JP6928510B2 - Power management method, power management device and power management server - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is a technique relating to a power management method, a power management device, and a power management server.

Conventionally, the electricity charge to be charged to the user is determined based on the electric power measurement value measured by the meter provided in the facility. As such a meter, the introduction of a smart meter having a communication function is also being considered (for example, Patent Document 1). The power measurement value measured by the meter is transmitted to the power management server via, for example, a power management device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-153337

By the way, a communication method in which error correction is not applied between the meter and the power management device is adopted, and a reference error rate (for example, PER for a packet of a predetermined length; Packet Error) is used for communication between the meter and the power management device. It is assumed that Rate) is defined.

In such a case, the power management server can grasp whether or not the power management device can receive the message including the information element indicating the power measurement value (reception success rate). However, since the reception success rate depends on the total number of bits (length) of the communication message between the meter and the power management device, the power management server uses the standard error rate for communication between the meter and the power management device. It is not possible to judge from the reception success rate whether or not the above conditions are satisfied.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible for the power management server to grasp whether or not the communication between the meter and the power management device satisfies the reference error rate. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power management method, a power management device, and a power management server.

The power management method according to the first feature is a step of transmitting a first message including an information element indicating a power measurement value measured by the meter from the meter to the power management device by a communication method to which error correction is not applied. A step of transmitting a second message including an information element indicating the power measurement value from the power management device to the power management server, and the meter and the meter from the power management device to the power management server. It includes a step of transmitting a third message including an information element indicating an index for determining whether or not the communication with the power management device satisfies the reference error rate.

The power management device according to the second feature has a receiving unit that receives a first message from the meter including an information element indicating the power measurement value measured by the meter by a communication method to which error correction is not applied, and the power measurement value. It is provided with a transmission unit that transmits a second message including an information element indicating the above to the power management server. The power management server sends a third message including an information element indicating an index for the power management server to determine whether or not the communication between the meter and the power management device satisfies the reference error rate. Send to.

The power management server according to the third feature measures the power from the power management device that receives the first message including an information element indicating the power measurement value measured by the meter from the meter by a communication method to which error correction is not applied. A receiver for receiving a second message including an information element indicating a value is provided. The receiving unit receives from the power management device a third message including an information element indicating an index for determining whether or not the communication between the meter and the power management device satisfies the reference error rate.

According to one aspect, a power management method, a power management device, and a power management server that enable the power management server to grasp whether or not the communication between the meter and the power management device satisfies the reference error rate. Can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a power management system 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a facility 300 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a local control device 330 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a power meter 500 according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the communication layer according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an ECHONET Lite message according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the total number of bits of the communication message according to the embodiment and the allowable error rate. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of retransmissions of the communication message according to the embodiment and the allowable error rate. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing information elements of the message according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing information elements of the message according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a power management server 200 according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a power management method according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a power management method according to the first modification of the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a power management method according to the second modification of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings below, the same or similar parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals.

However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratio of each dimension may differ from the actual one. Therefore, the specific dimensions should be determined in consideration of the following explanation. In addition, it goes without saying that there may be parts in which the relations or ratios of the dimensions of the drawings are different from each other.

[Embodiment]
(Power management system)
Hereinafter, the power management system according to the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the power management system 100 includes a power management server 200, a facility 300, and a power company 400. In FIG. 1, facility 300A to facility 300C are exemplified as facility 300.

Each facility 300 is connected to the power system 110. Hereinafter, the flow of electric power supplied from the electric power system 110 to the facility 300 is referred to as a power flow, and the flow of electric power supplied from the facility 300 to the electric power system 110 is referred to as reverse power flow.

The power management server 200, the facility 300, and the power company 400 are connected to the network 120. The network 120 may provide a line between the power management server 200 and the facility 300 and a line between the power management server 200 and the power company 400. The network 120 is, for example, the Internet. The network 120 may provide a dedicated line such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

The electric power management server 200 is a server managed by a business operator such as a power generation business operator, a power transmission and distribution business operator, or a retail business operator.

The power management server 200 transmits a control message instructing the local control device 330 provided in the facility 300 to control the distributed power source 310 provided in the facility 300. For example, the power management server 200 may transmit a power flow control message (for example, DR; Demand Response) requesting control of the power flow rate, or may send a reverse power flow control message requesting control of the reverse power flow. good. Further, the power management server 200 may send a power control message for controlling the operating state of the distributed power source. The degree of control of power flow or reverse power flow may be expressed by an absolute value (for example, XX kW) or a relative value (for example, XX%). Alternatively, the degree of control of power flow or reverse power flow may be expressed at two or more levels. The degree of control of power flow or reverse power flow may be expressed by the power charge (RTP; Real Time Pricing) determined by the current power supply and demand balance, and the power charge (TOU; Time Of Use) determined by the past power supply and demand balance. May be represented by.

Facility 300 has a distributed power source 310, a load 320, and a local control device 330, as shown in FIG. The facility 300 is provided with a power meter 500. The electricity meter 500 may be installed inside the facility 300 or outside the facility 300.

The distributed power source 310 is a device having at least one of a function of outputting electric power and a function of storing electric power. The distributed power source 310 may be, for example, a solar cell, a fuel cell, or a storage battery. The distributed power source 310 may include a PCS (Power Conditioning System). The distributed power source 310 may be a power source used for VPP (Virtual Power Plant).

The load 320 is a device that consumes electric power. The load 320 is, for example, an air conditioner, a lighting device, an AV (Audio Visual) device, or the like.

The local control device 330 is a device (EMS; Energy Management System) that manages the electric power of the facility 300. The local control device 330 may control the operating state of the distributed power source 310, or may control the operating state of the load 320. The local control device 330 is an example of a power management device. Details of the local control device 330 will be described later (see FIG. 3).

The power meter 500 measures the amount of power flow (tide flow) supplied from the power system 110 to the facility 300 and the amount of reverse power flow (reverse power flow) supplied from the facility 300 to the power system 110. The value measured by the power meter 500 is referred to as a power measurement value. The power meter 500 is, for example, a smart meter belonging to the power company 400. The watt hour meter 500 transmits a first message including the measured power value to the local controller 330. The watt-hour meter 500 may send a first message to the local controller 330 in a cycle (eg, 30 minutes). The details of the first message will be described later.

The electric power company 400 is an entity that provides an infrastructure such as an electric power system 110, and is, for example, a power generation company. The electric power company 400 may outsource various operations to a business operator such as a power transmission and distribution business operator or a retail business operator.

(Local controller)
Hereinafter, the local control device according to the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the local control device 330 includes a first communication unit 331, a second communication unit 332, and a control unit 333. The local control device 330 is an example of VEN (Virtual End Node).

The first communication unit 331 is composed of a communication module, and communicates with the power management server 200 via the network 120. The first communication unit 331 communicates according to the first protocol. As the first protocol, for example, a protocol compliant with Open ADR (Automated Demand Response) or a unique dedicated protocol can be used.

The second communication unit 332 is composed of a communication module and communicates with the power meter 500 or an apparatus (distributed power source 310 or load 320). The communication module may include a wireless communication device. The second communication unit 332 communicates according to the second protocol. As the second protocol, for example, a protocol conforming to ECHONET Lite, SEP (Smart Energy Profile) 2.0, KNX, or a unique dedicated protocol can be used. For example, the second communication unit 332 transmits a message to the electricity meter 500 or the device (distributed power supply 310 or load 320) according to the second protocol. The second communication unit 332 receives a message response from the watt-hour meter 500 or the device (distributed power supply 310 or load 320) according to the second protocol. It should be noted here that the second protocol is a protocol adopted in the upper layer of communication.

The control unit 333 is composed of a memory, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the like, and controls each configuration provided in the local control device 330. Specifically, the control unit 333 instructs the distributed power source to set the operating state of the distributed power source by transmitting a message and receiving a message response in order to control the power of the facility 300. The control unit 333 may instruct the distributed power source to report the information of the distributed power source by transmitting a message and receiving a message response in order to manage the power of the facility 300.

In the embodiment, when the second communication unit 332 receives the first message including the information element indicating the power measurement value from the power meter 500, the control unit 333 acquires the power measurement value of the power meter 500. The first communication unit 331 transmits a second message including an information element indicating the power measurement value acquired by the control unit 333 to the power management server 200. When the second communication unit receives the first message from the power meter 500 in a cycle, the first communication unit 331 may transmit the second message to the power management server 200 in the same cycle.

Here, as will be described later, the second communication unit 332 may fail to receive the first message. If the second communication unit 332 fails to receive the first message, the control unit 333 cannot acquire the power measurement value from the power meter 500. In this case, the first communication unit 331 transmits to the power management server 200 a second message in which the information element indicating the power measurement value is missing. Alternatively, the first communication unit 331 includes the information element indicating that the acquisition of the power measurement value has failed in the second message and transmits the information element. As a result, the failure of the second communication unit 332 to receive the first message is directly reflected in the failure of the power management server 200 to acquire the power measurement value. In other words, the power management server 200 grasps the failure rate of receiving the first message in the local control device 330 (second communication unit 332) from the reception status of the second message (for example, the acquisition failure rate of the power measurement value). can.

In the following, the acquisition failure rate of the power measurement value in the power management server 200 and the reception failure rate of the first message in the local control device 330 will be referred to as "actual error rate". The details of the actual error rate will be described later.

The second message is a message defined in a protocol (for example, Open ADR 2.0) followed by the first communication unit 331. The details of the second message will be described later.

(Electricity meter)
Hereinafter, the power meter according to the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the power meter 500 has a measuring unit 510 and a communication unit 520. The measuring unit 510 measures various electric powers. The communication unit 520 is composed of a communication module and communicates with the local control device 330 (second communication unit 332). The communication module may include a wireless communication device. As described above, the communication unit 520 communicates according to the second protocol. For example, the communication unit 520 receives a message from the local control device 330 according to the second protocol. The communication unit 520 transmits a message response to the local control device 330 according to the second protocol. The communication unit 520 may autonomously transmit the first message including the information element indicating the power measurement value even if it is not requested by the local control device 330, and the power measurement value when requested by the local control device 330. A first message may be sent that includes an information element indicating.

(Layer structure of communication between electricity meter and local controller)
In the following, the layer structure of communication between the power meter 500 and the local control device 330 (second communication unit 332) will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the layer structure includes an upper layer and a lower layer. The layer structure may further include a middle layer. The upper layer includes the application layer. As described above, a protocol conforming to ECHONET Lite is adopted in the upper layer. The upper layer may be referred to as an ECHONET Lite layer. The lower layer includes a PHY (Physical) layer and a MAC (Medium Access Control) layer. The PHY layer performs processing such as coding / decoding, modulation / demodulation, and the like. The MAC layer performs processing such as ACK (Acknowledgment) transmission and retransmission. The middle layer includes layers such as a transport layer (for example, a UDP (User Datagram Protocol) layer and a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) layer, etc.), a network layer (for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) layer, etc.).

In the embodiment, the lower layer employs a communication method to which error correction is not applied. In other words, the lower layer is the layer to which error correction is not applied. Details of the communication method to which error correction is not applied will be described later.

(Sending the first message)
In the embodiment, the first message transmitted by the watt hour meter 500 is a message belonging to the upper layer. The first message is transmitted to the local controller 330 via the lower layer. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the upper layer of the power meter 500 transfers the data included in the first message to the lower layer of the power meter 500 via the middle layer of the power meter 500. Sent. Second, the lower layer of the electricity meter 500 sends the data received from the middle layer to the lower layer of the local controller 330. Third, the lower layer of the local controller 330 sends the data received from the lower layer of the watt hour meter 500 to the upper layer of the local controller 330 via the middle layer of the local controller 330. As a result, the upper layer of the local controller 330 receives the first message transmitted from the upper layer of the power meter 500. Similarly, when the local control device 330 transmits a message belonging to the upper layer to the power meter 500, the data included in the message is sent to the upper layer of the power meter 500 via the lower layer.

(Example of the first message)
In the following, the first message will be described by taking as an example a case where the upper layer of communication between the power meter 500 and the local control device 330 adopts a protocol conforming to ECHONET Lite. In this case, the first message is a message defined in ECHONET Lite (ECHONET Lite message).

In ECHONET Lite, the following two cases are specified for the local controller 330 to acquire the power measurement value from the power meter 500.

Case (a): The local controller 330 transmits an ECHONET Lite message (GET command) for requesting a power measurement value to the power meter 500, and then ECHONET Lite including an information element indicating the required power measurement value. A message (GET response command) is received from the power meter 500.

Case (b): The local control device 330 receives an ECHONET Lite message (INF command) including an information element indicating a power measurement value autonomously transmitted from the power meter 500.

In case (a), the first message is a GET response command. In case (b), the first message is the INF command.

In the following, the ECHONET Lite message will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the data included in the ECHONET Lite message is sequentially sent to the middle layer (UDP layer) and the lower layer (MAC layer, PHY layer). The data included in the ECHONET Lite message is sent to the next layer after the data of the control information (header, address, etc.) specific to the layer is added to each layer.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ECHONET Lite messages include EHD (ECHONET Lite Header), TID (Transaction ID), SEOJ (Source ECHONET Object), DEOJ (Destination ECHONET Lite), ESV (ECHONET Lite Lite). It includes information elements such as Code), PDC (Property Data Counter), and EDT (ECHONET Data). The TID is an information element for associating a request transmitted by the request transmitting side with a received response when the request transmitting side receives a response in communication. SEOJ is an information element that specifies a source ECHONET Lite object. DEOJ is an information element that specifies the destination ECHONET Lite object. ESV is an information element indicating the ECHONET Lite service. The information element consisting of EPC, PDC and EDT may be referred to as an information element called "property". One "property" corresponds to one information element that can be acquired by the watt-hour meter 500 (for example, the power measurement value of the watt-hour meter 500, the serial number of the watt-hour meter 500, the version of the corresponding standard of the watt-hour meter 500, and the like). The ECHONET Lite message may include multiple "property". The local control device 330 includes the information element requested for the watt hour meter 500 in the "property" of the GET command and transmits it. The power meter 500 includes the required information element in the "property" of the GET response command and transmits it. The size (number of bits) of the "property" information element is variable.

If the first message is an ECHONET Lite message, the length of the first message may vary depending on the number of "property" information elements and the size of each "property" information element. Since the length of the first message is variable, the length of the message transmitted in the lower layer accompanying the transmission of the first message is also variable. Hereinafter, the message transmitted in the lower layer is referred to as a lower layer message.

(Standard error rate)
Hereinafter, the reference error rate of communication between the power meter 500 and the local control device 330 will be described. As described above, the lower layer of communication between the watt hour meter 500 and the local controller 330 employs a communication method to which error correction is not applied. An example of error correction is forward error correction (FEC: Forward Error Correction). In such a communication method, a reference error rate for communication between communication devices, for example, a packet error rate (PER) for a packet having a predetermined length is defined. In other words, a reference error rate is set for communication between the lower layer of the electricity meter 500 and the lower layer of the local controller 330. The reference error rate may be determined according to the communication quality between communication devices (for example, the reception strength of radio waves). For example, the reference error rate may be set to increase as the communication quality deteriorates. An example of such a communication method is a communication method conforming to the standard of IEEE 802.115.4 g / 4e. The IEEE 802.15.4g / 4e standard stipulates that the PER is 10% or less when the reception intensity is −88 dBm or more and the packet length is 250 octets. The reference error rate may be determined by BER (Bit Error Rate). When the above-mentioned PER is converted into a BER (Bit Error Rate), the BER is 5.3 × 10 ^ -5 or less.

The reference error rate is a reference for determining whether or not the communication between the watt-hour meter 500 and the local controller 330 is normal. If the reference error rate is not satisfied, it is determined that the communication between the watt-hour meter 500 and the local control device 330 is abnormal, and it is determined that the facility 300 to which the local control device 330 belongs has an abnormal situation. In order to accurately grasp the situation of the facility 300, the power management server 200 that manages the facility 300 needs to determine whether or not the communication between the power meter 500 and the local control device 330 satisfies the reference error rate. There is.

Here, as described above, the failure to receive the first message in the local control device 330 is directly reflected in the failure to acquire the power measurement value in the power management server 200, so that the power management server 200 is locally controlled. The device 330 can grasp the failure rate (actual error rate) of receiving the first message.

As described above, since the first message is transmitted via the lower layer and the lower layer adopts a communication method to which error correction is not applied, the lower layer message that communicates with the transmission of the first message. The number of bits affects the failure rate of receiving the first message, and also affects the failure rate (actual error rate) grasped by the power management server 200.

In this way, the failure rate (actual error rate) grasped by the power management server 200 depends on the number of bits of the lower layer message. Therefore, from this failure rate alone, the power management server 200 has the power meter 500 and the local control device. It cannot be determined whether the communication with the 330 meets the standard error rate.

Therefore, in order to allow the power management server 200 to determine whether the communication between the power meter 500 and the local controller 330 is normal (that is, whether the communication satisfies the reference error rate), the local It is necessary for the power management server 200 to grasp the permissible error rate indicating how much the first message reception failure is permissible in the control device 330.

In the embodiment, the local control device 330 transmits an index for determining whether or not the communication between the power meter 500 and the local control device 330 satisfies the reference error rate to the power management server 200. The index is an index for determining whether or not the actual error rate of the communication message associated with the first message transmitted from the power meter 500 to the local control device 330 satisfies the allowable error rate. Here, the communication message is a lower layer message that communicates in the lower layer. The details of the communication message will be described later.

(Allowable error rate)
The allowable error rate will be described below. In the embodiment, the permissible error rate is determined based on the total number of bits of the communication message associated with the first message and the reference error rate described above. Here, the "communication message accompanying the first message" is a lower layer between the watt-hour meter 500 and the local controller 330 associated with the transmission of the first message from the watt-hour meter 500 to the local controller 330. It is a lower layer message sent and received in.

In the embodiment, the local controller 330 (control unit 333) determines the permissible error rate based on the total number of bits of the communication message and the reference error rate of communication between the watt-hour meter 500 and the local controller 330. do. The total number of bits of the communication message is the sum of the number of bits of each lower layer message included in the communication message. As shown in FIG. 6, the number of bits of the lower layer message may change depending on the number of "property" information elements included in the ECHONET Lite message corresponding to the lower layer message and the size of each "property" information element.

Hereinafter, specific examples of lower layer messages included in the communication message will be described. In the case where the first message is a GET response command (case (a) described above), the communication message includes the following three lower layer messages. 1) A message containing data included in a GET command transmitted by the local controller 330 to the watt hour meter 500. 2) A MAC ACK message transmitted by the power meter 500 to the local controller 330 in response to the reception of the GET command. 3) A message containing data included in the GET command response transmitted by the watt hour meter 500 to the local controller 330. In the case where the first message is an INF command (case (b) above), the communication message includes one of the following lower layer messages: 1) A message containing data included in an INF command transmitted by the watt hour meter 500 to the local controller 330.

The local controller 330 determines the total number of bits of the communication message by the following method. First, the local controller 330 determines the type of ECHONET Lite message for acquiring power measurements from the watt-hour meter 500, i.e., whether the first message is a GET command response or an INF command. Second, the local controller 330 determines the number of "property" information elements in the first message and the size of each "property" information element. Third, the local controller 330 determines the lower layer message to be included in the communication message associated with the first message. Fourth, the local control device 330 determines the number of bits of each lower layer message included in the communication message, and determines the total number of bits of each lower layer message.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the total number of bits and the allowable error rate when the reference error rate is determined to be BER <5.3 × 10 ^ −5 or less. As shown in FIG. 7, the permissible error rate decreases as the total number of bits increases. When the total number of bits is 800 (100 octets), the permissible error rate is about 4%, and when the total number of bits is 2000 (250 octets), the permissible error rate is about 10%.

When retransmission control is adopted for communication between the watt-hour meter 500 and the local control device 330, the control unit 333 may determine the allowable error rate in consideration of the number of retransmissions of the communication message. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of retransmissions of the communication message and the allowable error rate when the total number of bits of the communication message is determined to be 2000 (250 octets). As shown in FIG. 8, the allowable error rate decreases as the number of retransmissions increases.

(Actual error rate)
In the embodiment, the actual error rate may be calculated by the local controller 330 (control unit 333). The local control device 330 calculates the ratio of the number of times the communication of the communication message accompanying the first message has failed (the number of communication failures) and the total number of times of communication of the communication message (total number of communications) as the actual error rate.

The total number of communications is counted by the number of transmissions of the first lower layer message included in the communication message. In the above case (a), each time the lower layer of the local controller 330 transmits a lower layer message including the data included in the GET command, the total number of communications is increased by one. In the above case (b), each time the lower layer of the local controller 330 receives the lower layer message including the data included in the INF command, the total number of communications is increased by one. It should be noted that when retransmission control is adopted for communication between the watt-hour meter 500 and the local control device 330, transmission of the same lower layer message by retransmission control is not counted as the total number of receptions.

Failure to communicate a communication message means that reception of at least one lower layer message contained in the communication message fails. If all the bits of one lower layer message are successfully received without error, it is considered that the communication of the lower layer message is successful. Otherwise, it is considered that the communication of the lower layer message fails. When retransmission control is adopted for communication between the watt-hour meter 500 and the local control device 330, and when the lower layer message is successfully received by the retransmission control, it is considered that the lower layer message is successfully received.

In the embodiment, the local control device 330 (control unit 333) compares the permissible error rate with the actual error rate. When the local controller 330 determines that the actual error rate is larger than the allowable error rate, the local controller 330 may reduce the total number of bits of the communication message in order to reduce the actual error rate. The local control device 330 reduces the total number of bits of the communication message by adjusting the number of "property" information elements, the size of each "property" information element, and the like. For example, the local controller 330 reduces the total number of bits in the communication message by reducing the number of "property" contained in the GET command transmitted to the electricity meter 500.

In the embodiment, the actual error rate may be calculated by the power management server 200. For example, the power management server 200 calculates the ratio of the number of times of receiving the second message indicating that the acquisition of the measured power value has failed and the total number of times of receiving the second message as the actual error rate.

(Second message)
In the embodiment, the local control device 330 (first communication unit 331) transmits a second message including an information element indicating the power measurement value to the power management server 200. The local control device 330 transmits to the power management server 200 an information element indicating an index for determining whether or not the communication between the power meter 500 and the local control device 330 satisfies the reference error rate. Here, the local control device 330 may include the information element indicating the index in the second message and transmit it, or may include the information element indicating the index in another message (third message) and transmit it. ..

As described above, the index is an index for determining whether or not the actual error rate satisfies the allowable error rate.

The information element indicating the index may include an information element indicating a relative value of the actual error rate with respect to the allowable error rate. The relative value may be a magnitude relationship between the permissible error rate and the actual error rate. The relative value may be the degree of deviation between the permissible error rate and the actual error rate.

The information element indicating the index may include the information element indicating the allowable error rate. The information element indicating the index may include an information element indicating the actual error rate. The information element indicating the index may include an information element indicating the total number of bits of the communication message. The information element indicating the index may include an information element indicating the communication quality between the power meter 500 and the local control device 330. The information element indicating the index may include an information element indicating the number of retransmissions of the communication message.

The local control device 330 may include an information element indicating an index in the second message and transmit it in response to a request from the power management server 200. An information element indicating an index may be autonomously included in the second message and transmitted even if not requested by the power management server 200.

In an embodiment, the first protocol followed by communication between the local controller 330 and the power management server 200 is an Open ADR 2.0 compliant protocol. The second message is a message specified in Open ADR 2.0 (for example, an orderReport).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing information elements included in the orderUpdate Report defined in Open ADR 2.0. The information element indicating the index may be included in "confidence" or "orderDataQuality" of the orderReport. The “confidence” may include an information element indicating the degree of deviation between the permissible error rate and the actual error rate. “Confidence” may include an information element indicating an allowable error rate. An information element indicating the magnitude relationship between the permissible error rate and the actual error rate may be included in the "orderDataQuality". The value of "odrDataQuality" is a character string, and a specific example thereof is shown in FIG. Here, "Quality Bad-Non Special" may indicate "actual error rate> permissible error rate". "Quality Good-Non Special" may indicate "actual error rate <allowable error rate". "Quality Limit-Field / Not" may indicate "actual error rate = permissible error rate".

(Power management server)
Hereinafter, the power management server according to the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the power management server 200 includes a management unit 210, a communication unit 220, and a control unit 230. The power management server 200 is an example of a VTN (Virtual Top Node).

The management unit 210 is composed of a non-volatile memory and / and a storage medium such as an HDD, and manages data related to the facility 300. The data regarding the facility 300 is, for example, the type of the distributed power source provided in the facility 300, the specifications of the distributed power source provided in the facility 300, and the like. The specifications may be the rated output power of the distributed power source or the like.

The communication unit 220 is composed of a communication module. The communication unit 220 communicates with the local control device 330 via the network 120. As described above, the communication unit 220 communicates according to the protocol compliant with Open ADR 2.0.

The control unit 230 is composed of a memory, a CPU, and the like, and controls each configuration provided in the power management server 200. The control unit 230 instructs the local control device 330 provided in the facility 300 to control the distributed power source provided in the facility 300, for example, by transmitting a control message. As described above, the control message may be a power flow control message, a reverse power flow control message, or a power supply control message.

In the embodiment, the communication unit 220 receives a second message (orderUpdateReport) including an information element indicating the power measurement value of the power meter 500 from the local control device 330. The communication unit 220 may send a request message requesting the power measurement value to the local control device 330 in order to acquire the power measurement value of the power meter 500.

The communication unit 220 sends a third message (orderUpdateReport) from the local control device 330 including an information element indicating an index for determining whether or not the communication between the power meter 500 and the local control device 330 satisfies the reference error rate. You may receive it. The communication unit 220 may send a request message requesting the index to the local control device 330 in order to acquire the index.

In the embodiment, the control unit 230 controls at least one of the tide flow rate of the facility 300, the reverse tide flow rate of the facility 300, and the distributed power source 310 provided in the facility 300 based on the information element indicating the index. .. When the control unit 230 determines that the communication between the power meter 500 and the local control device 330 does not satisfy the reference error rate based on the information element indicating the index, the control unit 230 determines that the communication between the power meter 500 and the local control device 330 does not satisfy the reference error rate. It is determined that the facility 300 to which the member belongs has an abnormal situation. The control unit 230 stores information about the facility 300 determined to have an abnormal situation in the management unit 210. When the power management server 200 receives a request for controlling the tide flow from the host server, the control unit 230 allocates the tide flow to be controlled to each facility 300 (300A to 300B). The control unit 230 allocates the management unit 210 according to the abnormal situation of each facility 300. For example, the control unit 230 controls not to allocate to the facility 300 determined to have an abnormal situation. Alternatively, the control unit 230 controls to reduce the allocation amount for the facility 300 determined to have an abnormal situation. The control unit 230 transmits a control message instructing the local control device 330 provided in the facility 300 determined to have an abnormal situation to reduce the tide flow rate. Here, the power flow may be read as reverse power flow.

(Power management method)
Hereinafter, the power management method according to the embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 12, in step S100, the local control device 330 transmits an orderRegisterReport to the power management server 200. The orderRegisterReport contains information indicating a list of reporting functions supported by the local controller 330.

In step S101, the power management server 200 transmits an orderRegisteredReport to the local control device 330. The orderRegisteredReport is a response to the commandRegisteredReport.

In step S102, the power management server 200 transmits an oddCreateReport to the local controller 330. The orderReport is an example of a request message, and includes an information element requested by the power management server 200. Here, the power management server 200 requests the power measurement value measured by the power meter 500.

In step S103, the local control device 330 transmits an orderCreatedReport to the power management server 200. The orderCreatedReport is a response to the orderCreateReport.

In step S104, the local controller 330 determines the permissible error rate. Specifically, first, the local control device 330 determines the total number of bits of the communication message by the method described above. Second, the local controller 330 determines the permissible error rate based on the total number of bits and the reference error rate. When the reference error rate is determined according to the communication quality, the local controller 330 may measure the communication quality with the power meter 500 and determine the reference error rate according to the communication quality.

In step S105, the local controller 330 transmits a GET command to the electricity meter 500. In step S106, the electricity meter 500 transmits a GET response command to the local controller 330. Steps S105 to S106 are performed a plurality of times. When the local control device 330 acquires the power measurement value from the power meter 500 by the INF command, step S105 is omitted, and in step S106, the power meter 500 transmits the INF command to the local control device 330.

In step S107, the local controller 330 determines the relative value of the actual error rate to the permissible error rate. Here, as described above, the local control device 330 calculates the ratio of the number of communication failures of the communication message to the total number of communication of the communication message as the actual error rate. The local controller 330 then determines the relative value of the actual error rate to the permissible error rate. The relative value may be a magnitude relationship between the permissible error rate and the actual error rate. The relative value may be the degree of deviation between the permissible error rate and the actual error rate.

In step S108, the local control device 330 transmits an OdrUpdateReport to the power management server 200. Here, the OadrUpdateReport includes an information element indicating a power measurement value and an information element indicating a relative value of the actual error rate with respect to the permissible error rate.

In step S109, the power management server 200 transmits an OdrUpdatedReport to the local controller 330. OadrUpdatedReport is a response to OadrUpdateReport.

In step S110, the power management server 200 determines whether or not the communication between the power meter 500 and the local controller 330 satisfies the reference error rate based on the relative value of the actual error rate to the allowable error rate. .. Depending on the result of the determination, the power management server 200 determines whether or not there is an abnormal situation in the facility 300 to which the local control device 330 belongs. For example, if the actual error rate is greater than the permissible error rate, the power management server 200 determines that the facility 300 has an abnormal situation.

In step S111, the power management server 200 transmits a control message to the local control device 330 according to the decision in step S110. For example, when the power management server 200 determines that the facility 300 has an abnormal situation, the power management server 200 sends a control message instructing the local control device 330 to reduce the tide flow of the facility 300.

(Action and effect)
According to the embodiment, an index for determining whether or not the communication between the power meter 500 and the local control device 330 satisfies the reference error rate is transmitted to the power management server 200. According to such a configuration, since the power management server 200 knows whether or not there is an abnormal situation in the facility to which the local control device 330 belongs, appropriate power control is performed for the abnormal facility. Can be done.

[Change example 1]
Hereinafter, modification 1 of the embodiment will be described. In the following, the differences from the embodiments will be mainly described.

Specifically, in the embodiment, the comparison between the actual error rate and the permissible error rate is performed by the local controller 330. On the other hand, in the modification example 1, the comparison between the actual error rate and the allowable error rate is performed by the power management server 200. In the embodiment, the orderReport Report transmitted from the local control device 330 to the power management server 200 includes a relative value of the actual error rate with respect to the allowable error rate. On the other hand, in the first modification, the orderReport includes an allowable error rate.

(Power management method)
Hereinafter, the power management method according to the change example 1 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a power management method according to the first modification.

Since the operations in steps S200 to S204 are the same as the operations in steps S100 to S104 of the embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

In step S205, the local controller 330 transmits a GET command to the electricity meter 500. In step S206, the electricity meter 500 transmits a GET response command to the local controller 330. When the local control device 330 acquires the power measurement value from the power meter 500 by the INF command, step S205 is omitted, and in step S206, the power meter 500 transmits the INF command to the local control device 330.

In step S207, the local control device 330 transmits an OdrUpdateReport to the power management server 200. The OadrUpdateReport includes an information element indicating a power measurement value and an information element indicating an allowable error rate. Steps S205 to S207 are performed a plurality of times. If the permissible error rate determined in step 204 does not change, and if the first OdrUpdateReport includes the permissible error rate, the subsequent OadrUpdateReport may not include the permissible error rate. Further, as described above, since the local control device 330 can change the total number of bits of the communication message, the local control device 330 includes the allowable error rate after the change according to the change of the total number of bits of the communication message. An ErrorUpdateReport may be sent.

If the reception of the GET response command (or INF command) is successful in step S206, the local controller 330 includes the power measurement value included in the GET response command (or INF command) in the OadrUpdateReport and transmits it in step S207. If the reception of the GET response command (or INF command) fails in step S206, the local control device 330 transmits information indicating that the acquisition of the power measurement value has failed in the OarrUpdate Report in step S207.

In step S208, the power management server 200 compares the permissible error rate with the actual error rate. Specifically, first, the power management server 200 calculates the ratio of the number of times of receiving OadrUpdateReport indicating that the acquisition of the power measurement value has failed and the total number of times of receiving OdrUpdateReport as the actual error rate. .. For example, when the OadrUpdateReport is received 100 times, and the OadrUpdateReport indicating that the acquisition of the power measurement value has failed is received 10 times, the actual error rate is 10%. Second, the power management server 200 compares the permissible error rate with the actual error rate.

In step S209, the power management server 200 determines whether or not the communication between the power meter 500 and the local controller 330 satisfies the reference error rate based on the result of the comparison in step S208. Here, depending on the result of the determination, the power management server 200 determines whether or not there is an abnormal situation in the facility 300 to which the local control device 330 belongs. For example, if the actual error rate is greater than the permissible error rate, the power management server 200 determines that the facility 300 has an abnormal situation.

In step S210, the power management server 200 sends a control message to the local controller 330 in response to the decision in step S209. For example, when the power management server 200 determines that the facility 300 has an abnormal situation, the power management server 200 sends a control message instructing the local control device 330 to reduce the tide flow of the facility 300.

[Change example 2]
Hereinafter, modification 2 of the embodiment will be described. In the following, the differences from the first modification of the embodiment will be mainly described.

Specifically, in modification 1 of the embodiment, the permissible error rate is determined by the local controller 330. On the other hand, in the second modification, the allowable error rate is determined by the power management server 200. In modification 1, the orderReport includes an acceptable error rate. On the other hand, in the second modification, the orderReport includes a parameter related to the allowable error rate.

(Power management method)
Hereinafter, the power management method according to the second modification will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a power management method according to the second modification.

Since the operations in steps S300 to S303 are the same as the operations in steps S200 to S203 of the first modification, the description thereof will be omitted.

In step S304, the local controller 330 determines the parameters for the permissible error rate. Parameters related to the allowable error rate include the total number of bits of the communication message and the reference error rate. The local control device 330 determines the total number of bits of the communication message by the method described above. When the reference error rate is determined according to the communication quality between the electricity meter 500 and the local controller 330, the parameter regarding the allowable error rate is the communication quality between the electricity meter 500 and the local controller 330 (eg, local). The intensity of the radio wave from the watt-hour meter 500 measured by the control device 330) may be included.

In step S305, the local controller 330 transmits a GET command to the electricity meter 500. In step S306, the power meter 500 transmits a GET response command to the local controller 330. When the local control device 330 acquires the power measurement value from the power meter 500 by the INF command, step S305 is omitted, and in step S306, the power meter 500 transmits the INF command to the local control device 330.

In step S307, the local control device 330 transmits an OdrUpdateReport to the power management server 200. The OadrUpdateReport includes an information element indicating a power measurement value and an information element indicating a parameter relating to an allowable error rate. Here, steps S305 to S307 are performed a plurality of times. If the first OadrUpdateReport includes a parameter related to the allowable error rate, the subsequent OadrUpdateReport may not include the parameter related to the allowable error rate. Further, the local controller 330 may transmit an OdrUpdateReport including the changed parameter in response to a change in the parameter related to the allowable error rate (for example, a change in communication quality, a change in the total number of bits of the communication message, etc.). ..

If the reception of the GET response command (or INF command) is successful in step S306, the local controller 330 includes the power measurement value included in the GET response command (or INF command) in the OadrUpdateReport and transmits it in step S307. If the reception of the GET response command (or INF command) fails in step S306, the local control device 330 transmits information indicating that the acquisition of the power measurement value has failed, including the information indicating that the acquisition of the power measurement value has failed in step S307.

In step S308, the power management server 200 compares the permissible error rate with the actual error rate. Specifically, first, the power management server 200 determines the permissible error rate based on the parameters related to the permissible error rate received from the local control device 330. Secondly, the power management server 200 calculates the ratio of the number of receptions of the OadrUpdateReport indicating that the acquisition of the power measurement value has failed and the total number of receptions of the OadrUpdateReport as the actual error rate. For example, when the OadrUpdateReport is received 100 times, and the OadrUpdateReport indicating that the acquisition of the power measurement value has failed is received 10 times, the actual error rate is 10%. Third, the power management server 200 compares the permissible error rate with the actual error rate.

Since the operations in steps S309 to S310 are the same as the operations in steps S209 to S210 of the first modification, the description thereof will be omitted.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the present invention has been described by embodiments described above, the statements and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiment, error correction may be applied to the upper layer and / or the middle layer of communication between the power meter 500 and the local control device 330. In this case, the permissible error rate is further a parameter for error correction applied to the upper layer (eg, error correction accuracy, error correction rate, etc.) and / or a parameter for error correction applied to the middle layer (eg, error correction rate). , Error correction accuracy, error correction rate, etc.). The local control device 330 may transmit information elements indicating these parameters to the power management server 200.

In the embodiment, the case where the first protocol is a protocol compliant with Open ADR 2.0 and the second protocol is a protocol compliant with ECHONET Lite has been illustrated. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. The first protocol may be any protocol standardized as a protocol used for communication between the power management server 200 and the local control device 330. The second protocol may be a protocol standardized as a protocol used in the facility 300.

In each of the above-mentioned power management methods, not all operations are indispensable. For example, in each power management method, only some operations may be performed.

Although not particularly mentioned in the above-described embodiment, a program may be provided that causes a computer to execute each process performed by any of the above-mentioned nodes (power meter 500, local control device 330, and power management server 200). .. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media allow you to install programs on your computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transient recording medium. The non-transient recording medium is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

A memory composed of a memory for storing a program for executing each process performed by any of the nodes and a processor for executing the program stored in the memory may be provided.

100 ... Power management system, 110 ... Power system, 120 ... Network, 200 ... Power management server, 210 ... Management unit, 220 ... Communication unit, 230 ... Control unit, 300 ... Facility, 310 ... Distributed power supply, 320 ... Load, 330 ... Local control device, 331 ... 1st communication unit, 332 ... 2nd communication unit, 333 ... Control unit, 400 ... Electric power company, 500 ... Electric power meter, 510 ... Measurement unit, 520 ... Communication unit

Claims (15)

A step of transmitting a first message including an information element indicating a power measurement value measured by the meter from the meter to the power management device by a communication method to which error correction is not applied.
A step of transmitting a second message including an information element indicating the power measurement value from the power management device to the power management server, and
The power management device includes an information element indicating an index for determining whether or not the communication between the meter and the power management device satisfies the reference error rate from the power management device to the power management server. e Bei and sending a third message,
The index is an index for the power management server to determine whether or not the actual error rate of the communication message accompanying the first message satisfies the allowable error rate.
The allowable error rate is a power management method determined based on the total number of bits of the communication message and the reference error rate. It said information element indicating the index, the including at least one information element indicating a relative value of the actual error rate for acceptable error rate, the power management method according to claim 1. The power management method according to claim 2 , wherein the relative value is a magnitude relationship between the permissible error rate and the actual error rate. The power management method according to claim 2 , wherein the relative value is a degree of deviation between the permissible error rate and the actual error rate . Information element indicating the index includes an information element indicating the allowable error rate, the power management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The power management method according to claim 5 , wherein the information element indicating the index includes the information element indicating the actual error rate. The allowable error rate is determined based on the retransmission count of the communication message, the power management method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The reference error rate is determined according to the communication quality between the meter and the power management device.
The allowable error rate is determined based on the communication quality, the power management method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Information element indicating the index includes an information element indicating the total number of bits of the communication message, the power management method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The power management method according to claim 9 , wherein the information element indicating the index includes the number of retransmissions of the communication message. The permissible error rate is determined according to the communication quality between the meter and the power management device.
The power management method according to claim 9 or 10 , wherein the information element indicating the index includes the information element indicating the communication quality. Based on the information element indicating the index, the power management server provides a power flow rate supplied from the power system to the facility, a reverse power flow rate supplied from the facility to the power system, and a distributed power source provided in the facility. The power management method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a step of controlling at least one of the above. The power management method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 , wherein the power management device includes a step of changing the total number of bits of the communication message based on the actual error rate. It is a power management device
A receiving unit that receives a first message from the meter including an information element indicating a power measurement value measured by the meter by a communication method to which error correction is not applied.
It includes a transmission unit that transmits a second message including an information element indicating the power measurement value to the power management server.
The power management server sends a third message including an information element indicating an index for the power management server to determine whether or not the communication between the meter and the power management device satisfies the reference error rate. Send to
The index is an index for the power management server to determine whether or not the actual error rate of the communication message accompanying the first message satisfies the allowable error rate.
The allowable error rate is a power management device determined based on the total number of bits of the communication message and the reference error rate. A second message including an information element indicating the power measurement value is received from a power management device that receives the first message including an information element indicating the power measurement value measured by the meter by a communication method to which error correction is not applied. Equipped with a receiver to receive
The receiving unit receives the third message including an information element an indication that the communication to determine whether it meets the criteria error rate between the meter and the power management device from said power management device,
The index is an index for the power management server to determine whether or not the actual error rate of the communication message accompanying the first message satisfies the allowable error rate.
The power management server determines the allowable error rate based on the total number of bits of the communication message and the reference error rate.

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