JP7524039B2 - Power Management System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power management system.

Conventionally, a mechanism (e.g., VPP: Virtual Power Plant) has been known in which a resource aggregator or other business entity adjusts the power of a facility using control messages such as demand response to adjust the supply and demand balance of the power grid (e.g., Patent Documents 1 and 2).

In the above-mentioned mechanism, a method has also been proposed in which the facility reports errors in the control messages to the operator, thereby sequentially controlling the power of the facility (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2016-127734 A International Publication No. 2019/107435

However, if a power outage occurs at a facility, it is conceivable that communications from the facility to the operator will be cut off. In such a case, the operator will not know whether the communication outage was caused by a power outage or not, and will be unable to properly grasp the facility's power. As a result, the supply and demand balance of the power grid will not be able to be properly adjusted.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a power management system that can appropriately adjust the supply and demand balance of a power grid.

The first feature is a power management system that includes a facility-side device that is a device included in a facility connected to a power grid, and a power management server that manages power information related to the power of the facility, and the facility-side device includes a communication unit that transmits power outage information related to a power outage that occurs in the facility to the power management server during an adjustment target period for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power grid, and the power management server executes adjustment control to adjust the supply and demand balance of the power grid based on the power outage information.

The present invention provides a power management system that can appropriately adjust the supply and demand balance of a power grid.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a power management system 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the facility-side apparatus 300 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the lower-level server 20 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an application scene according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an application scene according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a power management method according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a power management method according to the first modification. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a power management method according to the second modification. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a power management method according to the third modification.

The following describes the embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic.

[Embodiment]
(Power Management System)
A power management system according to an embodiment will be described below. As shown in Fig. 1, the power management system 100 includes a facility 10, a lower server 20, and an upper server 30. The facility 10, the lower server 20, and the upper server 30 are connected by a network 120. The network 120 is the Internet. The network 120 may include a dedicated line such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN), or may include a mobile communication network.

The facility 10 is an example of a facility connected to a power grid. The facility 10 has a distributed power source 210, a load device 220, a power meter 230, and a GW (Gateway) controller 240. Although not particularly limited, the facility 10 may be a non-commercial facility such as a residence, or a commercial facility such as an office or a store. The facility 10 may be a factory. In FIG. 1, one facility 10 is illustrated for the sake of simplicity, but two or more facilities 10 may exist.

The distributed power source 210 is an example of a device managed by the lower server 20. The distributed power source 210 may be an example of a distributed power source used in a VPP (Virtual Power Plant). The distributed power source 210 may be used to adjust the power of the facility 10 during an adjustment period for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power grid.

For example, the distributed power source 210 may include a solar cell device having a solar panel and a PCS (Power Conditioning System). The distributed power source 210 may include a power storage device having a power storage cell and a PCS. The distributed power source 210 may include a fuel cell device having a fuel cell and a PCS. The distributed power source 210 may include a multi-PCS connected to two or more power sources (such as a solar panel, a power storage cell, and a fuel cell).

The load device 220 is a device that consumes power. The load device 220 may be an example of a device managed by the lower server 20. For example, the load device 220 is an air conditioner, a lighting device, an AV (Audio Visual) device, etc. The load device 220 may be used to adjust the power of the facility 10 during an adjustment target period for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power system.

The power meter 230 is a power meter that measures forward flow power from the power grid to the facility 10 and reverse flow power from the facility 10 to the power grid. For example, the power meter 230 may be a power meter certified by a third party. The power meter 230 may be a smart meter belonging to the upper server 30. The power meter 230 may have a function of transmitting the measurement value of the power meter 230 at a predetermined transmission interval (e.g., 30 minutes). The measurement value of the power meter 230 may be transmitted to the GW controller 240, the lower server 20, or the upper server 30.

The GW controller 240 is a device that relays communication between the facility 10 and the lower server 20. The GW controller 240 may be a device that manages the power of the facility 10 (EMS; Energy Management System). The GW controller 240 may control the operating state of the distributed power source 210 included in the facility 10, or may control the operating state of the load device 220 included in the facility 10.

In the embodiment, the communication between the lower server 20 and the GW controller 240 may be performed according to a first protocol. On the other hand, the communication between the GW controller 240 and each device (e.g., the distributed power source 210, the load device 220, and the power meter 230) may be performed according to a second protocol that may be different from the first protocol. For example, the first protocol may be a protocol conforming to Open ADR (Automated Demand Response), or a unique dedicated protocol. For example, the second protocol may be a protocol conforming to ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), SEP (Smart Energy Profile) 2.0, KNX, or a unique dedicated protocol. For example, both the first protocol and the second protocol may be unique dedicated protocols, and may be protocols created according to different rules. However, the first protocol and the second protocol may be protocols created according to the same rules.

The subordinate server 20 is an example of a power management server that manages power information related to the power of the facility 10. The subordinate server 20 is a server managed by a business operator such as a power generation business operator, a power transmission and distribution business operator, a retail business operator, or a resource aggregator. In a VPP, a resource aggregator is a power business operator that provides reverse flow power to a power generation business operator, a power transmission and distribution business operator, a retail business operator, etc. The resource aggregator may be a power business operator that generates reduced power of the forward flow power (power consumption) of the facility 10 managed by the resource aggregator.

The upper server 30 is an example of a server that manages the balance between power supply and demand in a power grid. The upper server 30 is an entity that provides infrastructure such as a power grid, and may be a server managed by a power generation company or a power transmission and distribution company. The upper server 30 may be a server managed by an aggregator controller that controls a resource aggregator.

The upper server 30 transmits an adjustment message to the lower server 20 requesting an adjustment of the supply and demand balance of the power grid. The adjustment message may include a message requesting a reduction in the power demand of the power grid (a DR (Demand Response) message). The adjustment message may include a message requesting a reduction in the power supply of the power grid (an output suppression message).

In an embodiment, communication between the lower server 20 and the upper server 30 may be performed according to a third protocol. For example, a protocol conforming to Open ADR may be used as the third protocol. When a protocol conforming to Open ADR is used as the first protocol, the third protocol may be the same as the first protocol.

(Facility side device)
The facility-side device according to the embodiment will be described below. The facility-side device may be a device included in the facility 10 connected to the power grid. The device included in the facility 10 may include devices installed for the facility 10 in addition to devices installed inside or outside the building of the facility 10. For example, the facility-side device may include a distributed power source 210, a power meter 230, or a GW controller 240. The facility-side device may have a function of detecting a power outage that occurs in the facility 10. Here, a case will be illustrated in which the facility-side device is a PCS that constitutes the distributed power source 210.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facility device 300 has a first communication unit 310, a second communication unit 320, and a control unit 330.

The first communication unit 310 is configured by a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.11a/b/g/n, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, Sigfox (registered trademark), LTE, 5G, and 6G, or may be a wired communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.3 and RS485.

The first communication unit 310 may constitute a communication unit that transmits power information related to the power of the facility 10 to the lower server 20. Although not particularly limited, the power information may include information elements indicating the operating state of the equipment (distributed power source 210 and load equipment 220) included in the facility 10. The power information may include information elements indicating the output power of the distributed power source 210. If the distributed power source 210 includes a power storage device, the power information may include information elements indicating the charging and discharging power of the power storage device, or may include information elements indicating the accumulated amount of charging and discharging power of the power storage device. The power information may include information elements indicating the remaining charge (dischargeable capacity) of the power storage device. Furthermore, the power information may include information elements indicating the forward flow power of the facility 10, or may include information elements indicating the reverse flow power of the facility 10.

For example, the first communication unit 310 may transmit the power information to the lower server 20 by the first method. The first method may include a method of transmitting the power information via a route via the GW controller 240. The first method may include a method of transmitting the power information using power (system power) acquired when the facility 10 is connected to the power grid (hereinafter, the connected state). The first method may include a method of transmitting the power information using a bidirectional communication method between the facility side device 300 and the lower server 20. The first method may include a method of transmitting the power information using a band requiring a radio station license. The first method may include a method of transmitting the power information at a power higher than the power required by the second method described later. The first method may include a method of transmitting the power information at a band higher than the band used in the second method described later. The first method may include a method of transmitting the power information at a communication rate higher than the communication rate used in the second method described later. The first method may include a method of transmitting the power information at a communication frequency higher than the communication frequency used in the second method described later.

Note that communication from the facility device 300 to the lower server 20 may be referred to as uplink communication, and communication from the lower server 20 to the facility device 300 may be referred to as downlink communication.

The second communication unit 320 is configured by a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.11a/b/g/n, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, Sigfox (registered trademark), LTE, 5G, and 6G, or may be a wired communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.3 and RS485.

The second communication unit 320 may constitute a communication unit that transmits power outage information regarding a power outage that occurs in the facility 10 to the lower server 20 during an adjustment target period for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power system. The second communication unit 320 may transmit first power outage information to the lower server 20 as power outage information during a power outage that occurs in the facility 10. In other words, the second communication unit 320 may transmit first power outage information to the lower server 20 as power outage information when the facility 10 is in a state where it is disconnected from the power system (hereinafter, disconnected state).

The first power outage information may include an information element indicating that a power outage has occurred in the facility 10. The first power outage information may include an information element indicating the operating state of the equipment (distributed power source 210 and load equipment 220) included in the facility 10. The first power outage information may include an information element indicating the output power of the distributed power source 210. If the distributed power source 210 includes a power storage device, the first power outage information may include an information element indicating the charging and discharging power of the power storage device, or may include an information element indicating the accumulated amount of charging and discharging power of the power storage device. The first power outage information may include an information element indicating the remaining charge (dischargeable capacity) of the power storage device.

The accumulated charge/discharge power of the power storage device may include the accumulated amount up to the timing of transmitting the first power outage information. The remaining charge (dischargeable capacity) may include the remaining charge (dischargeable capacity) at the timing of transmitting the first power outage information.

Here, the amount of information in the first power outage information may be less than the amount of information in the power information. For example, the first power outage information may not include some of the information elements included in the power information. Some of the information elements may be information elements indicating the forward flow power of the facility 10, or may be information elements indicating the reverse flow power of the facility 10. Since the amount of information in the first power outage information is less than the amount of information in the power information, a communication method that transmits the information with less power may be used.

The second communication unit 320 may transmit the first power outage information to the lower server 20 by a second method different from the first method. The second method may include a method of transmitting the first power outage information by a route that does not go through the GW controller 240. The second method may include a method of transmitting the first power outage information using power acquired in a disconnected state in which the facility 10 is disconnected from the power grid. The second method may include a method of transmitting the first power outage information using a one-way (uplink communication only) communication method between the facility side device 300 and the lower server 20. The second method may include a method of transmitting the first power outage information using a band in which a radio station license is not required. The second method may include a method of transmitting the first power outage information at a power lower than the power required by the first method. The second method may include a method of transmitting the first power outage information at a band lower than the band used in the first method. The second method may include a method of transmitting the first power outage information at a communication rate lower than the communication rate used in the first method. In addition, a communication method using a lower power than that required by the first method and a lower band (e.g., 920 MHz) than that used in the first method may be referred to as an LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) method. The second method may include a method of transmitting the first power outage information at a communication frequency lower than that used in the first method.

Here, the power acquired in the disconnected state may include the power output from the distributed power source 210.

The power acquired in the disconnected state may include power output from a battery built into the facility side device 300 (e.g., PCS). The life of the battery built into the facility side device 300 may be approximately the same as the life of the facility side device 300 (e.g., PCS). With this configuration, the battery is replaced when the PCS is replaced, so there is no need to be concerned about the life of the battery that stores the power required to transmit the first power outage information.

The power acquired in the disconnected state may include power output from a battery built into the communication module constituting the second communication unit 320. The life of the battery included in the communication module may be approximately the same as the life of the communication module. With this configuration, the battery is replaced when the communication module is replaced, so there is no need to be concerned about the life of the battery that stores the power required to transmit the first power outage information.

The battery that stores the power required to transmit the first power outage information may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The life of a rechargeable battery may be defined by the charge/discharge cycle. The life of a non-rechargeable battery may be defined by the battery capacity.

The control unit 330 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured by a single integrated circuit (IC), or may be configured by multiple circuits (such as integrated circuits and/or discrete circuits) communicatively connected.

The control unit 330 detects a power outage occurring in the facility 10. The control unit 330 may detect the power outage by monitoring the voltage of the power grid. For example, the control unit 330 detects the power outage when the voltage of the power grid falls below a threshold. The control unit 330 may execute an independent operation operation when the facility 10 is disconnected from the power grid due to a power outage in the facility 10. The independent operation operation may be an operation in which the power consumption of the load device 220 is covered by the output power of the distributed power source 210.

The control unit 330 may detect the restoration of power following a power outage that occurs in the facility 10. The control unit 330 may detect the restoration of power by monitoring the voltage of the power grid. For example, the control unit 330 detects a power outage when the voltage of the power grid exceeds a threshold value.

(Sub-server)
A description will be given below of a lower server according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the lower server 20 includes a communication unit 21, a management unit 22, and a control unit 23. As described above, the lower server 20 is an example of a power management server that manages two or more devices.

The communication unit 21 is configured by a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.11a/b/g/n, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, Sigfox (registered trademark), LTE, 5G, and 6G, or may be a wired communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.3 and RS485.

The communication unit 21 receives power information from the facility device 300. The communication unit 21 receives power outage information (in this embodiment, first power outage information) from the facility device 300.

The communication unit 21 may receive an adjustment message from the upper server 30. The adjustment message sent to the lower server 20 is a message sent to an area including the devices managed by the lower server 20. As described above, the adjustment message may be a DR message or an output suppression message.

Here, the adjustment message may include an information element that specifies the adjustment period for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power system. A predetermined time interval may be defined as the smallest unit of the adjustment period. The predetermined time interval may be the same as the predetermined transmission interval at which the power meter 230 transmits the measurement value. The adjustment result of the supply and demand balance of the power system may be verified by the measurement value transmitted from the power meter 230.

Furthermore, the adjustment message may include an information element that specifies the total amount of adjusted power that requests an adjustment of the supply and demand balance of the power system. The total amount of adjusted power may be represented by an integrated value of the power to be adjusted in the period to be adjusted. The total amount of adjusted power may be determined based on the baseline power. The baseline power may be an average value of the demand power for a certain period before the adjustment message is sent. The certain period may be determined according to the actual situation of the negawatt trading, or may be determined between the lower server 20 and the upper server 30. Alternatively, the total amount of adjusted power may be determined based on the supply and demand forecast value of the power system.

For example, assuming a case in which the instantaneous value of the adjustment power to be adjusted from the baseline power is determined based on the baseline power, the total amount of adjustment power may be represented by the integrated value of the difference between the supply and demand forecast value of the power system and the instantaneous value of the adjustment power.

The total adjusted power amount may be an information element that specifies a range defined by a lower limit value of the total adjusted power amount and an upper limit value of the total adjusted power amount. The information element may include a lower limit value of the total adjusted power amount and an upper limit value of the total adjusted power amount, and may include a target power of the total adjusted power amount and a relative value based on the target power (e.g., ±XX% or ±YY kWh). If the relative value is determined in advance, the relative value may not be included in the adjustment message.

In this context, the communication unit 21 may transmit a control message to adjust the power of the facility 10. For example, the communication unit 21 may transmit a control message to control the distributed power source 210. The communication unit 21 may transmit a control message to the distributed power source 210, or may transmit a control message to the GW controller 240 that controls the distributed power source 210.

The management unit 22 is configured with a storage medium such as a non-volatile memory and/or a HDD. The management unit 22 manages power information related to two or more facilities 10. For example, the management unit 22 may manage the forward flow power value of the facility 10, may manage the reverse flow power value of the facility 10, or may manage the power consumption value of the facility 10. The management unit 22 may manage the predicted values of forward flow power, reverse flow power, and power consumption. The management unit 22 may manage the discharge power value of the distributed power source 210, or may manage the charge power value of the distributed power source 210. These power values may be defined by a minimum value and a maximum value. These power values may be interpreted as the rated power value of the distributed power source 210 (PCS). When the distributed power source 210 is a power storage device, the management unit 22 may manage the dischargeable capacity of the power storage device, or may manage the chargeable capacity of the power storage device. These capacities may be determined by the rated capacity and storage capacity of the distributed power source 210 (power storage cell). The discharge power value, charge power value, dischargeable capacity, and chargeable capacity may be collectively referred to as power storage information.

The control unit 23 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be constituted by a single integrated circuit (IC), or may be constituted by a plurality of circuits (such as integrated circuits and/or discrete circuits) communicatively connected.

The control unit 23 executes adjustment control to adjust the supply and demand balance of the power system based on the power outage information (in the embodiment, the first power outage information). For example, the control unit 23 may formulate a plan for power adjustment of the facility 10 based on the adjustment message and the power information. The control unit 23 may modify the formulated plan. The modification of the formulated plan may be an example of the adjustment control described above.

(Applicable scenes)
An application scenario according to the embodiment will be described below. Here, a case where a communication interruption occurs between the facility-side device 300 and the lower server 20 during an adjustment target period for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power system will be described. Here, as an example of adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power system, reduction of power demand (DR) of the power system is illustrated. The communication interruption includes a communication interruption not caused by a power outage occurring in the facility 10 and a communication interruption caused by a power outage occurring in the facility 10. The communication interruption not caused by a power outage occurring in the facility 10 may be a communication interruption caused by a failure of a communication module of the facility-side device 300, a failure of a communication module of the lower server 20, a failure of the network 120, or the like.

First, we will explain a communication interruption that occurs in facility 10 and is not due to a power outage. As shown in FIG. 4, during the adjustment period, a power reduction is requested based on the predicted value of power demand (flow power), and the integrated value of the difference between the predicted value and the actual value is the adjustment amount (reduction amount). In such a case, even if a communication interruption occurs, the facility 10 is maintained in a connected state to the power grid. Therefore, a situation does not occur in which the actual value of power demand drops significantly, and a situation does not occur in which the adjustment amount becomes excessive.

Secondly, we will explain the communication interruption caused by a power outage that occurs in facility 10. As shown in FIG. 5, during the adjustment period, a power reduction is requested based on the predicted value of the power demand (flow power), and the integrated value of the difference between the predicted value and the actual value is the adjustment amount (reduction amount). In such a case, since the communication interruption is caused by a power outage, facility 10 is disconnected from the power grid. Therefore, a situation occurs in which the actual value of power demand drops significantly, and the adjustment amount becomes excessive.

In light of this background, the inventors, after careful consideration, have focused on the need for the lower-level server 20 to determine whether the cause of the communication interruption is a power outage, and have found that it is useful to adopt the configuration described below.

Specifically, the facility device 300 transmits power outage information about a power outage that occurs in the facility 10 to the lower-level server 20 during the adjustment period for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power grid. The lower-level server 20 executes adjustment control to adjust the supply and demand balance of the power grid based on the power outage information.

For example, the adjustment control may include control that focuses on one facility 10 where a power outage is occurring and compensates for the decrease in power demand (i.e., the deviation in the adjustment amount) during the period when the power outage is occurring (hereinafter, the power outage period) after the power outage period. For example, the adjustment control may include control that reduces the adjustment amount (hereinafter, the planned adjustment amount) that was planned before the power outage period after the power outage period. Such control may include control to increase the charging power of the power storage device in the facility 10 where the power outage is occurring, or control to increase the power consumption of the load device 220. The adjustment control may be control to compensate for the deviation in the adjustment amount within a predetermined time interval (e.g., 30 minutes) that includes at least a portion of the power outage period.

The adjustment control may include control that focuses on two or more facilities 10 and compensates for the decrease in power demand (i.e., the deviation in the adjustment amount) of the facility 10 experiencing a power outage with the facility 10 not experiencing a power outage. For example, the adjustment control may include control that reduces the planned adjustment amount planned for the facility 10 not experiencing a power outage. Such control may include control that increases the charging power of the power storage device in the facility 10 not experiencing a power outage, or control that increases the power consumption of the load device 220 of the facility 10. The adjustment control may be control that compensates for the deviation in the adjustment amount within a predetermined time interval (e.g., 30 minutes) that includes at least a portion of the power outage period.

(Power Management Method)
The power management method according to the embodiment will be described below, taking as an example a case in which the facility-side device 300 is a PCS for the distributed power source 210.

As shown in FIG. 6, in step S11A, the facility-side apparatus 300 transmits power information to the GW controller 240, and in step S11B, the GW controller 240 transmits the power information to the lower server 20. Here, the facility-side apparatus 300 transmits the power information using the first method. The facility-side apparatus 300 may transmit the power information periodically.

In step S12, the lower server 20 receives the adjustment message from the upper server 30.

In step S13, the lower server 20 formulates a plan for power adjustment for the facility 10 based on the adjustment message and the power information. For example, the lower server 20 determines the amount of adjustment power to be adjusted in each facility 10 so that the total amount of adjustment power that requires adjustment of the supply and demand balance of the power system is adjusted.

In step S14A, the lower server 20 transmits a control message to the GW controller 240, and in step S14B, the GW controller 240 transmits the control message to the facility device 300. Note that the facility device 300 may receive the control message using the first method.

In step S15, a power outage occurs in the facility 10. The power outage in the facility 10 may be detected by the facility side device 300 or may be detected by the GW controller 240. As a result of the power outage in the facility 10, the facility 10 is disconnected from the power grid.

In step S16, the facility device 300 transmits the first power outage information to the lower server 20 as power outage information. Here, the facility device 300 transmits the first power outage information by a second method that is different from the first method.

In step S17, the lower server 20 executes adjustment control to adjust the supply and demand balance of the power grid based on the first power outage information. As described above, the adjustment control may be a modification of the formulated plan.

In step S18, the facility 10 recovers from the power outage. The recovery of power to the facility 10 may be detected by the facility device 300 or by the GW controller 240. With the recovery of power to the facility 10, the facility 10 is connected to the power grid.

In step S19A, the lower server 20 transmits a control message to the GW controller 240, and in step S19B, the GW controller 240 transmits the control message to the facility device 300. Note that the facility device 300 may receive the control message using the first method.

(Action and Effects)
In the embodiment, the facility-side device 300 transmits power outage information about a power outage occurring in the facility 10 to the lower-level server 20 during an adjustment target period for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power system, and the lower-level server 20 executes adjustment control for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power system based on the power outage information. With this configuration, when a communication interruption occurs between the facility-side device 300 and the lower-level server 20 due to a power outage occurring in the facility 10, the lower-level server 20 can grasp whether or not a power outage has occurred in the facility 10, and therefore can appropriately adjust the supply and demand balance of the power system.

For example, the adjustment control may include control that focuses on one facility 10 experiencing a power outage and compensates for the decrease in power demand (i.e., the deviation in the adjustment amount) during the period when the power outage occurs (hereinafter, the power outage period) after the power outage period. With this configuration, the facility 10 experiencing the power outage can appropriately compensate for the deviation in the adjustment amount due to the power outage.

For example, the adjustment control may include control that focuses on two or more facilities 10 and compensates for the decrease in power demand (i.e., the deviation in the adjustment amount) of the facility 10 experiencing a power outage with the facility 10 not experiencing a power outage. With this configuration, the deviation in the adjustment amount due to the power outage can be appropriately compensated for as a whole for two or more facilities 10 managed by the lower-level server 20.

In an embodiment, the facility device 300 may transmit the first power outage information as the power outage information during a power outage that occurs in the facility 10. With this configuration, the lower-level server 20 can quickly detect a power outage in the facility 10 and can quickly prepare for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power system (e.g., revise the plan).

In an embodiment, the facility device 300 may transmit power information by a first method and transmit the first power outage information by a second method different from the first method. With this configuration, the first power outage information can be transmitted appropriately even during a power outage.

In an embodiment, the amount of information in the first power outage information may be less than the amount of information in the power information. With such a configuration, it is possible to use in the second method a bandwidth lower than that used in the first method, a communication rate lower than that used in the first method, and a communication frequency lower than that used in the first method. In other words, it is possible to use in the second method lower power than that required in the first method. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power required for transmitting the first power outage information, and it is possible to suppress the capacity of the battery built into the facility side device 300 (e.g., PCS) or the communication module.

In an embodiment, the first power outage information may include at least one information element selected from an information element indicating that a power outage has occurred in the facility 10, an information element indicating the operating state of the equipment (distributed power source 210 and load equipment 220) included in the facility 10, an information element indicating the output power of the distributed power source 210, an information element indicating the charge/discharge power of the power storage device, an information element indicating the integrated amount of charge/discharge power of the power storage device, and an information element indicating the remaining charge (dischargeable capacity) of the power storage device. With such a configuration, the above-mentioned adjustment control can be appropriately executed.

[Modification 1]
Modification 1 of the embodiment will be described below. Differences from the embodiment will be mainly described below.

In the embodiment, the power outage information is exemplified as first power outage information transmitted during a power outage that occurs in facility 10. In contrast, in modified example 1, the power outage information is exemplified as second power outage information transmitted after power is restored after a power outage that occurs in facility 10.

Specifically, the facility-side device 300 (the first communication unit 310 or the second communication unit 320) may transmit the second power outage information to the lower-level server 20 as power outage information after power is restored from a power outage that occurred in the facility 10. In other words, the facility-side device 300 may transmit the second power outage information to the lower-level server 20 as power outage information in a connected state in which the facility 10 is connected to the power grid.

The second power outage information may include an information element indicating that a power outage has occurred in the facility 10. The second power outage information may include an information element indicating the start time of the power outage that occurred in the facility 10, an information element indicating the duration of the power outage that occurred in the facility 10, and an information element indicating the duration of the autonomous operation operation performed in the facility 10. The second power outage information may include an information element indicating the operating state of the equipment (distributed power source 210 and load equipment 220) included in the facility 10. The second power outage information may include an information element indicating the output power of the distributed power source 210. If the distributed power source 210 includes a power storage device, the second power outage information may include an information element indicating the charging and discharging power of the power storage device, and may include an information element indicating the accumulated amount of charging and discharging power of the power storage device. The second power outage information may include an information element indicating the remaining charge (dischargeable capacity) of the power storage device.

The accumulated charge/discharge power of the power storage device may include the accumulated amount up until the start of the power outage, or may include the accumulated amount during the power outage. The remaining charge (dischargeable capacity) may include the remaining charge (dischargeable capacity) at the time of power restoration.

For example, the facility device 300 (second communication unit 320) may transmit the second power outage information to the lower server 20 using a second method different from the first method, similar to the first power outage information. However, since the second power outage information is transmitted after power is restored, the facility device 300 (first communication unit 310) may transmit the second power outage information to the lower server 20 using the first method.

(Power Management Method)
A power management method according to the first modification will be described below. Here, a case in which the facility-side device 300 is a PCS for the distributed power source 210 will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 7, in step S31A, the facility-side apparatus 300 transmits power information to the GW controller 240, and in step S31B, the GW controller 240 transmits the power information to the lower server 20. Here, the facility-side apparatus 300 transmits the power information using the first method. The facility-side apparatus 300 may transmit the power information periodically.

In step S32, the lower server 20 receives the adjustment message from the upper server 30.

In step S33, the lower server 20 formulates a plan for power adjustment for the facility 10 based on the adjustment message and the power information. For example, the lower server 20 determines the amount of adjustment power to be adjusted in each facility 10 so that the total amount of adjustment power that requires adjustment of the supply and demand balance of the power system is adjusted.

In step S34A, the lower server 20 transmits a control message to the GW controller 240, and in step S34B, the GW controller 240 transmits the control message to the facility device 300. Note that the facility device 300 may receive the control message using the first method.

In step S35, a power outage occurs in the facility 10. The power outage in the facility 10 may be detected by the facility side device 300 or may be detected by the GW controller 240. As a result of the power outage in the facility 10, the facility 10 is disconnected from the power grid.

In step S36, the facility 10 recovers from the power outage. The recovery of power to the facility 10 may be detected by the facility side device 300 or by the GW controller 240. With the recovery of power to the facility 10, the facility 10 is connected to the power grid.

In step S37, the facility-side device 300 transmits the second power outage information to the lower server 20 as the power outage information. Here, the facility-side device 300 may transmit the second power outage information by a second method different from the first method. However, the facility-side device 300 may transmit the second power outage information by the first method.

In step S38, the lower server 20 executes adjustment control to adjust the supply and demand balance of the power grid based on the second power outage information. As described above, the adjustment control may be a modification of the formulated plan.

In step S39A, the lower server 20 transmits a control message to the GW controller 240, and in step S39B, the GW controller 240 transmits the control message to the facility device 300. Note that the facility device 300 may receive the control message using the first method.

In the first modification, a case where the second power outage information is transmitted instead of the first power outage information is illustrated. However, the first modification is not limited to this. The facility device 300 may transmit both the first power outage information and the second power outage information to the lower server 20.

(Action and Effects)
In the first modification, similarly to the embodiment, the facility-side device 300 transmits power outage information about a power outage occurring in the facility 10 to the lower-level server 20 during an adjustment target period for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power system, and the lower-level server 20 executes adjustment control for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power system based on the power outage information. With this configuration, when communication between the facility-side device 300 and the lower-level server 20 is interrupted, the lower-level server 20 can determine whether or not a power outage has occurred in the facility 10, and therefore the supply and demand balance of the power system can be appropriately adjusted.

In the first modification, the facility device 300 may transmit second power outage information as power outage information after power is restored after a power outage occurs in the facility. The lower server 20 can easily accurately grasp the impact of a power outage in the facility 10, and can appropriately prepare for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power system (e.g., revise the plan).

In the first modified example, the second power outage information may include at least one information element selected from an information element indicating that a power outage has occurred in the facility 10, an information element indicating the start time of the power outage that occurred in the facility 10, an information element indicating the duration of the power outage that occurred in the facility 10, an information element indicating the duration of the autonomous operation operation performed in the facility 10, an information element indicating the operating state of the equipment (distributed power source 210 and load equipment 220) included in the facility 10, an information element indicating the output power of the distributed power source 210, an information element indicating the charge/discharge power of the power storage device, an information element indicating the integrated amount of charge/discharge power of the power storage device, and an information element indicating the remaining charge (dischargeable capacity) of the power storage device. With such a configuration, the above-mentioned adjustment control can be appropriately executed.

[Modification 2]
The second modification of the embodiment will be described below, focusing mainly on the differences from the embodiment.

In modification example 2, we explain a case in which the operating mode specified by the lower server 20 using a control message is changed by the user during the adjustment period.

Specifically, the facility device 300 has an output unit (e.g., the control unit 330) that outputs warning information indicating that the operation mode has been specified by the lower server 20 when the operation mode specified by the lower server 20 during the adjustment period is changed by the user. The output manner of the warning information may include outputting a warning sound or displaying a warning. Here, the operation mode specified by the lower server 20 may include the operation mode of the distributed power source 210 or the operation mode of the load device 220.

Furthermore, when the operation mode is changed by the user after the warning information is output, the facility device 300 transmits to the lower server 20 a message including an information element indicating the changed operation mode and an information element indicating that the changed operation mode has been specified by the user. The information element indicating the changed operation mode may include an information element indicating the duration of the changed operation mode.

Here, in a connected state in which the facility 10 is connected to the power grid, the facility-side device 300 (first communication unit 310) may transmit a message using a first method. In a disconnected state in which the facility 10 is disconnected from the power grid, the facility-side device 300 (second communication unit 320) may transmit a message using a second method.

(Power Management Method)
A power management method according to the second modification will be described below. Here, a case in which the facility-side device 300 is a PCS for the distributed power source 210 will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 8, in step S51A, the facility-side apparatus 300 transmits power information to the GW controller 240, and in step S51B, the GW controller 240 transmits the power information to the lower server 20. Here, the facility-side apparatus 300 transmits the power information using the first method. The facility-side apparatus 300 may transmit the power information periodically.

In step S52, the lower server 20 receives the adjustment message from the upper server 30.

In step S53, the lower server 20 formulates a plan for power adjustment for the facility 10 based on the adjustment message and the power information. For example, the lower server 20 determines the amount of adjustment power to be adjusted at each facility 10 so that the total amount of adjustment power that requires adjustment of the supply and demand balance of the power system is adjusted.

In step S54A, the lower server 20 transmits a control message to the GW controller 240, and in step S54B, the GW controller 240 transmits the control message to the facility device 300. Note that the facility device 300 may receive the control message using the first method.

In step S55, the facility device 300 accepts a user operation requesting a change of the operation mode specified by the lower server 20.

In step S56, the facility device 300 transmits the operation mode specified by the user to the GW controller 240.

In step S57, the GW controller 240 transmits warning information to the facility device 300.

In step S58, the facility device 300 outputs warning information indicating that the operation mode has been specified by the lower server 20. Here, the user acknowledges that the operation mode has been specified by the lower server 20 and then continues the process of changing the operation mode.

In step S59, the facility device 300 transmits a message to the GW controller 240, including an information element indicating the changed operation mode (operation mode in FIG. 8) and an information element indicating that the changed operation mode has been specified by the user (approval information in FIG. 8). Since the operation mode has already been notified to the GW controller 240 in step S56, the transmission of the information element indicating the changed operation mode may be omitted in step S59.

In step S60, the GW controller 240 sends a message to the lower server 20, which includes an information element indicating the changed operating mode (operation mode in FIG. 8) and an information element indicating that the changed operating mode has been specified by the user (acceptance information in FIG. 8).

In step S61, the lower server 20 may execute adjustment control to adjust the supply and demand balance of the power system based on the changed operating mode. The adjustment control may be a modification of the formulated plan.

(Action and Effects)
In a second modification, when the operation mode designated by the lower-level server 20 during the adjustment period is changed by a user, the facility-side device 300 may output warning information indicating that the operation mode has been designated by the lower-level server 20. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress changes to the designated operation mode in order to maintain the supply and demand balance of the power system.

In the second modification, when the operation mode is changed by the user after the warning information is output, the facility device 300 may transmit to the lower server 20 a message including an information element indicating that the changed operation mode was specified by the user. With this configuration, the lower server 20 can know that the operation mode specified to maintain the supply and demand balance of the power system has been changed at the user's discretion.

In a second modification, when the user changes the operating mode after the warning information is output, the facility device 300 may transmit a message including an information element indicating the changed operating mode to the lower server 20. With this configuration, the plan for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power system can be appropriately reviewed according to the changed operating mode.

In the second modification, the information element indicating the changed operating mode may include an information element indicating the duration of the changed operating mode. With this configuration, the plan for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power system can be appropriately reviewed according to the duration of the changed operating mode.

[Modification 3]
The third modification of the embodiment will be described below. Differences from the embodiment will be mainly described below.

In the embodiment, a case is illustrated in which the facility 10 autonomously connects to the power grid when power restoration after a power outage is detected in the facility 10. In contrast, in modified example 3, a case is illustrated in which the facility 10 does not connect to the power grid unless permission is granted from the lower server 20, even when power restoration after a power outage is detected in the facility 10.

Specifically, when power is restored from a power outage that occurred in the facility 10, if the facility side device 300 receives a message from the lower server 20 including an information element indicating that connection of the facility 10 to the power grid is permitted, the facility side device 300 executes a process of connecting to the power grid. For example, when the facility side device 300 detects the restoration of power from a power outage in the facility 10 and receives a message from the lower server 20 including an information element indicating that connection is permitted, the facility side device 300 executes a process of connecting to the power grid. The lower server 20 receives a notification regarding the power outage in the facility 10 (power outage notification) and a notification regarding the restoration of power to the facility 10 (power restoration notification) from the upper server 30. The upper server 30 is capable of identifying power outages and restoration of power in the facility 10 in order to manage infrastructure such as the power grid.

(Power Management Method)
A power management method according to the third modification will be described below. Here, a case in which the facility-side device 300 is a PCS for the distributed power source 210 will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 9, in step S71, a power outage occurs in the facility 10. The power outage in the facility 10 may be detected by the facility device 300 or by the GW controller 240.

In step S72, the lower server 20 receives a power outage notification regarding a power outage in the facility 10 from the upper server 30.

In step S73, a disconnection process is executed to disconnect the facility 10 from the power grid. The disconnection process may be executed by the facility device 300 or by the GW controller 240. The disconnection process is executed autonomously in the facility 10.

In step S74, the facility 10 recovers from the power outage. The recovery of power to the facility 10 may be detected by the facility device 300 or by the GW controller 240.

In step S75, the lower server 20 receives a power restoration notification regarding the restoration of power to the facility 10 from the upper server 30.

In step S76, the lower server 20 transmits a connection permission to the GW controller 240 to permit the facility 10 to be connected to the power grid.

In step S77, a grid connection process is performed to connect the facility 10 to the power grid. The grid connection process may be performed by the facility device 300 or by the GW controller 240. The grid connection process is not performed autonomously in the facility 10, but is performed in response to a grid connection permission received from the lower server 20.

In the third modification, the facility-side device 300 receives a connection permission from the lower server 20 that allows the facility 10 to be connected to the power grid, but the third modification is not limited to this. The facility-side device 300 may receive a connection permission from the upper server 30 that allows the facility 10 to be connected to the power grid.

Although not specifically mentioned in the third modification, the GW controller 240 may receive a message including an information element indicating that power restoration is permitted (e.g., power restoration permission) from the lower server 20 or the upper server 30 before step S74. That is, the GW controller 240 may execute the power restoration process when it receives the power restoration permission, rather than executing the power restoration process autonomously. In such a case, the power restoration process may include a process of electrically connecting the power system and the distribution board, although there is no power supply from the power system to the facility 10. Even after such a power restoration process is performed, the facility 10 may be in a state in which the power system and the distributed power source 210 are not interconnected (e.g., the breaker of the distribution board is off).

(Action and Effects)
In the third modification, the facility device 300 may execute a process of connecting to the power grid when receiving a message including an information element indicating permission to restore power from the lower server 20. With this configuration, when power is restored to two or more facilities 10 from a power outage, it is possible to prevent the two or more facilities 10 from simultaneously executing a connection process, and it is possible to reduce the load on the power grid caused by the restoration of power to the two or more facilities 10.

[Other embodiments]
Although the present invention has been described by the above-mentioned embodiment, the description and drawings forming a part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Although not specifically mentioned in the above disclosure, the timing of transmitting the first power outage information may be during the power outage of the facility 10. For example, the facility-side device 300 may transmit the first power outage information in response to detection of a power outage, or in response to the start of an independent operation. In the case where the timing of power restoration is known, such as in the case of a planned power outage, the facility-side device 300 may transmit the first power outage information at a timing a certain time before the timing of power restoration (for example, the timing immediately before power restoration). The facility-side device 300 may transmit the first power outage information at two or more timings between the occurrence of a power outage and the restoration of power. The facility-side device 300 may periodically transmit the first power outage information during a power outage. In the case where the first power outage information is periodically transmitted, the facility-side device 300 may start the periodic transmission of the first power outage information in response to detection of a power outage or the start of an independent operation. The facility-side device 300 may end the periodic transmission of the first power outage information in response to detection of power restoration or the end of an independent operation.

In the above disclosure, for convenience of explanation, a case in which the first communication unit 310 and the second communication unit 320 are separate configurations is exemplified. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. The first communication unit 310 and the second communication unit 320 may be a single communication unit.

In the above disclosure, the reduction of forward flow power (DR) has been mainly exemplified as an adjustment of the supply and demand balance of the power system. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. The adjustment of the supply and demand balance of the power system may also be a reduction of reverse flow power (output suppression).

In the above disclosure, the case where the facility-side device 300 is a PCS of the distributed power source 210 has been mainly exemplified. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. The facility-side device 300 may be a power meter 230 or a GW controller 240. The facility-side device 300 may be a distribution board (e.g., a smart distribution board) having a communication function.

In the above disclosure, a case where the first power outage information is directly transmitted from the facility-side device 300 to the lower server 20 has been mainly exemplified. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. The first power outage information may be transmitted from the facility-side device 300 to the lower server 20 via the GW controller 240 or via the power meter 230.

Although not specifically mentioned in the above disclosure, at least some of the functions of the GW controller 240 may be performed by a cloud server connected to the network 120. The GW controller 240 may be considered to include a cloud server.

10...Facility, 20...Lower server, 21...Communication unit, 22...Management unit, 23...Control unit, 30...Upper server, 100...Power management system, 120...Network, 210...Distributed power source, 220...Load device, 230...Power meter, 240...GW controller, 300...Facility device, 310...First communication unit, 320...Second communication unit, 330...Control unit

Claims (10)

A facility-side device which is a device included in a facility connected to the power grid;
a power management server that manages power information related to the power of the facility;
the facility-side device includes a communication unit configured to transmit power outage information regarding a power outage occurring in the facility to the power management server during an adjustment target period for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power grid;
The power management server executes an adjustment control to adjust a supply and demand balance of the power grid based on the power outage information ,
The adjustment control includes control to compensate for a decrease in power demand during a power outage period in a facility where the power outage has occurred after the power outage period has elapsed. A facility-side device which is a device included in a facility connected to the power grid;
a power management server that manages power information related to the power of the facility;
the facility-side device includes a communication unit configured to transmit power outage information regarding a power outage occurring in the facility to the power management server during an adjustment target period for adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power grid;
The power management server executes an adjustment control to adjust a supply and demand balance of the power grid based on the power outage information,
The adjustment control includes control for compensating for a decrease in power demand in a facility where a power outage has occurred during a power outage period by a facility where the power outage is not occurring, in a power management system. The power management system according to claim 1 , wherein the communication unit transmits first power outage information to the power management server as the power outage information during a power outage that occurs in the facility. The power management system according to claim 3 , wherein the communication unit transmits the power information to the power management server by a first method, and transmits the first power outage information to the power management server by a second method different from the first method. The power management system according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the first power outage information includes at least one information element selected from an information element indicating that a power outage has occurred in the facility, an information element indicating the operating state of equipment included in the facility, an information element indicating the charging/discharging power of a power storage device included in the facility, an information element indicating an integrated amount of charging/discharging power of a power storage device included in the facility, and an information element indicating the output power of a distributed power source included in the facility . The power management system according to claim 1 , wherein the communication unit transmits second power outage information to the power management server as the power outage information after power is restored from the power outage that occurred in the facility. The power management system according to claim 6, wherein the second power outage information includes at least one information element selected from an information element indicating that a power outage has occurred at the facility, an information element indicating a start time of the power outage that occurred at the facility, an information element indicating the duration of the power outage that occurred at the facility, an information element indicating the duration of autonomous operation performed at the facility, an information element indicating the charging and discharging power of a power storage device included in the facility, an information element indicating an integrated amount of charging and discharging power of a power storage device included in the facility, an information element indicating a remaining charge amount of a power storage device included in the facility, and an information element indicating the output power of a distributed power source included in the facility. 8. The power management system according to claim 1, wherein the facility device is provided with an output unit that outputs warning information indicating that the operating mode specified by the power management server during the adjustment period is changed by a user. 9. The power management system according to claim 8, wherein when the operating mode is changed by a user after the warning information is output, the communication unit transmits a message to the power management server including an information element indicating the changed operating mode and an information element indicating that the changed operating mode has been specified by the user. The power management system according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the facility-side device is provided with a control unit that executes a connection process to connect the facility to the power grid when, when power is restored from a power outage that occurred in the facility, a message including an information element indicating that connection of the facility to the power grid is permitted is received.