16 determines that the customer's electricity usage exceeds the warning usage or the limit usage. Set based on the amount of electricity used.
When the electricity usage monitoring unit 16 determines that the electricity usage exceeds the warning usage, the breaker setting unit 17 sets a branch breaker 46 other than the branch breaker 46 of the branch line 102 that supplies electricity essential for life. It can be set as a release target.
More specifically, the breaker setting unit 17 can set a priority order for opening each branch breaker 46 provided in the customer's house in advance. The priority order means the order of the branch breaker 46 to be opened when it is determined that the customer's electricity usage exceeds the warning usage. For example, the priority order 1 is the branch breaker 46 of the branch line 102 to which an electrical product that does not interfere with daily life even if the electricity is stopped. In addition, for example, the branch breaker 46 of the branch line 102 that supplies electricity essential to daily life, for example, the branch line 102 to which a refrigerator is connected, in which a current of a certain amount or more flows throughout the day is excluded or lowest. It can be a priority.
The breaker setting unit 17 sets all branch breakers 46 to be opened when it is determined that the total amount of electricity used in breakers exceeds the limit usage.

<Output unit 18>
The output unit 18 can notify the customer terminal of the current month limit usage set by the threshold setting unit 14 via the smart meter 20. As described above, it may be transmitted to the customer's email address (customer's personal computer, smartphone, portable terminal, etc.) registered for notification. In addition, when a dedicated application is introduced into a customer terminal, notification may be made via the application. The warning notification is preferably transmitted by a push method.
When the electricity usage monitoring unit 16 further determines that the electricity usage exceeds the warning usage, the output unit 18 sends the warning notification to the customer in the same manner as the above-mentioned notification of the monthly usage limit. Notify
When the customer subscribes to a service that opens the branch breaker 46 of the branch line 102 other than the branch line 102 that supplies electricity necessary for daily life, the smart meter 20 is connected via the network 50. A warning notification command is output to The warning notification command includes information for designating the branch breaker 46 to be opened set by the breaker setting unit 17. In this way, the preset branch breaker 46 is opened.

The warning notification consists of the fact that the limit usage is approaching, that the power transmission is stopped when the limit usage is reached, and that the usage can be maintained by adding the limit release fee to the next month and paying it. . The limit cancellation fee is set at a high price.
More specifically, the output unit 18 causes the customer's terminal to display a screen for inputting a selection to refrain from excessive use of electricity or to continue using the product after agreeing to pay the limit release fee. The customer may be allowed to agree to pay the restriction release fee by making various inputs to the screen.
When the customer makes a response to agree to pay the restriction release fee, it records in the storage unit (not shown) of the host terminal 12 that the customer has agreed to pay the restriction release fee.

  Further, the output unit 18 determines that the electricity usage amount monitoring unit 16 determines that the electricity usage amount has exceeded the restricted usage amount, and the consent to pay the restriction release fee of the customer is not selected in advance. The notification is sent to the customer in the same manner as the notification of the limited usage amount for the current month.

The usage restriction notification includes contents prompting selection of whether to agree to the payment of the restriction release fee or to stop the supply.
More specifically, the output unit 18 causes the customer's terminal to display a screen that allows the user to input a selection of whether to agree to the payment of the restriction cancellation fee or to stop the supply. May be made to be selected by the customer.
If the customer makes a response to agree to pay the restriction release fee, the output unit 18 continues to supply electricity. On the other hand, when the customer refuses to pay the restriction release fee and selects the supply stop, the output unit 18 outputs a use restriction command to the smart meter 20 via the network 50. The use restriction instruction includes information for designating all the branch breakers 46 to be opened set by the breaker setting unit 17. By doing so, all the branch breakers 46 of the customer are opened and the supply of electricity to the customer is stopped.
When the month changes and the amount of electricity used is reset, the output unit 18 causes the smart meter 20 to stop opening all breakers and resume power transmission.

<Smart meter 20>
As shown in FIG. 1, the smart meter 20 includes a breaker control unit 22, a measurement unit 24, a transmission unit 26, and a reception unit 28.

  The measuring unit 24 measures the amount of electricity used for each branch breaker 46 of the distribution board installed in the customer's house.

The transmission unit 26 transmits the amount of electricity used by the branch breaker 46 measured by the measurement unit 24 to the management server 10 via the network 50 at a constant period, for example, every 30 minutes. Moreover, the transmission part 26 can transmit the electric power consumption of the branch breaker 46 unit measured by the measurement part 24 with respect to the home terminal 30 connected so that communication was possible.
Further, the transmission unit 26 can transmit the limited usage amount, the warning notification, and the usage limitation notification received from the host terminal 12 to the customer terminal.

  The receiving unit 28 receives a warning notification command or a use restriction command from the host terminal 12. The receiving unit 28 can receive a warning notification and a usage restriction notification from the host terminal 12.

When the receiving unit 28 receives a warning notification command including a command for instructing to open the breaker from the host terminal 12, the breaker control unit 22 opens the distribution board 40 so as to open the instructed branch breaker 46. The drive command is transmitted to the control unit 48. When the instructed branch breaker 46 is opened, the breaker control unit 22 notifies the home terminal 30 that the branch breaker 46 has been opened via the transmission unit 26.
Similarly, when the receiving unit 28 receives a use restriction command from the host terminal 12, the breaker control unit 22 instructs the control unit 48 of the distribution board 40 to open all the specified branch breakers 46. To send a drive command. When all the designated branch breakers 46 are opened, the breaker control unit 22 notifies the in-home terminal 30 that all the branch breakers 46 have been opened via the transmission unit 26.

  Next, a specific usage example of the electricity supply management system 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C.

The power supply side (electric power company) prepares an electricity rate menu with a limited usage amount based on the payment upper limit desired by the customer. In principle, the electricity price menu is prepaid. Hereinafter, this electricity price menu will be referred to as a prepaid menu. Customers who choose the prepaid menu will be discounted monthly at a specific rate. In other words, prepayment is cheaper than postpay, even for the same electricity usage.
In the contract, the contract that the power transmission will be stopped when the electricity usage exceeds the limit usage, and that the customer agrees to pay the limit release fee when resuming the use of electricity, It becomes the condition of.

  In step ST301, the customer applies for an electricity contract for a prepaid menu to the power supply side (host terminal 12).

  In step ST101, the power supply side (host terminal 12) accepts an application for an electric contract for a prepaid menu from a customer.

In step ST102, for example, at the beginning of every month, the power supply side (host terminal 12) notifies the customer to set the upper limit amount of payment for the current month.
As the notification method, as described above, the notification content is transmitted to the customer's mail address registered for notification. Alternatively, a dedicated application is created on the power supply side, the application is introduced into the customer's terminal, and the customer activates the application so that the notification content from the power supply side can be viewed.

  In step ST302, the customer (power receiver) sets a payment upper limit based on the notification from the power supply side (host terminal 12). As described above, when the customer hits the upper limit amount of payment, the power supply side (host terminal 12) calculates the limit usage based on the past usage history of the customer stored in the management server 10, The maximum payment amount may be proposed to the customer in consideration of the customer's offer. For example, a payment upper limit amount setting screen is displayed on the customer's terminal, and the customer makes various inputs on this screen so that the optimum payment upper limit amount can be proposed to the customer.

  Specifically, the power supply side (host terminal 12) displays a check box for designating an electrical product (TV, refrigerator, electric light, component, etc.) that the customer (customer) will use and selects the customer. The power supply side (host terminal 12) approximates the limit usage amount in consideration of this selection content and the past same month usage record or the past three month usage record stored in the management server 10, An electricity charge corresponding to the limit usage is calculated, and this electricity charge is presented to the customer as a payment upper limit. The customer refers to the limited usage amount and the payment upper limit displayed on the terminal, and inputs the payment upper limit to the customer's terminal.

  Note that the power supply side (host terminal 12) may guide the customer through the customer's terminal when the payment upper limit is set. For example, when there is a room that does not use electricity depending on the time of day, there is a service that opens the branch breaker 46 of the branch line 102 that distributes electricity to the room in a time zone that does not use electricity, or the amount of electricity used. When the warning usage amount is reached, a service may be provided that opens the branch breakers 46 of the branch lines 102 other than the branch line 102 that supplies electricity essential for life.

  In step ST303, after making various inputs via the customer's terminal, the customer transmits the input content to the power supply side (host terminal 12) for temporary registration. Thereafter, the customer prepays the fee set as the upper limit of payment.

  In step ST103, the power supply side (host terminal 12) confirms that the contract has been established by confirming payment.

  In step ST <b> 104, the power supply side (host terminal 12) transmits limit usage data to the smart meter 20 via the network 50. Further, the power supply side (host terminal 12) transmits a notification of the limited usage amount for the current month to the customer terminal via the smart meter 20.

In step ST304, the customer terminal displays information related to the prepaid contract received from the power supply side (host terminal 12) (for example, current month limit usage, warning usage, additional service setting information, etc.).
Thereafter, the power supply side (host terminal 12) monitors the customer's power consumption in cooperation with the smart meter 20.

  In step ST201, the smart meter 20 transmits data on the amount of electricity used via the network 50 to the power supply side (management server 10).

  In step ST105, the power supply side (management server 10) accumulates and stores the customer's current electricity usage amount transmitted from the smart meter 20 at regular intervals (for example, every 30 minutes) for each customer.

  In step ST <b> 106, the power supply side (host terminal 12) monitors whether the current month's electricity usage exceeds a preset warning usage. When the warning usage amount is not exceeded (No), the process returns to step ST105. If the warning usage is exceeded (No), the process proceeds to step ST107.

In step ST107, the power supply side (host terminal 12) transmits a warning notification to the customer's terminal via the smart meter 20. As mentioned above, warning notifications can be used by approaching the limit usage amount, stopping power transmission when the limit usage amount is reached, and adding the limit release fee to the next month and paying it. It consists of contents such as. The limit cancellation fee is set at a high price.
When the power supply side (host terminal 12) is subscribed to a service that opens the branch breaker 46 of the branch line 102 other than the branch line 102 that supplies electricity necessary for daily life as described above, the smart meter 20 In response to this, a signal for designating a breaker to be opened is transmitted.

  In step ST202, the smart meter 20 (breaker control unit 22) receives a signal other than the branch line 102 that supplies electricity essential to daily life based on a signal that is received from the power supply side (host terminal 12) and specifies a breaker to be opened. The control unit 48 of the distribution board 40 is instructed to open the branch breaker 46 of the branch line 102. This forces excessive customer use of electricity.

  In step ST305, the customer who has received the warning notification selects, through the customer's terminal, to refrain from excessive use of electricity, or to continue using the product after agreeing to pay the restriction release fee. Responds to the host (host terminal 12).

In the flowchart of FIG. 3A, the case where one warning usage amount is set has been described for the sake of simplicity. However, when a plurality of types (n) of warning usage amounts are set in stages, first, the power supply side The (host terminal 12) monitors whether or not the first stage warning usage has been exceeded (monitoring of the first stage electricity usage), and if the first stage warning usage is exceeded, then the second stage Whether or not the warning usage amount is exceeded (monitoring of electricity usage in the second stage), and similarly, monitoring whether or not the warning usage amount in the nth stage is exceeded (nth stage electricity usage) Volume monitoring).
And if the warning usage amount in the nth stage is exceeded, it will be monitored whether the power usage amount exceeds the current month limit usage amount,
Meanwhile, in step ST203, the smart meter 20 transmits data on the amount of electricity used via the network 50 to the power supply side (management server 10) at regular intervals. The supply side (management server 10) accumulates and stores the customer's electricity usage for the month received from the smart meter 20 at regular intervals (for example, every 30 minutes).

  In step ST109, the power supply side (host terminal 12) monitors whether or not the current month's electricity usage exceeds a preset usage limit. When the usage limit is not exceeded (No), the process returns to step ST108. If the limit usage is exceeded (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST110.

  In step 110, the power supply side (host terminal 12) confirms whether or not there is an agreement in advance for payment of the restriction release fee. If there is consent (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST113. When there is no consent (No), it moves to step ST111.

  In step ST111, the power supply side (host terminal 12) sends a usage restriction notification including a content prompting selection of whether to agree to the payment of the restriction release fee or to refuse the payment of the restriction release fee and stop the supply. 20 to the customer's terminal.

  In step ST306, the customer's terminal selects based on a selection input of either agreeing to pay the restriction release fee or selecting not to pay the restriction release fee and selecting the power supply stoppage. The result is returned to the power supply side (host terminal 12).

  In step ST112, the power supply side (host terminal 12) confirms whether or not the customer's response agrees to pay the restriction release fee. If there is consent (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST113. When there is no consent (No), it moves to step ST114.

  In step ST113, the power supply side (host terminal 12) transmits a restriction release notification to the customer terminal via the smart meter 20 and the smart meter 20, and then proceeds to ST115.

In step ST204, the smart meter 20 (breaker control unit 22) controls the distribution board 40 so as to release the use restriction of the branch breaker 46 based on the signal received from the power supply side (host terminal 12). 48. Thereby, the supply of electricity to the customer is continued.
Although not shown in the figure, after the restriction is released, the smart meter 20 sends data on the amount of electricity used via the network 50 to the power supply side (management server 10) at regular intervals (for example, every 30 minutes). The power supply side (management server 10) accumulates and stores the customer's current electricity usage received from the smart meter 20 at regular intervals for each customer.

  In step ST307, the customer terminal displays that the use restriction of the branch breaker 46 has been released, and notifies that the supply of electricity has been continued.

  In step ST114, the power supply side (host terminal 12) transmits a signal for opening all branch breakers 46 to the smart meter 20 (breaker control unit 22). In addition, the customer terminal is notified that the power supply has been stopped.

  In step ST205, the smart meter 20 (breaker control unit 22) controls the control unit 48 of the distribution board 40 so as to open all the branch breakers 46 based on the signal received from the power supply side (host terminal 12). To instruct. Thereby, the supply of electricity to the customer is stopped.

  In step ST308, the customer terminal displays that all branch breakers 46 have been opened and notifies that the power supply has been stopped.

  In step 115, the power supply side (host terminal 12) monitors whether the month has changed. When the month changes (Yes), the process proceeds to ST116. If the month has not changed (No), the process returns to ST115.

  In step ST116, the power supply side (host terminal 12) instructs the smart meter 20 (breaker control unit 22) to reset the usage limit amount, and proceeds to step ST101. By doing so, when the supply of power to the customer is stopped, the power transmission can be automatically resumed.

  In step ST206, the smart meter 20 (breaker control unit 22) is configured to raise all the branch breakers 46 based on the reset signal of the usage limit received from the power supply side (host terminal 12). The control unit 48 is instructed. By doing so, when the supply of power is stopped, the supply of electricity to the customer is resumed. Thereafter, the process returns to ST201.

  In step ST309, based on the reset signal of the use restriction information received from the power supply side (host terminal 12), the customer terminal notifies that the power supply has been resumed when the power supply has been stopped. To do. Thereafter, the process returns to ST301.

  According to the present embodiment configured as described above, since electricity is used within the upper limit amount desired by the customer, it is possible to prepay the electricity bill, and for the customer, the amount of payment of the electricity bill. This makes it possible to improve customer satisfaction.

  In addition, it becomes possible for the electric power company to reduce the number of customers who have not yet stored electricity charges. Moreover, since it becomes possible for the electric power company side to control the branch breaker 46 of the customer's distribution board 40 via the smart meter 20, for example, when the amount of electricity used approaches the upper limit, for example, a refrigerator In addition, it is possible to partially regulate the customer's use of electricity except for the supply of electricity to the electrical equipment essential for daily life. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the electricity bill charged to the customer from becoming an amount that cannot be paid by the customer.

[Modification 1]
In the above-described embodiment, when the customer's electricity usage exceeds the limit usage amount, the power supply side agrees to pay the limit cancellation fee if there is no prior consent to payment of the limit cancellation fee, Alternatively, a usage restriction notice including contents prompting selection of whether to refuse the payment of the restriction release fee and stop the supply is sent to the customer's terminal via the smart meter 20, and if there is no consent, the supply of electricity is cut off. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this.
For example, if the customer's electricity usage exceeds the limit usage, the power supply side agrees to pay the limit release fee after cutting off the power supply if there is no prior agreement to pay the limit release fee. Alternatively, a usage restriction notification including a content prompting selection of whether to refuse payment of the restriction release fee may be transmitted to the customer terminal via the smart meter 20.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described embodiment, the supply of electricity is cut off when the customer's electricity usage exceeds the limit usage, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the remaining electricity usage amount of the month in which the electricity usage amount did not exceed the limit usage amount in the most recent months is accumulated and stored in the management server 10. When the host terminal 12 on the power supply side determines that the customer's electricity usage exceeds the limit usage, the supply of electricity is continued until the remaining electricity usage accumulated in the management server 10 is used up. It may be performed. At this time, the host terminal 12 may output a command signal to the smart meter 20 so as to open the branch breakers 46 of the branch lines 102 other than the branch line 102 that supplies electricity essential for life.

[Modification 3]
In the present embodiment, the power supply management system 1 has been described as a configuration in which the management server 10 and the host terminal 12 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a single information processing apparatus is used for the management server 10 and the host terminal 12. The structure provided with the function may be sufficient.

  The electricity usage monitoring and supply management method by the electricity supply management system 1 is realized by software. When implemented by software, a program constituting the software is installed in the information processing apparatus (management server 10, host terminal 12, smart meter 20). These programs may be recorded on a removable medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed to the user, or may be distributed by being downloaded to the user's computer via a network.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric power company 10 Management server 12 Host terminal 14 Threshold setting part 16 Electricity consumption monitoring part 17 Breaker setting part 18 Output part 20 Smart meter 22 Breaker control part 24 Measuring part 26 Transmitting part 28 Receiving part 30 In-home terminal 40 Distribution board 42 Main breaker 44 Earth leakage breaker 46 Branch breaker 48 Control unit 50 Network 100 Service line 102 Branch line

Claims (4)

A management server on the electric power company side that stores the amount of electricity used by the customer; a host terminal connected to the management server;
A smart meter installed in a customer's house, measuring electricity usage in units of breakers, and transmitting information on electricity usage in units of breakers to the management server,
The host terminal is
A threshold setting unit for setting a threshold of the customer's electricity usage according to the customer's request;
An electricity usage monitoring unit that monitors the electricity usage acquired from the smart meter installed in the customer's house and determines whether the customer's electricity usage exceeds the threshold; and
Breaker setting that specifies the breaker to be opened from among the multiple branch breakers of the distribution board installed in the customer's house when the electricity usage monitoring unit determines that the customer's electricity usage exceeds the threshold And
An output unit that outputs an instruction to the smart meter to instruct to open the breaker set by the breaker setting unit when the electricity usage monitoring unit determines that the customer's electricity usage exceeds the threshold; With
The smart meter is
An electrical supply management system comprising: a breaker control unit that switches a breaker set by the command when the command is received. A threshold setting unit for setting a threshold of the customer's electricity usage according to the customer's request;
An electricity usage monitoring unit that monitors the electricity usage acquired from the smart meter installed in the customer's house and determines whether the customer's electricity usage exceeds the threshold; and
Breaker setting that specifies the breaker to be opened from among the multiple branch breakers of the distribution board installed in the customer's house when the electricity usage monitoring unit determines that the customer's electricity usage exceeds the threshold And
An output unit that outputs an instruction to the smart meter to instruct to open the breaker set by the breaker setting unit when the electricity usage monitoring unit determines that the customer's electricity usage exceeds the threshold; A host terminal comprising: The output unit further includes:
When the electricity usage monitoring unit determines that the customer's electricity usage has exceeded the threshold, it is possible to input the breaker designation cancellation designated by the breaker setting unit to the customer's email address registered in advance. The host terminal according to claim 2, wherein the notification is transmitted. A measurement unit that measures electricity usage in units of breakers installed in the customer's house;
A transmission unit for transmitting the electricity usage information in units of breakers to a management server;
A receiving unit that receives an instruction to open a specified breaker from a plurality of branch breakers of a distribution board installed in the customer's house;
A smart meter comprising: a breaker control unit that switches a breaker designated by the command when the receiving unit receives the command.

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