JP4523864B2 - Heat source control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat source control device, and more particularly to a heat source control device used in a cogeneration system.

Conventionally, the heat of a device having a heat source is effectively used for hot water supply or heating. In large-scale establishments, heat generated during power generation is effectively used as a heat source.
In recent years, generators that can use heat corresponding to homes and small businesses have been developed. And energy can be saved by effectively using the heat generated during power generation as a heat source.
On the other hand, there is also a device that can effectively use electricity and heat by using a heat-driven device that can generate electricity while generating heat.

The heat is generated with power generation. Therefore, in the above apparatus, electricity and heat are generated at the same time, and if a large amount of electric power is generated, this heat increases. However, the required amount of power and the required thermal energy are not necessarily related.
Usually, the fluctuation of the heat consumption is larger than the fluctuation of the power consumption. This is because large energy may be temporarily used such as hot water supply to the bath.

  For this reason, a hot water storage tank is provided to provide a heat storage part such as a storage tank that temporarily stores thermal energy using hot water, and when the use of heat energy suddenly increases, the heat stored in the heat storage part is used. ing. In addition to the generator, an auxiliary heat source such as a combustion device is provided to compensate for the shortage of heat when the use of thermal energy is further increased.

Prior art documents related to the invention of this application include the following.
Japanese Patent No. 2580504

  In Patent Literature 1, it is determined whether the resident is in a living state while getting up, absent or sleeping, and for each energy usage act from the measurement result of the energy usage act and the usage record data measurement unit, An energy load prediction device is described in which the average and variance of use start time, use duration, and use amount are obtained to determine energy use for each hour. And according to patent document 1, the prediction which can respond to the life pattern of various residents can be performed, and the thermal storage system effective for the energy supply equipment of an apartment house can be utilized.

  In the case of a generator (heat source) that uses heat corresponding to a home or a small-scale business, the fluctuation of the heat energy used is large. In particular, a large amount of heat energy is required in a short time when hot water is used such as when using a bath. In this case, the heat energy stored in the heat storage unit is used. However, if a larger amount of heat energy than the heat energy stored in the heat storage unit is required, an auxiliary device such as a combustion device provided separately from the generator is used. Heat energy must be supplied by a heat source. In such a case, the energy efficiency decreases due to the use of the auxiliary heat source.

Therefore, the heat source to be used is predicted and the heat source is systematically operated in advance so as to store the heat energy in the heat storage unit in advance in case a large amount of heat energy is required. However, even when operated in this way, the use of heat energy may not be performed as expected.
Conversely, if the electricity generated by the heat source is not used effectively, the energy efficiency is reduced.

If the generated electricity is not used effectively, it may be possible to stop the operation of the heat source.However, in such a case, heat cannot be stored, so if you want to prioritize the use of heat, save energy. It may be inferior or inconvenient.
If necessary, the user may manually control the operation of the heat source.However, if the user's specified heat source operation time zone or operation time is not appropriate, the energy saving performance will be reduced. It may be lowered.
Furthermore, when the heat source is planned to be automatically operated, such manual control may cause the heat source to be operated more than necessary. In such a case, wasteful electricity and heat are generated. There is a fear.

  Accordingly, the present invention has an object to provide a heat source control device capable of realizing energy saving by avoiding wasteful power generation or generated heat or heat for a heat source that is systematically operated. is there.

The invention described in claim 1 for achieving the above object is to control the operation of a heat source that generates heat and generates power, and predicts the amount of heat and electricity used to operate the heat source. A heat source control device that includes an operation plan creation unit, a power consumption confirmation unit, and a notification unit, and the operation plan creation unit creates an operation plan for the heat source, and the heat source is based on the operation plan. The electric power generated by the heat source can be used to check the electric power used by an external device, and the electric power used is a minimum value for which the electric power used is a constant value. characterized in that the not exceed power heat source with a stopped state, and are not to notify the predetermined information by the informing means, notifying means is for notifying the difference between the power usage and the lowest power consumption Heat A control device.
Here, being in a stopped state means that the vehicle is stopped when it is in an operating state, and that it is stopped when it is in a stopped state. The predetermined information includes information that prompts the use of electricity in addition to information that the heat source is stopped without exceeding the minimum power consumption.

  According to the heat source control device of claim 1, provided is a power consumption confirmation means capable of confirming the power consumption. If the power consumption does not exceed the minimum power consumption, the heat source is stopped and the notification is performed. Since the predetermined information is notified by the means, the generated electricity is prevented from being wasted. In addition, if the heat source is stopped during operation by manual control, the user may mistakenly think that the heat source has failed, but such a situation can be prevented.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the notification means notifies the difference between the used power and the minimum used power, the power until the used power exceeds the minimum used power, that is, the heat source is operated. It is possible to know the power required until the end of the operation, and prompt the user to use electricity.

The invention according to claim 2 includes a manual control unit, and the manual control unit allows a user to set a manual operation time zone, which is a time zone in which the heat source is in an operating state, to create an operation plan The means creates an operation plan by operating the heat source during the manual operation time period,
Even if the power consumption does not exceed the minimum power consumption is a constant value, in the case of manual operation time zone, the heat source is a heat source controlled according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating state Device.
The invention according to claim 3 controls the operation of the heat source that generates heat and generates power, and is a heat source control device that operates the heat source by predicting the amount of heat and electricity used, An operation plan creation means, a power consumption confirmation means, and a notification means, the operation plan creation means creates an operation plan of the heat source, and controls operation of the heat source based on the operation plan. The power consumption confirmation means can confirm the power used by the external device generated by the heat source, and if the power consumption does not exceed a certain minimum power consumption, the heat source is stopped. In addition, the notification means notifies the predetermined information, and has a manual control unit, and the manual control unit allows a user to set a manual operation time zone in which the heat source is in an operating state. To set The operation plan creation means creates the operation plan by operating the heat source during the manual operation time period, and even when the power consumption does not exceed a certain minimum power consumption. In the manual operation time zone, the heat source control device is characterized in that the heat source is in an operating state.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, a manual control unit is included, and the manual control unit allows the user to set a manual operation time zone, so that the user uses electricity by manual operation. By operating the heat source at the scheduled time, electricity generated by the heat source can be used in such a time zone. In addition, even if the power consumption does not exceed a certain minimum power consumption, the heat source is in an operating state in the manual operation time zone, so even if electricity cannot be used, It is possible to prioritize storage.

The invention according to claim 4 controls the operation of the heat source that generates heat and generates power, and is a heat source control device that operates the heat source by predicting the amount of heat and electricity used. Having a plan creation means, a stored heat amount detection means and a notification means, the operation plan creation means creates an operation plan of the heat source, and controls the operation of the heat source based on the operation plan, The stored heat amount detection means can detect the amount of heat stored in the storage unit that stores the heat of the heat source, and when the heat storage limit is reached, which is the maximum heat amount that can be stored in the storage unit, the heat source is stopped. with the state, and are not to notify the predetermined information by said notifying means includes a storage limit prediction means, the storing limit predicting means, the amount of heat that is stored in the storage unit, the amount of heat stored by the operation of the heat source Reaching the limit It is intended to predict whether, when it is predicted that it reaches to the amount of heat storage limit, which is a heat source control device, characterized in that the informing means is for informing the predetermined information.
Here, the predetermined information includes information indicating that the amount of heat stored in the storage unit has reached a limit, information prompting the use of heat, and the like.

  According to the heat source control device according to claim 4, the stored heat amount detection means capable of detecting the amount of heat stored in the storage unit storing the heat of the heat source is provided, and when the storage unit reaches the heat storage limit, the heat source Is in a stopped state and notifies the predetermined information by the notifying means, so that the use of heat is promoted, and also when the heat storage limit is reached in the storage unit and the heat source is stopped. The user will not mistake the heat source as a malfunction.

According to invention of Claim 4 , it has a storage limit prediction means which predicts whether the calorie | heat amount currently stored by the storage part will reach | attain a calorie | heat amount storage limit by driving | operation of a heat source, and predicts that it will reach | attain a calorie | heat amount storage limit In this case, since the notification means notifies the predetermined information, the generated heat is wasted by prompting the user to change the operating state or use the heat before reaching the heat storage limit. This can be prevented.

The invention according to claim 5 includes a manual control unit, and the manual control unit allows the user to perform a manual operation time zone in which the heat source is in an operating state and a time period in which the heat source is in a stopped state. It is possible to set at least one of a manual stop time zone that is a belt, and the operation plan creation means operates so as to operate the heat source during the manual operation time zone and stop the heat source during the manual stop time zone. The heat source control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the heat source control device is for creating a plan.

According to the invention of claim 5 , at least one of a manual operation time zone and a manual stop time zone can be set by the manual control unit, and a heat source is operated during the manual operation time zone, Since the operation plan is created so that the heat source is stopped during the manual stop time period, if the manual input operation by the manual control unit is not performed, the operation is automatically performed, and if the manual input operation is performed, the operation is performed manually. Since the operation is performed so as to reflect the input result for the operation time zone and the manual stop time zone, the user may input when the user wants to perform the manual operation, and the operability is good.

In the invention according to claim 6 , when the user sets a manual operation time zone or a manual stop time zone after the operation plan is created, the operation plan creation means creates the operation plan again and is created again. The heat source control device according to any one of claims 2, 3 and 5, wherein the heat source is operated based on an operation plan.

According to the invention described in claim 6 , when the manual operation time zone or the manual stop time zone is set, the operation plan is created again, and the heat source is operated based on the created operation plan again. After being performed, the heat source is operated based on the new operation plan, and the contents of the manual input operation are immediately reflected.

The operation plan to be created again is created by correcting an already created operation plan, and can be created by correcting only the set manual operation time zone or manual stop time zone ( Claim 7 ).

The operation plan that is created again is created by correcting the operation plan that has already been created. The manual operation time zone and manual stop time zone that have been set are corrected. It is possible to correct the time zone other than the stop time zone so that the difference in the total operation time of the heat source before and after the correction is within a predetermined range (claim 8 ).

In addition, the operation plan to be created again must be created by setting the manual operation time zone set to the operating state, setting the manual stop time zone set to the stop state, and newly calculating other time zones. (Claim 9 ).

  In the heat source control device of the present invention, it is possible to realize further energy saving for the heat source that is systematically operated.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a thermal system in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a thermal system in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of the thermal system in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of data relating to the amount of heat at each hour of the day in time series. FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of data related to the amount of power at each time of day in time series. 6 and 7 are front views showing the display unit. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the heat source control device in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of data relating to the amount of power at each time of day in time series. FIG. 10 is a graph showing an example of data relating to the amount of heat at each hour of the day in time series.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heat source control device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a heat consumption confirmation means 10, a reference value update means 11, a reference value storage means 12, an operation plan creation means 13, and a manual control means. 13a, used power confirmation means 14, power comparison means 14a, stored heat amount detection means 14b, storage limit prediction means 14c, and notification means 15.
The heat source control device 1 is a control device provided in the heat system 8, and the heat system 8 is provided with a heat source 16, a storage unit 17, and a heat energy use device 18, and the heat source 16 is a heat source control device. It is operated while being controlled by 1.

  The heat source control device 1 predicts in advance the amount of heat used by the user and operates the heat source 16 based on the prediction. Specifically, based on the reference predicted value W stored in the reference value storage unit 12, an operation plan is created by the operation plan creation unit 13 and the heat source 16 is operated. Then, the reference predicted value W stored in the reference value storage unit 12 is updated using the heat consumption amount Q or the like confirmed by the heat consumption amount confirmation unit 10.

  The heat consumption confirmation means 10 measures a physical quantity related at regular intervals to thereby use a heat energy use device 18 (a hot water supply device 19, a bath device 20, a heating device 21) that is a predetermined device that uses heat generated by the heat source 16. ) Can be used to confirm the heat consumption Q consumed.

The reference value update unit 11 determines whether or not to update the reference prediction value W based on the reference prediction value W or the actual value of the heat consumption Q, and calculates the reference prediction value W when updating. The reference predicted value W recorded in the reference value storage means 12 is updated. The reference prediction value W is used to create an operation plan as will be described later.
In the present embodiment, the reference prediction value W is repeatedly used as required by repeatedly using the reference prediction value W preceding the reference cycle. Here, the reference period is arbitrary, but is one week in the embodiment of the present invention.

This reference period has a plurality of periods as components, and in this embodiment, this period is one day, and the reference period has seven periods. This period consists of a plurality of unit periods. This unit period is one hour, and there are 24 unit periods in one period.
Further, the reference prediction value W has 24 data per day, and data is provided for each time. And the heat consumption Q confirmed by the heat consumption confirmation means 10 corresponds to the unit period of the reference predicted value W, and the heat consumed every hour can be confirmed.

The reference predicted value W has 24 data for each time for each day of the week, and a total of 168 data is recorded by the reference value storage means 12. In other words, the reference prediction value W has data for each unit period.
If the reference predicted value W satisfies a certain condition, the reference predicted value W may be updated to the value of the heat consumption Q corresponding to the day of the week and the time. In such a case, the reference prediction value W can be set to a value close to the heat consumption amount Q during the same day in the past. When the thermal system 8 starts to be used, the initial value S is used instead of the reference predicted value W that is the reference period before.
It should be noted that the standard time of the day does not have to be midnight, but can be based on another time such as 3:00 am.

  The operation plan creation means 13 creates an operation plan based on the reference predicted value W stored in the reference value storage means 12. The operation plan is performed using the reference predicted value W for the day of the week on which the operation plan is created. When the operation plan is created, the reference predicted value W may be used as it is, but the operation plan can also be created using the planned calorific value Ty calculated by correcting the reference predicted value W under certain conditions. And control of the heat source 16 is performed based on this operation plan, and the heat source 16 is in an operation state for a certain period of time.

This operation plan has an operation time zone and a stop time zone, and in principle, is controlled to operate the heat source 16 during the operation time zone. 4 and 5, the heat generated by the heat source 16 can be stored as it is or once in the storage unit 17 to supply the heat amount of the planned heat value Ty (reference predicted value W) for each time. To be created. The amount of heat stored in the storage unit 17 is created so as not to exceed the heat storage limit, which is the maximum amount of heat that can be stored in the storage unit 17.
The heat storage scheduled curve H in FIG. 4 is the heat stored in the storage unit 17 when the heat source 16 is operated as planned and the heat is consumed as predicted. Since the maximum value of the heat storage scheduled curve H is smaller than the heat storage limit, when the heat source 16 is operated as scheduled and heat is consumed as predicted, the heat stored in the storage unit 17 is This is a range that can be stored in the storage unit 17.

  And since the plan calorie | heat amount value Ty (reference | standard prediction value W) is updated by the past performance, it is a value close | similar to the heat amount actually used. Further, when the heat source 16 is operated according to the operation plan and the heat is used as predicted, the amount of heat stored in the storage unit 17 becomes substantially equal to the heat storage scheduled curve H.

  As will be described later, when a manual input operation is performed by the manual control means 13a, an operation plan is created again, which will be described in detail later.

Further, power generation is performed by the operation of the heat source 16. The electricity generated by the heat source 16 is used by a power load 22 which is an external device as shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 shows the electric power generated by the heat source 16 and the used electric power E used by the electric power load 22. When the used power E is larger than the power generation amount, all generated electricity is consumed, and when the used power E is smaller than the power generation amount, the generated electricity is consumed by the amount of the used power E. In addition, when the used electric power E is smaller than the power generation amount and the generated electric power remains, it is stored as heat in the storage unit 17 using a heater or the like.

  The manual control means 13 a controls the operation of the heat source 16 by a user operation, and has an input unit 49. In the heat source control device 1, the operation of the heat source 16 is performed so as to reflect the result input by the user through the input unit 49. Specifically, regardless of the operation plan created as described above, the heat source 16 can be manually operated or the heat source 16 can be manually stopped.

The input unit 49 of the manual control means 13a is provided with a display unit 50 and a button unit 51 as shown in FIG. The display unit 50 can display information related to manual control, and the user can input how to operate the heat source 16 by pressing the button unit 51 while viewing the display unit 50.
The display unit 50 can display the power generation reservation display mode, but can also display not only information related to such manual control but also other information.

When the power generation reservation display mode is displayed on the display unit 50, the operation plan for the day created by the operation plan creation means 13 is displayed on the display unit 50. Specifically, the operation display unit 50a is in a lighting state for a time zone corresponding to the scheduled operation time of the heat source 16.
In the operation plan, the heat source 16 is in a stop time period, but when it is desired to operate the heat source 16 by manual input during this time period, it corresponds to “forward” or “return” displayed on the display unit 50. The buttons 51a and 51b are pressed to move the time zone displayed on the operation display unit 50a and the set time display unit 50b to the target time zone. Further, the button 51e corresponding to “ON / OFF” is pressed to change the operation display unit 50a from the unlit state to the lit state. Then, the time zone (manual operation time zone) in which the operation of the heat source 16 is desired to be manually set is set.

  This operation is repeated for all the time zones in which the heat source 16 is in the operating state, and all the operation display units 50a in the time zones in which the heat source 16 is to be in the operating state are turned on. In addition, by pressing the button 51e a plurality of times, the time zone of the operation display unit 50a is alternately turned on and off, and if it is input by mistake, the button 51e is pressed again to correct it. You may be able to.

  Further, in the operation plan, the heat source 16 is in the time zone of the operating state. However, when it is desired to stop the heat source 16 by manual input during this time zone, the “progress” displayed on the display unit 50 is performed in the same manner as described above. The buttons 51a and 51b corresponding to “Return” or “Return” are pressed to move the time zone displayed on the operation display unit 50a or the set time display unit 50b to the target time zone. Further, the button 51e corresponding to “ON / OFF” is pressed to change the operation display unit 50a from the unlit state to the lit state. Thus, a time zone (manual stop time zone) in which the operation of the heat source 16 is desired to be manually stopped is set.

Then, the button 51d corresponding to “Confirm” on the display unit 50 is pressed to complete the operation. If it is desired to cancel the input and return to the original state during the operation, the user presses the button 51c corresponding to “Cancel”.
Further, in the operation plan, the manual operation time zone may be set even when the heat source 16 is in the operation time period. In the operation plan, the heat source 16 may be set in the stop time period. A manual stop time zone may be set. In this case, the setting can be made by pressing the button 51e corresponding to “ON / OFF” a plurality of times.
Note that the display unit 50 may be a touch panel, and the input operation may be performed by touching the display unit 50 instead of the button unit 51 described above.

  Thus, by operating the input unit 49, the time zone in which the heat source 16 is in an operating state (manual operation time zone) and the time zone in which the heat source 16 is not in operation (manual stop time zone) are manually set. Can be set. When this setting is made, even if an operation plan has already been created, it is created again by operating the input unit 49. The operation plan that is created again is created so that the heat source 16 is in the operating state during the manual operation time zone, and the heat source 16 is in the stopped state during the manual stop time zone.

As an example of the case where the user controls the operation of the heat source 16 by the manual control means 13a, a case where electricity or heat different from usual is used can be considered.
Then, by manually setting the heat source 16 to the operating state by the manual control means 13a, it can be reliably stored in the storage unit 17 in a predetermined time zone, and electricity generated by the heat source 16 in the predetermined time zone is used. Can do and can also store heat. Moreover, by manually setting the heat source 16 to the operation stop state by the manual control means 13a, it is possible to prevent electricity or heat that is not used from being generated or generated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the heat source 16 is connected to a power load 22 of an apparatus provided outside that uses the power generated by the heat source 16. The used power E used by the power load 22 can be confirmed by the used power confirmation means 14.

In addition, the power comparison unit 14 a can compare the used power E confirmed by the used power confirmation unit 14 with the power generation amount generated by the heat source 16.
And in the heat source control apparatus 1, as a result of the comparison by the power comparison means 14a, when the used power E used by the used power confirmation means 14 is smaller than the minimum used power E0, the used power shortage stop mode is set, and the heat source Control is performed to stop 16. In other words, even if the heat source 16 is to be operated in the operation plan created by the operation plan creating means 13, the heat source 16 is controlled to stop when the operation power shortage stop mode is entered.

Thus, since the heat source 16 is stopped when the use power shortage stop mode is set, it is possible to prevent the power generated by the heat source 16 from being effectively used and to improve the energy efficiency.
However, even in the power usage shortage stop mode, the heat source 16 is controlled to operate in the manual operation time period described above. Since the heat source control device 1 is controlled in this way, when the user wants to use heat preferentially, the heat source 16 can be operated as a manual operation time zone by manual input.

The stored heat quantity detection means 14b can detect the heat quantity of the storage part 17, and can confirm whether the heat quantity storage limit which is the maximum heat quantity which can be stored in the storage part 17 has been reached.
And if operation of the heat source 16 continues in the state where the use of heat by hot water supply or the like is small, the amount of heat stored in the storage unit 17 increases, but in the heat source control device 1 of the present invention, the amount of heat of the storage unit 17 is the amount of heat. When the storage limit is reached, the heat source 16 is forcibly stopped. As an example of such a case, when the actual heat consumption is smaller than the planned heat value Ty (reference predicted value W), or when the manual operation time zone is input by the manual control means 13a. Regardless, the amount of heat consumed is small.

When such a state continues, the amount of heat in the storage unit 17 reaches the heat storage limit, and the heat source 16 is forcibly stopped. In this case, the user may be mistaken for the heat source 16 having failed because the heat source 16 is stopped despite the manual operation time zone being input.
Therefore, when the storage unit 17 reaches the heat storage limit during the manual operation time zone and the heat source 16 is forcibly stopped by the notification means 15 described later, “the tank is full”, etc. Predetermined information such as this and related information is notified. And when performing a manual input operation and making a reservation for driving, the heat source 16 stops for the above-mentioned reason, but the notification by the notification means 15 prevents the user from mistakenly saying that the heat source 16 has failed. be able to.

  It should be noted that a fixed value may be used as the minimum power consumption E0 for determining whether or not the power consumption shortage stop mode is set, and a value that varies depending on conditions can be used. Further, a learning function can be provided for the minimum power consumption E0, and the minimum power consumption E0 can be changed so as to save energy.

The storage limit prediction means 14c predicts whether or not the heat storage limit will be exceeded in the future based on the operation plan, the amount of heat stored in the storage unit 17, and the future planned heat amount value Ty (reference prediction value W). It is. And when it is predicted that the heat storage limit will be exceeded, predetermined information such as this prediction result is notified by the notification means 15 described later. In particular, when the manual operation time zone is input by the manual control means 13a, the operation time of the heat source 16 tends to be long, and a prediction that the heat storage limit is exceeded is likely to occur.
Then, by notifying the prediction result by the notification means 15, the user's use of the amount of heat is promoted, and the manual control means 13 a is re-inputted to prevent generation of useless heat by the heat source 16. Can do.

The notification unit 15 notifies the user of predetermined information related to the heat source control device 1 by displaying or emitting sound.
As described above, this notification can be performed when it is predicted that the heat storage limit is exceeded, when the heat storage limit is reached, or when the power consumption shortage stop mode is entered.

  The contents of notifications that are made when it is predicted that the heat storage limit will be exceeded include things such as "The tank is full", "Use hot water", "May have extra hot water", etc. It can be notified as text information or voice information.

  As notification contents when the heat storage limit is reached, notifications such as “The tank is full”, “Use hot water”, etc., as text information or voice information Can do.

  As the content of the notification performed when the power consumption shortage stop mode is entered, as shown in FIG. 7A, the display unit 50 should use something such as “please use electricity” and text information. Or as voice information. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7B, a lighting unit 53 that is turned on when the power consumption shortage stop mode is set may be provided.

  In addition, the value of the insufficient power, which is the difference from the used power E, is displayed in the used power shortage stop mode, and a notification of how much power should be used in order to get out of the used power shortage stop mode. Can do. For example, as shown in FIG. 7C, a plurality of lighting units 54 can be provided, and the lighting units 54 can be turned on according to the amount of insufficient power to display the approximate amount of insufficient power. Furthermore, it is possible to notify a specific value such as “You can use affordable power with another 300W”.

  As described above, if the heat source 16 is not operated due to insufficient power consumption and the heat source 16 is not operated, energy efficiency is reduced and it is difficult to save energy. However, in the heat source control device 1 of the present invention, in such a case, the user uses electricity. And the operation stop of the heat source 16 can be released, so that energy saving can be realized.

  In addition to the information described above, the notifying unit 15 includes information on whether the heat source 16 is operating at the present time, the power generation amount of the heat source 16 and the used power confirmed by the used power confirming unit 14 at the current time. Information on the result of comparison with E, information on when the heat source 16 is scheduled to start and when it is scheduled to end, information on whether the heat source 16 has been stopped due to a power shortage stop mode, The value of the insufficient power that is the difference between the used power E and the minimum used power E0 in the case of the above-described insufficient power consumption stop mode, the total power generation amount and the power load of the heat source 16 from the start to the end of the operation As a result of comparison with the total electric power used by No. 22, it is possible to notify the user of such information and the like.

  The notification means 15 may be notified by any method as long as it can notify the user, but the information is converted into characters or figures and displayed on a display or the like to transmit the information. A method or a method of converting information into voice and transmitting information by voice can be used.

Control of the heat source control apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, an operation plan is created by the operation plan creation means 13 (STEP 1), and the heat source 16 is operated according to the operation plan. This operation plan is created based on the planned heat value Ty (reference predicted value W).

  When the input by the manual control means 13a is performed by the user (STEP 2), the operation plan is created again (STEP 3). The operation plan is created so that the heat source 16 is operated during the manual operation time period and the heat source 16 is stopped during the manual stop time period.

  The operation plan to be created again may be created by modifying an already created operation plan, or may be newly created. When the operation plan that has already been created is modified and created, only the manual operation time zone and the manual stop time zone can be modified to match the contents input by the manual control means 13a.

  In addition, in order to prevent an excess or deficiency of the necessary heat amount due to an increase or decrease in the operation time of the heat source 16 due to this correction, not only the correction is made to match the contents input by the manual control means 13a, but also the manual operation time zone The operation plan for times other than the manual stop time zone may be corrected. Specifically, time zones other than the manual operation time zone and the manual stop time zone can also be corrected so that the total operation time of the heat source 16 is the same before and after the correction. By creating an operation plan in this way, it is possible to prevent excess or deficiency of the heat generation amount. Further, the difference in the total operation time of the heat source before and after the correction does not have to be the same as long as it is within a predetermined range. As an example of the difference, it can be within 30%, preferably within 20%.

  In addition, when a newly created operation plan is created without using an already created operation plan, the heat source 16 is set to the operating state during the manual operation time zone, and the heat source is stopped during the manual stop time zone. In addition, it is possible to create a new operation plan for other time zones so as to improve energy saving.

  When the operation plan is created, the operation plan is created in consideration of the amount of heat stored in the storage unit 17. For example, when the amount of heat has already been stored in the storage unit 17 and the amount of heat to be used later can be covered by this amount of heat, an operation plan is created so as not to operate the heat source 16 in principle.

  In STEP 4 of FIG. 8, it is confirmed whether the operation plan is an operation time zone or a stop time zone. When the operation plan is in the stop time zone, the process proceeds to STEP 5 and the heat source 16 enters an operation stop state. Then, the process returns to STEP 2 and waits until the operation plan becomes the operation state of the heat source 16. Then, when the operation time zone of the operation plan is reached, the process proceeds to STEP 6 and the stored heat amount detection means 14b determines whether or not the heat amount of the storage unit 17 is at the storage limit.

When the amount of heat in the storage unit 17 is the storage limit, a notification is given at the storage limit such as “the tank is full” (STEP 7), and the heat source 16 is stopped (STEP 8). And when the storage part 17 is not a storage limit, it progresses to STEP9 and predicts whether the calorie | heat amount of the storage part 17 will become a storage limit by the storage limit prediction means 14c.
Prediction of whether or not the storage unit 17 reaches the storage limit is performed based on the operation plan, the amount of heat stored in the storage unit 17, and the future planned heat amount value Ty (reference prediction value W). If it is predicted that the heat storage limit will be reached when the heat source 16 is operated in this state, the above-described notification such as “the tank is full” is performed (STEP 10).

  Further, after the storage limit prediction unit 14c predicts whether or not the storage unit 17 will reach the storage limit later, the process proceeds to STEP11, and the use power E is smaller than the minimum use power E0 and the use power shortage stop mode is set. Determine whether or not. When the power consumption E is larger than the minimum power consumption E and not in the power consumption stop mode, the heat source 16 is operated (STEP 12).

If the power consumption E is smaller than the minimum power consumption E0 and is in the power consumption stop mode, a notification (for example, “use electricity”) performed in this mode is performed (STEP 13). Furthermore, it progresses to STEP14 and it is judged whether it is a manual operation time slot | zone input by the manual control means 13a (STEP14). And when it is a manual operation time slot | zone, it progresses to STEP12 and the heat source 16 operates.
When it is not the manual operation time zone, the process proceeds to STEP 15 and the heat source 16 is stopped.

As described above, the heat source 16 is in the operation time zone in the operation plan, and when the storage unit 17 does not exceed the heat storage limit and satisfies all the conditions that it is not in the power shortage stop mode, the heat source 16 16 is driven. Moreover, even if it is a power usage shortage stop mode, when it is a manual operation time slot | zone, it is the time of the operation time slot | zone in an operation plan, and when the heat amount storage limit is not exceeded, the heat source 16 is drive | operated. In other cases, the heat source 16 is stopped.
The operation of the heat source 16 in the time zone (manual operation time zone and manual stop time zone) input by the user is in the operating state / stop as input by the user as long as the heat storage limit of the storage unit 17 is not exceeded. It becomes a state.

  And since predetermined | prescribed information, such as the stop cause of the heat source 16, is alert | reported by the alerting | reporting means 15, a user knows the notified content, and uses the electric power generated or generate | occur | produced with the heat source 16, and the heat which generate | occur | produced effectively. In addition, it is possible to prevent wasteful electricity and heat generation and heat generation. In particular, when manual control is performed using the manual control means 13a, the heat source 16 may be operated more than necessary or the heat source 16 may not be operated as necessary. Electricity and heat can be used effectively to prevent waste of electricity and heat.

  Such a heat source control device 1 is connected to the heat source 16 to control the heat source 16 and can generate electricity and heat generated by the heat source 16 and use electricity and heat in a predetermined device. Examples of the configuration are as follows.

The heat source 16 is a generator that can be controlled from the outside, and is a device that can cool exhaust heat generated during power generation with cooling water and extract the cooling water as thermal energy. And heating is supplied directly by exhaust heat, or the water of the storage part 17 and the thermal energy using apparatus 18 is heated via a heat exchanger or the like.
As the heat source 16, a fuel cell, a gas engine or the like is used.
Moreover, the electric power generated by the heat source 16 is consumed by an electric power load 22 such as a television or a refrigerator.

The storage unit 17 is specifically a tank having a heat retaining function, and the water inside the storage unit 17 is heated by the exhaust heat of the heat source 16 as described above.
The thermal energy using device 18 performs heating or the like using water heated by the exhaust heat of the heat source 16 or heated water supplied from the storage unit 17. Specifically, the thermal energy using device 18 is shown in FIG. Thus, a hot water supply device 19, a bath device 20, and a heating device 21 are provided. The hot water supply device 19 is a device that supplies hot water produced using the heat generated by the heat source 16, and more specifically, a hot water tap, a shower, or the like. The bath apparatus 20 is provided with a bathtub, can circulate water in the bathtub, and can refill it, and can supply hot water to the bathtub. The heating device 21 circulates water having a temperature higher than room temperature through a circulation path, and performs heat exchange indoors to perform heating.

As shown in FIG. 2, the heat source 16, the storage unit 17, and the thermal energy use device 18 are connected by a pipe 24. The thermal energy generated by the heat source 16 can be temporarily stored in the storage unit 17 and can be used by the thermal energy usage device 18.
Moreover, the piping 24 is connected so that water flows in the direction shown by the arrow of FIG. 2, and the movement of thermal energy is possible. The pipe 24 may have a configuration through a heat exchanger or the like in the middle, and may not have a directly connected flow path.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the heat system 8 measures the temperature T2 and the amount V of hot water used in the heat energy use device 18, the water supply thermistor 10 a that measures the introduced water temperature T <b> 1. A hot water thermistor 10b and a hot water flow sensor 10c are provided. And the above-mentioned heat consumption confirmation means 10 is computed and calculated based on these detection data.

A specific apparatus of the thermal system 8 is shown in FIG.
In the thermal system 8, the hot water storage tank 17 a that is the storage unit 17 and the heater 16 a that is the heat source 16 form a circulation path 61 by the pipe 24. The hot water storage tank 17 a is connected to a water supply path 62 and a hot water supply path 63, which are pipes 24. Water supplied from the water supply path 62 is heated in the hot water storage tank 17 a and hot water is discharged through the hot water supply path 63. The

  The thermal system 8 is provided with a flow sensor 64 and a temperature sensor 65. The flow rate sensor 64 of the thermal system 8 can confirm the amount V of hot water to be supplied, and the temperature sensor 65 is a temperature T1 to be introduced, a temperature T2 of hot water to be supplied, and hot water storage tanks 17a and 17b. The temperature can be confirmed and used as the above-described heat consumption confirmation means 10.

The hot water storage tank 17a can store heat as hot water. The amount of heat can be confirmed by the temperature sensor 65 or the like.
In the hot water storage tank 17a of the thermal system 8, the amount of heat can be confirmed by the volume of the hot water portion in the hot water storage tank 17a, the temperature of the portion, and the temperature of the entire hot water.

Next, control by the heat source control device 1 will be described using the heat system 8 having the heat source control device 1.
When the heat source 16 having the power generation function of the thermal system 8 is activated, the heat source 16 generates heat while generating power, and the exhaust heat is recovered by the cooling water.
Further, the water temperature T1 introduced by the water supply thermistor 10a, the hot water thermistor 10b and the hot water flow rate sensor 10c, the temperature T2 of the hot water used in the thermal energy use device 18 and the amount V thereof are measured every hour.
Then, the heat consumption Q is calculated by the heat consumption confirmation means 10 calculated from the water temperatures T1, T2 and the amount V. The consumed heat quantity Q is an estimated consumed heat quantity calculated from a predetermined physical quantity. Specifically, the water temperature T1 introduced into the thermal system 8, the temperature T2 of hot water used in the thermal energy use device 18, and the temperature thereof. The amount of heat that can be obtained from the amount V and is considered to have been consumed by the thermal system 8.

  The operation of the heat source 16 is operated according to the operation plan created by the operation plan creation means 13. This operation plan is created based on the reference predicted value W. The reference predicted value W is updated by the reference value update unit 11 under a certain condition.

  Although the operation plan is created by the operation plan creation means 13, the planned heat value Ty for each hour is calculated by using the actual value of the heat consumption Q on the previous day and the like based on the reference predicted value W. In the operation plan, the heat source 16 is actuated systematically and the heat is stored in the storage unit 17 so that the heat consumption amount of the planned heat amount value Ty for each hour can be supplied.

  In this way, since the operation plan is created so that the heat quantity of the planned calorific value Ty for each hour can be supplied and the heat source 16 is operated, it is automatically performed based on the prediction based on the heat quantity learned by the user based on the actual use. Thus, the heat source 16 is operated, and the user can use electricity or heat (hot water) efficiently generated and generated by the heat source 16.

Moreover, the user can input manually using the manual control means 13a, and can operate or stop the heat source 16 at a desired time. When the user performs a manual input operation, the operation plan is created again, and the operation of the heat source 16 is controlled by the recreated operation plan. At this time, the operation of the heat source 16 in the time zone input by the user is operated as input unless the heat storage limit of the storage unit 17 is exceeded.
Therefore, when the manual operation time zone is set by the manual control means 13a, the heat generation amount of the heat source 16 becomes more than necessary, and the heat amount of the storage unit 17 may reach the heat storage limit, but does it reach the heat storage limit? When it is predicted and the heat storage limit is reached, it can be notified by the notification means 15 to notify the user in advance, so that consumption of heat can be promoted or useless heat generation can be prevented. .

  FIG. 9 is a graph showing the amount of electricity when the manual operation time zone is set by the manual control means 13a. The user sets the manual operation time zone from 10:00 to 13:00, and from 14:00 to 17:00. The manual stop time zone is set. The operation plan before being recreated by the manual control means 13a was in a stopped state from 9 o'clock to 14 o'clock and from 14 o'clock to 24 o'clock, but the recreated operation plan was 9 From 10 o'clock to 10 o'clock and from 13 o'clock to 17 o'clock, the operation is stopped from 10 o'clock to 13 o'clock and from 17 o'clock to 24 o'clock.

And although the use of electricity on the day is reduced from 14:00 to 17:00, the heat source 16 is not operated during such time period, and the generated electricity is not wasted. In addition, the electricity generated from 10:00 to 13:00 can be used effectively.
As described above, when the user determines that the use of electricity or heat different from usual is performed, the heat source 16 is operated in accordance with the use of the user's electricity or heat, thereby wasting electricity or heat. It can be used without generating.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the amount of heat when the manual operation time zone is set by the manual control means 13a in a case different from the above-described example, and the user sets the manual operation time zone from 12:00 to 16:00. It is set. Then, if the storage limit prediction means 14c predicts whether the amount of heat stored in the storage unit 17 reaches the heat storage limit based on the re-created operation plan and the planned heat value Ty, the heat storage is scheduled around 14:00. It is predicted that the curve H exceeds the heat storage limit value and the heat stored in the storage unit 17 reaches the heat storage limit. In this case, a notification such as “the tank is full” is performed by the notification means 15.
And since the user knows that the amount of heat is stored too much, the setting of the manual operation time zone is canceled, or more hot water is used, and the amount of heat stored in the storage unit 17 is the amount of heat storage limit. Can be prevented in advance.

  Even when such notification is performed, when the heat source 16 is operated according to the operation plan, the amount of heat stored in the storage unit 17 reaches the heat storage limit. In such a case, the heat source 16 is stopped as described above. Since the heat source 16 stops during the time zone in which the manual operation time zone is set, the user may mistake the heat source 16 for failure. However, in the heat source control device 1 of the present embodiment, Since the notification means 15 informs that “the tank is full”, there is no such fear.

  Furthermore, a notification blocking unit that prevents notification by the notification unit 15 of the heat source control device 1 can be provided. The notification blocking means is a dip switch or the like, and can switch between a notification enabling state and a notification blocking state. And when the user who does not need notification uses the heat source control apparatus 1, it can prevent notification by a notification prevention means.

  Thus, in the heat source control device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to realize further energy saving with respect to the heat source 16 that is systematically operated.

It is the block diagram which showed the thermal system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic diagram which showed the thermal system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic diagram which showed the specific example of the thermal system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the graph which showed the example of the data regarding the calorie | heat amount in each time of the day in time series. It is the graph which showed the example of the data regarding the electric energy in each time of the day in time series. It is the front view which showed the display part. (A), (b), (c) is the front view which showed the display part. It is the flowchart which showed the control content of the heat-source control apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the graph which showed the example of the data regarding the electric energy in each time of the day in time series. It is the graph which showed the example of the data regarding the calorie | heat amount in each time of the day in time series.

Explanation of symbols

1 Heat source control device
13 Operation plan creation means 13a Manual control means 14 Power consumption confirmation means 14a Power comparison means 14b Storage heat amount detection means 14c Storage limit prediction means 15 Notification means 16 Heat source E Use power E0 Minimum use power

Claims (9)

A heat source control device that controls the operation of a heat source that generates heat and generates power, and that operates the heat source by predicting the amount of heat and electricity used,
An operation plan creation means, a power consumption confirmation means, and a notification means, the operation plan creation means creates an operation plan of the heat source, and controls operation of the heat source based on the operation plan. The power consumption confirmation means can confirm the power used by the external device generated by the heat source, and if the power consumption does not exceed a certain minimum power consumption, the heat source is stopped. with the state, and are not to notify the predetermined information by said notifying means, the notification means may comprise heat source controller, characterized in that is to broadcast the difference between the power consumption and the lowest power consumption. A manual control unit, by which the user can set a manual operation time zone, which is a time zone in which the heat source is in an operating state, and the operation plan creation means is in the manual operation time zone. The operation plan is created by operating the heat source,
Even if the power consumption does not exceed the minimum power consumption is a constant value, in the case of manual operation time zone, the heat source is a heat source controlled according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating state apparatus. A heat source control device that controls the operation of a heat source that generates heat and generates power, and that operates the heat source by predicting the amount of heat and electricity used,
An operation plan creation means, a power consumption confirmation means, and a notification means, the operation plan creation means creates an operation plan of the heat source, and controls operation of the heat source based on the operation plan. The power consumption confirmation means can confirm the power used by the external device generated by the heat source, and if the power consumption does not exceed a certain minimum power consumption, the heat source is stopped. In addition, the notification means notifies the predetermined information, and has a manual control unit, and the manual control unit allows a user to set a manual operation time zone in which the heat source is in an operating state. The operation plan creating means can create an operation plan by operating the heat source during the manual operation time zone,
Wherein also use power in a case that does not exceed the minimum power consumption is a constant value, in the case of manual operation time zone, the heat source is a thermal source control apparatus characterized by an operating state. A heat source control device that controls the operation of a heat source that generates heat and generates power, and that operates the heat source by predicting the amount of heat and electricity used,
It has an operation plan creation means, a stored heat quantity detection means, and a notification means, and the operation plan creation means creates an operation plan for the heat source and controls the operation of the heat source based on the operation plan. The stored heat quantity detection means can detect the heat quantity stored in the storage part that stores the heat of the heat source, and the heat source stops when the heat quantity storage limit that is the maximum heat quantity that can be stored in the storage part is reached. And a predetermined information is notified by the notification means.
The storage limit prediction means has a storage limit prediction means for predicting whether the amount of heat stored in the storage section reaches the heat amount storage limit due to operation of the heat source, and predicts that the heat storage limit is reached. when the heat source controller, characterized in that it is intended to notify the predetermined information by notifying means. A manual control unit, wherein the manual control unit allows the user to set at least a manual operation time zone in which the heat source is in an operating state and a manual stop time zone in which the heat source is in a stopped state. One of the operations can be set, and the operation plan creation means creates the operation plan by operating the heat source during the manual operation time period and stopping the heat source during the manual stop time period. heat control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein. The operation plan creation means creates the operation plan again when the user sets the manual operation time zone or the manual stop time zone after the operation plan is created, and operates the heat source based on the created operation plan again. The heat source control device according to claim 2 , wherein the heat source control device is a device. The operation plan to be created again is created by modifying the already created operation plan, and is created by correcting only the set manual operation time zone or manual stop time zone. The heat source control device according to claim 6 . The operation plan that is created again is created by correcting the operation plan that has already been created. The manual operation time zone and manual stop time zone that have been set are corrected. The heat source control device according to claim 6 , wherein a time zone other than the stop time zone is corrected so that the difference in the total operation time of the heat source before and after the correction is within a predetermined range. The operation plan to be created again is created by setting the manual operation time zone set to the operating state, setting the manual stop time zone set to the stop state, and newly calculating for other time zones. The heat source control device according to claim 6 , wherein the heat source control device is provided.

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