JP6775368B2 - Power management device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power management device.

In recent years, power storage devices installed in consumer facilities have become widespread in preparation for power outages in commercial power systems (hereinafter abbreviated as "power systems"). On the other hand, if the power consumption of the load device exceeds the output power of the power storage device while the power storage device is supplying power to the load device installed in the consumer facility during a power outage of the power system, the power storage device is overloaded. It becomes a load state. When the power storage device becomes overloaded, as a result, the power supply from the power storage device to the load device may be stopped. Therefore, in a system equipped with a power storage device, the power consumption of the consumer facility exceeds the output power of the power storage device by controlling the power consumption of the hot water supply device, which consumes a relatively large amount of power, to be small during a power failure of the power system. A system for controlling the absence of power is disclosed (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-135009

By the way, in consumer facilities, in addition to hot water supply devices, there are load devices such as dryers and microwave ovens that consume relatively large amounts of power. In addition, consumer facilities also include load devices such as mechanical ventilation systems and refrigerators that are always in operation, and load devices such as hot water storage type warm water toilet seats that generate standby power. Therefore, in order to reduce the possibility that the power storage device is overloaded during a power failure of the power system, it is desirable to reduce not only the power consumption of the hot water supply device but also the power consumption of these load devices.

An object of the present invention made in view of such a point is to provide a power management device capable of reducing the possibility that the power storage device becomes overloaded.

The invention according to claim 1
A communication unit that communicates with load equipment to which power is supplied from the power system and power storage device,
When it is determined that the power storage device is in interconnection operation, the load device is periodically notified via the communication unit, or the power storage device is operating independently. A control unit that periodically notifies the load device of information on the self-sustaining state via the communication unit when it is determined that
Equipped with a,
The frequency at which the information regarding the self-sustaining state is notified to the load device is higher than the frequency at which the information regarding the state of independence is notified to the load device .

The invention according to claim 2 is the power management device according to claim 1.
The information regarding the self-sustaining state causes the load device to consume less power than the current operation mode among a plurality of operation modes that can be set in the load device. It is a power management device that includes a transition instruction instructing the transition to an operation mode.

The invention according to claim 3 is the power management device according to claim 2.
The transition instruction is a power management device including instructing the load device whose current operation mode is the normal operation mode to shift the normal operation mode to the power saving operation mode.

The invention according to claim 4 is the power management device according to claim 2 or 3.
The transition instruction is a power management device including instructing the load device whose current operation mode is the standby mode to shift the standby mode to the stop mode.

The invention according to claim 5 is the power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
Among the plurality of load devices, the control unit sets the operating time zone of some of the load devices for which reservation setting of the operating time zone is possible, and the total power consumption of the load devices other than the partial is set to a predetermined value. Set to a less time zone and
The information regarding the self-sustaining state is a power management device including instructing the load device capable of the reservation setting to operate in the set operating time zone.

The invention according to claim 6 is the power management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
The control unit is a power management device that notifies information about the self-sustaining state only to the load device whose maximum power consumption exceeds a threshold value.

The invention according to claim 7 is the power management device according to any one of claims 2 to 6.
The control unit is a power management device that releases the instruction to the load device when the power storage device is switched from the independent operation to the interconnection operation.

The invention according to claim 8 is the power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The frequency at which the information regarding the self-sustaining state is notified to the load device is higher than the frequency at which the total power consumption of the load device momentarily increases, which is a power management device.

The invention according to claim 9 is the power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .
It is a power management device in which the frequency of notifying the load device of information regarding the self-sustaining state is variable.

The invention according to claim 10 is the power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 .
It is a power management device further including a display unit for displaying the power saving state of the load device.

According to the power management device of the present invention, the possibility that the power storage device is overloaded can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the electric power management system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the fluctuation of the power consumption of the load equipment in one day of a consumer facility. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the power management apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of a part of a load device which has a communication function in one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[System configuration]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a power management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the solid line indicates the power line, and the broken line indicates the control line and the signal line. The connection indicated by the control line and the signal line may be a wired connection or a wireless connection. Further, such a connection may conform to various protocols such as "ECHONET Lite" (registered trademark) (ECHONET Lite).

The electric power management system 1 is installed in a consumer facility such as a general household and an office, and is connected to the electric power system 100. The power management system 1 includes a power management device 10, a photovoltaic power generation device 20, a power storage device 30, a switching board 40, a distribution board 50, and a load device 60. The power storage device 30 may have the function of the power management device 10. In FIG. 1, the power management system 1 includes three load devices 60, but the number of load devices included in the power management system 1 is not limited to this, and may be two or less, or four. It may be the above.

The power management device 10 manages the power consumption of the load device 60. Details of the configuration of the power management device 10 will be described later.

The photovoltaic power generation device 20 is installed, for example, on the roof of a consumer facility or the like. The photovoltaic power generation device 20 generates electric power from the energy of sunlight. The photovoltaic power generation device 20 supplies the generated electric power to the power storage device 30. The photovoltaic power generation device 20 may be directly connected to the electric power system 100, and the generated electric power may be supplied to the electric power system 100.

The power storage device 30 includes, for example, a storage battery such as a lithium ion storage battery, a power converter, and the like. The power storage device 30 normally performs interconnection operation with the power system 100. Further, the power storage device 30 can detect a power failure of the power system 100 based on, for example, information on the amount of power acquired from the switching board 40. The electric energy information is a current value or the like acquired from a current sensor or the like installed in the switching panel 40. When the power storage device 30 detects a power failure in the power system 100, the power storage device 30 operates independently.

The power storage device 30 is charged by at least one electric power of the electric power from the photovoltaic power generation device 20 and the electric power from the electric power system 100 during the interconnection operation. Further, the power storage device 30 is charged only by the electric power from the solar power generation device 20 during the self-sustaining operation.

Further, the power storage device 30 can supply power to the load device 60 via the switching board 40 and the distribution board 50 by discharging the charged power during the interconnection operation or the self-sustaining operation. The electric power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device 20 during the interconnection operation or the independent operation of the power storage device 30 can be supplied to the load device 60 via the power storage device 30. The maximum value of the electric power that can be supplied from the power storage device 30 to the load device 60 may be the same as or different from the electric power value that is supplied from the power system 100 to the load device 60. As a case where they are different, for example, it is assumed that the maximum value of the electric power that can be supplied from the power storage device 30 to the load device 60 is lower than the electric power value that is supplied from the power system 100 to the load device 60. Further, the power storage device 30 may change the maximum value of the power that can be supplied between the interconnection operation and the independent operation. The power storage device 30 coordinates the power supplied to the load device 60 with the power from the power system 100 during the interconnection operation.

The power storage device 30 may notify the power management device 10 that the power storage device 30 is in the interconnection operation when the power storage device 30 is in the interconnection operation. Further, the power storage device 30 may notify the power management device 10 that the power storage device 30 is operating independently when the power storage device 30 is operating independently. Further, the power management device 10 may periodically obtain the state (interconnected operation, independent operation) of the power storage device 30.

The switching board 40 switches the electric power supplied to the distribution board 50. When the power storage device 30 is in interconnection operation, the switching board 40 supplies the power from the power storage device 30 and the power from the power system 100 to the distribution board 50. Further, when the power system 100 fails, the switching board 40 supplies only the power from the power storage device 30 to the distribution board 50.

The switching board 40 may have a communication function and may be able to communicate with the power management device 10. In this case, the switching board 40 may notify the power management device 10 of the connection state in the own device. For example, the switching board 40 may notify that the power storage device 30 and the load device 60 are normally connected, and the power system 100 and the load device 60 are connected. Further, the switching board 40 may notify the power management device 10 that the power storage device 30 and the load device 60 are connected during a power failure of the power system 100.

The distribution board 50 distributes the electric power supplied from the switching board 40 to the load device 60.

The load device 60 is an electric device or the like installed in a consumer facility, and consumes electric power to exert a desired function. Power is supplied to the load device 60 from the power system 100 and the power storage device 30 via the switching board 40 and the distribution board 50.

In the load device 60, some load devices have various operation modes. Various operating modes include, for example, a plurality of variable operating modes, standby modes and stop modes.

The variable operation mode is, for example, a plurality of operation modes for switching the operation intensity of a specific function of the load device. It should be noted that the switching of the operating intensity may include stopping a specific function. The standby mode is an operation mode in which the functions mainly required of the load device are stopped, and only some of the functions of the load device that take a long time from the start to the completion are operated. Is. The stop mode is an operation mode in which all of the plurality of functions of the load device are stopped, or only the communication function that receives a start signal from an external remote controller or the like is operated among the multiple functions of the load device. This is an operation mode in which other functions are stopped.

Further, in the load device 60, some of the load devices have a communication function and can communicate with the power management device 10 and the like. The load device having a communication function acquires information on the self-sustaining state from the power management device 10 during the self-sustaining operation of the power storage device 30. Hereinafter, a load device having a communication function and having various operation modes will be referred to as a "first load device".

During normal operation, the first load device can shift the current operation mode to an operation mode with lower power consumption by the information regarding the self-sustaining state acquired from the power management device. Normal operation is an operation state in which a function mainly required for a load device is executed. The operation mode in which the power consumption is lower than the current operation mode is determined from a plurality of operation modes that can be set in the first load device.

The first load device may shift to a specific operation mode by a command from the power management device to shift to a specific operation mode, or may shift to a specific operation mode at its own discretion. In the former case, the information about the independence state needs to include the transition instruction. In the latter case, it is possible to transfer if the information on the self-sustaining state indicates that the self-sustaining state is in operation.

Further, the first load device in the normal operation mode can shift to the power saving operation mode by the information regarding the self-sustaining state acquired from the power management device. The power-saving operation mode is an operation mode in which a specific operation mode or a combination of a plurality of specific operation modes among the above-mentioned variable operation modes is defined. In the power saving operation mode, the operation mode is switched to a specific operation mode regardless of the current operation mode. The specific operation mode may be set in advance, or may be set according to the situation when the information on the self-sustaining state is acquired from the operation modes.

The power saving operation mode may be determined in the first load device or in the power management device 10. In the former case, it is sufficient that the information on the self-sustaining state is in the self-sustaining operation. In the latter case, the information regarding the self-sustaining state needs to include a shift instruction to a specific operation mode defined as a power saving operation mode for each first load device.

The first load device in the standby mode can shift from the standby mode to the stop mode according to the information regarding the self-sustaining state acquired from the power management device.

When the operation mode of the first load device is shifted based on the information on the self-sustaining state, if the information on the self-sustaining state is not acquired from the power management device 10 within a predetermined time after acquiring the information on the self-supporting state, Return the operation mode after migration to the operation mode before migration. Alternatively, when the first load device shifts the operation mode based on the information about the self-sustaining state, when it acquires the fact that it is in the interconnection state from the power management device 10, it returns the operation mode after the shift to the operation mode before the shift.

Further, in the load device 60, some load devices can be reserved for a drive time zone. Hereinafter, a load device having a communication function and capable of setting a reservation for a driving time zone will be referred to as a "second load device".

The second load device operates in the designated drive time zone if the information regarding the self-sustaining state acquired from the power management device 10 indicates the drive time zone. The second load device cancels the designation of the drive time zone if it is not currently in operation when a predetermined time has elapsed since the drive time zone was designated by the power management device 10. Alternatively, after the drive time zone is specified by the power management device 10, the second load device is in the operating time zone if it is not currently in operation when it is acquired from the power management device 10 that it is in the interconnection state. Cancel the instruction.

The following devices are exemplified as the first load device and the second load device as described above.

For example, the first load device is a hybrid type hot water supply device. The hybrid type hot water supply device has, as variable operation modes, an operation mode of heating water using electric power and stopping the heating, and an operation mode of heating water using gas and stopping the heating. Further, for the hybrid type hot water supply device, for example, a combination of an operation mode of stopping the heating of water using electric power and an operation mode of heating water using gas is defined as a power saving operation mode. ..

Further, for example, the first load device is an air conditioner. The air conditioner has, for example, a flap or louver drive and stop operation mode and an operation mode at each set temperature as variable operation modes. Further, for the air conditioner, for example, a combination of a flap and louver stop operation mode and an operation mode at a specific set temperature is defined as a power saving operation mode.

Further, for example, the first load device is a dryer. The dryer has, as a variable operation mode, an operation mode in which the air volume of the fan is switched in a plurality of stages and an operation mode in which the hot air is set at each set temperature. Further, for the dryer, for example, a combination of an operation mode in which the fan is operated with the minimum setable air volume and an operation mode in which the set temperature of hot air is set to the minimum value is defined as the power saving operation mode.

Further, for example, the first load device is a microwave oven. The microwave oven has an operation mode in which the output power is switched in a plurality of stages as a variable operation mode. Further, for a microwave oven, for example, an operation mode with a settable minimum output power is defined as a power saving operation mode.

Also, for example, the first load device is a mechanical ventilation system. The mechanical ventilation system has, for example, an operation mode in which the amount of air blown by the blower is switched in a plurality of stages as a variable operation mode. Further, for the mechanical ventilation system, for example, an operation mode in which the blower is driven with the minimum settable air volume is defined as a power saving operation mode.

Further, for example, the first load device is a hot water storage type warm water toilet seat. The hot water storage type warm water toilet seat has, for example, an operation mode in which the set temperature of the warm water retention function is switched in a plurality of stages as a variable operation mode. Further, for a hot water storage type warm water toilet seat, for example, an operation mode in which a heat retention function is operated so as to maintain hot water at a settable minimum temperature is defined as a power saving operation mode.

Further, for example, the first load device is a heated toilet seat. The heated toilet seat has, for example, an operation mode in which the set temperature of the toilet seat is switched in a plurality of stages as a variable operation mode. Further, for the heated toilet seat, for example, an operation mode in which the set temperature of the toilet seat is set to the minimum value is defined as a power saving operation mode.

Further, for example, the first load device is a refrigerator. The refrigerator has, for example, an operation mode in which the set temperature in the refrigerator is switched in a plurality of stages as a variable operation mode. Further, for the refrigerator, for example, an operation mode in which the set temperature in the refrigerator is set to a specific temperature is defined as a power saving operation mode.

Further, for example, the first load device is a television. As a variable operation mode, the television has, for example, an operation mode in which the brightness of the backlight is switched in a plurality of stages. Further, for the television, for example, an operation mode in which the backlight is operated at the lowest configurable brightness is defined as a power saving operation mode. Further, in the standby mode, the television drives only the communication function of receiving the activation signal from, for example, the tuner, the volatile memory and the remote controller. Further, in the stop mode, the television drives only the communication function for receiving the activation signal from the remote controller, for example.

Further, for example, the first load device is a DVD player. In the standby mode, the DVD player drives only, for example, a timer function for displaying the time on the display window, a volatile memory, and a communication function for receiving a start signal from the remote controller. Further, the DVD player drives only the communication function for receiving the start signal from the remote controller, for example, in the stop mode.

Further, for example, the second load device is a rice cooker. For example, when the power management device 10 specifies a time zone from 7:00 to 8:00 as a drive time zone, the rice cooker cooks rice or the like in the rice cooker during the time zone from 7:00 to 8:00.

Further, for example, the second load device is an HP (heat pump) type hot water supply device. The HP type hot water supply device boil water in the time zone from 22:00 to 24:00, for example, when the power management device 10 specifies the time zone from 22:00 to 24:00 as the drive time zone. The HP type hot water supply device also corresponds to the first load device, and has an operation mode in which the hot water stored in the heat retention tank is kept warm by switching a plurality of time intervals as a variable operation mode.

Subsequently, the details of the configuration of the power management device 10 will be described. The power management device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, and a control unit 14.

The communication unit 11 communicates with the power storage device 30, the switching board 40, and the load device 60.

The storage unit 12 stores a program that describes information necessary for processing of the power management device 10 and processing contents that realize each function of the power management device 10. The storage unit 12 stores, for example, a transition instruction or the like.

The display unit 13 displays the power saving state of the load device 60.

The control unit 14 controls and manages the entire power management device 10. The control unit 14 is composed of any suitable processor such as a general-purpose CPU (central processing unit) that has read software for executing the processing of each function, or a dedicated processor specialized for processing each function.

In the present embodiment, when the control unit 14 determines that the power storage device 30 is in the interconnection operation, the control unit 14 periodically notifies the load device that the power storage device 30 is in the interconnection state via the communication unit 11. Alternatively, when the control unit 14 determines that the power storage device 30 is operating independently, the control unit 14 periodically notifies the load device of information regarding the independent state via the communication unit 11. Hereinafter, the processing of the control unit 14 related to this will be described.

The control unit 14 determines whether or not the power storage device 30 is in interconnection operation.

For example, the control unit 14 can determine whether or not the power storage device 30 is in interconnection operation by a notification obtained from the power storage device 30 via the communication unit 11. Further, for example, the control unit 14 can determine whether or not the power storage device 30 is in interconnection operation by communicating with the switching board 40 via the communication unit 11.

When the control unit 14 determines that the power storage device 30 is in the interconnection operation, the control unit 14 periodically notifies the load device having the communication function via the communication unit 11 that the power storage device 30 is in the interconnection state. The control unit 14 simultaneously transmits, for example, the fact that the interconnection state is established to the load device having a communication function as a broadcast message.

On the other hand, when the control unit 14 determines that the power storage device 30 is not in interconnection operation, that is, when it determines that the power storage device 30 is in self-sustaining operation, the control unit 14 provides information on the self-sustaining state to a load device having a communication function. Is notified periodically (or periodically) via the communication unit 11. It should be noted that the periodic time interval for notifying the information on the independence state corresponds to the predetermined time that the load device determines to acquire the information on the independence state. For example, the control unit 14 simultaneously transmits information about the self-supporting state as a broadcast message to the load device having a communication function.

Here, when the load device shifts the operation mode according to the information about the self-sustaining state acquired from the power management device 10 and then re-acquires the information about the self-supporting state from the power management device 10 within a predetermined time, the load device is after the shift. Maintain the operating mode. That is, in the present embodiment, during the self-sustaining operation of the power storage device 30, the control unit 14 periodically notifies the load device of information on the self-sustaining state, so that the load device is transferred to the power storage device 30 during the self-sustaining operation. It is maintained in the operation mode of.

On the other hand, when the power system 100 is restored, the power storage device 30 switches from the independent operation to the interconnected operation, so that the control unit 14 does not notify the load device of the information regarding the independent state. That is, when the power system 100 becomes widespread, the load equipment does not acquire information on the self-sustaining state within a predetermined time. As a result, the load device can automatically return to the operation mode before the transition (when it is acquired that the load device is in interconnection operation before the predetermined time elapses, at that time, Return to the operation mode before the transition.).

As described above, in the present embodiment, by periodically notifying the load device of information regarding the self-sustaining state, it is possible to quickly switch the operation mode of the load device according to the operating state of the power storage device 30.

The control unit 14 periodically notifies the load device, which can determine the operation mode to be changed on the load device side, that the load device is operating independently as information on the self-sustaining state via the communication unit 11. You may.

Further, when the control unit 14 instructs the operation mode of the load device on the power management device 10 side, the control unit 14 periodically notifies the load device of the transition instruction as information on the self-sustaining state via the communication unit 11. May be good.

The transition instruction causes the load device to shift the current operation mode of the load device to an operation mode in which the power consumption is lower than the current operation mode among a plurality of operation modes that can be set in the load device. To instruct. For example, the transition instruction includes instructing a load device whose current operation mode is the normal operation mode to shift the normal operation mode to the power saving operation mode. Further, for example, the transition instruction includes instructing a load device whose current operation mode is the standby mode to shift the standby mode to the stop mode.

Further, when the control unit 14 determines that the power storage device 30 is operating independently, the control unit 14 sets the drive time zone of the second load device as the time during which the total power consumption of the load devices other than the second load device becomes smaller than a predetermined value. Select for obi. Further, the control unit 14 notifies the second load device of an instruction via the communication unit 11 to operate in the drive time zone selected as the information regarding the self-sustaining state.

In this case, the control unit 14 may select a load device to be driven by giving an instruction of a driving time zone. For example, the control unit 14 selects a load device to be driven by giving an instruction of a drive time zone based on the importance set in the second load device. In this case, set high importance for load devices that affect the user's life when the drive time is changed, and set low importance for load devices that do not affect the user's life even if the drive time is changed. .. Further, the control unit 14 selects a load device of low importance as a load device to be driven by giving an instruction of a drive time zone.

FIG. 2 shows the fluctuation of the power consumption of the load equipment in the day of the consumer facility. For example, when the second load device is a rice cooker and an HP type hot water supply device, the control unit 14 sets the time zone in which the total power consumption of the load device other than the rice cooker and the HP type is smaller than a predetermined value from 0 o'clock to Select the time zone of 8 o'clock and the time zone from 21:00 to 24:00. At this time, the control unit 14 instructs the rice cooker, for example, the time zone from 7:00 to 8:00 as the drive time zone, and the HP type hot water supply device from the time zone from 22:00 to 24:00 as the drive time. Instruct as a band.

Further, when the control unit 14 selects a load device that gives an instruction of the drive time zone based on the importance of the second load device, for example, the importance of the HP type hot water supply device is more important than the importance of the rice cooker. If it is lower than, the HP type hot water supply device is selected as the load device for giving instructions.

When the control unit 14 determines that the power storage device 30 is operating independently, the control unit 14 may notify the information regarding the independent state only to the load device whose maximum power consumption value exceeds the threshold value. For example, the dryer and the microwave oven having a relatively large maximum power consumption value as shown in FIG. 2 and exceeding the above-mentioned threshold value are notified of the information regarding the self-sustaining state.

The power consumption of the load device having a relatively large maximum power consumption value is more likely to induce the peak power consumption indicated by the arrow A in FIG. Therefore, the load device having a relatively large maximum power consumption value is more likely to cause an overload state of the power storage device 30. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the information regarding the self-sustaining state is notified only to the load device having a relatively large maximum power consumption value. As a result, the load device (for example, a television) having a relatively small maximum power consumption value is used in the normal operation mode while reducing the possibility that the power storage device 30 is in an overload state during the self-sustaining operation of the power storage device 30. Will be possible.

Further, when the power storage device 30 switches from the independent operation to the interconnected operation after notifying the load device of the information regarding the independent state, the control unit 14 is in the interconnected state with the load device. Notify that effect via the communication unit 11.

[System operation]
FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation of the power management device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The power management device 10 periodically repeats the processes of steps S101 to S104 shown in FIG.

The control unit 14 determines whether or not the power storage device 30 is in interconnection operation (step S101). When the control unit 14 determines that the power storage device 30 is in interconnection operation (step S101: Yes), the control unit 14 proceeds to the process of step S102. On the other hand, when the control unit 14 determines that the power storage device 30 is not in the interconnection operation, that is, the power storage device 30 is in the self-sustaining operation, the control unit 14 proceeds to the process of step S103.

In the process of step S102, the control unit 14 notifies the load device having the communication function that the interconnection state is established via the communication unit 11.

In the process of step S103, the control unit 14 notifies the load device having the communication function of the information regarding the self-sustaining state via the communication unit 11.

By the process of step S103 as described above, in the present embodiment, the current operation mode of the load device is changed to the operation mode in which the power consumption is lower than the current operation mode among the plurality of settable operation modes of the load device. Can be migrated. Further, in the present embodiment, the power management device 10 periodically notifies the load device of information on the self-sustaining state, so that the operation mode of the load device is changed to the operation mode before the transition during the self-sustaining operation of the power storage device 30. You can prevent it from returning. That is, during the self-sustaining operation of the power storage device 30, the operation mode of the load device can be maintained at the operation mode after the transition.

In the process of step S104, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the power storage device 30 has switched from the independent operation to the interconnected operation. When the control unit 14 determines that the power storage device 30 has switched from the independent operation to the interconnected operation (step S104: Yes), the control unit 14 proceeds to the process of step S102. On the other hand, when the control unit 14 determines that the power storage device 30 has not switched from the independent operation to the interconnected operation (step S104: No), the control unit 14 repeats the process from step S103.

By performing the process of step S104 in this way, in the present embodiment, when the power storage device 30 switches from the independent operation to the interconnected operation, the above-mentioned instruction to the load device is released. As a result, for example, the load device in the operation mode immediately switches from the power saving operation mode to the normal operation mode, so that the user can immediately use the load device more comfortably.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation of the load device having a communication function in one embodiment of the present invention. The load device having a communication function periodically repeats the processes of steps S201 to S207 shown in FIG.

The load device determines whether or not it has acquired information on the self-sustaining state from the power management device 10 (step S201). When the load device determines that the information regarding the self-sustaining state has been acquired from the power management device 10 (step S201: Yes), the load device proceeds to the process of step S202. On the other hand, when it is determined that the load device does not acquire the information regarding the self-sustaining state from the power management device 10 (step S201: No), the process of step S201 is performed again.

In the process of step S202, the first load device shifts the current operation mode to the operation mode having lower power consumption than the current operation mode among the plurality of settable operation modes.

In the process of step S203, the load device activates, for example, the count function of the load device to start counting.

In the process of step S204, the load device determines whether or not it has acquired the fact that it is in the interconnection state from the power management device 10. When it is determined that the load device has acquired the fact that it is in the interconnection state from the power management device 10 (step S204: Yes), the load device proceeds to the process of step S207. On the other hand, when it is determined that the load device does not acquire the fact that it is in the interconnection state from the power management device 10 (step S204: No), the process proceeds to step S205.

In the process of step S205, the load device determines whether or not the information regarding the self-sustaining state has been acquired from the power management device 10. When the load device determines that the information regarding the self-sustaining state has been acquired from the power management device 10 (step S205: Yes), the load device returns to the process of step S203. On the other hand, when it is determined that the load device does not acquire the information regarding the self-sustaining state from the power management device 10 (step S205: No), the load device proceeds to the process of step S206.

In the process of step S206, the load device determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed based on the count started in the process of step S203. When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S206: Yes), the load device proceeds to the process of step S207. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S206: No), the load device returns to the process of step S205.

In the process of step S207, the first load device returns the operation mode shifted by the process of step S202 to the operation mode before the process of step S202 is performed. Further, in the process of step S207, if the second load device is not currently in operation, the setting by the process of step S202 is canceled.

In this way, when it is determined that the load device has acquired the fact that it is in the interconnection state (step S204: Yes) or when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S206: Yes), the load is loaded by the process of step S207. The operating mode of the device is returned.

As described above, in the power management device 10 according to the present embodiment, when the control unit 14 determines that the power storage device 30 is operating independently, the control unit 14 transmits information on the independent state to the load device via the communication unit 11. Notice. That is, the power management device 10 can provide a load device having a plurality of operation modes with a trigger for changing the operation mode to reduce the power consumption during the self-sustaining operation of the power storage device 30. Therefore, the power management device 10 can reduce the power consumption of the consumer facility. As a result, the possibility that the power consumption of the consumer facility exceeds the output power of the power storage device 30 is reduced, so that the possibility that the power storage device 30 is in an overloaded state can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, during the self-sustaining operation of the power storage device 30, the power management device 10 periodically notifies the load device of information regarding the self-sustaining state. As a result, during the self-sustaining operation of the power storage device 30, the load device shifts the operation mode according to the information about the self-supporting state, and then acquires the information about the self-supporting state again from the power management device 10 within a predetermined time, and operates after the shift. The mode can be maintained. On the other hand, when the power system 100 is restored, the power storage device 30 switches from the independent operation to the interconnected operation, so that the power management device 10 does not notify the load device of the information regarding the independent state. That is, when the power system 100 is restored, the load device can automatically return to the operation mode before the transition without acquiring the information on the self-sustaining state within a predetermined time. This makes it possible to quickly switch the operation mode of the load device according to the operating state of the power storage device 30 in the present embodiment.

Further, in the present embodiment, the power consumption of the base load can be reduced by periodically notifying the load device of the information regarding the self-sustaining state from the power management device 10. The base load is a load that continuously consumes electric power and a load device that is in a standby mode. Loads that continuously consume power are always-on devices such as warm water toilet seats, mechanical ventilation systems and refrigerators. Further, the load device in the standby mode is a television, a DVD player, or the like, as described above. As described above, the power consumption of the base load can be reduced by changing the operation mode based on the above-mentioned information on self-sustaining operation.

In the example of FIG. 2, the power consumption of the base load corresponds to the power consumption indicated by the arrow B. By reducing the power consumption of the base load, the possibility that the peak power consumption as shown by the arrow A in FIG. 2 exceeds the output power of the power storage device 30 is reduced. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the possibility that the power storage device 30 is in an overloaded state can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the power management device 10 periodically notifies the load device of information on the self-sustaining state, so that the load device operates even when the operation mode of the load device is switched due to the use of the user, for example. It is possible to shift the mode as appropriate.

For example, during the self-sustaining operation of the power storage device 30, for example, when the user stops using the load device, the operation mode of the load device may be switched from the operation mode to the standby mode. In this case, by notifying the load device in the standby mode of the information regarding the self-sustaining state, the load device in the standby mode can be shifted to the stop mode.

Further, for example, the operation mode of the load device may be switched from the stop mode to the normal operation mode when the user starts using the load device during the self-sustaining operation of the power storage device 30. In this case, by notifying the load device in the normal operation mode of the information regarding the self-sustaining state, the load device in the normal operation mode can be shifted to the power saving operation mode.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when the operation mode of the load device is switched by the use of the user, for example, the operation mode of the load device can be appropriately changed. As a result, in the present embodiment, the power supplied from the power storage device 30 can be effectively used.

Further, in the present embodiment, during the self-sustaining operation of the power storage device 30, the power management device 10 sets the operating time zone of the second load device to a time during which the total power consumption of the load devices other than the second load device becomes smaller than a predetermined value. Set to obi. As a result, the time zone in which the load device is operated can be dispersed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the possibility that the power storage device 30 is in an overloaded state can be reduced.

Here, it is difficult for the load device to determine whether the power storage device 30 is in interconnection operation or in independent operation. Therefore, the load device determines that the power storage device 30 is in independent operation and switches the operation mode, or determines that the power storage device 30 is in interconnection operation and returns the switched operation mode to the original state. It is difficult.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, during the independent operation of the power storage device 30, the power management device 10 notifies the load device of information regarding the independent state. Further, during the interconnection operation of the power storage device 30, the power management device 10 notifies the load device that the power storage device 30 is in the interconnection state.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, by acquiring the information about the self-sustaining state or the fact that the load device is in the interconnected state from the power management device 10, the load device switches the operation mode or restores the switched operation mode. Can be done. In other words, when the power system 100 loses power and the power storage device 30 starts independent operation, the operation mode of the load device can be automatically switched.

Further, when the power system 100 is restored and the power storage device 30 starts the interconnection operation, the operation mode of the load device can be automatically returned to the original state. As a result, the user does not have to manually switch the operation mode of the load device in the event of an emergency such as a power failure of the power system 100.

Further, when the power system 100 is restored, the user does not have to manually restore the operation mode of the load device. Therefore, the power management device 10 according to the present embodiment is excellent in user convenience.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and modifications based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and modifications are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each component, each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and a plurality of components, steps, etc. can be combined or divided into one. Is. Further, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described mainly on the apparatus, the present invention can also be realized as a method, a program, or a storage medium on which a program is recorded, which is executed by a processor included in the apparatus. It should be understood that these are also included in the scope of the invention.

For example, in the present embodiment, the frequency at which the information regarding the self-sustaining state is notified to the load device may be higher than the frequency at which the load device is notified of, for example, the interconnection state. As a result, as described above, when the operation mode of the load device is switched (for example, from the stop mode to the normal operation mode) by the use of the user, the operation mode of the load device can be quickly changed. ..

Further, in the present embodiment, the frequency at which the information regarding the self-sustaining state is notified to the load device may be higher than the frequency at which the total power consumption of the load device momentarily increases. The frequency with which the total power consumption of the load device increases instantaneously is the frequency with which spike-shaped power consumption occurs as shown by the arrow C in FIG.

The spike-shaped power consumption as shown by the arrow C is generated, for example, by the hot water storage type warm water toilet seat generating hot water. When spike-shaped power consumption as shown by arrow C occurs at a place where the total power consumption of the load device becomes large (for example, arrow A), the total power consumption of the load device exceeds the output power of the power storage device 30, and as a result. , The power storage device 30 may be overloaded. Therefore, by setting the frequency at which the information on the self-sustaining state is notified to the load device to be higher than the frequency at which the spike-shaped power consumption is generated as shown by the arrow C in FIG. 2, the spike-shaped power consumption is generated. It is possible to prevent and reduce the possibility that the power storage device 30 is in an overloaded state.

Further, in the present embodiment, the frequency at which the load device is notified of the information regarding the self-supporting state may be variable. In this case, the frequency of notifying the load device of the information regarding the independence state may be changed according to the time zone.

For example, in FIG. 2, since the amount of activity of the user increases during the time period from 8:00 to 18:30, the operation mode of the load device is frequently switched by the user. On the other hand, during the time zone from 0:00 to 8:00 and the time zone from 18:30 to 24:00, the amount of activity of the user decreases, so that the user hardly switches the operation mode of the load device.

Therefore, the frequency of notification of information on the self-supporting state to the load device 60 is changed to a high frequency during the time zone from 8:00 to 18:30, and the time zone from 0:00 to 8:00 and the time zone from 18:30 to 24:00. Change infrequently. As a result, even when the operation mode of the load device is switched (for example, from the stop mode to the normal operation mode) as described above in the time zone from 8:00 to 18:30 when the operation mode of the load device is frequently switched by the user. , It becomes possible to quickly shift the operation mode of the load device.

1 Power management system 10 Power management device 11 Communication unit 12 Storage unit 13 Display unit 14 Control unit 20 Photovoltaic power generation device 30 Power storage device 40 Switching board 50 Distribution board 60 Load device 100 Power system

Claims (10)

A communication unit that communicates with load equipment to which power is supplied from the power system and power storage device,
When it is determined that the power storage device is in interconnection operation, the load device is periodically notified via the communication unit, or the power storage device is operating independently. A control unit that periodically notifies the load device of information on the self-sustaining state via the communication unit when it is determined that
Equipped with a,
A power management device in which the frequency at which information regarding the self-sustaining state is notified to the load device is higher than the frequency at which the information regarding the state of independence is notified to the load device. In the power management device according to claim 1,
The information regarding the self-sustaining state causes the load device to consume less power than the current operation mode among a plurality of operation modes that can be set in the load device. A power management device that includes a transition instruction that directs the transition to an operating mode. In the power management device according to claim 2,
The transition instruction includes instructing the load device whose current operation mode is the normal operation mode to shift the normal operation mode to the power saving operation mode. In the power management device according to claim 2 or 3.
The transition instruction includes instructing the load device whose current operation mode is the standby mode to shift the standby mode to the stop mode. In the power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
Among the plurality of load devices, the control unit sets the operating time zone of some of the load devices for which reservation setting of the operating time zone is possible, and the total power consumption of the load devices other than the partial is set to a predetermined value. Set to a less time zone and
The information regarding the self-sustaining state is a power management device including instructing a load device capable of reservation setting to operate in the set operating time zone. In the power management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
The control unit is a power management device that notifies information about the self-sustaining state only to the load device whose maximum power consumption exceeds a threshold value. In the power management device according to any one of claims 2 to 6.
The control unit is a power management device that releases the instruction to the load device when the power storage device is switched from independent operation to interconnection operation. In the power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A power management device in which the frequency at which information regarding the self-sustaining state is notified to the load device is higher than the frequency at which the total power consumption of the load device momentarily increases. In the power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .
A power management device in which the frequency with which information about the self-sustaining state is notified to the load device is variable. In the power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 .
A power management device further comprising a display unit for displaying the power saving status of the load device.

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