JPWO2018229847A1 - Control device, control system, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

The control device (100) acquires electric power values other than the water heater in each of the plurality of houses based on the electric power value of the water heater and the electric power value of the house, and obtains the electric power value of the water heater and the electric power value other than the electric water heater in a specific time zone after the current time. The power estimating unit (112) estimates the power in each of the combinations of the power estimating unit (112) for estimating the water temperature and the allocation indicating which of the sub time zones in the specific time zone the boiling time zone of each water heater is to be allocated to. Estimate the peak of the sum of the power consumed by a plurality of houses during the time of the specific time zone using each power value obtained, and set all the boiling time zones of each water heater in the combination to the same sub-time zone. A boiling time zone determining unit (113) that determines a boiling time zone of each water heater by determining a combination that makes the peak smaller than that assigned, and a boiling time zone determining unit (113). There comprising controller boiling controlling the boiling of the water heater on the basis of the water heating time period was determined (114), the.

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device, a control system, a control method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a system that supplies hot water to be used during daytime hours by boiling water in a hot water storage tank in the late-night hours when electricity charges are inexpensive has been known. However, when such a system is used in a plurality of dwelling units in an apartment house, the use of electric power may be concentrated in the midnight hours as a result of boiling in the midnight hours in a plurality of dwelling units.

  For this reason, the development of technology for preventing such problems has been underway. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus that realizes a reduction in the peak of the total amount of power consumption in a specific time zone even when a plurality of such systems are installed in an apartment house.

JP, 2014-137200, A

  The hot water storage type hot-water supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a peak of power consumption in the midnight time zone by boiling in the morning, noon and evening time zones as well as in the midnight time zone in the apartment house. Is prevented from occurring. However, if it does in this way, the dwelling unit which cannot make use of the cheap electricity bill of late-night time will arise in an apartment house. Patent Document 1 describes a technique relating to which time zone each hot water storage hot water supply device of each dwelling unit in the apartment house can be heated efficiently as a whole apartment house. Not.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and for a plurality of houses where hot water heaters are installed, a control device that enables boiling while suppressing a power peak in a specific time zone, It is an object to provide a control system, a control method, and a program.

In order to achieve the above object, a control device according to the present invention provides:
A control device for controlling each water heater installed in each of a plurality of houses,
Power acquisition means for acquiring a water heater power value that is a value of power consumption of each of the water heaters and a house power value that is a value of power consumption in each of the plurality of houses;
Based on the water heater power value and the house power value acquired by the power acquisition means, acquires a power value other than the water heater that is a value of power consumption other than the water heater in each of the plurality of houses, and after the current time Power estimation means for estimating the electric power value of the water heater and the electric power value other than the water heater in the specific time zone,
The specific time zone is divided into a plurality of sub-time zones, and the power estimation unit estimates each of the combinations of assignments indicating to which of the sub-time zones the boiling time zone of each water heater is assigned. The peak value of the sum total of the electric power consumed in the plurality of houses within the specific time period is estimated using the electric power value of the hot water heater and the electric power value other than the hot water heater. Boiling time zone determination that determines the boiling time zone of each of the water heaters by determining the combination that makes the peak smaller than when all the boiling time zones are assigned to the same sub time zone Means,
Based on the boiling time zone determined by the boiling time zone determining means, boiling control means for controlling the boiling of each water heater,
Is provided.

  According to the present invention, based on the estimated electric power value of the hot water heater and the electric power value other than the hot water heater, the boiling time zones of the respective hot water heaters are dispersed, so for a plurality of houses where these hot water heaters are installed, Boiling in a specific time zone is enabled while suppressing the power peak.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the control system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows an example of allocation of the boiling time zone of a water heater The figure which shows an example of the peak of the sum total of the power consumption of all the houses The figure which shows the 2nd example of allocation of the boiling time zone of a water heater The figure which shows the 2nd example of the peak of the sum total of the power consumption of all the houses The figure which shows an example of the electric power log | history memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the water heater based on Embodiment 1. FIG. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the electric power measuring device which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the HEMS controller which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the schedule information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the HEMS controller which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. Flowchart of the first half of the control process by the control device according to the first embodiment Flowchart of the second half of the control process by the control device according to the first embodiment Flowchart of power peak calculation processing by control device according to embodiment 1 The block diagram which shows the function structure of the control apparatus which concerns on the modification 1 of this invention. Flowchart of the second half of the control processing by the control device according to the modification 1 The block diagram which shows the function structure of the control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the water heater based on Embodiment 2. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the hot water consumption log | history memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. Flowchart of water heater power value estimation processing by the control device according to the second embodiment. The first half flowchart of the control processing by the control apparatus which concerns on the modification 2 of this invention. Flowchart of hot water heater power value estimation processing by the control device according to Modification 2 The block diagram which shows the function structure of the control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the HEMS controller which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. The figure which shows an example of each house schedule information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part of a control apparatus The figure which shows the hardware structural example of a control apparatus

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the control system 10 according to the first embodiment. The control system 10 identifies the control device 100 by controlling the boiling start time of the water heaters 200, 201,... Installed in each house in the plurality of houses 500, 501,. The system suppresses the power peak in the range 600.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 10 includes a control device 100, a plurality of houses 500, 501... Within a specific range 600, and a network 700. And each house 500,501 ... is equipped with water heater 200,201 ... and electric power measuring device 300,301 .... Among the homes 500, 501..., Some homes such as the home 500 include a home energy management system (HEMS) controller 400.

  The control device 100 acquires the power consumption value of the house where the power measuring device is installed from each of the power measuring devices 300, 301. Moreover, the control apparatus 100 acquires the value of the power consumption of this water heater via the network 700 from each water heater 200,201 .... Furthermore, the control apparatus 100 performs boiling control of each water heater 200, 201 ... by transmitting a boiling instruction with respect to each water heater 200, 201 ... via the network 700. In addition, since the function of each water heater is the same, below, hot water heater 200, 201 ... is demonstrated by hot water heater 200 on behalf of. In addition, since the functions of the power measuring devices are the same, the power measuring device 300 will be described below as a representative of the power measuring devices 300, 301.

  The hot water heater 200 is a hot water storage type hot water heater including a hot water storage tank and a heat pump. The water heater 200 stores water in a hot water storage tank and boiles it with a heat pump. The hot water storage tank can store several hundred liters of water. The water heater 200 consumes a considerable amount of electric power to boil a large amount of water in the hot water storage tank at the time of boiling. it can. Therefore, the resident of the house 500 can save the utility cost of the entire house by causing the water heater 200 to boil up at night time when the electricity rate is low.

  In addition, the water heater 200 has a communication function for transmitting the value of power consumed by the water heater 200. For example, every 30 minutes, the water heater 200 measures the amount of power consumed by the water heater 200 for 30 minutes, obtains the average power consumption for 30 minutes based on the amount of power, and calculates the average power consumption for the water heater 200. The power consumption value may be transmitted to the HEMS controller 400 or the control device 100.

  The power meter 300 is a smart meter having a function of measuring power used in the house 500 and a communication function of transmitting the measured power value. The electric power used in the house 500 includes electric power used by the water heater 200, and also includes electric power used by air conditioners, lighting devices, cooked home appliances, and the like. The power measuring device 300 measures, for example, the amount of power consumed in the house 500 for 30 minutes every 30 minutes, obtains the average power consumption for 30 minutes based on the amount of power, and uses the average power consumption as power. You may transmit to the HEMS controller 400 or the control apparatus 100 as a measured value.

  The HEMS controller 400 displays the power consumed by the various electric devices in the house 500, and controls the power supply and functions of the various electric devices. The HEMS controller 400 acquires the power consumed by the house 500 from the power measuring device 300 and acquires the power consumed by the water heater 200 from the water heater 200. Then, these power values are transmitted to the control device 100 via the network 700. In FIG. 1, the HEMS controller 400 exists only in the house 500, but the HEMS controller may be provided in another house. Since the function of the HEMS controller used in the present embodiment is the same as that of any HEMS controller, the HEMS controller 400 will be described below on behalf of all the HEMS controllers.

  Each of the houses 500, 501, etc. may be a single-family house or a single dwelling unit in an apartment house such as an apartment or an apartment. In the present embodiment, every house includes the water heater 200 and the power measuring device 300 and can be handled in common. Therefore, the following description will be made with the house 500 representing all the houses.

  The specific range 600 may be a certain area or the entire apartment house. Further, the specific range 600 may be a part in a certain area or a part in an apartment house. The specific range 600 can also be said to be a range where there is a dwelling unit provided with the water heater 200 that the control device 100 can control via the network 700.

  The network 700 is, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a dedicated line. The control device 100, the water heater 200, the power measuring device 300, and the HEMS controller 400 communicate via the network 700.

  Next, the functional configuration of the control device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, an input unit 131, a display unit 132, and a communication unit 133, which are electrically connected via a bus line 140. It is connected to the.

  The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and by executing a program stored in the storage unit 120, each unit (power acquisition unit 111, power estimation unit 112, boiling time zone determination unit 113, boiling) The function of the control unit 114) is realized. In addition, the control unit 110 has a multi-thread function and can execute a plurality of processes in parallel.

  The power acquisition unit 111 acquires a house power value that is a value of power consumption in the house 500 from the power measuring device 300 via the communication unit 133. In addition, the power acquisition unit 111 acquires a water heater power value that is a value of power consumption of the water heater 200 from the water heater 200 via the communication unit 133. Since the water heater 200 and the power measuring device 300 are installed in each of the plurality of houses 500, the power acquisition unit 111 is connected to the water heater of the water heater 200 from each of the water heaters 200 installed in each house 500. The power value is obtained, and the house power value of the house 500 is obtained from each power measuring device 300 installed in each house 500. The power acquisition unit 111 functions as a power acquisition unit.

  The power estimation unit 112 acquires a power value other than the water heater that is a value of power consumption other than the water heater in the house 500 based on the water heater power value and the house power value acquired by the power acquisition unit 111. Specifically, the power estimation unit 112 obtains a power value other than the water heater of the house 500 by subtracting the water heater power value of the house 500 from the house power value of the house 500. Since there are a plurality of houses 500 within the specific range 600, the power estimation unit 112 acquires an electric power value other than the water heater in each of the plurality of houses 500.

  And the electric power estimation part 112 sets the electric power value other than the hot water heater electric power value and the hot water heater in the specific time zone after the current time based on the hot water heater electric power value and the house electric power value acquired by the electric power acquisition part 111 for each house 500. presume. Here, the specific time zone refers to a time zone from 23:00 to 7:00 the next morning. The process in which the power estimation unit 112 estimates the water heater power value and the power value other than the water heater will be described later. The power estimation unit 112 functions as a power estimation unit.

  The boiling time zone determination unit 113 determines the boiling time zone of each water heater 200 based on the water heater power value estimated by the power estimation unit 112 and the power value other than the water heater. More specifically, the boiling time zone determination unit 113 divides a specific time zone, which is a midnight time zone where the electricity rate is inexpensive, into three sub time zones, and boiles the water stored in the hot water storage tanks by each water heater 200. The time zone to be raised (boiling time zone) is assigned to one of these three sub time zones. Specifically, since the specific time zone is from 23: 00 to 7:00 the next morning, each of the three divided sub time zones has a first time zone of 23: 00 to 1:40, a second time zone. Is 1:40 to 4:20, and the third time zone is 4:20 to 7:00.

  Assuming that the bedtime of the resident of the house 500 is 0:00 and the wake-up time is 6:00, part of the first time zone and the third time zone overlap with the resident's activity time. In order to suppress this peak, it is better to assign the boiling time zone of the water heater 200 to the second time zone. However, if the heating time zone of the water heaters 200 of all the houses 500 within the specific range 600 as shown in FIG. 3 is assigned to the second time zone, as shown in FIG. A peak of the sum of power consumption of all the houses 500 occurs, and the value of this peak becomes considerably large.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when the heating time zones of the water heaters 200 of each house 500 within the specific range 600 are distributed and assigned to the first time zone, the second time zone, and the third time zone, the FIG. As shown, the peak of the total power consumption of all the houses 500 within the specific range 600 can be suppressed. 3 and 5 show an example in which six houses 500 exist in the specific range 600. FIG.

  In this way, the boiling time zone determination unit 113 determines the allocation of the boiling time zone of the water heater 200 of each house 500 so as to suppress the peak of the total power consumption of all the houses 500 within the specific range 600. To do. The boiling time zone determination unit 113 functions as a boiling time zone determination unit.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the boiling control unit 114 controls the boiling of the water heater 200 based on the allocation of the boiling time zone of the water heater 200 of each house 500 determined by the boiling time zone determination unit 113. . Specifically, at the boiling start time corresponding to the sub time zone assigned to the water heater 200 by the boiling time zone determination unit 113, an instruction to start the water heater 200 to start boiling is supplied via the network 700. To the machine 200. Receiving this instruction, water heater 200 starts boiling water at the boiling start time included in the instruction. As will be described later, the hot water heater 200 may have a suppression mode other than the normal mode as an operation mode for boiling. For such a water heater 200, the control device 100 can perform two types of boiling instructions, that is, a boiling instruction in the normal mode and a boiling instruction in the suppression mode. The boiling control unit 114 functions as a boiling control unit.

  The boiling start time corresponding to the assigned sub time zone is usually the start time of the sub time zone, but is adjusted according to the length of time (boiling time) when the water heater 200 boils water. You may do it. For example, the boiling start time of the water heater 200 assigned to the first time zone is set to 23:00 regardless of the boiling time. Moreover, in the water heater 200 allocated to the second time zone, when the boiling time is estimated to be 2 hours, the boiling time is set so that the two hours are located at the center (2:30) of the second time zone. The start time is set to 1:30. Then, in the water heater 200 assigned to the third time zone, when the boiling time is estimated to be 2 hours, the boiling start time is 5 so that the two hours end at the end time of the third time zone. : 00 is set.

  The same applies to the case where the boiling time is estimated to be longer than the length of each sub time slot. That is, the boiling start time of the water heater 200 assigned to the first time zone is set to 23:00 regardless of the boiling time. Moreover, in the water heater 200 allocated to the second time zone, when the boiling time is estimated to be 3 hours, the boiling time is set so that the three hours are located at the center (2:30) of the second time zone. The start time is set to 1:00. Then, in the water heater 200 assigned to the third time zone, when the boiling time is estimated to be 3 hours, the boiling start time is 4 so that the 3 hours end at the end time of the third time zone. : 00 is set. When the boiling control unit 114 sets the boiling start time in this way, the specific time zone can be used as effectively as possible.

  The storage unit 120 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) as hardware. The storage unit 120 is a storage unit that stores a program executed by the control unit 110 and necessary data. Further, the storage unit 120 stores a power history 121 as shown in FIG.

  The power history 121 divides the specific time zone into unit time zones every 30 minutes, and the power acquisition unit 111 acquires the average value of the house power value of each house 500 acquired by the power acquisition unit 111 and the power acquisition unit 111. The data for 14 days of the average value in each unit time zone of the water heater power value of each hot water heater 200 is included. In FIG. 7, the item “house” indicating the house number indicating which house data the power history 121 is, the item “date” indicating the number of days ago, and the day of the week “ "Day of the week" item, "Time zone" item indicating which unit time zone is 30 minutes, "Housing average power" item indicating the average value of housing power value in each unit time zone, each unit of water heater power value It is shown that an item of “hot water supply average power” indicating an average value in a time zone and an item of “operation status” indicating an operation state in each unit time zone of the water heater are included.

  The control unit 110 of the control device 100 reads the hot water supply power value and the house from each hot water heater 200 and each power measuring device 300 within the specific range 600 every 30 minutes from 23:00 to 7:00 the next morning every day. A power value acquisition process for acquiring a power value is performed. The control unit 110 stores the power value acquired in the power value acquisition process in the storage unit 120 as the power history 121. And the control part 110 deletes from the electric power log | history 121 about the electric power value 15 days or more before.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the input unit 131 includes a keyboard, a touch panel, operation buttons, and the like. The input unit 131 receives user operations, data input, and the like. The input unit 131 functions as an input unit.

  The display unit 132 includes a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 132 displays an operation screen presented to the user, a water heater power value estimated by the power estimation unit, a power value other than the water heater, and the like. The display unit 132 functions as a display unit.

  The communication unit 133 includes a device for communicating with an external device via the network 700. The control device 100 communicates with each water heater 200 and each power measuring device 300 installed in each of the plurality of houses 500 in the specific range 600 by the communication unit 133 to acquire the water heater power value and the house power value. Then, the water heater 200 is controlled. The communication unit 133 functions as a communication unit.

  The bus line 140 electrically connects the control unit 110, the storage unit 120, the input unit 131, the display unit 132, and the communication unit 133 of the control apparatus 100 so that data can be exchanged between the units.

  Next, the functional configuration of the water heater 200 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the water heater 200 includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 220, an operation unit 231, a display unit 232, a communication unit 233, a water heater power measurement unit 234, a heat pump unit 235, A remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 236 and a hot water storage tank 250 are provided, and these are electrically connected via a bus line 240.

  The control unit 210 includes a CPU, and executes the program stored in the storage unit 220, thereby realizing the functions of the respective units (the water heater power acquisition unit 211, the water heater power transmission unit 212, and the boiling execution unit 213). .

  The water heater power acquisition unit 211 acquires a water heater power value that is the value of the power consumption of the water heater 200 based on the value measured by the water heater power measurement unit 234.

  The water heater power transmission unit 212 transmits the water heater power value acquired by the water heater power acquisition unit 211 to the control device 100 via the communication unit 233. The water heater power transmission unit 212 functions as a water heater power transmission unit.

  The boiling execution unit 213 boils the water stored in the hot water storage tank 250 based on an instruction from the control device 100 received via the communication unit 233, an instruction from a resident accepted by the operation unit 231, and the like. Do. Specifically, the boiling execution unit 213 controls the heat pump unit 235 to boil water stored in the hot water storage tank 250. The boiling execution unit 213 functions as a boiling execution unit. In addition, the hot water heater 200 may have a suppression mode for suppressing power consumption in addition to the normal mode as an operation mode for boiling. When boiling is performed in the suppression mode, power consumption decreases, but the time required for boiling increases. When the received instruction includes operation mode information, the boiling execution unit 213 performs boiling in the operation mode.

  The storage unit 220 includes a ROM and a RAM as hardware. The storage unit 220 is a storage unit that stores a program executed by the control unit 210 and necessary data.

  The operation unit 231 includes a touch panel, operation buttons, and the like, and receives a resident's operation. The display unit 232 includes a display such as a liquid crystal display and an organic EL display, and displays an operation screen, a setting state and an operating state of the water heater 200, and the like.

  The communication unit 233 includes a device for communicating with an external device via the network 700. The water heater 200 communicates with the HEMS controller 400 or the control device 100 through the communication unit 233, and transmits a water heater power value, receives a boiling instruction, and the like.

  The water heater power measuring unit 234 measures the value of power consumed by the water heater 200. For example, the water heater power measuring unit 234 measures the power consumption of the water heater 200 using a current transformer connected to the power line of the water heater 200.

  The heat pump unit 235 includes a heat pump, and is controlled by the boiling execution unit 213 to boil water stored in the hot water storage tank 250.

  The remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 236 acquires the remaining hot water amount from the amount of hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank 250 and the temperature of the hot water. The amount of remaining hot water may simply be the amount of hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank 250, but the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank is, for example, 90 degrees, which is considerably higher than the temperature actually used. Therefore, it is more convenient to define the amount of hot water of the reference temperature from the hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank 250 as the remaining hot water amount. Here, the reference temperature is, for example, 42 degrees. In the following, the remaining hot water amount is an amount representing how much 42 degree hot water can be made from the hot water in the tank. The remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 236 compares, for example, the temperature measured by a plurality of temperature sensors arranged in the vertical direction on the side surface of the hot water storage tank 250 with the reference temperature, and the temperature sensor whose temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature. A remaining hot water amount is acquired based on the position and the measured temperature.

  The bus line 240 electrically connects the control unit 210, the storage unit 220, the operation unit 231, the display unit 232, the communication unit 233, the water heater power measurement unit 234, the heat pump unit 235, and the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 236 of the water heater 200. In addition, it is possible to exchange data between each part.

  The hot water storage tank 250 stores hot water boiled by the heat pump unit 235. When the resident of the house 500 uses hot water, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 250 is consumed. When the remaining hot water amount acquired by the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 236 falls below the specified amount, the boiling execution unit 213 replenishes the hot water storage tank 250 with water and performs boiling.

  Next, the power measuring device 300 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the power meter 300 includes a control unit 310, a storage unit 320, a communication unit 331, and a house power measurement unit 332, which are electrically connected via a bus line 340. Has been.

  The control unit 310 includes a CPU, and implements the functions of the respective units (the house power acquisition unit 311 and the house power transmission unit 312) by executing a program stored in the storage unit 320.

  The house power acquisition unit 311 acquires a house power value that is a value of the power consumption of the house 500 based on the value measured by the house power measurement unit 332.

  The house power transmission unit 312 transmits the house power value acquired by the house power acquisition unit 311 to the control device 100 via the communication unit 331. The house power transmitter 312 functions as a house power transmitter.

  The storage unit 320 includes a ROM and a RAM as hardware. The storage unit 320 is a storage unit that stores a program executed by the control unit 310 and necessary data.

  The communication unit 331 includes a device for communicating with an external device via the network 700. The power measuring device 300 communicates with the HEMS controller 400 or the control device 100 through the communication unit 331, and transmits the house power value.

  The house power measurement unit 332 measures the value of power consumed in the house 500. For example, the house power measuring unit 332 measures the power consumption of the house 500 using a current transformer connected to a power line supplied to the house 500.

  The bus line 340 electrically connects the control unit 310, the storage unit 320, the communication unit 331, and the house power measurement unit 332 of the power meter 300 so that data can be exchanged between the units.

  Next, the HEMS controller 400 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the HEMS controller 400 includes a control unit 410, a storage unit 420, an operation unit 431, a display unit 432, and a communication unit 433, which are electrically connected via a bus line 440. It is connected to the.

  The control unit 410 includes a CPU, and implements the functions of the respective units (schedule acquisition unit 411 and device control unit 412) by executing a program stored in the storage unit 420.

  The schedule acquisition unit 411 acquires schedule information indicating a resident's action schedule based on the resident's operation received by the operation unit 431.

  The device control unit 412 controls various devices (not shown) that can communicate with the water heater 200 and the HEMS controller 400 in the house 500 based on the schedule information acquired by the schedule acquisition unit 411 via the communication unit 433. To do.

  The storage unit 420 includes a ROM and a RAM as hardware. The storage unit 420 is a storage unit that stores a program executed by the control unit 410 and necessary data. Further, the storage unit 420 stores schedule information 421 as shown in FIG.

  The schedule information 421 includes information on the action schedule of the resident of the house 500 and information on home appliance control of the HEMS controller 400 based on the action schedule of the resident. In FIG. 11, it is shown that the schedule information 421 includes an item “target” indicating the target person of the action schedule, an item “date and time” indicating the date and time of the action schedule, and an item “schedule” indicating the content of the action schedule. Has been. For example, when the resident inputs a family schedule from the operation unit 431, the schedule information is stored in the storage unit 420 as schedule information 421. In FIG. 11, “object” is HEMS that is a home appliance control schedule of the HEMS controller 400, and this information is automatically generated by the HEMS controller 400 based on the resident's schedule input by the resident. It may be generated, or a resident may input from the operation unit 431 as a schedule of the HEMS controller 400.

  The operation unit 431 includes a touch panel, operation buttons, and the like, and receives a resident's operation. The resident can input the schedule information 421 and control various devices in the house 500 by inputting from the operation unit 431.

  The display unit 432 includes a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays an operation screen, setting states and operating states of various devices in the house 500, resident schedule information, and the like.

  The communication unit 433 includes a device for communicating with an external device via the network 700. The HEMS controller 400 communicates with the control device 100 through the communication unit 433, and transmits a water heater power value, receives a boiling instruction, and the like. Further, the HEMS controller 400 communicates with various devices in the house 500 through the communication unit 433, receives the setting state and the operation state of the various devices, and controls the various devices.

  The bus line 440 electrically connects the control unit 410, the storage unit 420, the operation unit 431, the display unit 432, and the communication unit 433 of the HEMS controller 400 so that data can be exchanged between the units.

  Next, a control process that is a process for the control device 100 to control the water heater 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. When the control device 100 is activated, this process is activated in parallel in a separate thread from other processes.

  First, the control unit 110 of the control device 100 determines whether or not the current time has reached 22:00 (step S101). If it is not 22:00 (step S101; No), the process returns to step S101.

  If it is 22:00 (step S101; Yes), n, t, and d which are variables for acquiring the power history 121 are initialized. Here, supplementary explanation will be given for n, t, and d. n is a variable indicating the house number of the house 500. Here, it is assumed that there are N houses 500 in the specific range 600, and n takes a value from 1 to N. Further, t is a variable indicating a unit time zone number (time zone number) when the specific time zone is divided into unit time zones every 30 minutes. Since the specific time zone is 8 hours from 23:00 to 7:00 the next morning, it is divided into 16 unit time zones when divided into unit time zones every 30 minutes. Therefore, t takes a value from 1 to 16. Further, d represents a date stored as the power history 121. Since the power history 121 includes data for two weeks, d takes a value from 1 to 14. Since the specific time zone starts at 23:00, the date changes midway, but in order to avoid complications, the value of d is handled without changing until the next 7 o'clock. That is, the power value data at 6 o'clock 13 days ago is handled as the power value data at d = 1.

  Returning to FIG. 12, first, the control unit 110 sets 1 to n as initialization of the variable n (step S102). Next, the control part 110 sets 1 to t as initialization of the variable t (step S103). Next, the control part 110 sets 1 to d as initialization of the variable d (step S104).

  Next, the control unit 110 initializes sep [n] [t], which is a two-dimensional array variable for work for estimating the power value other than the hot water heater, to 0 (step S105). sep [n] [t] is a variable for calculating the sum of power values for the past two weeks other than the water heater in the unit time zone with the time zone number t of the home 500 with the home number n.

  Next, the control part 110 is a three-dimensional array variable ep [n] [t] which stores electric power values other than the hot water heater calculated | required from the past hot water heater electric power value memorize | stored as the electric power log | history 121, and a house electric power value. In [d], a value obtained by subtracting the water heater power value from the house power value in the unit time zone of the house 500 with the house number n and the date d and the time zone number t is substituted (step S106). Thus, ep [n] [t] [d] stores the power value of the house 500 with the house number n except for the water heater in the unit time zone with the date d and the time zone number t.

  Then, the control unit 110 adds ep [n] [t] [d] to sep [n] [t] (step S107). Next, the control unit 110 adds 1 to the variable d (step S108), and determines whether d is less than 15 (step S109). If d is less than 15 (step S109; Yes), the process returns to step S106.

  If d is 15 or more (step S109; No), the control unit 110 sets sep [n] [t] to the two-dimensional array variable eep [n] [t] that stores the estimated power value other than the hot water heater. ÷ 14 is substituted (step S110). Thus, the average value of the power values other than the water heaters for the past two weeks in the unit time zone of the house number n of the house 500 and the time zone number of t is stored in the two-dimensional array variable eep [n] [t]. Is done. The control device 100 treats the average value of the power values other than the water heater for the past two weeks as the estimated value of the power other than the water heater in a specific time zone after the current time. Step S110 is called a power value estimation step or power estimation step other than the hot water heater.

  Next, the control unit 110 adds 1 to the variable t (step S111), and determines whether t is less than 17 (step S112). If t is less than 17 (step S112; Yes), the process returns to step S104. If t is 17 or more (step S112; No), the control unit 110 adds 1 to the variable n (step S113), and determines whether n is less than N + 1 (step S114). If n is less than N + 1 (step S114; Yes), the process returns to step S103.

  If n is N + 1 or more (step S114; No), the process proceeds to FIG. 13, and the control unit 110 records the combination pattern number that minimizes the peak sum of the house power values of all houses 500 within the specific range 600. Is initialized to 0 (step S115). Here, a supplementary explanation of the combination pattern number will be given. The control unit 110 determines which sub-time zone among the sub-time zones obtained by dividing the specific time zone for the boiling time zone of each water heater 200 within the specific range 600. A plurality of combinations). Therefore, numbers are assigned to all of the plurality of combinations of assignments in order so that the assignment (combination) can be specified by the numbers. This number is called a combination pattern number.

In the present embodiment, the specific time zone is divided into three sub-time zones. Therefore, assuming that the number of houses 500 in the specific range 600 is N, there are three types of heating time zone options for each of the N units. is there. Therefore, the combination of the boiling time periods in all the houses 500 within the specific range 600 is 3 to the Nth power. However, if “inhibition mode” is included in addition to “normal mode” as the mode of boiling operation, three types of boiling time zones can be selected, and two types of boiling mode are performed. Therefore, the combination of the boiling time zones is (3 × 2) ^N = 6 to the Nth power. Here, the total number of patterns of this combination is represented by M. For each of the M combination patterns, the peak of the sum of the house power values of all the houses 500 within the specific range 600 is obtained, and the combination pattern number that minimizes this peak is assigned to the variable r. become.

  Next, the control part 110 initializes the variable p which is a variable which records the minimum value of the peak of the sum total of house electric power value to (infinity) (step S116). If the control unit 110 cannot handle an infinite value, the variable p may be initialized with the power peak value when the combination pattern number is 1 by performing the same processing as in step S118 described later. . In this case, the variable r is initialized to 1. Next, the control unit 110 initializes a variable m indicating the combination pattern number to 1 (step S117).

  And the peak of the sum total of the house power value of all the houses 500 in the specific range 600 when the boiling time zone of each water heater 200 is set by the combination pattern represented by the variable m is substituted into the variable w ( Step S118). A power peak calculation process for obtaining a value to be substituted for the variable w will be described later. And the control part 110 determines whether the value of the variable w is less than the value of the variable p (step S119). If the value of the variable w is greater than or equal to the value of the variable p (step S119; No), the process proceeds to step S122. If the value of variable w is less than the value of variable p (step S119; Yes), control unit 110 substitutes the value of variable m for variable r (step S120), and substitutes the value of variable w for variable p. (Step S121). Step S120 is called a boiling time zone determination step.

  And the control part 110 adds 1 to the variable m (step S122), and determines whether the variable m is larger than M (step S123). If the variable m is less than or equal to M (step S123; No), the process returns to step S118. If the variable m is greater than M (step S123; Yes), the control unit 110 sets the boiling time zone of each water heater 200 with the variable r. The sub time zone is set according to the combination pattern represented. And the control part 110 transmits the instruction | indication for performing boiling-up control to each water heater 200 based on this set boiling time slot | zone (step S124). Step S124 is called a boiling-up control step. Then, the process returns to step S101 in FIG.

  Next, the power peak calculation process performed in step S118 described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control unit 110 sets the heating time zone of each water heater 200 according to the combination pattern represented by the variable m, in the sub-time zone of the house 500 with the house number n and the time zone number t. The estimated value of the water heater electric power value is substituted into the two-dimensional array variable ekp [n] [t] (step S201). Control unit 110 obtains this estimated value by hot water heater power value estimation processing. Step S201 is called a water heater power value estimation step or a power estimation step.

  Here, the water heater power value estimation process is a process that is obtained using the data of the item “average water heater power” of the house 500 whose house number is n in the power history 121. For example, in the data of the house 500 whose house number is n, the hot water heater average power in the same operating state as the operating state of the hot water heater in the sub time zone whose time zone number is t in the combination pattern m is extracted from the power history 121, In this process, the average value of the extracted data is used as an estimated value of the water heater power value.

  Next, the control unit 110 initializes ejp [t], which is a one-dimensional array variable for work for obtaining the sum of the estimated values of the house power value, to 0 for all t (t = 1 to 16). (Step S202). And the control part 110 initializes pejp which is a variable which stores the peak of the sum total of the estimated value of a house electric power value to 0 (step S203).

  Next, the control unit 110 initializes a variable t representing the sub time zone number to 1 (step S204), and initializes a variable n representing the house number of the house 500 to 1 (step S205). Then, the control unit 110 adds, to the array variable ejp [t], a two-dimensional array variable ekp [n] [t] of the estimated value of the water heater power value and a two-dimensional array variable eep [ n] [t] is added (step S206).

  Then, the control unit 110 adds 1 to the variable n (step S207), and determines whether n is less than N + 1 (step S208). If n is less than N + 1 (step S208; Yes), the process returns to step S205. If n is N + 1 or more (step S208; No), the control unit 110 determines whether or not the variable pejp is less than the array variable ejp [t] (step S209). If the variable pejp is greater than or equal to the array variable ejp [t] (step S209; No), the process proceeds to step S211. If the variable pejp is less than the array variable ejp [t] (step S209; Yes), the value of the array variable ejp [t] is substituted into the variable pejp (step S210).

  And the control part 110 adds 1 to the variable t (step S211), and determines whether the variable t is less than 17 (step S212). If the variable t is less than 17 (step S212; Yes), the process returns to step S204. If the variable t is 17 or more (step S212; No), the control unit 110 substitutes the value of the variable pejp for the variable w (step S213), and ends the process.

  By the above power peak calculation process, the peak of the sum of the house power values of all the houses 500 in the specific range 600 when the boiling time zone is assigned by the combination pattern represented by the variable m is assigned to the variable w. Stored. In the control process described above, the combination pattern number when the value of the variable w is the smallest is stored in the variable r. Since control device 100 controls each water heater 200 based on the combination pattern represented by variable r in the allocation of the boiling time zone, it suppresses the peak of the sum of the house power of house 500 within specific range 600. be able to.

In the first embodiment described above, the specific time zone is divided into three sub time zones, but this division number is merely an example. It may be divided into two sub time zones, or may be divided into four or more sub time zones. In this case, if the number of divisions is D, the number of combination patterns in the boiling time zone is D to the Nth power when the heating operation mode is only the normal mode (if the suppression mode is also included in the heating operation mode) (2 × D) ^N ).

Further, in the above-described first embodiment, one sub time zone among the sub time zones obtained by dividing the specific time zone is set as the boiling time zone, but a plurality of sub time zones may be set as the boiling time zone. In this case, assuming that the number of divisions in the specific time zone is D, even if only one house 500 is considered, the combination pattern of the heating time zone is 2 ^D when the heating operation mode is set to the normal mode only. the kinds -1 (a 3 ^D -1 ways including also boiling suppression mode to the operating mode). Therefore, in N units, there are (2 ^D −1) ^N ways (when the suppression mode is included in the boiling operation mode, there are (3 ^D −1) ^N ways).

  Further, in the above-described first embodiment, in the control process, when there are a plurality of combination patterns that minimize the peak of the total power of the houses 500 in the specific range 600, the first combination pattern found is adopted, The boiling time zone is determined. However, instead of adopting only the first found pattern, it is also possible to adopt a pattern that differs depending on the day from among all combination patterns that minimize the peak. As a result, for example, the sub time zones allocated in a certain house 500 can be varied uniformly, and a situation in which the time zone is always the first time zone can be avoided. In consideration of the fact that the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 250 gradually decreases with the passage of time, when the boiling time zone is assigned to any of these three sub time zones, the hot water tank 250 is assigned to the third time zone. Is the most efficient, and assigning to the first time zone is the least efficient.

(Modification 1)
In the above-described control process, a pattern in which the peak of the sum of the house power values is the lowest is obtained from all the combination patterns in the boiling time period. However, when all the combination patterns are calculated, such as when the number of dwelling units is large or the number of divisions in a specific time zone is increased, it may take too much time. Therefore, a description will be given of the control device 101 according to the first modification that can set the reference value of the peak of the sum of the house power values.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the control device 101 according to the first modification, the control unit 110 includes a power reference value setting unit 115, and the storage unit 120 also stores a power reference value 122. Other functional configurations are the same as those of the control device 100 according to the first embodiment. The power reference value setting unit 115 sets a reference value that is an upper limit of the peak of the sum of all the house power values of the house 500 within the specific range 600 based on, for example, a user input from the input unit 131. This reference value is stored in the storage unit 120 as the power reference value 122. The power reference value setting unit 115 functions as a power reference value setting unit.

  The control process by the control device 101 is common except for a part of the control process by the control device 100, and therefore, will be described with reference to FIGS. The first half of the control process by the control device 101 is the same as the control process by the control device 100, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, the second half of the control process by the control device 101 is different in that step S131 is added after step S116 and step S132 is added after step S121.

  In step S131, the control unit 110 substitutes the power reference value 122 stored in the storage unit 120 for the variable k. In Step S132, control part 110 judges whether the value of variable k is less than variable p. If the value of the variable k is less than the variable p (step S132; Yes), the process proceeds to step S122. If the value of the variable k is equal to or greater than the variable p (step S132; No), the process proceeds to step S124.

  With this process, the control apparatus 101 according to the first modification proceeds to step S124 when it finds a combination that is equal to or less than the reference value k even when there are a large number of combination patterns, and thus calculates power peaks in all combination patterns. There is no need to do it. As a result, even when the number of combination patterns is very large, the process can be completed within a realistic time.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, control device 100 uses power history 121 to estimate the water heater power value in a specific time zone after the current time. This is estimation based on past power consumption, but more accurate estimation can be performed by using the current remaining hot water amount. Thus, Embodiment 2 using the remaining hot water amount will be described.

  In the control device 102 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 110 includes a remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116, and the storage unit 120 also stores a hot water consumption history 123. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 18, in hot water supply apparatus 202 according to Embodiment 2, the control unit 210 includes a remaining hot water amount transmission unit 214. Other functional configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 17, the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 acquires the remaining hot water amount of the hot water storage tank 250 of the hot water supply device 202 from the hot water supply device 202 via the communication unit 133. The remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 functions as a remaining hot water amount acquisition unit.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the hot water consumption history 123 is a history for the past two weeks of the daily hot water consumption in each house 500. In FIG. 19, the item “House” indicating the house number indicating the data of which house 500 the hot water consumption history 123 is, the item “Date” indicating the number of days ago, and the day of the week for each day. The item “day of the week” to be displayed and the item “volume of hot water to be consumed” indicating the amount of hot water consumed that day are included.

  The controller 102 causes the remaining hot water amount before the boiling start of the hot water heater 202 and the remaining hot water amount after the boiling end of the hot water heater 202 from the hot water heaters 202 of the house 500 in the specific range 600 to be obtained by the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116. get. Then, the amount of hot water consumed on the previous day is obtained by subtracting the amount of hot water before the start of boiling from the amount of hot water after the completion of boiling. The obtained hot water consumption is stored in the storage unit 120 as the hot water consumption history 123. And the control part 110 deletes from the hot water consumption log | history 123 about the hot water consumption 15 days or more ago.

  Returning to FIG. 18, the remaining hot water amount transmission unit 214 transmits the remaining hot water amount acquired by the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 236 to the control device 102 via the communication unit 233.

  The control processing by the control device 102 is the same as the control processing by the control device 100 according to the first embodiment in the range of FIGS. The difference from the control device 100 is the water heater power value estimation process in step S201 of the power peak calculation process described with reference to FIG. Therefore, the water heater power value estimation process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control part 110 of the control apparatus 102 sets the maximum value of the daily hot water consumption in the house 500 of the house number n to the variable ma in the past two weeks (step S301). The maximum daily hot water consumption in the house 500 of the house number n in the past two weeks can be acquired by referring to the hot water consumption history 123.

  Next, the control unit 110 multiplies the variable ma by the target hot water coefficient (step S302). The target hot water coefficient is a coefficient for adjusting the amount of hot water to be boiled up. Normally, 1 is used, but it may be changed according to the boiling time zone in the house 500 of the house number n. For example, when the heating time zone represented by the variable m indicating the combination pattern number is assigned to the house 500 of the house number n is the first time zone, the target hot water coefficient is set to 1.4 and the second time If it is a belt, the target hot water coefficient is set to 1.2.

  Next, the control unit 110 acquires the current remaining hot water amount in the house 500 of the house number n by the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116, and substitutes a value obtained by subtracting the remaining hot water amount from the variable ma into the variable ta (step S303). . The variable ta is an estimated value of the amount of boiling water in the house 500 having the house number n.

  Next, the control part 110 calculates | requires the estimated value of this boiling time by multiplying the boiling time per unit amount of hot water by the variable ta, and substitutes it for the variable ti (step S304). The control unit 110 may increase or decrease the value of the boiling time per unit hot water amount according to the temperature at that time and the temperature of the incoming water to the water heater. For example, since the air temperature and the water temperature are low in winter, the control unit 110 sets the boiling time per unit hot water to a value larger than the normal value.

  And the control part 110 allocates the part for the time of the variable ti to the boiling time slot | zone represented by the combination pattern number m allocated to the house 500 of the house number n. At this time, if the boiling time zone is the first time zone, it is assigned in order from 23 o'clock, if it is the second time zone, it is assigned so that 3 o'clock is the center, and if it is the third time zone, the boiling time is 7 o'clock. Assign to finish. Then, the boiling power of the water heater 202 is added to the two-dimensional array variable ekp [n] [t] indicated by the house number n and the sub time zone number t including the time corresponding to the allocated time. Is substituted (step S305). The value of the boiling power of the water heater 202 may be the rated value of the water heater 202, or may be obtained from the power history 121 as performed in step S201 in the first embodiment.

  In this way, the control unit 110 of the control device 102 according to the second embodiment uses the two-dimensional array variable ekp [n] [] as the estimated value of the water heater power value at the time zone number t in the house 500 of the house number n. t]. Since this value is more accurate than the estimated value obtained in step S201 of the first embodiment, the power peak can be more accurately suppressed.

(Modification 2)
In the control processing in the above-described embodiment, data for the past 14 days included in the power history 121 is used when obtaining the power value other than the water heater and the estimated value of the water heater power value. However, since the resident's behavior varies depending on the day of the week, it may be better to use only the data for the same day of the week. Therefore, a description will be given of the control device 102 according to the second modification that uses data of the same day in the past when obtaining the estimated values of these power values.

  The functional configuration of the control device 102 according to Modification 2 is the same as that of the control device 102 according to Embodiment 2, and is as shown in FIG.

  Since the control processing by the control device 102 according to the second modification is partially different from the control processing by the control device 102 according to the second embodiment, the different points are mainly used in FIGS. 21, 13, 14, and 22. I will explain. The first half of the control process by the control device 102 according to the modified example 2 is the same as the process described in FIG. 12 except that step S108 is replaced with step S141 and step S110 is replaced with step S142 as shown in FIG. The same.

  In step S141, control unit 110 adds 7 to variable d. As a result, data for the same day of the week is used. In step S142, control unit 110 substitutes sep [n] [t] / 2 for eep [n] [t], which is a two-dimensional array variable that stores an estimated value of the power value other than the hot water heater. Since there are two pieces of data for the same day of the week in the power history 121, the control device 102 according to the modified example 2 takes the average of the two pieces of data as a water heater in a specific time zone after the current time. Other than the estimated power value.

  The latter half of the control process by the control device 102 according to the second modification is the same as the latter half of the control process by the control device 102 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. Moreover, although the electric power peak calculation process by the control apparatus 102 which concerns on the modification 2 is as showing in FIG. 14, a part of water heater electric power value estimation process in step S201 differs. Therefore, the water heater power value estimation process will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the hot water heater power value estimation process by the control device 102 according to the modification 2 is the control device according to the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. 20 except that step S301 is replaced with step S311. This is the same as the hot water heater power value estimation process 102.

  In step S311, the control unit 110 refers to the hot water consumption history 123, and sets the larger value of the daily hot water consumption 14 days before and 7 days ago in the house 500 of the house number n to the variable ma. To do. With this process, the amount of hot water consumed on the same day of the week as the estimated day can be used. Other processes are the same as the water heater power value estimation process by the control device 102 according to the second embodiment described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the control unit 110 of the control device 102 according to the modified example 2 performs estimation of the water heater power value and the power value other than the water heater using the data of the same day in the past, and thus suppresses the power peak. Can be performed more accurately.

(Embodiment 3)
As described above, the HEMS controller 400 can manage the schedule of the residents of the house 500. Therefore, a third embodiment using this schedule information will be described.

  In the control device 103 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, the control unit 110 includes a schedule acquisition unit 117, and the storage unit 120 also stores each house schedule information 124. In the HEMS controller 401 according to Embodiment 3, the control unit 410 includes a schedule transmission unit 413 as shown in FIG. Other functional configurations of the third embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 23, the schedule acquisition unit 117 acquires schedule information indicating an action schedule of a resident of the house 500 from the HEMS controller 401 via the communication unit 133. The schedule acquisition unit 117 functions as a schedule acquisition unit.

  As shown in FIG. 25, each house schedule information 124 includes resident action schedule information in each house 500 within the specific range 600 and home appliance control information of the HEMS controller 400 based on the resident action schedule. In FIG. 25, the schedule information 421 includes an item “housing” indicating a house number indicating which house 500 data, an item “target” indicating a person scheduled for action, and a date / time indicating the date and time of the action schedule. ", And a" schedule "item indicating the content of the action schedule.

  The control device 103 acquires the schedule information 421 stored in the HEMS controller 401 from each HEMS controller 401 of the house 500 in the specific range 600 by the schedule acquisition unit 117 every day at, for example, 21:00, and stores each house schedule information. The information is stored in the storage unit 120 as 124.

  Returning to FIG. 24, the schedule transmission unit 413 transmits the schedule information 421 stored in the storage unit 420 to the control device 103 via the communication unit 433.

  The control process by the control device 103 uses each house schedule information 124 when calculating eep [n] [t], which is an estimated value of the power value other than the water heater in step S110 of FIG. 12, and the step of FIG. The point which changes the target hot water quantity coefficient in S302 using each house schedule information 124 differs from the control processing by the control apparatus 102 which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG.

  In step S110 of FIG. 12, control unit 110 refers to each house schedule information 124 and corrects eep [n] [t], which is an estimated value of the power value other than the water heater. For example, when the resident is absent on the day of the house 500 with the house number n, the value is reduced by multiplying the epeep [n] [t] by the absent coefficient. The absence coefficient is, for example, 0.5. Conversely, if there is an event that is expected to consume more power than usual, such as a party being held that day in house 500 with house number n, or a customer being invited, eep [n] [t ] Is multiplied by the event coefficient to increase the value. The event coefficient is, for example, 1.5.

  In step S302 of FIG. 20, the control unit 110 refers to each house schedule information 124 and corrects the value of the target hot water coefficient. For example, when the resident is absent on the day of the house 500 with the house number n, the target hot water coefficient is set to a value smaller than 1 such as 0.5. On the other hand, if it is expected that a resident in the house 500 of the house number n will participate in a sporting event on that day, participate in a morning exercise, etc. The value of the hot water quantity coefficient is set to a value larger than 1, for example 1.5.

  Thus, since the control part 110 of the control apparatus 103 which concerns on Embodiment 3 can also consider the schedule of the resident of each house 500, it can estimate a power value other than a water heater electric power value and a water heater, The power peak can be suppressed more accurately.

  In any of the above-described embodiments, the screen illustrated in FIG. 26 may be displayed on the display unit 132 of the control devices 100, 101, 102, and 103. In the screen shown in FIG. 26, the housing power value, which is the sum of the water heater power value estimated by the control unit 110 and the power value other than the water heater, and the sum of the water heater power values in each specific range 600 for each time. Values are shown graphically. This screen is displayed at the beginning of the process of step S124 of FIG. 13 or FIG. In addition, at the end of the process of step S124 of FIG. 13 or FIG. 16, the control devices 100, 101, 102, and 103 are not estimated values, but are sums of actual hot water heater power values and residential power values within the specific range 600. A screen showing the value for each time as a graph may be displayed on the display unit 132.

  Note that the above-described embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, by combining the configuration of the first modification with the second embodiment, it is possible to perform control processing using both information on the power reference value 122 and the hot water consumption history 123. The same applies to other embodiments and other modifications, and three or more of these can be combined at the same time.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the hardware of the control devices 100, 101, 102, and 103 according to the above-described embodiment includes a processor 810, a memory 820, and an interface 830. In the control unit 110 of the control devices 100, 101, 102, and 103, the processor 810 executes the program stored in the memory 820, so that the power acquisition unit 111, the power estimation unit 112, the boiling time zone determination unit 113, It functioned as each of the raising control part 114, the electric power reference value setting part 115, the remaining hot water quantity acquisition part 116, and the schedule acquisition part 117.

  However, in the present invention, the control unit 110 may be dedicated hardware. The dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a combination thereof. When the control unit 110 is dedicated hardware, the functions of the respective units may be realized by individual hardware, or the functions of the respective units may be collectively realized by a single hardware. In addition, although FIG. 27 shows an example in which the processor 810 and the memory 820 are each configured as one, a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories may execute the above functions in cooperation. The interface 830 is used for the control devices 100, 101, 102, and 103 to connect to other devices and establish communication, and may include a plurality of types of interfaces as necessary.

  In addition, some of the functions of each unit may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the other part may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the control unit 110 can realize the above-described functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

  By applying an operation program that defines the operation of the control devices 100, 101, 102, 103 according to the present invention to a computer such as an existing personal computer or an information terminal device, the computer is controlled by the control device 100, It is also possible to function as 101, 102, 103.

  Such a program distribution method is arbitrary, for example, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), or a computer-readable recording such as a memory card. It may be distributed by being stored in a medium or distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

  Various embodiments and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. The above-described embodiments are for explaining the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. In other words, the scope of the present invention is shown not by the embodiments but by the claims. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the equivalent invention are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control system, 100, 101, 102, 103 Control apparatus, 110, 210, 310, 410 Control part, 111 Electric power acquisition part, 112 Electric power estimation part, 113 Boiling time zone determination part, 114 Boiling control part, 115 Electric power Reference value setting unit, 116 Remaining hot water amount acquisition unit, 117 Schedule acquisition unit, 120, 220, 320, 420 Storage unit, 121 Electric power history, 122 Electric power reference value, 123 Hot water consumption history, 124 Each house schedule information, 131 input unit, 132, 232, 432 Display unit, 133, 233, 331, 433 Communication unit, 140, 240, 340, 440 Bus line, 200, 201, 202 Water heater, 211 Water heater power acquisition unit, 212 Water heater power transmission unit, 213 Boiling execution unit, 214 Remaining hot water amount transmission unit, 231 431 Production unit, 234 Water heater power measurement unit, 235 Heat pump unit, 236 Remaining hot water amount acquisition unit, 250 Hot water storage tank, 300, 301 Power meter, 311 Housing power acquisition unit, 312 Housing power transmission unit, 332 Housing power measurement unit, 400 , 401 HEMS controller, 411 schedule acquisition unit, 412 device control unit, 413 schedule transmission unit, 421 schedule information, 500, 501 house, 600 specific range, 700 network, 810 processor, 820 memory, 830 interface

In order to achieve the above object, a control device according to the present invention provides:
A control device for controlling each water heater installed in each of a plurality of houses,
Power acquisition means for acquiring a water heater power value that is a value of power consumption of each of the water heaters and a house power value that is a value of power consumption in each of the plurality of houses;
Based on the water heater power value and the house power value acquired by the power acquisition means, acquires a power value other than the water heater that is a value of power consumption other than the water heater in each of the plurality of houses, and after the current time Power estimation means for estimating the electric power value of the water heater and the electric power value other than the water heater in the specific time zone,
The specific time zone is divided into three sub-time zones, and in each of the allocation combinations indicating which of the sub-time zones the boiling time zone of each water heater is assigned, the power estimating means Estimating the peak of the sum of power consumed in the plurality of houses within the specific time period using the estimated water heater power value and the power value other than the water heater, and in each combination, Boiling time zones for determining the boiling time zones of the water heaters by determining the combination that makes the peak smaller than when all the boiling time zones of the machine are assigned to the same sub time zone A determination means;
Based on the boiling time zone determined by the boiling time zone determining means, boiling control means for controlling the boiling of each water heater,
Is provided.

Claims (11)

A control device for controlling each water heater installed in each of a plurality of houses,
Power acquisition means for acquiring a water heater power value that is a value of power consumption of each of the water heaters and a house power value that is a value of power consumption in each of the plurality of houses;
Based on the water heater power value and the house power value acquired by the power acquisition means, acquires a power value other than the water heater that is a value of power consumption other than the water heater in each of the plurality of houses, and after the current time Power estimation means for estimating the electric power value of the water heater and the electric power value other than the water heater in the specific time zone,
The specific time zone is divided into a plurality of sub-time zones, and the power estimation unit estimates each of the combinations of assignments indicating to which of the sub-time zones the boiling time zone of each water heater is assigned. The peak value of the sum total of the electric power consumed in the plurality of houses within the specific time period is estimated using the electric power value of the hot water heater and the electric power value other than the hot water heater. Boiling time zone determination that determines the boiling time zone of each of the water heaters by determining the combination that makes the peak smaller than when all the boiling time zones are assigned to the same sub time zone Means,
Based on the boiling time zone determined by the boiling time zone determining means, boiling control means for controlling the boiling of each water heater,
A control device comprising: The boiling control means can suppress the boiling capacity of each water heater,
The combination determined by the boiling time zone determining means also includes a combination when the boiling capacity of each water heater is suppressed,
The control device according to claim 1. A power reference value setting means for setting a reference value that is an upper limit of the peak of the total power consumed in the plurality of houses,
The boiling time zone determining means has a peak estimated by using the electric power value estimated by the electric power estimating means and an electric power value other than the hot water heater being equal to or less than a reference value set by the electric power reference value setting means. By determining the combination, the heating time zone of each water heater is determined.
The control device according to claim 1 or 2. The boiling time zone determination means determines the combination in which the peak estimated using the water heater power value estimated by the power estimation means and the power value other than the water heater is the smallest among all the combinations. By determining the boiling time zone of each water heater,
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Further comprising a remaining hot water amount acquisition means for acquiring the remaining hot water amount of each of the hot water supply devices,
The power estimation means estimates the hot water supply power value in the specific time period using the remaining hot water amount acquired by the remaining hot water amount acquisition means and the hot water supply power value acquired by the power acquisition means.
The control device according to claim 1. The power estimation means manages the water heater power value and the house power value acquired by the power acquisition means for each day of the week, and is based on the water heater power value and the house power value on the same day of the week as the day of estimation. , Estimating the power value of the water heater and the power value other than the water heater in the specific time zone,
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A schedule acquisition means for acquiring schedule information indicating a resident's action schedule in each of the plurality of houses;
The power estimation unit estimates the power supply value of the water heater and the power value other than the water heater in the specific time zone using the schedule information acquired by the schedule acquisition unit.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The apparatus further comprises display means for displaying the water heater power value and the power value other than the water heater in the specific time zone estimated by the power estimating means.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Each of the water heaters installed in each of the plurality of houses, each power measuring device installed in each of the plurality of houses, and a control device that controls each of the water heaters,
Each water heater is
Water heater power transmission means for transmitting a water heater power value, which is a value of power consumed by the water heater, to the control device;
A boiling execution means for boiling hot water according to an instruction from the control device,
Each power meter is
Housing power transmission means for transmitting a house power value, which is a value of power consumption in the house, to the control device;
The control device includes:
Power acquisition means for acquiring the water heater power value from each of the water heaters, and acquiring the house power value from each of the power measuring devices;
Based on the water heater power value and the house power value acquired by the power acquisition means, acquire a power value other than the water heater that is a value of power consumption other than the water heater in each of the houses, and specify after the current time Power estimation means for estimating the electric power value of the water heater in the time zone and the electric power value other than the water heater;
The specific time zone is divided into a plurality of sub-time zones, and the power estimation unit estimates each of the combinations of assignments indicating to which of the sub-time zones the boiling time zone of each water heater is assigned. The peak value of the sum total of the electric power consumed in the plurality of houses within the specific time period is estimated using the electric power value of the hot water heater and the electric power value other than the hot water heater. Boiling time zone determination that determines the boiling time zone of each of the water heaters by determining the combination that makes the peak smaller than when all the boiling time zones are assigned to the same sub time zone Means,
Heating control means for controlling the heating of each of the water heaters based on the heating time zone determined by the boiling time zone determination means,
Control system. A control method for controlling each water heater installed in each of a plurality of houses,
The plurality of houses based on a water heater power value that is a power consumption value of each of the water heaters installed in each of the plurality of houses and a house power value that is a value of power consumption in each of the plurality of houses. A power estimation step of obtaining a power value other than the water heater that is a value of power consumption other than the water heater in each of the above, and estimating the power value of the water heater and the power value other than the water heater in a specific time zone after the current time;
The specific time zone is divided into a plurality of sub time zones, and estimation is performed in the power estimation step in each of the combination of assignments indicating to which of the sub time zones the boiling time zone of each water heater is assigned. Estimating the sum of power consumed in the plurality of houses within the specific time period using the water heater power value and the power value other than the water heater, and in each combination, Boiling time zones for determining the boiling time zones of the water heaters by determining the combination that makes the peak smaller than when all the boiling time zones of the machine are assigned to the same sub time zone A decision step;
On the basis of the boiling time zone determined in the boiling time zone determining step, the boiling control step for controlling the boiling of each water heater,
Control method. A computer of a control device that controls each water heater installed in each of a plurality of houses,
Based on a water heater power value that is a value of power consumption of each of the water heaters and a house power value that is a value of power consumption of each of the plurality of houses, power consumption other than the water heater in each of the plurality of houses A power estimation unit that obtains a power value other than the water heater that is a value, and estimates the power value of the water heater and a power value other than the water heater in a specific time zone after the current time, and
The specific time zone is divided into a plurality of sub-time zones, and the power estimation unit estimates each of the combinations of assignments indicating to which of the sub-time zones the boiling time zone of each water heater is assigned. The peak value of the sum total of the electric power consumed in the plurality of houses within the specific time period is estimated using the electric power value of the hot water heater and the electric power value other than the hot water heater. By determining the combination that makes the peak smaller than when all the boiling time zones are assigned to the same sub time zone, the boiling time zone of each water heater is determined, and the determined boiling time is determined. A boiling control means for controlling the boiling of each of the water heaters based on the raising time zone,
Program to function as.

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