JP2020174460A - Control device, control method, and power control system - Google Patents

Abstract

To effectively utilize a surplus power amount when the surplus power amount is predicted in a system including a power storage device and a hot water storage type hot water supply device.SOLUTION: A control device (10) has a power generation amount prediction unit (110) calculating a predicted power generation amount which is a predicted value of the power generation amount per predetermined time of a power generator (91), a power consumption amount prediction unit (120) calculating a predicted power consumption amount which is a predicted value of a power amount consumed by a household electrical appliance (92) per predetermined time, and a boiling allocation unit (163) and a charging allocation unit (164) adjusting a power supplying amount to a hot water storage type hot water supply unit (95) and a charging amount to a storage battery (94) based on the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a control device or the like that controls the energy storage time of a plurality of types of energy storage devices.

In households equipped with photovoltaic power generation equipment, there is a well-known technique for selling electricity during the daytime when the power generation equipment generates electricity by sunlight and surplus electricity is generated. Further, in households equipped with a hot water storage type hot water supply device, a technique of purchasing and storing hot water during the midnight power period when electric power is relatively inexpensive is well known.

However, the above configuration is not always useful in the future. There may be cases where it is necessary to curb the amount of electricity sold due to a decrease in the selling price of solar power, or it is necessary to curb the output for system stabilization. In these cases, it is desirable that all surplus power is used and no power is sold.

In Patent Document 1, surplus power of photovoltaic power generation is reduced by controlling the operating time of the equipment when the predicted power generation amount of the photovoltaic power generation equipment exceeds the predicted power consumption, and is reduced by changing the operating time of the equipment. By calculating the charge amount, which is the amount of late-night power to be charged, from the surplus power generation amount to be generated, the predicted power load, and the remaining power amount in the power storage device, and controlling the charge amount of the power storage device, the photovoltaic power generation device A technology that can maximize the amount of power generation and increase the amount of inexpensive late-night electricity used is disclosed.

Further, in Patent Document 2, it is determined whether or not a power surplus state has occurred, and when it is determined that a power surplus state has occurred, the heating capacity of the heating device when performing the boiling operation is non-powered. A hot water storage type hot water supply device including a heating control means that is set higher than that at the time of surplus is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-92002 (published on May 6, 2011) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-122764 (published on July 3, 2014)

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, only the power storage device is considered, and the hot water storage type hot water supply device is not considered. Therefore, there is a problem that surplus electric power cannot be used for the hot water storage type hot water supply device in a household equipped with the hot water storage type hot water supply device.

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, boiling control is performed after it is determined that surplus electric power is generated. The amount of charge and the amount of boiling the night before are not taken into consideration. Therefore, there is a problem that the surplus power cannot be effectively used.

One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make effective the surplus electric energy when a surplus electric energy is expected in advance in a system including a power storage device and a hot water storage type hot water supply device. The purpose is to realize a control device that can be used for both purposes.

In order to solve the above problems, the control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a power generation device, a storage battery, and a hot water storage type water heater that generate power by using sunlight, and is used in a system that receives power from the outside. A control device that controls power supply to the hot water storage type water heater and charging of the storage battery, and includes a processor that controls power supply to the hot water storage type water heater and the amount of charge for charging the storage battery. The processor acquires the predicted power generation amount which is a predicted value of the power generation amount of the power generation device for each predetermined time, and obtains the predicted power consumption amount which is a predicted value of the power consumption amount of the device for each predetermined time. Based on the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount, the amount of power supplied to the hot water storage type water heater by the power supply from the outside and the amount of charge are adjusted.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in a system including a power storage device and a hot water storage type hot water supply device, when a surplus electric energy is expected in advance, the surplus electric energy can be effectively utilized.

It is a functional block diagram which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an overall block diagram which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. (A) is a schematic diagram showing the free capacity when only the amount of electricity stored is controlled, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the free capacity when only the amount of hot water is controlled, and (c) is the schematic diagram according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the free space when both are controlled. It is a figure which illustrates the predicted power generation amount, the predicted power consumption amount, the predicted surplus power amount, and the allocation of the power supply to a hot water storage type water heater, and the charge to a storage battery, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which illustrates the change of the amount of hot water storage and the amount of storage which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the result of pattern matching. It is a flowchart which shows the process flow of the control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which illustrates control of boiling free space and chargeable free capacity which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a power generation amount prediction unit 110, a power consumption amount prediction unit 120, a residual amount acquisition unit 150, a prediction surplus power amount calculation unit 130, and an adjustment unit 160. , Charge control unit 170, water heater control unit 180, power generation / consumption history 101, and boiling / charging schedule 103. Before explaining each component of FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the power control system including the control device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 2, and an example of free capacity in which surplus power can be used will be shown with reference to FIG. ..

FIG. 2 illustrates the overall configuration of the power control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the control device 10, the electric power control system includes a power generation device 91, a home electric appliance 92 (equipment), a power conditioner 93, a distribution board 81, a storage battery 94, and a hot water storage type water heater 95. The distribution board 81 is connected to an external power grid 96. The control device 10 is connected to the information collection server 97, the communication terminal 99, and the weather information company and the electric power company via the web network 98 (Internet).

In the power control system, the power generation history of the power generation device 91, the power consumption history of the home appliance 92, the history of the amount of power (power supply amount) used by the hot water storage type water heater 95 for boiling, and the history of the amount of hot water stored are not shown. It is recorded at predetermined time intervals via a smart meter, a distribution board 81 with a measurement function, or separately using a sensor, and is stored in the power generation / consumption history 101. The predetermined time is typically hourly. The control device 10 can read and analyze the power generation / consumption history 101.

The control device 10 is connected to the power conditioner 93 by a communication line, and information on the power generation device 91 and the storage battery 94 can be obtained from the power conditioner 93. Further, it is connected to the home electric appliance 92 and the hot water storage type water heater 95 by a home network using a communication line (not shown), and these devices are comprehensively controlled. This may be referred to as a home energy management system (HEMS). The protocol used by HEMS for communication between devices (devices) is, for example, Echonet Lite. The information collection server 97 can communicate with the control device 10 via the web network 98 to read and analyze the power generation / consumption history 101.

The power generation device 91 is a device that generates solar power. The power generation device 91 is connected to the power conditioner 93.

The home appliance 92 is a device that consumes (AC) power, and specific examples thereof include home appliances such as air conditioners, microwave ovens, televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines. Since the hot water storage type water heater 95 has a function of converting electric power energy into heat energy and storing energy, it is distinguished from the home electric appliance 92 in this specification. Similarly, the term "power consumption" refers to the power consumed by the home appliance 92, and the term "boiling power" refers to the power used by the hot water storage type water heater 95 for boiling. The home electric appliance 92 is connected to the distribution board 81 and consumes the electric power supplied from the distribution board 81.

The power conditioner 93 converts the direct current power supplied from the power generation device 91 and the storage battery 94 into alternating current. Further, the power conditioner 93 converts the alternating current power supplied from the power grid 96 into direct current and provides it to the storage battery 94. Further, the power conditioner 93 controls the sale of power from the power generation device and the power storage device to the power grid 96. The power conditioner 93 is network-connected to the control device 10 via a communication line, and transmits information to the control device 10 and receives commands and the like from the control device 10.

The storage battery 94 is connected to the power conditioner 93. The storage battery 94 increases the amount of stored electricity (charging) by using the electric power supplied through the power conditioner 93. Further, the storage battery 94 discharges electric power via the power conditioner 93, supplies electric power to the home electric appliance 92, supplies electric power to the hot water storage type water heater 95, and supplies electric power (sells) to the external electric power network 96. .. The storage battery 94 may include not only a fixedly installed storage battery but also a battery of an electric vehicle (EV).

The hot water storage type water heater 95 is connected to the distribution board 81. The hot water storage type water heater 95 uses the electric power supplied through the distribution board 81 to boil. As a general rule, boiling is done during the midnight electricity period when electricity is cheap. The midnight power period is typically from 23:00 to 7:00 am, but varies depending on the power company or the contract details (rate plan) between the power company and the power user. The midnight power period may be a time zone when power is cheap. The period from 7:00 am to 23:00 pm, when the midnight power period ends, is also called after the midnight power period. The judgment result of the necessity of boiling is influenced by the energy saving setting contents of the hot water storage type water heater, but the method is a known technique for controlling the hot water storage type water heater and is not described in this specification.

As described above, the external power network 96 supplies power to the power control system (purchasing power of the power control system) and purchases power from the power control system (selling the power control system) in response to the control of the power conditioner 93. Electric power).

The information collection server 97 records the power generation history of the power generation device 91, the power consumption history of the home electric appliance 92, and the history of boiling power, which are recorded by a measuring device (not shown).

The communication terminal 99 is a terminal owned by the power control system user. The communication terminal 99 collects information related to electric power control from the control device 10, the information collection server 97, and the weather information company and the electric power company in response to the operation of the user.

The weather information company provides the control device 10 with the weather information necessary for forecasting the amount of power generation on the next day via the web network 98. In addition, weather information on other days may be provided if necessary.

Generally, the electric power charge data in each time zone is manually set in the control device 10, but the control device 10 may receive it from the electric power company. Electricity charges generally depend on the contents of the contract between the electric power company and the electric power user, as well as the amount of electric power used or the equipment used. Therefore, the electricity charge data may include data related to the contract contents, the amount of electricity used, the relationship between the equipment used and the electricity charge, and the like.

FIG. 3A shows a schematic diagram of the amount of electricity stored and the amount of hot water stored at the end of the midnight power period when only the hot water storage type water heater 95 is allocated and controlled for the purpose of surplus electricity. The amount of electricity stored in the storage battery 94 is shown on the left side of FIG. 3A. The distance from the upper end to the lower end indicates the amount of full charge. In FIG. 3A, the stored amount of the storage battery 94 coincides with the full stored amount. On the right side of FIG. 3A, a schematic diagram of the hot water storage type water heater 95 that can be heated, the amount of hot water that can be stored, and the free capacity that can be heated is shown. The distance from the upper end to the lower end indicates the full amount that can be boiled. The shaded area is the amount of hot water stored, and the white area is the free capacity that can be boiled. The free boiling capacity in FIG. 3A is equal to the boiling possible amount that can be generated by the predicted surplus electric energy predicted from the weather information. For example, the amount that can be boiled using the predicted surplus electric energy predicted from the weather information is secured as the free capacity at the end of the midnight electric energy period. In this case, even if the actual surplus electric energy exceeds the predicted surplus electric energy, the storage battery 94 has no free capacity. Therefore, there is almost no room for changing the usage method of the storage battery 94 according to the fluctuation of the actual generated power, and the surplus power amount exceeding the fluctuation cannot be fully utilized in the user's home.

FIG. 3B shows a schematic diagram of the amount of electricity stored and the amount of hot water stored at the end of the midnight power period when only the storage battery 94 is allocated and controlled for the purpose of surplus power. The white part in FIG. 3B is the free capacity that can be stored. The free storage capacity in FIG. 3B is equal to the amount of storage that can be charged by the surplus electric energy predicted from the weather information. For example, the surplus electric energy predicted from the weather information is secured as the free capacity at the end of the midnight electric energy period. In this case, when the actual amount of surplus power exceeds the predicted amount of surplus power, the hot water storage type water heater 95 has no free capacity. Therefore, there is almost no room for changing the usage method of the hot water storage type water heater 95 according to the fluctuation of the actual generated power, and the surplus power amount exceeding the said amount cannot be fully utilized in the user's home. In addition, there is almost no room for changing the usage method of the hot water storage type water heater 95 according to the fluctuation of the actual amount of hot water used.

FIG. 3C shows a schematic diagram of the storage amount and the hot water storage amount when both the hot water storage type water heater 95 and the storage battery 94 are allocated and controlled for the purpose of surplus electric power. The free boiling capacity and the free storage capacity in FIG. 3C are secured according to the predicted surplus electric energy. For example, it is controlled to be equal to the amount that can be boiled and the amount of electricity stored that can be generated by the predicted surplus electric energy. As a result, the surplus power can be utilized in both the hot water storage type water heater 95 and the storage battery 94, and the method of using the surplus power can be changed according to the actual power consumption and the amount of hot water used. By providing free capacity in both the hot water storage type water heater 95 and the storage battery 94 in this way, it becomes easier to respond to fluctuations in power consumption, generated power, hot water usage, etc., and surplus power can be used more efficiently. .. In addition, when the surplus electric energy is expected in advance, the surplus electric energy can be effectively utilized by setting the free boiling capacity of the hot water storage type water heater 95 and the free storage capacity of the storage battery 94 in cooperation with each other. it can. Further, even when the actual power generation amount is lower than the predicted power generation amount, the boiling power can be supplied by the discharge from the storage battery 94 (the charge amount is adjusted so that the power can be supplied).

In FIG. 3, the boiling capacity of the hot water storage type water heater 95 may be the full amount of the hot water storage type water heater 95, and is an amount set by the user or an amount set by the hot water storage type water heater 95. It may be. For example, the boiling capacity set for the hot water storage type water heater 95 is a value determined by predicting the amount to be used the next day by the learning function of the hot water storage type water heater 95.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the power generation / consumption history 101 is history data of power generation and consumption of a household in which a power control system is installed. The power generation / consumption history 101 includes the power used by the hot water storage type water heater 95 for boiling, separately from the power consumption history of the home electric appliance 92.

[Power generation amount prediction unit 110]
The power generation amount prediction unit 110 acquires weather information via the web network 98. Further, the power generation amount prediction unit 110 acquires the power generation history from the power generation / consumption history 101. The power generation amount prediction unit 110 predicts the power generation amount in the period from the predetermined time to the predetermined time of the next day based on the acquired weather information and the power generation history. For example, the amount of power generation in the period from 23:00, which is the time when the midnight power period starts, to 23:00 on the next day is predicted. Further, the prediction period may be from the end time of the midnight power period to the start time of the midnight power period of the next day.

The start time of the power generation amount prediction is typically one hour before the time when the midnight power period starts (generally 23:00 pm), but is not limited to this, and may be 23:00. .. In addition, after predicting the amount of power generation, if the target state (setting state of boiling free capacity, storage free capacity, boiling / charging schedule, etc.) can be secured at the end of the midnight power period by the processing described later, after 23:00. It may be. As a result, processing can be performed over a wider time zone, and processing can be performed in an appropriate time zone for each power charge and contract content.

Specifically, the method of predicting the amount of power generation is as follows. First, the power generation amount prediction unit 110 predicts the power generation amount by multiplying it by a specific coefficient using the solar radiation amount prediction data of the area on the next day included in the weather information. The coefficient is derived from the correlation between past solar radiation amount information and power generation amount. By using the past power generation history data, the value will be a value that takes into account the installation location and orientation, the surrounding environment (shadows, etc.), the performance of the device, and the deterioration status. The past power generation history data typically uses data for a period of about one week, but the optimum period may vary depending on the usage situation of the user. Therefore, the optimum period may be derived separately. By using the power generation history based on the season, the weather, the temperature, or the deterioration of the power generation device 91, it is possible to make a highly accurate prediction.

The power generation amount prediction unit 110 is a time series of the predicted power generation amount (predicted value of the power generation amount of the power generation equipment at a predetermined time), specifically, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm when power generation by the photovoltaic power generator can be expected. The time series of the amount of power generation is transmitted to the predicted surplus electric energy calculation unit 130. Since the time when power can be generated by natural energy varies depending on the season, the time series of power generation is not limited to the above-mentioned time.

[Power consumption prediction unit 120]
Similar to the power generation amount prediction unit 110, the power consumption amount prediction unit 120 acquires weather information and consumption history and predicts the power consumption amount. The power consumption prediction unit 120 transmits the time series of the obtained predicted power consumption to the prediction surplus power calculation unit 130.

[Predicted surplus electric energy calculation unit 130]
The predicted surplus electric energy calculation unit 130 calculates the time series of the surplus electric energy based on the time series of the received predicted power generation amount and the time series of the predicted power consumption amount. The predicted surplus electric energy calculation unit 130 transmits the time series of the calculated surplus electric energy to the adjustment unit 160, which will be described later.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the time series of the power generation amount predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit 110 and the power consumption amount predicted by the power consumption amount prediction unit 120. The horizontal axis is each time zone of 24 hours from 23:00, which is the start time of the predetermined prediction period in FIG. 4, to the next 23:00. The vertical axis of FIG. 4 is electric power, and the area in the figure indicates the amount of electric power. The broken line in FIG. 4 shows the time series of the predicted generated power, and the solid line shows the time series of the power consumption. When the generated power exceeds the power consumption, surplus power is generated. In FIG. 4, the area of the portion where the broken line exceeds the solid line corresponds to the amount of surplus power. Here, an example in which surplus power is generated from 10:00 to 16:00 is illustrated. The period during which surplus power is generated is called the surplus power period, and the time series is called the time series of the predicted surplus power amount.

[Residual amount acquisition unit 150]
In response to the request from the charge allocation unit 164, the residual amount acquisition unit 150 transmits the residual amount (current storage amount) of the storage battery 94 at the prediction start time to the charge allocation unit 164. Further, the residual amount acquisition unit 150 transmits the residual amount (current hot water storage amount) of the hot water storage type water heater 95 at the prediction start time to the boiling allocation unit 163 in response to the request from the boiling up unit 163.

[Adjustment unit 160]
The adjusting unit 160 includes a surplus presence / absence determination unit 161, a boiling allocation unit 163, and a charge allocation unit 164.

The adjusting unit 160 transmits the time series of the predicted surplus electric energy received from the predicted surplus electric energy calculation unit 130 to the surplus presence / absence determination unit 161. If there is no predicted surplus electric energy, the adjusting unit 160 does not perform any further processing.

[Existence determination unit 161]
The surplus presence / absence determination unit 161 uses the received predicted surplus electric energy to determine whether or not there is a predicted surplus electric energy, that is, whether or not there is a time zone in which the predicted surplus electric energy> 0 in the time series of the surplus electric energy. judge. When it is determined that there is a predicted surplus electric energy, the surplus presence / absence determination unit 161 transmits a time series of the predicted surplus electric energy to the boiling allocation unit 163.

[Boiling allocation unit 163]
The boiling allocation unit 163 sends a request to the residual amount acquisition unit 150 to transmit the current hot water storage amount by a process described later, and acquires the hot water storage amount. After that, using the time series of the received predicted surplus electric energy, a process of determining the boiling time and the planned boiling electric energy (power supply period) is performed. In other words, the data received from the power generation / consumption history 101 indicating when and how much hot water is required, and the predicted data received from the predicted surplus power calculation unit 130 when and how much surplus power will be generated. Determine when and how much to boil based on. That is, the amount of power supplied to the hot water storage type water heater is adjusted.

By setting the power purchase schedule in the midnight power period and the boiling schedule in the surplus power period, the control device 10 can secure the free capacity of the hot water storage type water heater 95 at the end of the midnight power period.

[Charge allocation unit 164]
The charge allocation unit 164 determines the amount of power obtained by subtracting the amount of boiling power from the time series of the predicted surplus power amount as the planned charge amount of the storage battery 94 by a process described later. That is, the power supply is first allocated, and when there is a surplus, the charge is secondly allocated to adjust the amount of charge to the storage battery. By setting the power purchase schedule in the midnight power period and the boiling schedule in the surplus power period, the control device 10 can secure the free capacity of the storage battery 94 at the end of the midnight power period.

The boiling / charging schedule 103 is a future schedule of power generation, consumption, purchase, boiling, charging, and discharging of the household, which is set by the boiling allocation unit 163 and the charge allocation unit 164 by the process described later. ..

[Charge control unit 170]
The charge control unit 170 controls the storage battery 94 according to the set boiling / charging schedule 103.

The charge control unit 170 charges the storage battery as scheduled during the midnight power period. That is, charging is suppressed. After the end of the midnight power period, if the amount of power generation is less than the total amount of boiling power and power consumption, the battery is discharged, and if the amount of power generation exceeds the total amount of boiling power and power consumption, the battery is charged. The amount of power generation fluctuates on a time scale shorter than one hour, for example, in seconds, due to fluctuations in natural energy conditions, specifically, fluctuations in the amount of sunshine. As a result of the charge control unit 170 controlling the charging / discharging of the storage battery 94 after the midnight power period as described above, the storage battery 94 absorbs fluctuations on a short time scale.

If the prediction is wrong on the side where the amount of power generation is small, the charge control unit 170 may cause the storage battery 94 to perform a discharge operation. As a result, if the prediction is wrong on the side where the amount of power generation is small while the hot water storage type water heater 95 is boiling, the insufficient power can be supplemented by discharging from the storage battery 94.

[Water heater control unit 180]
The water heater control unit 180 controls the hot water storage type water heater 95 according to the set boiling / charging schedule 103. That is, the amount of power supplied to the hot water storage type water heater is suppressed.

In the example of FIG. 4, a certain amount of surplus power equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold power value is allocated to the hot water storage type water heater 95 from 12:00 to the end time (16:00) of the surplus power period. Be done. For example, when the predetermined threshold power value is 600 W and the power for one square on the vertical axis in FIG. 4 is 300 W, the power supply is allocated so that the power of 600 W or more is secured. After the power supply to the hot water storage type water heater 95 is allocated, the surplus electric power is allocated to charge the storage battery 94. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the surplus power from the start time (9:00) to 15:00 of the surplus power period is allocated to charge the storage battery 94. Here, when both types of energy storage devices, a power storage device and a hot water storage type hot water supply device, are used in order to suppress the generation of surplus electric power, it is desirable to consider the difference in their characteristics. Specifically, the storage battery 94 can be charged and discharged at a speed of units of seconds or less, but the hot water storage type water heater 95 requires a certain amount of electric power and a boiling time of minutes to hours. Further, the hot water storage type water heater 95 cannot immediately compensate from the outside when the amount of hot water stored is insufficient. Therefore, the hot water storage type water heater needs to secure a predetermined amount of hot water for which consumption is predicted by the time when consumption is predicted. Therefore, in FIG. 4, the predicted surplus electric power is first assigned to supply power to the hot water storage type water heater 95, and then to charge the storage battery 94.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a change in the free capacity obtained as a result of the control according to the present embodiment, and an outline of the control will be described using this. In the center of FIG. 5, a time series graph of predicted power consumption and a time series graph of predicted generated power are shown. The time series are the same as those in FIG. The upper part of the time series graph shows the image of the change in the amount of stored electricity, and the lower part shows the image of the change in the amount of hot water stored.

First, at 23:00, which is the predetermined prediction period start time, the boiling allocation unit 163 determines the boiling schedule in the midnight power period of the hot water storage type water heater 95 and the surplus power period (10:00 to 16:00) by the process described later. ) Determine the boiling schedule. Further, the charge allocation unit 164 determines the charge schedule of the storage battery 94 in the midnight power period and the charge schedule in the surplus power period.

The amount of hot water stored at the end of the midnight power period (7:00) is determined so that the amount is full when the boiling is completed using the surplus power (16:00). Therefore, the amount of hot water stored at the end of the midnight power period is not full, and the free capacity that can be boiled is secured. In addition, the amount of electricity stored at the end of the midnight power period (7:00) is determined so that the surplus electricity after boiling is allocated to charging and the amount of electricity is fully stored at the end of the surplus power period (15:00). Will be done. Therefore, the amount of electricity stored at the end of the midnight power period is not full, and the free capacity that can be stored is also secured.

According to the determined charging schedule, the charge control unit 170 charges using inexpensive midnight power until the end time (7 o'clock) of the midnight power period, and increases the amount of electricity stored to the determined state. After the midnight power period, charging is performed using the surplus power.

On the other hand, the water heater control unit 180 uses inexpensive midnight power to boil up until the end time (7:00) of the midnight power period, and increases the amount of hot water stored to the determined state. After that, according to the boiling schedule, boiling is performed from 11:00 to 16:00.
〔motion〕
The operation of the control device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flows of FIGS. 7 and 8.

In S11, the power generation amount prediction unit 110 acquires the weather information via the web network 98, and also acquires the power generation history from the power generation / consumption history 101. The power generation amount prediction unit 110 predicts the power generation amount of the next day at a predetermined prediction start time based on the acquired weather information and the power generation history.

Next, in S12, the power consumption prediction unit 120 acquires weather information via the web network 98, and also acquires the power generation history from the power generation / consumption history 101 to predict the power consumption. The power consumption prediction unit 120 transmits the time series of the obtained power consumption to the prediction surplus power calculation unit 130.

In S13, the predicted surplus electric energy calculation unit 130 calculates the time series of the surplus electric energy based on the time series of the received predicted power generation amount and the time series of the predicted power consumption amount. The predicted surplus electric energy calculation unit 130 transmits the time series of the calculated surplus electric energy to the adjustment unit 160, which will be described later.

In S14, the surplus presence / absence determination unit 161 determines the presence / absence of the predicted surplus power amount (whether or not there is a time zone in which the predicted surplus power amount> 0 in the time series of the calculated surplus power amount). When it is predicted that there is no surplus electric energy (No in S14), the surplus presence / absence determination unit 161 ends the process. When it is predicted that there is a surplus electric energy (Yes in S14), the surplus presence / absence determination unit 161 transmits a time series of the predicted surplus electric energy to the boiling allocation unit 163.

In S15, the boiling allocation unit 163 and the charging allocation unit 164 perform boiling and charging allocation processing for the predicted surplus electric energy based on the processing of S151 to S15A described later. Details of S15 are shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, in S151, the boiling allocation unit 163 acquires a time series of the predicted surplus electric energy.

In S152, the boiling allocation unit 163 calculates the required boiling power amount. Specifically, the boiling allocation unit 163 first sends a request to the residual amount acquisition unit 150 to transmit the current hot water storage amount, and acquires it. Next, the boiling allocation unit 163 boiled from the difference (boilable full amount-hot water storage amount) between the boilable full amount received from the hot water storage type water heater 95 and the acquired current hot water storage amount by a route (not shown). Determine the required amount. Next, the required boiling amount is used to determine the required boiling power amount. The residual amount acquisition unit 150 does not wait for the acquisition request from the boiling allocation unit 163 and the charge allocation unit 164, and the residual amount acquisition unit 150 automatically stores the current hot water amount and the current storage amount at a predetermined prediction start time. May be configured to transmit.

In S153, the boiling allocation unit 163 performs pattern matching with the time series of the predicted surplus electric energy, and determines the time series of the electric energy allocated to the power supply.

A hot water storage type water heater, especially a heat pump water heater, which uses an isothermal process to extract energy from the outside atmosphere and boil it, keeps boiling a certain amount of electric power for a certain period of time. Is desirable. Therefore, even if the total amount of surplus electricity exceeds the amount of electricity required for boiling, it is not always possible to utilize it for boiling. For example, the period in which the amount of surplus electricity exceeds the amount of electricity required for boiling is a short time that is not suitable for boiling due to the specifications of the hot water storage type water heater 95, or the specifications of the hot water storage type water heater 95 with a small surplus. If there is a time zone in which only surplus electricity that is not suitable for boiling up can be allocated, it cannot be used for boiling up. If it is not possible to allocate a certain amount of power for a certain period of time, it is necessary to purchase power from the grid. Therefore, in S153 and S154 described later, a process of confirming whether or not a certain amount of power can be allocated for a certain period of time is performed.

An example of the result of the pattern matching will be described with reference to FIG. The upper part of FIG. 6 shows an example of (a) a case in which all the required boiling power can be allocated. At the bottom of FIG. 6, (b) an example of a case in which all the required boiling power could not be allocated is shown. In each figure, the surplus power is shown by a double-dashed line, and the amount of power allocated to supply power to the water heater is shown by a right diagonal line. In FIG. 6A, it is predicted that all the required boiling power (10 squares marked by the right diagonal line) can be allocated using the surplus power. That is, it is predicted that a constant electric power (power corresponding to 2 squares in the vertical direction) equal to or higher than a predetermined electric energy threshold value can be allocated for a certain period (5 hours from 11:00 to 16:00). On the other hand, in FIG. 6B, it is not predicted that all of the required boiling power can be allocated by using the surplus power. That is, it is predicted that a certain amount of electric power (electric power corresponding to two squares in the vertical direction) can be allocated only for a part of the period (3 hours from 13:00 to 16:00). In this case, the boiling schedule may be determined so that the shortage of 4 squares is purchased from the external power grid 96 during the period when the surplus power is not generated. Further, the boiling schedule may be determined so as to boil at another time zone to which the boiling power can be allocated, such as 2 hours from 9:00 to 11:00 in FIG. 6B. As a result, the boiling schedule for the surplus power period is determined.

In S154, the boiling allocation unit 163 determines as a result of pattern matching whether all the required boiling power can be allocated.

As a result of pattern matching, when all the required boiling power can be allocated (YES in S154), the boiling allocation unit 163 in S155 determines the time series of the allocated electric energy as the boiling schedule as it is.

In S156, the boiling allocation unit 163 sets the amount of boiling power using midnight power to zero. As a result, the boiling schedule during the midnight power period is determined. The boiling allocation unit 163 stores the boiling schedule determined in the surplus power period and the midnight power period in the boiling / charging schedule 103.

In S157, the charge allocation unit 164 allocates a portion obtained by removing the time series of the electric energy allocated to the power supply from the time series of the predicted surplus electric energy to the charge amount in the surplus electric energy period, and determines the charge schedule in the surplus electric energy period. To do.

In S158, the charge allocation unit 164 sends a request to the residual amount acquisition unit 150 so as to transmit the current charge amount, and acquires it. Next, the charge allocation unit 164 calculates the late-night charge amount based on the charge schedule determined in S157 and the acquired current charge amount. Specifically, the midnight charge amount is calculated as the midnight charge amount = (full charge amount-charge amount in the surplus power period-current charge amount). Using the calculated midnight charge amount, the charge allocation unit 164 creates a charge schedule for the midnight power period and stores it in the boiling / charge schedule 103.

As a result of pattern matching, when all the required boiling power cannot be allocated (No in S154), in S159, the boiling allocation unit 163 allocates the total amount of the available electric power to the boiling electric energy, and surplus power. Determine the boiling schedule for the period.

In S15A, the boiling allocation unit 163 calculates a difference obtained by subtracting the shortage, that is, the total amount of electric energy allocated to the power supply from the required electric energy for boiling. The boiling allocation unit 163 determines the boiling schedule in the midnight power period by using the calculated shortage as the boiling power amount using the midnight power. The boiling allocation unit 163 stores the boiling schedule in the determined surplus power period and the midnight power period in the boiling / charging schedule 103.

In S15B, the charge allocation unit 164 sends a request to the residual amount acquisition unit 150 so as to transmit the current charge amount, and acquires it. The charge allocation unit 164 then calculates the midnight charge amount based on the acquired current charge amount. Specifically, the midnight charge amount is calculated as the midnight charge amount = (full charge amount-current charge amount). Using the calculated midnight charge amount, the charge allocation unit 164 creates a charge schedule for the midnight power period and stores it in the boiling / charge schedule 103.

After finishing the processing in S15, in S16 of FIG. 7, the charge control unit 170 and the water heater control unit 180 read the set boiling / charging schedule 103 and control the storage battery 94 and the hot water storage type water heater 95. Do.

With the above configuration and operation, in a household having a power generation device 91, a storage battery 94, and a hot water storage type water heater 95, the amount of surplus power is predicted, and the amount of electricity stored and the amount of boiling that can be generated by the predicted amount of surplus power are applied. , It is possible to control the free capacity of both types of energy storage devices, that is, a power storage device and a hot water storage type hot water supply device. Further, even if the prediction is wrong on the side where the amount of power generation is small, the amount of decrease is first reduced from the predicted amount of power generation allocated to charging, so that it is possible to prevent the hot water storage type water heater 95 from running out of hot water.

In this specification, unless there is a contradiction, the term "electric power" is used for the amount of energy change per unit time expressed in units such as watts, and "electric energy" is in principle a unit such as watt hours. It is used for the amount of energy represented by.
[Modification example]
In the present specification, as an example, the control device 10 installed in the home includes a power generation / consumption history 101, a power generation amount prediction unit 110, a power consumption amount prediction unit 120, a prediction surplus power amount calculation unit 130, and an adjustment unit 160. As described above, the information collection server 97 may be configured to include them. As a result, the information collection server 97 can create the boiling / charging schedule 103 and remotely control the information via the control device 10.

Further, the HEMS may be controlled by the control device 10 in the house, or may be controlled remotely from the server via the control device 10.

[Example of realization by software]
The control block of the control device 10 (particularly, the predicted surplus electric energy calculation unit 130, the adjustment unit 160, the charge control unit 170, and the water heater control unit 180) is a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like. It may be realized by software, or it may be realized by software.

In the latter case, the control device 10 includes a computer that executes instructions of a program that is software that realizes each function. The computer includes, for example, at least one processor (control device) and at least one computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. Then, in the computer, the processor reads the program from the recording medium and executes it, thereby achieving the object of the present invention. As the processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used. As the recording medium, in addition to a "non-temporary tangible medium" such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. Further, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the above program may be further provided. Further, the program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. It should be noted that one aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the above program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[Summary]
The control device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a power generation device that generates electricity by using sunlight, a storage battery, and a hot water storage type water supply device, and in a system that receives power from the outside, power is supplied to the hot water storage type water supply device. A control device that controls charging of the storage battery and includes a processor, which acquires a predicted electric energy that is a predicted value of the electric energy of the power generation device for each predetermined time and is consumed by the device. The predicted power consumption amount, which is a predicted value of the power amount for each predetermined time, is acquired, and based on the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount, the amount of power supplied to the hot water storage type water heater by the power supply from the outside, And adjust the charge amount to the storage battery.

According to the above configuration, the free boiling capacity of the hot water storage type water heater and the free storage capacity of the storage battery can be controlled in cooperation with each other. Further, since the amount of power supplied to the hot water storage type water heater and the amount of charge to the storage battery are adjusted based on the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount, the surplus power can be effectively utilized.

In the control device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the processor acquires the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount after the midnight power period of the next day, and the predicted power generation amount is the predicted power generation amount. When the electric energy is exceeded, the power supply and the charging using the power generated by the power generation device, which are performed after the midnight electric energy period, are predicted, and the electric energy corresponding to the excess electric energy is predicted during the midnight electric energy period. , The power supply and the charging by the power supply from the outside may be suppressed.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to secure a free boiling capacity at the end of the midnight power period and to use the surplus power for boiling. In addition, it is possible to secure a rechargeable free capacity at the end of the midnight power period and charge using the amount of power obtained by subtracting the amount of boiling power from the predicted amount of surplus power.

In the control device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the processor first allocates the power supply for the use of the electric energy exceeding the above amount, and secondly allocates the charge when there is a surplus. Therefore, the power supply and the charging using the electric power generated by the power generation device may be predicted.

According to the above configuration, it can be easily predicted by first deciding the schedule of the hot water storage type water heater that can estimate the amount of electric power required for boiling.

In the control device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the processor acquires the electric energy exceeding the predetermined electric energy for each predetermined time, and exceeds the electric energy threshold. The power supply may be allocated to the use of the electric energy exceeding the electric energy in the time zone in which the electric energy of the electric energy can be secured.

According to the above configuration, since power is supplied to the hot water storage type water heater during a time period during which a constant amount of electric power can be supplied, the possibility of purchasing electric power during boiling can be reduced.

In any of the above aspects 1 to 4, the control device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the processor from the storage battery when the power supply performed after the midnight power period cannot be covered by the power generated by the power generation device. The amount of charge may be adjusted so that power can be supplied by the discharge of.

According to the above configuration, even if the amount of power generation is less than expected, boiling can be performed without purchasing power.

In the control method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the device includes a power generation device that generates electricity by using sunlight, a storage battery, and a hot water storage type water heater, and in a system that receives electric power from the outside, the hot water storage type water heater is supplied. It is a control method for controlling power supply and charging of the storage battery, and acquires a predicted power generation amount which is a predicted value of the power generation amount of the power generation device for each predetermined time, and obtains a predicted power generation amount of the power generation device for each predetermined time. The predicted power consumption amount, which is the predicted value of, is acquired, and based on the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount, the amount of power supplied to the hot water storage type water heater by the power supply from the outside and the charging of the storage battery. Adjust the amount.

The control device according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the control device is realized by the computer by operating the computer as each part (software element) included in the control device. The control program of the control device and the computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

10 Control device 91 Power generation equipment 92 Home appliances (equipment)
94 Storage battery 95 Hot water storage type water heater 101 Power generation / consumption history 110 Power generation amount prediction unit 120 Power consumption amount prediction unit 150 Residual amount acquisition unit 130 Predicted surplus power amount calculation unit 160 Adjustment unit 161 Excessive presence / absence determination unit 163 Boiling allocation unit 164 Charging Allocation unit 103 Boiling / charging schedule

Claims (7)

A control device that controls power supply to the hot water storage type water heater and charging of the hot water storage type water heater in a system that receives power from the outside, including a power generation device that generates power using sunlight, a storage battery, and a hot water storage type water heater. And
Equipped with a processor
The processor
Obtain the predicted power generation amount, which is the predicted value of the power generation amount of the power generation device for each predetermined time,
Obtain the predicted power consumption, which is the predicted value of the power consumed by the device for each predetermined time,
A control device that adjusts the amount of power supplied to the hot water storage type water heater and the amount of charge to the storage battery by supplying electric power from the outside based on the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount. The processor
When the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount after the midnight power period of the next day are acquired and the predicted power generation amount exceeds the predicted power consumption amount.
Predicting the power supply and the charging using the power generated by the power generation device, which will be performed after the midnight power period,
The control device according to claim 1, wherein during the midnight power period, the power supply and the charging by the power supply from the outside are suppressed with respect to the power amount corresponding to the power amount exceeding the power amount. The processor
For the use of the electric energy exceeding the above, the power supply is first allocated, and when there is a surplus, the charge is secondly allocated.
The control device according to claim 2, wherein the power supply and the charging using the electric power generated by the power generation device are predicted. The processor
With respect to the amount of power exceeding the above, the amount of power exceeding the predetermined time is acquired.
The control device according to claim 3, wherein the power supply is allocated to the use of the power amount exceeding the predetermined power amount threshold value or more in a time zone in which the power amount exceeding the power amount can be secured. The control according to claim 1, wherein the processor adjusts the charge amount so that power can be supplied by discharging from the storage battery when the power supply performed after the midnight power period cannot be covered by the power generated by the power generation device. apparatus. A control method for controlling power supply to the hot water storage type water heater and charging of the storage battery in a system that receives power from the outside, including a power generation device that generates electricity using sunlight, a storage battery, and a hot water storage type water heater. And
Obtain the predicted power generation amount, which is the predicted value of the power generation amount of the power generation device for each predetermined time,
Obtain the predicted power consumption, which is the predicted value of the power consumed by the device for each predetermined time,
A control method for adjusting the amount of power supplied to the hot water storage type water heater and the amount of charge to the storage battery by supplying electric power from the outside based on the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount. A power control system including the control device according to claim 1, the power generation device, a power conditioner for controlling the power generation device, the storage battery, and the hot water storage type water heater.

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