JP2018040556A - Thermal apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology capable of enhancing an energy self-supply ratio of energy used for operation of a thermal apparatus by using meteorological information of one day.SOLUTION: A thermal apparatus operates by power being supplied from a commercial power supply or a photovoltaic power generation device. The thermal apparatus includes: a heat pump unit; a tank unit; a control device capable of communicating with a power management device, and capable of acquiring meteorological information of one day from the power management device; and storage means for storing reference plan data including first start schedule time of a heat pump heat source. The control device specifies second drive start schedule time of the heat pump heat source based on the meteorological information of one day, and generates prediction plan data including the second drive start schedule time. The control device drives the heat pump heat source based on one operation plan data out of the reference plan data and the prediction plan data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a thermal apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a heat device including a heat pump unit including a heat pump heat source that heats the heat medium, a tank unit including a tank that stores the heat medium heated by the heat pump heat source, and a control device. . The control device drives the heat pump heat source to store the heat medium heated by the heat pump heat source in the tank.

JP2015-94505A

  A thermal apparatus may be operated using electric power supplied from a solar power generation device. The energy self-sufficiency rate of energy used for the operation of the thermal equipment can be increased by operating the thermal equipment using the electric power generated by the solar power generation device. However, the electric power generated by the solar power generation device varies depending on the weather conditions of the day. Therefore, when operating a thermal apparatus using the electric power supplied from photovoltaic power generation, it is necessary to change the operation of the thermal apparatus according to the weather conditions. For this reason, the technique which can make operation | movement of a thermal apparatus respond | correspond to the weather condition of a day is desired.

  In this specification, the technique which can raise the energy self-sufficiency rate of the energy used for operation | movement of a thermal apparatus using the weather information of one day is provided.

  The thermal device disclosed in this specification operates by being supplied with electric power from a commercial power source or a solar power generation device. The thermal equipment can communicate with a heat pump unit including a heat pump heat source that heats the heat medium, a tank unit including a tank that stores a heat medium heated by the heat pump heat source, and a power management device. And a storage unit that stores reference plan data including the first scheduled start time of driving of the heat pump heat source. The control device identifies the second scheduled drive start time of the heat pump heat source based on the daily weather information, and generates predicted plan data including the second scheduled drive start time. The control device drives the heat pump heat source based on any one of the operation plan data of the reference plan data and the prediction plan data.

  In the above configuration, the control device can acquire the daily weather information from the power management device. For this reason, the control apparatus can generate the forecast plan data based on the daily weather information. For example, the control device can generate prediction plan data based on the generated power of the solar power generation device predicted from the daily weather information. For this reason, the control device determines the heat pump heat source based on either the reference plan data generated regardless of the daily weather information or the predicted plan data generated based on the daily weather information. It can be driven. Thereby, for example, when the electric power generated from the solar power generation device is available, the control device can drive the heat pump heat source using the prediction plan data. Thereby, the energy self-sufficiency rate of the energy used for operation | movement of a thermal apparatus can be raised. For example, when the electric power generated by the solar power generation device cannot be used, the control device can drive the heat pump heat source using the reference plan data.

  The thermal device disclosed in this specification operates by being supplied with electric power from a commercial power source or a solar power generation device. The heat equipment includes a heat pump unit including a heat pump heat source for heating the heat medium, a tank unit including a tank for storing the heat medium heated by the heat pump heat source, and a storage battery capable of charging the electric power generated from the solar power generation device. The control device is communicable with the power management device and can acquire the daily weather information and the storage battery storage amount from the power management device, and stores the reference plan data including the first scheduled start time of the heat pump heat source. Storage means. The thermal device can be operated by electric power supplied from the storage battery. The control device specifies a third scheduled start time of the heat pump heat source that is a time before the time when the start of power generation by the solar power generation device is predicted based on the storage amount of the storage battery and the daily weather information Then, predicted plan data including the third scheduled drive start time is generated. The control device drives the heat pump heat source based on any one of the operation plan data of the reference plan data and the prediction plan data.

  In the above configuration, the control device can acquire the storage amount of the storage battery and the daily weather information from the power management device. For this reason, the control apparatus can generate | occur | produce the forecast plan data based on the amount of electrical storage, and the daily weather information. For example, the control device can generate prediction plan data based on the amount of power stored and the generated power of the solar power generation device predicted from the daily weather information. For this reason, the control device determines the heat pump heat source based on either the reference plan data generated regardless of the daily weather information or the predicted plan data generated based on the daily weather information. It can be driven. Thereby, for example, when the electric power generated by the solar power generation device can be charged in the storage battery, the control device can drive the heat pump heat source using the predicted plan data. Thereby, the energy self-sufficiency rate of the energy used for operation | movement of a thermal apparatus can be raised. Further, for example, when power is not generated by the solar power generation device, the control device can drive the heat pump heat source using the reference plan data.

The figure which shows the structure of the hot water supply system 2 typically. The figure which shows the electric power system of the hot water supply system 2 typically. The flowchart which shows the process which specifies driving | operation plan data. The figure which shows typically the time zone when hot water supply is performed in a specific household. The figure which shows the electric energy data of summer. The figure which shows the prediction surplus electric energy data of a specific day.

(Feature 1) The control device specifies the predicted power generation amount predicted to be generated by the solar power generation device based on the daily weather information, and is used by a device other than the predicted power generation amount and the thermal device. The predicted surplus power amount may be specified based on the determined power amount, and the second scheduled drive start time included in the predicted plan data may be specified based on the specified predicted surplus power amount.

  When operating a thermal device using power generated by a solar power generation device (hereinafter referred to as “generated power”), the sum of the power consumed by the thermal device and the power used by devices other than the thermal device is generated power. Is larger, the shortage of power is supplemented with power from a commercial power source. In this case, the energy self-sufficiency rate decreases. Therefore, it is preferable that the forecast plan data is generated so that the total power consumed by the devices other than the thermal device and the power consumed by the devices other than the thermal device is smaller than the generated power. According to the above configuration, the control device generates predicted plan data using the predicted surplus electric energy, so that when the heat pump heat source is operated using the generated power, the power consumption of the thermal equipment and the equipment other than the thermal equipment Can reduce the possibility that the total amount of power used will be greater than the generated power. As a result, when operating a heat pump heat source based on prediction plan data, the fall of an energy self-sufficiency rate can be suppressed.

(Characteristic 2) The thermal device may further include a storage battery that can be charged with electric power generated from the solar power generation device, and the thermal device may be operable by electric power supplied from the storage battery. Further, the control device may be able to acquire the storage amount of the storage battery from the power management device. In addition, the control device may specify the third scheduled drive start time of the heat pump heat source included in the predicted plan data based on the storage amount of the storage battery and the daily weather information. In this case, the third scheduled drive start time may be a time that is earlier than the time when the start of power generation by the solar power generation apparatus is predicted.

  According to said structure, the control apparatus can produce | generate the prediction plan data containing the 3rd drive start scheduled time based on the daily weather information and the electrical storage amount of a storage battery. The storage battery is charged with electric power generated by the solar power generation device. For this reason, the energy self-sufficiency rate can be further increased by driving the heat pump heat source using the electric power stored in the storage battery at the third scheduled drive start time.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 2 according to this embodiment includes an HP (heat pump) unit 4, a tank unit 6, and a gas heat source unit 8.

  The HP unit 4 is a heat source that absorbs heat from outside air and heats water. The HP unit 4 includes a compressor 10, a condenser 12, an expansion valve 14, and an evaporator 16. The HP unit 4 circulates a refrigerant (for example, a fluorocarbon refrigerant) in the order of the compressor 10, the condenser 12, the expansion valve 14, and the evaporator 16, thereby absorbing heat from outside air and heating water. The compressor 10 pressurizes the refrigerant to a high temperature and a high pressure. The condenser 12 cools the refrigerant by exchanging heat with water. An HP forward path 19 and an HP return path 21 are connected to both ends of the water flow path of the condenser 12, respectively. The expansion valve 14 depressurizes the refrigerant to low temperature and low pressure. The evaporator 16 heats the refrigerant by exchanging heat with the outside air. The HP unit 4 further includes a circulation pump 18 that circulates water to the condenser 12, a forward thermistor 20 that detects the temperature of water flowing into the condenser 12, and a return thermistor 22 that detects the temperature of water flowing out of the condenser 12. An HP outside air temperature thermistor 23 that detects the outside air temperature and an HP controller 24 that controls the operation of each component of the HP unit 4 are provided.

  The tank unit 6 includes a tank 30, a mixing valve 32, and a bypass control valve 34. The tank 30 is a sealed container that is covered with a heat insulating material and stores water therein. The capacity of the tank 30 of this embodiment is, for example, 100 liters. When the circulation pump 18 of the HP unit 4 is driven, the water at the bottom of the tank 30 is sent to the condenser 12 via the tank going path 31 and the HP going path 19. The water heated by the condenser 12 and heated to a high temperature is returned from the top of the tank 30 into the tank 30 via the HP return path 21 and the tank return path 33. When the water heated by the HP unit 4 flows into the tank 30, a temperature stratification is formed in the tank 30 in which a high-temperature water layer is stacked on a low-temperature water layer. The thermistors 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d, and 36 e are attached to the tank 30 at predetermined intervals in the height direction of the tank 30. Each thermistor 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e measures the temperature of water at its mounting position. In this embodiment, the thermistor 36a is arranged at a position 6 liters below the top of the tank 30, the thermistor 36b is arranged at a position 12 liters below the top, and the thermistor 36c is located 30 liters below the top. The thermistor 36d is disposed at a position 50 liters below the top, and the thermistor 36e is disposed at a position 70 liters below the top. The tank unit 6 also includes a tank lower thermistor 35 that detects the temperature of water flowing out from the lower portion of the tank 30.

  Tap water is supplied to the tank unit 6 through the water supply path 40. In the water supply path 40, a pressure reducing valve 42 for reducing the water supply pressure and a water inlet thermistor 44 for detecting the water supply temperature are attached. The water supply path 40 branches into a tank water supply path 46 that communicates with the bottom of the tank 30 and a tank bypass path 48 that communicates with the mixing valve 32. Check valves 50 and 52 are attached to the tank water supply path 46 and the tank bypass path 48, respectively. Further, a water-side water amount sensor 54 that detects the flow rate of tap water flowing into the mixing valve 32 is attached to the tank bypass path 48. The top of the tank 30 and the mixing valve 32 communicate with each other via a tank hot water path 56. A check valve 58 and a hot water sensor 60 for detecting the flow rate of water from the tank 30 flowing into the mixing valve 32 are attached to the tank discharge path 56.

  The mixing valve 32 mixes the tap water flowing from the tank bypass passage 48 and the water from the tank 30 flowing from the tank discharge passage 56 and sends it out to the first hot water supply passage 62. The mixing valve 32 is driven by a stepping motor to adjust the opening degree on the tank bypass path 48 side (opening side on the water side) and the opening degree on the tank discharge path 56 side (opening side on the hot water side). A mixing thermistor 64 that detects the temperature of the water fed from the mixing valve 32 is attached to the first hot water supply path 62.

  Hot water is supplied from the tank unit 6 to hot water supply points such as a kitchen, a shower, and a currant through the second hot water supply path 66. A hot water supply outlet thermistor 68 that detects the temperature of water supplied to the hot water supply location and a check valve 70 are attached to the second hot water supply path 66. The first hot water supply path 62 and the second hot water supply path 66 communicate with each other through a hot water supply bypass path 72. A bypass control valve 34 is attached to the hot water supply bypass path 72.

  The tank unit 6 further includes a tank controller 74. The tank controller 74 controls the operation of each component of the tank unit 6. The tank controller 74 includes a nonvolatile memory 75.

  The gas heat source unit 8 includes a burner 80, a heat exchanger 82, a bypass servo 84, a water amount servo 86, and a hot water filling valve 88. The burner 80 is an auxiliary heat source machine that heats water flowing through the heat exchanger 82 by combustion of fuel gas. Fuel gas is supplied to the burner 80 via a gas supply pipe 81. Water from the first hot water supply path 62 of the tank unit 6 flows into the heat exchanger 82 via the burner forward path 90. The water that has passed through the heat exchanger 82 flows out to the second hot water supply path 66 of the tank unit 6 through the burner return path 92. A water quantity servo 86 for adjusting the flow rate of water flowing through the burner forward path 90 and a water quantity sensor 91 for detecting the flow rate of water flowing through the burner forward path 90 are attached to the burner forward path 90. The burner forward path 90 and the burner return path 92 communicate with each other via a burner bypass path 94. A bypass servo 84 is attached to a connection portion between the burner forward path 90 and the burner bypass path 94. The bypass servo 84 adjusts the flow rate of water flowing from the burner forward path 90 to the burner bypass path 94. A burner hot water thermistor 96 that detects the temperature of water flowing out from the heat exchanger 82 is attached to the burner return path 92. From the burner return path 92, a hot water filling path 98 branches off. In the burner return path 92, a hot water filling valve 88 is attached to the hot water filling path 98. From the gas heat source unit 8, hot water filling is performed on a bathtub serving as a hot water supply location via a hot water filling route 98.

  The gas heat source unit 8 further includes a burner controller 100 that controls the operation of each component of the gas heat source unit 8 and a remote controller 102. The remote controller 102 can communicate with the burner controller 100. The remote controller 102 can communicate with the tank controller 74 via the burner controller 100. The remote controller 102 accepts various operation inputs from the user via switches and buttons. The various inputs are, for example, instructions for a heating operation described later. In addition, the remote controller 102 notifies the user of various types of information related to the settings and operations of the hot water supply system 2 by display and sound. The remote controller 102 can communicate with the power management apparatus 192 via the wireless LAN router 190. The power management apparatus 192 is, for example, a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) controller. The power management device 192 is a device provided in the house where the hot water supply system 2 is installed. The power management device 192 manages the supply and consumption of power and fuel in the house where the hot water supply system 2 is installed. The power management device 192 can be connected to an external network. The power management apparatus 192 can display various information and messages regarding power and fuel in the house where the hot water supply system 2 is installed.

  The HP controller 24 and the tank controller 74 can communicate with each other. The tank controller 74 and the burner controller 100 can communicate with each other. Therefore, the hot water supply system 2 can perform various operations such as a heating operation and a hot water supply operation by the HP controller 24, the tank controller 74, and the burner controller 100 performing control in cooperation. Hereinafter, the HP controller 24, the tank controller 74, and the burner controller 100 are collectively referred to simply as a controller.

  Next, the operation of the hot water supply system 2 will be described. The hot water supply system 2 can execute a heating operation and a hot water supply operation.

(Heating operation)
In the heating operation, the hot water supply system 2 drives the HP unit 4 to boil water in the tank 30. When the heating operation is started, the HP controller 24 drives the compressor 10 to circulate the refrigerant in the order of the compressor 10, the condenser 12, the expansion valve 14, and the evaporator 16, and drives the circulation pump 18. Then, water is circulated between the tank 30 and the condenser 12. Thereby, the water sucked out from the bottom of the tank 30 is heated to the target temperature TA (for example, 45 ° C.) in the condenser 12 and returned to the top of the tank 30. When the target heating water amount TW in the water in the tank 30 is replaced with water heated to the target temperature TA, the HP controller 24 ends the heating operation. The target heating water amount TW is the amount of water heated to the target temperature TA by the heating operation. The HP controller 24 switches the thermistor used to determine the end of the heating operation from the tank lower thermistor 35 and the thermistors 36a to 36e according to the target heating water amount TW. For example, when the target heating water amount TW is 30 liters, the thermistor 36c is used, and when the target heating water amount TW is 100 liters, the lower thermistor 35 is used.

(Hot water operation)
In the hot water supply operation, water at a hot water supply set temperature is supplied to the hot water supply location. In particular, the hot water supply operation when the hot water use place is a bathtub is hereinafter referred to as “hot water operation”. When the flow rate detected by the water-side water amount sensor 54 and the flow rate detected by the hot water-side water amount sensor 60 (referred to as a hot water supply flow rate) is equal to or greater than the minimum operating flow rate (for example, 2.4 L / min). It is determined that the hot water supply has been started by opening the hot water supply location or filling the bathtub. Then, the controller executes the following non-combustion hot water supply operation or combustion hot water supply operation in accordance with the temperature detected by the thermistor 36b or the thermistor 36c. The controller uses either the thermistor 36b or the thermistor 36c depending on the season.

  When the temperature detected by the thermistor 36b or the thermistor 36c is equal to or higher than the hot water supply set temperature, the controller performs a non-combustion hot water supply operation. In the non-combustion hot water supply operation, the controller prohibits the combustion operation of the burner 80 and adjusts the opening of the mixing valve 32 so that the temperature detected by the mixing thermistor 64 becomes the hot water supply set temperature. Thus, water whose temperature is adjusted to the hot water supply set temperature is supplied to the hot water supply location.

  When the temperature detected by the thermistor 36b or the thermistor 36c is lower than the hot water supply set temperature, the controller executes the combustion hot water supply operation. In the combustion hot water supply operation, the controller permits the burner 80 to perform the combustion operation, and mixes so that the temperature detected by the mixing thermistor 64 is lower than the hot water supply set temperature by the minimum heating capacity of the burner 80. The opening degree of the valve 32 is adjusted. In this case, the high temperature water supplied from the upper part of the tank 30 and the low temperature water supplied from the water supply path 40 are mixed in the mixing valve 32 and then heated to the hot water supply set temperature by the burner 80, so Supplied to.

  If the hot water flow rate falls below the minimum operating flow rate during the non-combustion hot water supply operation or the combustion hot water supply operation described above, the controller determines that the hot water supply has ended due to closing of the hot water supply point or the end of filling of the bathtub. To end the hot water supply operation.

(Power system of hot water supply system 2)
FIG. 2 shows a power system of a house where the hot water supply system 2 is installed. Electric power is supplied from the distribution board 112 to the HP unit 4, the tank unit 6, and the gas heat source unit 8 of the hot water supply system 2. A commercial power supply 110 is connected to the distribution board 112. A solar power generation device 114 and a power storage device 116 are connected to the distribution board 112. A power control unit 118a including a DCAC converter (DC-AC converter) is provided between the distribution board 112 and the solar power generation device 114. A power control unit 118b including a DCAC converter is provided between the distribution board 112 and the power storage device 116. The solar power generation device 114 is a device that generates power by receiving sunlight. The power storage device 116 stores surplus power (surplus power) that is not used in the hot water supply system 2 and the electric equipment 120 (hereinafter collectively referred to as power consumption equipment) among the power generated by the solar power generation device 114. . The DC power generated by the solar power generation device 114 is converted into AC power by the power control unit 118 a and supplied to the distribution board 112. Further, the DC power of the power storage device 116 is converted into AC power by the power control unit 118 b and supplied to the distribution board 112. If the power supplied from the power control units 118a and 118b is insufficient to cover the power consumption of the power consuming device, the insufficient power is supplemented with the power from the commercial power supply 110. In addition, when the power generated by the solar power generation device 114 exceeds the power consumption of the power consuming device, surplus power is stored in the power storage device 116. The solar power generation device 114, the power storage device 116, and the electric device 120 can communicate with the power management device 192 via the wireless LAN router 190. Thereby, the power management device 192 can manage the power information of the power storage device 116 and the power information of the electric device 120.

  The nonvolatile memory 75 of the tank controller 74 of the tank unit 6 shown in FIG. 1 stores a plurality of power amount data and heating operation plan data described later. As shown in FIG. 5, the power amount data is hourly data of the predicted generated power amount Whe generated by the solar power generation device 114 (see FIG. 2) and the predicted surplus power amount Whs. The predicted surplus power amount Whs is a power amount obtained by subtracting the predicted power consumption amount consumed by the electric device 120 (see FIG. 2) from the predicted generated power amount Whe. The nonvolatile memory 75 stores power amount data corresponding to each of summer, winter, and intermediate seasons (spring and autumn). The nonvolatile memory 75 stores power amount data during fine weather, cloudy weather, and rainy weather for each season (see FIG. 5). This is because the predicted power generation amount Whe generated by the solar power generation device 114 varies greatly depending on the weather. Therefore, in this embodiment, nine pieces of power amount data are stored in the nonvolatile memory 75.

(Specification of operation plan data)
Next, specification of operation plan data for the heating operation of the hot water supply system 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. The operation plan data is a daily heating operation plan. The operation plan data for the heating operation is composed of first plan data and second plan data. The 1st plan data is plan data of the heating operation performed before the hot water supply start time S1 in order to heat the water used in the hot water supply operation after the hot water supply start time S1 (refer to Drawing 4) mentioned below. . The second plan data includes a heating operation that is executed before the hot water start time B1 in order to heat the water used in the hot water operation after the hot water start time B1 (see FIG. 4) described later. Plan data. As the heating operation plan, the scheduled heating operation start time TS, the target heating water amount TW, and the target temperature TA are stored in the nonvolatile memory 75. The controller specifies the operation plan data for that day every 24 hours (for example, every time 2:00).

  In step S2 of FIG. 3, the controller specifies first reference plan data and second reference plan data for the heating operation. The 1st standard plan data and the 2nd standard plan data are data specified based on the tendency of the hot water supply of a specific household. The first reference plan data corresponds to the first plan data, and the second reference plan data is operation plan data corresponding to the second plan data. The first reference plan data and the second reference plan data specified in step S2 are stored in the nonvolatile memory 75.

  The specification of the first reference plan data and the second reference plan data for the heating operation will be described with reference to FIG. The controller includes time information indicating the time when hot water supply is started and the time when hot water supply is ended each time hot water is supplied in a specific household, and supply amount information indicating the amount of water supplied. Remember. The controller stores time information and supply amount information for one day as an operation history for one day for a specific household. In the present embodiment, the controller stores driving histories for a specific household for the past seven days. For this reason, the controller deletes the operation history of 8 days ago every 24 hours (for example, every time 2:00), and stores the operation history of the previous day.

  Next, the controller specifies the earliest time among the times when the first hot water supply is started in the past seven days from the operation history for the past seven days of the specific household. Hereinafter, this time is referred to as “hot water supply start time S1”. For example, the controller specifies 6:00 as the hot water supply start time S1 (see FIG. 4). In the first hot water supply, about 5 L to 20 L of water is supplied. In this case, the controller sets the first target heating water amount TW1 (for example, 30 liters) as the target heating water amount TW up to the hot water supply start time S1, and sets the first target temperature TA1 (for example, 45 ° C.) as the target temperature TA. To do.

  Further, the controller specifies the earliest time among the times when the hot water filling operation is started in the past seven days from the operation history for the past seven days of the specific household. Hereinafter, this time is referred to as “hot water start time B1”. As described above, in this embodiment, a specific household is set in advance to start a hot water filling operation at 20:00 every day. For example, the controller specifies 20:00 as the hot water start time B1 (see FIG. 4). In the hot water operation, about 150 L to 180 L of water is supplied. In this case, the controller sets the second target heating water amount TW2 (for example, 100 liters) as the target heating water amount TW up to the hot water filling start time B1, and sets the second target temperature TA2 (for example, 45 ° C.) as the target temperature TA. Set.

  Further, the controller specifies the latest time among the times when the last hot water supply is completed in the past seven days from the operation history for the past seven days of the specific household. Hereinafter, this time is referred to as “hot water supply end time G1”. For example, the controller specifies 0:00 as the hot water supply end time G1 (see FIG. 4).

  Further, the controller specifies the first predetermined time α, the second predetermined time β, and the third predetermined time γ based on the target temperature TA and the feed water temperature.

  Next, the controller specifies a first heating start scheduled time S0 that is a time before the specified first predetermined time α from the hot water supply start time S1, and specifies the specified second from the hot water start time B1. The second scheduled heating start time B0, which is a time before the predetermined time β, is specified. In addition, the controller specifies a heat pump stop time G0 that is a time before the specified third predetermined time γ from the hot water supply end time G1. The controller specifies the first heating scheduled start time S0, the first target heating water amount TW1, and the first target temperature TA1 as the first reference plan data. Further, the controller specifies the second heating scheduled start time B0, the second target heating water amount TW2, and the second target temperature TA2 as the second reference plan data. Next, the controller stores the first reference plan data in the nonvolatile memory 75 as the first plan data of the operation plan data, and stores the second reference plan data as the second plan data of the operation plan data. Stored in the memory 75.

  In step S <b> 4 of FIG. 3, the controller acquires various information from the power management apparatus 192. Various types of information include daily weather information, the amount of electricity stored in the power storage device 116, date information, sunrise time, and the like. The controller transmits request signals for requesting various information to the power management apparatus 192 via the remote controller 102 and the wireless LAN router 190. When receiving a request signal from the controller, the power management apparatus 192 transmits various information to the controller.

  In step S <b> 6, the controller specifies predicted surplus power amount data used in the processing described later based on the various information acquired in step S <b> 4. The controller identifies predicted surplus power amount data based on the daily weather information, date information, and a plurality of power amount data stored in the nonvolatile memory 75. The predicted surplus power amount data stored in the non-volatile memory 75 indicates the surplus power amount when the day's weather does not change. However, the weather changes during the day. For this reason, a controller specifies the prediction surplus electric energy data corresponding to the weather information of the day combining several electric energy data.

  The specification of the predicted surplus power amount data will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. First, the controller specifies the season based on the date information. Next, the controller specifies the surplus power amount data corresponding to the specified season from the power amount data stored in the nonvolatile memory 75 as the power amount data used for specifying the predicted surplus power amount data. For example, if the date is August 1st, the controller identifies the season as summer, and uses three pieces of summer energy (sunny, cloudy, and rainy) power data (FIG. 4) as predicted surplus power. Used for data generation. Next, the controller generates predicted surplus power amount data by combining the specified three pieces of power amount data based on the daily weather information. For example, the predicted surplus power amount data when the weather information of the day is cloudy from 0 to 10 o'clock, clear from 10 to 17 o'clock, and cloudy from 17 to 24 o'clock will be described. In this case, the controller applies the electric energy data in cloudy weather at 0-10 o'clock and 17-24 o'clock, and applies the electric energy data in fine weather at 10-17 o'clock, thereby predicting surplus electric energy data. Is specified (see FIG. 6).

  In step S8 of FIG. 3, the controller determines whether there is a time zone in which the heating operation can be performed using the predicted surplus power amount data specified in step S6. Specifically, the controller determines whether or not there is a time zone in which the heating operation can be performed, based on whether or not the predicted surplus power amount per hour exceeds the first predetermined power amount Wh1. The first predetermined power amount Wh1 is a power amount obtained by converting the minimum power consumption required for the hot water supply system 2 to perform the heating operation into the minimum power consumption for one hour. In addition, about the time slot | zone which can perform heating operation, it is preferable to limit after a predetermined time (for example, 13:00).

  Next, in step S10, the controller exceeds the second predetermined power amount Wh2 by the first total surplus power amount WS1 that is the sum of the predicted surplus power amount Whs in the time period determined as YES in step S8. It is determined whether or not. The second predetermined power amount Wh2 is a power amount calculated based on the power consumption amount WC1 when the heating operation is executed based on the second reference plan data. Specifically, the second predetermined power amount Wh2 is calculated by multiplying the power consumption amount WC1 by a second predetermined coefficient (for example, 0.8). When it is determined that the first total surplus power amount WS1 exceeds the second predetermined power amount Wh2 (YES in step S10), the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when it is determined that the first total surplus power amount WS1 does not exceed the second predetermined power amount Wh2 (NO in step S10), the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S12, the controller specifies the second predicted plan data. Specifically, the controller specifies the second scheduled heating start time B0 'so that the heating operation is executed in the time zone determined as YES in step S8. Further, as the second target temperature TA2 ′ of the second predicted plan data and the second target heating water amount TW2 ′, the second target temperature TA2 of the second reference plan data and the second target heating The amount of water TW2 is set. When the first total surplus power amount WS1 is relatively larger than the power consumption amount WC1 when the heating operation is performed based on the second reference plan data, the second target temperature TA2 ′ is changed. May be. For example, the second target temperature TA2 'is set to 50 ° C.

  In step S <b> 14, the controller stores the second predicted plan data in the nonvolatile memory 75 as the second plan data. On the other hand, in step S16, the controller holds the second reference plan data as the second plan data. That is, the second plan data stored in the nonvolatile memory 75 is not changed.

  In step S20, the controller determines whether or not the storage amount EC of the power storage device 116 exceeds the predetermined storage amount EP. The predetermined power storage amount EP is a power amount calculated based on the power consumption amount WC2 when the heating operation is executed based on the first reference plan data. Specifically, the predetermined power storage amount EP is calculated by multiplying the power consumption amount WC2 by a first predetermined coefficient (for example, 0.8). When it is determined that the stored electricity amount EC exceeds the predetermined stored electricity amount EP (YES in step S20), the process proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, when it is determined that the storage amount EC does not exceed the predetermined storage amount EP (NO in step S20), the process proceeds to step S28.

  In step S22, the controller specifies the second total surplus power amount WS2 that is specified based on the predicted surplus power amount data specified in step S6, and is the third predetermined power amount Wh3. It is judged whether or not it exceeds. The third predetermined power amount Wh3 is the power consumption amount WC2 when the heating operation is executed based on the first reference plan data. When the second predicted plan data is set in the second plan data, the controller consumes when the heating operation is executed with the second predicted plan data from the second total surplus electric energy WS2. It is preferable to subtract the amount of power to be executed and execute the process of step S22. If it is determined that the second total surplus power amount WS2 exceeds the third predetermined power amount Wh3 (YES in step S22), the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, when it is determined that the second total surplus power amount WS2 is equal to or less than the third predetermined power amount Wh3 (NO in step S22), the process proceeds to step S28.

  In step S24, the controller specifies first predicted plan data. Specifically, the controller specifies the first scheduled heating start time S0 'so that the heating operation is started before the sunrise time acquired in step S4. In addition, as the first target temperature TA1 ′ of the first predicted plan data and the first target heating water amount TW1 ′, the first target temperature TA1 of the first reference plan data and the first target heating The amount of water TW1 is set. In addition, when the power storage amount EC of the power storage device 116 is relatively larger than the power consumption amount WC2 when the heating operation is executed based on the first reference plan data, the first target of the first predicted plan data The temperature TA1 ′ and the first target heating water amount TW1 ′ may be changed. For example, the first target temperature is set to 50 ° C., and the first target heating water amount TW1 ′ is set to 40 liters.

  In step S <b> 26, the controller stores the first predicted plan data in the nonvolatile memory 75 as the first plan data. On the other hand, in step S28, the controller holds the first reference plan data as the first plan data. That is, the first plan data stored in the nonvolatile memory 75 is not changed.

  When the above processing is completed, the controller executes the heating operation based on the operation plan data for the heating operation stored in the nonvolatile memory 75.

  As described above, the controller can acquire daily weather information from the power management apparatus 192. For this reason, the controller can generate the second predicted plan data including the second scheduled heating start time B0 'based on the daily weather information. The controller can generate the second predicted plan data based on the predicted power generation amount Whe of the solar power generation device 114 and the like. For this reason, the controller is based on one of the second reference plan data created irrespective of the daily weather information and the second predicted plan data generated based on the daily weather information. Thus, the heat pump heat source can be driven. Thereby, for example, when the heat pump heat source can be appropriately driven using the electric power generated from the solar power generation device, the controller can drive the heat pump heat source using the second predicted plan data. it can. Thereby, the energy self-sufficiency rate of the energy used for operation | movement of the hot water supply system 2 can be raised. By increasing the energy self-sufficiency rate, the cost required to operate the thermal equipment can be reduced. Further, when it is determined from the daily weather information that the heating operation cannot be appropriately performed using the power generated by the solar power generation device 114, the controller uses the second reference plan data to appropriately determine the heat pump heat source. Can be driven.

  The nonvolatile memory 75 stores a plurality of pieces of power amount data. The controller can specify the predicted surplus power amount data for the day based on the daily weather information, date information, and the plurality of power amount data (step S6 in FIG. 3). The controller specifies second predicted plan data using the predicted surplus electric energy data (steps S8 to S12). For this reason, when the controller executes the heating operation of the hot water supply system 2 using the second predicted plan data, the electric power consumed by the hot water supply system 2 exceeds the electric power generated by the solar power generation device 114. The possibility can be suppressed. For this reason, while performing heating operation using the 2nd prediction plan data, possibility that electric power will be supplemented from commercial power supply 110 can be made low. As a result, a decrease in the energy self-sufficiency rate of the hot water supply system 2 can be suppressed.

  In addition, the controller can acquire the storage amount EC of the power storage device 116 from the power management device 192. According to such a configuration, the controller can generate the first predicted plan data including the first scheduled heating start time S0 'based on the storage amount EC (S20 and S24 in FIG. 3). As described above, the power storage device 116 stores surplus power that is not used in the hot water supply system 2 and the electric device 120 among the power generated by the solar power generation device 114. Therefore, for example, the controller generates first predicted plan data based on the surplus power amount predicted from the daily weather information and the stored electricity amount EC. The controller changes the amount of power consumed by the first predicted plan data among the stored amount EC of the power storage device 116 according to the amount of surplus power predicted based on the daily weather information. When the heating operation is executed based on the first predicted plan data, electric power is supplied from the power storage device 116 to the hot water supply system 2. For this reason, the hot water supply system 2 performs a heating operation using the first predicted plan data, whereby the energy self-sufficiency rate of the hot water supply system 2 can be increased.

(Correspondence)
Water is an example of a “heating medium”. The hot water supply system 2 is an example of a “thermal device”. A heat pump cycle including the compressor 10, the condenser 12, the expansion valve 14, and the evaporator 16 is an example of the “heat pump heat source”. The controller is an example of a “control device”. The nonvolatile memory 75 is an example of the “storage unit”. The second reference plan data is an example of “reference plan data”. The first heating start scheduled time S0 and the second heating start scheduled time B0 are examples of “first driving start scheduled time”. The second predicted plan data and the first predicted plan data are examples of “predicted plan data”. The second scheduled heating start time B0 ′ is an example of “second scheduled driving start time”. The first scheduled heating start time S0 ′ is an example of the “third scheduled driving start time”. The predicted surplus power data is an example of “predicted surplus power”. The power storage device 116 is an example of a “storage battery”. The sunrise time is an example of “a time when power generation is predicted to start”.

  Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.

  In the above embodiment, the reference plan data is changed every day based on the hot water supply tendency of a specific household. Unlike this, the reference plan data may be stored in the nonvolatile memory 75 in advance. The setting may be made by the user operating the remote controller 102.

  The hot water supply system 2 may not include the gas heat source unit 8. In this case, the HP unit 4 or the tank unit 6 only needs to include the remote controller 102.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology exemplified in this specification or the drawings can achieve a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical usefulness by achieving one of the objects.

2: Hot water supply system 4: HP unit 6: Tank unit 8: Gas heat source unit 10: Compressor 12: Condenser 14: Expansion valve 16: Evaporator 18: Circulation pump 19: HP outbound path 20: Outbound thermistor 21: HP Return path 22: Return thermistor 23: HP outside air temperature thermistor 24: HP controller 30: Tank 31: Tank forward path 32: Mixing valve 33: Tank return path 34: Bypass control valve 35: Under tank thermistor 36a: Thermistor 36b: Thermistor 36c : Thermistor 36d: Thermistor 36e: Thermistor 40: Water supply path 42: Pressure reducing valve 44: Inlet thermistor 46: Tank water supply path 48: Tank bypass path 50: Check valve 52: Check valve 54: Water side water amount sensor 56: Tank hot water Path 58: Check valve 60: Hot water volume Sensor 62: First hot water supply path 64: Mixing thermistor 66: Second hot water supply path 68: Hot water supply outlet thermistor 70: Check valve 72: Hot water supply bypass path 74: Tank controller 75: Non-volatile memory 80: Burner 81: Gas supply pipe 82 : Heat exchanger 84: Bypass servo 86: Water quantity servo 88: Hot water filling valve 90: Burner outbound path 91: Water quantity sensor 92: Burner return path 94: Burner bypass path 96: Burner hot water supply thermistor 98: Hot water filling path 100: Burner controller 102: Remote control 110: Commercial power supply 112: Distribution board 114: Solar power generation device 116: Power storage device 118a, b: Power control unit 120: Electrical equipment 190: Wireless LAN router 192: Power management device

Claims (4)

A thermal power source that operates with power supplied from a commercial power source or a solar power generation device,
A heat pump unit comprising a heat pump heat source for heating the heat medium;
A tank unit comprising a tank for storing the heat medium heated by the heat pump heat source;
A control device capable of communicating with a power management device and capable of acquiring weather information for one day from the power management device;
Storage means for storing reference plan data including the first drive scheduled start time of the heat pump heat source,
The control device specifies a second scheduled drive start time of the heat pump heat source based on the one day weather information, and generates predicted plan data including the second scheduled drive start time,
The said control apparatus is a thermal equipment which drives the said heat pump heat source based on the driving | operation plan data in any one of the said reference | standard plan data and the said prediction plan data.   The control device identifies predicted generated power that is predicted to be generated by the solar power generation device based on the daily weather information, and is used by a device other than the predicted generated power and the thermal device. The thermal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein predicted surplus power is specified based on power, and the second scheduled drive start time included in the predicted plan data is specified based on the specified predicted surplus power. The battery further comprises a storage battery capable of charging the power generated from the solar power generation device,
The thermal device is operable with power supplied from the storage battery,
The control device is capable of acquiring the storage amount of the storage battery from the power management device,
The control device specifies a third scheduled drive start time of the heat pump heat source included in the prediction plan data based on the storage amount of the storage battery and the daily weather information,
3. The thermal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third scheduled drive start time is a time before a time at which a start of power generation by the solar power generation apparatus is predicted. A thermal power source that operates with power supplied from a commercial power source or a solar power generation device,
A heat pump unit comprising a heat pump heat source for heating the heat medium;
A tank unit comprising a tank for storing the heat medium heated by the heat pump heat source;
A storage battery capable of charging the power generated from the solar power generation device;
A control device that is communicable with a power management device and is capable of acquiring daily weather information and a storage amount of the storage battery from the power management device;
Storage means for storing reference plan data including the first drive scheduled start time of the heat pump heat source,
The thermal device is operable with power supplied from the storage battery,
The control device is configured to control the third heat pump heat source that is a time before the time when the photovoltaic power generation device is predicted to start power generation based on the storage amount of the storage battery and the daily weather information. Specifying a scheduled drive start time, and generating predicted plan data including the third scheduled drive start time,
The said control apparatus is a thermal equipment which drives the said heat pump heat source based on the driving | operation plan data in any one of the said reference | standard plan data and the said prediction plan data.