JP6003684B2 - Power consumption monitoring method, program, and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a home energy management system (HEMS) that manages energy used at home. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for monitoring power consumption in the home in HEMS.

Generally, in an energy management system, the following control is performed in order to reduce the amount of electric power used in the home.
(1) Create a power usage plan that indicates the amount of power that can be used from past power usage results (the amount of power actually consumed) and the target reduction rate. For example, one day is divided into a plurality of time zones, and the amount of power that can be used for each time is planned.
(2) Grasp the current power usage record.
(3) By comparing the power usage plan with the actual power usage for each time period, if it is determined that the actual power usage exceeds the power usage plan or will exceed in the near future, the operation mode will be applied to the electrical equipment in the home. Control such as changing or stopping.

  As a conventional method of power consumption monitoring, a threshold is determined including a margin in the scheduled usage amount per unit time according to the target pattern of cumulative energy consumption for a certain period, and the energy consumption amount of equipment is monitored to There has been proposed a method of reducing energy consumption by performing consumption control when the consumption exceeds a threshold.

  However, in the above conventional method, the energy consumption of the device is managed according to the target cumulative energy consumption for each hour, but if the energy consumption performance temporarily exceeds the target cumulative energy consumption, the device The problem arises that the energy that is actually required cannot be supplied reliably.

  In order to solve this problem, as another conventional method, when a deviation occurs between the target value and actual value of energy consumption set in the target pattern data indicating the target value of energy consumption in a fixed time unit, A method has been proposed in which energy is secured when a large amount of energy is temporarily needed while correcting the target value of the time zone while avoiding an increase in energy consumption as a whole.

JP 2005-261050 A JP 2009-106086 A

The above-described conventional energy management method has not solved the following problems.
(Problem 1) If the usage schedule for each time unit (for example, one hour) of the day and the usage pattern for the user's actual time are significantly different, the total amount of energy consumed per day will be within the planned amount as a result. Even in this case, power usage is restricted according to the target value for each time unit, and the allowable range of the user's usage pattern is reduced.
(Problem 2) It is difficult to flexibly respond to the intention of each user with different living conditions regarding power usage restrictions in units of time.

Accordingly, when the above conventional method is applied to HEMS, the following points are particularly problematic.
(Problem 3) In order to control electric appliances in the home so that the actual power usage results are in line with the power usage plan, an accurate power usage plan is required. Therefore, there is a certain training period (a period during which only measurement of power usage is performed and control of electric equipment for suppressing power usage is not performed) in order to grasp the power usage tendency of the target household before the operation of HEMS. Necessary. Generally, the amount of electricity used at home varies depending on the season, day of the week, environmental conditions such as temperature and sunshine, and irregularly occurring events such as travel and visitors, so the accuracy of the electricity usage trend obtained during the training period is low.
(Problem 4) Furthermore, since it is difficult to predict factors that cause fluctuations in household power consumption, it is difficult to make a power usage plan that incorporates fluctuation factors in daily life.
(Problem 5) When the power usage results temporarily exceed the power usage plan, the home appliances are controlled by HEMS, and the operation mode is forcibly changed, suspended, etc. Sexuality is impaired.

  If the power used at home is easily reduced, the convenience of the user who is a consumer may be greatly impaired. Therefore, a method that can reduce the amount of power used without losing the convenience of the user as much as possible is desired. .

  The present invention provides a home for the HEMS to control the electrical equipment in the home for the purpose of base cut (ie, suppressing the total amount of power used for a certain period of time, for example, one day). When monitoring the total power consumption in the system, a processing method capable of flexibly responding to the user's intention and reducing the power usage without losing convenience in life, and for causing the computer to execute the processing method An object is to provide a program and an apparatus for executing the processing method.

  The power usage monitoring method disclosed in the present application is: 1) setting a power usage plan indicating a power usage target for each unit time of the monitoring period, and setting the power usage available for each unit time of the power usage plan. Any power amount except the buffer is separated as a buffer, and the separated total power amount is defined as the buffer power amount. 2) Collects the power usage record indicating the total power amount used in the home every unit time of the monitoring period. And 3) update the remaining amount of power in the buffer with the difference between the power usage record and the amount of power allowed to be used in the power usage plan, and 4) power usage in each unit time of the monitoring period. Based on the buffer remaining amount management information in which the first threshold value indicating the power amount of the buffer for starting the restriction and the second threshold value indicating the power amount of the buffer for releasing the restriction is set, the updated buffer The remaining amount of electric power is the first threshold The computer executes a process of instructing the restriction of the power usage when the power consumption is lower than the threshold, and instructing the cancellation of the restriction of the power usage when the remaining amount of the power of the updated buffer exceeds the second threshold. Is.

  According to the power usage monitoring method disclosed in the present application, it is possible to realize power usage monitoring that can reduce the power usage for a certain period of time without sacrificing convenience in daily life in response to the user's intention.

It is a figure which shows the functional block structural example in one Embodiment of the electric power consumption monitoring apparatus to disclose. It is a figure which shows the example of an electric power usage plan. It is a figure for demonstrating the buffer isolate | separated and accumulate | stored from the electric power usage plan. It is a figure which shows the example of a buffer residual amount management chart. It is a figure which shows the example of another buffer residual amount management chart. It is a figure which shows the example of another buffer residual amount management chart. It is a figure which shows the example of another buffer residual amount management chart. It is a figure which shows the example of another buffer residual amount management chart. It is a figure which shows the example of another buffer residual amount management chart. It is a figure which shows the example of the buffer remaining amount line on a buffer remaining amount management chart. It is a figure which shows the structural example of HEMS which mounted the disclosed electric power consumption monitoring apparatus. It is a figure which shows the functional block structural example of HEMS in one Example. It is a figure which shows the data structural example of the electrical equipment priority information in one Example. It is a figure which shows the data structural example of the electric equipment profile information in one Example. It is a figure which shows the example of the buffer remaining amount management chart in a present Example. It is a figure which shows the example of the electric power usage plan base in one Example. It is a figure which shows the example of a processing flow of the electric power usage-amount monitoring apparatus in one Example. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of HEMS in one Example.

  Hereinafter, a power usage monitoring apparatus that executes a power usage monitoring method disclosed as an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional block configuration example in an embodiment of the disclosed power usage monitoring device.

  The power usage monitoring device 1 includes a power usage plan creation unit 11, a buffer remaining amount management chart setting unit 12, a power usage collection unit 13, a power usage storage unit 14, and a buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15.

  The power usage plan creation unit 11 creates a power usage plan 20 that indicates the amount of power to be used for each unit time (for example, 1 hour), which is a unit section that divides the monitoring period (for example, 1 day). The power usage plan creation unit 11 creates a power usage plan 20 based on the power usage record that is accumulated in the power usage storage unit 14 and indicates the total power consumption actually consumed in the monitored home. Also good.

  Furthermore, the power usage plan creation unit 11 separates an arbitrary power amount other than the usable power amount for each unit time of the power usage plan 20, accumulates the separated power amounts into the buffer 21, and further creates The remaining power amount (usable power amount) separated from the power usage plan 20 as the power amount for the buffer 21 is used as the power usage plan base 22. Details of the buffer 21 and the power usage plan base 22 will be described later.

  The buffer remaining amount management chart setting unit 12 sets a first threshold value and a restriction indicating a power amount of a buffer for starting restriction of the power usage amount in each unit time of the monitoring period in order to determine the timing of the power usage amount control. Buffer remaining amount management information in which a second threshold value indicating the power amount of the buffer to be released is set is set. Specifically, the buffer remaining amount management chart setting unit 12 determines the amount of power (first threshold) for determining the start of restriction of the power usage amount in each unit time of the monitoring period and the release of the restriction on the power usage amount. A remaining buffer management chart 23 in which the amount of power (second threshold) is set is set.

  The buffer remaining amount management chart setting unit 12 allows the user to select or customize the buffer remaining amount management chart when a plurality of buffer remaining amount management charts based on different power saving policies are prepared in the power usage monitoring device 1 Interface.

  The power usage amount collecting unit 13 receives the total power consumption in the unit time from the power usage amount measuring unit 31 that measures the total power consumption amount used in the home in real time at the end of the unit time of the monitoring period. The amount is collected and stored in the power consumption storage unit 14 as a power usage record per unit time.

  The power usage amount storage unit 14 stores the power usage record acquired by the power usage amount collection unit 13 in time series.

  The buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 holds a buffer 21, a power usage plan base 22, and a buffer remaining amount management chart 23. The power usage record and unit concerned for each unit time of the monitoring period acquired from the power usage amount collecting unit 13 Based on the difference from the time power usage plan base 22, the remaining capacity of the buffer 21 in the unit time is calculated, and the restriction on power usage suppression corresponding to the remaining capacity of the buffer 21 based on the remaining buffer capacity management chart 23. The start or release of the regulation is notified to the power consumption suppression means 32.

  The power consumption measuring means 31 measures the total power consumption by the electric equipment set in the home in real time. The power consumption measuring means 31 is implemented by existing devices called smart distribution boards and smart meters, for example.

  In response to an instruction to start regulation of power usage suppression, the power usage amount suppression means 32 changes the operation mode of electric equipment set in the home, stops driving, etc., and suppresses the power usage in the home. . The power usage amount suppressing means 32 is implemented by an existing electric equipment control device.

  Next, the processing operation of the power consumption monitoring device 1 will be described.

  (1) The power usage plan creation unit 11 creates the above-described power usage plan 20 (buffer 21, power usage plan base 22) at the beginning of the monitoring period in which the power usage monitoring is performed, for example, the monitoring period is 0:00. If it is 1 day from 24:00, it will be done at 0:00 AM.

  The power usage plan 20 is information indicating the power usage amount per unit time divided within the monitoring period. For example, when the monitoring period for monitoring the power usage is 1 day and the unit time for dividing the monitoring period is 1 hour, a plan for the power usage for each hour is created for that monitoring period. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the power usage plan 20.

  The horizontal axis of the power usage plan 20 shown in FIG. 2 indicates the monitoring period and each unit time, where the monitoring time is one day and the unit time is one hour. A vertical axis | shaft shows the electric energy set to each unit time.

  FIG. 2A shows an example of a power usage plan 20 created based on past power usage results.

  The power usage plan 20 uses, for example, the past power usage record accumulated in the power usage storage unit 14, for example, the weekday of the same month in the previous year, the average of the power usage record by holiday, or the weekday of the past certain period, by holiday It may be created using the average of the power usage record of.

  FIG. 2B shows an example of the power usage plan 20 created using an arbitrary set value.

  If there is no past power usage data immediately after the start of operation of the power usage monitoring device 1, an arbitrary set value based on the average value of model households is used as the power consumption per unit time of the power usage plan 20. May be. Alternatively, past power usage results and arbitrary set values may be mixed and used. In the case of a home that does not have a clear regularity in the power usage pattern, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the power usage plan 20 is obtained by assigning the average daily power usage performance of a certain home to all time zones. It may be used as the amount of power per unit time.

  FIG. 2C shows an example of the power usage plan 20 with a power amount lower than the actual power usage amount.

  If you want to reduce the amount of power used from the past results, use the power usage plan 20 based on the past power usage results and reduce the amount of power multiplied by an arbitrary reduction rate from the power usage per unit time. The power usage plan 20 may be created. In the power usage plan 20 shown in FIG. 2C, the shaded area represents the amount of power reduced by the reduction rate.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the buffer 21 separated and accumulated from the power usage plan 20.

  The buffer 21 is information indicating the amount of power obtained by separating and integrating an arbitrary amount of power from the amount of power per unit time of the power usage plan 20. The buffer 21 is virtual and does not physically store power, such as a storage battery.

  FIG. 3A shows an example of the power usage plan 20, and FIG. 3B shows an example of the buffer 21 based on the amount of power separated and integrated from the power usage plan 20.

  The power usage plan creation unit 11 separates an arbitrary amount of power from each unit time of the power usage plan 20 in FIG. 3A, and uses the total amount of power separated from all unit times in the monitoring period as a buffer 21. .

  In the power usage plan 20 shown on the left side of FIG. 3B, the hatched portion is separated as a buffer to indicate the amount of power. The rectangle shown on the right side of FIG. 3B shows the buffer 21 in which the separated electric energy is accumulated, and the total electric energy separated from all unit times of the monitoring period is expressed as a percentage.

  The power usage plan creation unit 11 may separate the amount of power used as the buffer 21 from each unit time of the power usage plan 20 at a certain rate, or when contracting electricity charges by time zone, The amount of power used as the buffer 21 may be separated more from the time zone when the electricity rate is high, and less from the cheap time zone.

  The power usage plan base 22 indicates the power amount of each remaining unit time obtained by separating the power amount to be the buffer 21 from the power usage plan 20. The black portion of the power usage plan 20 shown in FIG. 3B is the power usage plan base 22. The power usage plan base 22 means the amount of power that is guaranteed to be used in each unit time.

  Separating a large amount of power used as the buffer 21 from a time zone in which the electricity charge of the power usage plan 20 is high results in a reduction in the amount of power guaranteed to be used in that time zone. Therefore, it can be expected that the amount of power consumption in such a time zone increases from the remaining amount of the buffer 21, and as a result, the suppression of power usage is likely to be effective.

  (2) The buffer remaining amount management chart setting unit 12 sets the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 before or during the start of the monitoring period of power usage monitoring.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the buffer remaining amount management chart 23.

  In the buffer remaining amount management chart 23, the buffer remaining rate (%) indicating the ratio of the amount of power of the buffer 21 (total amount of power separated from the power usage plan 20) is plotted on the vertical axis, and the monitoring time (0: 00 to 24: 00) on the horizontal axis.

  On the graph surface of the buffer remaining amount management chart 23, a restriction start line and a restriction release line are set. The restriction start line is a line that connects the remaining buffer rate for instructing power usage suppression in each unit time, and the restriction release line is a line that connects the remaining buffer rate for canceling the instruction to suppress power usage.

  The regulation start line and the regulation release line are generally curves or straight lines having a downward trend. In all unit times, the restriction release line is set above the restriction start line, that is, the value taken by the restriction release line (regulation release value) is set larger than the value taken by the restriction start line (regulation start value). The reason why the restriction start line and the restriction release line are provided separately is to avoid the fluttering of the operation mode of the electric device due to the occurrence of the start and release of the power use suppression control alternately in a short time. Frequent changes in the operation mode of home appliances may not only cause discomfort to consumers, but may also cause adverse effects such as failure of electrical products and increased power consumption. is there.

  The setting contents of the restriction start line and restriction release line in the buffer remaining amount management chart 23, for example, the position (value) of the start point and end point of the line, the inclination of the line, whether it is a straight line or a curved line, or the shape in the case of a curved line The control timing of the electric device for power consumption suppression differs depending on the type. This means that the setting of the restriction start value and the restriction release value in each unit time forming the restriction start line and the restriction release line respectively determines the nature of power saving.

  The power usage monitoring device 1 holds a buffer remaining amount management chart 23 of a plurality of patterns in advance, and the buffer remaining amount management chart setting unit 12 is selected or customized by each user according to the power saving policy of each home. The buffer remaining amount management chart 23 is transferred to the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15.

  The buffer remaining amount management chart 23 shown in FIG. 4 is a basic form, and is set such that the regulation start line is directed to the position of 0% of the buffer remaining amount rate at the end of the monitoring period, and the amount of power planned at the end of the monitoring period. It is a setting that induces consumption. In addition, since there is a certain difference between the regulation start line and the regulation release line throughout the monitoring period, even if there is a difference in the amount of power between the power usage plan 20 and the actual power usage, at the end of the monitoring period (1 day) The power consumption is set to easily fit in the power usage plan 20. The buffer remaining amount management chart 23 shown in FIG. 4 is suitable for a home where daily fluctuations in the power usage pattern are not so large.

  5 to 9 are diagrams illustrating examples of other remaining buffer management charts.

  The buffer remaining amount management chart 23 shown in FIG. 5 is set so that the regulation start line is in the middle of the second half of the monitoring period and the buffer remaining rate is directed to the position of 0%. The setting of the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 in FIG. 5 induces a control in which the regulation of power use is not instructed around the end of the monitoring period. Therefore, even if the actual power usage is higher than the power usage plan, strict regulations are not applied in the second half of the monitoring period (1 day), and the actual power consumption is allowed to slightly exceed the power usage plan. It is set. The buffer remaining amount management chart 23 in FIG. 5 is suitable as a chart for switching from the basic buffer remaining amount management chart 23 in FIG. 4 when an event such as a visitor occurs in the second half of the day and it is not desired to reduce power. ing.

  In the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 shown in FIG. 6, the difference between the restriction start line and the restriction release line is gradually reduced so that the restriction remaining amount rate of the restriction start line becomes 0% at the end of the monitoring period. Is set to The setting of the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 in FIG. 6 induces control that uses up the amount of power planned in the power usage plan 20. Therefore, the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 shown in FIG. 6 is suitable for homes that want to consume power as planned.

  In the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 shown in FIG. 7, the restriction start line is in the middle of the monitoring period and the remaining buffer ratio is 0%, and the restriction start line and the restriction release line are extremely below the graph surface. Is set to The setting of the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 in FIG. 7 induces control so that the regulation of power usage is not instructed even if the power usage record significantly exceeds the power usage plan. Therefore, the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 in FIG. 7 is suitable for a case where it is not desired to restrict power usage as much as possible, for example, when it is known in advance that power usage will increase due to visitors or events.

  The buffer remaining amount management chart 23 shown in FIG. 8 is a graph surface in which the restriction start line and the restriction release line are extremely high, even when the restriction start line ends at the end of the monitoring period. It is set to be located above. The setting of the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 in FIG. 8 induces control so that power usage regulation is instructed even in the case where the power usage record is in accordance with the power usage plan 20, and finally the power saving direction can be greatly increased. The buffer remaining amount management chart 23 of FIG. 8 is suitable for a case where a large power saving effect is aimed, such as when there is a day when the amount of power used has increased in the past and it is desired to recover the excess of the amount of power used.

  In the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 shown in FIG. 9, since the regulation start line and the regulation release line are set with curves reflecting the power usage pattern in the household, the control according to the actual situation of power usage in the household. To induce. The buffer remaining amount management chart 23 of FIG. 9 is suitable for a home where the daily fluctuation of the power usage pattern is small.

  The user has been operating halfway through the monitoring period using a certain buffer remaining amount management chart 23. However, when there is an important visitor suddenly, the user switches to the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 that is less restrictive. Thus, undesired power regulation can be avoided. The buffer remaining amount management chart setting unit 12 changes the set buffer remaining amount management chart 23 to another buffer remaining amount management chart 23 selected by the user even during the monitoring period of the power consumption. Or the setting of the restriction start line or restriction release line of the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 that has been set is changed. Therefore, the power usage monitoring device 1 can flexibly cope with a change in the user's power usage pattern due to an unexpected event or the like.

  (3) When the power usage monitoring starts, the power usage collecting unit 13 collects the total power consumption in the unit time from the power usage measuring means 31 at the end of the unit time of the monitoring period, The collected total power consumption is accumulated in the power usage storage unit 14 in time series as the power usage record of the unit time, and is notified to the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15.

  The buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 updates the remaining amount of the buffer 21 based on the power usage record for each unit time received from the power usage amount collecting unit 13. More specifically, the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 compares the power usage record Va in the unit time with the power amount Vb of the unit time in the power usage plan base 22, and if Va> Vb, the difference is buffered. 21. When Va <Vb, the difference is loaded back to the remaining capacity of the buffer 21.

  Then, the remaining buffer capacity monitoring unit 15 plots the remaining capacity of the buffer 21 updated by reversing / reloading the difference on the remaining buffer capacity management chart 23. A line connecting points plotted on the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 is referred to as a buffer remaining amount line.

  The buffer remaining amount line usually starts from the position of the upper left corner of the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 (time = 0: 0, buffer remaining rate = 100% point) at the start of the monitoring period, and has a downward trend. It becomes a broken line. At the end of the monitoring period, when the buffer remaining amount line has just reached the position in the lower right corner of the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 (time = 24: 0, buffer remaining rate = 0%) It means that the monitoring period was the power consumption as planned.

  The buffer remaining amount line rises to the right only when the remaining amount of the buffer 21 is unloaded. However, since the amount of power to be forcibly used as the buffer 21 is separated from the power usage plan 20, normally, As the time elapses, the remaining amount of the buffer 21 is withdrawn, and the trend of the buffer remaining amount line decreases to the right.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a buffer remaining amount line on the buffer remaining amount management chart 23.

  In the middle of the monitoring period, when the buffer remaining amount line falls below the regulation start line set in the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 (time t1), the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 supplies power to the power usage amount suppressing unit 32. Instruct usage control. Even if the instruction to suppress the power consumption is given, if the buffer remaining line continues below the regulation start line at the end of the next unit time (time t2, t3), the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 Instructs the power usage amount suppression means 32 to suppress the additional power usage amount. Thereafter, when the buffer remaining amount line exceeds the restriction release line (time t4), the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 instructs the power usage amount suppressing means 32 to cancel the power usage amount suppression.

  As described above, the power usage monitoring device 1 uses the buffer 21 and the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 for absorbing the difference between the power usage plan 20 and the power usage record, so that it matches the actual situation of the monitored household. Therefore, it is possible to control the suppression of power consumption without impairing convenience.

  Next, an embodiment of the disclosed power usage monitoring device 1 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the disclosed power usage monitoring device 1 is implemented in a HEMS (home energy management system).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a HEMS in which the disclosed power usage monitoring device 1 is mounted.

  The HEMS 5 is connected to the gateway device 7 via a communication network (Internet) 6, and the gateway device 7 is connected to the distribution board 8 in the home via each short-distance wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee, etc. It is connected to a device 9 (lighting device, air conditioner, television, etc.).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a functional block configuration example of the HEMS 5 in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in addition to the power usage monitoring device 1, the HEMS 5 includes a communication unit 51, a power usage suppression control unit 52, an electrical device control unit 53 corresponding to each electrical device 9, and electrical device priority. A data storage unit 56 for storing information 54 and electrical device profile information 55 is included. The configuration of functional blocks of the power consumption monitoring device 1 is shown in FIG.

  The communication unit 51 receives the total amount of power consumed from the distribution board 8 in the home via the communication network 6 and the gateway device 7 and controls the electric device 9 to be controlled in the home. Send a command.

  The power usage amount suppression control unit 52 corresponds to the power usage amount monitoring unit 22 shown in FIG. 1, receives a “power usage amount suppression instruction” from the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 of the power usage amount monitoring device 1, and receives the data storage unit Based on the electrical device priority information 54 of 56, the electrical device to be controlled and the control content are determined, and the “electricity consumption suppression instruction” is given to the electrical device control unit 53 corresponding to the electrical device 9 to be controlled. Distribute

  The electric device control unit 53 is provided corresponding to the electric device 9 to be controlled existing in the home, and issues a specific command for controlling the electric device 9 according to the electric device profile information 55.

  The data storage unit 56 stores electrical device priority information 54 and electrical device profile information 55.

  The electrical device priority information 54 is information indicating the order of controlling the amount of power used and the content of control for a plurality of electrical devices 9 to be controlled in the home.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the electrical equipment priority information 54 in the present embodiment. The electrical device priority information 54 is changed according to the priority order designated as the control target, the “target electrical device” indicating the electrical device 9 to be controlled, and the control content based on the electric usage amount suppression instruction. “Operation mode change content” indicating the content of the operation mode is recorded.

  The electrical device profile information 55 is information related to a command for controlling the operation mode of each electrical device 9.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the electrical device profile information 55 in the present embodiment. The electric device profile information 55 includes “target electric device” indicating the electric device 9 to be controlled, “address information” indicating information for accessing the electric device 9, and “operation” indicating the content of the operation mode of the electric device 9. “Mode”, “Command image” indicating a specific command for controlling the operation mode, and “Default setting” indicating a normal operation mode in which power consumption is not suppressed are recorded.

[Processing at the start of operation]
In this embodiment, the monitoring period for monitoring the power consumption in the home by the HEMS 5 is 1 day (0 to 24:00), and the unit time for dividing the monitoring period is 10 minutes.

  A user who is a consumer selects one from a plurality of remaining buffer management charts 23 (see FIGS. 4 to 9) prepared in advance in the power usage monitoring device 1 mounted on the HEMS 5. The remaining buffer capacity monitoring unit 15 holds the remaining buffer capacity management chart 23 selected by the remaining buffer capacity management chart setting unit 12.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a remaining buffer management chart in the present embodiment.

  The buffer remaining amount management chart shown in FIG. 15 is a “regulation start value indicating the position (buffer remaining rate) of the restriction start line at“ time ”, which is the end of each unit time from the start to the end of the monitoring period. (%) ”And“ regulation release value (%) ”indicating the position (buffer remaining rate) of the restriction release line on the graph surface are recorded.

[Daily processing]
The daily process is a preparation process for power consumption monitoring, and is executed at midnight, which is the start of the monitoring period. In the daily process, the power usage plan creation unit 11 creates a power usage plan 20 and sets a buffer 21 and a power usage plan base 22 from the power usage plan 20.

  The power usage plan creation unit 11 extracts the power usage results (total power consumption) of the same month of the previous year from the past power usage results accumulated in the power usage amount storage unit 14, and the monitoring period is extracted from the extracted power usage results. Calculate the average power consumption per unit time. Furthermore, the power usage plan creation unit 11 creates the power usage plan 20 by multiplying the average value of the power usage calculated every unit time by an arbitrary reduction rate determined in advance.

  Next, the power usage plan creation unit 11 separates the power amount to be used as the buffer 21 from the power amount per unit time of the power usage plan 20 with a uniform buffer rate of 50%. The amount of power for the separated buffer 21 is added to obtain the buffer 21. The buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 holds the buffer 21 and the buffer remaining amount rate (100%).

  Further, the power usage plan creating unit 11 sets the power amount per unit time (power usage amount base value) after separating the power amount of the buffer 21 from the power usage plan as the power usage plan base 22. The remaining buffer capacity monitoring unit 15 holds the power usage plan base 22.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a power usage plan base in the present embodiment.

  The power usage plan base 22 records “power usage base value (watt hour: wh)” at “time” that is the end of each unit time from the start to the end of the monitoring period.

[Scheduled processing]
The regular processing is monitoring processing at regular intervals, and is executed at the end of each unit time constituting the monitoring period (0:10, 0:20, ..., 23:50, 24: 0). The

  The power usage amount collection unit 13 obtains the total amount of power consumed in the home every unit time, and the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 calculates the remaining amount of the buffer 21 from the total amount of power, and the buffer remaining amount management The control timing based on the restriction start line and restriction release line set in the chart 23 is determined, and a “power usage amount suppression instruction” or “power usage amount suppression cancellation instruction” is notified to the power usage amount suppression control unit 52.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow of the power usage monitoring device 1 in the present embodiment.

  The power usage monitoring device 1 executes the process shown in FIG. 17 at the end of the unit time every predetermined time within the monitoring time.

  The power usage amount collection unit 13 uses the communication unit 51 to calculate the total power consumption in the home for the unit time from the distribution board 8 in the home connected to the communication network 6 via the gateway device 7. collect. The power usage amount collecting unit 13 accumulates the collected information in the power usage amount storage unit 14 as the power usage record Va in the current time zone, and notifies the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 (step S1).

  The remaining buffer capacity monitoring unit 15 compares the power usage record Va notified from the power usage collecting unit 13 with the power usage base value Vb of the corresponding unit time in the power usage plan base 22 (step S2).

  When the comparison result is Va> Vb (Va> Vb in step S2), the remaining buffer capacity monitoring unit 15 updates the buffer 21 by subtracting the difference (Va−Vb) from the remaining capacity of the buffer 21. Then, the updated buffer remaining rate Vc (how much the current buffer remaining amount is the percentage of the buffer remaining amount immediately after the daily processing) is calculated (step S3). When the comparison result is Va <Vb (Va <Vb in step S2), the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 adds the difference (Vb−Va) to the remaining amount of the buffer 21 to update the buffer 21, The buffer remaining rate Vc (%) after update is calculated (step S4). When Va = Vb, the buffer 21 is not updated.

  Next, the remaining buffer capacity monitoring unit 15 determines whether the power usage amount suppression control unit 52 is currently instructed to suppress the power usage amount (step S5).

  If the power usage amount suppression control unit 52 is not currently instructed to suppress the power usage amount (N in step S5), the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 indicates that the buffer remaining amount rate Vc is in the buffer remaining amount management chart 23. It is determined whether the unit time (current unit time) is below the regulation start value Vd (step S6). If the current buffer remaining rate Vc is lower than the regulation start value Vd (Vc <Vd) (Y in Step S6), the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 instructs the power usage amount suppression control unit 52 to “power usage amount suppression”. "Instruction" is notified (step S7), and the process is terminated. If the remaining buffer rate Vc is not lower than the regulation start value Vd (N in step S6), the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the power usage amount suppression control unit 52 is currently instructed to suppress the power usage amount (Y in step S5), the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 indicates that the buffer remaining amount rate Vc is equal to the buffer remaining amount management chart 23. It is determined whether it is above the regulation release value Ve for the unit time (step S8).

  If the remaining buffer rate Vc is higher than the restriction release value Ve (Vc> Ve) (Y in step S8), the remaining buffer amount monitoring unit 15 instructs the power usage amount suppression control unit 52 to “a power usage amount suppression release instruction”. "Is notified (step S9), and the process is terminated.

  If the remaining buffer rate Vc is not higher than the regulation release value Ve (N in Step S8), the remaining buffer rate monitoring unit 15 starts regulating the unit time in the remaining buffer rate management chart 23 for the remaining buffer rate Vc. It is determined whether the value is lower than the value Vd (step S10).

  If the buffer remaining rate Vc is lower than the regulation start value Vd (Vc <Vd) (Y in step S10), the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 adds an additional “power usage suppression” to the power usage suppression control unit 52. "Instruction" is notified (step S7), and the process is terminated. If the remaining buffer rate Vc is not lower than the regulation start value Vd (Vc <Vd) (N in step S10), the process is terminated.

  When the power usage amount suppression control unit 52 is notified of the “power usage amount suppression instruction” from the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 by the processing in step S7 described above, the electrical device priority stored in the data storage unit 56 is displayed. Refer to the information 54, select the electric device 9 to be controlled having the first rank and the operation mode change content, and give the operation mode change content to the electric device control unit 53 corresponding to the target electric device 9. The power usage amount suppression instruction is notified.

  In addition, when the power usage amount suppression control unit 52 has already been notified of the power usage amount suppression instruction and then received an additional “power usage amount suppression instruction” from the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15, the data storage unit 56. The electric device priority information 54 stored in the table is selected, the electric device 9 to be controlled in the highest order among those that have not been subjected to the control of the electric power consumption, and the operation mode change contents are selected, and the electric The electric appliance control unit 53 corresponding to the device 9 is notified of the power usage amount suppression instruction to which the change content of the operation mode is given.

  When the electric appliance control unit 53 is notified of the electric power usage amount suppression instruction to which the operation mode change content is given from the electric power usage amount suppression control unit 52, the electric appliance control unit 53 displays the electric appliance profile information 55 stored in the data storage unit 56. The communication unit 51 is instructed to transmit the “command image” necessary for controlling the change of the operation mode given to the power usage amount suppression instruction to the corresponding electrical device 9.

  When the power usage amount suppression control unit 52 is notified of the “power usage amount suppression release instruction” from the buffer remaining amount monitoring unit 15 by the processing in step S9 described above, the electrical device that is notifying the power usage amount suppression instruction The control unit 53 is notified of a “power consumption suppression release instruction”.

  The electric device control unit 53 is necessary for the control for returning the corresponding electric device 9 to the operation mode in which the default setting is performed when the “electric power use amount suppression release instruction” is notified from the power usage amount suppression control unit 52. The communication unit 51 is instructed to transmit a “command image”.

  The communication unit 51 transmits a command for changing the operation mode to the designated electrical device 9. As a result, the power consumption of the electrical device 9 to be controlled changes, and the result is reflected in the total power consumption in the home for the next unit time.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the HEMS in the present embodiment.

  The HEMS 5 can be implemented as a computer in which a CPU 101, a short-term storage unit (DRAM) 102, a long-term storage unit (HDD) 103, a network card 104, and the like are connected via an internal network or the like.

  The HEMS 5 stores information and an execution program necessary for processing for managing energy used in the home in the long-term storage unit 103 as a file, and the activated execution program is loaded into the short-term storage unit 102 and the network card 104 The process is executed based on the energy usage status in the home received via the.

  In the configuration example illustrated in FIG. 12, a case where the power usage monitoring device 1 is mounted as a part of the HEMS 5 is illustrated. However, the power usage monitoring device 1 is linked to a device that performs other functions of the HEMS 5. It can also be implemented as a single device. In this case, the power usage monitoring apparatus 1 is a computer in which a CPU 101, a short-term storage unit (DRAM) 102, a long-term storage unit (HDD) 103, a network card 104, and the like are connected via an internal network or the like as shown in FIG. As implemented. The power usage monitoring device 1 stores information and an execution program necessary for executing power consumption monitoring processing used in the home as a file in the long-term storage unit 103, and the executed execution program is stored in a short-term. A process of outputting a power usage amount restraining instruction or a cancellation of the restraining instruction based on the power consumption amount in the home that is loaded into the storage unit 102 and received via the network card 104 is executed.

  The execution program for the power consumption monitoring process is provided not only on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, or flexible disk, but also on the end of a communication line. It may be stored in another storage device or a hard disk of a computer.

  Note that the elements constituting the power usage monitoring device 1 may be realized in any combination. A plurality of components may be realized as one member, and one component may be configured from a plurality of members. In addition, the power usage monitoring device 1 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and changes may naturally be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

As described above, according to the disclosed power usage monitoring device 1, the following effects can be obtained by using the buffer 21 to absorb the difference between the power usage plan and the power usage record in the power usage monitoring. .
(1) It is not always necessary to make an accurate power usage plan, and a training period for grasping the power usage tendency in the target home is not necessary.
(2) It is possible to target a home whose power usage pattern is completely different from day to day.
(3) It is possible to absorb fluctuations in the amount of electricity used in the home caused by environmental conditions, events that occur irregularly, and the like.

Furthermore, according to the disclosed power usage monitoring apparatus 1, the following effects can be obtained by using the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 for power usage monitoring.
(4) Depending on the setting of the restriction start line and restriction release line in the buffer remaining amount management chart (drawing position, slope of line, straight line or curve, or the shape in case of a curve, etc.) Can be changed. The user selects a buffer remaining amount management chart 23 having a plurality of personalities prepared in advance by the system, and selects a suitable one for the power saving strategy of the home, or customizes the buffer remaining amount management chart 23 individually. In this way, it is possible to realize power saving that matches the actual situation of the home.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power usage monitoring apparatus 11 Power usage plan preparation part 12 Buffer residual amount management chart setting part 13 Power usage amount collection part 14 Power usage amount storage part 15 Buffer residual quantity monitoring part 20 Power usage plan 21 Buffer 22 Power usage plan base 23 Buffer remaining amount management chart 31 Electric power consumption measuring means 32 Electric power consumption suppressing means

Claims (5)

A power usage plan indicating a target power amount for each unit time in the monitoring period is set, and any power amount except for the power amount that can be used for each unit time of the power usage plan is separated as a buffer. The total amount of power used as the buffer power amount,
Collect power usage results indicating the total power used in the home for each unit time of the monitoring period,
Update the remaining amount of power in the buffer with the difference between the actual power usage and the amount of power allowed to be used in the power usage plan,
Buffer remaining amount management in which a first threshold value indicating the power amount of the buffer for starting restriction of the power usage amount in each unit time of the monitoring period and a second threshold value indicating the power amount of the buffer for releasing the restriction are set. Based on the information, when the updated remaining power amount of the buffer is lower than the first threshold, the control of the power consumption is instructed, and the updated remaining power amount of the buffer is the second A power usage monitoring method, characterized in that a computer executes a process of instructing cancellation of regulation of power usage when a threshold value is exceeded. A plurality of buffer remaining amount management information shown in a pattern in which the first threshold value and the second threshold value are different from each other in advance, and the buffer remaining amount management information is stored on the basis of a selection instruction of the user at home. The power usage monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein the computer executes the process of selecting. The computer executes a process of updating the first threshold value or the second threshold value indicated in each unit time of the buffer remaining amount management information based on a change instruction of the home user. The power usage amount monitoring method according to claim 1. A power usage plan indicating a target power amount for each unit time in the monitoring period is set, and any power amount except for the power amount that can be used for each unit time of the power usage plan is separated as a buffer. The total amount of power used as the buffer power amount,
Collect power usage results indicating the total power used in the home for each unit time of the monitoring period,
Update the remaining amount of power in the buffer with the difference between the actual power usage and the amount of power allowed to be used in the power usage plan,
Buffer remaining amount management in which a first threshold value indicating the power amount of the buffer for starting restriction of the power usage amount in each unit time of the monitoring period and a second threshold value indicating the power amount of the buffer for releasing the restriction are set. Based on the information, when the updated remaining power amount of the buffer is lower than the first threshold, the control of the power consumption is instructed, and the updated remaining power amount of the buffer is the second A power usage monitoring program for causing a computer to execute a process for instructing cancellation of regulation of power usage when a threshold value is exceeded. A power usage plan indicating a target power amount for each unit time in the monitoring period is set, and any power amount except for the power amount that can be used for each unit time of the power usage plan is separated as a buffer. A power usage plan creation unit that uses the total power amount as buffer power amount,
A power usage collection unit that collects a power usage record indicating the total power used in the home for each unit time of the monitoring period;
A buffer that updates the remaining amount of power in the buffer with the difference between the actual power usage and the amount of power allowed to be used in the power usage plan, and starts regulating the power usage in each unit time of the monitoring period Based on the buffer remaining amount management information in which the first threshold value indicating the power amount of the buffer and the second threshold value indicating the power amount of the buffer to be released from the restriction are set, the updated remaining power amount of the buffer is The remaining buffer capacity that instructs regulation of power usage when the threshold value is lower than the first threshold, and that instructs to cancel the regulation of power usage when the updated remaining power quantity of the buffer exceeds the second threshold value A power usage monitoring device comprising: a monitoring unit.

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