WO2019008636A1 - Control device, power management system, information presentation method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

A control device (6) comprises an operation setting unit (630) and an information input-output unit (650). The operation setting unit (630) acquires a maximum continuation time for performing a heating operation with a hot water supply device using only excess power at a demand site on the basis of predicted changes in excess power produced by power generation equipment. The operation setting unit (630) calculates, on the basis of the maximum continuation time and a predicted one-day volume for hot water supplied by the hot water supply device, a first hot water volume that is the hot water volume when the heating operation is performed using only commercial power. The operation setting unit (630) calculates, on the basis of the first hot water volume and the predicted hot water supply volume, a second hot water volume that is the hot water volume when the heating operation is performed using only excess power. The information input-output unit (650) presents notification information that includes information pertaining to the first hot water volume and information pertaining to the second hot water volume to a user via an output terminal.

Description

Control device, power management system, information presentation method and program

The present invention relates to a control device, a power management system, an information presentation method, and a program.

In recent years, there are increasing cases in which a power consumer in a general household owns a power generation facility that generates power by natural energy represented by solar light and wind power. Such a power consumer can reduce the power purchased from the commercial power grid by consuming the power generated by the power generation facility by itself.

For example, Patent Document 1 uses hot water that the user uses the next day by using the power generated by solar power generation in the daytime of the day instead of using commercial power at midnight to generate hot water. It discloses a hot water storage type water heater that reduces commercial power.

JP 2008-002703 A

By the way, as in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the hot water is boiled using solar power generation to reduce the commercial power used at night, the amount of the hot water boiling at night decreases accordingly . For this reason, for example, when using more hot water than usual in the morning, it is also possible that the hot water runs out. However, it is a fact that a useful proposal has not yet been made about such a technique of presenting the user with the effect of boiling water in advance by utilizing the power of the power generation facility.

This invention is made in view of the said situation, and provides the control apparatus etc. which a user can grasp intuitively the influence which the boiling operation of the hot water supply machine which utilized the surplus electric power which generate | occur | produces by power generation equipment exerts. The purpose is

In order to achieve the above object, a control device according to the present invention is
Time acquisition means for acquiring the longest duration time in which the heating operation of the water heater can be performed only by the surplus power based on the predicted transition of the surplus power generated by the power generation facility at the demand place;
First hot water amount calculation means for calculating a first hot water amount which is a hot water amount when the boiling operation is performed only with commercial power, based on the longest continuous time and the predicted daily hot water supply amount of the water heater;
Second hot water amount calculation means for calculating a second hot water amount which is a hot water amount when the boiling operation is performed only by the surplus electric power, based on the first hot water amount and the predicted hot-water supply amount;
And a presentation unit configured to present, to the user, notification information including the information on the first hot water quantity and the information on the second hot water quantity at the output terminal.

According to the present invention, the information on the first hot water amount which is the hot water amount when the boiling operation of the water heater is performed only by the commercial power, and the information on the second hot water amount which is the hot water amount when the boiling operation is performed only by the surplus power , To the user. Therefore, according to the present invention, the user can intuitively understand the influence exerted by the boiling operation of the water heater using the surplus power.

A diagram showing an overall configuration of a power management system according to an embodiment of the present invention Diagram showing an example of transition of generated power and total power consumption in the embodiment The figure which shows the structure of the heat pump unit with which the hot-water supply machine which concerns on embodiment was equipped Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the control device according to the embodiment Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the management server according to the embodiment Block diagram showing a functional configuration of a management server according to the embodiment Diagram showing information stored in the database in the embodiment A diagram showing an example of prediction information in the embodiment Block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control device according to the embodiment A figure showing an example of calendar information in an embodiment Block diagram showing the configuration of the operation setting unit according to the embodiment The figure which shows the example of transition of the amount of hot water storage in the water heater concerning an embodiment A diagram showing an example of a setting screen in the embodiment A diagram showing a first example of a permission screen in the embodiment The figure which shows an example of the driving | operation notification screen in embodiment The figure which shows an example of the effect alerting | reporting screen in embodiment The flowchart which shows the flow of the control processing which is executed by the control control equipment which relates to the form of execution The flowchart which shows the flow of the boiling hot water quantity decision processing of the day which is run by the control control equipment which relates to the form of execution The flowchart which shows the flow of the calendar margin decision processing which is executed by the control control equipment which relates to the form of execution The flowchart which shows the flow of the season margin decision processing which is executed by the control control equipment which relates to the form of execution A flowchart showing a flow of nighttime target hot water storage amount calculation processing executed by the control device according to the embodiment The flowchart which shows the flow of common processing which is executed by the control control equipment which relates to the form of execution The flowchart which shows the flow of the 1st processing which is executed by the control control equipment which relates to the form of execution The flowchart which shows the flow of the 2nd processing which is executed by the control control equipment which relates to the form of execution The flowchart which shows the flow of the information formation processing which is executed by the control control equipment which relates to the form of execution The flowchart which shows the flow of the boiling processing which is executed by the control control equipment which relates to the form of execution The flowchart which shows the flow of the effect information processing which is executed by the control control equipment which relates to the form of execution The figure which shows the whole structure of the power management system which concerns on the modification of this invention. A diagram showing a second example of the permission screen A diagram showing a third example of the permission screen A diagram showing a fourth example of the permission screen A diagram showing a fifth example of the permission screen A diagram showing another example of the driving notification screen The flowchart which shows the flow of the calendar margin decision processing which is executed by the control control equipment which relates to the deformation example of this invention The flowchart which shows the flow of the season margin decision processing which is executed by the control control equipment which relates to the deformation example of this invention

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

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a power management system 1 according to an embodiment. The power management system 1 is a system called a so-called HEMS (Home Energy Management System) which manages the power consumed by the house H. As shown in FIG. 1, the power management system 1 includes a power generation facility 2, a power measurement device 3, a water heater 4, a plurality of electric devices 5 (5 a, 5 b,...), A control device 6, and an operation terminal 7, a management server 8, and a weather server 9.

<Power generation facility 2>
The power generation facility 2 is a private power generation facility which is installed in a house H and generates power by sunlight which is natural energy. While the commercial power system 10 supplies power to an unspecified number of demand places including the house H, the power generation facility 2 is owned by a specific customer and supplies power to the house H which is a specific demand place. Do. The power generation facility 2 is also called a distributed power source.

The power generation facility 2 includes a PV (Photovoltaic) panel 20 that generates solar power, and a PV-PCS 21 that is a power conditioning system. The PV panel 20 is, for example, a polycrystalline silicon solar panel. The PV panel 20 is installed on the roof of the house H and generates electric power by converting solar energy into electric energy.

The PV-PCS 21 receives supply of power generated by the PV panel 20, and outputs the supplied power to the distribution board 11 via the power line D2. At this time, the PV-PCS 21 converts the power supplied from the PV panel 20 from DC power to AC power at a prescribed conversion efficiency and outputs the power so that it can be used in the house H.

Although not illustrated, the PV-PCS 21 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a wireless communication interface, and a readable and writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The PV-PCS 21 communicates with the control device 6 via a not-shown home network built in the house H. The home network is, for example, a network conforming to ECHONET Lite. The PV-PCS 21 may be connected to the home network via an external communication adapter (not shown).

<Power Measurement Device 3>
The power measuring device 3 measures the value of power transmitted to each of the power lines D1 to D3 disposed in the house H. Power line D1 is disposed between commercial power grid 10 and distribution board 11, power line D2 is disposed between power generation facility 2 and distribution board 11, and power line D3 is disposed between distribution board 11 and It is disposed between the water heater 4 and the other. The power measurement device 3 is connected to each of CTs (Current Transformers) 1 to CT3 respectively connected to the power lines D1 to D3 through communication lines. CT1 to CT3 are sensors for measuring alternating current.

The CT1 disposed on the power line D1 measures the power P1 supplied from the commercial power system 10 to the house H. The electric power P1 corresponds to the commercial power which is the electric power purchased by the customer from the electric power company in the house H. The CT 2 disposed on the power line D 2 measures the power P 2 output from the power generation facility 2 to the distribution board 11. The electric power P2 is generated by the power generation facility 2, and is supplied into the house H and corresponds to the electric power usable in the house H. The CT 3 disposed on the power line D 3 measures the power P 3 supplied from the distribution board 11 to the water heater 4. Electric power P3 corresponds to the electric power consumed in water heater 4.

The power Pt, which is the total power consumption consumed by all the electric devices in the house H including the water heater 4 and the plurality of electric devices 5, is the electric power P1 measured by CT1 and the electric power P2 measured by CT2. It corresponds to the sum of

FIG. 2 shows an example of the transition of the power P2 and the power Pt in one day in a typical home. The curve shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 represents the transition of the power P2, and it becomes large in the daytime with noon at which the amount of solar radiation increases as a peak. On the other hand, the curve indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2 represents the power Pt, and increases in the afternoon to the evening.

If the power P2 is smaller than the power Pt as in the periods T1 and T3 in FIG. 2, the house H can not supply the necessary power by the power P2 alone, so the power is received from the commercial power system 10, ie, power purchase There is a need to. Therefore, power P1, which is commercial power, has a positive value. On the other hand, when the power P2 is larger than the power Pt as in the period T2 in FIG. 2, the consumer of the house H supplies the surplus power to the commercial power grid 10 as reverse power, thereby the electric power business Power can be sold, that is, it can be sold. As described above, when power is supplied from the house H to the commercial power grid 10, the return of power from the customer side to the electric utility side is referred to as "reverse power flow". While reverse power flow is occurring, the power P1 has a negative value, and the reverse current power (power sale power) is represented as (−P1).

Further, the power measurement device 3 includes a wireless communication interface, and communicates with the control device 6 via the in-home network. The power measurement device 3 may be connected to the home network via an external communication adapter (not shown).

The power measurement device 3 has device ID (identification) of its own device, current time (meaning measurement time), and data in which measurement values of powers P1 to P3 and power line IDs of power lines are associated with each other. , Periodically (for example, every one minute) to the control device 6. The device ID is an ID for identifying a device (the power measurement device 3, the water heater 4, the electric device 5 (5a, 5b, ...)) connected to the control device 6. The power line ID is an ID for identifying a power line. The measurement value of the power transmitted to the control device 6 by the power measurement device 3 may be expressed in units of power (watts), or the power may be integrated over a preset integration time. It may be expressed in the unit of the amount of power consumed.

<Hot water heater 4>
Returning to FIG. 1, the water heater 4 is a hot water storage type water heater including a heat pump unit 40 and a tank unit 41. The heat pump unit 40 and the tank unit 41 are connected by a water pipe 42 through which hot and cold water flows. Hot water heater 4 is electrically connected to commercial power grid 10 and power generation facility 2 through power line D3 branched by distribution board 11, and operates by obtaining power from commercial power grid 10 or power generation facility 2. Do.

The heat pump unit 40 is a heat pump type heat source using CO ₂ (carbon dioxide) or HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) as a refrigerant. The heat pump unit 40 uses the surrounding air as a heat source to boil the low temperature water in the hot water storage tank 410 to high temperature water. As shown in FIG. 3, the heat pump unit 40 controls the compressor 400, the first heat exchanger 401, the expansion valve 402, the second heat exchanger 403, the blower 404, the water pump 405, and the like. And a substrate 406.

The compressor 400, the first heat exchanger 401, the expansion valve 402, and the second heat exchanger 403 are annularly connected by a refrigerant pipe 407. Thus, a refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant circulates is formed. The refrigerant circuit is also referred to as a heat pump or a refrigeration cycle. The water pipe 42 returns from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 410 to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 410 through the water pump 405 and the first heat exchanger 401. Thereby, a boiling circuit in which hot and cold water circulates is formed.

The compressor 400 compresses the refrigerant to raise the temperature and pressure. The compressor 400 includes an inverter circuit capable of changing a capacity, which is a delivery amount per unit, according to a drive frequency. The compressor 400 changes the above-mentioned capacity in accordance with an instruction from the control board 406.

The first heat exchanger 401 is a heating source for heating and heating city water to a target boiling temperature. Boiling temperature is also called hot water storage temperature. The first heat exchanger 401 is a plate-type or double-pipe type heat exchanger, and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipe 407 and the water sent from the hot water storage tank 410. Due to the heat exchange in the first heat exchanger 401, the refrigerant releases heat and the temperature drops, and the water absorbs heat and the temperature rises.

The expansion valve 402 expands the refrigerant to lower the temperature and pressure. Expansion valve 402 changes the valve opening degree in accordance with an instruction from control board 406.

The second heat exchanger 403 performs heat exchange between the ambient air sent by the blower 404 and the refrigerant. Due to the heat exchange in the second heat exchanger 403, the refrigerant absorbs heat and the temperature rises, and the outside air releases heat and the temperature falls.

The water pump 405 conveys the low temperature water from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 410 to the first heat exchanger 401. The water pump 405 includes an inverter circuit, and changes the driving rotational speed in accordance with a control value instructed from the control substrate 406 to change the water flow rate during transportation.

The control board 406 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication interface, and a readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory. The control board 406 is communicably connected to each of the compressor 400, the expansion valve 402, the blower 404, and the water pump 405 through a communication line (not shown), and controls their operation. The control board 406 is communicably connected to the hot water supply controller 411 of the tank unit 41 via a communication line (not shown).

Returning to FIG. 1, the tank unit 41 includes a hot water storage tank 410, a hot water supply controller 411, and a mixing valve 412. These components are housed in a metal outer case.

The hot water storage tank 410 is formed of metal such as stainless steel or resin. A heat insulating material is disposed outside the hot water storage tank 410. Thereby, high temperature hot water can be kept warm for a long time in the hot water storage tank 410.

The hot water supply controller 411 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication interface, and a readable / writable non-volatile semiconductor memory (not shown), and controls the hot water heater 4 in a centralized manner. The hot water supply controller 411 is communicably connected to the control substrate 406 of the heat pump unit 40 via a communication line (not shown). Further, the hot water supply controller 411 is communicably connected to the remote controller 44 via the communication line 43. Furthermore, the hot water supply controller 411 communicably connects to the control device 6 via the in-home network.

The remote control 44 is installed in a bathroom in the house H, and is a hot water supply for receiving user's operation input related to boiling, hot water supply, etc., displaying an operating state of the hot water heater 4, a hot water storage state, etc. This is a terminal device dedicated to Machine 4.

Although not shown, the remote controller 44 is a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory, an input device such as a push button, a touch panel, or a touch pad, a display device such as an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display, It has a communication interface.

Subsequently, the basic operation of the water heater 4 will be described. The water heater 4 performs a boiling operation and a water heating operation, if roughly classified.
<< Boiling operation >>
At the start of the boiling operation, the high temperature water in the hot water storage tank 410 is consumed, and the low temperature water near the temperature of the city water is stored in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 410. By operating the water pump 405, the low temperature water is introduced into the first heat exchanger 401 of the heat pump unit 40, and the temperature is increased by heat exchange with the refrigerant to become high temperature water. The high temperature water is returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 410, and in the hot water storage tank 410, the high temperature water and the low temperature water stay in the upper part and a temperature stratification is formed, and a temperature boundary between the high temperature water and the low temperature water Layers are created.

When the amount of boiling increases and the area of high temperature water increases, the temperature boundary layer approaches the lower part of the hot water storage tank 410, and the temperature of water entering the first heat exchanger 401, which is the temperature of water entering, gradually rises.

<< Hot water supply operation >>
A hot water discharge pipe is connected to an upper portion of the hot water storage tank 410, and high temperature water discharged from the hot water storage tank 410 via the hot water discharge pipe is mixed with city water at a mixing valve 412. As a result, it becomes hot and cold water having a temperature (for example, 40 ° C.) desired by the user, and is supplied to a hot water supply terminal such as a shower 45 and a faucet 46 disposed in, for example, a bathroom. At this time, in the hot water storage tank 410, city water is supplied from a water supply pipe (not shown) connected to the lower part by volume and temperature of the hot water flowing out from the upper part. Thereby, the temperature boundary layer moves upward in the hot water storage tank 410. When the high-temperature water becomes smaller than the preset starting hot water storage amount Won, the water heater 4 performs additional boiling.

The hot water discharge pipe described above is provided with a use hot water amount sensor (not shown) for measuring the amount of hot water used (the amount of hot water supply) which is the amount of hot water discharged from the hot water storage tank 410. The amount of used hot water corresponds to the amount of hot water used in the house H. Further, the hot water storage tank 410 is provided with a hot water storage amount sensor (not shown) that measures the amount of hot water storage, which is the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 410. The used hot water amount sensor and the hot water storage amount sensor are communicably connected to the hot water supply controller 411 via a communication line (not shown). The hot water supply controller 411 generates hot water amount measurement data including the used hot water amount obtained by the measurement of the used hot water amount sensor and the hot water storage amount obtained by the measurement of the hot water storage amount sensor, and transmits it regularly to the control device 6. Specifically, the hot water supply controller 411 generates hot water amount measurement data every one minute, and transmits it to the control device 6. The hot water amount measurement data to be transmitted includes the device ID of the water heater 4 and the measurement time.

The water heater 4 has a plurality of control modes, and heats the hot water according to any control mode selected by the user among the plurality of control modes. Specifically, the water heater 4 has, as control modes, a stop mode, a normal mode, a more mode, a less mode, an automatic mode, and a proposal mode. Details of each control mode will be described later.

< Electric devices 5a, 5b, ...>
The electric devices 5 ( electric devices 5a, 5b, ...) are electric devices such as an air conditioner, a lighting device, a floor heating system, a refrigerator, an induction heating (IH) cooker, and a television, for example. The electrical devices 5a, 5b, ... are electrically connected to the commercial power system 10 and the power generation facility 2 via the power lines D4, D5, ... installed in the house H or its site and branched by the distribution board 11. It is done.

Each electrical device 5 includes a wireless communication interface, and communicates with the control device 6 via the home network. Each of the electric devices 5 may be connected to the home network via an external communication adapter (not shown). In response to the request from the control device 6, each electrical device 5 transmits the operation state data storing the device ID, the current time, and the information indicating the current operation state to the control device 6 via the home network. .

<Control device 6>
The control device 6 is an information collecting unit which is installed at an appropriate place in the house H and collects information transmitted from each device installed in the house H via the home network. The control device 6 is, for example, an HEMS controller capable of integrally controlling the devices installed in the house H. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 6 includes a control unit 60, a storage unit 61, a clock unit 62, an in-home communication unit 63, and an out-of-home communication unit 64. These units are connected via a bus 65.

The control unit 60 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown). The CPU is a processing unit that executes various processes and operations, and is also called a central processing unit, a central processing unit, a processor, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or the like. In the control unit 60, the CPU reads the program and data stored in the ROM, and uses the RAM as a work area to centrally control the control device 6.

The storage unit 61 is, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and is a so-called secondary storage device (auxiliary storage It plays a role as a device. The storage unit 61 stores various programs and data used by the control unit 60 to perform various processes, and various data generated or acquired by the control unit 60 performing various processes.

The timer unit 62 includes a real time clock (RTC) and is a clocking device that continues clocking even while the power of the control device 6 is off.

The in-home communication unit 63 includes a network interface card controller (NIC) for communicating via the in-home network built in the house H. The in-home communication unit 63 communicates with each of the power generation facility 2, the power measuring device 3, the hot water heater 4, and the electric device 5 through the in-home network under the control of the control unit 60.

Further, the in-home communication unit 63 includes an NIC for performing wireless communication or wired communication with the operation terminal 7. The in-home communication unit 63 communicates with the operation terminal 7 in accordance with known communication standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Wi-SUN (registered trademark), and wired LAN.

The out-of-home communication unit 64 has a communication interface for connecting to the wide area network N via the router 12, and under the control of the control unit 60, the outside including the management server 8 and the weather server 9 via the wide area network N Communicate with devices. The router 12 is a device capable of communicating with an external device via the wide area network N, and is, for example, a broadband router. The wide area network N is, for example, the Internet.

Details of the function of the control device 6 will be described later.

<Operation terminal 7>
Returning to FIG. 1, the operation terminal 7 is a mobile device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, or a laptop computer, and functions as a user interface. The operation terminal 7 is an example of the output terminal according to the present invention. The operation terminal 7 includes input devices such as a push button, a touch panel, and a touch pad, a display device such as an organic electroluminescence (EL) display and a liquid crystal display, and a communication interface. The operation terminal 7 receives an operation from the user, and transmits information indicating the received operation content to the control device 6. Further, the operation terminal 7 receives the information to be presented to the user transmitted from the control device 6 and presents the received information to the user.

<Management server 8>
The management server 8 is a server that is managed by a manufacturer of the control device 6, a sales company, etc., and causes the power management system 1 to function in cooperation with the control device 6. The management server 8 is, for example, a server that provides resources in cloud computing. The management server 8 manages the state of energy use in the client's house including the house H. As shown in FIG. 5, the management server 8 includes a control unit 80, a storage unit 81, and a communication unit 82. These units are connected via a bus 83.

The control unit 80 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processing unit that executes various processes and operations, and is also called a central processing unit, a central processing unit, a processor, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a DSP, or the like. In the control unit 80, the CPU reads programs and data stored in the ROM, and uses the RAM as a work area to centrally control the management server 8.

The storage unit 81 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or an HDD, and plays a role as a so-called secondary storage device. The storage unit 81 stores programs and data used by the control unit 80 to perform various processes, and data generated or acquired by the control unit 80 performing various processes.

The communication unit 82 includes a communication interface for connecting to the wide area network N, and communicates with the control device 6 and the weather server 9 via the wide area network N under the control of the control unit 80. Details of the functions of the management server 8 will be described later.

<Weather server 9>
Returning to FIG. 1, the meteorological server 9 is a data server operated by the Meteorological Agency, a meteorological operator, etc., and provides meteorological information to the public. The weather information is information on weather forecast and results such as weather, temperature, solar radiation amount, sunshine duration, wind direction and the like. The weather server 9 is communicably connected to the control device 6 installed at each demand place via the wide area network N, and distributes weather information via the wide area network N.

Subsequently, the function of the management server 8 will be described in detail. The management server 8 functionally has, as shown in FIG. 6, a weather information acquisition unit 800, a power acquisition unit 810, a hot water acquisition unit 820, a prediction unit 830, a prediction information transmission unit 840, and generation of hot water information. A unit 850 and a hot water content information transmission unit 860 are provided. Each of these functions is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and the firmware are described as a program and stored in the ROM or the storage unit 81 of the management server 8. Then, in the control unit 80, the CPU executes the program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 81 to realize the function of each unit. The management server 8 also includes a database 870. The database 870 is constructed in the storage area of the storage unit 81.

The weather information acquisition unit 800 is realized by the control unit 80 in cooperation with the communication unit 82, and acquires weather information from the weather server 9. The weather information includes weather forecast which is forecast of weather, solar radiation amount, sunshine duration, temperature etc. in the area including the house H, and weather record which is the past results of these, power generated by the power generation facility 2 Is used as a parameter for predicting the power P2.

The weather information acquisition unit 800 transmits a request to the weather server 9 via the wide area network N, and acquires weather information from the weather server 9 as a response to the request. The weather information acquisition unit 800 acquires weather information from the weather server 9 each time the weather information is updated in the weather server 9, and stores the acquired weather information in the database 870.

The power acquisition unit 810 is realized by the control unit 80 cooperating with the communication unit 82, and from the control device 6 of each customer, the measurement value of the power P1 which is commercial power and the measurement value of the power P2 which is generated power And, the measured value of electric power P3 supplied to the water heater 4 and the measured value of electric power Pt which is the total power consumption in the house H are acquired. In detail, the power acquisition unit 810 is configured to store, in the wide area network N, the power history data in which the history of the measured values of the powers P1 to P3 and Pt for a predetermined period (for example, one hour) , And receives such power history data to obtain a history of measurement values of each power. The power acquisition unit 810 stores the history of the acquired measurement values of each power in the database 870. Further, the power acquisition unit 810 subtracts each history of the measured value of the power P3 from each history of the measured value of the power Pt to calculate the value of the power consumption (hereinafter referred to as the power Pc) and calculates these values. It is stored in the database 870 as a history of the measured values of the power Pc.

The measurement values of the powers P1 to P3 and Pt acquired by the power acquisition unit 810 may be expressed in units of power (watts), or the powers are integrated over a preset integration time. It may be expressed in units of electric energy.

The hot water amount acquisition unit 820 is realized by the control unit 80 cooperating with the communication unit 82, and acquires the measurement value of the used hot water amount and the measurement value of the hot water storage amount from the control device 6 of each customer. Specifically, the hot water amount acquiring unit 820 is a hot water amount history data in which a history of measured values of the used hot water amount and measured values of the stored hot water amount for a predetermined period (for example, 1 hour) is stored by the control device 6 described later. Is transmitted via the wide area network N, the hot water amount history data is received, and the history of the measurement values of the used hot water amount and the hot water storage amount is acquired. The hot water amount acquisition unit 820 stores the history of the acquired measurement values in the database 870.

The database 870 includes the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 800, the measured values of the powers P1 to P3 and Pt acquired by the power acquisition unit 810, and the amount of used hot water acquired by the hot water acquisition unit 820 for each customer. Store the measured value of the amount of hot water storage. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the database 870 includes weather forecast information 871, weather record information 872, generated power information 873, power consumption information 874, used hot water amount information 875, and hot water storage amount information. 876 and memorize.

The weather forecast information 871 is information indicating the weather forecast of the next day in the area including the house H. The weather record information 872 is information indicating past weather records in the area including the house H. The generated power information 873 is information indicating a measurement value of the power P2 which is generated power in the house H. The power consumption information 874 is information indicating the measured values of the powers P1, P3, and Pt in the house H. The used hot water amount information 875 is information indicating the measured value of the used hot water amount in the house H. The hot water storage amount information 876 is information indicating the measured value of the hot water storage amount in the hot water storage tank 410 of the hot water supply device 4. The weather record information 872, the generated power information 873 and the power consumption information 874 are respectively the weather record for the predetermined accumulation period (for example, one year), the measured value of the power P2 and the measured values of the powers P1, P3, Pt. , In chronological order. Further, the used hot water amount information 875 and the hot water storage amount information 876 store the measurement value of the use hot water amount and the measurement value of the hot water storage amount for the accumulation period, respectively, in chronological order. These pieces of information stored in the database 870 are updated each time data is acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 800, the power acquisition unit 810, or the hot water acquisition unit 820.

Returning to FIG. 6, the prediction unit 830 is realized by the control unit 80 cooperating with the storage unit 81, and the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 800 and the power P2 acquired by the power acquisition unit 810 , P3, and the measured value of Pt, the transition of the surplus power in the next day in the house H is predicted. Here, the surplus power (hereinafter referred to as power Ps) means the excess power when the power P2 generated by the power generation facility 2 exceeds the power Pc consumed by the house H. . That is, the power Ps corresponds to the difference between the power P2 and the power Pc.

The prediction of the transition of the power Ps, which is surplus power, will be described in detail below. First, the prediction unit 830 predicts the transition of the power P2, which is the generated power of the house H the next day. To that end, the prediction unit 830 creates a power generation prediction model based on the meteorological result information 872 and the generated power information 873 stored in the database 870. The power generation prediction model is a model for predicting the electric power P2, and the measurement value of the electric power P2 for the past predetermined target period (for example, two weeks to one month etc.) before today is timed (for example, 1 This is a model in which power P2 is averaged in each group by grouping by time shown in minutes) and weather.

In detail, the prediction unit 830 groups measurement values of the power P2 of each time in the target period according to weather such as clear, cloudy, rain, etc., with reference to the weather results in the above target period in the past, The average value of the measured values of the power P2 in each group is calculated. Then, the prediction unit 830 creates a power generation prediction model by associating the calculated average value of the measured values of the power P2 with each time and weather.

The prediction unit 830 acquires the weather information of the next day in the area including the house H from the weather forecast information 871 stored in the database 870. Then, with reference to the power generation prediction model, the prediction unit 830 sets the average value of the measured values of the power P2 at each time corresponding to the weather of the next day as the predicted value of the power P2 at each time the next day. In this way, the prediction unit 830 predicts the transition of the power P2 the next day.

Second, the prediction unit 830 predicts the transition of the power Pc, which is the power consumption of the house H the next day. Electric power Pc corresponds to the difference between electric power Pt, which is the total power consumption, and electric power P3 supplied to water heater 4, as described above. In order to predict the transition of the power Pc, the prediction unit 830 creates a consumption prediction model based on the power consumption information 874 stored in the database 870. The consumption forecasting model is a model for predicting the power Pc which is the power consumption in the house H, and the measurement value of the power Pc for the target period is the time (eg, time shown in one minute unit) and day In each group, power Pc is averaged.

Specifically, the prediction unit 830 groups measurement values of the power Pc at each time in the past target period by day of the week, and calculates an average value of the measurement values of the power Pc in each group. Then, the prediction unit 830 creates a consumption prediction model by associating the calculated average value of the measured values of the power P2 with the day of the week. The prediction unit 830 refers to the consumption prediction model and sets the average value of the measurement values of the power Pc at each time corresponding to the day of the next day as the predicted value of the power Pc at each time the next day. In this manner, the prediction unit 830 predicts the transition of the power Pc the next day.

Second, the prediction unit 830 predicts the transition of the power Ps, which is the surplus power, from the transition of the power P2 and the transition of the power Pc, which are predicted the next day, respectively. Specifically, the prediction unit 830 predicts the power Ps at the time by subtracting the predicted value of the power Pc from the predicted value of the power P2 at each time of the next day (for example, a time indicated by one minute). Calculate the value. In this manner, prediction unit 830 predicts the transition of power Ps, which is surplus power, as shown in FIG.

Returning to FIG. 6, the prediction information transmission unit 840 is realized by the control unit 80 cooperating with the communication unit 82, and transmits to the control device 6 prediction information indicating the transition of the power Ps predicted by the prediction unit 830. Do. Specifically, the prediction information transmission unit 840 transmits, to the control device 6 via the wide area network N, prediction information indicating the prediction value of the power Ps at each time of the next day shown in FIG. The prediction information transmission unit 840 transmits prediction information to the control device 6 periodically or in response to a request from the control device 6.

Hot water amount information generation unit 850 is realized by control unit 80 in cooperation with storage unit 81, and based on used hot water amount information 875 and hot water storage amount information 876 stored in database 870, in a learning period set in advance. Hot water amount information representing an average value of the used hot water amount and a minimum hot water storage amount Wlow which is the minimum value of the hot water storage amount in this learning period is generated. In the present embodiment, the learning period is two weeks, and the hot water amount information generation unit 850 represents the average value of the used hot water amount in the past two weeks and the minimum hot water storage amount Wlow which is the minimum value of the hot water storage amount in the past two weeks. Generate hot water volume information.

The hot water content information transmission unit 860 is realized by the control unit 80 cooperating with the communication unit 82, and transmits the hot water content information generated by the hot water content information generation unit 850 to the control device 6. The hot water content information transmission unit 860 transmits hot water content information to the control device 6 via the wide area network N periodically or in response to a request from the control device 6.

Next, the functional configuration of the control device 6 will be described with reference to FIG. The control device 6 functionally has, as shown in FIG. 9, a measurement data acquisition unit 600, a history data transmission unit 610, an information reception unit 620, an operation setting unit 630, an operation control unit 640, and information insertion. And an output unit 650. Each of these functions is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and the firmware are described as a program and stored in the ROM or the storage unit 61 of the control device 6. Then, in the control unit 60, the CPU executes the program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 61 to realize the functions of the respective units. Further, the control device 6 includes a measurement data storage unit 660 and an information storage unit 670. The measurement data storage unit 660 and the information storage unit 670 are constructed in a storage area in the storage unit 61.

The measurement data acquisition unit 600 is realized by the control unit 60 cooperating with the in-home communication unit 63 and the storage unit 61, and is supplied to the electric power P1 which is commercial power, the electric power P2 which is generated electric power, and the water heater 4 The power measurement data in which the measurement value of P3 is stored is acquired from the power measurement device 3 via the home network. Specifically, as described above, the power measurement device 3 periodically (eg, every one minute) transmits power measurement data including the measurement values of the powers P1 to P3 and the measurement time to the control device 6. The measurement data acquisition unit 600 may periodically transmit a request for power measurement data to the power measurement device 3, and the power measurement device 3 may transmit power measurement data to the control device 6 in response to the request. . When the measurement data acquisition unit 600 receives and acquires the power measurement data from the power measurement device 3, the measurement data acquisition unit 600 stores the acquired power measurement data in the measurement data storage unit 660. At this time, the measurement data acquisition unit 600 calculates the power Pt by adding up the power P1 and the power P2, and stores the calculated power Pt in the power measurement data in the measurement data storage unit 660.

In addition, the measurement data acquisition unit 600 acquires, from the water heater 4 via the in-home network, hot water amount measurement data in which the used hot water amount and the measured value of the stored hot water are stored. Specifically, as described above, the water heater 4 periodically (eg, every one minute) transmits hot water amount measurement data including the measurement values of the used hot water amount and the hot water storage amount and the measurement time to the control device 6. The measurement data acquisition unit 600 may periodically transmit a request for hot water content measurement data to the water heater 4, and the hot water heater 4 may transmit hot water content measurement data to the control device 6 in response to this request. When the measurement data acquisition unit 600 receives and acquires the hot water amount measurement data from the water heater 4, it stores the acquired hot water amount measurement data in the measurement data storage unit 660.

The measurement data storage unit 660 stores power measurement data and hot water amount measurement data for a predetermined period of time (for example, two weeks).

The history data transmission unit 610 is realized by the control unit 60 in cooperation with the outside communication unit 64, generates power history data periodically (for example, every hour), and manages the management server via the wide area network N. Send to 8 The history of measured values of power P1 which is commercial power, power P2 which is generated power, power P3 which is supplied to the water heater 4 and power Pt which is total power consumption is stored in the power history data for a predetermined period (for example, , 1 hour) is stored. The history data transmission unit 610 may separately transmit the history of the measurement values of the powers P1 to P3 and Pt. Further, the history data transmission unit 610 may transmit the power history data to the management server 8 in response to a request from the management server 8.

Further, the history data transmission unit 610 periodically (for example, every hour) generates hot water history data, and transmits it to the management server 8 via the wide area network N. In the hot water amount history data, the measured value of the used hot water amount and the history of the measured value of the stored hot water amount are stored for a fixed period (for example, for one hour). The history data transmission unit 610 may transmit the history of the measurement value of the amount of used hot water and the measurement value of the amount of hot water storage separately. Further, the history data transmission unit 610 may transmit history history data to the management server 8 in response to a request from the management server 8.

The information receiving unit 620 is realized by the control unit 60 in cooperation with the outside communication unit 64, communicates with the management server 8 via the wide area network N, and transmits prediction information and hot water amount information transmitted from the management server 8 To receive. The management server 8 transmits the prediction information and the hot water amount information to the control device 6 periodically, for example. Alternatively, the information receiving unit 620 transmits a request for prediction information and hot water volume information to the management server 8 as necessary, and the management server 8 transmits the prediction information and hot water volume information to the control device 6 in response to this request. It is good. When receiving the prediction information and the hot water content information, the information receiving unit 620 stores the received prediction information and hot water content information in the information storage unit 670.

Further, the information receiving unit 620 communicates with the weather server 9 via the wide area network N, and receives the weather information transmitted from the weather server 9. The weather server 9 transmits weather information to the control device 6 periodically, for example. Alternatively, the information receiving unit 620 may transmit a request for weather information to the weather server 9 as necessary, and the weather server 9 may transmit weather information to the control device 6 in response to the request. When receiving the weather information, the information receiving unit 620 stores the received weather information in the information storage unit 670.

The information storage unit 670 stores the prediction information, the hot water supply information, and the weather information received by the information receiving unit 620. The information storage unit 670 also stores the mode information and the calendar information received from the operation terminal 7 by the information input / output unit 650. Further, the information storage unit 670 stores notification information described later generated by the information input / output unit 650. The prediction information, the hot water supply information, and the weather information stored in the information storage unit 670 are updated each time the information reception unit 620 receives these pieces of information. The mode information and the calendar information stored in the information storage unit 670 are updated each time the information input / output unit 650 receives these pieces of information. The notification information stored in the information storage unit 670 is updated each time the information input / output unit 650 generates the notification information.

The mode information is information indicating which one of the plurality of control modes provided in the water heater 4 is selected by the user. As described later, the operation terminal 7 generates mode information by receiving an operation of selecting a control mode by the user, and transmits the generated mode information to the control device 6 through the communication interface. Information input / output unit 650 receives the mode information transmitted by operation terminal 7, and stores the received mode information in information storage unit 670.

Calendar information is information which shows the generation | occurrence | production schedule of the event in the house H. FIG. As described later, the operation terminal 7 generates calendar information by receiving an input of an event scheduled to be generated by the user, and transmits the generated calendar information to the control device 6 through the communication interface. Information input / output unit 650 receives the calendar information transmitted by operation terminal 7, and stores the received calendar information in information storage unit 670.

The calendar information includes event information which is information on an event scheduled to occur in the house H, as shown in FIG. The event information includes data representing the contents of the event, data representing the date and time when the event is scheduled to occur, data representing the number margin, and data representing the water supply margin in association with one another.

The number of people margin is the amount of change in the number of people at home in the house H due to the influence of the event. When the number of people at home increases due to the influence of the event, the number of people margin takes a positive value, and when the number of people at home decreases due to the effect of an event, the number of people margin takes a negative value. The people's margin corresponds to the increase or decrease of the number of people using the hot water supplied by the water heater 4 due to the influence of the event. The hot water amount margin is a change amount of the used hot water amount in the house H due to the influence of the event. When the amount of hot water used increases due to the influence of an event, the hot water amount margin takes a positive value, and when the amount of hot water used decreases due to the influence of an event, it takes a negative value. The hot water supply margin is preset according to the content of the event. The hot water supply margin corresponds to the amount of increase or decrease of the amount of hot water supply of the water heater 4 due to the influence of the event.

As shown in FIG. 11, the operation setting unit 630 is, as shown in FIG. 11, a day's boiling water determination unit 631, a period determination unit 632, a daytime boiling water setting unit 633, a nighttime target hot water storage calculating unit 634, and a daytime boiling. And a hot water amount calculation unit 635. The operation setting unit 630 is realized by the control unit 60 in cooperation with the storage unit 61.

The daily boiling water quantity determination unit 631 determines the daily boiling water quantity Wday, which is a predicted value of the daily hot water supply quantity of the water heater 4. The amount of boiling water Wday of one day corresponds to the predicted value of the amount of hot water used per day in the house H.

One day's boiling water quantity determination unit 631 adds a calendar margin and a season margin to the average value of the used hot water quantities in the past two weeks indicated by the hot water quantity information stored in the information storage unit 670. Determined as the amount of boiling water Wday.

The calendar margin is an adjustment value of the amount of hot water supply according to the occurrence schedule of the event in the house H. The amount of hot water supplied by the water heater 4 changes due to the influence of an event that occurs in the house H. By determining the amount of boiling water Wday of the day based on the calendar margin, the amount of boiling water determination unit 631 of one day reduces the possibility of the occurrence of a shortage of hot water and excessively heats the hot water, thus causing the power Reduce the possibility of wasting The boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day determines a calendar margin according to the amount of change in the number of people at home in the house H due to the influence of the event based on the calendar information stored in the information storage unit 670. Specifically, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day extracts event information related to an event scheduled to occur on the next day out of the event information included in the calendar information, and is included in the extracted event information The amount of change in the number of people at home in the house H the next day is calculated by totaling the number of people. The daily boiling water quantity determination unit 631 determines a value obtained by multiplying the calculated amount of change in the number of people at home by a preset average quantity of used hot water per person as a calendar margin. In the present embodiment, the average amount of used hot water per person is set to 75 liters.

The seasonal margin is an adjustment value of the amount of hot water supply according to the season. The amount of hot water supplied by the water heater 4 varies with the season. For example, generally in the early winter, which is the turning point of the season from autumn to winter, the amount of hot water supply tends to increase rapidly. By determining the amount of boiling water Wday of the day based on the seasonal margin, the amount of boiling water determination portion 631 of the day reduces the possibility of occurrence of the water shortage and also excessively heats the water to cause the power Reduce the possibility of wasting Specifically, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day determines whether or not the next day is the early winter. And when the boiling water amount determination part 631 of one day determines that the next day is the early winter, while setting the amount (for example, 100 L) of hot water for early winters set beforehand as a seasons margin, the next day is not the early winter When it is determined, a preset hot water amount (for example, 0 L) smaller than the hot water amount for the early winter is determined as a seasonal margin.

The amount of boiling water determination unit 631 of the day shows the result of the temperature of the day in the area including the house H, indicating the date of the day and the weather information stored by the information storage unit 670 whether the next day is early winter Determine according to the value and the predicted value of the temperature of the next day in the area including the house H. Specifically, the day's boiling water amount determination unit 631 has a date of November or December of the day, and the predicted value of the temperature of the next day is 5 degrees Celsius compared to the actual value of the temperature of the day If it is predicted to be lower than the above, it is determined that the next day is the early winter. On the other hand, when the day of the day is neither November nor December, or the predicted temperature of the next day is at least 5 degrees Celsius compared to the actual temperature of the current day If it is predicted not to be low, it is determined that the next day is not early winter.

The period determination unit 632 determines a daytime boiling period. The daytime boiling period is a period in which the water heater 4 is operated using only the electric power Ps during the daytime when the electric power Ps which is the surplus electric power is generated, and the hot water heater 4 is made to boil hot water.

FIG. 12 shows the transition of the amount of hot water storage in the hot water storage tank 410 in the case where the hot water heater 4 boils hot water in the daytime and in the case where the hot water is not boiled in the daytime. In FIG. 12, the solid line L1 represents the amount of stored water when the hot water is not boiled in the daytime, and the broken line L2 represents the amount of stored water when the hot water is boiled in the daytime.

For example, as in a rainy or cloudy day, when the surplus power Ps is small or not generated, the hot water heater 4 does not boil hot water in the daytime. In this case, as indicated by the solid line L1, the water heater 4 boils the hot water of the boiling water amount Wday of the day at night when the power rate is low. On the other hand, when a large amount of power Ps occurs as on a sunny day, the water heater 4 generates V1 of hot water of the boiling water amount Wday of one day, as indicated by the broken line L2, It is heated in the daytime using electric power Ps. In this case, the amount of hot water boiling at night decreases by V1. This reduces the amount of commercial power used to boil the water at night.

The period determination unit 632 determines the daytime boiling period based on the prediction of the transition of the power Ps which is the surplus power indicated by the prediction information stored in the information storage unit 670. Specifically, the period determination unit 632 determines a period during which the predicted value of the power Ps is larger than the power Pw indicating the power consumption of the water heater 4 as a daytime boiling period. The period determination unit 632 determines the magnitude of the predicted value of the power Ps and the power Pw at each time included in the period in which the power Ps is generated by referring to the prediction information. When there are a plurality of periods in which the predicted value of the power Ps exceeds the power Pw, the period determination unit 632 determines the longest period among the plurality of periods as the daytime boiling period. As described above, since the number of times of start / stop of the water heater 4 can be reduced by determining the longest possible time as the daytime boiling period, the water heater 4 can be operated efficiently.

Here, the electric power Pw means the rating of the power consumption when the water heater 4 is performing the boiling operation, that is, performing the boiling operation. The period determination unit 632 obtains the information on the power Pw from the water heater 4 by communicating with the water heater 4 via the in-home communication unit 63. Alternatively, the period determination unit 632 may determine the power Pw based on the record of the power consumption of the water heater 4, ie, the history of the power P3 measured by the power measurement device 3, or may be input by the user Alternatively, a fixed value set as an initial value may be used as the power Pw.

In addition, the period determination unit 632 calculates the possible heating time Tmax, which is the determined time length of the daytime boiling period. Boiling possible time Tmax corresponds to the maximum value of the time during which water heater 4 can boil hot water using surplus power. The possible heating time Tmax is an example of the longest duration according to the present invention. The period determination unit 632 is an example of a time acquisition unit according to the present invention.

Returning to FIG. 11, the daytime boiling water volume setting unit 633 sets the starting hot water storage volume Won which is the hot water breakage prevention water volume set in advance from the boiling water volume Wday of the day determined by the boiling water volume determination unit 631 of the day. The subtracted value is set as an initial value of the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon. The amount of activated hot water storage Won is, for example, 100 L and is a fixed value.

The nighttime target storage water amount calculation unit 634 calculates a nighttime target storage water amount Wnight that is a target value of the amount of hot water that the water heater 4 operates by using only commercial power at nighttime. The nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight is an example of the first hot water amount according to the present invention. In addition, the nighttime target water storage amount calculation unit 634 is an example of a first hot water amount calculation unit according to the present invention.

As described above, the water heater 4 has the control mode of the stop mode, the normal mode, the less mode, the more mode, the automatic mode and the stop mode, and the user selects one of the plurality of control modes. Operate according to the control mode. The nighttime target water storage amount calculation unit 634 calculates the nighttime target water storage amount Wnight according to the control mode selected by the user indicated by the mode information stored in the information storage unit 670.

Specifically, the stop mode is a control mode in which the water heater 4 does not cause the hot water to be boiled using the surplus power. In other words, the stop mode is a control mode that causes the water heater 4 to boil all of the boiling water amount Wday of the day at night using commercial power. When the stop mode is selected by the user as the control mode of the water heater 4, the nighttime target storage water volume calculation unit 634 targets the daily boiling water volume Wday determined by the daily heating water volume determination unit 631 at nighttime Calculated as the amount of stored water Wnight.

In the normal mode, by causing the water heater 4 to perform boiling of hot water using surplus power, the amount of commercial power used for boiling of hot water is reduced compared to the stop mode, and boiling of the hot water is achieved. This is a control mode that increases the amount of surplus power to be utilized.

When the normal mode is selected by the user as the control mode of the water heater 4, the nighttime target storage water amount calculating unit 634 determines whether the boiling available time Tmax calculated by the period determining unit 632 is larger than the necessary boiling time Tnoon Then, the nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight is calculated according to the determination result. The required boiling time Tnoon is a time required for the water heater 4 to boil the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon set by the daytime boiling water amount setting unit 633. The nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 calculates a value obtained by dividing the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon set by the daytime boiling water amount setting unit 633 by the boiling capacity of the water heater 4 as the necessary boiling time Tnoon. The boiling capacity of the water heater 4 is an index indicating how fast the water heater 4 can boil hot water, and is represented by the amount of hot water that the water heater 4 can boil per unit time. The nighttime target water storage amount calculation unit 634 acquires information on the boiling ability of the hot water supply device 4 from the hot water supply device 4 by communicating with the hot water supply device 4 via the in-home communication unit 63. Alternatively, as the boiling capacity of the water heater 4, the nighttime target storage water amount calculating unit 634 may use a fixed value input by the user or set as an initial value.

Specifically, when the normal mode is selected by the user as the control mode of the hot water heater 4, the nighttime target storage amount calculating unit 634 determines that the possible boiling time Tmax is larger than the necessary boiling time Tnoon, A value obtained by subtracting the daytime boiling water volume Wnoon set by the daytime boiling water volume setting unit 633 from the daily heating water volume Wday determined by the one day boiling water volume determination unit 631 is calculated as a nighttime target storage water volume Wnight . On the other hand, when the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 determines that the possible boiling time Tmax is equal to or less than the required boiling time Tnoon, the daily boiling water volume Wday determined by the daily boiling water volume determination unit 631 is used. A value obtained by subtracting the boiling available hot water amount Wmax is calculated as a nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight. Boiling possible hot water amount Wmax is the amount of hot water which is heated by the water heater 4 operating for the boiling possible time Tmax. The nighttime target storage water amount calculation unit 634 calculates a value obtained by multiplying the boiling available time Tmax by the boiling capability of the water heater 4 as the boiling available water amount Wmax.

The less mode is a control mode in which the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon is set smaller than in the normal mode. In other words, the less mode is a control mode in which the nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight is set larger than the water heater 4. As the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight is larger, the possibility that hot water is used by an event that occurs from the night of the day to the day of the next day is reduced. That is, the smaller mode is a control mode in which the possibility of occurrence of water shortage is reduced as compared to the normal mode by setting the nighttime target water storage amount Wnight to be larger than the normal mode.

When the low mode is selected by the user as the control mode of the water heater 4, the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 calculates the nighttime target storage amount Wnight by executing the same processing as the processing in the normal mode described above. After that, the nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight is adjusted by adding a preset adjustment hot water amount Wadj. In the present embodiment, the adjustment hot water amount Wadj is set to 230 L which is the sum of the average use hot water amount for one shower and the average use hot water amount for one hot water filling.

The extra mode is a control mode in which the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon is set larger than in the normal mode. In other words, the extra mode is a control mode that sets the nighttime target water storage amount Wnight smaller than the normal mode. As the nighttime target storage amount Wnight is smaller, the amount of commercial power that the water heater 4 uses for boiling hot water at night decreases. That is, by setting the night target water storage amount Wnight to be smaller than the normal mode, the extra mode reduces the amount of commercial power used for boiling of hot water compared to the normal mode, and the hot water is boiled. Is a control mode for increasing the amount of surplus power utilized in the

When the user selects the mode as the control mode of the hot water heater 4, the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 determines whether the possible boiling time Tmax is larger than the necessary boiling time Tnoon, and the determination result is The nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight is calculated accordingly. Specifically, when the nighttime target water storage amount calculating unit 634 determines that the possible heating time Tmax is equal to or less than the necessary heating time Tnoon, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 for one day determines the boiling temperature for one day. A value obtained by subtracting the possible boiling water amount Wmax from the raised water amount Wday is calculated as a nighttime target storage amount Wnight. On the other hand, when the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 determines that the possible boiling time Tmax is larger than the necessary boiling time Tnoon, the daily boiling water volume Wday determined by the daily boiling water volume determination unit 631 is It is determined whether it is larger than the sum of the boilable hot water amount Wmax and the minimum hot water storage amount Wlow which is the minimum value of the hot water storage amount in the past two weeks, and the nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight is calculated according to the determination result. The nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 obtains the minimum storage amount Wlow by referring to the hot water amount information received by the information reception unit 620 from the management server 8. When it is determined that the overnight target hot water storage amount calculation unit 634 determines that the daily boiling water quantity Wday is larger than the sum of the possible boiling hot water quantity Wmax and the minimum hot water storage quantity Wlow, the allowable hot water quantity Wmax is calculated from the daily boiling water quantity Wday. The subtracted value is calculated as a nighttime target water storage amount Wnight. On the other hand, when it is determined that the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 determines that the daily boiling water amount Wday is equal to or less than the sum of the possible boiling water amount Wmax and the minimum storage amount Wlow, the minimum storage amount Wlow is set as the nighttime target storage amount Wnight decide.

The automatic mode is a control mode substantially similar to the overtone mode. However, the automatic mode is different from the mode in which the nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight is adjusted according to an event occurrence schedule in the house H.

Specifically, when the automatic mode is selected by the user as the control mode of the hot water heater 4, the nighttime target storage amount calculating unit 634 executes the same process as the process in the above-described additional mode and performs the nighttime target storage After calculating the amount Wnight, the calculated target night water storage amount Wnight is adjusted in accordance with the calendar information stored in the information storage unit 670.

More specifically, the nighttime target hot water storage amount calculation unit 634 extracts event information related to an event scheduled to occur from the night of the day to the day of the next day among the event information included in the calendar information. The nighttime target water storage amount calculation unit 634 adjusts the nighttime target water storage amount Wnight by adding the total value of the hot water amount margins included in the extracted event information. If the total value of the hot water supply margin is a positive value, it means that the occurrence of an event to increase the used hot water amount is scheduled from the night of the day to the day of the next day. In this case, the night target water storage amount calculation unit 634 increases the night target water storage amount Wnight by adding the total value of the hot water amount margins taking positive values, so that hot water shortage occurs from the night of the day to the next day Reduce the possibility of On the other hand, if the total value of the hot water supply margin is a negative value, it means that the occurrence of an event to reduce the amount of used hot water is scheduled from the night of the day to the day of the next day. In this case, the nighttime target water storage volume calculation unit 634 decreases the nighttime target water storage volume Wnight by adding the sum of the hot water volume margins that take negative values. This prevents the use of commercial power to boil unnecessary hot water at night, prevents waste of commercial power, and increases the amount of surplus power used to boil hot water. . As described above, when the automatic mode is selected by the user as the control mode of the water heater 4, the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 is a nighttime target according to an event scheduled to occur from the night of the day to the daytime of the next day. By adjusting the amount of stored hot water, it is possible to reduce the possibility of hot water shortage, to suppress the waste of commercial power, and to increase the amount of surplus power used for boiling hot water.

The proposed mode is a control mode substantially similar to the automatic mode. However, in the proposal mode, the user is asked whether to permit adjustment of the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight according to the occurrence schedule of the event in the house H, and the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight is calculated according to the user's response to this inquiry. Is different from the automatic mode in that

Specifically, when the proposal mode is selected by the user as the control mode of the water heater 4, the nighttime target storage amount calculating unit 634 executes the same process as the process in the above-described automatic mode. A nighttime target water storage amount Wnight is calculated by performing the same process as the process in the additional mode and adjusting the calculated nighttime target water storage amount Wnight according to the event occurrence schedule in the house H. Hereinafter, control for adjusting the nighttime target water storage amount Wnight in accordance with an occurrence schedule of an event in the house H is referred to as adjustment control.

As described later, when the proposal mode is selected by the user as the control mode of the water heater 4, the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight in the case of performing the adjustment control is calculated in response to the calculation of the nighttime target storage water amount calculation unit 634 The information input / output unit 650 causes the operation terminal 7 to present the notification information to the user. The notification information includes inquiry information for inquiring of the user whether to permit the adjustment control. When, after the notification information is presented to the user, the user operates the operation terminal 7 to perform an operation for permitting adjustment control or an operation for rejecting the adjustment control. In response to this, the operation terminal 7 generates response information indicating whether or not the user has permitted the adjustment control. The operation terminal 7 transmits the generated response information to the control device 6. The information input / output unit 650 receives the response information transmitted by the operation terminal 7.

The nighttime target hot water storage amount calculation unit 634 determines whether the user permits the adjustment control according to the response information received by the information input / output unit 650. When it is determined that the user permits the adjustment control, the nighttime target storage water amount calculation unit 634 executes the same processing as the processing in the above-described automatic mode and calculates the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight as the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight Decide as. On the other hand, when it is determined that the user refuses to perform adjustment control, the nighttime target storage water amount calculation unit 634 executes the same processing as the processing in the above-described additional mode and calculates the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight as a nighttime target storage Determined as the quantity Wnight.

Referring back to FIG. 11, the daytime boiling water volume calculation unit 635 calculates the nighttime target storage water temperature calculated by the nighttime target storage water volume calculation unit 634 from the daily heating water volume Wday determined by the daily heating water volume determination unit 631. A value obtained by subtracting the amount Wnight is calculated as a daytime boiling water amount Wnoon. Thus, the daytime boiling water quantity calculation unit 635 calculates the daytime boiling water quantity Wnoon according to the control mode selected by the user among the plurality of control modes of the water heater 4. The daytime boiling water amount calculating unit 635 updates the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon set by the daytime boiling water amount calculating unit 635 according to the calculated daytime boiling water amount Wnoon. The updated daytime boiling water amount Wnoon is an example of the second hot water amount according to the present invention. In addition, the daytime boiling water quantity calculation unit 635 is an example of a second hot water quantity calculation unit according to the present invention.

Referring back to FIG. 9, the operation control unit 640 determines the start time and end time of the daytime boiling period determined by the period determination unit 632, and the nighttime target storage amount Wnight calculated by the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634, A boiling schedule representing the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon calculated by the daytime boiling water amount calculation unit 635 is generated. The operation control unit 640 transmits the generated heating schedule to the water heater 4 via the in-home communication unit 63, thereby causing the water heater 4 to execute the boiling operation of the hot water according to the heating schedule. The operation control unit 640 is realized by the control unit 60 cooperating with the in-home communication unit 63.

The operation control unit 640 causes the water heater 4 to boil the hot water of the nighttime target storage amount Wnight represented by the boiling schedule using only commercial power at night. In addition, the operation control unit 640 causes the water heater 4 to boil the hot water of the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon represented by the boiling schedule using only surplus power in the daytime boiling period represented by the boiling schedule.

When the water heating apparatus 4 receives the heating schedule from the operation control unit 640, the water heating apparatus 4 generates boiling water using only commercial power in response to the current time being the nighttime start time indicated by the heating schedule. Start driving. The hot water supply device 4 monitors the amount of hot water storage in the hot water storage tank 410 by acquiring the amount of hot water storage from the amount of hot water storage sensor periodically (for example, every 30 seconds) after starting the boiling operation. As a result of monitoring the amount of stored hot water, when the incremental amount from the amount of stored hot water at night start time reaches the target nightly stored amount of hot water Wnight represented by the boiling schedule, the boiling operation of hot water using only commercial power Stop. After stopping the boiling operation of the hot water using only commercial power, the water heater 4 stands by for the arrival of the daytime boiling period represented by the boiling schedule. In response to the current time being the start time of the daytime boiling period represented by the boiling schedule, the hot water heater 4 starts the boiling operation of the hot water using only the electric power Ps which is the surplus electric power. The hot water heater 4 monitors the amount of hot water storage in the hot water storage tank 410 by acquiring the amount of hot water storage from the amount of hot water storage sensor periodically after starting the boiling operation of hot water using only the electric power Ps. As a result of monitoring the amount of hot water storage, when the incremental amount from the amount of hot water storage at the start time of the daytime boiling period reaches the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon represented by the boiling schedule, the hot water heater 4 uses only electric power Ps Stop the boiling operation. When the current time is the end time of the daytime boiling period represented by the boiling schedule, the hot water heater 4 does not matter whether the daytime boiling water volume Wnoon represented by the boiling schedule is boiled at that time or not. The hot water boiling operation using only the power Ps is stopped.

The information input / output unit 650 receives, from the operation terminal 7 via the in-home network, various types of information generated by the operation terminal 7 receiving an operation by the user with the input device. In response to the generation of the information, the operation terminal 7 transmits the generated information to the information input / output unit 650 using the communication interface. Alternatively, the information input / output unit 650 may transmit a request for information to the operation terminal 7 as necessary, and the operation terminal 7 may transmit information to the information input / output unit 650 in response to the request. In addition, the information input / output unit 650 causes the operation terminal 7 to present various information to the user. Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 transmits various types of information to the operation terminal 7 via the home network, and the operation terminal 7 displays this image on the display device by displaying an image representing the received information. Is presented to the user. Information input / output unit 650 is implemented by control unit 60 cooperating with in-home communication unit 63.

For example, the information input / output unit 650 receives the mode information described above from the operation terminal 7. Information input / output unit 650 stores the received mode information in information storage unit 670. Operation terminal 7 generates mode information by receiving an operation of selecting a control mode by the user in a state where setting screen WW1 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display device. Specifically, the user can select the stop mode as the control mode of the water heater 4 by setting the item of “daytime heating control” to OFF in the setting screen WW1. In addition, the user sets the item of "daytime heating control" to ON, and "automatically" is selected in the item of "daytime heating control mode", and "always" in the item of "adjustment control permission" When "Permit" is selected, an automatic mode can be selected. In addition, the user sets the item of "daytime heating control" to ON, and in the state where "automatic" is selected in the item of "daytime heating control mode", "control" is performed in the item of "adjustment control permission" If "Confirmation before" is selected, the proposal mode can be selected. In addition, the user can select the normal mode by setting the item of “daytime heating control” to ON and selecting “normal” in the item of “daytime heating control mode”. In addition, the user can set the overtime mode by setting the item of “daytime heating control” to ON and selecting “more” in the item of “daytime heating control mode”. In addition, the user can select the less mode by setting the item of “daytime heating control” to ON and selecting “less” in the item of “daytime heating control mode”.

Further, the information input / output unit 650 receives the above-described calendar information from the operation terminal 7. The information input / output unit 650 stores the received calendar information in the information storage unit 670. The operation terminal 7 generates calendar information by receiving an input of an event occurrence scheduled by the user.

In addition, when the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4, the information input / output unit 650 generates notification information including the inquiry information described above. Information input / output unit 650 stores the generated notification information in information storage unit 670. In addition, the information input / output unit 650 causes the operation terminal 7 to present the generated notification information to the user. Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 transmits the generated notification information to the operation terminal 7 and causes the display device of the operation terminal 7 to display a permission screen representing the notification information. FIG. 14 shows an example of the permission screen WW2. The information input / output unit 650 causes the operation terminal 7 to present notification information in response to the nighttime target storage amount calculating unit 634 calculating the nighttime target storage amount Wnight when the adjustment control is performed.

The notification information includes information indicating a target night water storage amount Wnight, an amount of daytime boiling water Wnoon, and a surplus utilized power amount when the adjustment control is performed. That is, the notification information includes information indicating the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight, the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon, and the surplus utilization power amount corresponding to the automatic mode. The surplus utilized electric energy is the amount of electric power Ps which is the surplus electric power utilized for the hot water boiling by the water heater 4. Furthermore, the notification information includes information representing the nighttime target storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon when the normal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4. Furthermore, the notification information includes information representing the nighttime target storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon when the stop mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4. The information input / output unit 650 generates notification information by storing these pieces of information together with the inquiry information.

Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 acquires, from the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634, a nighttime target storage amount Wnight when adjustment is performed according to an event occurrence schedule. The information input / output unit 650 adjusts and controls the value obtained by subtracting the nighttime target storage water volume Wnight when adjustment control is performed from the daily heating water volume Wday determined by the daily heating water volume determination unit 631. It is calculated as the amount of boiling water Wnoon in the daytime when done. In addition, the information input / output unit 650 calculates a value obtained by dividing the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon when adjustment control is performed by the boiling capability of the water heater 4 as surplus utilized electric energy when adjustment control is performed.

Further, the information input / output unit 650 performs the same process as the process executed by the nighttime target storage water amount calculating unit 634 in the normal mode described above, whereby the normal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4 The nighttime target water storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon are acquired. That is, the information input / output unit 650 determines whether the boiling available time Tmax calculated by the period determining unit 632 is larger than the required boiling time Tnoon, and the boiling available time Tmax is larger than the required boiling time Tnoon. If it is determined, the value obtained by subtracting the daytime boiling water volume Wnoon set by the daytime boiling water volume setting unit 633 from the daily heating water volume Wday determined by the day's boiling water volume determination unit 631 is a nighttime target storage water volume Calculated as Wnight. On the other hand, when the information input / output unit 650 determines that the possible boiling time Tmax is equal to or less than the required boiling time Tnoon, the information boiling unit T1 is heated from the daily heated water amount Wday determined by the daily heated water amount determination unit 631. A value obtained by subtracting the possible hot water amount Wmax is calculated as a nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight.

Further, the information input / output unit 650 acquires the daily boiling water volume Wday determined by the daily boiling water volume determination unit 631 as a nighttime target storage water volume Wnight in the stop mode. Further, the information input / output unit 650 acquires 0 L as the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon in the stop mode. Further, the information input / output unit 650 acquires 0 kWh as the surplus utilized power amount in the case of the stop mode.

The operation terminal 7 is an operation for permitting the user to adjust the nighttime target water storage amount Wnight according to the occurrence schedule of the event in the house H in the state where the permission screen WW2 is displayed on the display device, or in the house H It accepts any of the operations that refuse to adjust the nighttime target water storage amount Wnight according to the occurrence schedule of the event. Operation terminal 7 generates response information indicating whether or not the user has permitted adjustment of nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight according to the operation by the user. Specifically, in the permission screen WW2, the adjustment of the nighttime target storage amount Wnight can be permitted by selecting the item of "permission". In addition, in the permission screen WW2, the adjustment of the nighttime target water storage amount Wnight can be rejected by selecting the item of "not permit".

In addition, when the control mode other than the stop mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4, the information input / output unit 650 performs the hot water boiling operation using only the electric power Ps which is the surplus electric power of the water heater 4 The driving | running | working alerting information which alert | reports that to a user is produced | generated. The information input / output unit 650 causes the operation terminal 7 to present the operation notification information to the user. Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 transmits the generated operation notification information to the operation terminal 7 and causes the operation terminal 7 to display an operation notification screen representing the operation notification information. FIG. 15 shows an example of the driving notification screen WW3. Information input / output unit 650 causes operation terminal 7 to present the operation notification information in response to operation control unit 640 transmitting the heating schedule to water heater 4.

In addition, when the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4, the information input / output unit 650 is an actual measurement value of the amount of hot water heated by the water heater 4 using only the power Ps which is surplus power. The effect notification information which is the information regarding the amount of actually measured hot water is generated. The information input / output unit 650 causes the operation terminal 7 to present the effect notification information to the user. Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 transmits the generated effect notification information to the operation terminal 7, and causes the operation terminal 7 to display an effect notification screen representing the effect notification information. FIG. 16 shows an example of the effect notification screen WW4. Information input / output unit 650 causes operation terminal 7 to present the effect notification information in response to the current time becoming the start time of the daytime boiling period determined by period determination unit 632.

The effect notification information includes information representing the measured value of the surplus utilized electric energy, the measured value of the daytime boiling time, and the result of the electricity bill reduction amount. The actually measured value of the surplus utilized electric energy corresponds to the amount of electric power Ps which is the surplus electric power used by the water heater 4 in order to boil the hot water of the actually measured hot water. The measured amount of hot water corresponds to the amount of hot water when the water heater 4 performs the boiling operation with only surplus power. The surplus utilized power amount corresponds to the amount of surplus power consumed by the water heater 4 when the water heater 4 performs the boiling operation with only the surplus power. The daytime boiling time is the length of time during which the water heater 4 performs boiling of hot water using only the electric power Ps which is surplus electric power. The daytime boiling time corresponds to the length of time required for the water heater 4 to boil the measured amount of hot water. The electricity bill reduction amount is the electricity bill that has been reduced by boiling the hot water of the measured hot water using the surplus power Ps instead of the commercial power. That is, the electricity charge reduction amount is a power purchase price corresponding to the consumption amount of the commercial power of the same amount as the surplus utilization power amount. In other words, the electricity charge reduction amount corresponds to the price of the commercial power of the same amount as the actual value of the amount of power Ps consumed when the hot water heater 4 used the surplus power to heat the hot water using the power Ps. Do. Further, the effect notification information includes information representing a predicted value of the daytime boiling time when the normal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4 and a predicted value of the surplus utilized power amount. In other words, the effect notification information includes information on the predicted value of the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon when the normal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4. Furthermore, the effect notification information includes information representing a predicted value of the daytime boiling time when the stop mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4 and a predicted value of the surplus utilized power amount. In other words, the effect notification information includes information on the predicted value of the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon when the stop mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4. The information input / output unit 650 generates the effect notification information by storing these pieces of information.

Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 refers to the measurement value of the electric power P3 supplied to the water heater 4 stored in the measurement data storage unit 660, and generates the daytime heating determined by the period determination unit 632. The amount of power P3 in the period is acquired as the measured value of the surplus utilized power amount. The information input / output unit 650 acquires a value obtained by dividing the acquired actual measurement value of the surplus utilized power amount by the power Pw indicating the power consumption of the water heater 4 as the actual measurement value of the daytime boiling time. In addition, the information input / output unit 650 acquires a value obtained by multiplying the acquired actual usage value of the surplus power consumption by the purchase price of commercial power at night as a result of the electricity charge reduction amount. The purchase price of commercial power at night can be obtained from electricity rate data. The electricity bill data is data indicating a unit price of electricity bill (unit price of electricity bill by time zone), is set by the user via the operation terminal 7 in the control device 6, and is stored in the storage unit 61. Alternatively, the control device 6 may obtain electricity bill data from the management server 8 or another server (not shown) by communication.

Further, the information input / output unit 650 is a value in the case of the normal mode in which the value obtained by dividing the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon in the normal mode indicated by the notification information stored in the information storage unit 670 by the boiling capability of the water heater 4 Calculated as a predicted value of daytime boiling time. The information input / output unit 650 calculates a value obtained by multiplying the calculated predicted value of the daytime heating time in the normal mode by the power Pw as a predicted value of the surplus used power amount in the normal mode.

Further, the information input / output unit 650 determines 0 time as a predicted value of the daytime boiling time in the case of the stop mode. Further, the information input / output unit 650 determines 0 kWh as a predicted value of the surplus used power amount in the stop mode.

The flow of processing executed in the power management system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 28.

When the current time reaches the preset processing start time, the control device 6 starts the control processing shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the control device 6 starts control processing in response to the current time being 6 pm. At the start of the control process, the latest information storage unit 670 of the control device 6 stores the latest prediction information, hot water amount information, weather information, calendar information, and mode information.

When the control process is started, first, the control unit 60 executes a one-day boiling water quantity determination process (step S101). Hereinafter, the details of the one-day boiling water determination process in step S101 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the boiling water quantity determination process for one day is started, first, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 for one day acquires the average used hot water quantity for the past two weeks represented by the water quantity information stored in the information storage unit 670 (step S201). ). Next, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 for one day executes a calendar margin determination process (step S202). Hereinafter, the details of the calendar margin determination process of step S202 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the calendar margin determination processing is started, first, the boiling water amount determination unit 631 of one day is an event related to an event scheduled to occur on the next day among the event information included in the calendar information stored in the information storage unit 670 All information is extracted (step S301). The boiling water quantity determination unit 631 for one day calculates the amount of change in the number of people at home in the house H on the next day by adding up the people margin included in the event information extracted in step S301 (step S302). The daily boiling water quantity determination unit 631 determines, as a calendar margin, a value obtained by multiplying the amount of change in the number of people at home calculated in step S303 by 75 L, which is the amount of used hot water per person set in advance (step S303). End the calendar margin determination process.

Referring back to FIG. 18, after determining the calendar margin in step S202, the one-day boiling water quantity determination unit 631 executes a season margin determination process (step S203). The details of the seasonal margin determination process of step S203 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the season margin determination processing is started, first, the boiling water amount determination unit 631 of one day determines whether the date of the day is any of November and December (step S401). If it is determined that the date of the day is neither November nor December (step S401; No), the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day determines 0L as the season margin (step S405), and ends the season margin determination process. Do.

If it is determined that the date of the day is any of November and December (Step S401; Yes), the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day acquires the weather information stored in the information storage unit 670. (Step S402), the predicted value of the temperature of the next day in the area including the house H indicated by the weather information acquired in the step S402 is 5 degrees Celsius from the actual value of the temperature in the area including the house H indicated by the weather information It is determined whether the degree is lower than the degree (step S403). If it is determined that the predicted temperature of the next day is not lower than the actual temperature of the current day by 5 degrees or more (step S403; No), the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day determines 0L as the season margin (step S405), the seasonal margin determination process is ended. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predicted temperature of the next day's temperature is lower by 5 degrees C. or more than the actual temperature of the current day (step S403; Yes), the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day determines 100 L as the season margin ( Step S404) The seasonal margin determination process is ended.

Referring back to FIG. 18, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 for one day sets the calendar margin determined in step S202 and the season margin determined in step S203 to the average used hot water quantity in the past two weeks acquired in step S201. The added value is determined as the amount of boiling water for one day (step S204), and the processing for determining the amount of boiling water for one day is ended.

Referring back to FIG. 17, after the daily boiling water determination process in step S101 is completed, the control unit 60 executes nighttime target hot water storage volume calculation processing (step S102). Hereinafter, the details of the nighttime target hot water storage amount calculation process of step S102 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the nighttime target hot water storage amount calculation process is started, the control unit 60 first executes the common process (step S501). The details of the common processing in step S501 will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the common processing is started, first, the period determination unit 632 determines the daytime boiling period based on the prediction information stored by the information storage unit 670 (step S601). Specifically, the period determination unit 632 determines a period in which the predicted value of the power Ps, which is the surplus power indicated by the prediction information, is larger than the power Pw, which is the power consumption of the water heater 4, as a daytime boiling period. When there are a plurality of periods in which the predicted value of the power Ps exceeds the power Pw, the period determination unit 632 determines the longest period of the plurality of periods as the daytime boiling period. In addition, the period determination unit 632 calculates a boiling possible time Tmax which is a time length of the daytime boiling period determined in step S601 (step S602). The nighttime target storage water amount calculation unit 634 calculates a value obtained by multiplying the possible heating time Tmax calculated in step S602 by the heating capacity of the water heater 4 as the allowable heating water amount Wmax (step S603).

Next, the daytime boiling water quantity setting unit 633 sets an initial value of the daytime boiling water quantity Wnoon based on the daily boiling water quantity Wday determined in step S101 (step S604). Specifically, the daytime boiling water quantity setting unit 633 sets a value obtained by subtracting the starting hot water storage quantity Won from the daily boiling water quantity Wday determined in step S101 as an initial value of the daytime boiling water quantity Wnoon. .

The nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 calculates a value obtained by dividing the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon set in step S604 by the boiling capacity of the water heater 4 as the necessary boiling time Tnoon (step S605), and performs common processing. finish.

Referring back to FIG. 21, after the common processing in step S501 is completed, the nighttime target storage hot water amount calculation unit 634 determines that the stop mode is the user as the control mode of the water heater 4 based on the mode information stored in the information storage unit 670 It is determined whether or not it is selected by (step S502). If it is determined that the stop mode is selected (step S502; Yes), the nighttime target storage water amount calculation unit 634 calculates the boiling water amount Wday of the day determined in step S101 as the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight (step S102) S506), the night time target storage amount calculation process is ended.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the stop mode is not selected (step S502; No), the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 selects one of the normal mode and the lesser mode based on the mode information stored in the information storage unit 670. It is determined whether the user has selected the control mode of the water heater 4 (step S503). If it is determined that either the normal mode or the less mode is selected as the control mode (step S503; Yes), the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 executes the first process (step S505), and the nighttime target storage hot water End the amount calculation process. The details of the first process of step S505 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the first process is started, the nighttime target water storage volume calculation unit 634 determines whether or not the possible boiling time Tmax calculated in step S602 is larger than the necessary boiling time Tnoon calculated in step S605 (step S701). ). If it is determined that the possible boiling time Tmax is larger than the required boiling time Tnoon (step S701; Yes), the nighttime target storage water amount calculation unit 634 sets the daily maximum boiling water amount Wday determined in step S101 to step S604. A value obtained by subtracting the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon thus calculated is calculated as a nighttime target storage amount Wnight (step S702), and the process proceeds to step S703. On the other hand, if it is determined that the possible boiling time Tmax is equal to or less than the required boiling time Tnoon (step S701; No), the nighttime target storage water volume calculation unit 634 determines the daily required boiling water volume Wday determined in step S101. A value obtained by subtracting the boilable hot water amount Wmax calculated in S603 is calculated as a nighttime target storage amount Wnight (step S705), and the process proceeds to step S703.

Next, on the basis of the mode information stored in the information storage unit 670, the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 determines whether or not the less mode is selected by the user as the control mode of the water heater 4 (step S703). ). If it is determined that the less mode is not selected as the control mode (step S703; No), the nighttime target storage hot water amount calculation unit 634 ends the first process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the less mode is selected as the control mode (step S703; Yes), the night time target storage amount calculation unit 634 sets the nighttime target storage amount Wnight calculated in step S702 or S705 in advance. Adjustment is performed by adding the adjustment hot water amount Wadj (step S704), and the first processing is ended.

Referring back to FIG. 21, when it is determined that the normal mode and the less mode are not selected by the user as the control mode of the water heater 4 (step S 503; No), the nighttime target storage water amount calculation unit 634 performs the second process. Is executed (step S504), and the nighttime target hot water storage amount calculation process is ended. Hereinafter, the details of the second process of step S504 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the second process is started, the nighttime target water storage volume calculation unit 634 determines whether or not the possible boiling time Tmax calculated in step S602 is larger than the required boiling time Tnoon calculated in step S605 (step S801). ). If it is determined that the possible boiling time Tmax is equal to or less than the required boiling time Tnoon (step S801; No), the nighttime target storage water volume calculation unit 634 determines whether the daily heated water volume Wday determined in step S101 is less than A value obtained by subtracting the calculated possible boiling water amount Wmax is calculated as a nighttime target storage amount Wnight (step S813), and the process proceeds to step S804.

If it is determined that the possible boiling time Tmax is larger than the necessary boiling time Tnoon (step S801; Yes), the nighttime target storage water amount calculation unit 634 determines that the daily amount of boiling water Wday determined in step S101 is less than or equal to step S603. It is determined whether it is larger than the sum of the calculated possible boiling water amount Wmax and the minimum hot water amount Wlow indicated by the hot water amount information stored in the information storage unit 670 (step S802). If it is determined that the daily boiling water amount Wday is larger than the sum of the boilable hot water amount Wmax and the minimum hot water storage amount Wlow (step S802; Yes), the nighttime target hot water storage amount calculation unit 634 calculates the daily value determined in step S101. A value obtained by subtracting the possible boiling water amount Wmax calculated in step S603 from the boiling water amount Wday is calculated as a nighttime target storage amount Wnight (step S803), and the process proceeds to step S804. On the other hand, when it is determined that the amount of boiling water Wday of one day is equal to or less than the sum of the allowable boiling water amount Wmax and the minimum storage amount Wlow (step S802; No), the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 uses the information storage unit 670. The minimum hot water storage amount Wlow indicated by the stored hot water amount information is calculated as the nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight (step S812), and the process proceeds to step S804.

Next, on the basis of the mode information stored in the information storage unit 670, the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 determines whether or not the extra mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4 (step S804) . If it is determined that the extra mode is selected as the control mode (step S804; Yes), the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 ends the second process.

If it is determined that the extra mode is not selected as the control mode (step S804; No), the night time target storage amount calculation unit 634 performs adjustment control on the nighttime target storage amount Wnight calculated in step S803, S812 or S813. The nighttime target water storage amount Wnight in the case of adjustment by is calculated (step S805). Specifically, the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 is scheduled to occur between the night of the day and the daytime of the next day among the event information included in the calendar information stored in the information storage unit 670. The night target water storage amount Wnight in the case where adjustment control is performed is calculated by extracting the event information regarding the existing event and adding the total value of the hot water supply margins included in the extracted event information.

The nighttime target water storage volume calculation unit 634 determines whether the automatic mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4 based on the mode information stored in the information storage unit 670 (step S806). If it is determined that the automatic mode is selected as the control mode (step S806; Yes), the process proceeds to step S811.

When the nighttime target storage water amount calculating unit 634 determines that the automatic mode is not selected as the control mode (step S806; No), the information input / output unit 650 executes an information generation process (step S807). The details of the information generation process of step S 807 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the information generation process is started, first, the information input / output unit 650 acquires the daytime boiling hot water amount Wnoon and the surplus utilized electric energy in the case where adjustment control is performed (step S901). Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 performs adjustment control on a value obtained by subtracting the nighttime target storage amount Wnight calculated in step S805 from the boiling water amount Wday of the day determined in step S101. It is calculated as daytime boiling water quantity Wnoon. Further, the information input / output unit 650 calculates a value obtained by dividing the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon when the calculated adjustment control is performed by the boiling ability of the water heater 4 as the surplus utilized electric energy when the adjustment control is performed. Do.

The information input / output unit 650 acquires the nighttime target storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon when the normal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4 (step S902). Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 determines whether the boiling available time Tmax calculated in step S602 is larger than the required boiling time Tnoon calculated in step S605, and the boiling available time Tmax is Is determined to be larger than the necessary boiling time Tnoon, a value obtained by subtracting the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon set in step S604 from the daily boiling water amount Wday determined in step S101 is calculated as the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight . On the other hand, when it is determined that the possible boiling time Tmax is equal to or less than the required boiling time Tnoon, the information input / output unit 650 can perform the boiling possible calculated in step S603 from the boiling water amount Wday of the day determined in step S101. A value obtained by subtracting the hot water amount Wmax is calculated as a nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight. Further, the information input / output unit 650 subtracts a value obtained by subtracting the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight in the normal mode calculated by the nighttime target storage water amount calculation unit 634 from the boiling water amount Wday of the day determined in step S101. Calculated as daytime boiling water amount Wnoon in the normal mode.

The information input / output unit 650 acquires the nighttime target storage amount Wnight, the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon, and the surplus utilization power amount when the stop mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4 (step S903). Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 acquires the boiling water amount Wday of the day determined in step S101 as the nighttime target water storage amount Wnight in the stop mode. Further, the information input / output unit 650 acquires 0 L as the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon in the stop mode, and acquires 0 kWh as the surplus utilized electric energy in the stop mode.

Next, the information input / output unit 650 generates inquiry information for inquiring the user whether to permit adjustment of the nighttime target storage amount Wnight according to the occurrence schedule of the event in the house H (step S904).

The information input / output unit 650 generates notification information by storing information representing each numerical value acquired in step S805 and steps S901 to S903 together with the inquiry information generated in step S904 (step S905). The information input / output unit 650 stores the notification information generated in step S 905 in the information storage unit 670 (step S 906), and ends the information generation process.

Referring back to FIG. 24, after the information generation process of step S807 ends, the information input / output unit 650 causes the operation terminal 7 to present the notification information generated in step S905 to the user (step S808). Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 transmits the notification information generated in step S905 to the operation terminal 7, and causes the operation terminal 7 to display a permission screen WW2 representing the notification information.

Next, the information input / output unit 650 determines whether response information has been received from the operation terminal 7 (step S809). If the information input / output unit 650 determines that the response information has not been received (step S809; No), the night time target storage amount calculation unit 634 displays the notification information to the user in step S808, and then the standby time set in advance. Is judged (step S 814). If it is determined that the waiting time has not elapsed (step S 814; No), the process returns to step S 809 and waits for reception of response information. If it is determined that the waiting time has elapsed (step S814; Yes), the process proceeds to step S811.

On the other hand, when the information input / output unit 650 determines that the response information has been received (step S809; Yes), the nighttime target storage water amount calculation unit 634 generates an event for the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight based on the received response information. It is determined whether the user has permitted adjustment according to the schedule (step S810). If it is determined that the user has permitted the adjustment (step S810; Yes), the nighttime target storage amount calculating unit 634 sets the nighttime target storage amount Wnight calculated in step S803, S812 or S813 to the nighttime target calculated in step S805. The amount of stored water Wnight is adjusted (step S811), and the second process is ended. On the other hand, when it is determined that the user has not permitted the adjustment (step S810; No), the nighttime target storage amount calculation unit 634 does not adjust the nighttime target storage amount Wnight calculated in step S803, S812 or S813. 2 End the process.

Referring back to FIG. 17, after the nighttime target storage amount calculation process in step S102 is completed, the daytime boiling water amount calculation unit 635 calculates the nighttime calculated in step S102 from the boiling water amount Wday of the day determined in step S101. A value obtained by subtracting the target storage amount Wnight is calculated as a daytime boiling water amount Wnoon, and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon set in step S604 is updated based on the calculated daytime boiling water amount Wnoon (step S103).

Next, the control unit 60 executes a boiling process (step S104). Hereinafter, the details of the boiling process in step S104 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the boiling process is started, the operation control unit 640 causes the nighttime target storage amount Wnight calculated in step S102, the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon updated in step S103, and the daytime boiling period determined in step S601. A heating schedule representing the start time and the end time is generated (step S1001). The operation control unit 640 transmits the boiling schedule generated in step S1001 to the water heater 4 (step S1002), and causes the water heater 4 to execute the boiling operation of the hot water according to the boiling schedule.

Next, based on the mode information stored in information storage unit 670, information input / output unit 650 determines whether or not the stop mode is selected as the control mode of water heater 4 (step S1003). If it is determined that the stop mode is selected as the control mode (step S1003; Yes), the information input / output unit 650 ends the heating process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the stop mode is not selected as the control mode (step S1003; No), the information input / output unit 650 generates the operation notification information (step S1004). The information input / output unit 650 causes the operation terminal 7 to present the operation notification information generated in step S1004 to the user (step S1005), and the heating process is ended. Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 transmits the operation notification information generated in step S1004 to the operation terminal 7, and causes the operation terminal 7 to display an operation notification screen WW3 representing the operation notification information.

Referring back to FIG. 17, after the boiling process of step S104 ends, the information input / output unit 650 executes an effect notification process (step S105), and ends the control process. Hereinafter, the details of the effect notification process of step S105 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the effect notification process is started, first, the information input / output unit 650 determines whether the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4 based on the mode information stored in the information storage unit 670 ( Step S1101). If it is determined that the proposal mode is not selected (Step S1101; No), the information input / output unit 650 ends the effect notification process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the proposal mode is selected (step S1101; Yes), the information input / output unit 650 determines whether the current time is the end time of the daytime boiling period determined in step S601. (Step S1102). If it is determined that the current time is not the end time of the daytime boiling period (step S1102; No), the process returns to step S1102 and waits for the end time of the daytime boiling period.

If it is determined that the current time is the end time of the daytime boiling period (step S1102; Yes), the information input / output unit 650 determines the actual value of the surplus utilization electric energy, the actual value of the daytime boiling time, and the electricity rate reduction The actual amount of money is obtained (step S1103). Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 refers to the measured value of the power P3 supplied to the water heater 4 stored in the measured data storage unit 660, in the daytime boiling period determined in step S601. The amount of electric power P3 is acquired as an actual measurement value of the surplus utilized electric energy. The information input / output unit 650 acquires a value obtained by dividing the acquired actual measurement value of the surplus utilized power amount by the power consumption of the water heater 4 as the actual measurement value of the daytime boiling time. In addition, the information input / output unit 650 acquires a value obtained by multiplying the acquired actual usage value of the surplus power consumption by the purchase price of commercial power at night as a result of the electricity charge reduction amount.

Next, the information input / output unit 650 calculates a predicted value of the daytime boiling time and a predicted value of the surplus used power amount when the normal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4 (step S1104) ). Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 is a value obtained by dividing the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon in the normal mode indicated by the notification information stored in the information storage unit 670 in step S906 by the boiling ability of the water heater 4 Is calculated as a predicted value of the daytime boiling time in the normal mode. The information input / output unit 650 predicts the surplus utilization power amount in the normal mode by multiplying the calculated predicted value of the daytime heating time in the normal mode by the power Pw which is the power consumption of the water heater 4 Calculated as a value.

The information input / output unit 650 calculates the predicted value of the daytime heating time and the predicted value of the surplus used power amount when the stop mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4 (step S1105). Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 calculates 0 hour as a predicted value of the daytime boiling time in the case of the stop mode. Further, the information input / output unit 650 calculates 0 kWh as a predicted value of the surplus utilized power amount in the case of the stop mode.

The information input / output unit 650 generates effect notification information by storing information representing each numerical value acquired in steps S1103 to S1105 (step S1106). The information input / output unit 650 causes the operation terminal 7 to present the generated effect notification information to the user (step S1107), and ends the effect notification process. Specifically, the information input / output unit 650 transmits the effect notification information generated in step S1106 to the operation terminal 7, and causes the operation terminal 7 to display the effect notification screen WW4 representing the effect notification information.

As described above, according to the power management system 1, when the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4, the control device 6 causes the operation terminal 7 to receive information on the nighttime target storage amount Wnight and daytime The user is notified of notification information including information on the boiling water amount Wnoon. The user can intuitively understand the influence of the boiling operation of the water heater 4 utilizing the surplus power by referring to the notification information.

Further, the notification information includes inquiry information for inquiring the user whether to permit the execution of the adjustment control. Control device 6 determines nighttime target storage amount Wnight according to whether or not the user permits execution of adjustment control. This can reduce the possibility that the adjustment control is performed against the user's intention.

Further, when the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4, the control device 6 causes the operation terminal 7 to present the effect notification information to the user. Thereby, the user can grasp the effect of control which reduces the quantity of commercial power used for boiling of hot water.

In addition, the water heater 4 performs the heating operation according to the control mode selected by the user among the plurality of control modes. As a result, the water heater 4 performs the boiling operation according to the user's scheduled use of the hot water, thereby increasing the amount of surplus power used in the boiling operation or reducing the possibility of the occurrence of the hot water shortage. Can be

Further, when the automatic mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4, the control device 6 is utilized for boiling of the hot water while reducing the possibility of occurrence of the hot water run by executing the adjustment control. The amount of surplus power can be increased. That is, when the automatic mode is selected as the control mode of the hot water heater 4, the control device 6 is utilized for boiling of hot water while reducing the possibility of occurrence of water shortage without the user performing an operation. Perform the necessary adjustment to increase the amount of surplus power. Therefore, the operability is improved.

In addition, when the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4, the control device 6 causes the operation terminal 7 to include information indicating the nighttime target storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon when adjustment control is performed. The user is notified of notification information including information indicating the nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon in the normal mode. The user refers to the notification information and performs the nighttime target storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon when performing adjustment control, with the nighttime target storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon in the normal mode and the stop mode. By comparing, it is possible to intuitively understand the influence of performing the adjustment control.

In addition, the control device 6 determines the boiling water amount Wday of one day based on the calendar margin according to the schedule of occurrence of the event in the house H, so that the boiling water amount Wday of one day is scheduled to be generated in the house H Adjust accordingly. Thus, it is possible to reduce the possibility of occurrence of water breakage and to reduce the possibility of wasting the water excessively and wasting power.

Furthermore, the control device 6 determines whether or not the next day is the early winter, and adjusts the amount of boiling water Wday of the day according to the season by determining the seasonal margin according to the result of this determination. Thus, it is possible to reduce the possibility of occurrence of water breakage and to reduce the possibility of wasting the water excessively and wasting power.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, in implementation of this invention, the deformation | transformation and application by various forms are possible.

For example, the control device 6 may further include an input device for receiving an operation from the user and a display device for presenting information to the user.

Further, as shown in FIG. 28, the router 12 and the management server 8 may cooperate with each other to play the same role as the control device 6 without installing the control device 6 in the house H.

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the operation terminal 7 presents notification information, driving notification information and effect notification information to the user. However, this is merely an example, and any device can present the notification information, the driving notification information, and the effect notification information to the user. For example, the remote controller 44 of the water heater 4 may present the notification information, the operation notification information, and the effect notification information to the user. In this case, the control device 6 transmits the notification information, the operation notification information, and the effect notification information to the remote controller 44 via the in-home network. The remote control 44 receives the notification information, the operation notification information, and the effect notification information transmitted by the control device 6 through the communication interface. The remote controller 44 displays the permission screen WW2 representing the received notification information, the driving notification information, and the effect notification information, the driving notification screen WW3 and the effect notification screen WW4 on the display device. As a result, notification information, driving notification information and effect notification information are presented to the user.

The above embodiment has been described on the assumption that the control device 6 and the operation terminal 7 transmit and receive information via the in-home network. However, this is merely an example, and the control device 6 and the operation terminal 7 can transmit and receive information in an arbitrary manner. For example, the control device 6 and the operation terminal 7 may transmit and receive information via the wide area network N. That is, the control device 6 may transmit the notification information, the operation notification information, and the effect notification information to the operation terminal 7 via the wide area network N, and cause the operation terminal 7 to present the information to the user. In addition, the operation terminal 7 may transmit the mode information, the calendar information, and the response information generated according to the user's operation to the control device 6 via the wide area network N. According to this aspect, even when the user is at a remote place away from the house H, the control device 6 can cause the operation terminal 7 to present the notification information, the operation notification information, and the effect notification information to the user. it can. Further, even when the user is at a remote place away from the house H, the user can transmit an instruction to the control device 6 by operating the operation terminal 7. The control device 6 and the operation terminal 7 may transmit and receive information directly via the wide area network N or may transmit and receive information via the management server 8. That is, the control device 6 transmits the notification information, the operation notification information, and the effect notification information to the management server 8 via the wide area network N, and transmits the information to the management server 8 via the wide area network N. May be sent to In addition, the operation terminal 7 transmits mode information, calendar information and response information to the management server 8 via the wide area network N, and sends the information to the management server 8 via the wide area network N to the operation terminal 7. It may be sent.

In the above embodiment, in the case where the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4, the control device 6 causes the operation terminal 7 to present the inquiry information to the user and then the standby time elapses. It has been described that the nighttime target storage amount Wnight when the nighttime target storage amount Wnight calculated by the same processing as above is adjusted according to the occurrence schedule of the event in the house H is determined as the nighttime target storage amount Wnight. However, this is only an example, and the control device 6 causes the operation terminal 7 to present the inquiry information to the user, and then, when the standby time elapses, the nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight calculated by the process similar to the case of the extra mode. May be determined as the nighttime target water storage amount Wnight. According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight may be adjusted against the user's intention.

In the above embodiment, when the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4, the control device 6 determines that the user has refused to adjust the nighttime target water storage amount Wnight, the above-mentioned mode in the above-mentioned multiple mode. It has been described that the nighttime target storage amount Wnight calculated by executing the same processing as the processing is determined as the nighttime target storage amount Wnight. However, this is only an example, and when the control device 6 determines that the user refuses to adjust the nighttime target storage amount Wnight, the same as the processing in any one of the stop mode, the less mode, and the normal mode described above. The nighttime target storage water amount Wnight calculated by executing the processing of the above may be determined as the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight. In other words, when the control device 6 determines that the user refuses to adjust the nighttime target water storage volume Wnight, the nighttime target water storage volume Wnight in the case where a control mode different from the automatic mode or the overtime mode is selected The amount of stored water Wnight may be adjusted.

In the above embodiment, when the automatic mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4, the control device 6 performs the same process as the process in the above-described mode in the overtime mode. Has been described as being adjusted according to the scheduled occurrence of the event in the house H. However, this is only an example, and when the automatic mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4, the control device 6 is calculated by executing the same process as the process in the normal mode or the mode described above. The nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight may be adjusted according to the occurrence schedule of the event in the house H.

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the control device 6 causes the operation terminal 7 to present the notification information to the user when the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4. However, this is only an example, and the control device 6 may cause the operation terminal 7 to present the notification information to the user even when the control mode other than the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4 .

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the operation terminal 7 presents the notification information to the user by displaying the permission screen WW2 representing the notification information. However, this is only an example, and the operation terminal 7 can present the notification information to the user by any method. For example, the operation terminal 7 may be provided with voice output means, and may present the notification information to the user by pronouncing a voice representing the notification information.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the notification information includes the nighttime target storage amount Wnight corresponding to the automatic mode and the information indicating the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon as well as the night target storage amount corresponding to the stop mode and the normal mode. It demonstrated as what contains the information which each shows Wnight and daytime boiling water quantity Wnoon. However, this is merely an example, and the notification information may include information indicating the nighttime target storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon corresponding to the more mode or the less mode. In addition to the information indicating the nighttime target storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon corresponding to the automatic mode, the notification information includes information indicating the nighttime target storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon corresponding to the mode In this case, the user can grasp the nighttime target storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon before and after the adjustment control by referring to the notification information. Therefore, the user can intuitively understand the effect of the adjustment control.

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the control device 6 causes the operation terminal 7 to present the notification information to the user when the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4. However, this is only an example, and the control device 6 can make the operation terminal 7 present the notification information to the user even when the control mode other than the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4 .

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the notification information includes information indicating the nighttime target storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon respectively corresponding to the automatic mode, the stop mode and the normal mode, and the stop mode and the automatic mode It has been described as including information indicating the amount of surplus utilized power corresponding to. However, this is merely an example, and the notification information may include any information regarding the target nighttime hot water storage amount Wnight and the hot day water heating amount Wnoon.

For example, the notification information may include information indicating surplus utilized power amounts respectively corresponding to the stop mode, the normal mode, and the automatic mode. In this case, the control device 6 may present the notification information to the user by causing the operation terminal 7 to display the permission screen WW2 shown in FIG.

Alternatively, the notification information may include information indicating the electricity bill reduction amount corresponding to each of the stop mode, the normal mode and the automatic mode. In this case, the control device 6 may present the notification information to the user by causing the operation terminal 7 to display the permission screen WW2 shown in FIG.

Alternatively, the notification information may include information that warns the user of the possibility of hot water shortage, and information including the usage of the hot water and the average use amount of hot water in association with each other. In this case, the control device 6 may present the notification information to the user by causing the operation terminal 7 to display the permission screen WW2 shown in FIG.

Alternatively, the notification information may include information prompting the user to adjust the nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon, and information on the nighttime target hot water storage amount Wnight adjusted according to the operation by the user . In this case, the control device 6 may present the notification information to the user by causing the operation terminal 7 to display the permission screen WW2 shown in FIG. The permission screen WW2 shown in FIG. 32 includes, as information on the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight adjusted according to the operation by the user, information indicating changes in the surplus utilization power before and after adjusting the nighttime target storage water amount Wnight. . The notification information is information on the nighttime target storage amount Wnight adjusted according to the operation by the user, and changes in the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon, electricity bill reduction amount or daytime boiling time before and after adjusting the nighttime target storage amount Wnight. It may contain information to indicate.

Alternatively, the notification information may include information indicating a daytime boiling time, which is a time necessary for boiling the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon.

In the above embodiment, when a control mode other than the stop mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4, the operation notification screen WW3 shown in FIG. 15 is uniformly displayed regardless of which control mode is selected. It was explained as what to do. However, this is only an example, and when the control mode other than the stop mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4, the control device 6 responds to which control mode is selected for the operation terminal 7. The user may be presented different driving alert information. For example, when the normal mode or the less mode is selected, the user is presented with driving alert information represented by the driving alert screen WW3 shown in FIG. 15 to the user, while when the over mode or the automatic mode is selected, Driving notification information may be presented to the user including information to warn the user of the possibility of occurrence of the hot water shortage that the driving notification screen WW3 shown in FIG. 33 indicates.

In the above embodiment, the control device 6 is described as causing the operation terminal 7 to present the effect notification information to the user when the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4. However, this is only an example, and the control device 6 causes the operation terminal 7 to present the effect notification information to the user even when the control mode other than the proposal mode is selected as the control mode of the water heater 4. It is also good.

In the above embodiment, the effect notification information includes information indicating an actual measurement value of the daytime boiling time, information indicating an actual measurement value of surplus utilized power, information indicating an actual result of the electricity charge reduction amount, stop mode, and normal It has been described that the information includes the predicted value of the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon when the mode is selected. However, this is only an example, and the effect notification information may include other information. For example, the effect notification information includes information indicating the measured value of the amount of daytime boiling water, which is the amount of water boiling when the water heater 4 performs boiling of hot water using only the power Ps which is surplus power. It may be In addition, the effect notification information is information indicating the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon as information on the predicted value of the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon when the stop mode and the normal mode are respectively selected, and the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon Information indicating the predicted value of the time required for the machine 4 to boil, information indicating the predicted value of the amount of surplus power consumed by the water heater 4 to boil the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon, the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon The water heater 4 may include at least one of information indicating the price of the commercial power of the same amount as the predicted value of the amount of surplus power consumed for boiling the water heater 4.

In the above embodiment, the effect notification information has been described as including information on the predicted value of the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon when the stop mode and the normal mode are selected. However, this is only an example, and the effect notification information may include information on the predicted value of the daytime boiling water quantity Wnoon when the more mode or the less mode is selected. Alternatively, the effect notification information may include information related to the predicted value of the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon calculated by the daytime boiling water amount calculation unit 635 and when the proposal mode is selected. According to this aspect, the user calculates the information about the actual measurement value of the amount of boiling water Wnoon during the daytime when the water heater 4 performs boiling of the hot water according to the proposal mode, by the calculation of the amount of boiling water calculation part 635 during the daytime It can be compared with the information on the predicted value of the daytime boiling water amount Wnoon when the mode is selected. Thereby, the user can intuitively understand the effect of the daytime boiling.

In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the boiling water amount determining unit 631 for one day determines the calendar margin according to the amount of change in the number of people at home in the house H due to the influence of the event. However, this is only an example, and the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day can determine the calendar margin according to the event occurrence schedule in the house H by any method. For example, based on the calendar information stored in the information storage unit 670, the boiling water determination unit 631 for one day can determine the calendar margin according to the amount of change in the amount of used hot water in the house H due to the influence of the event.

Specifically, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 for one day may determine the calendar margin according to the amount of change in the amount of used hot water by executing the calendar margin determination process shown in the flowchart of FIG. When the calendar margin determination process is started, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 for one day first extracts event information related to an event scheduled to occur on the next day out of the event information included in the calendar information (step S1201). The boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day determines a value obtained by totaling the water quantity margins included in the event information extracted in step S1201 as a calendar margin (step S1202), and ends the calendar margin determination process.

Note that the method of determining the calendar margin according to the above embodiment and the method of determining the calendar margin according to the present modification can be used in combination. For example, a weighted average value of calendar margins determined by these two determination methods may be determined as the calendar margin.

In the above embodiment, the boiling water amount determining unit 631 for one day determines whether the next day is early winter, the date of the day, and the actual temperature value of the current day indicated by the weather information stored by the information storage unit 670. And it judged according to the predicted value of the air temperature of the next day, and demonstrated as what determines a seasonal margin according to the result of this determination. However, this is only an example, and the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day may determine whether the next day is the early winter by an arbitrary method, and determine the season margin according to the result of this determination. it can. For example, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day determines whether the next day is the early winter according to the date of the day and the water quantity information indicating the used water quantity for the past two weeks stored by the information storage unit 670. The seasonal margin can be determined according to the result of this determination.

Specifically, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 for one day may determine the season margin by executing the season margin determination process shown in the flowchart of FIG. When the season margin determination process is started, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of the day first determines whether the date of the day is any of November and December (step S1301). If it is determined that the date of the day is neither November nor December (step S1301; No), the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day determines 0L as the season margin (step S1304), and ends the season margin determination process. Do. If it is determined that the date of the day is either November or December (Step S1301; Yes), the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of the day is the day of the day indicated by the water quantity information stored by the information storage unit 670. It is determined whether the amount of used hot water is 100 L or more more than the amount of used hot water the day before indicated by the hot water amount information (step S1302). If it is determined that the amount of hot water used on the day is not more than 100 L more than the amount used on the previous day (step S1302; No), the boiling water amount determining unit 631 of one day determines 0 L as the seasonal margin (step S1304), and the seasonal margin is determined. End the process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the amount of hot water used on the day is 100 L or more higher than the amount used on the previous day (step S1302; Yes), the boiling water amount determining unit 631 of one day determines 100 L as the seasonal margin (step S1303). End the decision process.

In addition, the determination method of the season which concerns on the said embodiment, and the determination of the season which concerns on this modification can be used together. For example, it may be determined whether or not the next day is early winter by the two determination methods, and if it is determined that the next day is early winter by both determination methods, it may be determined that the next day is early winter. In the above embodiment, the boiling water quantity determining unit 631 of one day is a boiling of the day according to both the event margin according to the scheduled occurrence of the event and the season margin according to the determination result of the season. It explained as what determines the amount Wday of raised hot water. However, this is only an example, and the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day can determine the boiling water quantity Wday of one day by any method. For example, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day may determine the boiling water quantity Wday of one day according to only one of the event margin and the season margin. Specifically, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day adds one of the event margin and the seasonal margin to the average used hot water quantity of the past two weeks indicated by the hot water quantity information, and the boiling water quantity of one day It is sufficient to calculate Wday. Moreover, the boiling water quantity determination part 631 of one day may determine the boiling water quantity Wday of one day based on the hot water quantity preset instead of the average use hot water quantity of the past two weeks. Specifically, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day may calculate the boiling water quantity Wday of one day by adding the event margin and the season margin to the preset hot water quantity.

In the above embodiment, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 for one day determines whether or not the next day is the early winter, and determines the seasonal margin in accordance with the result of this determination. However, this is only an example, and the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day can determine whether or not the next day is any season, and can determine the season margin according to the result of this determination. For example, the boiling water quantity determination unit 631 of one day may determine whether the next day is early summer, which is the turning point of the season from spring to summer, and determine the season margin according to the result of this determination. it can. In this case, the boiling water amount determining unit 631 of one day determines the amount of one hot water set in advance as the seasonal margin when it is determined that the next day is early summer, but determines that the next day is not early summer. The other hot water amount set in advance which is smaller than the one hot water amount may be determined as the seasonal margin. In addition, the boiling water amount determination unit 631 of the day determines whether the next day is early summer, the date of the day, and the actual temperature value of the temperature of the day indicated by the weather information stored by the information storage unit 670 and the temperature of the next day It may be determined in accordance with the predicted value of. Specifically, the day's boiling water volume determination unit 631 has a date on the day of either May or June, and the predicted value of the temperature on the next day is higher than the actual value of the temperature on the day If the temperature is higher than 5 degrees Celsius, it may be determined that the next day is early summer. In addition, when the day of the day is neither in May or June, and the predicted value of the temperature of the next day is 5 degrees Celsius or more than the actual value of the temperature of the day If it is not high, it may be determined that the next day is not early summer. Alternatively, the amount of boiling water determination unit 631 of the day follows whether the next day is early summer, according to the date of the day and the amount information of hot water indicating the amount of hot water used in the past two weeks stored by the information storage unit 670. It may be determined. Specifically, the day's boiling water amount determining unit 631 has a date on the day of either May or June, and the amount of used water on the day indicated by the water amount information is indicated by the water amount information. If the amount of hot water used is 100 L or more than the previous day, it may be determined that the next day is early summer. In addition, if the day's boiling water date determination unit 631 determines that the day's boiling water is not one of May and June, and the day's water usage information indicated by the hot water volume information indicates the previous day's usage water volume indicated by this water volume information If the amount is not more than 100 L, it may be determined that the next day is not early summer.

In the above embodiment, the power generation facility 2 has been described as generating electric power by solar power generation. However, this is only an example, and the power generation facility 2 can generate power by any method such as wind power generation, geothermal power generation, and the like.

In the said embodiment, the house H was mentioned as the example and demonstrated as an object to which the power management system 1 is applied. However, in the present invention, the target to which the power management system 1 is applied is not limited to a general house such as the house H, but may be an apartment house, a facility, a building, a factory or the like.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 60 of the control device 6 and the control unit 80 of the management server 8 execute the programs stored in the ROM or the storage units 61 and 81, as shown in FIGS. It functions as each part. However, in the present invention, the control units 60 and 80 may be dedicated hardware. The dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a complex circuit, a programmed processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a combination of these. When the control units 60 and 80 are dedicated hardware, the functions of the respective units may be realized by individual hardware, or the functions of the respective units may be realized collectively by a single hardware.

Also, among the functions of each unit, a part may be realized by dedicated hardware, and another part may be realized by software or firmware. As described above, the control units 60 and 80 can realize the respective functions described above by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

By applying an operation program that defines the operations of the control device 6 and the management server 8 according to the present invention to a computer such as an existing personal computer or information terminal device, the computer can be a control device 6 according to the present invention and the management server It is also possible to function as 8.

Also, the distribution method of such a program is arbitrary, and for example, computer readable recording media such as CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), MO (Magneto Optical Disk), memory card etc. It may be stored and distributed, or may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

The present invention is capable of various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the embodiment described above is for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated not by the embodiments but by the claims. And, various modifications applied within the scope of the claims and the meaning of the invention are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be suitably employed in a system or the like that performs management of power.

Reference Signs List 1 power management system, 2 power generation facility, 3 power measurement device, 4 water heater, 5 (5a, 5b, ...) electric equipment, 6 control device, 7 operation terminal, 8 management server, 9 weather server, 10 commercial power grid, 11 distribution board, 12 routers, 20 PV panels, 21 PV-PCS, 40 heat pump units, 41 tank units, 42 water piping, 43 communication lines, 44 remote controls, 45 showers, 46 faucets, 60 control units, 61 storage units, 62 clock unit, 63 in-home communication unit, 64 outside communication unit, 65 bus, 80 control unit, 81 storage unit, 82 communication unit, 83 bus, 400 compressor, 401 first heat exchanger, 402 expansion valve, 403 Second heat exchanger, 404 blower, 405 water pump, 406 control board, 407 refrigerant piping, 410 Storage water tank, 411 hot water supply controller, 412 mixing valve, 600 measurement data acquisition unit, 610 history data transmission unit, 620 information reception unit, 630 operation setting unit, 631 daily hot water amount determination unit, 632 period determination unit, 633 daytime Boiling water amount setting unit, 634 Night time target storage amount calculation unit, 635 Daytime boiling water amount calculation unit, 640 operation control unit, 650 information input / output unit, 660 measurement data storage unit, 670 information storage unit, 800 weather information acquisition unit, 810 power acquisition unit, 820 hot water acquisition unit, 830 prediction unit, 840 prediction information transmission unit, 850 hot water volume information generation unit, 860 hot water volume information transmission unit, 870 database, 871 weather forecast information, 872 weather record information, 873 generated power information, 874 Power consumption information, 875 water consumption information 876 hot water storage amount information, D1 ~ D5 power line, H houses, N wide area network, WW1 setting screen, WW2 permission screen, WW3 operation notification screen, WW4 effect notification screen

Claims (12)

1. Time acquisition means for acquiring the longest duration time in which the heating operation of the water heater can be performed only by the surplus power based on the predicted transition of the surplus power generated by the power generation facility at the demand place;
   First hot water amount calculation means for calculating a first hot water amount which is a hot water amount when the boiling operation is performed only with commercial power, based on the longest continuous time and the predicted daily hot water supply amount of the water heater;
   Second hot water amount calculation means for calculating a second hot water amount which is a hot water amount when the boiling operation is performed only by the surplus electric power, based on the first hot water amount and the predicted hot-water supply amount;
   A control device, comprising: presentation means for causing a user to present notification information including information on the first amount of hot water and information on the second amount of hot water to a user.
2. The notification information further includes inquiry information for inquiring the user whether to permit adjustment of the first hot water amount based on an event occurrence schedule,
   The control according to claim 1, wherein the first hot water amount calculating means adjusts the first hot water amount based on a schedule of occurrence of the event in response to a user permitting adjustment of the first hot water amount. apparatus.
3. The said presentation means shows the said output terminal the information which shows the actual value of the amount of hot water at the time of performing the said boiling operation only by surplus electric power, and the information which shows the actual value of the time which performed the said boiling operation only by surplus electric power And information indicating an actual measurement value of the amount of surplus power consumed by the water heater when the boiling operation is performed only by the surplus power, and the hot water heater when the boiling operation is performed only by the surplus power Presenting to the user effect notification information including at least one of information indicating the price of commercial power corresponding to the same amount as the actual measurement value of the amount of surplus power consumed, and information on the predicted value of the second amount of hot water The control device according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The water heater has a first control mode and a second control mode as control modes,
   The first hot water quantity calculation means calculates the first hot water quantity according to the control mode selected by the user among the first control mode and the second control mode,
   The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second hot water amount calculation means calculates the second hot water amount according to the control mode selected by the user.
5. The notification information includes information on the first hot water and the second hot water according to the first control mode, and information on the first hot water and the second hot water according to the second control mode. The control device according to claim 4.
6. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising predicted hot-water supply amount acquiring means for acquiring the predicted hot-water supply amount according to at least one of an event occurrence schedule and a judgment result of a season.
7. The predicted hot-water-supply-amount acquiring means is an increase / decrease amount of the number of persons using hot water supplied by the hot water heater due to the influence of the event scheduled to occur, and the hot water heater due to the influence of the event scheduled to occur. The control device according to claim 6, wherein the predicted hot-water supply amount is acquired according to at least one of an increase and decrease amount of the hot-water supply amount.
8. The predicted hot water supply acquiring means determines a season according to at least one of a date, an air temperature in a region including the demand place, and a hot water supply amount by the water heater, and the predicted hot water supply according to a result of the determination. The control device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein
9. The notification information includes information indicating the second amount of hot water, information indicating an amount of surplus utilized electric power which is an amount of surplus electric power consumed by the water heater when the second amount of hot water is boiled, the amount of surplus utilized electric power Information indicating the electricity charge reduction amount, which is the price of commercial power corresponding to the same amount, information warning the user of the possibility of hot water shortage, and usage of hot water and average use amount of hot water are mutually associated and included The information according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising at least one of information, information prompting the user to adjust the second hot water volume, and information on the second hot water volume adjusted by the user. Control device.
10. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
    The water heater;
    The power generation facility,
    A power management system, comprising: the output terminal.
11. In the demand area, based on the predicted transition of surplus power generated by the power generation facility, acquire the longest duration of the boiling operation of the water heater with only surplus power,
    A first hot water amount, which is a hot water amount when the boiling operation is performed only with commercial power, is calculated based on the longest duration and the predicted daily hot water supply amount of the water heater,
    Based on the first amount of hot water and the predicted amount of hot water supply, a second amount of hot water, which is the amount of hot water when the boiling operation is performed using only the surplus power, is calculated;
    The information presentation method which makes an output terminal present the notification information containing the information regarding the said 1st hot water amount, and the information regarding the said 2nd hot water amount to a user.
12. Computer,
    A time acquisition means for acquiring a longest duration time in which the heating operation of the water heater can be performed only by the surplus power based on the predicted transition of the surplus power generated by the power generation facility at the demand place;
    First hot water amount calculating means for calculating a first hot water amount, which is a hot water amount when the boiling operation is performed only with commercial power, based on the longest continuous time and the predicted daily hot water supply amount of the water heater;
    A second hot water amount calculating unit that calculates a second hot water amount, which is a hot water amount when the boiling operation is performed only with the surplus power, based on the first hot water amount and the predicted hot-water supply amount;
    A program that causes an output terminal to function as presentation means for causing a user to present notification information including information on the first hot water quantity and information on the second hot water quantity to a user.

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