JP7540879B2 - Control device, control method, and power control system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control device that controls the timing of energy storage in multiple types of energy storage devices.

In homes equipped with solar power generation equipment, a technique is known in which the power generation equipment generates surplus electricity from sunlight and sells the electricity during daytime hours. Also, in homes equipped with a hot water storage system, a technique is known in which electricity is purchased and stored during the nighttime power period when electricity is relatively cheap.

However, the above configuration is not necessarily beneficial in the future. There may be cases where it becomes necessary to reduce the amount of electricity sold due to a drop in the price of selling solar power, or where it becomes necessary to reduce output to stabilize the grid. In these cases, it is desirable to utilize all surplus electricity and not sell it.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that reduces surplus solar power generation by controlling the operation time of the solar power generation equipment when the predicted power generation amount of the equipment exceeds the predicted power usage amount, calculates the charge amount, which is the amount of night-time power to be charged, from the surplus power generation amount reduced by changing the operation time of the equipment, the predicted power load, and the remaining power amount in the power storage device, and controls the charge amount of the power storage device, thereby maximizing the power generation amount of the solar power generation equipment and increasing the usage of inexpensive night-time power.

Patent document 2 also discloses a storage-type hot water supply device that is equipped with a heating control means that determines whether or not a power surplus state is occurring, and if it is determined that a power surplus state is occurring, sets the heating capacity of the heating device during boiling operation to a higher value than when there is no power surplus.

JP 2011-92002 A (published on May 6, 2011) JP 2014-122764 A (published on July 3, 2014)

However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 only takes into account the power storage device, and does not take into account the storage-type hot water supply device. As a result, there is a problem in that in homes equipped with a storage-type hot water supply device, surplus electricity cannot be used for the storage-type hot water supply device.

In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, heating control is performed only after it is determined that surplus power is occurring. The amount of charging and heating the water the previous night is not taken into consideration. This causes the problem that surplus power cannot be used effectively.

One aspect of the present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to realize a control device that can effectively utilize surplus power when surplus power is expected in advance in a system including a power storage device and a hot water storage type hot water supply device.

In order to solve the above problem, a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control device that includes a power generation device that generates electricity using solar power, a storage battery, and a hot water storage device, and receives power supply from an external source, and controls the power supply to the hot water storage device and the charging amount to the storage battery, and is equipped with a processor that controls the power supply to the hot water storage device and the charging amount to the storage battery. The processor is configured to obtain a predicted power generation amount, which is a predicted value of the power generation amount of the power generation device for each predetermined time, obtain a predicted power consumption amount, which is a predicted value of the amount of power consumed by the device for each predetermined time, and adjust the amount of power supplied to the hot water storage device by the external power supply and the charging amount based on the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in a system including a power storage device and a storage-type hot water supply device, when surplus power is anticipated, the surplus power can be effectively utilized.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an overall configuration diagram according to a first embodiment of the present invention; (a) is a schematic diagram showing the available capacity when only the amount of stored electricity is controlled, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the available capacity when only the amount of stored hot water is controlled, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the available capacity when both are controlled according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a predicted power generation amount, a predicted power consumption amount, a predicted surplus power amount, and an allocation of power supply to a storage type water heater and charging to a storage battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of changes in the amount of stored hot water and the amount of stored electricity according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a result of pattern matching. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of the control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating control of a boilable free capacity and a chargeable free capacity according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a power generation prediction unit 110, a power consumption prediction unit 120, a remaining amount acquisition unit 150, a predicted surplus power calculation unit 130, an adjustment unit 160, a charging control unit 170, a water heater control unit 180, a power generation/consumption history 101, and a boiling/charging schedule 103. Before describing each component in FIG. 1, the overall configuration of a power control system including the control device 10 will be described using FIG. 2, and an example of available capacity that can be used for surplus power will be shown using FIG. 3.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of the overall configuration of a power control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the control device 10, the power control system includes a power generation device 91, a home appliance 92 (device), a power conditioner 93, a distribution board 81, a storage battery 94, and a storage water heater 95. The distribution board 81 is connected to an external power grid 96. The control device 10 is connected to an information collection server 97, a communication terminal 99, and a weather information company and a power company via a web network 98 (Internet).

In the power control system, the power generation history of the power generation equipment 91, the power consumption history of the home appliances 92, the history of the amount of power (power supply amount) used by the storage-type water heater 95 for heating, and the history of the amount of stored hot water are recorded at predetermined intervals via a smart meter (not shown), a distribution board 81 with a measuring function, or by using a separate sensor, and are stored in the power generation/consumption history 101. The predetermined interval is typically every hour. The control device 10 can read and analyze the power generation/consumption history 101.

The control device 10 is connected to the power conditioner 93 via a communication line, and can obtain information on the power generation device 91 and the storage battery 94 from the power conditioner 93. It is also connected to the home appliances 92 and the hot water heater 95 via a home network using communication lines (not shown), and controls these devices comprehensively. This may be called a home energy management system (HEMS). The protocol used by the HEMS for communication between devices (apparatuses) is, for example, EchonetLite. The information collection server 97 communicates with the control device 10 via a web network 98, and can read and analyze the power generation and consumption history 101.

The power generation device 91 is a device that generates solar power. The power generation device 91 is connected to a power conditioner 93.

The home appliances 92 are devices that consume (AC) power, and specific examples include home appliances such as air conditioners, microwave ovens, televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines. The storage-type water heater 95 has the function of converting electrical energy into thermal energy and storing the energy, and is therefore distinguished from the home appliances 92 in this specification. Similarly, the term "power consumption" refers to the power consumed by the home appliances 92, and the term "heating power" refers to the power used by the storage-type water heater 95 for heating water. The home appliances 92 are connected to the distribution board 81, and consume the power supplied from the distribution board 81.

The power conditioner 93 converts DC power supplied from the power generation device 91 and the storage battery 94 into AC power. The power conditioner 93 also converts AC power supplied from the power grid 96 into DC power and provides it to the storage battery 94. The power conditioner 93 also controls the sale of power from the power generation device and the power storage device to the power grid 96. The power conditioner 93 is network-connected to the control device 10 via a communication line, and transmits information to the control device 10 and receives commands, etc. from the control device 10.

The storage battery 94 is connected to the power conditioner 93. The storage battery 94 uses the power supplied via the power conditioner 93 to increase the amount of stored electricity (charge). The storage battery 94 also discharges electricity via the power conditioner 93, and supplies electricity to the home appliances 92, the hot water heater 95, and the external power grid 96 (sells electricity). Note that the storage battery 94 may include not only a fixedly installed storage battery, but also a battery for an electric vehicle (EV).

The storage type water heater 95 is connected to the distribution board 81. The storage type water heater 95 heats water using power supplied through the distribution board 81. In principle, heating is performed during the night power period when electricity is cheap. The night power period is typically from 11pm to 7am, but varies depending on the power company or the contract (rate plan) between the power company and the power user. The night power period may be any time when electricity is cheap. The period from 7am to 11pm, when the night power period ends, is also called the period after the night power period. The result of the decision on whether heating is necessary is affected by the energy saving settings of the storage type water heater, but the method is a known technology related to the control of storage type water heaters and will not be described in this specification.

The external power grid 96 supplies power to the power control system (power purchase by the power control system) and purchases power from the power control system (power sale by the power control system) in response to the control of the power conditioner 93 as described above.

The information collection server 97 records the power generation history of the power generation equipment 91, the power consumption history of the home appliances 92, and the history of water heating electricity, which are recorded by a measuring device not shown.

The communication terminal 99 is a terminal carried by a user of the power control system. In response to user operations, the communication terminal 99 collects information related to power control from the control device 10, the information collection server 97, and weather information companies and power companies.

The weather information company provides the control device 10 with the weather information required for predicting the amount of power generation for the next day via the web network 98. Weather information for other days may also be provided if necessary.

The electricity rate data for each time period is generally manually entered into the control device 10, but the control device 10 may also receive it from the electric power company. The electricity rate generally depends on the contents of the contract between the electric power company and the electric power user, as well as the amount of electricity used and the equipment used. Therefore, the electricity rate data may include data related to the contents of the contract, the amount of electricity used, the relationship between the equipment used and the electricity rate, etc.

3(a) shows a schematic diagram of the amount of stored electricity and the amount of stored hot water at the end of the night power period when only the storage type hot water heater 95 is allocated and controlled for use with surplus electricity. The left side of FIG. 3(a) shows the amount of stored electricity in the storage battery 94. The distance from the top to the bottom indicates the amount of full electricity. In FIG. 3(a), the amount of stored electricity in the storage battery 94 is equal to the amount of full electricity. The right side of FIG. 3(a) shows a schematic diagram of the maximum amount of water that can be boiled, the amount of stored hot water, and the available amount of free water that can be boiled in the storage type hot water heater 95. The distance from the top to the bottom indicates the maximum amount of water that can be boiled. Of these, the shaded area is the amount of stored hot water, and the white area is the available amount of free water that can be boiled. The available amount of free water that can be boiled in FIG. 3(a) is equal to the amount of water that can be boiled due to the predicted amount of surplus electricity predicted from meteorological information. For example, the amount of water that can be heated using the predicted surplus power amount predicted from weather information is secured as the available capacity at the end of the night power period. In this case, even if the actual surplus power amount exceeds the predicted surplus power amount, there is no available capacity in the storage battery 94. Therefore, there is almost no room to change the way the storage battery 94 is used in response to fluctuations in the actual generated power, and the excess surplus power amount cannot be fully utilized in the user's home.

Figure 3(b) shows an overview of the amount of stored electricity and the amount of hot water stored at the end of the night power period when only the storage battery 94 is allocated and controlled for use with surplus electricity. The white parts in Figure 3(b) are the available storage capacity. The available storage capacity in Figure 3(b) is equal to the amount of stored electricity that can be charged with the amount of surplus electricity predicted from weather information. For example, the amount of surplus electricity predicted from weather information is secured as the available capacity at the end of the night power period. In this case, when the actual amount of surplus electricity exceeds the predicted amount of surplus electricity, the storage type hot water heater 95 has no available capacity. Therefore, there is almost no room to change the way the storage type hot water heater 95 is used in response to fluctuations in the actual generated power, and the excess amount of surplus electricity cannot be fully utilized in the user's home. In addition, there is also almost no room to change the way the storage type hot water heater 95 is used in response to fluctuations in the actual amount of hot water used.

3(c) shows a schematic diagram of the amount of stored electricity and the amount of hot water when both the storage type hot water heater 95 and the storage battery 94 are allocated and controlled for the use of surplus electricity. The free capacity for boiling and the free capacity for storing electricity in FIG. 3(c) are secured according to the predicted amount of surplus electricity. For example, they are controlled to be equal to the amount of boiling and the amount of stored electricity that can be generated by the predicted amount of surplus electricity. This allows the surplus electricity to be utilized by both the storage type hot water heater 95 and the storage battery 94, and the method of using the surplus electricity can be changed according to the actual power consumption and the amount of hot water used. In this way, by providing free capacity in both the storage type hot water heater 95 and the storage battery 94, it becomes easier to respond to fluctuations in power consumption, generated power, hot water usage, etc., and the surplus electricity can be utilized more efficiently. In addition, when the amount of surplus electricity is expected in advance, the free capacity for boiling of the storage type hot water heater 95 and the free capacity for storing electricity of the storage battery 94 can be set in cooperation with each other, so that the amount of surplus electricity can be utilized effectively. In addition, even if the actual amount of power generation falls below the predicted amount of power generation, the power required for boiling water can be covered by discharging from the storage battery 94 (the amount of charge can be adjusted so that power can be supplied).

In FIG. 3, the maximum amount of water that can be heated by the storage type water heater 95 may be the maximum amount of the storage type water heater 95, or may be an amount set by the user or an amount set by the storage type water heater 95. For example, the maximum amount of water that can be heated that is set by the storage type water heater 95 is a value that is determined by the learning function of the storage type water heater 95 by predicting the amount that will be used the next day.

Referring again to FIG. 1, power generation and consumption history 101 is historical data on power generation and consumption in the home in which the power control system is installed. Power generation and consumption history 101 includes the power used by storage-type water heater 95 for heating water, separate from the power consumption history of home appliances 92.

[Power generation amount prediction unit 110]
The power generation amount prediction unit 110 acquires weather information via the web network 98. In addition, the power generation amount prediction unit 110 acquires a power generation history from the power generation and consumption history 101. Based on the acquired weather information and power generation history, the power generation amount prediction unit 110 predicts a power generation amount for a period from a predetermined time to a predetermined time on the following day. For example, the power generation amount for a period from 11pm, which is the start time of the midnight power period, to 11pm on the following day. In addition, the prediction period may be from the end time of the midnight power period to the start time of the midnight power period on the following day.

The start time of the power generation prediction is typically one hour before the start of the night power period (generally 11:00 p.m.), but is not limited to this and may be 11:00 p.m. Also, if the target state (free capacity for boiling, free capacity for storage, setting state of boiling and charging schedules, etc.) can be ensured at the end of the night power period after the power generation prediction by the processing described below, it may be after 11:00 p.m. This allows processing over a wider range of time periods, and makes it possible to process at appropriate time periods depending on the power rate and contract details.

The method of predicting the amount of power generation is specifically as follows. First, the power generation prediction unit 110 predicts the amount of power generation by multiplying the solar radiation prediction data for the area for the next day, which is included in the weather information, by a specific coefficient. The coefficient is derived from the correlation between past solar radiation information and the amount of power generation. By using past power generation history data, a value is obtained that takes into account the installation location and orientation, the surrounding environment (shadows, etc.), the performance and deterioration status of the device, etc. As past power generation history data, data for a period of about one week is typically used, but the optimal period may vary depending on the user's usage conditions. Therefore, the optimal period may be derived separately. By using power generation history based on the season, weather, temperature, or deterioration of the power generation equipment 91, a highly accurate prediction can be made.

The power generation prediction unit 110 transmits a time series of predicted power generation (predicted value of power generation amount of the power generation device for each specified time), specifically, a time series of power generation amount from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm when power generation by the solar power generator can be expected, to the predicted surplus power calculation unit 130. Note that the time when power generation is possible from natural energy varies depending on the season, so the time series of power generation amount is not limited to the aforementioned time.

[Power Consumption Prediction Unit 120]
The power consumption prediction unit 120 obtains meteorological information and consumption history and predicts the power consumption, similar to the power generation prediction unit 110. The power consumption prediction unit 120 transmits the obtained time series of the predicted power consumption to the predicted surplus power calculation unit 130.

[Predicted Surplus Energy Calculation Unit 130]
The predicted surplus power calculation unit 130 calculates a time series of the amount of surplus power based on the received time series of the predicted power generation amount and the time series of the predicted power consumption amount. The predicted surplus power calculation unit 130 transmits the calculated time series of the amount of surplus power to the adjustment unit 160 described later.

Figure 4 shows an example of a time series of power generation predicted by the power generation prediction unit 110 and power consumption predicted by the power consumption prediction unit 120. The horizontal axis represents each time slot of 24 hours from 23:00, which is the start time of the specified prediction period in Figure 4, to 23:00 the next day. The vertical axis in Figure 4 represents power, and the area in the figure represents the amount of power. The dashed line in Figure 4 represents the time series of predicted power generation, and the solid line represents the time series of power consumption. When power generation exceeds power consumption, surplus power occurs. In Figure 4, the area of the part where the dashed line exceeds the solid line corresponds to the amount of surplus power. Here, an example is shown in which surplus power occurs from 10:00 to 16:00. The period in which surplus power occurs is called the surplus power period, and its time series is called the time series of predicted surplus power.

[Remaining amount acquisition unit 150]
In response to a request from the charge allocation unit 164, the remaining capacity acquisition unit 150 transmits the remaining capacity (currently stored power capacity) of the storage battery 94 at the prediction start time to the charge allocation unit 164. In response to a request from the boiling allocation unit 163, the remaining amount (current hot water storage amount) of the storage type hot water heater 95 at the predicted start time is transmitted to the boiling allocation unit 163.

[Adjustment unit 160]
The adjustment unit 160 includes a surplus presence/absence determination unit 161 , a boiling allocation unit 163 , and a charging allocation unit 164 .

The adjustment unit 160 transmits the time series of the predicted surplus power amount received from the predicted surplus power amount calculation unit 130 to the surplus presence/absence determination unit 161. Note that if there is no predicted surplus power amount, the adjustment unit 160 does not perform any further processing.

[Surplus presence/absence determination unit 161]
The surplus presence/absence determination unit 161 uses the received predicted amount of surplus power to determine whether or not there is a predicted amount of surplus power, that is, whether or not there is a time period in the time series of the amount of surplus power where the predicted amount of surplus power is greater than 0. If it is determined that there is a predicted amount of surplus power, the surplus presence/absence determination unit 161 transmits the time series of the predicted amount of surplus power to the boiling allocation unit 163.

[Boiling allocation unit 163]
The boiling allocation unit 163 transmits a request to the remaining amount acquisition unit 150 to transmit the current amount of stored hot water, and acquires it, by the process described below. After that, the unit performs a process of determining the time to perform boiling and the planned amount of power for boiling (power supply period) using the time series of the received predicted surplus power amount. In other words, the unit determines when and how much boiling will be performed based on the data received from the power generation/consumption history 101 indicating when and how much stored hot water is required, and the prediction data received from the predicted surplus power calculation unit 130 indicating when and how much surplus power will be generated. In other words, the unit determines the amount of power supplied to the storage-type hot water heater.

By setting a power purchase schedule for the night power period and a water heating schedule for the surplus power period, the control device 10 can ensure that there is free capacity in the storage-type water heater 95 at the end of the night power period.

[Charging allocation unit 164]
The charge allocation unit 164 determines the amount of power obtained by subtracting the amount of water heating power from the time series of the predicted surplus power amount as the planned amount of power to be charged in the storage battery 94 through processing described below. That is, it allocates power supply to the first, and if there is a surplus, allocates charging to the second, thereby adjusting the amount of charge to the storage battery. By setting a power purchase schedule for the night power period and a water heating schedule for the surplus power period, the control device 10 can ensure the available capacity of the storage battery 94 at the end of the night power period.

The boiling/charging schedule 103 is a future schedule of the household's power generation, consumption, electricity purchase, boiling, charging, and discharging, which is set by the boiling allocation unit 163 and the charging allocation unit 164 through processing described below.

[Charging control unit 170]
The charging control unit 170 controls the storage battery 94 according to the set boiling and charging schedule 103 .

The charging control unit 170 charges the storage battery according to the schedule during the night power period. In other words, charging is suppressed. After the end of the night power period, if the amount of power generated falls below the sum of the amount of water boiling power and the amount of power consumed, the battery is discharged, and if the amount of power generated exceeds the sum of the amount of water boiling power and the amount of power consumed, the battery is charged. Note that the amount of power generated fluctuates on a time scale shorter than one hour, for example, on a second-by-second basis, due to fluctuations in natural energy conditions, specifically fluctuations in the amount of sunlight. As a result of the charging control unit 170 controlling the charging and discharging of the storage battery 94 after the night power period as described above, the storage battery 94 absorbs fluctuations on a short time scale.

If the prediction is wrong and the amount of power generation is low, the charging control unit 170 may cause the storage battery 94 to discharge. In this way, if the prediction is wrong and the amount of power generation is low while the hot water storage type water heater 95 is heating water, the shortage of power can be made up by discharging from the storage battery 94.

[Water heater control unit 180]
The water heater control unit 180 controls the storage type water heater 95 in accordance with the set boiling and charging schedule 103. That is, the amount of power supplied to the storage type water heater is suppressed.

In the example of FIG. 4, during the surplus power period, from 12:00 to the end time of the surplus power period (16:00), a certain amount of surplus power equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold power value is allocated to supply power to the hot water storage type hot water heater 95. For example, if the predetermined threshold power value is 600 W and the power of one vertical axis square in FIG. 4 is 300 W, the power supply is allocated so that 600 W or more of power is secured. After the power supply to the hot water storage type hot water heater 95 is allocated, the surplus power that remains is allocated to charge the storage battery 94. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the surplus power from the start time of the surplus power period (9:00) to 15:00 is allocated to charge the storage battery 94. Here, when using both types of energy storage devices, a power storage device and a hot water storage type hot water heater, to suppress the generation of surplus power, it is desirable to take into account the differences in their characteristics. Specifically, the storage battery 94 can be charged and discharged at speeds measured in seconds or less, but the storage type water heater 95 requires a certain amount of power and a heating time measured in minutes to hours to heat the water. Furthermore, the storage type water heater 95 cannot immediately replenish the hot water from outside if a shortage of stored hot water occurs. Therefore, the storage type water heater needs to secure a certain amount of hot water that is predicted to be consumed by the time that consumption is predicted. Therefore, in FIG. 4, the predicted surplus power is first allocated to supply power to the storage type water heater 95, and then allocated to charging the storage battery 94.

Figure 5 shows an example of the change in free space obtained as a result of the control according to this embodiment, and will be used to explain the outline of the control. The center of Figure 5 shows a time series graph of the predicted power consumption and the predicted power generation. Note that each of these time series is the same as in Figure 4. The upper part of the time series graph shows an image of the change in the amount of stored electricity, and the lower part shows an image of the change in the amount of stored hot water.

First, at 11:00 p.m., which is the start time of a specified prediction period, the water heating allocation unit 163 determines the water heating schedule for the storage water heater 95 during the late-night power period and the surplus power period (10:00 to 16:00) through the process described below. In addition, the charging allocation unit 164 determines the charging schedule for the storage battery 94 during the late-night power period and the surplus power period.

The amount of hot water stored at the end of the night power period (7:00) is determined so that the amount will be full when heating using surplus electricity ends (16:00). Therefore, the amount of hot water stored at the end of the night power period is not full, and free capacity for heating is secured. In addition, the amount of surplus electricity remaining after heating is allocated to charging, and the amount of stored electricity at the end of the night power period (7:00) is determined so that the amount of stored electricity will be full at the end of the surplus electricity period (15:00). Therefore, the amount of stored electricity at the end of the night power period is not full, and free capacity for heating is also secured.

According to the determined charging schedule, the charging control unit 170 charges the battery using inexpensive late-night power until the end of the late-night power period (7:00), and increases the amount of stored power to the determined level. After the late-night power period, charging is performed using surplus power.

On the other hand, the water heater control unit 180 heats up the hot water to the determined amount until the end of the nighttime power period (7:00), in the same manner as the storage battery 94, by using inexpensive nighttime power. After that, water is heated from 11:00 to 16:00 according to the heating schedule.
[Operation]
The operation of the control device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flows in FIGS.

In S11, the power generation amount prediction unit 110 acquires meteorological information via the web network 98, and also acquires the power generation history from the power generation and consumption history 101. At a predetermined prediction start time, the power generation amount prediction unit 110 predicts the power generation amount for the next day based on the acquired meteorological information and power generation history.

Next, in S12, the power consumption prediction unit 120 obtains meteorological information via the web network 98 and also obtains power generation history from the power generation/consumption history 101 to predict the power consumption. The power consumption prediction unit 120 transmits the obtained time series of the power consumption to the predicted surplus power calculation unit 130.

In S13, the predicted surplus power calculation unit 130 calculates a time series of the surplus power based on the received time series of the predicted power generation amount and the time series of the predicted power consumption amount. The predicted surplus power calculation unit 130 transmits the calculated time series of the surplus power amount to the adjustment unit 160 described later.

In S14, the surplus presence/absence determination unit 161 determines whether there is a predicted amount of surplus power (whether there is a time period in the time series of the calculated amount of surplus power where the predicted amount of surplus power is > 0). If it is predicted that there is no surplus power (No in S14), the surplus presence/absence determination unit 161 ends the process. If it is predicted that there is surplus power (Yes in S14), the surplus presence/absence determination unit 161 transmits the time series of the predicted amount of surplus power to the boiling allocation unit 163.

In S15, the boiling allocation unit 163 and the charging allocation unit 164 perform boiling and charging allocation processing for the predicted surplus power amount based on the processing of S151 to S15A described later. Details of S15 are shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 8, in S151, the boiling allocation unit 163 acquires a time series of the predicted surplus power amount.

In S152, the boiling allocation unit 163 calculates the amount of power required for boiling. Specifically, the boiling allocation unit 163 first transmits a request to the remaining amount acquisition unit 150 to transmit the current amount of stored hot water, and acquires it. The boiling allocation unit 163 then determines the amount of boiling required from the difference between the maximum amount of boiling possible received from the hot water storage type hot water heater 95 via a route not shown and the current amount of stored hot water acquired (maximum amount of boiling possible - amount of stored hot water). Next, the amount of boiling required is used to determine the amount of power required for boiling. Note that the remaining amount acquisition unit 150 may be configured to automatically transmit the current amount of stored hot water and the current amount of electricity at a specified prediction start time, without waiting for an acquisition request from the boiling allocation unit 163 and the charging allocation unit 164.

In S153, the boil-up allocation unit 163 performs pattern matching on the time series of the predicted surplus power amount and determines the time series of the amount of power to be allocated to the power supply.

Storage-type water heaters, particularly heat pump water heaters that use an isothermal process to extract energy from the outside air and heat water, desirably continue to heat water with a certain amount of power for a certain period of time. Therefore, even if the total amount of surplus power exceeds the amount of power required for heating, it is not necessarily possible to use it for heating water. For example, if the period during which the amount of surplus power exceeds the amount of power required for heating is a short period of time that is not suitable for heating water according to the specifications of the storage-type water heater 95, or if it includes a time period during which the surplus is small and only surplus power that is not suitable for heating water according to the specifications of the storage-type water heater 95 can be allocated, it cannot be used for heating water. If it is not possible to allocate a certain amount of power for a certain period of time, it is necessary to purchase power from the grid, and therefore in S153 and S154 described later, a process is performed to confirm whether or not a certain amount of power can be allocated for a certain period of time.

An example of the result of the pattern matching will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The upper part of FIG. 6 shows an example of a case where (a) all the power required for boiling water could be allocated. The lower part of FIG. 6 shows an example of a case where (b) all the power required for boiling water could not be allocated. In each figure, the surplus power is shown with a double-dashed line, and the amount of power allocated to the power supply to the water heater is shown with a right diagonal line. In FIG. 6(a), it is predicted that all the power required for boiling water (10 squares marked with a right diagonal line) can be allocated using the surplus power. That is, it is predicted that a certain amount of power (power equivalent to two squares vertically) equal to or greater than a predetermined power threshold can be allocated for a certain period (5 hours from 11:00 to 16:00). On the other hand, in FIG. 6(b), it is not predicted that all the power required for boiling water can be allocated using the surplus power. That is, it is predicted that a certain amount of power (power equivalent to two squares vertically) can be allocated only for a certain period (3 hours from 13:00 to 16:00). In this case, the boiling schedule may be determined so that the shortage of four squares is made up by purchasing electricity from the external power grid 96 during periods when surplus electricity is not being generated. Also, the boiling schedule may be determined so that water is boiled during another time period when boiling electricity can be allocated, such as the two hours from 9:00 to 11:00 in FIG. 6(b). In this way, the boiling schedule for the surplus electricity period is determined.

In S154, the boiling allocation unit 163 determines whether or not all of the power required for boiling has been allocated as a result of the pattern matching.

If, as a result of the pattern matching, all of the power required for boiling can be allocated (YES in S154), in S155 the boiling allocation unit 163 determines the time series of the allocated amount of power as the boiling schedule as is.

In S156, the boiling allocation unit 163 sets the boiling power amount using nighttime power to zero. This determines the boiling schedule for the nighttime power period. The boiling allocation unit 163 stores the boiling schedule determined for the surplus power period and the nighttime power period in the boiling/charging schedule 103.

In S157, the charging allocation unit 164 allocates the portion of the time series of the predicted surplus power amount excluding the time series of the amount of power allocated to power supply to the charging amount during the surplus power period, and determines the charging schedule for the surplus power period.

In S158, the charging allocation unit 164 transmits a request to the remaining amount acquisition unit 150 to transmit the current amount of stored power, and acquires it. The charging allocation unit 164 then calculates the amount of overnight charging based on the charging schedule determined in S157 and the acquired current amount of stored power. Specifically, the charging amount is calculated as: overnight charging amount = (full amount of stored power - charging amount during surplus power period - current amount of stored power). Using the calculated overnight charging amount, the charging allocation unit 164 creates a charging schedule for the overnight power period, and stores it in the boiling and charging schedule 103.

If, as a result of pattern matching, it is not possible to allocate all of the power required for boiling water (No in S154), in S159, the boiling allocation unit 163 allocates the total amount of power that can be secured to the boiling power amount and determines the boiling schedule for the surplus power period.

In S15A, the water boiling allocation unit 163 calculates the shortage, i.e., the difference obtained by subtracting the total amount of power allocated to power supply from the amount of power required for water boiling. The water boiling allocation unit 163 sets the calculated shortage as the amount of water boiling power using nighttime power, and determines the water boiling schedule for the nighttime power period. The water boiling allocation unit 163 stores the determined water boiling schedule for the surplus power period and nighttime power period in the water boiling and charging schedule 103.

In S15B, the charging allocation unit 164 transmits a request to the remaining amount acquisition unit 150 to transmit the current amount of stored power, and acquires it. The charging allocation unit 164 then calculates the amount of overnight charging based on the acquired current amount of stored power. Specifically, the overnight charging amount is calculated as: overnight charging amount = (full amount of stored power - current amount of stored power). Using the calculated overnight charging amount, the charging allocation unit 164 creates a charging schedule for the overnight power period, and stores it in the boiling and charging schedule 103.

After completing the processing in S15, in S16 of FIG. 7, the charging control unit 170 and the water heater control unit 180 read the set heating and charging schedule 103 and control the storage battery 94 and the storage type water heater 95.

The above configuration and operation make it possible to predict the amount of surplus electricity in a home having a power generation device 91, a storage battery 94, and a hot water storage device 95, and to estimate the amount of electricity that may be stored and heated based on the predicted amount of surplus electricity, thereby controlling the available capacity of both the power storage device and the hot water storage device. Even if the prediction is wrong and the amount of electricity generated is low, the reduction is first subtracted from the predicted amount of electricity generated allocated to charging, thereby preventing the hot water storage device 95 from running out of hot water.

In this specification, unless otherwise stated, the term "electric power" is used to refer to the amount of energy change per unit time expressed in units such as watts, and "amount of electric power" is used to refer to the amount of energy expressed in units such as watt-hours, in principle.
[Modifications]
In the present specification, as an example, a configuration has been described in which the control device 10 installed in the home includes the power generation/consumption history 101, the power generation amount prediction unit 110, the power consumption amount prediction unit 120, the predicted surplus power amount calculation unit 130, and the adjustment unit 160, but the information collection server 97 may also include these. As a result, the information collection server 97 can create a boiling/charging schedule 103 and perform remote control via the control device 10.

The HEMS may be controlled by a control device 10 in the home, or may be controlled remotely from a server via the control device 10.

[Software implementation example]
The control blocks of the control device 10 (particularly the predicted surplus energy calculation unit 130, the adjustment unit 160, the charging control unit 170, and the water heater control unit 180) may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software.

In the latter case, the control device 10 includes a computer that executes the instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function. This computer includes, for example, at least one processor (control device) and at least one computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. The object of the present invention is achieved by having the processor read the program from the recording medium and execute it in the computer. The processor can be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The recording medium can be a "non-transient tangible medium," such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, programmable logic circuit, etc. The computer can also include a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program. The program can be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (such as a communication network or broadcast waves) that can transmit the program. One aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

〔summary〕
A control device according to aspect 1 of the present invention is a control device that controls the supply of power to the storage type water heater and the charging of the storage battery in a system that includes a power generation device that generates power using solar power, a storage battery, and a hot water storage water heater and receives power supply from an external source, and is equipped with a processor, which obtains a predicted power generation amount, which is a predicted value of the amount of power generated by the power generation device for each specified hour, obtains a predicted power consumption amount, which is a predicted value of the amount of power consumed by the device for each specified hour, and adjusts the amount of power supplied to the storage type water heater by the external power supply and the amount of charging to the storage battery based on the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount.

According to the above configuration, the available heating capacity of the storage water heater and the available storage capacity of the storage battery can be controlled in coordination. In addition, the amount of power supplied to the storage water heater and the amount of charge to the storage battery are adjusted based on the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount, so surplus power can be effectively utilized.

In the control device according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1, the processor may obtain the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount after the midnight power period of the next day, and if the predicted power generation amount exceeds the predicted power consumption amount, predict the power supply and the charging using the power generated by the power generation device to be performed after the midnight power period, and suppress the power supply and the charging using the external power supply during the midnight power period for an amount of power corresponding to the amount of power that exceeds the predicted power consumption amount.

According to the above configuration, free capacity for boiling water is secured at the end of the night power period, and boiling water can be performed using surplus power. In addition, free capacity for charging is secured at the end of the night power period, and charging can be performed using the amount of power obtained by subtracting the amount of boiling power from the predicted amount of surplus power.

In the control device according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above aspect 2, the processor may first allocate the power supply for the use of the excess amount of power, and if there is a surplus, secondly allocate the charging, thereby predicting the power supply and the charging using the power generated by the power generation device.

With the above configuration, it is easy to forecast the amount of electricity required for heating water by first deciding the schedule for the storage type water heater.

In the control device according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in the above aspect 3, the processor may obtain the excess amount of electric power for each predetermined time period, and allocate the power supply to a use of the excess amount of electric power during a time period when the excess amount of electric power equal to or greater than a predetermined electric power threshold can be secured.

With the above configuration, power is supplied to the storage-type water heater during a time period when a certain amount of power can be supplied, reducing the possibility of purchasing power while the water is being heated.

In the control device according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in any one of aspects 1 to 4 above, the processor may adjust the charge amount so that the power supply performed after the midnight power period can be supplied by discharging from the storage battery if the power generated by the power generation device cannot cover the power supply.

With the above configuration, even if the amount of electricity generated is less than predicted, water can be boiled without purchasing electricity.

A control method according to aspect 6 of the present invention is a control method for controlling the supply of power to the storage type water heater and the charging of the storage battery in a system in which an apparatus includes a power generation device that generates power using solar power, a storage battery, and a hot water storage device and receives power supply from an external source, and the method obtains a predicted power generation amount, which is a predicted value of the amount of power generated by the power generation device for each predetermined time period, obtains a predicted power consumption amount, which is a predicted value of the amount of power consumed by the device for each predetermined time period, and adjusts the amount of power supplied to the storage type water heater by the external power supply and the amount of charge to the storage battery based on the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount.

The control device according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the control device is realized by a computer by operating the computer as each part (software element) of the control device, and the control program of the control device and the computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The technical scope of the present invention also includes embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments.

10 Control device 91 Power generation device 92 Home appliance (device)
94 Storage battery 95 Storage water heater 101 Power generation/consumption history 110 Power generation amount prediction unit 120 Power consumption amount prediction unit 150 Remaining amount acquisition unit 130 Predicted surplus power amount calculation unit 160 Adjustment unit 161 Surplus presence/absence determination unit 163 Water boiling allocation unit 164 Charging allocation unit 103 Water boiling/charging schedule

Claims (5)

A control device for controlling power supply to the storage battery and charging the storage battery in a system that receives power supply from an external source and includes a power generating device that generates power using solar light, a storage battery, and a hot water heater, the control device comprising:
A processor is provided.
The processor,
A predicted power generation amount is obtained, which is a predicted value of the power generation amount of the power generation device for each predetermined time period;
A predicted power consumption amount is obtained, which is a predicted value of the amount of power consumed by the device for each predetermined time period;
adjusting an amount of power supplied from the external power supply to the hot water storage type hot water heater and an amount of charge to the storage battery based on the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount;
Further, the processor
The predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount after the midnight power period of the next day are obtained, and if the predicted power generation amount exceeds the predicted power consumption amount,
predicting the power supply and the charging using the power generated by the power generation equipment to be performed after the midnight power period;
a control device that suppresses the power supply and the charging by the external power supply in accordance with the excess amount of power during the midnight power period. The processor,
Regarding the use of the excess amount of power, the power supply is allocated to a first use, and when there is a surplus, the charging is allocated to a second use;
The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply and the charging using power generated by the power generation device are predicted. The processor,
Regarding the excess amount of electric power, the excess amount of electric power per predetermined time period is acquired;
The control device according to claim 2 , wherein the power supply is allocated to a use of the excess amount of power in a time period in which the excess amount of power equal to or greater than a predetermined power amount threshold can be secured. A control method for controlling power supply to the storage battery in a system that receives power supply from an external source and that includes a power generating device that generates power using solar light, a storage battery, and a hot water heater, the method comprising:
A predicted power generation amount is obtained, which is a predicted value of the power generation amount of the power generation device for each predetermined time period;
A predicted power consumption amount is obtained, which is a predicted value of the amount of power consumed by the device for each predetermined time period;
adjusting an amount of power supplied from the external power supply to the hot water storage type hot water heater and an amount of charge to the storage battery based on the predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount;
moreover,
The predicted power generation amount and the predicted power consumption amount after the midnight power period of the next day are obtained, and if the predicted power generation amount exceeds the predicted power consumption amount,
predicting the power supply and the charging using the power generated by the power generation equipment to be performed after the midnight power period;
A control method for suppressing the power supply and the charging by the external power supply in accordance with the excess amount of power during the midnight power period. A power control system comprising: the control device according to claim 1 ; the power generation device; a power conditioner that controls the power generation device; the storage battery; and the hot water storage type water heater.

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