WO2011095856A2 - Electric power monitoring system - Google Patents

Electric power monitoring system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011095856A2
WO2011095856A2 PCT/IB2011/000083 IB2011000083W WO2011095856A2 WO 2011095856 A2 WO2011095856 A2 WO 2011095856A2 IB 2011000083 W IB2011000083 W IB 2011000083W WO 2011095856 A2 WO2011095856 A2 WO 2011095856A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
power
unit
time
information
notification
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PCT/IB2011/000083
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
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WO2011095856A3 (en
Inventor
本間 義久
晶子 高宮
森本 直久
Original Assignee
パナソニック電工株式会社
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Priority claimed from JP2010021865A external-priority patent/JP2011160606A/en
Priority claimed from JP2010021866A external-priority patent/JP2011160607A/en
Application filed by パナソニック電工株式会社 filed Critical パナソニック電工株式会社
Publication of WO2011095856A2 publication Critical patent/WO2011095856A2/en
Publication of WO2011095856A3 publication Critical patent/WO2011095856A3/en

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    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01DMEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D7/00Indicating measured values
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01DMEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D4/00Tariff metering apparatus
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01DMEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D2204/00Indexing scheme relating to details of tariff-metering apparatus
    • G01D2204/40Networks; Topology
    • G01D2204/45Utility meters networked together within a single building

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a power monitoring system for monitoring power consumed by a power consumer.
  • the amount of carbon dioxide emission can be made almost zero. Therefore, each electric power company is trying to increase the ratio of the amount of power generation by the power generation method using the renewable energy in the total power generation amount. And if the proportion of power generation using renewable energy is low, power consumers refrain from consuming electricity, and if the power consumer consumes power when the proportion of power generation is high, the result is Emissions can be reduced.
  • wind power generation and solar power generation vary in power generation amount depending on time of day and weather, and the ratio of power generation amount by a power generation method using renewable energy also changes according to the variation in the power generation amount.
  • This invention is made
  • the present invention provides a power monitoring system capable of easily knowing a time zone in which electricity can be used at low cost.
  • a power monitoring system for notifying information to the notification means.
  • the control means includes storage means for storing the power information received by the communication means, and clock means for measuring time, and the power information is a time zone in the electricity bill system for each time zone of the power company. Information on another unit price of electricity, received by the communication unit through a network, and the control unit, based on the power information, the unit price of the electricity rate in the time zone to which the time measured by the clock unit belongs, and the time You may make it alert
  • zone According to such a configuration, since the electricity bill unit price for the time zone to which the time measured by the clock means belongs and the electricity bill unit price for the next time zone following the time zone are notified by the notification means, it is inexpensive.
  • control unit may cause the notification unit to notify the remaining time until switching from the unit price of the previous time zone to the unit price of the next time zone.
  • the control means includes storage means for storing the power information received by the communication means, and clock means for measuring time, wherein the power information is a total amount of power supplied by the power company. It is information indicating the correspondence between the ratio of the amount of power generated using renewable energy and time and received by the communication means through a network, and the control means is based on the correspondence You may make it make the said alerting
  • the proportion of the amount of electric power generated using renewable energy out of the total amount of electric power supplied by the electric power company is notified from the notification means according to each time.
  • Electricity consumers can easily know the proportion of power generation using possible energy.
  • the control unit may cause the notification unit to notify the notification unit of an advance notice of the change in the ratio before changing the ratio to be notified to the notification unit.
  • the ratio may be divided into a plurality of classes, and the notification unit may notify the plurality of classes in different modes.
  • FIG. 10 is a sequence chart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.
  • the power monitoring system connects a home equipment A installed in each dwelling unit and a mobile terminal PT (terminal device) outside the home via a center device SV (server) via the Internet NT (network). ) And configured.
  • the in-home equipment A is connected to the integrated management panel 1 via the integrated management panel 1 installed in the house, the electric line Lp for supplying commercial power, and the information transmission line Lj.
  • the integrated management panel 1 and the terminal device constitute a home network using a general-purpose communication protocol (for example, TCP / IP, HTTP, etc.).
  • the personal computer PC and the display control device CV correspond to the display means.
  • This home network is, for example, a local area network (LAN) conforming to the 100BASE-TX (IEEE802.3u) standard and the like, and an integrated device described later corresponding to a layer 2 switch or a layer 3 switch in the integrated management panel 1
  • a terminal device personal computer PC and display control device CV
  • the integrated device TM has an Internet connection function corresponding to the type of line (telephone line, CATV line, optical fiber line, etc.) for connecting to the Internet NT, and the home network is connected via this integrated device TM.
  • the terminal device constituting the home network may be a television receiver having a web browser function.
  • a center device SV installed outside the home is connected to the home network via the Internet NT. Then, as will be described later, by performing data communication via the Internet NT between the portable terminal device (portable terminal PT) and the center device SV, for example, the home electric appliance from the outside using the portable terminal PT Can be controlled and monitored.
  • this type of portable terminal PT includes a notebook personal computer, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a smart phone, and the like that can be connected to the Internet NT and have a web browser function. .
  • the center device SV is composed of a general-purpose computer device having a network function, and does not belong to the home network from the integrated management panel 1 or a message addressed to the integrated management panel 1 transmitted from the portable terminal PT via the Internet NT. It has a function of relaying a message transmitted to a terminal device (for example, a portable terminal PT). Further, the center device SV includes an information database, and power information of the power company is stored in the information database. As shown in FIG. 3, the power information includes the amount of power generated using renewable energy among the total amount of commercial power supplied by the power company (the amount of power generated by solar power generation or wind power generation). ) Is a piece of information (hereinafter simply referred to as “power ratio”) and a correspondence relationship between time and time.
  • power ratio a piece of information
  • the power information is information expected based on the next day's weather (weather forecast) or the like, and is updated by the power company every 24 hours, that is, once a day.
  • the center device SV distributes the updated power information to the energy management unit 3 via the Internet NT.
  • the integrated management panel 1 has a main breaker Bs that receives commercial power supplied from an electric power company on the primary side, and a plurality of terminals (only three are shown in FIG. 1) that are inserted from the secondary circuit of the main breaker Bs.
  • the current measurement unit 2 periodically measures the main power measuring unit 2a that regularly measures the main power supplied via the main breaker Bs and the value of the branch current flowing through each branch breaker Bmn for each branch breaker.
  • a control unit 2b that outputs data to the energy management unit 3 as detection information.
  • the main power measuring unit 2a includes a main current measuring unit CTs that periodically measures the main current flowing through the main circuit breaker Bs, and a power calculating unit EPO that calculates the amount of electric power based on the measured value of the main current, By converting the measured value of the main current measured by the main current measuring unit CTs into the electric energy by the electric power calculating unit EPO, the main electric energy supplied through the main circuit breaker Bs is calculated.
  • the energy management unit 3 includes a calculation unit 3a and a control unit 3b. Based on the branch current measurement data for each branch breaker Bmn received from the power measurement unit 2, the calculation unit 3 a calculates the branch power amount supplied through each branch breaker Bmn.
  • the control unit 3b generates image data representing the main power amount calculated by the power calculation unit EPO and the branch power amount calculated by the calculation unit 3a.
  • the control unit 3b pre-registers information on the electrical equipment Xmn connected to each branch breaker Bmn (for example, usage, installation location, stop-time branch current, etc.) and is input from the calculation unit 3a.
  • the data storage unit 3d that sequentially stores the main power amount and the branch power amount (usage power amount) for each branch breaker Bmn in time series, and the terminal device (display control device CV, personal computer PC, portable terminal PT, etc.) from the integrated device TM
  • image data for displaying various amounts of electricity used such as the main power amount and the branch power amount for each branch circuit
  • the control unit 3b is connected to the integrated device TM, the electric device controller C1, and the like in the integrated management panel 1 via a LAN cable.
  • the image data generation unit 3c creates web content (web page) as image data for displaying various types of electricity usage such as the main power amount and the branch power amount for each branch circuit, and the terminal device (display control device CV or It has a function (web server function) for providing (distributing) desired web content to a terminal device in response to a request from a pan-con PC or a portable terminal PT.
  • the data storage unit 3d stores, as the data of the branch breaker Bmn, the name of the electrical equipment connected to the branch breaker Bmn and the information on the use location thereof, such as an air conditioner (air conditioner) and a floor heating facility.
  • the name of the corresponding electrical device is stored.
  • each branch breaker for example, a lighting fixture, a television, a hot water supply) Etc.
  • the main place of use and the name of the electrical equipment (for example, hot carpet and iron) that the user is likely to use by connecting to each branch breaker and the place of use are set.
  • an air conditioner X21 provided in the room R2 (for example, a child room) is connected to the branch breaker B21, and power is supplied through the electric circuit Lp21.
  • an air conditioner X31 provided in a room R3 (for example, a bedroom) is connected to the branch breaker B31, and power is supplied through the electric circuit Lp31.
  • the branch breaker B51 is connected to an outlet provided in the room R5 (for example, a Japanese-style room) (an outlet to which an electric device used in the room R5 is connected), and supplies power through the electric circuit Lp51.
  • the integrated device TM is connected to the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 in the panel, the electric device controller C1, and the personal computer outside the panel via a LAN cable (enhanced category 5 or category 6 LAN cable).
  • a PC and a display control device CV are connected to the center device SV, a mobile terminal PT such as a mobile phone, or other terminal devices through the Internet NT.
  • This integrated device TM has a packet processing function, a path switching function, a network security function, a UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) control point function, and the like, and controls data exchange in the network.
  • the electrical device controller C1 has an interface function with the integrated device TM and an interface function with an electrical device Xmn that conforms to, for example, the Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association (JEMA) unified standard.
  • JEMA Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association
  • each electrical device Xmn for example, an air conditioner or a floor heating facility
  • It has a function (control function) to control and switch between operation and stop.
  • the electrical device controller C1 when the electrical device controller C1 receives a monitoring request message from the terminal device via the integrated device TM, the electrical device controller C1 operates (runs [lit] or stops [turns off] each electrical device Xmn via the information transmission path Lj. ) Individually, and a function (monitoring) that transmits a response to the control request and the monitoring request (operation state of each electrical device Xmn) to the terminal device that is the transmission source of the request message via the integrated device TM. Function).
  • the electric device controller C1 stores in advance device name information of the electric device Xmn under its control, name information of the room Rm, and the like, and displays the name and operation state of the electric device Xmn with characters and symbols.
  • the power monitoring system of the present embodiment includes one or more notification terminals 5 that notify the user (resident) of the above-described power information.
  • the notification terminal 5 includes a terminal control unit 50, a wireless communication unit 51, a display unit 52, and an operation input unit 53, which are housed in a synthetic resin housing (not shown). .
  • the notification terminal 5 is placed on the desk or placed on the wall by being hung on a wall.
  • the terminal control unit 50 includes a microcomputer as a main component, and includes a data storage unit 50a made of an electrically rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory.
  • the radio communication unit 51 transmits and receives radio signals using radio waves as a medium in accordance with, for example, “radio station for low power data communication system” defined in Article 6, Paragraph 4, Item 4 of the Japanese Radio Law Enforcement Regulations. For example, it is composed of a commercially available LSI for low-power wireless communication.
  • the operation input unit 53 includes a push button switch and the like, and outputs an operation signal to the terminal control unit 50 when the push button switch is pressed.
  • the display unit 52 uses, for example, a light emitting diode as a light source, and transmits light emitted from the light emitting diode from a transmission unit formed in the housing.
  • the transmissive portion represents various display elements (pictograms) such as figures, symbols, and pictures, and these display elements are lit and displayed on the front surface of the housing when light is transmitted.
  • pictograms display elements
  • the right three pictograms PM1 to PM3 are light-emitting displayed.
  • the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 in the present embodiment is provided with a wireless communication unit 3e for wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 51 of the notification terminal 5.
  • the control part 3b has the clock means (timer) 3f which time-measures time.
  • the control part 3b is the alerting
  • the center device SV When the center device SV receives the next day's power information from the power company, the center device SV notifies the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 of the power information via the integrated device TM via the Internet NT.
  • the control unit 3b stores the power information notified from the center device SV in the data storage unit 3d.
  • the control unit 3b refers to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d, and the power ratio corresponding to the time zone of 0: 00-2: 00 (10% in FIG.
  • the control unit 3b gives the control command of level 1 to the notification terminal 5.
  • the notification terminal 5 when the wireless communication unit 51 receives the wireless signal, the terminal control unit 50 receives a control command included in the wireless signal.
  • the terminal control unit 50 controls the display unit 52 in accordance with the control command, thereby causing the display unit 52 to notify (display) the power ratio corresponding to the time zone of 0:00 to 2:00. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4A, only the rightmost pictogram PM1 is displayed in a light emitting manner. Further, when the time counted by the timer 3f reaches 2:00, the control unit 3b refers to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d, and the power ratio corresponding to the time zone of 2: 00-4: 00. (10% in FIG. 3) is read, and a radio signal including a control command of level 1 corresponding to the read power ratio value is transmitted from the radio communication unit 3e to each notification terminal 5.
  • the power ratio corresponding to each time zone is read, and a radio signal including a control command of a level corresponding to the read power ratio value is wirelessly communicated. It transmits to each notification terminal 5 from the part 3e.
  • the terminal control unit 50 of the notification terminal 5 controls the display unit 52 according to the control command included in the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 51, and notifies the display unit 52 of the power ratio corresponding to each time zone. (Display).
  • the power monitoring system includes network communication means (integrated apparatus TM in the present embodiment) that receives power information transmitted from the center apparatus SV through the network, and the network communication means that receives the power information.
  • Storage means for storing power information data storage unit 3d of the energy management unit 3 in the present embodiment
  • clock means for measuring time timer 3f of the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 in the present embodiment
  • a notification means notification terminal 5 in the present embodiment
  • the power information is information indicating a correspondence relationship between the ratio of the amount of power generated using renewable energy to the total power amount supplied by the power company and time.
  • a control means (control part 3b of the energy management unit 3 in this embodiment) makes the said notification means alert
  • the power ratio is divided into five classes (level 1 to level 5), and the display unit 52 of the notification terminal 5 displays each class (level 1 to level 5) in a different mode, for example, a light emitting display.
  • Notification is made by the difference in the number of pictographs PMi to be performed.
  • the power ratio notified by the notification terminal 5 is only the current level as described above, it is impossible to know what time the power ratio changes. Therefore, before the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 changes the power ratio to be notified to the notification terminal 5, it is desirable to cause the notification terminal 5 to notify the notification terminal 5 of the change notification of the power ratio. For example, as shown in FIG.
  • a pictogram PM6 indicating a power ratio corresponding to a time zone to which the current time belongs
  • a pictomark PM7 indicating a power ratio corresponding to the next time zone following the time zone
  • a pictogram PM8 indicating the remaining time from the current time to the start time of the next time zone is displayed on the display unit 52 so as to emit light.
  • the pictogram PM8 is formed by dividing a right-pointing arrow into four parts, and notifies the remaining time by increasing the number of light emission displays from left to right every 30 minutes. In this case, the notice is given by the pictograph PM7 indicating the power ratio corresponding to the next time zone and the pictograph PM8 indicating the remaining time.
  • the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 refers to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d and corresponds to the time zone.
  • the power ratio and the power ratio corresponding to the next time slot following the time slot are read out, and wireless signals including two types of control commands corresponding to the two read power ratio values are sent from the radio communication unit 3e. It transmits to each notification terminal 5.
  • the terminal control unit 50 of the notification terminal 5 receives the control command included in the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 51, the terminal control unit 50 controls the display unit 52 according to the control command, whereby the above-described three types of pictograms PM6. ⁇ Make PM8 flash.
  • the terminal control unit 50 starts the time limit (countdown) of the built-in timer 3f from the time when the control command is received, and controls only the display content of the pictograph PM8 by controlling the display unit 52 every 30 minutes. That is, the number of light emission displays from the left to the right is increased.
  • the notice notification as described above is notified (displayed) on the display unit 52 of the notification terminal 5, it is possible to easily know what time the power ratio changes. As a result, it is possible to promote the use of power in a time zone where the power ratio is relatively high, thereby contributing to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
  • Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
  • the general configuration of the power monitoring system of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
  • the power information stored in the center device SV and the display on the display unit 52 are different from those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, overlapping description will be avoided and different parts will be mainly described.
  • the power information is an electricity bill system based on a contract with a power company (unit price of electricity bill for each time zone).
  • the display unit 52 includes a display device called a 7-segment LED, and displays the unit price of electricity as power information on the two display devices 52a and 52b as shown in FIG. It should be noted that the unit price of electricity charges in the time zone including the current time is displayed on one (left side) display device 52a, and the unit price of electricity charges in the next time zone is displayed on the other (right side) display device 52b. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the display unit 52 displays a pictogram PM in the shape of an arrow as a light emission display.
  • This pictograph PM is formed by dividing a right-pointing arrow into four parts, and notifies the remaining time by increasing the number of light emission displays from left to right every 30 minutes.
  • the pictograph PM displays light by transmitting light emitted from the light emitting diode from a transmissive portion formed in the housing, and the transmissive portion is shaped like an arrow.
  • the display unit 52 displays the remaining time as a numerical value on the display device 52c arranged under the pictogram PM.
  • the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 in the present embodiment is based on the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d (correspondence between the time and the electricity unit price) at the time measured by the timer 3f.
  • the corresponding electricity bill unit price is notified to the notification terminal 5 as notification means.
  • details of an operation for informing the notification terminal 5 of the power ratio will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG.
  • the center device SV receives power information from an electric power company, which is made up of an electricity bill system (electricity unit price for each time zone) with which each house (electric power consumer) has contracted, via the integrated device TM via the Internet NT.
  • the power information is notified to the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3.
  • the control unit 3b stores the power information notified from the center device SV in the data storage unit 3d.
  • the control unit 3b refers to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d and refers to the unit price of the electric charge corresponding to the time zone and the time The unit price of electricity bill corresponding to the next time zone following the band is read, and a control command including the two read electricity bill unit prices is transmitted from the wireless communication unit 3e to each notification terminal 5 by a wireless signal.
  • the notification terminal 5 when the wireless communication unit 51 receives the wireless signal, the terminal control unit 50 receives a control command included in the wireless signal.
  • the terminal control unit 50 controls the display unit 52 according to the control command, thereby causing one display device 52a to display (notify) the electricity unit price (for example, xxx) corresponding to the current time zone.
  • the display device 52b displays (informs) the electricity unit price (for example, yyy) corresponding to the next time zone.
  • the terminal control unit 50 starts the time limit (countdown) of the built-in timer from the time when the control command is received, and changes the display content of the pictogram PM by controlling the display unit 52 every 30 minutes (from the left).
  • the display content (remaining time) of the display device 52c is changed.
  • the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 uses the time measured by the timer 3f as the start time of each time zone (6:00, 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16: (00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00), referring to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d, each unit price of electricity bill corresponding to each time zone and the next time zone And a control command including the read electricity bill unit price is transmitted to each notification terminal 5 from the wireless communication unit 3e by a wireless signal.
  • the terminal control unit 50 of the notification terminal 5 controls the display unit 52 in accordance with the control command included in the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 51, and the unit price of electricity bill and the next time corresponding to the current time zone.
  • the display unit 52 is informed (displayed) of the unit price of the electricity charge corresponding to the band and the remaining time until the next time zone is reached.
  • the information on the electricity rate unit price by time zone in the electricity rate system by time zone of the power company is the power information.
  • the control means in this embodiment, the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3
  • the informing means is informed of the electricity rate unit price of the next time zone following the time zone.
  • the notification means (notification terminal 5) since the electricity unit price in the time zone to which the time measured by the clock means 3f belongs and the electricity rate unit price in the next time zone following the time period are notified by the notification means (notification terminal 5), it is inexpensive. It is easy to know when the electricity can be used. In addition, in the present embodiment, the remaining time until switching from the previous time zone to the next time zone is notified (displayed) by the notification terminal 5, which is convenient.
  • the notification terminal 5 in the present embodiment notifies the unit price of electricity bill and the remaining time using only light, but may notify using sound (buzzer sound, voice message, etc.) instead of only light. .
  • the power information provided from the power company is notified to the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 via the center device SV, but is installed in each dwelling unit (power consumer) by the power company.
  • the smart meter SM may notify the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3.
  • the smart meter SM is a watt-hour meter having a two-way communication function with an electric power company and an electric appliance management device in a building.
  • the electric power information distributed from the electric power company to the smart meter is stored in the energy management unit 3. It can be transmitted wirelessly to the control unit 3b.

Abstract

Disclosed is an electric power monitoring system which is provided with: power distribution equipment which distributes electric power supplied by an electric power company to a building; a measurement means which measures the amount of electric power supplied by the power distribution equipment and consumed in the building; a communication means which receives electric power information; a notification means which notifies various information; and a control means which makes a display means display the electric power information measured by the measurement means. The control means notifies the notification means about the electric power information.

Description

電力監視システムPower monitoring system
 本発明は、電力需要家で消費される電力を監視する電力監視システムに関する。 The present invention relates to a power monitoring system for monitoring power consumed by a power consumer.
 地球温暖化の原因である二酸化炭素の排出量を削減するためには、電力需要家(事務所や住宅など)における消費電力の削減(省電力)を促進する必要がある。そして、このような省電力を促進する一つの手段として、特許文献1に記載されている電力監視システムが提案されている。特許文献1に記載されている従来システムは、電力会社から供給される商用電源を宅内に分岐配線するための分電盤内で複数の分岐回路毎の消費電力(電気使用量)を計測し、各分岐回路毎の消費電力を宅内の居間などに設置されているモニタ装置に表示させている。つまり、当該住宅の住人に対して宅内における電力(電気エネルギー)の使用状況を「見える化」することにより、不要な電灯を消灯するといった省エネ行動を当該住人がとるように促すことが期待できる。
特開2009−130983号公報
In order to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide, which is a cause of global warming, it is necessary to promote the reduction of power consumption (power saving) in power consumers (offices and houses). And the electric power monitoring system described in patent document 1 is proposed as one means of promoting such power saving. The conventional system described in Patent Document 1 measures power consumption (electricity consumption) for each of a plurality of branch circuits in a distribution board for branching and wiring commercial power supplied from an electric power company, The power consumption for each branch circuit is displayed on a monitor device installed in the living room of the house. In other words, it can be expected that the resident of the house is encouraged to take an energy-saving action such as turning off unnecessary lights by “visualizing” the usage status of electric power (electric energy) in the house.
JP 2009-130983 A
 ところで、風力発電や太陽光発電、水力発電などの再生可能エネルギーを利用した発電方式によれば、二酸化炭素の排出量をほぼゼロにすることができる。そのために各電力会社では、総発電量のうちで前記再生可能エネルギーを利用した発電方式による発電量の占める割合を増やそうとしている。そして、再生可能エネルギーを利用した発電量の割合が低いときには電力需要家が電力の消費を控え、当該発電量の割合が高いときに電力需要家が電力を消費すれば、結果的に二酸化炭素の排出量を削減することができる。
 しかしながら、風力発電や太陽光発電は時間帯や天候によって発電量が変動するものであり、再生可能エネルギーを利用した発電方式による発電量の割合も前記発電量の変動に応じて変化する。しかしながら、再生可能エネルギーを利用した発電量の割合を電力需要家が簡単に知る術が無いため、当該割合が高いときに積極的に電力を消費させることは困難であった。
 一方、電力会社においては電力需要の平準化を図るために時間帯別の電気料金体系を採用している。すなわち、昼間の電力需要に比べて深夜の電力需要が大きく減少するので、深夜の時間帯の電気料金単価を昼間の時間帯の電気料金単価よりも低く設定し、昼間の電力需要を減らして深夜の電力需要を増やすことで1日の電力需要の平準化が図れる。しかも、電力需要が平準化されることによって電力会社の発電設備を効率よく運転することができるために二酸化炭素の排出量削減に寄与することができる。また、電力需要家にとっては安価な時間帯に電気を使用することによって電気料金が節約できるという利点がある。
 そこで、現在時刻を含む時間帯の電気料金単価をモニタ装置で表示すれば、電気料金単価が安価である時間帯に電気を使用するように促すことができる。しかしながら、現在の電気料金単価を表示するだけでは何時電気を使用すれば電気料金を安くすることができるかが判り難いという問題があった。
By the way, according to the power generation method using renewable energy such as wind power generation, solar power generation, and hydroelectric power generation, the amount of carbon dioxide emission can be made almost zero. Therefore, each electric power company is trying to increase the ratio of the amount of power generation by the power generation method using the renewable energy in the total power generation amount. And if the proportion of power generation using renewable energy is low, power consumers refrain from consuming electricity, and if the power consumer consumes power when the proportion of power generation is high, the result is Emissions can be reduced.
However, wind power generation and solar power generation vary in power generation amount depending on time of day and weather, and the ratio of power generation amount by a power generation method using renewable energy also changes according to the variation in the power generation amount. However, since there is no way for electric power consumers to easily know the proportion of power generation using renewable energy, it is difficult to actively consume power when the proportion is high.
On the other hand, electric power companies adopt a time-based electricity rate system in order to equalize power demand. In other words, since the power demand at midnight is greatly reduced compared to the power demand at daytime, the unit price of electricity during the midnight hours is set lower than the unit price of electricity during the daytime hours to reduce the demand for electricity during the daytime to By increasing the electricity demand, the level of daily power demand can be leveled. Moreover, since the power generation facilities of the electric power company can be operated efficiently by leveling the electric power demand, it is possible to contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, there is an advantage for electric power consumers that electricity charges can be saved by using electricity in an inexpensive time zone.
Therefore, if the electricity bill unit price in the time zone including the current time is displayed on the monitor device, it can be urged to use electricity in the time zone where the electricity bill unit price is low. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to know when the electricity can be reduced by simply displaying the current electricity unit price.
 本発明は上記事情に鑑みて為されたものであり、再生可能エネルギーを利用して発電された電力の消費を促進させることができる電力監視システムを提供する。
 また、本発明は安価に電気が使用できる時間帯を容易に知ることができる電力監視システムを提供する。
 本発明の第1側面によれば、電力会社から供給される電力を建物内に配電する配電設備と、前記配電設備より配電されて前記建物内で消費される電力量を計測する計測手段と、電力情報を受信する通信手段と、種々の情報を報知する報知手段と、前記計測手段で計測される前記電力量の情報を前記表示手段に表示させる制御手段とを備え、前記制御手段は前記電力情報を前記通知手段に通知させる電力監視システムを提供する。
 前記制御手段は、前記通信手段で受信する前記電力情報を記憶する記憶手段と、時刻を計時する時計手段と、を備え、前記電力情報は、前記電力会社の時間帯別電気料金体系における時間帯別の電気料金単価の情報であり、ネットワークを通じて前記通信手段で受信され、前記制御手段は、前記電力情報に基づき、前記時計手段で計時される時刻が属する時間帯の電気料金単価と、当該時間帯に続く次の時間帯の電気料金単価とを前記報知手段に報知させるようにしても良い。
 このような構成によれば、時計手段で計時される時刻が属する時間帯の電気料金単価と、当該時間帯に続く次の時間帯の電気料金単価とが報知手段で報知されるので、安価に電気が使用できる時間帯を容易に知ることができる。
 また、前記制御手段は、前記先の時間帯の電気料金単価から前記次の時間帯の電気料金単価に切り替わるまでの残り時間を前記報知手段に報知させるようにしても良い。
 また、前記制御手段は、前記通信手段で受信する前記電力情報を記憶する記憶手段と、時刻を計時する時計手段と、を備え、前記電力情報は、前記電力会社が供給する総電力量のうちで再生可能エネルギーを利用して発電された電力量が占める割合と、時刻との対応関係を示す情報であり、ネットワークを通じて前記通信手段で受信され、前記制御手段は、前記対応関係に基づき、前記時計手段で計時される時刻に対応した前記割合を前記報知手段に報知させるようにしても良い。
 このような構成によれば、電力会社が供給する総電力量のうちで再生可能エネルギーを利用して発電された電力量が占める割合がそれぞれの時刻に応じて報知手段から報知されるので、再生可能エネルギーを利用した発電量の割合を電力需要家が簡単に知ることができる。その結果、再生可能エネルギーを利用して発電された電力の消費を促進させることができる。
 前記制御手段は、前記報知手段に報知させる前記割合を変化させる前に、当該割合の変化を予告する予告報知を前記報知手段に報知させるようにしても良い。
 好ましくは、前記割合が複数の階級に分割されており、前記報知手段は、複数の前記階級をそれぞれ異なる態様で報知するようにしても良い。
This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, and provides the electric power monitoring system which can accelerate | stimulate consumption of the electric power generated using renewable energy.
In addition, the present invention provides a power monitoring system capable of easily knowing a time zone in which electricity can be used at low cost.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a distribution facility for distributing power supplied from an electric power company in a building, a measuring means for measuring the amount of power distributed from the distribution facility and consumed in the building, A communication unit that receives power information; a notification unit that notifies various types of information; and a control unit that displays information on the amount of power measured by the measurement unit on the display unit. Provided is a power monitoring system for notifying information to the notification means.
The control means includes storage means for storing the power information received by the communication means, and clock means for measuring time, and the power information is a time zone in the electricity bill system for each time zone of the power company. Information on another unit price of electricity, received by the communication unit through a network, and the control unit, based on the power information, the unit price of the electricity rate in the time zone to which the time measured by the clock unit belongs, and the time You may make it alert | report the said electricity bill unit price of the next time slot | zone following a belt | band | zone.
According to such a configuration, since the electricity bill unit price for the time zone to which the time measured by the clock means belongs and the electricity bill unit price for the next time zone following the time zone are notified by the notification means, it is inexpensive. It is easy to know when the electricity can be used.
In addition, the control unit may cause the notification unit to notify the remaining time until switching from the unit price of the previous time zone to the unit price of the next time zone.
The control means includes storage means for storing the power information received by the communication means, and clock means for measuring time, wherein the power information is a total amount of power supplied by the power company. It is information indicating the correspondence between the ratio of the amount of power generated using renewable energy and time and received by the communication means through a network, and the control means is based on the correspondence You may make it make the said alerting | reporting means alert | report the said ratio corresponding to the time measured by a clock means.
According to such a configuration, the proportion of the amount of electric power generated using renewable energy out of the total amount of electric power supplied by the electric power company is notified from the notification means according to each time. Electricity consumers can easily know the proportion of power generation using possible energy. As a result, the consumption of electric power generated using renewable energy can be promoted.
The control unit may cause the notification unit to notify the notification unit of an advance notice of the change in the ratio before changing the ratio to be notified to the notification unit.
Preferably, the ratio may be divided into a plurality of classes, and the notification unit may notify the plurality of classes in different modes.
 本発明の目的及び特徴は以下のような添付図面とともに与えられた後述する好ましい実施形態の説明から明白になる。
本発明の実施形態1による電力監視システムの構成図である。 実施形態1における報知端末のブロック図である。 実施形態1における電力情報の説明図である。 (a),(b)は実施形態1における報知端末の報知内容を説明する説明図である。 実施形態1の動作説明用のシーケンスチャートである。 実施形態2における電力情報の説明図である。 実施形態2における報知端末の報知内容を説明する説明図である。 実施形態2の動作説明用のシーケンスチャートである。
Objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
It is a block diagram of the electric power monitoring system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the alerting | reporting terminal in Embodiment 1. It is explanatory drawing of the electric power information in Embodiment 1. FIG. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing explaining the alerting | reporting content of the alerting | reporting terminal in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a sequence chart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the electric power information in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the alerting | reporting content of the alerting | reporting terminal in Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a sequence chart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.
 以下、本発明の技術思想を特許文献1に記載されている電力監視システムに適用した実施形態について図面を参照して詳細に説明する。ただし、本発明の技術思想が適用可能な電力監視システムは特許文献1に記載された電力監視システムに限定されるものではない。図面全体において、同一または類似する部分には同じ符号を付してそれについて重複する説明は省略する。
<実施形態1>
 以下、図1~5を参照して本発明の実施形態1について説明する。本実施形態の電力監視システムは、図1に示すように各住戸に設置される宅内設備Aと宅外の携帯端末PT(端末装置)とをインターネットNT(ネットワーク)を介してセンタ装置SV(サーバ)に接続して構成される。宅内設備Aは、宅内に設置される統合管理盤1と、商用電源を供給する電路Lpおよび情報伝送路Ljを介して統合管理盤1に接続されて、統合管理盤1が電力供給、制御並びに監視を行う照明器具、空調機器(エアコン)、床暖房器具、IH機器などの宅内に設置された複数の電気機器Xmn(添え字のm、nは1以上の整数を示す。m、n=1,2,…、以下同様。)と、統合管理盤1にLANケーブルLiを介して接続される複数(図では2つ)の端末装置(パーソナル・コンピュータPC並びに表示制御装置CV等のウェブブラウザ機能を有する端末装置)とを備え、統合管理盤1と端末装置とが汎用の通信プロトコル(例えば、TCP/IP、HTTPなど)を利用した宅内ネットワークを構成している。ここに、パーソナル・コンピュータPC並びに表示制御装置CVなどが表示手段に相当する。
 この宅内ネットワークは、例えば、100BASE−TX(IEEE802.3u)規格等に準拠したローカルエリアネットワーク(LAN)であって、統合管理盤1内においてレイヤ2スイッチやレイヤ3スイッチに相当する後述の統合装置TMに、ネットワーク端末に相当する端末装置(パーソナル・コンピュータPC並びに表示制御装置CV)などがスター配線で接続されている。また、統合装置TMは、インターネットNTに接続するための回線の種類(電話回線、CATV回線、光ファイバ回線など)に応じたインターネット接続機能を有しており、この統合装置TMを介して宅内ネットワークが外部ネットワークたるインターネットNTに接続される。なお、宅内ネットワークを構成する端末装置はウェブブラウザ機能を有するテレビ受像機などであってもよい。
 さらに、この宅内ネットワークには、宅外に設置されたセンタ装置SVがインターネットNTを介して接続されている。そして、後述するように携帯型の端末装置(携帯端末PT)とセンタ装置SVとの間でインターネットNTを介したデータ通信を行うことにより、例えば、携帯端末PTを使って外出先から宅内電気機器の制御や監視を行うことができる。なお、この種の携帯端末PTとしては、インターネットNTに接続可能であり且つウェブブラウザ機能を有するノート型のパーソナル・コンピュータ、携帯電話機、PDA(Personal Digital Assistance)、スマートフォーン(Smart phone)などがある。
 センタ装置SVは、ネットワーク機能を有する汎用のコンピュータ装置で構成されており、携帯端末PTからインターネットNTを介して送信される統合管理盤1宛てのメッセージや、統合管理盤1から宅内ネットワークに属さない端末装置(例えば、携帯端末PTなど)に宛てて送信されるメッセージを中継する機能を有している。また、センタ装置SVは情報データベースを備え、この情報データベースには電力会社の電力情報が保存されている。当該電力情報は、図3に示すように電力会社が供給する商用電源の総電力量のうちで再生可能エネルギーを利用して発電された電力量(太陽光発電や風力発電で発電された電力量)が占める割合(以下、単に「電力割合」と呼ぶ。)と、時刻との対応関係を示す情報である。なお、かかる電力情報は、翌日の天候(天気予報)などに基づいて予想される情報であって、電力会社によって24時間毎、すなわち、1日に1回の頻度で更新される。センタ装置SVは情報データベースに保存した電力情報が更新されると、更新後の電力情報をインターネットNT経由でエネルギーマネジメントユニット3に配信する。ただし、上述のようなインターネット接続機能を有する携帯端末PTやセンタ装置SVは従来周知であるから、詳細な構成については説明を省略する。
 統合管理盤1は、電力会社から供給される商用電源を一次側に受ける主幹ブレーカBsと、主幹ブレーカBsの二次側から分岐した電路にそれぞれ介挿される複数(図1では3個のみ表示)の分岐ブレーカBmn(m=1,2,…、n=1,2,…)と、これら主幹ブレーカBsおよび分岐ブレーカBmnに流れる電流を計測するための電流計測ユニット2と、電流計測ユニット2から入力される計測データに基づいて使用電力量を演算するエネルギーマネジメントユニット3と、上記の統合装置TMと、電気機器コントローラC1とを備えている。そして、各分岐ブレーカBmnを介して分岐された各電路Lpmn(m=1,2,…、n=1,2,…)は統合管理盤1外に導出され、各電路Lpmnに接続される電気機器Xmn(m=1,2,…、n=1,2,…)に対して動作電源を供給している。すなわち、主幹ブレーカBs並びに分岐ブレーカBmnが配電設備に相当する。
 電流計測ユニット2は、主幹ブレーカBsを介して供給されている主幹電力量を定期的に計測する主幹電力計測部2aと、各分岐ブレーカBmnを流れる分岐電流の値を分岐ブレーカ毎に定期的に計測する分岐電流計測部CTmn(m=1,2,…、n=1,2,…)と、主幹ブレーカBsの主幹電力および分岐ブレーカBmn毎の分岐電流の計測データを収集し、収集した計測データを検出情報としてエネルギーマネジメントユニット3に出力する制御部2bとを備えている。
 主幹電力計測部2aは、主幹ブレーカBsを流れる主幹電流を定期的に計測する主幹電流計測部CTsと、主幹電流の計測値に基づいて電力量を演算する電力演算部EPOとを備えており、主幹電流計測部CTsで計測した主幹電流の計測値を電力演算部EPOで電力量に変換することによって主幹ブレーカBsを介して供給される主幹電力量が演算される。
 ここで、分岐ブレーカBmn毎に設けられた分岐電流計測部CTmn(m=1,2,…、n=1,2,…)は、各電路Lpmn(m=1,2,…、n=1,2,…)に流れる分岐電流を検出する電流センサ(図示せず)と、電流センサの検出出力に基づいて検出データを生成するセンサユニット(図示せず)とを備えており、さらにセンサユニットでは生成した検出データを伝送用信号に変調して制御部2bに出力している。
 そして、制御部2bでは、センサユニットから入力された伝送用信号を復調して検出データを取り出し、取得した検出データを送信部2cから順次エネルギーマネジメントユニット3に送信している。
 エネルギーマネジメントユニット3は、演算部3aと制御部3bを備えている。演算部3aは、電力計測ユニット2から受け取る上記分岐ブレーカBmn毎の分岐電流の計測データに基づき、各分岐ブレーカBmnを介して供給されている分岐電力量を演算する。制御部3bは、電力演算部EPOで演算された主幹電力量や演算部3aで演算された分岐電力量を表す画像データを生成する。
 また、制御部3bは、各分岐ブレーカBmnに接続されている電気機器Xmnの情報(例えば、使用用途や設置場所や停止時分岐電流など)が予め登録されるとともに、演算部3aから入力される主幹電力量および分岐ブレーカBmn毎の分岐電力量(使用電力量)を時系列で逐次記憶するデータ記憶部3dと、端末装置(表示制御装置CVやパソコンPCや携帯端末PTなど)から統合装置TMを介して入力される各種の要求信号に応じて、主幹電力量および分岐電路毎の分岐電力量など各種の電気使用量を表示するための画像データを生成し、当該画像データを端末装置に送信(配信)する画像データ生成部3cとを備えている。さらに、制御部3bはLANケーブルを介して統合管理盤1内の統合装置TMや電気機器コントローラC1などと接続されている。
 データ記憶部3dには、電力量検知を行う分岐ブレーカBmnのデータ(分岐ブレーカの名称:分岐1、分岐2、...など)が予め格納されている。画像データ生成部3cは、主幹電力量および分岐電路毎の分岐電力量など各種の電気使用量を表示するための画像データとしてウェブコンテンツ(ウェブページ)を作成し、端末装置(表示制御装置CVやパンコンPCや携帯端末PTなど)からの要求に応じて所望のウェブコンテンツを端末装置に提供(配信)する機能(ウェブサーバ機能)を有している。ここで、データ記憶部3dには分岐ブレーカBmnのデータとして、分岐ブレーカBmnに接続される電気機器の名称やその使用場所の情報が格納されており、空調機器(エアコン)や床暖房設備などの単独回路のために個別に設けた分岐ブレーカの場合には、対応する電気機器の名称が格納される。また、単独回路ではなく不特定の電気機器が接続される可能性のある分岐ブレーカの場合には、各分岐ブレーカに接続される可能性がある電気機器の名称(例えば、照明器具、テレビ、給湯器など)や主たる使用場所が格納されており、ユーザが各分岐ブレーカに接続して使用する可能性が高い電気機器(例えば、ホットカーペットやアイロンなど)の名称およびその使用場所を設定しておくのが好ましい。
 一方、宅内にはリビング、寝室、子供部屋等の複数の部屋Rm(m=1,2,…)が設けられており、各部屋Rmにはそれぞれ電気機器Xmn(m=1,2,…、n=1,2,…)や電気機器が接続されるコンセントなどが設けられている。本実施形態では、分岐ブレーカB1n(n=1,2,…)には、部屋R1(例えば、リビング)に設けた、例えば、エアコンX11やコンセント(エアコンX11以外の電気機器であって、部屋R1内で使用される電気機器が接続されるコンセント)が接続され、対応する電路Lp1n(n=1,2,…)を介して電力供給している。また、分岐ブレーカB21には、部屋R2(例えば、子供部屋)に設けた、例えば、エアコンX21が接続され、電路Lp21を介して電力供給している。さらに、分岐ブレーカB31には、部屋R3(例えば、寝室)に設けた、例えば、エアコンX31が接続され、電路Lp31を介して電力供給している。また、分岐ブレーカB4n(n=1,2,…)には、部屋R4(例えば、台所)に設けた、例えば、エアコンX41や冷蔵庫用のコンセントが接続され、対応する電路Lp4n(n=1,2,…)を介して電力供給している。さらに、分岐ブレーカB51には、部屋R5(例えば、和室)に設けたコンセント(部屋R5内で使用される電気機器が接続されるコンセント)が接続され、電路Lp51を介して電力供給している。また、分岐ブレーカBmn(m=6,7,…、n=1,2,…)には、給湯器や床暖房や洗濯機用のコンセントがそれぞれ接続され、対応する電路Lpmn(m=6,7,…、n=1,2,…)を介して電力供給している。
 統合装置TMは、図1に示すようにLANケーブル(エンハンスト・カテゴリ5若しくはカテゴリ6のLANケーブル)を介して、盤内のエネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3bや電気機器コントローラC1、盤外のパソコンPC、表示制御装置CVが接続されるとともに、インターネットNTを通じてセンタ装置SVや、携帯電話機などの携帯端末PT、または他の端末装置に接続されている。この統合装置TMは、パケット処理機能、経路切換機能、ネットワークセキュリティ機能、UPnP(ユニバーサル・プラグ・アンド・プレイ)のコントロールポイントの機能等を有し、ネットワークにおけるデータ授受をコントロールしている。
 電気機器コントローラC1は、統合装置TMとのインタフェース機能と、例えば、日本電機工業会(JEMA)の統一規格に適合した電気機器Xmnとのインタフェース機能をそれぞれ有している。この電気機器コントローラC1は、統合装置TMを介して端末装置から制御要求のメッセージを受け取ったときに、情報伝送路Ljを介して各電気機器Xmn(例えば、エアコンや床暖房設備など)を個別に制御して運転と停止を切り換える機能(制御機能)を有している。電気機器コントローラC1はさらに、統合装置TMを介して端末装置から監視要求のメッセージを受け取ったときに、情報伝送路Ljを介して各電気機器Xmnの動作状態(運転[点灯]又は停止[消灯])を個別に取得するとともに、制御要求や監視要求に対する応答(各電気機器Xmnの動作状態)のメッセージを要求メッセージの送信元である端末装置に向けて統合装置TMを介して送信させる機能(監視機能)を有する。また、電気機器コントローラC1は、自己の配下にある電気機器Xmnの機器名称情報、部屋Rmの名称情報等を予め格納しており、電気機器Xmnの名称並びに動作状態を文字や記号で表示するためのウェブコンテンツ(ウェブページ)を作成し、端末装置からの要求に応じて当該ウェブコンテンツを端末装置に提供(配信)する機能(ウェブサーバ機能)も有している。
 ところで本実施形態の電力監視システムは、上述した電力情報を利用者(住人)に報知する1乃至複数の報知端末5を備えている。この報知端末5は、図2に示すように端末制御部50、無線通信部51、表示部52、操作入力部53を具備し、これらの各部が図示しない合成樹脂製のハウジングに収納されている。なお、この報知端末5は、机上に載置されるか、あるいは壁に掛けられることで宅内に設置される。
 端末制御部50はマイクロコンピュータを主構成要素とし、電気的に書換可能な不揮発性の半導体メモリからなるデータ記憶部50aを有している。無線通信部51は、例えば、日本電波法施行規則第6条第4項第4号に規定される「小電力データ通信システムの無線局」に準拠して電波を媒体とする無線信号を送受信するものであって、例えば、市販の小電力無線通信用LSIなどで構成される。操作入力部53は押釦スイッチなどを有し、当該押釦スイッチが押操作されたときに端末制御部50へ操作信号を出力する。
 表示部52は、例えば、発光ダイオードを光源とし、発光ダイオードが発する光をハウジングに形成されている透過部から透過させる。透過部は種々の図形、記号、絵などの表示要素(ピクトマーク)を象っており、光が透過することでこれらの表示要素がハウジング前面に発光表示されることになる。例えば、図4(a)に示すような草花の絵を象った5つのピクトマークPM1~PM5が横一列に並べられ、電力割合が高くなるにつれて発光表示されるピクトマークPMi(i=1,2,3,4,5)の個数が増えるようになっている。なお、図4(a)では右側の3つのピクトマークPM1~PM3が発光表示されている。あるいは、図4(b)に示すような地球儀の絵を象ったピクトマークPM6において、地球儀の内側の色の濃い部分の面積で電力割合を発光表示することも可能である。
 ここで、本実施形態におけるエネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3bには、報知端末5の無線通信部51と無線通信するための無線通信部3eが設けられている。また制御部3bは、時刻を計時する時計手段(タイマ)3fを有している。そして、制御部3bは、データ記憶部3dに保存されている電力情報(時刻と電力割合との対応関係)に基づき、タイマ3fで計時される時刻に対応した電力割合を報知手段たる報知端末5に報知させる。
 次に、図5のシーケンスチャートを参照しながら報知端末5に電力割合を報知させる動作の詳細を説明する。
 センタ装置SVは、翌日の電力情報を電力会社から受け取ると、インターネットNTを介して統合装置TM経由で当該電力情報をエネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3bに通知する。制御部3bはセンタ装置SVから通知される電力情報をデータ記憶部3dに保存する。そして制御部3bは、タイマ3fで計時される時刻が0:00になると、データ記憶部3dに保存されている電力情報を参照し、0:00−2:00の時間帯に対応する電力割合(図3では10%)を読み出すとともに、読み出した電力割合の数値に対応したレベルの制御コマンドを含む無線信号を無線通信部3eより各報知端末5に宛てて送信する。ここで、本実施形態では、例えば、電力割合を0%~20%をレベル1、20%~40%をレベル2、40%~60%をレベル3、60%~80%をレベル4、80%~100%をレベル5と規定している。したがって、0:00−2:00の時間帯に対応する電力割合が10%であるから、制御部3bはレベル1の制御コマンドを報知端末5に与えることになる。
 一方、報知端末5では、無線通信部51で前記無線信号を受信すると、端末制御部50が当該無線信号に含まれる制御コマンドを受け取る。端末制御部50は、制御コマンドに応じて表示部52を制御することにより、0:00−2:00の時間帯に対応する電力割合を表示部52に報知(表示)させる。例えば、図4(a)に示す例であれば、右端のピクトマークPM1のみを発光表示する。
 さらに制御部3bは、タイマ3fで計時される時刻が2:00になると、データ記憶部3dに保存されている電力情報を参照し、2:00−4:00の時間帯に対応する電力割合(図3では10%)を読み出すとともに、読み出した電力割合の数値に対応したレベル1の制御コマンドを含む無線信号を無線通信部3eより各報知端末5に宛てて送信する。以下同様に、タイマ3fで計時される時刻が6:00,8:00,10:00,12:00,14:00,16:00,18:00,20:00,22:00になる毎に、データ記憶部3dに保存されている電力情報を参照し、それぞれの時間帯に対応する電力割合を読み出すとともに、読み出した電力割合の数値に対応したレベルの制御コマンドを含む無線信号を無線通信部3eより各報知端末5に宛てて送信する。
 一方、報知端末5の端末制御部50は、無線通信部51で受信する無線信号に含まれる制御コマンドに応じて表示部52を制御し、各時間帯に対応する電力割合を表示部52に報知(表示)させる。
 上述のように本実施形態の電力監視システムは、センタ装置SVからネットワークを通じて伝送される電力情報を受信するネットワーク通信手段(本実施形態においては統合装置TM)と、当該ネットワーク通信手段で受信する前記電力情報を記憶する記憶手段(本実施形態においてはエネルギーマネジメントユニット3のデータ記憶部3d)と、時刻を計時する時計手段(本実施形態においてはエネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3bのタイマ3f)と、種々の情報を報知する報知手段(本実施形態においては報知端末5)とを備えている。また、電力会社が供給する総電力量のうちで再生可能エネルギーを利用して発電された電力量が占める割合と、時刻との対応関係を示す情報が前記電力情報である。そして、制御手段(本実施形態においてはエネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3b)が、前記対応関係に基づき、前記時計手段で計時される時刻に対応した前記割合を前記報知手段に報知させる。故に、電力会社が供給する総電力量のうちで再生可能エネルギーを利用して発電された電力量が占める割合がそれぞれの時刻に応じて報知手段(報知端末5)から報知されるので、再生可能エネルギーを利用した発電量の割合を電力需要家(住人)が簡単に知ることができる。その結果、再生可能エネルギーを利用して発電された電力の消費を促進させることができる。
 また本実施形態では、電力割合を5つの階級(レベル1~レベル5)に分割し、報知端末5の表示部52では、各階級(レベル1~レベル5)をそれぞれ異なる態様、例えば、発光表示するピクトマークPMiの個数の違いで報知するようにしている。
 ところで、上述のように報知端末5で報知される電力割合が現在のレベルのみであると、電力割合が変化する時点が何時なのかを知ることはできない。そこで、エネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3bが、報知端末5に報知させる電力割合を変化させる前に、当該電力割合の変化を予告する予告報知を報知端末5に報知させることが望ましい。
 例えば、図4(b)に示すように現在時刻が属する時間帯に対応した電力割合を示すピクトマークPM6と、当該時間帯に続く次の時間帯に対応した電力割合を示すピクトマークPM7と、現在時刻から前記次の時間帯の開始時刻までの残り時間を示すピクトマークPM8とを表示部52に発光表示させる。このピクトマークPM8は、右向きの矢印を4分割してなり、30分経過ごとに左から右へ発光表示する個数が増えていくことで残り時間を報知している。この場合、次の時間帯に対応した電力割合を示すピクトマークPM7と残り時間を示すピクトマークPM8で予告報知を行っている。
 一方、エネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3bは、タイマ3fで計時される時刻が各時間帯の開始時刻になると、データ記憶部3dに保存されている電力情報を参照し、当該時間帯に対応する電力割合と当該時間帯に続く次の時間帯に対応する電力割合を読み出すとともに、読み出した2つの電力割合の数値にそれぞれ対応した2種類のレベルの制御コマンドを含む無線信号を無線通信部3eより各報知端末5に宛てて送信する。
 報知端末5の端末制御部50は、無線通信部51で受信した無線信号に含まれる制御コマンドを受け取ると、制御コマンドに応じて表示部52を制御することにより、上述した3種類のピクトマークPM6~PM8を発光表示させる。さらに端末制御部50は制御コマンドを受け取った時点から内蔵タイマ3fの限時(カウントダウン)を開始し、30分が経過する毎に表示部52を制御してピクトマークPM8の表示内容のみを変更する、すなわち、左から右へ発光表示する個数を増やすようにしている。
 而して、上述のような予告報知を報知端末5の表示部52で報知(表示)すれば、電力割合が変化する時点が何時なのかを容易に知らしめることができる。その結果、電力割合が相対的に高い時間帯における電力使用を促して二酸化炭素の排出量削減に寄与することができる。なお、本実施形態における報知端末5は光のみを用いて電力割合を報知しているが、光のみではなく音(ブザー音や音声メッセージなど)を用いて電力割合を報知しても構わない。
<実施形態2>
 以下、図6~8を参照して本発明の実施形態1について説明する。実施形態2の電力監視システムの全般的な構成は実施形態1と同じであり、本実施形態2ではセンタ装置SVに保存される電力情報及び表示部52における表示が実施形態1と異なる。したがって、以下では重複する説明を避け、異なる部分を中心に説明する。
 まず、図6に示すように、本実施形態2において電力情報は電力会社との契約に基づいた電気料金体系(時間帯別の電気料金単価)である。
 表示部52は、7セグメントLEDと呼ばれる表示デバイスを有し、図7に示すように2つの表示デバイス52a,52bに電力情報である電気料金単価を表示する。なお、一方(左側)の表示デバイス52aには現在時刻を含む時間帯の電気料金単価が表示され、他方(右側)の表示デバイス52bには次の時間帯の電気料金単価が表示される。表示部52はさらに、図7に示すように矢印を象ったピクトマークPMを発光表示する。このピクトマークPMは、右向きの矢印を4分割してなり、30分経過ごとに左から右へ発光表示する個数が増えていくことで残り時間を報知している。なお、ピクトマークPMは、発光ダイオードが発する光をハウジングに形成されている透過部から透過させることで発光表示するものであって、当該透過部が矢印の形状に象られている。またさらに、表示部52はピクトマークPMの下に配置された表示デバイス52cに残り時間を数値で表示している。
 ここで、本実施形態におけるエネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3bは、データ記憶部3dに保存されている電力情報(時刻と電気料金単価との対応関係)に基づき、タイマ3fで計時される時刻に対応した電気料金単価を報知手段たる報知端末5に報知させる。
 次に、図8のシーケンスチャートを参照しながら報知端末5に電力割合を報知させる動作の詳細を説明する。
 センタ装置SVは、各住宅(電力需要家)が契約している電気料金体系(時間帯別の電気料金単価)からなる電力情報を電力会社から受け取ると、インターネットNTを介して統合装置TM経由で当該電力情報をエネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3bに通知する。制御部3bはセンタ装置SVから通知される電力情報をデータ記憶部3dに保存する。そして制御部3bは、タイマ3fで計時される時刻が各時間帯の開始時刻になると、データ記憶部3dに保存されている電力情報を参照し、当該時間帯に対応する電気料金単価と当該時間帯に続く次の時間帯に対応する電気料金単価を読み出すとともに、読み出した2つの電気料金単価を含む制御コマンドを無線信号によって無線通信部3eより各報知端末5に宛てて送信する。
 一方、報知端末5では、無線通信部51で前記無線信号を受信すると、端末制御部50が当該無線信号に含まれる制御コマンドを受け取る。端末制御部50は、制御コマンドに応じて表示部52を制御することにより、一方の表示デバイス52aには現在の時間帯に対応する電気料金単価(例えば、xxx)を表示(報知)させ、他方の表示デバイス52bには次の時間帯に対応する電気料金単価(例えば、yyy)を表示(報知)させる。さらに端末制御部50は制御コマンドを受け取った時点から内蔵タイマの限時(カウントダウン)を開始し、30分が経過する毎に表示部52を制御してピクトマークPMの表示内容を変更する(左から右へ発光表示する個数を増やす)とともに、表示デバイス52cの表示内容(残り時間)を変更する。
 以下同様に、エネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3bはタイマ3fで計時される時刻が各時間帯の開始時刻(6:00,8:00,10:00,12:00,14:00,16:00,18:00,20:00,22:00)になる毎に、データ記憶部3dに保存されている電力情報を参照し、それぞれの時間帯並びに次の時間帯に対応する各電気料金単価を読み出すとともに、読み出した電気料金単価を含む制御コマンドを無線信号によって無線通信部3eより各報知端末5に宛てて送信する。
 一方、報知端末5の端末制御部50は、無線通信部51で受信する無線信号に含まれる制御コマンドに応じて表示部52を制御し、現在の時間帯に対応する電気料金単価と次の時間帯に対応する電気料金単価、並びに次の時間帯に移行するまでの残り時間を表示部52に報知(表示)させる。
 上述のように本実施形態2では、前記電力会社の時間帯別電気料金体系における時間帯別の電気料金単価の情報が前記電力情報である。そして、制御手段(本実施形態においてはエネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3b)が、前記電力情報に基づき、前記時計手段(タイマ)3fで計時される時刻が属する時間帯の電気料金単価と、当該時間帯に続く次の時間帯の電気料金単価とを前記報知手段に報知させる。故に、時計手段3fで計時される時刻が属する時間帯の電気料金単価と、当該時間帯に続く次の時間帯の電気料金単価とが報知手段(報知端末5)で報知されるので、安価に電気が使用できる時間帯を容易に知ることができる。しかも本実施形態では、先の時間帯から次の時間帯に切り替わるまでの残り時間を報知端末5で報知(表示)しているため、使い勝手がよいものである。なお、本実施形態における報知端末5は光のみを用いて電気料金単価や残り時間を報知しているが、光のみではなく音(ブザー音や音声メッセージなど)を用いて報知しても構わない。
 なお、上述の形態では電力会社から提供される電力情報がセンタ装置SVを経由してエネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3bに通知されているが、電力会社によって各住戸(電力需要家)に設置されたスマートメータSMからエネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3bに通知されるようにしても構わない。スマートメータSMは、電力会社との間の双方向通信機能や建物内の電気機器の管理機器を備えた電力量計であり、電力会社からスマートメータに配信された電力情報をエネルギーマネジメントユニット3の制御部3bに無線で伝送することができる。
 以上、本発明の好ましい実施形態が説明されているが、本発明はこれらの特定の実施形態に限られるものではなく、請求範囲の範疇から離脱しない多様な変更及び変形が可能であり、それも本発明の範疇内に属する。
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the technical idea of the present invention is applied to a power monitoring system described in Patent Document 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the power monitoring system to which the technical idea of the present invention can be applied is not limited to the power monitoring system described in Patent Document 1. Throughout the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted.
<Embodiment 1>
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the power monitoring system according to the present embodiment connects a home equipment A installed in each dwelling unit and a mobile terminal PT (terminal device) outside the home via a center device SV (server) via the Internet NT (network). ) And configured. The in-home equipment A is connected to the integrated management panel 1 via the integrated management panel 1 installed in the house, the electric line Lp for supplying commercial power, and the information transmission line Lj. A plurality of electrical devices Xmn installed in a house such as a lighting device, an air conditioner (air conditioner), a floor heater, and an IH device to be monitored (subscripts m and n are integers greater than or equal to 1. m, n = 1. , 2,..., And so on) and web browser functions of a plurality (two in the figure) of terminal devices (personal computer PC and display control device CV) connected to the integrated management panel 1 via the LAN cable Li. The integrated management panel 1 and the terminal device constitute a home network using a general-purpose communication protocol (for example, TCP / IP, HTTP, etc.). Here, the personal computer PC and the display control device CV correspond to the display means.
This home network is, for example, a local area network (LAN) conforming to the 100BASE-TX (IEEE802.3u) standard and the like, and an integrated device described later corresponding to a layer 2 switch or a layer 3 switch in the integrated management panel 1 A terminal device (personal computer PC and display control device CV) corresponding to a network terminal is connected to the TM by a star wiring. Further, the integrated device TM has an Internet connection function corresponding to the type of line (telephone line, CATV line, optical fiber line, etc.) for connecting to the Internet NT, and the home network is connected via this integrated device TM. Is connected to the Internet NT, which is an external network. Note that the terminal device constituting the home network may be a television receiver having a web browser function.
Furthermore, a center device SV installed outside the home is connected to the home network via the Internet NT. Then, as will be described later, by performing data communication via the Internet NT between the portable terminal device (portable terminal PT) and the center device SV, for example, the home electric appliance from the outside using the portable terminal PT Can be controlled and monitored. Note that this type of portable terminal PT includes a notebook personal computer, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a smart phone, and the like that can be connected to the Internet NT and have a web browser function. .
The center device SV is composed of a general-purpose computer device having a network function, and does not belong to the home network from the integrated management panel 1 or a message addressed to the integrated management panel 1 transmitted from the portable terminal PT via the Internet NT. It has a function of relaying a message transmitted to a terminal device (for example, a portable terminal PT). Further, the center device SV includes an information database, and power information of the power company is stored in the information database. As shown in FIG. 3, the power information includes the amount of power generated using renewable energy among the total amount of commercial power supplied by the power company (the amount of power generated by solar power generation or wind power generation). ) Is a piece of information (hereinafter simply referred to as “power ratio”) and a correspondence relationship between time and time. The power information is information expected based on the next day's weather (weather forecast) or the like, and is updated by the power company every 24 hours, that is, once a day. When the power information stored in the information database is updated, the center device SV distributes the updated power information to the energy management unit 3 via the Internet NT. However, since the portable terminal PT and the center device SV having the Internet connection function as described above are well known in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The integrated management panel 1 has a main breaker Bs that receives commercial power supplied from an electric power company on the primary side, and a plurality of terminals (only three are shown in FIG. 1) that are inserted from the secondary circuit of the main breaker Bs. Branch breaker Bmn (m = 1, 2,..., N = 1, 2,...), Current measuring unit 2 for measuring the current flowing through the main breaker Bs and the branch breaker Bmn, and the current measuring unit 2 The energy management unit 3 that calculates the amount of power used based on the input measurement data, the integrated device TM, and the electric device controller C1 are provided. Then, each electric circuit Lpmn (m = 1, 2,..., N = 1, 2,...) Branched through each branch breaker Bmn is led out of the integrated management panel 1 and is connected to each electric circuit Lpmn. Operating power is supplied to the device Xmn (m = 1, 2,..., N = 1, 2,...). That is, the main breaker Bs and the branch breaker Bmn correspond to the power distribution equipment.
The current measurement unit 2 periodically measures the main power measuring unit 2a that regularly measures the main power supplied via the main breaker Bs and the value of the branch current flowing through each branch breaker Bmn for each branch breaker. The branch current measuring unit CTmn (m = 1, 2,..., N = 1, 2,...) To be measured, the main power of the main breaker Bs, and the branch current measurement data for each branch breaker Bmn are collected and collected. And a control unit 2b that outputs data to the energy management unit 3 as detection information.
The main power measuring unit 2a includes a main current measuring unit CTs that periodically measures the main current flowing through the main circuit breaker Bs, and a power calculating unit EPO that calculates the amount of electric power based on the measured value of the main current, By converting the measured value of the main current measured by the main current measuring unit CTs into the electric energy by the electric power calculating unit EPO, the main electric energy supplied through the main circuit breaker Bs is calculated.
Here, the branch current measuring unit CTmn (m = 1, 2,..., N = 1, 2,...) Provided for each branch breaker Bmn has each electric circuit Lpmn (m = 1, 2,..., N = 1). , 2,..., And a sensor unit (not shown) that generates detection data based on the detection output of the current sensor, and further includes a sensor unit. Then, the generated detection data is modulated into a transmission signal and output to the control unit 2b.
The control unit 2b then demodulates the transmission signal input from the sensor unit to extract detection data, and sequentially transmits the acquired detection data from the transmission unit 2c to the energy management unit 3.
The energy management unit 3 includes a calculation unit 3a and a control unit 3b. Based on the branch current measurement data for each branch breaker Bmn received from the power measurement unit 2, the calculation unit 3 a calculates the branch power amount supplied through each branch breaker Bmn. The control unit 3b generates image data representing the main power amount calculated by the power calculation unit EPO and the branch power amount calculated by the calculation unit 3a.
In addition, the control unit 3b pre-registers information on the electrical equipment Xmn connected to each branch breaker Bmn (for example, usage, installation location, stop-time branch current, etc.) and is input from the calculation unit 3a. The data storage unit 3d that sequentially stores the main power amount and the branch power amount (usage power amount) for each branch breaker Bmn in time series, and the terminal device (display control device CV, personal computer PC, portable terminal PT, etc.) from the integrated device TM In response to various request signals input via the network, image data for displaying various amounts of electricity used, such as the main power amount and the branch power amount for each branch circuit, is generated, and the image data is transmitted to the terminal device And an image data generation unit 3c for (distribution). Furthermore, the control unit 3b is connected to the integrated device TM, the electric device controller C1, and the like in the integrated management panel 1 via a LAN cable.
In the data storage unit 3d, data of the branch breaker Bmn for detecting the electric energy (name of the branch breaker: branch 1, branch 2,...) Is stored in advance. The image data generation unit 3c creates web content (web page) as image data for displaying various types of electricity usage such as the main power amount and the branch power amount for each branch circuit, and the terminal device (display control device CV or It has a function (web server function) for providing (distributing) desired web content to a terminal device in response to a request from a pan-con PC or a portable terminal PT. Here, the data storage unit 3d stores, as the data of the branch breaker Bmn, the name of the electrical equipment connected to the branch breaker Bmn and the information on the use location thereof, such as an air conditioner (air conditioner) and a floor heating facility. In the case of a branch breaker provided individually for a single circuit, the name of the corresponding electrical device is stored. In addition, in the case of a branch breaker that may be connected to an unspecified electrical device rather than a single circuit, the name of the electrical device that may be connected to each branch breaker (for example, a lighting fixture, a television, a hot water supply) Etc.) and the main place of use, and the name of the electrical equipment (for example, hot carpet and iron) that the user is likely to use by connecting to each branch breaker and the place of use are set. Is preferred.
On the other hand, a plurality of rooms Rm (m = 1, 2,...) Such as a living room, a bedroom, a children's room, etc. are provided in the house, and each room Rm has an electric device Xmn (m = 1, 2,. n = 1, 2,...) and electrical outlets to which electrical devices are connected. In the present embodiment, the branch breaker B1n (n = 1, 2,...) Has, for example, an air conditioner X11 or an outlet (an electrical device other than the air conditioner X11) provided in the room R1 (for example, a living room). Are connected to the electrical outlet), and power is supplied through the corresponding electric circuit Lp1n (n = 1, 2,...). Further, for example, an air conditioner X21 provided in the room R2 (for example, a child room) is connected to the branch breaker B21, and power is supplied through the electric circuit Lp21. Further, for example, an air conditioner X31 provided in a room R3 (for example, a bedroom) is connected to the branch breaker B31, and power is supplied through the electric circuit Lp31. Further, for example, an outlet for an air conditioner X41 or a refrigerator provided in a room R4 (for example, a kitchen) is connected to the branch breaker B4n (n = 1, 2,...), And a corresponding electric circuit Lp4n (n = 1, 1, etc.). 2, ...). Furthermore, the branch breaker B51 is connected to an outlet provided in the room R5 (for example, a Japanese-style room) (an outlet to which an electric device used in the room R5 is connected), and supplies power through the electric circuit Lp51. Further, the branch breakers Bmn (m = 6, 7,..., N = 1, 2,...) Are connected to outlets for water heaters, floor heating, and washing machines, respectively, and corresponding electric circuits Lpmn (m = 6, m = 6, m). 7,..., N = 1, 2,.
As shown in FIG. 1, the integrated device TM is connected to the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 in the panel, the electric device controller C1, and the personal computer outside the panel via a LAN cable (enhanced category 5 or category 6 LAN cable). A PC and a display control device CV are connected to the center device SV, a mobile terminal PT such as a mobile phone, or other terminal devices through the Internet NT. This integrated device TM has a packet processing function, a path switching function, a network security function, a UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) control point function, and the like, and controls data exchange in the network.
The electrical device controller C1 has an interface function with the integrated device TM and an interface function with an electrical device Xmn that conforms to, for example, the Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association (JEMA) unified standard. When the electrical device controller C1 receives a control request message from the terminal device via the integrated device TM, each electrical device Xmn (for example, an air conditioner or a floor heating facility) is individually connected via the information transmission path Lj. It has a function (control function) to control and switch between operation and stop. Further, when the electrical device controller C1 receives a monitoring request message from the terminal device via the integrated device TM, the electrical device controller C1 operates (runs [lit] or stops [turns off] each electrical device Xmn via the information transmission path Lj. ) Individually, and a function (monitoring) that transmits a response to the control request and the monitoring request (operation state of each electrical device Xmn) to the terminal device that is the transmission source of the request message via the integrated device TM. Function). The electric device controller C1 stores in advance device name information of the electric device Xmn under its control, name information of the room Rm, and the like, and displays the name and operation state of the electric device Xmn with characters and symbols. The web content (web page) is created, and the web content is provided (distributed) to the terminal device in response to a request from the terminal device (web server function).
By the way, the power monitoring system of the present embodiment includes one or more notification terminals 5 that notify the user (resident) of the above-described power information. As shown in FIG. 2, the notification terminal 5 includes a terminal control unit 50, a wireless communication unit 51, a display unit 52, and an operation input unit 53, which are housed in a synthetic resin housing (not shown). . The notification terminal 5 is placed on the desk or placed on the wall by being hung on a wall.
The terminal control unit 50 includes a microcomputer as a main component, and includes a data storage unit 50a made of an electrically rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The radio communication unit 51 transmits and receives radio signals using radio waves as a medium in accordance with, for example, “radio station for low power data communication system” defined in Article 6, Paragraph 4, Item 4 of the Japanese Radio Law Enforcement Regulations. For example, it is composed of a commercially available LSI for low-power wireless communication. The operation input unit 53 includes a push button switch and the like, and outputs an operation signal to the terminal control unit 50 when the push button switch is pressed.
The display unit 52 uses, for example, a light emitting diode as a light source, and transmits light emitted from the light emitting diode from a transmission unit formed in the housing. The transmissive portion represents various display elements (pictograms) such as figures, symbols, and pictures, and these display elements are lit and displayed on the front surface of the housing when light is transmitted. For example, five pictograms PM1 to PM5 representing a picture of a flower as shown in FIG. 4 (a) are arranged in a horizontal row, and the pictograms PMi (i = 1, 1) are displayed as the power ratio increases. The number of 2, 3, 4, 5) is increased. In FIG. 4 (a), the right three pictograms PM1 to PM3 are light-emitting displayed. Alternatively, in the pictogram PM6 representing a picture of a globe as shown in FIG. 4B, it is also possible to light-display the power ratio in the area of the dark portion inside the globe.
Here, the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 in the present embodiment is provided with a wireless communication unit 3e for wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 51 of the notification terminal 5. Moreover, the control part 3b has the clock means (timer) 3f which time-measures time. And the control part 3b is the alerting | reporting terminal 5 which alert | reports the electric power ratio corresponding to the time time-measured by the timer 3f based on the electric power information (correspondence relation of time and electric power ratio) preserve | saved at the data storage part 3d. Let them know.
Next, details of an operation for informing the notification terminal 5 of the power ratio will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG.
When the center device SV receives the next day's power information from the power company, the center device SV notifies the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 of the power information via the integrated device TM via the Internet NT. The control unit 3b stores the power information notified from the center device SV in the data storage unit 3d. When the time counted by the timer 3f reaches 0:00, the control unit 3b refers to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d, and the power ratio corresponding to the time zone of 0: 00-2: 00 (10% in FIG. 3) is read, and a radio signal including a control command at a level corresponding to the read power ratio value is transmitted from the radio communication unit 3e to each notification terminal 5. Here, in this embodiment, for example, the power ratio is 0% to 20% at level 1, 20% to 40% at level 2, 40% to 60% at level 3, 60% to 80% at level 4, 80, for example. % To 100% are defined as level 5. Therefore, since the power ratio corresponding to the time zone from 0:00 to 2:00 is 10%, the control unit 3b gives the control command of level 1 to the notification terminal 5.
On the other hand, in the notification terminal 5, when the wireless communication unit 51 receives the wireless signal, the terminal control unit 50 receives a control command included in the wireless signal. The terminal control unit 50 controls the display unit 52 in accordance with the control command, thereby causing the display unit 52 to notify (display) the power ratio corresponding to the time zone of 0:00 to 2:00. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4A, only the rightmost pictogram PM1 is displayed in a light emitting manner.
Further, when the time counted by the timer 3f reaches 2:00, the control unit 3b refers to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d, and the power ratio corresponding to the time zone of 2: 00-4: 00. (10% in FIG. 3) is read, and a radio signal including a control command of level 1 corresponding to the read power ratio value is transmitted from the radio communication unit 3e to each notification terminal 5. Similarly, every time when the time measured by the timer 3f becomes 6:00, 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00 In addition, referring to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d, the power ratio corresponding to each time zone is read, and a radio signal including a control command of a level corresponding to the read power ratio value is wirelessly communicated. It transmits to each notification terminal 5 from the part 3e.
On the other hand, the terminal control unit 50 of the notification terminal 5 controls the display unit 52 according to the control command included in the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 51, and notifies the display unit 52 of the power ratio corresponding to each time zone. (Display).
As described above, the power monitoring system according to the present embodiment includes network communication means (integrated apparatus TM in the present embodiment) that receives power information transmitted from the center apparatus SV through the network, and the network communication means that receives the power information. Storage means for storing power information (data storage unit 3d of the energy management unit 3 in the present embodiment), and clock means for measuring time (timer 3f of the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 in the present embodiment) In addition, a notification means (notification terminal 5 in the present embodiment) for notifying various information is provided. In addition, the power information is information indicating a correspondence relationship between the ratio of the amount of power generated using renewable energy to the total power amount supplied by the power company and time. And a control means (control part 3b of the energy management unit 3 in this embodiment) makes the said notification means alert | report the said ratio corresponding to the time measured by the said clock means based on the said correspondence. Therefore, since the proportion of the amount of power generated using renewable energy in the total amount of power supplied by the power company is notified from the notification means (notification terminal 5) according to each time, it can be regenerated. Electricity consumers (residents) can easily know the proportion of power generation using energy. As a result, the consumption of electric power generated using renewable energy can be promoted.
In the present embodiment, the power ratio is divided into five classes (level 1 to level 5), and the display unit 52 of the notification terminal 5 displays each class (level 1 to level 5) in a different mode, for example, a light emitting display. Notification is made by the difference in the number of pictographs PMi to be performed.
By the way, when the power ratio notified by the notification terminal 5 is only the current level as described above, it is impossible to know what time the power ratio changes. Therefore, before the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 changes the power ratio to be notified to the notification terminal 5, it is desirable to cause the notification terminal 5 to notify the notification terminal 5 of the change notification of the power ratio.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, a pictogram PM6 indicating a power ratio corresponding to a time zone to which the current time belongs, a pictomark PM7 indicating a power ratio corresponding to the next time zone following the time zone, A pictogram PM8 indicating the remaining time from the current time to the start time of the next time zone is displayed on the display unit 52 so as to emit light. The pictogram PM8 is formed by dividing a right-pointing arrow into four parts, and notifies the remaining time by increasing the number of light emission displays from left to right every 30 minutes. In this case, the notice is given by the pictograph PM7 indicating the power ratio corresponding to the next time zone and the pictograph PM8 indicating the remaining time.
On the other hand, when the time counted by the timer 3f is the start time of each time zone, the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 refers to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d and corresponds to the time zone. The power ratio and the power ratio corresponding to the next time slot following the time slot are read out, and wireless signals including two types of control commands corresponding to the two read power ratio values are sent from the radio communication unit 3e. It transmits to each notification terminal 5.
When the terminal control unit 50 of the notification terminal 5 receives the control command included in the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 51, the terminal control unit 50 controls the display unit 52 according to the control command, whereby the above-described three types of pictograms PM6. ~ Make PM8 flash. Further, the terminal control unit 50 starts the time limit (countdown) of the built-in timer 3f from the time when the control command is received, and controls only the display content of the pictograph PM8 by controlling the display unit 52 every 30 minutes. That is, the number of light emission displays from the left to the right is increased.
Thus, if the notice notification as described above is notified (displayed) on the display unit 52 of the notification terminal 5, it is possible to easily know what time the power ratio changes. As a result, it is possible to promote the use of power in a time zone where the power ratio is relatively high, thereby contributing to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, although the notification terminal 5 in the present embodiment notifies the power ratio using only light, the power ratio may be notified using not only light but also sound (such as a buzzer sound or a voice message).
<Embodiment 2>
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The general configuration of the power monitoring system of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the power information stored in the center device SV and the display on the display unit 52 are different from those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, overlapping description will be avoided and different parts will be mainly described.
First, as shown in FIG. 6, in the second embodiment, the power information is an electricity bill system based on a contract with a power company (unit price of electricity bill for each time zone).
The display unit 52 includes a display device called a 7-segment LED, and displays the unit price of electricity as power information on the two display devices 52a and 52b as shown in FIG. It should be noted that the unit price of electricity charges in the time zone including the current time is displayed on one (left side) display device 52a, and the unit price of electricity charges in the next time zone is displayed on the other (right side) display device 52b. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the display unit 52 displays a pictogram PM in the shape of an arrow as a light emission display. This pictograph PM is formed by dividing a right-pointing arrow into four parts, and notifies the remaining time by increasing the number of light emission displays from left to right every 30 minutes. The pictograph PM displays light by transmitting light emitted from the light emitting diode from a transmissive portion formed in the housing, and the transmissive portion is shaped like an arrow. Furthermore, the display unit 52 displays the remaining time as a numerical value on the display device 52c arranged under the pictogram PM.
Here, the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 in the present embodiment is based on the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d (correspondence between the time and the electricity unit price) at the time measured by the timer 3f. The corresponding electricity bill unit price is notified to the notification terminal 5 as notification means.
Next, details of an operation for informing the notification terminal 5 of the power ratio will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG.
When the center device SV receives power information from an electric power company, which is made up of an electricity bill system (electricity unit price for each time zone) with which each house (electric power consumer) has contracted, via the integrated device TM via the Internet NT. The power information is notified to the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3. The control unit 3b stores the power information notified from the center device SV in the data storage unit 3d. Then, when the time counted by the timer 3f is the start time of each time zone, the control unit 3b refers to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d and refers to the unit price of the electric charge corresponding to the time zone and the time The unit price of electricity bill corresponding to the next time zone following the band is read, and a control command including the two read electricity bill unit prices is transmitted from the wireless communication unit 3e to each notification terminal 5 by a wireless signal.
On the other hand, in the notification terminal 5, when the wireless communication unit 51 receives the wireless signal, the terminal control unit 50 receives a control command included in the wireless signal. The terminal control unit 50 controls the display unit 52 according to the control command, thereby causing one display device 52a to display (notify) the electricity unit price (for example, xxx) corresponding to the current time zone. The display device 52b displays (informs) the electricity unit price (for example, yyy) corresponding to the next time zone. Further, the terminal control unit 50 starts the time limit (countdown) of the built-in timer from the time when the control command is received, and changes the display content of the pictogram PM by controlling the display unit 52 every 30 minutes (from the left). The display content (remaining time) of the display device 52c is changed.
Similarly, the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 uses the time measured by the timer 3f as the start time of each time zone (6:00, 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16: (00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00), referring to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d, each unit price of electricity bill corresponding to each time zone and the next time zone And a control command including the read electricity bill unit price is transmitted to each notification terminal 5 from the wireless communication unit 3e by a wireless signal.
On the other hand, the terminal control unit 50 of the notification terminal 5 controls the display unit 52 in accordance with the control command included in the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 51, and the unit price of electricity bill and the next time corresponding to the current time zone. The display unit 52 is informed (displayed) of the unit price of the electricity charge corresponding to the band and the remaining time until the next time zone is reached.
As described above, in the second embodiment, the information on the electricity rate unit price by time zone in the electricity rate system by time zone of the power company is the power information. Then, the control means (in this embodiment, the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3), based on the power information, the electricity rate unit price in the time zone to which the time measured by the clock means (timer) 3f belongs, The informing means is informed of the electricity rate unit price of the next time zone following the time zone. Therefore, since the electricity unit price in the time zone to which the time measured by the clock means 3f belongs and the electricity rate unit price in the next time zone following the time period are notified by the notification means (notification terminal 5), it is inexpensive. It is easy to know when the electricity can be used. In addition, in the present embodiment, the remaining time until switching from the previous time zone to the next time zone is notified (displayed) by the notification terminal 5, which is convenient. The notification terminal 5 in the present embodiment notifies the unit price of electricity bill and the remaining time using only light, but may notify using sound (buzzer sound, voice message, etc.) instead of only light. .
In the above-described form, the power information provided from the power company is notified to the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 via the center device SV, but is installed in each dwelling unit (power consumer) by the power company. The smart meter SM may notify the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3. The smart meter SM is a watt-hour meter having a two-way communication function with an electric power company and an electric appliance management device in a building. The electric power information distributed from the electric power company to the smart meter is stored in the energy management unit 3. It can be transmitted wirelessly to the control unit 3b.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and variations that do not depart from the scope of the claims are possible. It belongs to the category of the present invention.

Claims (6)

  1.  電力会社から供給される電力を建物内に配電する配電設備と、
     前記配電設備より配電されて前記建物内で消費される電力量を計測する計測手段と、
     電力情報を受信する通信手段と、
     種々の情報を報知する報知手段と、
     前記計測手段で計測される前記電力量の情報を前記表示手段に表示させる制御手段と
     を備え、
     前記制御手段は前記電力情報を前記通知手段に通知させる電力監視システム。
    A distribution facility that distributes power supplied from the power company into the building;
    Measuring means for measuring the amount of electric power distributed from the power distribution facility and consumed in the building;
    A communication means for receiving power information;
    An informing means for informing various information;
    Control means for causing the display means to display information on the electric energy measured by the measuring means,
    The power monitoring system in which the control means notifies the power information to the notification means.
  2.  前記制御手段は、
     前記通信手段で受信する前記電力情報を記憶する記憶手段と、
     時刻を計時する時計手段と、を備え、
     前記電力情報は、前記電力会社の時間帯別電気料金体系における時間帯別の電気料金単価の情報であり、ネットワークを通じて前記通信手段で受信され、
     前記制御手段は、前記電力情報に基づき、前記時計手段で計時される時刻が属する時間帯の電気料金単価と、当該時間帯に続く次の時間帯の電気料金単価とを前記報知手段に報知させる請求項1記載の電力監視システム。
    The control means includes
    Storage means for storing the power information received by the communication means;
    A clock means for measuring time,
    The power information is information on a unit price of electricity bill by time in the electricity bill system by time of the electric power company, received by the communication means through a network,
    Based on the power information, the control unit causes the notification unit to notify the unit price of the electricity bill in the time zone to which the time measured by the clock unit belongs and the unit price of the electricity bill in the next time zone following the time zone. The power monitoring system according to claim 1.
  3.  前記制御手段は、前記当該時間帯の電気料金単価から前記次の時間帯の電気料金単価に切り替わるまでの残り時間を前記報知手段に報知させる請求項2記載の電力監視システム。 3. The power monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the control means causes the notification means to notify the remaining time until the electricity rate unit price in the next time zone is switched to the electricity rate unit price in the next time period.
  4.  前記制御手段は、
     前記通信手段で受信する前記電力情報を記憶する記憶手段と、
     時刻を計時する時計手段と
     を備え、
     前記電力情報は、前記電力会社が供給する総電力量のうちで再生可能エネルギーを利用して発電された電力量が占める割合と、時刻との対応関係を示す情報であり、ネットワークを通じて前記通信手段で受信され、
     前記制御手段は、前記対応関係に基づき、前記時計手段で計時される時刻に対応した前記割合を前記報知手段に報知させる請求項1記載の電力監視システム。
    The control means includes
    Storage means for storing the power information received by the communication means;
    A clock means for measuring time, and
    The power information is information indicating a correspondence relationship between a ratio of the amount of power generated using renewable energy in the total power supplied by the power company and time, and the communication means through a network Received at
    The power monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the notification unit to notify the ratio corresponding to the time counted by the clock unit based on the correspondence relationship.
  5.  前記制御手段は、前記報知手段に報知させる前記割合を変化させる前に、当該割合の変化を予告する予告報知を前記報知手段に報知させる請求項4記載の電力監視システム。 5. The power monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit causes the notification unit to notify the notification unit of an advance notice of the change in the ratio before changing the ratio to be notified to the notification unit.
  6.  前記割合が複数の階級に分割されており、前記報知手段は、複数の前記階級をそれぞれ異なる態様で報知する請求項4又は5記載の電力監視システム。 The power monitoring system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the ratio is divided into a plurality of classes, and the reporting unit reports the plurality of classes in different modes.
PCT/IB2011/000083 2010-02-03 2011-01-21 Electric power monitoring system WO2011095856A2 (en)

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CN103490509A (en) * 2013-09-04 2014-01-01 广州供电局有限公司 Electric energy monitoring method and system for household appliances
FR2996644A1 (en) * 2012-10-08 2014-04-11 Greenpower Solutions Display device for displaying information relating to consumption and pricing of electricity in e.g. mobile phone, has interface including colored light emission areas having illuminated areas indicating tariff and consumption information

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JP2002112458A (en) * 2000-09-26 2002-04-12 Hitachi Ltd Green power-supply system and green power-supply method
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JP2008202984A (en) * 2007-02-16 2008-09-04 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Electric power monitoring system

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JP2002112458A (en) * 2000-09-26 2002-04-12 Hitachi Ltd Green power-supply system and green power-supply method
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2996644A1 (en) * 2012-10-08 2014-04-11 Greenpower Solutions Display device for displaying information relating to consumption and pricing of electricity in e.g. mobile phone, has interface including colored light emission areas having illuminated areas indicating tariff and consumption information
CN103490509A (en) * 2013-09-04 2014-01-01 广州供电局有限公司 Electric energy monitoring method and system for household appliances

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