JP2014112016A - Heat pump system - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat pump system including a heat pump device that collects geothermal heat, which can promote the use of electric power according to the demand of a power supplier, and can further improve the operation efficiency of the heat pump device. Provide a system.
A heat pump system (10) includes a heat pump device (10a) using underground heat as a heat source, an electric heater (50) for underground heating, and a controller (80). The heat pump device has a ground heat collection unit that is disposed in the ground and collects ground heat. The underground heating electric heater is disposed in the vicinity of the underground heat collecting unit and heats the underground. The controller is electrically connected to the heat pump device and the underground heater. The controller includes a communication unit 80a and an adjustment operation control unit 80c. The communication unit accepts an increase request for power consumption during the request period. In response to the increase request, the adjustment operation control unit operates the underground heating electric heater to increase the amount of power used in the request period.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  There is a demand for the power supplier to balance the power supply amount and the power demand amount in order to realize a stable power supply.

  In order to satisfy this requirement, the power supplier may request the power consumer to promote the use of power. For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-107901), when the power supplier has an excessive power supply amount with respect to the power demand amount, the economics of promoting the use of power to the power consumer are disclosed. An example is disclosed in which a request is made to increase the amount of power used by showing profits.

  By the way, conventionally, a heat pump device using geothermal heat is known. For example, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-47360) discloses an example of air conditioning in a building using a heat pump device that uses geothermal heat. When the heat pump device is used for heating purposes (heating is performed in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-47360)), the heat pump device is operated using the soil as a heat collection source (collecting ground heat). Is done. Since the temperature of the soil (underground) has a smaller change than the temperature of the atmosphere, the temperature is relatively high even in the cold season when the temperature of the atmosphere is low. Therefore, even in cold regions, efficient operation of the heat pump device is realized by using the underground heat.

  However, geothermal heat is derived from solar energy, and if heat is collected from the soil more than the heat input by solar energy, the temperature of the soil gradually decreases, and the efficiency of the heat pump device also increases accordingly. There is a problem of gradually decreasing.

  In addition, as in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-107901), when the power supplier requests the power consumer to promote the use of power, the power consumer cannot respond to the request. Cases can occur.

  Even for electric power consumers who use a heat pump device that uses geothermal heat for heating purposes, if the heating target of the heat pump device has already reached the target temperature, or the heat pump device has already been operated at the maximum output. If there is no other power usage device that can be operated, there is no room for increasing the power usage even if there is a request for power usage promotion.

  An object of the present invention is a heat pump system including a heat pump device that collects underground heat, can promote the use of electric power according to the demand of a power supplier, and further improve the operation efficiency of the heat pump device It is to provide a possible heat pump system.

  A heat pump system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a heat pump device that uses underground heat as a heat source, an electric heater, and a controller. The heat pump device has a ground heat collection unit that is disposed in the ground and collects ground heat. The electric heater is disposed in the vicinity of the underground heat collecting unit and heats the underground. The controller is electrically connected to the heat pump device and the electric heater. The controller includes a reception unit and an operation control unit. The accepting unit accepts a request for increasing the amount of power used during the request period. In response to the increase request, the operation control unit operates the electric heater to increase the amount of power used in the request period.

  In this heat pump system, the controller operates an electric heater that heats the ground in response to a request to increase the amount of received power used. Therefore, it is easy to respond to a request for increasing the amount of received power used, which can contribute to power supply and demand adjustment. In addition, by operating the electric heater, the underground temperature that has decreased due to the operation of the heat pump device can be raised, so the efficiency of the heat pump device can be improved.

  The heat pump system according to the second aspect of the present invention is the heat pump system according to the first aspect, and the underground heat collecting unit is unitized with the electric heater.

  Here, since the underground heat collection unit and the electric heater are unitized as one unit, the number of installation steps of the underground heat collection unit and the electric heater can be suppressed. As a result, the installation cost of the heat pump system can be suppressed.

  The heat pump system which concerns on the 3rd viewpoint of this invention is a heat pump system which concerns on the 1st or 2nd viewpoint, Comprising: A reception part further receives the electric power usage target in a request | requirement period with an increase request. The operation control unit operates the electric heater to achieve the power usage target in the request period when the power usage target in the request period cannot be achieved due to the use of power by the heat pump device, and the amount of power used in the request period Increase.

  In this heat pump system, the electric heater is operated when the power use target cannot be achieved (the power cannot be used up) in the heat pump device. That is, here, when receiving a request for increasing the amount of power used, the power is preferentially used for a direct and more efficient application such as operation of the heat pump device, so that the power can be used efficiently. On the other hand, since the electric power that cannot be used only by the heat pump device is used for heating in the ground, it can contribute to supply and demand adjustment of electric power, and the efficiency of the heat pump device can also be improved.

  The heat pump system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the heat pump system according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, and the operation control unit prohibits the operation of the electric heater except during the request period.

  Here, when there is no demand to increase the amount of power used (when the power supply is not excessive with respect to the power demand), the power is directly and more efficiently rather than an indirect use of underground heating. Can be used for various purposes.

  In the heat pump system according to the first aspect, the controller operates an electric heater that heats the ground in response to a request for increasing the amount of received power used. Therefore, it is easy to respond to the increase request of the received power consumption, and it can contribute to the supply and demand balance of power supply. In addition, by operating the electric heater, the underground temperature that has decreased due to the operation of the heat pump device can be raised, so the efficiency of the heat pump device can be improved.

  In the heat pump system according to the second aspect, the installation cost of the heat pump system can be suppressed.

  In the heat pump system according to the third aspect, since power is preferentially used for a direct and more efficient application such as operation of the heat pump device when an increase request for power consumption is received, the power can be used efficiently. On the other hand, since the electric power that cannot be used only by the heat pump device is used for heating in the ground, it can contribute to supply and demand adjustment of electric power, and the efficiency of the heat pump device can also be improved.

  In the heat pump system according to the fourth aspect, when there is no request for an increase in the amount of power used, the power can be used directly and more efficiently.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the electric power network containing the heat pump system which concerns on this embodiment. 1 is a schematic overall view of a heat pump system for explaining a configuration of a heat pump system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of a controller of the heat pump system according to FIG. 2. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow of the fluid (refrigerant, aqueous medium, brine medium) at the time of 1st heating operation of the heat pump system which concerns on FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow of the fluid (aqueous medium) at the time of the 2nd heating operation of the heat pump system which concerns on FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow of the fluid (refrigerant, aqueous medium, brine medium) at the time of the 1st hot water supply operation of the heat pump system which concerns on FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the electric power adjustment driving | operation at the time of the increase request | requirement of the electric power usage by the controller which concerns on FIG. 3 (step S1-S7). It is a flowchart for demonstrating the electric power adjustment driving | operation at the time of the increase request | requirement of electric power usage by the controller which concerns on FIG. 3 (step S8-S14).

  An embodiment of a heat pump system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(1) Overall Configuration The heat pump system 10 according to the present embodiment is a heat pump system installed in a house. The heat pump system 10 is used for the purpose of heating and hot water supply. However, it is not limited to this, The heat pump system 10 may be used only for heating or hot water supply. Further, for example, the heat pump system 10 may be used for cooling and cooling in addition to heating and / or hot water supply.

  FIG. 1 shows an electric power network 100 including a plurality of houses 2 as electric power consumers and an electric power company 1 as an electric power supplier that supplies electric power to the plural houses 2. A heat pump system 10 is installed in the house 2. The electric power company 1 supplies the electric power consumer with electric power generated by itself and / or electric power generated by others. The power network 100 includes houses where the heat pump system 10 is not installed and power consumers other than the houses.

(1-1) Electric power company The electric power company 1 has the management apparatus 1a. The management device 1a is a device that adjusts the power supply amount of the power company 1 and the power demand amount by the power consumer to balance. The management device 1a is connected to a smart meter 2a installed in a house 2 described later by a communication line 100a.

  The management device 1a collects the power demand (the amount of power used) of each house 2 transmitted from the smart meter 2a and the power demand of power consumers other than the house 2, and the power supply amount and the power demand amount Analyzes whether or not The analysis of whether the amount of power supply and the amount of power demand are balanced includes future expectations.

  Moreover, in order to balance electric power supply and electric power demand based on the analysis result, the management apparatus 1a requests | requires suppression or increase of the electric power consumption with respect to the electric power consumer containing the house 2. FIG. Specifically, the management device 1a transmits a power suppression request to each smart meter 2a in a time zone in which the demand for power is likely to exceed the supply. Conversely, in a time zone in which the supply of power is likely to exceed demand, the management device 1a transmits a request to increase power to each smart meter 2a. The situation where the supply of electric power exceeds the demand occurs, for example, when the electric power company 1 supplies electric power generated by natural energy (for example, wind power) that is difficult to adjust according to the electric power demand.

  In addition, when the management apparatus 1a transmits the suppression request | requirement or increase request | requirement of the electric power consumption with respect to each smart meter 2a, adjustment request period (when to suppress or increase), adjustment request amount (how much suppression or increase is carried out) And information on incentives (information on rewards in response to requests for suppression or increase, or information on fines in the case of failure to respond). The adjustment request amount may relate to the power [kW] per unit time or may relate to the power amount [kWh] in the adjustment request period. The information on the incentive does not need to be information about the reward (fine) itself, but may be information on the unit price of electricity during the adjustment request period, for example.

(1-2) House In addition to the heat pump system 10, the house 2 includes a smart meter 2a, a HEMS (household energy management system) 2b, and various electrical devices 3.

  The smart meter 2a is connected to the management device 1a of the electric power company 1 through a communication line 100a. The smart meter 2a transmits the power value used in the house 2 to the management device 1a. The smart meter 2a receives a request for suppressing power consumption and an increase request from the management device 1a. The smart meter 2a is connected to a HEMS 2b installed in the house 2 through a communication line 2c. From the smart meter 2a to the HEMS 2b, a request to suppress or increase the amount of power used transmitted from the management device 1a to the smart meter 2a (including information regarding the adjustment request period, the adjustment request amount, and the incentive) is transmitted. .

  The HEMS 2b is connected to the heat pump system 10 and the electric equipment 3 through a communication line 2d. The HEMS 2b grasps the amount of power used in the house 2 and optimally controls the amount of power used in the house 2.

  The HEMS 2b requests the heat pump system 10 and the electric device 3 to suppress or increase the amount of power used based on the request to suppress or increase the amount of power transmitted from the management device 1a via the smart meter 2a. Send. The HEMS 2b includes an individual adjustment request period (when to suppress or increase power) for each of the heat pump system 10 and the electrical equipment 3 together with a request to suppress or increase the amount of power used, and individual power. The usage target (how much to suppress or increase) is transmitted. The individual request period and the individual power usage target are the characteristics of the heat pump system 10 and each electrical device 3, the power currently used by the heat pump system 10 and each electrical device 3, and the management device 1a (via the smart meter 2a). ) The HEMS 2b determines for each heat pump system 10 and each electrical device 3 using the transmitted adjustment request period, adjustment request amount, and the like. More specifically, the HEMS 2b is transmitted from the management device 1a by the heat pump system 10 and each electrical device 3 adjusting the amount of power used according to the individual adjustment request period and the individual power usage target determined by the HEMS 2b. The individual adjustment request period and the individual power usage target are determined so that the adjustment request amount can be satisfied during the adjusted adjustment period.

  The individual power usage target may be a target value (kW) of power in the individual adjustment request period, an adjustment amount (kW) with respect to the current power usage amount, an adjustment rate (%), or the like. Further, the individual power usage target is not related to power but may be related to the amount of power (kWh) in the individual adjustment request period. In the present embodiment, the individual power usage target is an adjustment amount (kW) with respect to the current power usage.

  Note that the HEMS 2b further uses the information on the incentive when responding to the request for suppressing and increasing the power consumption received via the smart meter 2a, and sends the request for suppressing or increasing the power consumption to the heat pump system 10. Whether or not to transmit to the electric device 3 and / or the individual adjustment request period and the individual power usage target to be transmitted to the heat pump system 10 and the electric device 3 may be determined. For example, when receiving a request to increase the amount of power used, the HEMS 2b can receive a bounty of a predetermined amount or more by increasing the amount of power used, or if the unit price of power is below a predetermined price (free of charge (Including the case) only, a request to increase the amount of power used may be transmitted to the heat pump system 10 and the electric device 3. However, in this embodiment, when the management apparatus 1a requests the HEMS 2b to increase the amount of power used, the HEMS 2b will be described as responding to the increase request regardless of the information on the incentive.

(1-3) Heat Pump System FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the heat pump system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The heat pump system 10 mainly heats an aqueous medium by using a heat pump cycle of a vapor compressor type, and performs heating and hot water supply using the heated aqueous medium.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat pump system 10 mainly includes a heat pump device 10 a, an underground heater 50, and a controller 80.

  The heat pump device 10a includes an outdoor unit 20, an indoor unit 30, a gas refrigerant communication tube 26, a liquid refrigerant communication tube 27, a geothermal heat collecting unit 40, brine medium communication tubes 46 and 47, and a hot water supply unit 60. The heating unit 70 and the aqueous medium communication pipes 36 and 37 are provided. The heat pump device 10a is a heat pump device that uses underground heat as a heat source.

  The outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 are connected via a gas refrigerant communication pipe 26 and a liquid refrigerant communication pipe 27, thereby constituting a refrigerant circuit 25. The refrigerant circuit 25 is mainly composed of a compressor 21 described later, a use side heat exchanger 31, an expansion valve 22, and a heat source side heat exchanger 23. For example, R-410A is used as the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 25. In addition, the kind of refrigerant | coolant is an illustration and is not limited to this.

  The indoor unit 30 is connected to the hot water supply unit 60 and the heating unit 70 via aqueous medium communication pipes 36 and 37, respectively, thereby constituting an aqueous medium circuit 35. In the aqueous medium circuit 35, water circulates as a medium.

  The outdoor unit 20 and the underground heat collecting unit 40 are connected via brine medium communication pipes 46 and 47, thereby constituting a brine medium circuit 45. In the brine medium circuit 45, brine (antifreeze) is circulated as a medium.

  The underground heating electric heater 50 is a heater for heating the underground. As will be described later, the electric heater 50 for underground heating is accommodated in a heat collecting pile 41 of the underground heat collecting unit 40 and is unitized with the underground heat collecting unit 40.

  The controller 80 is electrically connected to the heat pump device 10a and the underground heating electric heater 50, and controls the movement of the heat pump device 10a and the underground heating electric heater 50.

  The heat pump system 10 will be described in detail below.

(2) Detailed structure The heat pump system 10 is provided with the heat pump apparatus 10a, the electric heater 50 for underground heating, and the controller 80 like FIG.2 and FIG.3. The heat pump device 10a includes an outdoor unit 20, an indoor unit 30, a gas refrigerant communication tube 26, a liquid refrigerant communication tube 27, a geothermal heat collecting unit 40, brine medium communication tubes 46 and 47, and a hot water supply unit 60. The heating unit 70 and the aqueous medium communication pipes 36 and 37 are mainly included.

(2-1) Heat pump device (2-1-1) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 20 functions as a heat source unit. The outdoor unit 20 is usually disposed outdoors. As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit is connected to the indoor unit 30 by a gas refrigerant communication pipe 26 and a liquid refrigerant communication pipe 27 and constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 25.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit 20 mainly includes a compressor 21, a heat source side heat exchanger 23, and an expansion valve 22.

  The compressor 21 is a hermetic compressor driven by a motor. The compressor 21 is inverter-controlled. The compressor 21 is connected to the heat source side heat exchanger 23 and the gas refrigerant communication pipe 26 via a refrigerant pipe. The compressor 21 sucks low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant pipe connected to the heat source side heat exchanger 23, compresses the gas refrigerant by the compression mechanism in the compressor 21, and refrigerant pipe connected to the gas refrigerant communication pipe 26. A high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged.

  The heat source side heat exchanger 23 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 25 by performing heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 25 and the brine flowing through the brine medium circuit 45 as shown in FIG. To do. That is, the refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 absorbs (collects) heat from the brine that has collected the underground heat in the underground heat collection unit 40 as will be described later. In other words, the heat pump device 10a is a heat pump device that uses underground heat as a heat source.

  In the heat source side heat exchanger 23, a refrigerant pipe connected to the liquid refrigerant communication tube 27 is connected to the liquid side of the flow path through which the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 25 flows, and the gas in the flow path through which the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 25 flows. A refrigerant pipe connected to the compressor 21 is connected to the side. Further, in the heat source side heat exchanger 23, the brine medium connecting pipe 47 is connected to the inlet side of the flow path through which the brine in the brine medium circuit 45 flows, and the outlet of the flow path through which the brine in the brine medium circuit 45 flows. On the side, a brine medium communication pipe 46 is connected.

  The expansion valve 22 is an expansion mechanism for decompressing the refrigerant, and is an electric valve capable of adjusting the opening degree. As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the expansion valve 22 is connected to the refrigerant pipe connected to the heat source side heat exchanger 23, and the other end is connected to the refrigerant pipe connected to the gas refrigerant communication pipe 26.

(2-1-2) Indoor unit The indoor unit 30 is arrange | positioned indoors. As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 30 is connected to the outdoor unit 20 via a gas refrigerant communication pipe 26 and a liquid refrigerant communication pipe 27, and constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 25. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 30 is connected to the hot water supply unit 60 and the heating unit 70 via the aqueous medium communication pipes 36 and 37, respectively, and constitutes a part of the aqueous medium circuit 35. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 30 mainly includes a use side heat exchanger 31, an electric heater 32 for heating, and a circulation pump 33.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the use-side heat exchanger 31 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant circuit 25 and the aqueous medium that flows in the aqueous medium circuit 35, thereby serving as a condenser for the refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant circuit 25. Function. That is, the gas-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 is condensed into a liquid-phase refrigerant by releasing heat to the aqueous medium flowing through the aqueous medium circuit 35. In other words, the use side heat exchanger 31 functions as a radiator for the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 25 and heats the aqueous medium flowing through the aqueous medium circuit 35.

  In the use-side heat exchanger 31, a refrigerant pipe connected to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 27 is connected to the liquid side of the flow path through which the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 25 flows, and the gas in the flow path through which the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 25 flows. A refrigerant pipe connected to the gas refrigerant communication pipe 26 is connected to the side. In the use-side heat exchanger 31, an aqueous medium pipe connected to the aqueous medium communication pipe 37 is connected to the inlet side of the flow path through which the aqueous medium flows, and the aqueous medium is connected to the outlet side of the flow path through which the aqueous medium flows. A water pipe connected to the communication pipe 36 is connected.

  The heating electric heater 32 is an electric heater for heating the aqueous medium when the aqueous medium flowing through the aqueous medium circuit 35 is sent to the heating unit 70. The heating electric heater 32 is provided in an aqueous medium pipe that connects the use-side heat exchanger 31 and the aqueous medium communication pipe 36.

  The circulation pump 33 is a centrifugal or positive displacement pump driven by a motor. The circulation pump 33 is provided downstream of the heating electric heater 32 in the aqueous medium communication pipe 36 that connects the use side heat exchanger 31 and the aqueous medium communication pipe 36. The circulation pump 33 pressurizes the aqueous medium and circulates the aqueous medium in the aqueous medium circuit 35. Specifically, the water heated by the use-side heat exchanger 31 or the heating electric heater 32 is pressurized by the circulation pump 33 and sent to the hot water supply unit 60 or the heating unit 70 via the aqueous medium communication pipe 36. . The aqueous medium exiting the hot water supply unit 60 or the heating unit 70 returns to the use-side heat exchanger 31 via the aqueous medium communication pipe 37 (see FIGS. 4A and 4C).

(2-1-3) Gas Refrigerant Communication Pipe The gas refrigerant communication pipe 26 is a refrigerant pipe for guiding the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 to the use side heat exchanger 31.

(2-1-4) Liquid Refrigerant Communication Pipe The liquid refrigerant communication pipe 27 is a refrigerant pipe for guiding the high-pressure liquid refrigerant output from the use side heat exchanger 31 to the expansion valve 22.

(2-1-5) Geothermal sampling unit The geothermal sampling unit 40 collects the geothermal heat embedded in the ground. As shown in FIG. 2, the underground heat collecting unit 40 includes a heat collecting pile 41 and a heat exchanging pipe 42 provided inside the heat collecting pile 41. The underground heating electric heater 50 is also housed in the heat collecting pile 41, and the underground heat collecting unit 40 and the underground heating electric heater 50 are integrated into a unit.

  The heat collection pile 41 is a pile that is also used as a foundation pile of the house 2 and is driven into the ground when the house 2 is constructed. The heat collecting pile 41 is preferably used also as the foundation pile of the house 2 from the viewpoint of reducing the construction cost, but is not limited to this, and the heat exchanging pipe 42 and the underground heating electricity A dedicated pile for installing the heater 50 may be used. The heat exchanging pipe 42 and the electric heater 50 for underground heating are accommodated inside the heat collecting pile 41 driven into the ground.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the heat exchanging pipe 42 is connected to the heat source side heat exchanger 23 of the outdoor unit 20 via the brine medium connecting pipes 46 and 47 to constitute a brine medium circuit 45. The brine (antifreeze) in the brine medium circuit 45 is circulated in the brine medium circuit 45 by being boosted by a circulation pump 44 provided in the brine medium communication pipe 46 constituting the brine medium circuit 45.

  The heat exchange pipe 42 functions as a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the brine flowing through the brine medium circuit 45 and the soil around the heat collecting pile 41. In the heat exchanging pipe 42, the brine flowing through the brine medium circuit 45 collects (collects) ground heat from the soil around the heat collecting pile 41. The brine that has collected the underground heat in the heat exchange pipe 42 is sent to the heat source side heat exchanger 23 through the brine medium communication pipe 47.

  In the heat source side heat exchanger 23, as described above, heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit 25 and the brine flowing in the brine medium circuit 45 is performed, and the refrigerant flowing into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 is brine. Heat is absorbed from the brine flowing through the media circuit 45. The brine flowing out from the heat source side heat exchanger 23 after heat exchange with the refrigerant is sent again to the heat exchanging pipe 42 via the brine medium connecting pipe 46.

  The reason why geothermal heat is used in the heat pump system 10 is that the underground temperature is less likely to fluctuate than the atmospheric temperature, and the temperature is relatively high even in the cold season when the atmospheric temperature is low. That is, in the cold season when the atmospheric temperature is low, the heat source side heat exchanger 23 collects the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit 25 and the ground heat rather than exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit 25 and the outside air. This is because efficient operation is possible by exchanging the heat with the brine. However, by collecting the underground heat, the underground temperature also gradually decreases, so the efficiency gradually decreases.

(2-1-6) Brine medium communication pipe As shown in FIG. 2, the brine medium communication pipe 46 includes an outlet side of the flow path through which the brine of the heat source side heat exchanger 23 of the outdoor unit 20 flows, and a ground heat collection unit. 40 is connected to the inlet side of the heat exchanging pipe 42. As shown in FIG. 2, the brine medium communication pipe 47 includes an inlet side of the flow path through which the brine of the heat source side heat exchanger 23 of the outdoor unit 20 flows, and an outlet side of the heat exchange pipe 42 of the underground heat collection unit 40. It is connected to the. The brine medium communication pipe 46 is provided with a circulation pump 44 as shown in FIG. The circulation pump 44 is a centrifugal pump or a positive displacement pump driven by an inverter-controlled motor.

(2-1-7) Hot Water Supply Unit The hot water supply unit 60 is an aqueous medium device that uses an aqueous medium supplied from the indoor unit 30 and is installed indoors. As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water supply unit 60 is connected to the indoor unit 30 via the aqueous medium communication pipes 36 and 37, and constitutes a part of the aqueous medium circuit 35.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water supply unit 60 mainly includes a hot water supply tank 61, a heat exchange coil 62, and a hot water supply electric heater 63.

  The hot water supply tank 61 is a container for storing water used for hot water supply. Connected to the hot water supply tank 61 are a hot water supply pipe for sending hot water to a faucet or a shower, etc., and a water supply pipe for replenishing the consumed water sent to the hot water supply pipe. ing.

  The heat exchange coil 62 is provided in the hot water supply tank 61 as shown in FIG. The heat exchange coil 62 is a heat exchanger that functions as a heater for water in the hot water supply tank 61 by exchanging heat between the aqueous medium circulating in the aqueous medium circuit 35 and the water in the hot water supply tank 61. The inlet side of the heat exchange coil 62 is connected to a three-way valve 65 provided in the aqueous medium communication pipe 36, and the outlet side of the heat exchange coil 62 is connected to an aqueous medium communication pipe 37 (see FIG. 2). ).

  In the hot water supply unit 60, the water in the hot water supply tank 61 can be heated and stored in the hot water supply tank 61 by the aqueous medium circulating in the aqueous medium circuit 35 heated in the indoor unit 30 with the above configuration. Yes. In addition, although the hot water supply unit 60 of the system which accumulates the water heated by the heat exchange with the aqueous medium heated in the indoor unit 30 in the hot water supply tank 61 is employ | adopted here, it is not limited to this. A hot water supply unit that stores water heated in the indoor unit 30 in a hot water storage tank may be employed.

  The hot water heater 63 is an electric heater provided in the hot water tank 61. The electric heater 63 for hot water supply is used to heat the low-temperature water supplied from the water supply (not shown) to the hot-water supply tank 61 with a heat pump and then to a higher temperature. It is also used when the outside air temperature is low and the heat capacity of the heat pump is insufficient.

(2-1-8) Heating Unit The heating unit 70 is an aqueous medium device that uses an aqueous medium supplied from the indoor unit 30 and is installed indoors. As shown in FIG. 2, the heating unit 70 is connected to the indoor unit 30 via the aqueous medium communication pipes 36 and 37, and constitutes a part of the aqueous medium circuit 35.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the heating unit 70 is a fan coil unit mainly including a heat exchanger 71 and a fan 72. The heat exchanger 71 and the fan 72 are housed in a casing (not shown).

  The heat exchanger 71 functions as a room air heater by performing heat exchange between the aqueous medium circulating in the aqueous medium circuit 35 and the room air. The inlet side of the heat exchanger 71 is connected to a three-way valve 65 provided in the aqueous medium communication pipe 36, and the outlet side of the heat exchanger 71 is connected to an aqueous medium communication pipe 37 (see FIG. 2). ).

  The fan 72 is a fan that takes air into the casing and promotes heat exchange between the aqueous medium circulating in the aqueous medium circuit 35 and the room air in the heat exchanger 71. The room air heated by the heat exchanger 71 blows out of the casing (inside the room).

  In addition, although the heating unit 70 here is a fan coil unit, it is not limited to this, The heating unit 70 may be floor heating or a radiator. In FIG. 2, only one heating unit 70 is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of heating units 70 may be provided in parallel.

(2-1-9) Aqueous medium communication pipe As shown in FIG. 2, the aqueous medium communication pipe 36 includes an outlet side of the indoor unit 30 (downstream side of the circulation pump 33) and an inlet of the heat exchange coil 62 of the hot water supply unit 60. And the inlet side of the heat exchanger 71 of the heating unit 70 are connected. As shown in FIG. 2, the aqueous medium communication pipe 37 is configured to exchange heat between the inlet side of the indoor unit 30 (inlet side of the use side heat exchanger 31), the outlet side of the heat exchange coil 62 of the hot water supply unit 60, and the heating unit 70. The outlet side of the vessel 71 is connected. The aqueous medium supplied from the indoor unit 30 to the hot water supply unit 60 or the heating unit 70 via the aqueous medium communication pipe 36 returns to the indoor unit 30 via the aqueous medium communication pipe 37.

  The aqueous medium communication pipe 36 is provided with a three-way valve 65 as shown in FIG. The three-way valve 65 is an electric valve. The three-way valve 65 can switch the flow direction of the aqueous medium so that the aqueous medium circulating in the aqueous medium circuit 35 is supplied to one of the hot water supply unit 60 and the air conditioning unit 70.

(2-2) Electric heater for underground heating The electric heater 50 for underground heating is a heater for heating the underground and recovering the underground temperature which has been lowered by being collected by the heat exchanging pipe 42. is there. As will be described later, the electric heater 50 for underground heating is controlled by the adjustment operation control unit 80c of the controller 80, and only when an increase request for power consumption is received from the HEMS 2b (by the adjustment operation control unit 80c). This heater is used only when a power adjustment operation that increases the amount of power used is performed.

  The underground heating electric heater 50 is disposed in the vicinity of the underground heat collection unit 40. Specifically, the underground heating electric heater 50 is unitized with the underground heat collecting unit 40. More specifically, the underground heating electric heater 50 is accommodated in the heat collecting pile 41 of the underground heat collecting unit 40 together with the heat exchanging pipe 42.

(2-3) Controller The controller 80 is electrically connected to the heat pump device 10a and the electric heater 50 for underground heating. The controller 80 is provided to control the operation of the heat pump device 10a and the underground heating electric heater 50. The controller 80 is a microcomputer having a CPU, a memory, and the like, and executes various controls when the CPU executes various programs stored in the memory. The controller 80 does not need to be integrally formed, and a plurality of sub-controllers for controlling the outdoor unit 20, the indoor unit 30, the hot water supply unit 60, the heating unit 70, the underground heater 50, etc. It may be configured to be connected by.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 80 is electrically connected to the HEMS 2b and exchanges various information with the HEMS 2b. For example, the controller 80 transmits information related to the operation status of the heat pump system 10 (such as power consumption) to the HEMS 2b. Further, for example, the controller 80 transmits a power usage amount adjustment request (suppression request or increase request), an individual adjustment request period (when to suppress or increase) transmitted from the HEMS 2b, and an individual power usage target (which one) Only suppress or increase). The individual power usage target here is how much the power of the heat pump system 10 is adjusted (suppressed or increased) with respect to the power (kW) of the heat pump system 10 at the time when the controller 80 receives the individual power usage target. The numerical value (kW).

  3, the controller 80 includes the compressor 21, the expansion valve 22, the heating electric heater 32, the circulation pump 33, the circulation pump 44, the hot water heater 63, the three-way valve 65, and the fan 72 of the heat pump device 10a. And are electrically connected. The controller 80 is electrically connected to the underground heater 50. The controller 80 receives detection signals from various sensors (such as temperature sensors) (not shown) provided in the heat pump device 10a, and controls the various devices described above based on these detection signals and the like. Further, the controller 80 controls various devices based on the power usage amount adjustment request, the individual adjustment request period, and the individual power usage target transmitted from the HEMS 2b.

  The controller 80 adjusts the amount of power used in response to a request for adjustment of the amount of power used from the communication unit 80a that communicates with the HEMS 2b, the hot water supply and heating operation control unit 80b that performs the hot water supply and heating operation, and the HEMS 2b. The adjustment operation control unit 80c and the like are provided as functional units.

(3) Operation of Heat Pump System The operation of the heat pump system 10 according to the present embodiment, in particular, a hot water supply / heating operation and a power adjustment operation will be described.

(3-1) Hot-water supply / heating operation The heat pump system 10 is controlled by the hot-water supply / heating operation control unit 80b, and performs two types of heating operation and two types of hot-water supply operation described later as the hot-water supply / heating operation.

  The heating operation is performed when the user of the heat pump device 10a requests the controller 80 to operate the heating unit 70 via a remote controller (not shown). Selection of the type of heating operation (first heating operation or second heating operation), which will be described later, and adjustment of operating conditions such as the rotational speed of the compressor 21 are performed via a room temperature acquired by a sensor (not shown) and a remote controller (not shown). This is executed by the hot water supply / heating operation control unit 80b using the set temperature of the room temperature inputted in this way, the temperature of the aqueous medium sent to the heating unit 70, and the like.

  The hot water supply operation is performed when the water in the hot water supply tank 61 is consumed and the water temperature in the hot water supply tank 61 is lowered by the replenishment water flowing into the hot water supply tank 61. Selection of the type of hot water supply operation (first hot water supply operation or second hot water supply operation), which will be described later, and adjustment of operating conditions such as the number of rotations of the compressor 21 are shown in FIG. This is executed by the hot water supply and heating operation control unit 80b using the set temperature of the supplied water supplied via the remote controller, the temperature of the aqueous medium sent to the hot water supply unit 60, and the like.

  Further, the hot water supply operation is appropriately performed for the purpose of storing hot water in order to maintain the water temperature in the hot water supply tank 61 or at a time when the unit price of electric power is low, even when the hot water is not being supplied.

(3-1-1) First Heating Operation In the first heating operation, an aqueous medium is heated using a steam compressor type heat pump cycle, and heating is performed using the heated aqueous medium. In the first heating operation, the compressor 21 is operated, and the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 25 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4A. In the first heating operation, the circulation pump 44 is operated, and the brine circulates in the brine medium circuit 45 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4A. In the first heating operation, the circulation pump 33 is operated in the aqueous medium circuit 35, and the aqueous medium is sent from the indoor unit 30 to the heating unit 70 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4A. This will be described in detail below.

  In the refrigerant circuit 25, during the first heating operation, the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is sent to the indoor unit 30 via the gas refrigerant communication pipe 26. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor unit 30 is cooled by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium in the use side heat exchanger 31 functioning as a refrigerant condenser, and then sent to the outdoor unit 20. In the use side heat exchanger 31, when the refrigerant is cooled by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium, the aqueous medium is heated. The high-pressure refrigerant sent to the outdoor unit 20 is decompressed by the expansion valve 22 to become a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 that functions as a refrigerant evaporator. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 is heated by exchanging heat with the brine circulating in the brine medium circuit 45 and evaporated to become a low-pressure refrigerant. Note that the brine circulates in the brine medium circuit 45 to collect ground heat in the heat exchange pipe 42. The low-pressure gas refrigerant exiting the heat source side heat exchanger 23 is again sucked into the compressor 21.

  In the aqueous medium circuit 35, the three-way valve 65 is switched so that the aqueous medium flows toward the heating unit 70, and the aqueous medium flowing out from the indoor unit 30 flows into the heat exchanger 71 of the heating unit 70. In the heat exchanger 71, the aqueous medium is cooled by exchanging heat with room air, and conversely, the indoor air is heated by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium. The aqueous medium flowing out from the heat exchanger 71 returns to the indoor unit 30 and is heated again by the use side heat exchanger 31.

  In the first heating operation, the room is heated in this way.

(3-1-2) Second Heating Operation In the second heating operation, heating is performed using the aqueous medium heated by the heating electric heater 32. In the second heating operation, the heating electric heater 32 and the circulation pump 33 are operated in the aqueous medium circuit 35. The three-way valve 65 is switched so that the aqueous medium flows to the heating unit 70 side, and the aqueous medium heated by the heating electric heater 32 in the indoor unit 30 exchanges heat with the heating unit 70 as shown in FIG. 4B. Flow into the vessel 71. In the heat exchanger 71, the aqueous medium is cooled by exchanging heat with room air, and conversely, the indoor air is heated by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium. The aqueous medium flowing out from the heat exchanger 71 returns to the indoor unit 30 as shown in FIG. 4B and is heated again by the heating electric heater 32. In the second heating operation, the compressor 21 and the circulation pump 44 are not operated.

  In the second heating operation, the room is heated in this way. The second heating operation is used, for example, when the desired heating capacity is larger than the heating capacity that can be achieved by the heat pump cycle. The second heating operation consumes more power than the first heating operation.

  The first heating operation and the second heating operation may be performed simultaneously depending on the temperature of the aqueous medium flowing out from the heat exchanger 71 and the conditions of the outside air temperature.

(3-1-3) First Hot Water Supply Operation In the first hot water supply operation, the aqueous medium is heated by using a steam compressor type heat pump cycle, and hot water is supplied using the heated aqueous medium. In the first hot water supply operation, the compressor 21 is operated, and the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 25 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4C. In the first hot water supply operation, the circulation pump 44 is operated, and the brine circulates in the brine medium circuit 45 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4C. In the first hot water supply operation, the circulation pump 33 is operated in the aqueous medium circuit 35, and the aqueous medium is sent from the indoor unit 30 to the hot water supply unit 60 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4C. This will be described in detail below.

  In the refrigerant circuit 25, during the first hot water supply operation, the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is sent to the indoor unit 30 via the gas refrigerant communication pipe 26. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor unit 30 is cooled by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium in the use side heat exchanger 31 functioning as a refrigerant condenser, and then sent to the outdoor unit 20. In the use side heat exchanger 31, when the refrigerant is cooled by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium, the aqueous medium is heated. The high-pressure refrigerant sent to the outdoor unit 20 is decompressed by the expansion valve 22 to become a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 that functions as a refrigerant evaporator. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 is heated by exchanging heat with the brine circulating in the brine medium circuit 45 and evaporated to become a low-pressure refrigerant. Note that the brine circulates in the brine medium circuit 45 to collect ground heat in the heat exchange pipe 42. The low-pressure gas refrigerant exiting the heat source side heat exchanger 23 is again sucked into the compressor 21.

  In the aqueous medium circuit 35, the three-way valve 65 is switched so that the aqueous medium flows toward the hot water supply unit 60, and the aqueous medium flowing out of the indoor unit 30 flows into the heat exchange coil 62 of the hot water supply unit 60. In the heat exchange coil 62, the aqueous medium is cooled by exchanging heat with the water in the hot water supply tank 61, and conversely, the water in the hot water supply tank 61 is heated by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium. The aqueous medium flowing out of the heat exchange coil 62 returns to the indoor unit 30 and is heated again by the use side heat exchanger 31.

  In the first hot water supply operation, the water in the hot water supply tank 61 is heated in this way. During the first hot water supply operation, since the aqueous medium in the aqueous medium circuit 35 flows to the hot water supply unit 60, the first hot water supply operation cannot be performed simultaneously with the heating operation.

(3-1-4) Second Hot Water Supply Operation In the second hot water supply operation, the hot water supply electric heater 63 is operated, and the water in the hot water supply tank 61 is heated. In the second hot water supply operation, none of the compressor 21, the circulation pump 33, and the circulation pump 44 are operated. Usually, the hot water storage temperature in the hot water supply tank is set higher than the water temperature that can be raised by the heat pump cycle, so the second hot water supply operation is used to heat from the temperature that can be raised by the heat pump cycle to the target hot water storage temperature. .

  The second hot water supply operation can be performed simultaneously with the first heating operation or the second heating operation. In other words, when the heating operation and the hot water supply operation are performed simultaneously, the second hot water supply operation is performed as the hot water supply operation. The second hot water supply operation consumes more power than the first hot water supply operation.

(3-2) Power Adjustment Operation The power adjustment operation is an operation performed when a request for adjusting the amount of power used is received from the HEMS 2b. The power adjustment operation is executed by the adjustment operation control unit 80c.

  The adjustment operation control unit 80c controls the heat pump system 10 to execute the power adjustment operation for suppressing the power consumption when the communication unit 80a receives the power consumption suppression request from the HEMS 2b. In other words, the adjustment operation control unit 80c controls the operation of the heat pump device 10a so as to suppress the amount of power used by the individual power use target (kW) during the individual adjustment request period transmitted from the HEMS 2b. The control by the adjustment operation control unit 80c when the communication unit 80a receives a request for reducing the amount of power used will be specifically described with an example.

  For example, the adjustment operation control unit 80c stops the hot water supply operation when the hot water supply operation is performed for hot water storage by the hot water supply / heating operation control unit 80b. In addition, for example, when the first heating operation is selected by the hot water supply / heating operation control unit 80b, the adjustment operation control unit 80c decreases the rotation speed of the compressor 21 in order to reduce power consumption. Even if the rotation speed of the compressor 21 reaches the lower limit compressor rotation speed (lower limit value of the rotation speed of the compressor 21), if the suppression request is not satisfied, the adjustment operation control unit 80c stops the heating operation. For example, the adjustment operation control unit 80c stops the heating operation when the second heating operation is selected. In addition, these electric power adjustment driving | operations are performed in the range with no contradiction in control. For example, in the present embodiment, the first or second heating operation and the first hot water supply operation cannot be performed, and thus the power adjustment operation having such contents is not performed.

  On the other hand, the adjustment operation control unit 80c controls the heat pump system 10 to execute the power adjustment operation for increasing the power consumption when the communication unit 80a receives the power usage increase request from the HEMS 2b. In other words, the adjustment operation control unit 80c includes the heat pump device 10a and the underground heating electric heater 50 so as to increase the amount of power used by the individual power use target (kW) during the individual adjustment request period transmitted from the HEMS 2b. Control driving.

  The power adjustment operation for increasing the power consumption will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B. When the communication unit 80a receives an individual adjustment request period and an individual power use target from the HEMS 2b together with a request to increase the amount of power used, the control of the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B is executed.

  In step S1, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether or not the individual adjustment request period has started. If it is determined that the individual adjustment request period has started, the process proceeds to step S2. The process of step S1 is repeated until it is determined that the individual adjustment request period has started.

  In step S2, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether or not the heat pump system 10 has achieved the individual power usage target. More specifically, the adjustment operation control unit 80c is configured so that the current power consumption (Ec) of the heat pump system 10 is equal to that of the heat pump system 10 when the communication unit 80a receives a request for increasing the power usage from the HEMS 2b. It is determined whether or not the power usage amount (Ep) is increased by the individual power usage target (ΔE) or more. If expressed by a mathematical expression, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether Ec ≧ Ep + ΔE. When the adjusted operation control unit 80c determines that the individual power usage target is achieved, the process proceeds to step S8, and when it is determined that the individual power usage target is not achieved, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether the amount of power used can be increased by using power by the heat pump device 10a, in other words, by using power for heating operation or hot water supply operation. . For example, if the hot water supply operation for hot water storage is not currently performed and the hot water supply operation for hot water storage can be performed, it is determined that the amount of electric power used can be increased. In addition, for example, when the first heating operation that consumes less power than the second heating operation is currently being performed, the amount of power used can be increased by switching the heating operation to the second heating operation. Determined. Also, for example, when the first hot water supply operation that consumes less power than the second hot water supply operation is currently being performed, the amount of power used can be increased by switching the hot water supply operation to the second hot water supply operation. Determined. In addition, for example, in the first heating operation or the first hot water supply operation, if the rotation speed of the compressor 21 can be increased, it is determined that the power consumption can be increased. In this determination, the determination is performed considering whether there is a contradiction in the control. For example, in the present embodiment, since the first or second heating operation and the first hot water supply operation cannot be performed, it is determined that such control content cannot be performed. It should be noted that the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether or not the amount of power consumption can be increased by using the power by the heat pump device 10a, not only physically possible or impossible, but also by the user of the heat pump device 10a. May also be determined in consideration of the comfort level (such as the deviation of the room temperature or hot water supply temperature from the set temperature).

  If it is determined in step S3 that the amount of power used can be increased by using power by the heat pump device 10a, the process proceeds to step S4. If it is determined in step S3 that the amount of power used cannot be increased due to the use of power by the heat pump device 10a, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S4, the process (for example, start of the hot water supply operation for hot water storage, switching from the first heating operation to the second heating operation, etc.) determined by the adjustment operation control unit 80c in step S3 can be performed. It is executed by the adjustment operation control unit 80c. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, similarly to step S2, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether or not the heat pump system 10 has achieved the individual power usage target. When the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines that the individual power usage target is achieved, the process proceeds to step S8, and when it is determined that the individual power usage target is not achieved, the process returns to step S3.

  In step S6, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether the underground heating electric heater 50 is currently operating (is on). If it is determined that the underground heater is operating, the process proceeds to step S8. If it is determined that the underground heating electric heater is not in operation (is off), the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the electric heater 50 for underground heating is operated (turned on) by the adjustment operation control unit 80c. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S8.

  Steps S8 to S12 described below are processes for preventing an excessive increase in the amount of power used. The power adjustment operation for increasing the amount of power used is intended to increase the amount of power used, but the heat pump system is used even when the power is used excessively beyond the amount of adjustment requested transmitted by the HEMS 2b. Since it cannot be said that 10 is responding to the adjustment request of the HEMS 2b, such processing is executed.

  In step S8, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether or not the amount of power used by the heat pump system 10 is excessive. More specifically, the adjustment operation control unit 80c is configured so that the current power consumption (Ec) of the heat pump system 10 is equal to that of the heat pump system 10 when the communication unit 80a receives a request for increasing the power usage from the HEMS 2b. It is determined whether or not the power consumption (Ep) and the individual power usage target (ΔE) are greater than a predetermined value (E1). If expressed by a mathematical expression, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether Ec ≧ Ep + ΔE + E1. As the predetermined value (E1), an optimal value is selected to realize the purpose of preventing an excessive increase in the amount of power used.

  In step S8, when the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines that the power consumption of the heat pump system 10 is excessive, the process proceeds to step S9, and when it is determined that the power usage of the heat pump system 10 is not excessive. Advances to step S13.

  In step S9, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether the underground heating electric heater 50 is currently operating (is turned on). When it is determined that the underground heater 50 is operating, the process proceeds to step S10. If it is determined that the underground heating electric heater 50 is not in operation (is off), the process proceeds to step S11.

  In Step S10, the adjustment operation control unit 80c turns off the underground heating electric heater 50. Thereafter, the process returns to step S8.

  In step S11, it is determined by the adjustment operation control part 80c whether it is possible to suppress the usage-amount of the electric power of the heat pump apparatus 10a. For example, if a hot water supply operation for hot water storage is currently being performed, it is determined that the amount of power used can be suppressed. In addition, for example, when the second heating operation that consumes more power than the first heating operation is currently being performed, the amount of power used can be suppressed by switching the heating operation to the first heating operation. Determined. In addition, for example, when the second hot water supply operation that consumes more power than the first hot water supply operation is currently being performed, it is possible to suppress the amount of power used by switching the hot water supply operation to the first hot water supply operation. Determined. Further, for example, in the first heating operation or the first hot water supply operation, it is determined that the amount of electric power used can be increased if the rotation speed of the compressor 21 can be reduced. In this determination, the determination is performed considering whether there is a contradiction in the control. For example, in the present embodiment, since the first or second heating operation and the first hot water supply operation cannot be performed, it is determined that such control content cannot be performed. It should be noted that the adjustment operation control unit 80c not only determines whether or not the power consumption of the heat pump device 10a can be suppressed physically, but also whether the heat pump device 10a is comfortable for the user (indoor The temperature and the hot water supply temperature may be determined in consideration of deviation from the set temperature.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the power consumption of the heat pump device 10a can be suppressed, the process proceeds to step S12. If it is determined in step S11 that the power consumption of the heat pump device 10a cannot be suppressed, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S12, the process (for example, stoppage of the hot water supply operation for hot water storage, switching from the second heating operation to the first heating operation, etc.) determined by the adjustment operation control unit 80c in step S11 is performed. It is executed by the adjustment operation control unit 80c. Thereafter, the process returns to step S8.

  In step S13, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether or not the individual adjustment request period has ended. If it is determined that the individual adjustment request period has ended, the process proceeds to step S14. If it is determined that the individual adjustment request period has not ended, the process returns to step S2.

  In step S14, the adjustment operation control unit 80c executes a power adjustment operation end process. More specifically, the control performed by the adjustment operation control unit 80c to cause the heat pump system 10 to execute the power adjustment operation is released, and the heat pump system 10 returns to the normal control. For example, the adjustment operation control unit 80c turns off the underground heating electric heater 50 when the underground heating electric heater 50 is operated (On). Further, for example, the adjustment operation control unit 80c performs a hot water supply operation for hot water storage during the power adjustment operation, and determines that the hot water supply / heating operation control unit 80b does not need to continue the hot water supply operation for hot water storage. If this happens, the hot water supply operation for hot water storage is terminated.

  The underground heating electric heater 50 is a heater whose On / Off is controlled by the adjustment operation control unit 80c, and the adjustment operation control unit 80c is not in the power adjustment operation for increasing the amount of power used. During the period other than the individual adjustment request period, the operation of the underground heating electric heater 50 is prohibited.

(4) Features The heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment has the following features.

(4-1)
The heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment includes a heat pump device 10 a that uses underground heat as a heat source, an underground heater 50, and a controller 80. The heat pump device 10a includes a ground heat collection unit 40 that is disposed in the ground and collects ground heat. The underground heating electric heater 50 is disposed in the vicinity of the underground heat collecting unit 40 and heats the underground. The controller 80 is electrically connected to the heat pump device 10a and the underground heater 50. The controller 80 includes a communication unit 80a and an adjustment operation control unit 80c. The communication unit 80a accepts a request to increase the amount of power used during the individual adjustment request period. The adjustment operation control unit 80c operates the underground heating electric heater 50 in response to a request to increase the amount of power used, and increases the amount of power used in the individual adjustment request period.

  In the heat pump system 10, the controller 80 operates the underground heating electric heater 50 that heats the ground in response to a request for increasing the amount of power received by the controller 80. Therefore, it is easy to respond to a request for increasing the amount of received power used, which can contribute to power supply and demand adjustment.

  Moreover, since the underground temperature lowered by the operation of the heat pump apparatus 10a is raised by operating the underground heater 50, the efficiency of the heat pump apparatus 10a can be improved.

(4-2)
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the underground heat collecting unit 40 is unitized with the underground heating electric heater 50.

  Here, since the underground heat collection unit 40 and the underground heating electric heater 50 are integrally formed as a unit, the number of installation steps of the underground heat collection unit 40 and the underground heating electric heater 50 can be suppressed. As a result, the installation work cost of the heat pump system 10 can be suppressed.

(4-3)
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the communication unit 80a further receives an individual power usage target in the individual adjustment request period together with the increase request. The adjustment operation control unit 80c is used for ground heating so as to achieve the individual power use target in the individual adjustment request period when the individual power use target in the individual adjustment request period cannot be achieved due to the use of electric power by the heat pump device 10a. The electric heater 50 is operated to increase the amount of power used during the individual adjustment request period.

  In this heat pump system 10, the underground heating electric heater 50 is operated when the individual power use target cannot be achieved (the electric power cannot be used up) in the heat pump device 10a. That is, here, since the power is preferentially used for the direct and more efficient use of the operation of the heat pump device 10a when the request for increasing the amount of power used is received, the power can be used efficiently. On the other hand, since the electric power that cannot be used only by the heat pump device 10a is used for heating in the ground, it can contribute to power supply and demand adjustment, and the efficiency of the heat pump device 10a can also be improved.

(4-4)
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the adjustment operation control unit 80c prohibits the operation of the underground heater 50 except for the individual adjustment request period.

  Here, when there is no demand for an increase in the amount of power used (when the power supply is not particularly excessive with respect to the power demand), the power is directly and more It can be used for efficient purposes.

(5) Modifications Modifications of the present embodiment are shown below. A plurality of modified examples may be appropriately combined.

(5-1) Modification A
The heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment heats an aqueous medium using a steam compressor type heat pump cycle, and performs heating and hot water supply using the heated aqueous medium, but is not limited thereto. It is not a thing. For example, the heat pump system may be a refrigeration apparatus such as an air conditioner that exchanges heat between the refrigerant of the heat pump cycle and the air.

(5-2) Modification B
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the underground heat collection unit 40 and the underground heater 50 are integrally unitized, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a pile for accommodating the electric heater for underground heating may be separately driven in the vicinity of the heat collecting pile of the underground heat collecting unit. However, from the viewpoint of reducing the construction cost, it is desirable that the underground heat collecting unit 40 and the underground heating electric heater 50 are integrated into a unit.

(5-3) Modification C
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the underground heat collection unit 40 has the heat exchanging pipe 42 accommodated inside the heat collection pile 41, but is not limited to this. A heat exchange pipe may be embedded.

(5-4) Modification D
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the HEMS 2b transmits the individual power usage target to the controller 80, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the HEMS 2b may not transmit the individual power usage target. That is, the HEMS 2b may transmit to the controller 80 only the power usage increase request and the individual adjustment request period. In this case, the adjustment operation control unit 80c may operate (turn on) the underground heating electric heater 50 during the individual adjustment request period regardless of the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B. .

(5-5) Modification E
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the adjustment operation control unit 80c performs control so as to suppress the amount of power used when the power is excessively used, as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B. Control (step S8 to step S12) may not be executed. However, in order to meet the demand / supply adjustment request of the electric power company 1, it is desirable to perform control in consideration of excessive use of electric power.

(5-6) Modification F
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the communication unit 80a receives the individual adjustment request period and the individual power usage target from the HEMS 2b, but the individual adjustment request period may be a plurality of individual adjustment request periods. 80a may accept an individual power usage target for each individual adjustment request period.

(5-7) Modification G
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the communication unit 80a receives the individual adjustment request period, but is not limited to this. The communication unit 80a may first receive a start signal for the individual adjustment request period from the HEMS 2b, and then may receive an end signal for the individual adjustment request period from the HEMS 2b. That is, in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether the communication unit 80a has received the start signal of the power adjustment operation in step S2, and transmits the end signal of the power adjustment operation in step S13. You may determine whether 80a was received.

(5-8) Modification H
In the heat pump system 10 of this embodiment, only the On / Off of the underground heater 50 is controlled, but is not limited to this.

  For example, the capacity of the underground heating electric heater may be variable, and the capacity of the underground heating electric heater may be adjusted according to the current power consumption and the target power usage.

  In addition, for example, a plurality of underground heating electric heaters are provided, and the number of underground heating electric heaters to be operated is changed according to the current power consumption and the target power usage. May be.

(5-9) Modification I
Although the heat pump system 10 of this embodiment is installed in the house 2, it is not limited to this, You may install in a building or a commercial facility. In this case, the controller 80 accepts a request for adjusting the amount of power used from, for example, BEMS (building energy management system) instead of HEMS.

(5-10) Modification J
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the controller 80 uses the power consumption (Ec) of the heat pump system 10 during the power adjustment operation for increasing the power usage, and the power at the time of accepting the power usage increase request. Although control is performed so as to increase the usage amount (Ep) of the power consumption to the individual power usage target (ΔE) or more (control is performed so that Ec ≧ Ep + ΔE), it is not limited to this. For example, the controller uses the power usage (Ec) of the heat pump system 10 during the power adjustment operation to increase the power usage, the power usage (Ep) when receiving the power usage increase request, and the individual power. Control may be performed so as to be close to the sum of the use target (ΔE) (control is performed so that Ec≈Ep + ΔE).

(5-11) Modification K
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the three-way valve 65 switches the flow direction of the aqueous medium in the aqueous medium circuit 35 to either the hot water supply unit 60 or the heating unit 70, but is not limited thereto. is not. For example, the three-way valve may be a valve capable of supplying an aqueous medium to both the hot water supply unit 60 and the heating unit 70 or to either the hot water supply unit 60 and the heating unit 70. That is, the heat pump system may be configured such that the first heating operation and the first hot water supply operation can be performed simultaneously.

  By using the present invention, in a heat pump system equipped with a heat pump device that collects underground heat, it is possible to promote the use of electric power according to the demand of the power supplier, and further improve the operation efficiency of the heat pump device. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Heat pump system 10a Heat pump apparatus 40 Ground heat collection part 50 Electric heater for underground heating (electric heater)
80 Controller 80a Communication unit (accepting unit)
80c Adjustment operation control unit (operation control unit)

JP-A-2005-107901 JP 2012-47360 A

The present invention relates to a heat pump system including a heat pump device that uses geothermal heat as a heat source.

  There is a demand for the power supplier to balance the power supply amount and the power demand amount in order to realize a stable power supply.

  In order to satisfy this requirement, the power supplier may request the power consumer to promote the use of power. For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-107901), when the power supplier has an excessive power supply amount with respect to the power demand amount, the economics of promoting the use of power to the power consumer are disclosed. An example is disclosed in which a request is made to increase the amount of power used by showing profits.

  By the way, conventionally, a heat pump device using geothermal heat is known. For example, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-47360) discloses an example of air conditioning in a building using a heat pump device that uses geothermal heat. When the heat pump device is used for heating purposes (heating is performed in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-47360)), the heat pump device is operated using the soil as a heat collection source (collecting ground heat). Is done. Since the temperature of the soil (underground) has a smaller change than the temperature of the atmosphere, the temperature is relatively high even in the cold season when the temperature of the atmosphere is low. Therefore, even in cold regions, efficient operation of the heat pump device is realized by using the underground heat.

  However, geothermal heat is derived from solar energy, and if heat is collected from the soil more than the heat input by solar energy, the temperature of the soil gradually decreases, and the efficiency of the heat pump device also increases accordingly. There is a problem of gradually decreasing.

  In addition, as in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-107901), when the power supplier requests the power consumer to promote the use of power, the power consumer cannot respond to the request. Cases can occur.

  Even for electric power consumers who use a heat pump device that uses geothermal heat for heating purposes, if the heating target of the heat pump device has already reached the target temperature, or the heat pump device has already been operated at the maximum output. If there is no other power usage device that can be operated, there is no room for increasing the power usage even if there is a request for power usage promotion.

  An object of the present invention is a heat pump system including a heat pump device that collects underground heat, can promote the use of electric power according to the demand of a power supplier, and further improve the operation efficiency of the heat pump device It is to provide a possible heat pump system.

  A heat pump system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a heat pump device that uses underground heat as a heat source, an electric heater, and a controller. The heat pump device has a ground heat collection unit that is disposed in the ground and collects ground heat. The electric heater is disposed in the vicinity of the underground heat collecting unit and heats the underground. The controller is electrically connected to the heat pump device and the electric heater. The controller includes a reception unit and an operation control unit. The accepting unit accepts a request for increasing the amount of power used during the request period. In response to the increase request, the operation control unit operates the electric heater to increase the amount of power used in the request period.

  In this heat pump system, the controller operates an electric heater that heats the ground in response to a request to increase the amount of received power used. Therefore, it is easy to respond to a request for increasing the amount of received power used, which can contribute to power supply and demand adjustment. In addition, by operating the electric heater, the underground temperature that has decreased due to the operation of the heat pump device can be raised, so the efficiency of the heat pump device can be improved.

  The heat pump system according to the second aspect of the present invention is the heat pump system according to the first aspect, and the underground heat collecting unit is unitized with the electric heater.

  Here, since the underground heat collection unit and the electric heater are unitized as one unit, the number of installation steps of the underground heat collection unit and the electric heater can be suppressed. As a result, the installation cost of the heat pump system can be suppressed.

  The heat pump system which concerns on the 3rd viewpoint of this invention is a heat pump system which concerns on the 1st or 2nd viewpoint, Comprising: A reception part further receives the electric power usage target in a request | requirement period with an increase request. The operation control unit operates the electric heater to achieve the power usage target in the request period when the power usage target in the request period cannot be achieved due to the use of power by the heat pump device, and the amount of power used in the request period Increase.

  In this heat pump system, the electric heater is operated when the power use target cannot be achieved (the power cannot be used up) in the heat pump device. That is, here, when receiving a request for increasing the amount of power used, the power is preferentially used for a direct and more efficient application such as operation of the heat pump device, so that the power can be used efficiently. On the other hand, since the electric power that cannot be used only by the heat pump device is used for heating in the ground, it can contribute to supply and demand adjustment of electric power, and the efficiency of the heat pump device can also be improved.

  The heat pump system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the heat pump system according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, and the operation control unit prohibits the operation of the electric heater except during the request period.

  Here, when there is no demand to increase the amount of power used (when the power supply is not excessive with respect to the power demand), the power is directly and more efficiently rather than an indirect use of underground heating. Can be used for various purposes.

  In the heat pump system according to the first aspect, the controller operates an electric heater that heats the ground in response to a request for increasing the amount of received power used. Therefore, it is easy to respond to the increase request of the received power consumption, and it can contribute to the supply and demand balance of power supply. In addition, by operating the electric heater, the underground temperature that has decreased due to the operation of the heat pump device can be raised, so the efficiency of the heat pump device can be improved.

  In the heat pump system according to the second aspect, the installation cost of the heat pump system can be suppressed.

  In the heat pump system according to the third aspect, since power is preferentially used for a direct and more efficient application such as operation of the heat pump device when an increase request for power consumption is received, the power can be used efficiently. On the other hand, since the electric power that cannot be used only by the heat pump device is used for heating in the ground, it can contribute to supply and demand adjustment of electric power, and the efficiency of the heat pump device can also be improved.

  In the heat pump system according to the fourth aspect, when there is no request for an increase in the amount of power used, the power can be used directly and more efficiently.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the electric power network containing the heat pump system which concerns on this embodiment. 1 is a schematic overall view of a heat pump system for explaining a configuration of a heat pump system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of a controller of the heat pump system according to FIG. 2. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow of the fluid (refrigerant, aqueous medium, brine medium) at the time of 1st heating operation of the heat pump system which concerns on FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow of the fluid (aqueous medium) at the time of the 2nd heating operation of the heat pump system which concerns on FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow of the fluid (refrigerant, aqueous medium, brine medium) at the time of the 1st hot water supply operation of the heat pump system which concerns on FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the electric power adjustment driving | operation at the time of the increase request | requirement of the electric power usage by the controller which concerns on FIG. 3 (step S1-S7). It is a flowchart for demonstrating the electric power adjustment driving | operation at the time of the increase request | requirement of electric power usage by the controller which concerns on FIG. 3 (step S8-S14).

  An embodiment of a heat pump system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(1) Overall Configuration The heat pump system 10 according to the present embodiment is a heat pump system installed in a house. The heat pump system 10 is used for the purpose of heating and hot water supply. However, it is not limited to this, The heat pump system 10 may be used only for heating or hot water supply. Further, for example, the heat pump system 10 may be used for cooling and cooling in addition to heating and / or hot water supply.

  FIG. 1 shows an electric power network 100 including a plurality of houses 2 as electric power consumers and an electric power company 1 as an electric power supplier that supplies electric power to the plural houses 2. A heat pump system 10 is installed in the house 2. The electric power company 1 supplies the electric power consumer with electric power generated by itself and / or electric power generated by others. The power network 100 includes houses where the heat pump system 10 is not installed and power consumers other than the houses.

(1-1) Electric power company The electric power company 1 has the management apparatus 1a. The management device 1a is a device that adjusts the power supply amount of the power company 1 and the power demand amount by the power consumer to balance. The management device 1a is connected to a smart meter 2a installed in a house 2 described later by a communication line 100a.

  The management device 1a collects the power demand (the amount of power used) of each house 2 transmitted from the smart meter 2a and the power demand of power consumers other than the house 2, and the power supply amount and the power demand amount Analyzes whether or not The analysis of whether the amount of power supply and the amount of power demand are balanced includes future expectations.

  Moreover, in order to balance electric power supply and electric power demand based on the analysis result, the management apparatus 1a requests | requires suppression or increase of the electric power consumption with respect to the electric power consumer containing the house 2. FIG. Specifically, the management device 1a transmits a power suppression request to each smart meter 2a in a time zone in which the demand for power is likely to exceed the supply. Conversely, in a time zone in which the supply of power is likely to exceed demand, the management device 1a transmits a request to increase power to each smart meter 2a. The situation where the supply of electric power exceeds the demand occurs, for example, when the electric power company 1 supplies electric power generated by natural energy (for example, wind power) that is difficult to adjust according to the electric power demand.

  In addition, when the management apparatus 1a transmits the suppression request | requirement or increase request | requirement of the electric power consumption with respect to each smart meter 2a, adjustment request period (when to suppress or increase), adjustment request amount (how much suppression or increase is carried out) And information on incentives (information on rewards in response to requests for suppression or increase, or information on fines in the case of failure to respond). The adjustment request amount may relate to the power [kW] per unit time or may relate to the power amount [kWh] in the adjustment request period. The information on the incentive does not need to be information about the reward (fine) itself, but may be information on the unit price of electricity during the adjustment request period, for example.

(1-2) House In addition to the heat pump system 10, the house 2 includes a smart meter 2a, a HEMS (household energy management system) 2b, and various electrical devices 3.

  The smart meter 2a is connected to the management device 1a of the electric power company 1 through a communication line 100a. The smart meter 2a transmits the power value used in the house 2 to the management device 1a. The smart meter 2a receives a request for suppressing power consumption and an increase request from the management device 1a. The smart meter 2a is connected to a HEMS 2b installed in the house 2 through a communication line 2c. From the smart meter 2a to the HEMS 2b, a request to suppress or increase the amount of power used transmitted from the management device 1a to the smart meter 2a (including information regarding the adjustment request period, the adjustment request amount, and the incentive) is transmitted. .

  The HEMS 2b is connected to the heat pump system 10 and the electric equipment 3 through a communication line 2d. The HEMS 2b grasps the amount of power used in the house 2 and optimally controls the amount of power used in the house 2.

  The HEMS 2b requests the heat pump system 10 and the electric device 3 to suppress or increase the amount of power used based on the request to suppress or increase the amount of power transmitted from the management device 1a via the smart meter 2a. Send. The HEMS 2b includes an individual adjustment request period (when to suppress or increase power) for each of the heat pump system 10 and the electrical equipment 3 together with a request to suppress or increase the amount of power used, and individual power. The usage target (how much to suppress or increase) is transmitted. The individual request period and the individual power usage target are the characteristics of the heat pump system 10 and each electrical device 3, the power currently used by the heat pump system 10 and each electrical device 3, and the management device 1a (via the smart meter 2a). ) The HEMS 2b determines for each heat pump system 10 and each electrical device 3 using the transmitted adjustment request period, adjustment request amount, and the like. More specifically, the HEMS 2b is transmitted from the management device 1a by the heat pump system 10 and each electrical device 3 adjusting the amount of power used according to the individual adjustment request period and the individual power usage target determined by the HEMS 2b. The individual adjustment request period and the individual power usage target are determined so that the adjustment request amount can be satisfied during the adjusted adjustment period.

  The individual power usage target may be a target value (kW) of power in the individual adjustment request period, an adjustment amount (kW) with respect to the current power usage amount, an adjustment rate (%), or the like. Further, the individual power usage target is not related to power but may be related to the amount of power (kWh) in the individual adjustment request period. In the present embodiment, the individual power usage target is an adjustment amount (kW) with respect to the current power usage.

  Note that the HEMS 2b further uses the information on the incentive when responding to the request for suppressing and increasing the power consumption received via the smart meter 2a, and sends the request for suppressing or increasing the power consumption to the heat pump system 10. Whether or not to transmit to the electric device 3 and / or the individual adjustment request period and the individual power usage target to be transmitted to the heat pump system 10 and the electric device 3 may be determined. For example, when receiving a request to increase the amount of power used, the HEMS 2b can receive a bounty of a predetermined amount or more by increasing the amount of power used, or if the unit price of power is below a predetermined price (free of charge (Including the case) only, a request to increase the amount of power used may be transmitted to the heat pump system 10 and the electric device 3. However, in this embodiment, when the management apparatus 1a requests the HEMS 2b to increase the amount of power used, the HEMS 2b will be described as responding to the increase request regardless of the information on the incentive.

(1-3) Heat Pump System FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the heat pump system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The heat pump system 10 mainly heats an aqueous medium by using a heat pump cycle of a vapor compressor type, and performs heating and hot water supply using the heated aqueous medium.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat pump system 10 mainly includes a heat pump device 10 a, an underground heater 50, and a controller 80.

  The heat pump device 10a includes an outdoor unit 20, an indoor unit 30, a gas refrigerant communication tube 26, a liquid refrigerant communication tube 27, a geothermal heat collecting unit 40, brine medium communication tubes 46 and 47, and a hot water supply unit 60. The heating unit 70 and the aqueous medium communication pipes 36 and 37 are provided. The heat pump device 10a is a heat pump device that uses underground heat as a heat source.

  The outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 are connected via a gas refrigerant communication pipe 26 and a liquid refrigerant communication pipe 27, thereby constituting a refrigerant circuit 25. The refrigerant circuit 25 is mainly composed of a compressor 21 described later, a use side heat exchanger 31, an expansion valve 22, and a heat source side heat exchanger 23. For example, R-410A is used as the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 25. In addition, the kind of refrigerant | coolant is an illustration and is not limited to this.

  The indoor unit 30 is connected to the hot water supply unit 60 and the heating unit 70 via aqueous medium communication pipes 36 and 37, respectively, thereby constituting an aqueous medium circuit 35. In the aqueous medium circuit 35, water circulates as a medium.

  The outdoor unit 20 and the underground heat collecting unit 40 are connected via brine medium communication pipes 46 and 47, thereby constituting a brine medium circuit 45. In the brine medium circuit 45, brine (antifreeze) is circulated as a medium.

  The underground heating electric heater 50 is a heater for heating the underground. As will be described later, the electric heater 50 for underground heating is accommodated in a heat collecting pile 41 of the underground heat collecting unit 40 and is unitized with the underground heat collecting unit 40.

  The controller 80 is electrically connected to the heat pump device 10a and the underground heating electric heater 50, and controls the movement of the heat pump device 10a and the underground heating electric heater 50.

  The heat pump system 10 will be described in detail below.

(2) Detailed structure The heat pump system 10 is provided with the heat pump apparatus 10a, the electric heater 50 for underground heating, and the controller 80 like FIG.2 and FIG.3. The heat pump device 10a includes an outdoor unit 20, an indoor unit 30, a gas refrigerant communication tube 26, a liquid refrigerant communication tube 27, a geothermal heat collecting unit 40, brine medium communication tubes 46 and 47, and a hot water supply unit 60. The heating unit 70 and the aqueous medium communication pipes 36 and 37 are mainly included.

(2-1) Heat pump device (2-1-1) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 20 functions as a heat source unit. The outdoor unit 20 is usually disposed outdoors. As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit is connected to the indoor unit 30 by a gas refrigerant communication pipe 26 and a liquid refrigerant communication pipe 27 and constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 25.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit 20 mainly includes a compressor 21, a heat source side heat exchanger 23, and an expansion valve 22.

  The compressor 21 is a hermetic compressor driven by a motor. The compressor 21 is inverter-controlled. The compressor 21 is connected to the heat source side heat exchanger 23 and the gas refrigerant communication pipe 26 via a refrigerant pipe. The compressor 21 sucks low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant pipe connected to the heat source side heat exchanger 23, compresses the gas refrigerant by the compression mechanism in the compressor 21, and refrigerant pipe connected to the gas refrigerant communication pipe 26. A high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged.

  The heat source side heat exchanger 23 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 25 by performing heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 25 and the brine flowing through the brine medium circuit 45 as shown in FIG. To do. That is, the refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 absorbs (collects) heat from the brine that has collected the underground heat in the underground heat collection unit 40 as will be described later. In other words, the heat pump device 10a is a heat pump device that uses underground heat as a heat source.

  In the heat source side heat exchanger 23, a refrigerant pipe connected to the liquid refrigerant communication tube 27 is connected to the liquid side of the flow path through which the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 25 flows, and the gas in the flow path through which the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 25 flows. A refrigerant pipe connected to the compressor 21 is connected to the side. Further, in the heat source side heat exchanger 23, the brine medium connecting pipe 47 is connected to the inlet side of the flow path through which the brine in the brine medium circuit 45 flows, and the outlet of the flow path through which the brine in the brine medium circuit 45 flows. On the side, a brine medium communication pipe 46 is connected.

  The expansion valve 22 is an expansion mechanism for decompressing the refrigerant, and is an electric valve capable of adjusting the opening degree. As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the expansion valve 22 is connected to the refrigerant pipe connected to the heat source side heat exchanger 23, and the other end is connected to the refrigerant pipe connected to the gas refrigerant communication pipe 26.

(2-1-2) Indoor unit The indoor unit 30 is arrange | positioned indoors. As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 30 is connected to the outdoor unit 20 via a gas refrigerant communication pipe 26 and a liquid refrigerant communication pipe 27, and constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 25. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 30 is connected to the hot water supply unit 60 and the heating unit 70 via the aqueous medium communication pipes 36 and 37, respectively, and constitutes a part of the aqueous medium circuit 35. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 30 mainly includes a use side heat exchanger 31, an electric heater 32 for heating, and a circulation pump 33.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the use-side heat exchanger 31 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant circuit 25 and the aqueous medium that flows in the aqueous medium circuit 35, thereby serving as a condenser for the refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant circuit 25. Function. That is, the gas-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 is condensed into a liquid-phase refrigerant by releasing heat to the aqueous medium flowing through the aqueous medium circuit 35. In other words, the use side heat exchanger 31 functions as a radiator for the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 25 and heats the aqueous medium flowing through the aqueous medium circuit 35.

  In the use-side heat exchanger 31, a refrigerant pipe connected to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 27 is connected to the liquid side of the flow path through which the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 25 flows, and the gas in the flow path through which the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 25 flows. A refrigerant pipe connected to the gas refrigerant communication pipe 26 is connected to the side. In the use-side heat exchanger 31, an aqueous medium pipe connected to the aqueous medium communication pipe 37 is connected to the inlet side of the flow path through which the aqueous medium flows, and the aqueous medium is connected to the outlet side of the flow path through which the aqueous medium flows. A water pipe connected to the communication pipe 36 is connected.

  The heating electric heater 32 is an electric heater for heating the aqueous medium when the aqueous medium flowing through the aqueous medium circuit 35 is sent to the heating unit 70. The heating electric heater 32 is provided in an aqueous medium pipe that connects the use-side heat exchanger 31 and the aqueous medium communication pipe 36.

  The circulation pump 33 is a centrifugal or positive displacement pump driven by a motor. The circulation pump 33 is provided downstream of the heating electric heater 32 in the aqueous medium communication pipe 36 that connects the use side heat exchanger 31 and the aqueous medium communication pipe 36. The circulation pump 33 pressurizes the aqueous medium and circulates the aqueous medium in the aqueous medium circuit 35. Specifically, the water heated by the use-side heat exchanger 31 or the heating electric heater 32 is pressurized by the circulation pump 33 and sent to the hot water supply unit 60 or the heating unit 70 via the aqueous medium communication pipe 36. . The aqueous medium exiting the hot water supply unit 60 or the heating unit 70 returns to the use-side heat exchanger 31 via the aqueous medium communication pipe 37 (see FIGS. 4A and 4C).

(2-1-3) Gas Refrigerant Communication Pipe The gas refrigerant communication pipe 26 is a refrigerant pipe for guiding the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 to the use side heat exchanger 31.

(2-1-4) Liquid Refrigerant Communication Pipe The liquid refrigerant communication pipe 27 is a refrigerant pipe for guiding the high-pressure liquid refrigerant output from the use side heat exchanger 31 to the expansion valve 22.

(2-1-5) Geothermal sampling unit The geothermal sampling unit 40 collects the geothermal heat embedded in the ground. As shown in FIG. 2, the underground heat collecting unit 40 includes a heat collecting pile 41 and a heat exchanging pipe 42 provided inside the heat collecting pile 41. The underground heating electric heater 50 is also housed in the heat collecting pile 41, and the underground heat collecting unit 40 and the underground heating electric heater 50 are integrated into a unit.

  The heat collection pile 41 is a pile that is also used as a foundation pile of the house 2 and is driven into the ground when the house 2 is constructed. The heat collecting pile 41 is preferably used also as the foundation pile of the house 2 from the viewpoint of reducing the construction cost, but is not limited to this, and the heat exchanging pipe 42 and the underground heating electricity A dedicated pile for installing the heater 50 may be used. The heat exchanging pipe 42 and the electric heater 50 for underground heating are accommodated inside the heat collecting pile 41 driven into the ground.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the heat exchanging pipe 42 is connected to the heat source side heat exchanger 23 of the outdoor unit 20 via the brine medium connecting pipes 46 and 47 to constitute a brine medium circuit 45. The brine (antifreeze) in the brine medium circuit 45 is circulated in the brine medium circuit 45 by being boosted by a circulation pump 44 provided in the brine medium communication pipe 46 constituting the brine medium circuit 45.

  The heat exchange pipe 42 functions as a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the brine flowing through the brine medium circuit 45 and the soil around the heat collecting pile 41. In the heat exchanging pipe 42, the brine flowing through the brine medium circuit 45 collects (collects) ground heat from the soil around the heat collecting pile 41. The brine that has collected the underground heat in the heat exchange pipe 42 is sent to the heat source side heat exchanger 23 through the brine medium communication pipe 47.

  In the heat source side heat exchanger 23, as described above, heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit 25 and the brine flowing in the brine medium circuit 45 is performed, and the refrigerant flowing into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 is brine. Heat is absorbed from the brine flowing through the media circuit 45. The brine flowing out from the heat source side heat exchanger 23 after heat exchange with the refrigerant is sent again to the heat exchanging pipe 42 via the brine medium connecting pipe 46.

  The reason why geothermal heat is used in the heat pump system 10 is that the underground temperature is less likely to fluctuate than the atmospheric temperature, and the temperature is relatively high even in the cold season when the atmospheric temperature is low. That is, in the cold season when the atmospheric temperature is low, the heat source side heat exchanger 23 collects the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit 25 and the ground heat rather than exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit 25 and the outside air. This is because efficient operation is possible by exchanging the heat with the brine. However, by collecting the underground heat, the underground temperature also gradually decreases, so the efficiency gradually decreases.

(2-1-6) Brine medium communication pipe As shown in FIG. 2, the brine medium communication pipe 46 includes an outlet side of the flow path through which the brine of the heat source side heat exchanger 23 of the outdoor unit 20 flows, and a ground heat collection unit. 40 is connected to the inlet side of the heat exchanging pipe 42. As shown in FIG. 2, the brine medium communication pipe 47 includes an inlet side of the flow path through which the brine of the heat source side heat exchanger 23 of the outdoor unit 20 flows, and an outlet side of the heat exchange pipe 42 of the underground heat collection unit 40. It is connected to the. The brine medium communication pipe 46 is provided with a circulation pump 44 as shown in FIG. The circulation pump 44 is a centrifugal pump or a positive displacement pump driven by an inverter-controlled motor.

(2-1-7) Hot Water Supply Unit The hot water supply unit 60 is an aqueous medium device that uses an aqueous medium supplied from the indoor unit 30 and is installed indoors. As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water supply unit 60 is connected to the indoor unit 30 via the aqueous medium communication pipes 36 and 37, and constitutes a part of the aqueous medium circuit 35.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water supply unit 60 mainly includes a hot water supply tank 61, a heat exchange coil 62, and a hot water supply electric heater 63.

  The hot water supply tank 61 is a container for storing water used for hot water supply. Connected to the hot water supply tank 61 are a hot water supply pipe for sending hot water to a faucet or a shower, etc., and a water supply pipe for replenishing the consumed water sent to the hot water supply pipe. ing.

  The heat exchange coil 62 is provided in the hot water supply tank 61 as shown in FIG. The heat exchange coil 62 is a heat exchanger that functions as a heater for water in the hot water supply tank 61 by exchanging heat between the aqueous medium circulating in the aqueous medium circuit 35 and the water in the hot water supply tank 61. The inlet side of the heat exchange coil 62 is connected to a three-way valve 65 provided in the aqueous medium communication pipe 36, and the outlet side of the heat exchange coil 62 is connected to an aqueous medium communication pipe 37 (see FIG. 2). ).

  In the hot water supply unit 60, the water in the hot water supply tank 61 can be heated and stored in the hot water supply tank 61 by the aqueous medium circulating in the aqueous medium circuit 35 heated in the indoor unit 30 with the above configuration. Yes. In addition, although the hot water supply unit 60 of the system which accumulates the water heated by the heat exchange with the aqueous medium heated in the indoor unit 30 in the hot water supply tank 61 is employ | adopted here, it is not limited to this. A hot water supply unit that stores water heated in the indoor unit 30 in a hot water storage tank may be employed.

  The hot water heater 63 is an electric heater provided in the hot water tank 61. The electric heater 63 for hot water supply is used to heat the low-temperature water supplied from the water supply (not shown) to the hot-water supply tank 61 with a heat pump and then to a higher temperature. It is also used when the outside air temperature is low and the heat capacity of the heat pump is insufficient.

(2-1-8) Heating Unit The heating unit 70 is an aqueous medium device that uses an aqueous medium supplied from the indoor unit 30 and is installed indoors. As shown in FIG. 2, the heating unit 70 is connected to the indoor unit 30 via the aqueous medium communication pipes 36 and 37, and constitutes a part of the aqueous medium circuit 35.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the heating unit 70 is a fan coil unit mainly including a heat exchanger 71 and a fan 72. The heat exchanger 71 and the fan 72 are housed in a casing (not shown).

  The heat exchanger 71 functions as a room air heater by performing heat exchange between the aqueous medium circulating in the aqueous medium circuit 35 and the room air. The inlet side of the heat exchanger 71 is connected to a three-way valve 65 provided in the aqueous medium communication pipe 36, and the outlet side of the heat exchanger 71 is connected to an aqueous medium communication pipe 37 (see FIG. 2). ).

  The fan 72 is a fan that takes air into the casing and promotes heat exchange between the aqueous medium circulating in the aqueous medium circuit 35 and the room air in the heat exchanger 71. The room air heated by the heat exchanger 71 blows out of the casing (inside the room).

  In addition, although the heating unit 70 here is a fan coil unit, it is not limited to this, The heating unit 70 may be floor heating or a radiator. In FIG. 2, only one heating unit 70 is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of heating units 70 may be provided in parallel.

(2-1-9) Aqueous medium communication pipe As shown in FIG. 2, the aqueous medium communication pipe 36 includes an outlet side of the indoor unit 30 (downstream side of the circulation pump 33) and an inlet of the heat exchange coil 62 of the hot water supply unit 60. And the inlet side of the heat exchanger 71 of the heating unit 70 are connected. As shown in FIG. 2, the aqueous medium communication pipe 37 is configured to exchange heat between the inlet side of the indoor unit 30 (inlet side of the use side heat exchanger 31), the outlet side of the heat exchange coil 62 of the hot water supply unit 60, and the heating unit 70. The outlet side of the vessel 71 is connected. The aqueous medium supplied from the indoor unit 30 to the hot water supply unit 60 or the heating unit 70 via the aqueous medium communication pipe 36 returns to the indoor unit 30 via the aqueous medium communication pipe 37.

  The aqueous medium communication pipe 36 is provided with a three-way valve 65 as shown in FIG. The three-way valve 65 is an electric valve. The three-way valve 65 can switch the flow direction of the aqueous medium so that the aqueous medium circulating in the aqueous medium circuit 35 is supplied to one of the hot water supply unit 60 and the air conditioning unit 70.

(2-2) Electric heater for underground heating The electric heater 50 for underground heating is a heater for heating the underground and recovering the underground temperature which has been lowered by being collected by the heat exchanging pipe 42. is there. As will be described later, the electric heater 50 for underground heating is controlled by the adjustment operation control unit 80c of the controller 80, and only when an increase request for power consumption is received from the HEMS 2b (by the adjustment operation control unit 80c). This heater is used only when a power adjustment operation that increases the amount of power used is performed.

  The underground heating electric heater 50 is disposed in the vicinity of the underground heat collection unit 40. Specifically, the underground heating electric heater 50 is unitized with the underground heat collecting unit 40. More specifically, the underground heating electric heater 50 is accommodated in the heat collecting pile 41 of the underground heat collecting unit 40 together with the heat exchanging pipe 42.

(2-3) Controller The controller 80 is electrically connected to the heat pump device 10a and the electric heater 50 for underground heating. The controller 80 is provided to control the operation of the heat pump device 10a and the underground heating electric heater 50. The controller 80 is a microcomputer having a CPU, a memory, and the like, and executes various controls when the CPU executes various programs stored in the memory. The controller 80 does not need to be integrally formed, and a plurality of sub-controllers for controlling the outdoor unit 20, the indoor unit 30, the hot water supply unit 60, the heating unit 70, the underground heater 50, etc. It may be configured to be connected by.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 80 is electrically connected to the HEMS 2b and exchanges various information with the HEMS 2b. For example, the controller 80 transmits information related to the operation status of the heat pump system 10 (such as power consumption) to the HEMS 2b. Further, for example, the controller 80 transmits a power usage amount adjustment request (suppression request or increase request), an individual adjustment request period (when to suppress or increase) transmitted from the HEMS 2b, and an individual power usage target (which one) Only suppress or increase). The individual power usage target here is how much the power of the heat pump system 10 is adjusted (suppressed or increased) with respect to the power (kW) of the heat pump system 10 at the time when the controller 80 receives the individual power usage target. The numerical value (kW).

  3, the controller 80 includes the compressor 21, the expansion valve 22, the heating electric heater 32, the circulation pump 33, the circulation pump 44, the hot water heater 63, the three-way valve 65, and the fan 72 of the heat pump device 10a. And are electrically connected. The controller 80 is electrically connected to the underground heater 50. The controller 80 receives detection signals from various sensors (such as temperature sensors) (not shown) provided in the heat pump device 10a, and controls the various devices described above based on these detection signals and the like. Further, the controller 80 controls various devices based on the power usage amount adjustment request, the individual adjustment request period, and the individual power usage target transmitted from the HEMS 2b.

  The controller 80 adjusts the amount of power used in response to a request for adjustment of the amount of power used from the communication unit 80a that communicates with the HEMS 2b, the hot water supply and heating operation control unit 80b that performs the hot water supply and heating operation, and the HEMS 2b. The adjustment operation control unit 80c and the like are provided as functional units.

(3) Operation of Heat Pump System The operation of the heat pump system 10 according to the present embodiment, in particular, a hot water supply / heating operation and a power adjustment operation will be described.

(3-1) Hot-water supply / heating operation The heat pump system 10 is controlled by the hot-water supply / heating operation control unit 80b, and performs two types of heating operation and two types of hot-water supply operation described later as the hot-water supply / heating operation.

  The heating operation is performed when the user of the heat pump device 10a requests the controller 80 to operate the heating unit 70 via a remote controller (not shown). Selection of the type of heating operation (first heating operation or second heating operation), which will be described later, and adjustment of operating conditions such as the rotational speed of the compressor 21 are performed via a room temperature acquired by a sensor (not shown) and a remote controller (not shown). This is executed by the hot water supply / heating operation control unit 80b using the set temperature of the room temperature inputted in this way, the temperature of the aqueous medium sent to the heating unit 70, and the like.

  The hot water supply operation is performed when the water in the hot water supply tank 61 is consumed and the water temperature in the hot water supply tank 61 is lowered by the replenishment water flowing into the hot water supply tank 61. Selection of the type of hot water supply operation (first hot water supply operation or second hot water supply operation), which will be described later, and adjustment of operating conditions such as the number of rotations of the compressor 21 are shown in FIG. This is executed by the hot water supply and heating operation control unit 80b using the set temperature of the supplied water supplied via the remote controller, the temperature of the aqueous medium sent to the hot water supply unit 60, and the like.

  Further, the hot water supply operation is appropriately performed for the purpose of storing hot water in order to maintain the water temperature in the hot water supply tank 61 or at a time when the unit price of electric power is low, even when the hot water is not being supplied.

(3-1-1) First Heating Operation In the first heating operation, an aqueous medium is heated using a steam compressor type heat pump cycle, and heating is performed using the heated aqueous medium. In the first heating operation, the compressor 21 is operated, and the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 25 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4A. In the first heating operation, the circulation pump 44 is operated, and the brine circulates in the brine medium circuit 45 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4A. In the first heating operation, the circulation pump 33 is operated in the aqueous medium circuit 35, and the aqueous medium is sent from the indoor unit 30 to the heating unit 70 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4A. This will be described in detail below.

  In the refrigerant circuit 25, during the first heating operation, the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is sent to the indoor unit 30 via the gas refrigerant communication pipe 26. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor unit 30 is cooled by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium in the use side heat exchanger 31 functioning as a refrigerant condenser, and then sent to the outdoor unit 20. In the use side heat exchanger 31, when the refrigerant is cooled by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium, the aqueous medium is heated. The high-pressure refrigerant sent to the outdoor unit 20 is decompressed by the expansion valve 22 to become a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 that functions as a refrigerant evaporator. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 is heated by exchanging heat with the brine circulating in the brine medium circuit 45 and evaporated to become a low-pressure refrigerant. Note that the brine circulates in the brine medium circuit 45 to collect ground heat in the heat exchange pipe 42. The low-pressure gas refrigerant exiting the heat source side heat exchanger 23 is again sucked into the compressor 21.

  In the aqueous medium circuit 35, the three-way valve 65 is switched so that the aqueous medium flows toward the heating unit 70, and the aqueous medium flowing out from the indoor unit 30 flows into the heat exchanger 71 of the heating unit 70. In the heat exchanger 71, the aqueous medium is cooled by exchanging heat with room air, and conversely, the indoor air is heated by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium. The aqueous medium flowing out from the heat exchanger 71 returns to the indoor unit 30 and is heated again by the use side heat exchanger 31.

  In the first heating operation, the room is heated in this way.

(3-1-2) Second Heating Operation In the second heating operation, heating is performed using the aqueous medium heated by the heating electric heater 32. In the second heating operation, the heating electric heater 32 and the circulation pump 33 are operated in the aqueous medium circuit 35. The three-way valve 65 is switched so that the aqueous medium flows to the heating unit 70 side, and the aqueous medium heated by the heating electric heater 32 in the indoor unit 30 exchanges heat with the heating unit 70 as shown in FIG. 4B. Flow into the vessel 71. In the heat exchanger 71, the aqueous medium is cooled by exchanging heat with room air, and conversely, the indoor air is heated by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium. The aqueous medium flowing out from the heat exchanger 71 returns to the indoor unit 30 as shown in FIG. 4B and is heated again by the heating electric heater 32. In the second heating operation, the compressor 21 and the circulation pump 44 are not operated.

  In the second heating operation, the room is heated in this way. The second heating operation is used, for example, when the desired heating capacity is larger than the heating capacity that can be achieved by the heat pump cycle. The second heating operation consumes more power than the first heating operation.

  The first heating operation and the second heating operation may be performed simultaneously depending on the temperature of the aqueous medium flowing out from the heat exchanger 71 and the conditions of the outside air temperature.

(3-1-3) First Hot Water Supply Operation In the first hot water supply operation, the aqueous medium is heated by using a steam compressor type heat pump cycle, and hot water is supplied using the heated aqueous medium. In the first hot water supply operation, the compressor 21 is operated, and the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 25 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4C. In the first hot water supply operation, the circulation pump 44 is operated, and the brine circulates in the brine medium circuit 45 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4C. In the first hot water supply operation, the circulation pump 33 is operated in the aqueous medium circuit 35, and the aqueous medium is sent from the indoor unit 30 to the hot water supply unit 60 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4C. This will be described in detail below.

  In the refrigerant circuit 25, during the first hot water supply operation, the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is sent to the indoor unit 30 via the gas refrigerant communication pipe 26. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor unit 30 is cooled by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium in the use side heat exchanger 31 functioning as a refrigerant condenser, and then sent to the outdoor unit 20. In the use side heat exchanger 31, when the refrigerant is cooled by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium, the aqueous medium is heated. The high-pressure refrigerant sent to the outdoor unit 20 is decompressed by the expansion valve 22 to become a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 that functions as a refrigerant evaporator. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 23 is heated by exchanging heat with the brine circulating in the brine medium circuit 45 and evaporated to become a low-pressure refrigerant. Note that the brine circulates in the brine medium circuit 45 to collect ground heat in the heat exchange pipe 42. The low-pressure gas refrigerant exiting the heat source side heat exchanger 23 is again sucked into the compressor 21.

  In the aqueous medium circuit 35, the three-way valve 65 is switched so that the aqueous medium flows toward the hot water supply unit 60, and the aqueous medium flowing out of the indoor unit 30 flows into the heat exchange coil 62 of the hot water supply unit 60. In the heat exchange coil 62, the aqueous medium is cooled by exchanging heat with the water in the hot water supply tank 61, and conversely, the water in the hot water supply tank 61 is heated by exchanging heat with the aqueous medium. The aqueous medium flowing out of the heat exchange coil 62 returns to the indoor unit 30 and is heated again by the use side heat exchanger 31.

  In the first hot water supply operation, the water in the hot water supply tank 61 is heated in this way. During the first hot water supply operation, since the aqueous medium in the aqueous medium circuit 35 flows to the hot water supply unit 60, the first hot water supply operation cannot be performed simultaneously with the heating operation.

(3-1-4) Second Hot Water Supply Operation In the second hot water supply operation, the hot water supply electric heater 63 is operated, and the water in the hot water supply tank 61 is heated. In the second hot water supply operation, none of the compressor 21, the circulation pump 33, and the circulation pump 44 are operated. Usually, the hot water storage temperature in the hot water supply tank is set higher than the water temperature that can be raised by the heat pump cycle, so the second hot water supply operation is used to heat from the temperature that can be raised by the heat pump cycle to the target hot water storage temperature. .

  The second hot water supply operation can be performed simultaneously with the first heating operation or the second heating operation. In other words, when the heating operation and the hot water supply operation are performed simultaneously, the second hot water supply operation is performed as the hot water supply operation. The second hot water supply operation consumes more power than the first hot water supply operation.

(3-2) Power Adjustment Operation The power adjustment operation is an operation performed when a request for adjusting the amount of power used is received from the HEMS 2b. The power adjustment operation is executed by the adjustment operation control unit 80c.

  The adjustment operation control unit 80c controls the heat pump system 10 to execute the power adjustment operation for suppressing the power consumption when the communication unit 80a receives the power consumption suppression request from the HEMS 2b. In other words, the adjustment operation control unit 80c controls the operation of the heat pump device 10a so as to suppress the amount of power used by the individual power use target (kW) during the individual adjustment request period transmitted from the HEMS 2b. The control by the adjustment operation control unit 80c when the communication unit 80a receives a request for reducing the amount of power used will be specifically described with an example.

  For example, the adjustment operation control unit 80c stops the hot water supply operation when the hot water supply operation is performed for hot water storage by the hot water supply / heating operation control unit 80b. In addition, for example, when the first heating operation is selected by the hot water supply / heating operation control unit 80b, the adjustment operation control unit 80c decreases the rotation speed of the compressor 21 in order to reduce power consumption. Even if the rotation speed of the compressor 21 reaches the lower limit compressor rotation speed (lower limit value of the rotation speed of the compressor 21), if the suppression request is not satisfied, the adjustment operation control unit 80c stops the heating operation. For example, the adjustment operation control unit 80c stops the heating operation when the second heating operation is selected. In addition, these electric power adjustment driving | operations are performed in the range with no contradiction in control. For example, in the present embodiment, the first or second heating operation and the first hot water supply operation cannot be performed, and thus the power adjustment operation having such contents is not performed.

  On the other hand, the adjustment operation control unit 80c controls the heat pump system 10 to execute the power adjustment operation for increasing the power consumption when the communication unit 80a receives the power usage increase request from the HEMS 2b. In other words, the adjustment operation control unit 80c includes the heat pump device 10a and the underground heating electric heater 50 so as to increase the amount of power used by the individual power use target (kW) during the individual adjustment request period transmitted from the HEMS 2b. Control driving.

  The power adjustment operation for increasing the power consumption will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B. When the communication unit 80a receives an individual adjustment request period and an individual power use target from the HEMS 2b together with a request to increase the amount of power used, the control of the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B is executed.

  In step S1, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether or not the individual adjustment request period has started. If it is determined that the individual adjustment request period has started, the process proceeds to step S2. The process of step S1 is repeated until it is determined that the individual adjustment request period has started.

  In step S2, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether or not the heat pump system 10 has achieved the individual power usage target. More specifically, the adjustment operation control unit 80c is configured so that the current power consumption (Ec) of the heat pump system 10 is equal to that of the heat pump system 10 when the communication unit 80a receives a request for increasing the power usage from the HEMS 2b. It is determined whether or not the power usage amount (Ep) is increased by the individual power usage target (ΔE) or more. If expressed by a mathematical expression, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether Ec ≧ Ep + ΔE. When the adjusted operation control unit 80c determines that the individual power usage target is achieved, the process proceeds to step S8, and when it is determined that the individual power usage target is not achieved, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether the amount of power used can be increased by using power by the heat pump device 10a, in other words, by using power for heating operation or hot water supply operation. . For example, if the hot water supply operation for hot water storage is not currently performed and the hot water supply operation for hot water storage can be performed, it is determined that the amount of electric power used can be increased. In addition, for example, when the first heating operation that consumes less power than the second heating operation is currently being performed, the amount of power used can be increased by switching the heating operation to the second heating operation. Determined. Also, for example, when the first hot water supply operation that consumes less power than the second hot water supply operation is currently being performed, the amount of power used can be increased by switching the hot water supply operation to the second hot water supply operation. Determined. In addition, for example, in the first heating operation or the first hot water supply operation, if the rotation speed of the compressor 21 can be increased, it is determined that the power consumption can be increased. In this determination, the determination is performed considering whether there is a contradiction in the control. For example, in the present embodiment, since the first or second heating operation and the first hot water supply operation cannot be performed, it is determined that such control content cannot be performed. It should be noted that the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether or not the amount of power consumption can be increased by using the power by the heat pump device 10a, not only physically possible or impossible, but also by the user of the heat pump device 10a. May also be determined in consideration of the comfort level (such as the deviation of the room temperature or hot water supply temperature from the set temperature).

  If it is determined in step S3 that the amount of power used can be increased by using power by the heat pump device 10a, the process proceeds to step S4. If it is determined in step S3 that the amount of power used cannot be increased due to the use of power by the heat pump device 10a, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S4, the process (for example, start of the hot water supply operation for hot water storage, switching from the first heating operation to the second heating operation, etc.) determined by the adjustment operation control unit 80c in step S3 can be performed. It is executed by the adjustment operation control unit 80c. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, similarly to step S2, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether or not the heat pump system 10 has achieved the individual power usage target. When the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines that the individual power usage target is achieved, the process proceeds to step S8, and when it is determined that the individual power usage target is not achieved, the process returns to step S3.

  In step S6, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether the underground heating electric heater 50 is currently operating (is on). If it is determined that the underground heater is operating, the process proceeds to step S8. If it is determined that the underground heating electric heater is not in operation (is off), the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the electric heater 50 for underground heating is operated (turned on) by the adjustment operation control unit 80c. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S8.

  Steps S8 to S12 described below are processes for preventing an excessive increase in the amount of power used. The power adjustment operation for increasing the amount of power used is intended to increase the amount of power used, but the heat pump system is used even when the power is used excessively beyond the amount of adjustment requested transmitted by the HEMS 2b. Since it cannot be said that 10 is responding to the adjustment request of the HEMS 2b, such processing is executed.

  In step S8, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether or not the amount of power used by the heat pump system 10 is excessive. More specifically, the adjustment operation control unit 80c is configured so that the current power consumption (Ec) of the heat pump system 10 is equal to that of the heat pump system 10 when the communication unit 80a receives a request for increasing the power usage from the HEMS 2b. It is determined whether or not the power consumption (Ep) and the individual power usage target (ΔE) are greater than a predetermined value (E1). If expressed by a mathematical expression, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether Ec ≧ Ep + ΔE + E1. As the predetermined value (E1), an optimal value is selected to realize the purpose of preventing an excessive increase in the amount of power used.

  In step S8, when the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines that the power consumption of the heat pump system 10 is excessive, the process proceeds to step S9, and when it is determined that the power usage of the heat pump system 10 is not excessive. Advances to step S13.

  In step S9, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether the underground heating electric heater 50 is currently operating (is turned on). When it is determined that the underground heater 50 is operating, the process proceeds to step S10. If it is determined that the underground heating electric heater 50 is not in operation (is off), the process proceeds to step S11.

  In Step S10, the adjustment operation control unit 80c turns off the underground heating electric heater 50. Thereafter, the process returns to step S8.

  In step S11, it is determined by the adjustment operation control part 80c whether it is possible to suppress the usage-amount of the electric power of the heat pump apparatus 10a. For example, if a hot water supply operation for hot water storage is currently being performed, it is determined that the amount of power used can be suppressed. In addition, for example, when the second heating operation that consumes more power than the first heating operation is currently being performed, the amount of power used can be suppressed by switching the heating operation to the first heating operation. Determined. In addition, for example, when the second hot water supply operation that consumes more power than the first hot water supply operation is currently being performed, it is possible to suppress the amount of power used by switching the hot water supply operation to the first hot water supply operation. Determined. Further, for example, in the first heating operation or the first hot water supply operation, it is determined that the amount of electric power used can be increased if the rotation speed of the compressor 21 can be reduced. In this determination, the determination is performed considering whether there is a contradiction in the control. For example, in the present embodiment, since the first or second heating operation and the first hot water supply operation cannot be performed, it is determined that such control content cannot be performed. It should be noted that the adjustment operation control unit 80c not only determines whether or not the power consumption of the heat pump device 10a can be suppressed physically, but also whether the heat pump device 10a is comfortable for the user (indoor The temperature and the hot water supply temperature may be determined in consideration of deviation from the set temperature.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the power consumption of the heat pump device 10a can be suppressed, the process proceeds to step S12. If it is determined in step S11 that the power consumption of the heat pump device 10a cannot be suppressed, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S12, the process (for example, stoppage of the hot water supply operation for hot water storage, switching from the second heating operation to the first heating operation, etc.) determined by the adjustment operation control unit 80c in step S11 is performed. It is executed by the adjustment operation control unit 80c. Thereafter, the process returns to step S8.

  In step S13, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether or not the individual adjustment request period has ended. If it is determined that the individual adjustment request period has ended, the process proceeds to step S14. If it is determined that the individual adjustment request period has not ended, the process returns to step S2.

  In step S14, the adjustment operation control unit 80c executes a power adjustment operation end process. More specifically, the control performed by the adjustment operation control unit 80c to cause the heat pump system 10 to execute the power adjustment operation is released, and the heat pump system 10 returns to the normal control. For example, the adjustment operation control unit 80c turns off the underground heating electric heater 50 when the underground heating electric heater 50 is operated (On). Further, for example, the adjustment operation control unit 80c performs a hot water supply operation for hot water storage during the power adjustment operation, and determines that the hot water supply / heating operation control unit 80b does not need to continue the hot water supply operation for hot water storage. If this happens, the hot water supply operation for hot water storage is terminated.

  The underground heating electric heater 50 is a heater whose On / Off is controlled by the adjustment operation control unit 80c, and the adjustment operation control unit 80c is not in the power adjustment operation for increasing the amount of power used. During the period other than the individual adjustment request period, the operation of the underground heating electric heater 50 is prohibited.

(4) Features The heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment has the following features.

(4-1)
The heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment includes a heat pump device 10 a that uses underground heat as a heat source, an underground heater 50, and a controller 80. The heat pump device 10a includes a ground heat collection unit 40 that is disposed in the ground and collects ground heat. The underground heating electric heater 50 is disposed in the vicinity of the underground heat collecting unit 40 and heats the underground. The controller 80 is electrically connected to the heat pump device 10a and the underground heater 50. The controller 80 includes a communication unit 80a and an adjustment operation control unit 80c. The communication unit 80a accepts a request to increase the amount of power used during the individual adjustment request period. The adjustment operation control unit 80c operates the underground heating electric heater 50 in response to a request to increase the amount of power used, and increases the amount of power used in the individual adjustment request period.

  In the heat pump system 10, the controller 80 operates the underground heating electric heater 50 that heats the ground in response to a request for increasing the amount of power received by the controller 80. Therefore, it is easy to respond to a request for increasing the amount of received power used, which can contribute to power supply and demand adjustment.

  Moreover, since the underground temperature lowered by the operation of the heat pump apparatus 10a is raised by operating the underground heater 50, the efficiency of the heat pump apparatus 10a can be improved.

(4-2)
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the underground heat collecting unit 40 is unitized with the underground heating electric heater 50.

  Here, since the underground heat collection unit 40 and the underground heating electric heater 50 are integrally formed as a unit, the number of installation steps of the underground heat collection unit 40 and the underground heating electric heater 50 can be suppressed. As a result, the installation work cost of the heat pump system 10 can be suppressed.

(4-3)
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the communication unit 80a further receives an individual power usage target in the individual adjustment request period together with the increase request. The adjustment operation control unit 80c is used for ground heating so as to achieve the individual power use target in the individual adjustment request period when the individual power use target in the individual adjustment request period cannot be achieved due to the use of electric power by the heat pump device 10a. The electric heater 50 is operated to increase the amount of power used during the individual adjustment request period.

  In this heat pump system 10, the underground heating electric heater 50 is operated when the individual power use target cannot be achieved (the electric power cannot be used up) in the heat pump device 10a. That is, here, since the power is preferentially used for the direct and more efficient use of the operation of the heat pump device 10a when the request for increasing the amount of power used is received, the power can be used efficiently. On the other hand, since the electric power that cannot be used only by the heat pump device 10a is used for heating in the ground, it can contribute to power supply and demand adjustment, and the efficiency of the heat pump device 10a can also be improved.

(4-4)
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the adjustment operation control unit 80c prohibits the operation of the underground heater 50 except for the individual adjustment request period.

  Here, when there is no demand for an increase in the amount of power used (when the power supply is not particularly excessive with respect to the power demand), the power is directly and more It can be used for efficient purposes.

(5) Modifications Modifications of the present embodiment are shown below. A plurality of modified examples may be appropriately combined.

(5-1) Modification A
The heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment heats an aqueous medium using a steam compressor type heat pump cycle, and performs heating and hot water supply using the heated aqueous medium, but is not limited thereto. It is not a thing. For example, the heat pump system may be a refrigeration apparatus such as an air conditioner that exchanges heat between the refrigerant of the heat pump cycle and the air.

(5-2) Modification B
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the underground heat collection unit 40 and the underground heater 50 are integrally unitized, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a pile for accommodating the electric heater for underground heating may be separately driven in the vicinity of the heat collecting pile of the underground heat collecting unit. However, from the viewpoint of reducing the construction cost, it is desirable that the underground heat collecting unit 40 and the underground heating electric heater 50 are integrated into a unit.

(5-3) Modification C
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the underground heat collection unit 40 has the heat exchanging pipe 42 accommodated inside the heat collection pile 41, but is not limited to this. A heat exchange pipe may be embedded.

(5-4) Modification D
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the HEMS 2b transmits the individual power usage target to the controller 80, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the HEMS 2b may not transmit the individual power usage target. That is, the HEMS 2b may transmit to the controller 80 only the power usage increase request and the individual adjustment request period. In this case, the adjustment operation control unit 80c may operate (turn on) the underground heating electric heater 50 during the individual adjustment request period regardless of the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B. .

(5-5) Modification E
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the adjustment operation control unit 80c performs control so as to suppress the amount of power used when the power is excessively used, as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B. Control (step S8 to step S12) may not be executed. However, in order to meet the demand / supply adjustment request of the electric power company 1, it is desirable to perform control in consideration of excessive use of electric power.

(5-6) Modification F
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the communication unit 80a receives the individual adjustment request period and the individual power usage target from the HEMS 2b, but the individual adjustment request period may be a plurality of individual adjustment request periods. 80a may accept an individual power usage target for each individual adjustment request period.

(5-7) Modification G
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the communication unit 80a receives the individual adjustment request period, but is not limited to this. The communication unit 80a may first receive a start signal for the individual adjustment request period from the HEMS 2b, and then may receive an end signal for the individual adjustment request period from the HEMS 2b. That is, in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the adjustment operation control unit 80c determines whether the communication unit 80a has received the start signal of the power adjustment operation in step S2, and transmits the end signal of the power adjustment operation in step S13. You may determine whether 80a was received.

(5-8) Modification H
In the heat pump system 10 of this embodiment, only the On / Off of the underground heater 50 is controlled, but is not limited to this.

  For example, the capacity of the underground heating electric heater may be variable, and the capacity of the underground heating electric heater may be adjusted according to the current power consumption and the target power usage.

  In addition, for example, a plurality of underground heating electric heaters are provided, and the number of underground heating electric heaters to be operated is changed according to the current power consumption and the target power usage. May be.

(5-9) Modification I
Although the heat pump system 10 of this embodiment is installed in the house 2, it is not limited to this, You may install in a building or a commercial facility. In this case, the controller 80 accepts a request for adjusting the amount of power used from, for example, BEMS (building energy management system) instead of HEMS.

(5-10) Modification J
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the controller 80 uses the power consumption (Ec) of the heat pump system 10 during the power adjustment operation for increasing the power usage, and the power at the time of accepting the power usage increase request. Although control is performed so as to increase the usage amount (Ep) of the power consumption to the individual power usage target (ΔE) or more (control is performed so that Ec ≧ Ep + ΔE), it is not limited to this. For example, the controller uses the power usage (Ec) of the heat pump system 10 during the power adjustment operation to increase the power usage, the power usage (Ep) when receiving the power usage increase request, and the individual power. Control may be performed so as to be close to the sum of the use target (ΔE) (control is performed so that Ec≈Ep + ΔE).

(5-11) Modification K
In the heat pump system 10 of the present embodiment, the three-way valve 65 switches the flow direction of the aqueous medium in the aqueous medium circuit 35 to either the hot water supply unit 60 or the heating unit 70, but is not limited thereto. is not. For example, the three-way valve may be a valve capable of supplying an aqueous medium to both the hot water supply unit 60 and the heating unit 70 or to either the hot water supply unit 60 and the heating unit 70. That is, the heat pump system may be configured such that the first heating operation and the first hot water supply operation can be performed simultaneously.

  By using the present invention, in a heat pump system equipped with a heat pump device that collects underground heat, it is possible to promote the use of electric power according to the demand of the power supplier, and further improve the operation efficiency of the heat pump device. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Heat pump system 10a Heat pump apparatus 40 Ground heat collection part 50 Electric heater for underground heating (electric heater)
80 Controller 80a Communication unit (accepting unit)
80c Adjustment operation control unit (operation control unit)

JP-A-2005-107901 JP 2012-47360 A

Claims (4)

A heat pump device (10a) that has a geothermal heat collecting section (40) that is arranged in the ground and collects geothermal heat, and uses geothermal heat as a heat source;
An electric heater (50) disposed in the vicinity of the underground heat collecting unit and heating the underground;
A controller (80) electrically connected to the heat pump device and the electric heater;
With
The controller is
An accepting unit (80a) for accepting a request to increase the amount of power used during the request period
In response to the increase request, an operation control unit (80c) that operates the electric heater to increase the amount of power used in the request period,
Heat pump system (10). The underground heat collection unit is unitized with the electric heater,
The heat pump system according to claim 1. The reception unit further receives a power usage target in the request period together with the increase request,
The operation control unit operates the electric heater so as to achieve the power usage target in the required period when the power usage target in the required period cannot be achieved due to the use of electric power by the heat pump device. Increasing power usage during the request period;
The heat pump system according to claim 1 or 2. The operation control unit prohibits the operation of the electric heater except for the required period.
The heat pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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