JP6762297B2 - Equipment control system and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device control system and a control method including a device that operates by switching between DC power and AC power stored in a storage battery.

For example, Patent Document 1 is known as a technique for reducing conversion loss due to conversion of DC power generated by a solar cell into AC power and conversion of AC power into DC again by a device for use.

Patent Document 1 describes in a power system in which DC power obtained from a DC power supply is connected to an AC commercial power system via an inverter, and the output end of the inverter is connected to a DC load via a rectifying circuit. A system is described in which an input end and an output end of a rectifying circuit are connected by a DC line, and DC power obtained from a DC power source is directly supplied to a DC load via the DC line.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-165395

In Patent Document 1, when the power generated by the solar cell is sufficient, the power generated by the solar cell is supplied to the device, and when the power generated by the solar cell is insufficient when operating the device, the rectified AC power is used. It is supposed to be supplied.

However, recently, in addition to solar cells, storage batteries have been installed in each household, and the power stored in the storage batteries is supplied to multiple devices, and an electricity rate system that considers the use of solar cells and storage batteries is applied. It is designed to do.

In such a situation, if the storage battery is connected to a device with the same configuration as the solar cell of Patent Document 1 to configure the system for the purpose of reducing the conversion loss of the DC power stored in the storage battery, the remaining amount of the storage battery is set. Since the power supply from the storage battery to the device is prioritized until it reaches the value, it may not be used efficiently.

That is, the current situation is that no proposal has been made for a system that efficiently uses equipment that can use DC power and AC power stored in a storage battery.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method capable of efficiently using a device capable of utilizing DC power and AC power stored in a storage battery. To do.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is provided with an electric device that operates by receiving a DC power source, the power of a DC power source connected by DC, and the power of a power grid, and inside or outside the electric device. Provided is an equipment control system including a switching unit that switches the power for operating an electric device to either the power of a DC power source or the power of an AC power grid, and a control unit that controls the switching of the switching unit based on a predetermined condition.

In addition, a photovoltaic power generation device is further provided, and the control unit controls the switching unit based on whether the device control system is in the power purchase state or the power sale state with respect to the power grid.

Further, the present invention is provided inside or outside an electric device that operates by receiving the power of a DC power source connected by DC and the power of a power system network, and the power for operating the electric device is the power of the DC power supply or AC. It is a control method of the control unit that controls the switching unit that switches to either the power of the power network, and whether the device control system including the electric device and the solar power generation device is in the power purchase state or the power sale state with respect to the power system network. The switching unit is controlled based on.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a device control system and a device control method for efficiently using a device capable of utilizing DC power and AC power stored in a storage battery.

It is a schematic block diagram of the device control system of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the air conditioner outdoor unit which switches between the DC power of the storage battery used in 1st Embodiment, and the power of a grid power grid which is AC power. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the device control system of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the device control system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the device control system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the device control system of 4th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
(System configuration)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the device control system of the first embodiment.

In the device control system shown in FIG. 1, information is acquired from the air conditioner indoor unit 10, the air conditioner outdoor unit 11, home appliances such as a television, the power conditioner 22 connected to the embodiment and the storage battery 21, and the power conditioner 22. The power monitor 23 can be displayed, the HEMS (Home Energy Management System) controller 30 can transmit a remote control signal to the air conditioner 10, and the HEMS controller 30 and Ethernet (registered trademark) are used for wired connection. The router 31 is provided.

Of the home appliances, the air conditioner indoor unit 10 and the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 are two devices and are usually called air conditioners. When the term "air conditioner" is used in the present embodiment, the air conditioner indoor unit 10 and the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 are used. Treat as including. In the present embodiment, the air conditioner indoor unit 10 operates by the AC power supplied from the distribution board 24, and the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 operates with the DC power supplied from the storage battery and the AC power supplied via the air conditioner indoor unit 10. It can operate by selecting power. The details of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 will be described later. Further, the air conditioner indoor unit 10 has a function of communicating using a wireless LAN, and can communicate with the HEMS controller 30 via a router 31 having a wireless LAN function.

The power conditioner 22 is connected to the solar cell 20 and the storage battery 21 and has a function of storing the DC power generated by the solar cell 20 in the storage battery 21 and a system for converting the DC power generated by the solar cell 20 into AC power. It has a function of reverse flow to the current, a function of converting AC power of the system into DC power and storing it in the storage battery 21. In addition, the electric power of the main trunk of the house in which the device control system of the present embodiment is installed is monitored, and information on the direction and magnitude of the electric current is acquired. As a result, it is possible to grasp whether the power is purchased from the grid power grid 25 (power purchase state) or the reverse power flow to the grid power grid 25 (power sale state). Further, it also has a function of measuring the electric power generated by the solar cell 20 and a function of acquiring information on the amount of electricity stored in the storage battery 21 from the storage battery 21.

The power monitor 23 has a display unit, a user operation receiving unit, a function of communicating with the power conditioner 22, and the like, and the user can confirm the information acquired by the power conditioner 22 by using the power monitor 23. can do. Further, the power monitor 23 can be operated by the user and can control the operation of the power conditioner 22 and the like. In addition, it has a communication function via wireless LAN, and can cooperate with an external device based on a control command compliant with ECHONET Lite.

The HEMS controller 30 is a control device that transmits a control command conforming to ECHONET Lite to a device to be controlled (air conditioner indoor unit 10 in this embodiment). The control command may be transmitted based on the determination of the HEMS controller 30, or the control command transmitted from the server may be relayed. At this time, the control command from the HEMS controller 30 is transmitted to the device to be controlled via the router 31.

Further, the HEMS controller 30 has a function of measuring the power consumption of each home electric appliance by using a power measuring device (not shown) provided corresponding to each home electric appliance and transmitting information on the measured power consumption to the server 33. ing. Therefore, the user can browse the information on the electric power of each home electric appliance stored in the server 33 by using the mobile terminal 32. Further, it is possible to cooperate with the above-mentioned power monitor 23 by using a control command conforming to ECHONET Lite (registered trademark).

It should be noted that the control instruction conforming to ECHONET Lite includes a part that is open to the public and a part that is not open to the public. Since the control commands are shared regardless of the manufacturer in the part that is open to the public, there is an advantage that the target device of the company B can be controlled by the control device of the company A. However, there may be a situation where the device is controlled by a control instruction from an unintended control device other than the HEMS controller 30. In this embodiment, a part of the control command compliant with ECHONET Lite that is not open to the public is used so that the boost power generation described later is not generated by unintended control from other than the HEMS controller 30, and the direct current described later is used. A signal permitting operation using electric power derived from electric power is transmitted to a device to be controlled.

The router 31 is a general router and has a function of connecting to the Internet 40. In addition, it is equipped with a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) of the IEEE802.11 standard, and communicates with the air conditioner indoor unit 10 using the wireless LAN. On the other hand, the HEMS controller 30 is connected by wire using Ethernet (registered trademark).

A typical example of the mobile terminal 32 is a smartphone, and an application used for remote control and an application for viewing information on measured power operate by accessing the server 33 with a general Web browser of the mobile terminal 32. It may be provided to do so, or it may be dedicated. The user can use the remote monitoring system on the mobile terminal 32 by inputting the user ID and password assigned to him / her. Since the communication between the mobile terminal 32 and the server 33 is performed via the public telephone line network 41 and the Internet 40, the user can also control from outside. When the user is in the house, communication may be performed via the router 31 using a wireless LAN.

The server 33 includes an interface for communicating with the HEMS controller 30, and has a function of transmitting a control command of the home appliance to be controlled from the mobile terminal to the HEMS controller 30. It also has a function of receiving and storing information on the electric power transmitted from the HEMS controller 30 and the electric energy of the integrated electric energy amount. It also has an interface for communicating with the mobile terminal 32, and provides this information to the mobile terminal 32 if requested by the mobile terminal 32.

Although it is realized by one server 33 in this embodiment, it has functions related to the HEMS controller 30 such as a function of remotely controlling a home appliance and a function of receiving information on transmitted power and integrated power. Needless to say, the server and the server that provides the application using the Web browser to the mobile terminal 32 may be configured as separate servers, and the servers may be exchanged with each other.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an air conditioner outdoor unit 11 that switches between the DC power of the storage battery used in the first embodiment and the power of the grid power grid that is AC power. The air conditioner outdoor unit 101 of the present embodiment corresponds to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 of FIG. The air conditioner outdoor unit function unit 102 is a part having a function as a general air conditioner outdoor unit, but does not include a part that converts AC power into DC power in a general air conditioner outdoor unit. In FIG. 2, the switching unit 103 and the rectifier circuit 104 are responsible for this portion.

The air conditioner outdoor unit 101 operates with AC power and DC power. The AC power of the grid power network 25 is input to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 via the air conditioner indoor unit 10, and the input AC power is converted to DC by the rectifier 105 and input to one input terminal of the switching unit 103. Further, the other input terminal of the switching unit 103 is connected to the storage battery 21, and the DC power stored in the storage battery 21 is input as DC. The switching unit 103 outputs one of the input powers to the air conditioner outdoor unit function unit 102 based on the instruction from the switching control unit 105. Although the switching control unit is provided outside the air conditioner outdoor unit 101 in FIG. 2, it may be provided inside the air conditioner outdoor unit 101. Further, the switching unit 103 and the rectifier circuit 104 may be provided outside the air conditioner outdoor unit 11.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the switching control unit 105 is provided inside the air conditioner indoor unit 10 shown in FIG. 1, receives a control signal from the HEMS controller 30 by communication via wireless LAN, and is based on this control signal. The switching control signal is transmitted to the switching unit 103 provided in the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 by wired communication. Further, although the HEMS controller 30 and the switching control unit 103, which are the control units of the entire system, have different configurations, the switching control unit 103 may be integrated with the HEMS controller 30.

When operating this air conditioner outdoor unit using the power stored in the storage battery, in a normal air conditioner outdoor unit, the power of the storage battery is converted into AC power by the power conditioner 22, and the AC power is converted into AC power by a rectifying circuit provided inside. However, since the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 of the present embodiment uses the DC power of the storage battery as it is, it is possible to reduce such conversion loss.

(About the electricity rate system)
Next, the electricity rate system used in this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, since the storage battery 21 can be used to store electricity, the user can economically benefit from storing the power in the storage battery during a low time period and consuming the power stored in the storage battery during a high time period. Can be enjoyed. Among the charge systems that can be selected in ordinary households, one of the charge systems suitable for such a method of using the storage battery 21 is a charge system that can use an inexpensive late-night electricity charge. In such a charge system, for example, the electricity bill for the first time zone from 23:00 to 7:00 is 11 yen / Kwh, and the electricity bill for the second time zone from 7:00 to 10:00 and 17:00 to 23:00 is 25 yen. / Kwh This is an electricity rate system in which the electricity bill for the third time zone from 10:00 to 17:00 is 33 yen / Kwh. In such an electricity rate system, if the user who installed the storage battery wants to enjoy the economic benefits, the storage battery is fully charged in the first time zone, and the power consumption in the third time zone is covered as much as possible with the power stored in the storage battery. When the stored power amount is larger than the power consumption amount in the third time zone, the power consumption in the second time zone may also be supplied from the storage battery.

(About push-up power generation)
In ordinary households in which the solar cell 20 is installed, it is permitted to reverse power flow and sell power when sufficient power generation is performed and surplus power that cannot be consumed by the self is generated. In a general household in which a storage battery 21 is installed in addition to the solar cell 20, when the storage battery 21 is installed, one of the following two is selected for the selling unit price of the power sale.

The first option is generally called "no push-up power generation", in which surplus power is generated by the power generated by the solar cell 20, and power supply to the load from the storage battery is prohibited while the power is being sold. It is a thing. As a result, the power that flows backward becomes surplus power obtained by subtracting self-consumption from the power generated by photovoltaic power generation. This is the same condition as a household with only a solar cell power generation device installed and no storage battery installed, so the unit price for selling electricity is the same as that of a household with only a solar power generation device installed and no storage battery installed.

The second option is generally called "with push-up power generation", in which surplus power is generated by the power generated by the solar cell 20 and the storage battery is used for equipment that consumes power even while selling power. It enables the power supply of. If all the power consumption of the device that consumes power is supplied from the storage battery 21, all the power generated by the solar cell 20 can be used for selling power. For this reason, the amount of electricity sold by the solar cells will increase, so the unit price of electricity sold is set lower than the above-mentioned "no boost power generation" condition.

(Explanation of system control)
In the present embodiment, a control method in a home device control system that adopts the charge system described above and selects “no boost power generation” will be described.

A sunny day in summer will be used as a model case, and the following description will be made with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Further, in this model case, it is assumed that the power supply of the air conditioner is always ON.

Further, it is assumed that the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 is operated by alternating current in the first time zone (S101).

At 7:00 am, the storage battery 21 is fully charged by charging during the above-mentioned first time zone. Further, it is assumed that the storage battery 21 has a sufficient capacity to supply the electric power required in the present embodiment. At 7 o'clock, the first time zone ends and the second time zone comes, so the unit price of electricity charges rises. Therefore, it is possible to use the electric power having a lower unit price by using the electric power stored in the storage battery 21 than by obtaining the electric power used for the operation of the air conditioner from the grid power grid 25. Therefore, from the first time zone to the second time zone (S102), the HEMS controller 30 transmits a signal permitting control using DC power to the switching control unit 105. Upon receiving this signal, the switching control unit 105 switches the switching unit 103 so that DC power is supplied (S104). After that, the electric power stored in the storage battery is supplied to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 as direct current.

The HEMS controller 30 confirms whether or not the power is being purchased from the grid power network 25 before switching, confirms that the power is being purchased (S103), and then permits the switching.

When the time passed and it was 9 o'clock, the power generation by the solar cell 20 increased as the amount of solar radiation increased, and the use of home appliances in preparation for the morning was settled and the power consumption decreased. Then, the power purchased from the grid is reduced and surplus power is generated, so that the reverse power flow is started. When the power conditioner 22 detects the start of reverse power flow, that is, the change from the power purchase state to the power sale state (S106), the power conditioner 22 immediately notifies the HEMS controller 30, and the HEMS controller 30 transfers the DC power of the storage battery. A signal for prohibiting operation by using is transmitted to the switching control unit 105. Upon receiving this signal, the switching control unit 105 switches the switching unit 103 so that AC power is supplied (S107). After that, AC power from the grid power grid 25 is supplied to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11. The reason for performing such control is to prevent the boost power generation described above. It should be noted that, in order to prevent push-up power generation, switching may be performed not immediately before switching from the power purchase state to the power sale state, but when the power purchase power falls below a predetermined size.

When the time passed and it reached 16:00, the power generation by the solar cell 20 decreased as the amount of solar radiation decreased, and the use of home appliances for the evening preparation increased and the power consumption increased. Then, the power that flows backward is reduced, and the purchase of power from the grid is started. When the power conditioner 22 detects that the power has changed from the selling state to the buying state (S109), it notifies the HEMS controller 30 of this, and the HEMS controller 30 controls the switching control unit 105 by using DC power. Send a signal to allow. Upon receiving this signal, the switching control unit 105 switches the switching unit 103 so that DC power is supplied (S110). After that, the electric power stored in the storage battery 21 is supplied to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 as a direct current. In addition, in order to prevent boosted power generation, not immediately after switching from the power selling state to the power purchasing state, but when the power purchased exceeds a predetermined size, or when the power selling state is switched to the power purchasing state. After that, the switching unit 103 may be switched after a certain period of time or more has elapsed.

It should be noted that the power purchased may be a predetermined size and may be the maximum power consumption of the AC power of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11.

In this way, even if the AC power consumption of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 is not purchased, the switching between the power purchase state and the power sale state does not occur.

Further, in the system of the present embodiment, an upper limit is set for the power consumption of DC power to be lower than the power consumption of AC power, and when the power consumption is less than this power consumption, the AC power is switched to DC power. Imagine a case. In such a case, as a predetermined size of the purchased power, the maximum power consumption at which the AC power of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 can be switched to the DC power, that is, the maximum power consumption of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 with the DC power. May be.

In this way, even if the AC power consumption of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 is not purchased, the switching between the power purchase state and the power sale state does not occur.

Needless to say, the switching unit 103 may be switched after a lapse of a certain period of time or more after the size exceeds the predetermined size.

When the time elapses as it is and it becomes 23:00, the unit price of the electric power stored in the storage battery becomes equal to the electric power unit price of the electric power purchased from the grid power grid 25 because the first time zone (S105, S108) is reached. Since it is necessary to store the electric power used in the second time zone and the third time zone of the next day in the storage battery 21, the HEMS controller 30 sends a signal prohibiting the operation using the DC power of the storage battery to the switching control unit 105. Send. Upon receiving this signal, the switching control unit 105 switches the switching unit 103 so that AC power is supplied (S111). After that, AC power from the grid power grid 25 is supplied to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11.

Such control is repeated the next day.
By configuring steps 105 (S105) to 111 (S111) as shown in FIG. 3, the amount of power generated by the solar cell 20 during the time from the second time zone to the first value time zone. Even if the power purchase state and the power sale state change due to fluctuations or fluctuations in the power consumption of the domestic load, the power supplied to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 can be switched between DC supply and AC supply accordingly.

An air conditioner capable of switching between the DC power of the storage battery 21 and the power of the grid power grid 25, which is AC power, by performing the control as described above, is suitable for the electricity rate system and the surplus power purchase system. Can be used for.

Further, by using the DC power of the storage battery 21 as it is in the device, the number of conversions between the DC power and the AC power can be reduced, and the power stored in the storage battery can be used more effectively.

In the present embodiment, the necessary information is transmitted from the power conditioner 22 to the HEMS controller 30, but the HEMS controller 30 may be configured to acquire the information of the power conditioner 22.

Further, although it is described above that the power conditioner 22 and the HEMS controller 30 communicate with each other, if the configuration of the present embodiment is described in detail, the power conditioner 22 and the power monitor 23 communicate with each other and the HEMS controller 30 is used. Communication is performed between 30 and the power monitor 23. It is clear that if the communication function provided in the power monitor 23 is provided in either the power conditioner 22 or the HEMS controller 30, it is possible to provide a configuration in which the power monitor 23 is not provided.

Further, in the present embodiment, the determination of whether the power is in the purchased state or the sold state is performed by using the function of the power controller 22, but it goes without saying that another measuring device may be used, and the determination result is different. The HEMS controller 30 may be directly acquired from the measuring device of the above.

In the present embodiment, the HEMS controller 30 has been described so as to play a central role in the above-mentioned control, but it goes without saying that the server 33 may play a central role in controlling the HEMS controller 30.

<Second Embodiment>
The basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Then, the control method of the equipment control system at home which adopts the charge system described in the first embodiment and selects "no boost power generation" will be described.

The difference in configuration from the first embodiment is that the HEMS controller 30 acquires information on the remaining capacity of the storage battery 21 in addition to grasping the state of selling or purchasing power. The storage battery 21 is aware of its own remaining capacity, and the HEMS controller 30 acquires information on the remaining capacity of the storage battery 21 via the power monitor 23.

Further, in the present embodiment, a certain percentage of the storage capacity of the storage battery 21 is not discharged during a non-power failure, and this percentage is referred to as a set remaining amount. The purpose of this is to secure enough electric power to operate the equipment in the home at a minimum in the unlikely event that the AC wiring network 25 has a power failure. The value of the remaining amount of setting can be arbitrarily set by the user, and may be set to 0% or 100%. However, if it is set to 0%, the storage battery may be empty in the event of a power failure. On the contrary, if it is set to 100%, the electric power stored in the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 or the like described in the present embodiment cannot be used when there is no power failure.

Hereinafter, a sunny day in a certain summer will be used as a model case, and the following will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. Further, in this model case, it is assumed that the power supply of the air conditioner is always ON. As of 7:00 am, the storage battery is fully charged by charging during the above-mentioned first time zone. Then, it is assumed that the remaining amount of the storage battery reaches the above-mentioned set remaining amount after 20:00.

Since the operation until 20:00 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. At this point, the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 is operating with the DC power of the storage battery 21.

The HEMS controller 30 periodically acquires information on the remaining amount of the storage battery (S205, S209), and detects that the remaining amount of the storage battery has reached the set remaining amount based on the information acquired after 20:00. To do. The HEMS controller 30 that has detected this transmits a signal to the switching control unit 105 that prohibits the operation by using the power derived from the DC power. Upon receiving this, the switching control unit 105 transmits a signal for prohibiting operation using the DC power of the storage battery to the switching control unit 105. Upon receiving this signal, the switching control unit 105 switches the switching unit 103 so that AC power is supplied (S213). After that, AC power from the grid power grid 25 is supplied to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11.

When the time elapses and it reaches 23:00, the unit price of the electric power stored in the storage battery becomes equal to the electric power unit price of the electric power purchased from the grid power grid 25 because the first time zone is reached. Since it is necessary to store the electric power used in the second time zone and the third time zone of the next day in the storage battery 21, the HEMS controller 30 sends a signal to the switching control unit 105 prohibiting the operation using the DC power of the storage battery. It is transmitted to the switching control unit 105. In this embodiment, since the AC power from the grid power network 25 has already been supplied to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11, if switching does not occur, a new prohibited signal may not be transmitted.

By performing such control, it is possible to continue the operation of the device by using the electric power of the grid power grid 25 without using up the electric power stored in the storage battery 21.

<Third Embodiment>
The basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The difference in the configuration from the first embodiment is that the HEMS controller 30 monitors the communication status between a plurality of devices in addition to grasping the state of selling or purchasing power, and controls the switching of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11. It is a point to reflect.

Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). It should be noted that the monitoring in this embodiment is required when DC power is supplied to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 (S310, S311).

As the first communication monitoring, the HEMS controller monitors the communication between the HEMS controller 30 and the power monitor 23. Further, as the second communication monitoring, the switching control unit 105 monitors the communication between the switching control unit 105 and the HEMS controller 30.

In the first communication monitoring, the HEMS controller 30 monitors the communication between the HEMS controller 30 and the power monitor 23 (S302), and when the communication with the power monitor 23 cannot be performed for a certain period of time, the switching control unit 105 is connected to the DC power of the storage battery. Sends a signal that prohibits control using. Upon receiving this signal, the switching control unit 105 switches the switching unit 103 so that AC power is supplied (S303). After that, AC power from the grid power grid 25 is supplied to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11.

This is to prevent the power conditioner 22 from being unable to obtain information on whether the power is being purchased or sold due to the interruption of communication with the power monitor 23, resulting in push-up power generation.

In addition, when the HEMS controller 30 cannot acquire information on the power generation state or voltage of the solar cell panel 20, which may be acquired by the HEMS controller 30 and used for determining switching in the embodiment described later, push-up power generation is performed. Will be prevented.

As the second communication monitoring, the switching control unit 105 monitors the communication between the switching control unit 105 and the HEMS controller 30 (S312), and when communication with the HEMS controller 30 is not possible for a certain period of time, AC power is supplied to the switching unit 103. (S313). After that, AC power from the grid power grid 25 is supplied to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11.

This is to prevent the push-up power generation from being performed without being able to receive the control command for preventing the push-up power generation due to the interruption of communication with the HEMS controller 30.

By performing such control, it is possible to provide an environment in which the electric power stored in the storage battery 21 is used without performing push-up power generation even in a situation where communication is not possible.

The switching unit 103 may be switched directly from the HEMS controller 30, but in that case, the above-mentioned second communication monitoring function is provided in the switching unit 103.

<Fourth Embodiment>
The basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The difference in the configuration from the first embodiment is that the HEMS controller 30 and the HEMS controller 30 acquire the weather forecast information.

Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.
It is assumed that the HEMS controller 30 has accessed the server 33 and has already acquired the information of today's weather forecast (S402).

As of 7:00 am, the storage battery is fully charged by charging during the above-mentioned first time zone. However, it is assumed that there is not enough storage capacity to cover all the power consumption of the electrical equipment throughout the second and third time zones.

When the weather forecast is sunny, the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the case where the weather forecast is rainy (No in S403) will be described below.

At 7 o'clock, the first time zone ends and the second time zone (S420), so the unit price of electricity charges rises. Therefore, it is possible to use the electric power having a lower unit price by using the electric power stored in the storage battery 21 than by obtaining the electric power used for the operation of the air conditioner from the grid power grid 25.

However, the HEMS controller 30, which has acquired the forecast that today's weather is rainy, transmits a signal to the switching control unit 105 prohibiting control using the DC power of the storage battery. Upon receiving this signal, the switching control unit 105 switches the switching unit 103 so that AC power is supplied (S421). After that, AC power from the grid power grid 25 is supplied to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11. Since the power is supplied from the grid power network 25 even in the first time zone, it may be determined that there is no change in the power as the supply source, and the control signal may not be transmitted.

This is because if today's weather forecast hits and the weather is rainy, power generation by solar power generation during the day cannot be expected. If the power of the storage battery starts to be used in the second time zone starting from 7 o'clock and the power of the storage battery that can be used runs out during the third time zone, the power is purchased from the grid power grid 25 in the third time zone. Need arises. This is because it is possible to use electric power with a lower unit price by purchasing electric power in the second time zone than by purchasing electric power in the third time zone.

When the time elapses and it reaches 10 o'clock (S422), the HEMS controller 30 transmits a signal permitting the switching control unit 105 to control using DC power. Upon receiving this signal, the switching control unit 105 switches the switching unit 103 so that DC power is supplied (S424). After that, the electric power stored in the storage battery is supplied to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 as direct current.

Before switching, it is confirmed that the power is actually purchased (S423) before switching.

In addition, although it was raining in the forecast, the weather may change and the solar cell 20 may generate electricity due to sunlight. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, depending on the power purchase state and the power sale state. It may be configured to switch between DC power supply and AC power supply, or the information on the remaining amount of the storage battery may be confirmed as in the second embodiment (S425 to S432).

When the time elapses and it reaches 23:00, the unit price of the electric power stored in the storage battery becomes equal to the electric power unit price of the electric power purchased from the grid power grid 25 because the first time zone is reached. Since it is necessary to store the electric power used in the second time zone and the third time zone of the next day in the storage battery 21, the HEMS controller 30 sends a signal to the switching control unit 105 prohibiting control using the DC power of the storage battery. Transmit (S426, S430). Upon receiving this signal, the switching control unit 105 switches the switching unit 103 so that AC power is supplied (S433). After that, AC power from the grid power grid 25 is supplied to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11.

<Fifth Embodiment>
The basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The difference in configuration from the first embodiment is that the HEMS controller 30 acquires sunrise and sunset information and prohibits the operation of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 by DC power at a time when sunlight can be expected. As a result, as compared with the first to fourth embodiments, it is possible to control so as not to perform push-up power generation more reliably.

The HEMS controller 30 acquires information on the sunrise and sunset times from the server 33, and prohibits the operation of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 by DC power at the time when the sunlight can be expected. That is, the HEMS controller 30 transmits a signal permitting direct current to be supplied to the switching control unit 105 at a time when power generation by the solar cell 20 cannot be expected. Upon receiving this signal, the switching control unit 105 switches the switching unit 103 so that DC power is supplied.

With such a configuration, power is supplied from the storage battery 21 to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 during the power sale state by solar power generation, and the power is not pushed up.

Instead of acquiring information on the sunrise and sunset times, information indicating the relationship between the expected time of solar radiation and the calendar is acquired or retained, and the DC power of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 is used at the time when the expected solar radiation is expected. The operation may be prohibited.

Further, the information regarding the sunrise and sunset times and the weather information of the day may be acquired in association with each other and used for the above control. In that case, for example, when the power generated by the solar cell panel 20 is low and it cannot be clearly expected that the solar cell panel 20 will be sold in rainy weather, the operation of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 by DC power supply is permitted even during the time from sunrise to sunset. You may do so.

Since the present embodiment controls based on the time (time) information, it is necessary that the time in the device control system of the present embodiment is accurately maintained. For example, consider a case where the clock of the HEMS controller 30 is one hour earlier than the exact time, and the HEMS controller 30 determines that it is the time of sunset based on its own clock and permits the operation of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 by DC power supply. .. At this time, since the actual sunset time is one hour later, there is still sunlight and the solar cell panel 20 has power generation, so that it may be pushed up power generation depending on the balance between the amount of power generation and the load. .. In order to prevent such a situation, the accurate time is acquired from the Network Time Protocol (NTP) server, and if the accurate time cannot be acquired from the NTP server, the DC power supply of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 is obtained. Do not allow the operation by. Further, the clock of the device control system may be changed only by NTP, and the change by the user may not be accepted.

<Sixth Embodiment>
The basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The difference in configuration from the first embodiment is that when the HEMS controller 30 acquires information about the power generation state of the solar cell panel 20 from the power conditioner 22, and the solar cell panel 20 generates power, the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 This is a point that prohibits the operation by DC power. As a result, as compared with the first to fourth embodiments, it is possible to control so as not to perform push-up power generation more reliably.

The HEMS controller 30 acquires information regarding power generation of the solar panel 20 from the power conditioner 22, and if there is power generation, prohibits the operation of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 by DC power. That is, the HEMS controller 30 transmits a signal that allows direct current to be supplied to the switching control unit 105 when there is no power generation by the solar cell 20. Upon receiving this signal, the switching control unit 105 switches the switching unit 103 so that DC power is supplied.

Here, as information on the power generation state of the solar panel 20, for example, information on the input power and input voltage (output power and output voltage of the solar panel 20) or the output power of the power conditioner 22 can be mentioned.

At dawn, the solar radiation may suddenly increase from a dark state to the extent that the output of the solar cell 20 can be obtained. Therefore, the operation of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 by the DC power may be prohibited from the solar radiation sufficiently before the solar cell panel 20 reaches the extent that the output of the solar cell panel 20 can be obtained, and the boosting power generation may be prevented more reliably. .. Needless to say, in order to realize this, control may be performed based not only on the information on the power generation state of the solar cell panel 20 but also on the acquired sunrise time as shown in the fifth embodiment.

On the other hand, in the evening, it is unlikely that the amount of solar radiation will increase again. Therefore, if the amount of solar radiation becomes stable at a amount weaker than the amount of solar radiation that can obtain the output of the solar cell 20, the solar cell 20 will be used in the subsequent time. It may be determined that the power generation of the air conditioner does not cause a push-up power generation state, and the operation of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 by the DC power may be permitted.

With such a configuration, power is supplied from the storage battery 21 to the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 during the power sale state by solar power generation, and the power is not pushed up.

If it is certain that the power consumption in the home will be at least a certain level or more, the supply of DC power should be prohibited when the power generation of the solar panel 20 exceeds this certain level of power consumption. It may be.

Further, since the actual power generation amount of the solar cell panel 20 is monitored and used for control, for example, there is no or extremely little power generation in the solar cell panel 20 during the daytime due to rainy weather, and there are fluctuations in power generation and power consumption. However, if it is expected that the power purchasing state will be maintained, the operation of the air conditioner outdoor unit 11 by DC power supply may be permitted. The power conditioner 22 has a function of monitoring the generated power in the first place, and this can be realized by appropriately defining the control method without introducing new equipment or the like.

The embodiments disclosed this time are examples, and are not limited to the above contents, and may be combined or modified as appropriate.

Further, in the present embodiment, the storage battery is used as the DC power source, but another DC power source such as a fuel cell may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the air conditioner outdoor unit has been described as an example of a device for switching between the DC power of the storage battery and the power of the grid power grid which is AC power, but it is another device such as a refrigerator. May be good.

10 Air conditioner indoor unit (air conditioner), 11 Air conditioner outdoor unit (air conditioner), 20 solar battery, 21 storage battery, 22 power conditioner, 23 power monitor, 24 distribution board, 25 system power grid, 30 HEMS controller, 31 router, 32 mobile phones Terminals, 33 servers, 40 internet, 41 public telephone grid.

Claims (5)

It is a device control system that can sell a part of the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device.
With a storage battery
An electric device that operates using the DC power supplied from the storage battery and the AC power supplied from the power grid, and
A switching unit provided inside or outside the electric device and switching the power supplied to the electric device to either the DC power or the AC power.
And a control unit that control the switching of the switching unit,
The DC power of the storage battery is supplied to the electric device as DC as it is.
The control unit
When the device control system is in a power purchase state with respect to the power grid, the switching unit is controlled so that the power supplied to the electric device becomes DC power.
When the device control system is in a state of selling power to the power system network, the switching unit is controlled so that the power supplied to the electric device does not become the DC power, and the storage battery is transferred to the electric device. A device control system that prohibits the supply of DC power . The device control system according to claim 1.
The control unit is a device control system that controls the switching unit based on the time of day. The device control system according to claim 1.
The control unit is a device control system that controls the switching unit based on the remaining amount of the storage battery . The device control system according to claim 1.
The control unit is a device control system that controls the switching unit based on the weather forecast information. It is a control method in a device control system that can sell a part of the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device.
The device control system is provided inside or outside an electric device that operates using DC power supplied from a storage battery and AC power supplied from a power system network, and the power supplied to the electric device is referred to as DC. A switching unit for switching to either electric power or the AC power and a control unit for controlling the switching of the switching unit are provided, and the DC power of the storage battery is supplied to the electric device as DC as it is.
The control method is
When the device control system is in a power purchase state with respect to the power system network, a step of controlling the switching unit so that the power supplied to the electric device becomes DC power.
When the device control system is in a state of selling power to the power grid, the switching unit is controlled so that the power supplied to the electric device does not become the DC power, and the storage battery is transferred to the electric device. A control method comprising the step of prohibiting the supply of DC power .

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