JP7573427B2 - Water heater control device, water heater system, water heater control method and program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a water heater control device, a water heater system, a water heater control method, and a program.

A water heater control device has been proposed that controls the heating operation of multiple storage-type water heaters (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This water heater control device predicts the future total power consumption of electrical devices other than the water heaters in a home in which each of the multiple water heaters is installed, and the amount of hot water used in each home, and generates an operation schedule for each of the multiple water heaters so that the sum of the power consumption of each of the multiple water heaters and the aforementioned total power consumption is reduced to below a preset power consumption threshold.

JP 2014-137215 A

However, when an unexpected cold wave suddenly arrives, hot water usage increases across multiple homes, and as a result, in order to prevent each of the homes from running out of hot water, it may be necessary to operate the water heaters outside of the planned operating period in the original operating schedule. In this case, the operating timing of the water heaters in each of the multiple homes will overlap, and as a result, there is a risk that the peak power usage across the multiple homes will greatly exceed the peak anticipated when the operating schedule was created.

This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned reasons, and aims to provide a water heater control device, a water heating system, a water heater control method, and a program that can reduce the peak value of power usage across multiple homes in which water heaters are installed.

In order to achieve the above object, the water heater control device according to the present disclosure includes:
a power acquisition unit that acquires power information indicating power consumed by the water heater in each of a plurality of homes in which the water heater is installed;
a total power calculation unit that calculates a total power equivalent to a sum of the power consumed by the water heaters of each of the plurality of houses;
a power determination unit that determines whether the total power exceeds a preset reference total power;
a number-of-units calculation unit that, when it is determined that the total power exceeds the reference total power, calculates a number of water heaters to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters to be stopped, based on the power consumption per water heater and the differential power between the total power and the reference total power, so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power;
a remaining hot water amount acquiring unit that acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating a remaining hot water amount of the hot water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
a priority order determination unit that determines a priority order for stopping at least one of the hot water heaters in each of the plurality of houses based on the amount of remaining hot water such that a hot water heater having a larger amount of remaining hot water is assigned a higher priority;
a water heater selection unit that selects the water heater to be stopped based on the number of stopped units and the stop priority order after the number of stopped units is calculated ;
an operation restart request acquisition unit that acquires operation restart request information that requests restart of the water heater that has been stopped;
a water heater identification unit that identifies the water heater with the largest amount of remaining hot water from among the plurality of water heaters in operation;
a remaining hot water amount determination unit that determines whether the remaining hot water amount of the water heater identified by the water heater identification unit is greater than a predetermined reference remaining hot water amount,
When the water heater selection unit determines that the remaining hot water amount of the identified water heater is greater than the standard remaining hot water amount, it selects the water heater corresponding to the operation restart request information as the water heater to resume operation, and selects the identified water heater as the water heater to be stopped .

According to the present disclosure, when the number calculation unit determines that the total power of all the water heaters in each of the multiple residences exceeds the reference total power, it calculates the number of water heaters to be stopped based on the power consumption per water heater and the difference in power between the total power and the reference total power. In addition, the priority determination unit determines the stop priority of the water heaters based on the remaining hot water amount in each of the multiple residences such that the water heater with the larger remaining hot water amount has a higher priority. Then, after the number of units to be stopped is calculated, the water heater selection unit selects the water heater to be stopped based on the number of units to be stopped and the stop priority. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of hot water shortages in each of the multiple residences while suppressing the total power of all the water heaters in each of the multiple residences to be below the reference total power.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a hot water supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a hot water supply system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a water heater according to an embodiment. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a remaining hot water amount storage unit according to an embodiment; FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a priority order storage unit according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of a hot water supply system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of a hot water supply system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of a hot water supply system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of a hot water supply system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2B is a diagram showing another example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment; 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a water heater control process executed by a water heater control device according to an embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a water heater control process executed by a water heater control device according to an embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a water heater control process executed by a water heater control device according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a water heater according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a total power usage storage unit according to a modified example; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to a modified example. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a water heater according to a modified example. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to a modified example, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing another example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to a modified example. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a water heater according to a modified example. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a hot water supply amount storage unit according to a modified example. A flowchart showing an example of a flow of a water heater control process executed by a water heater control device according to a modified example.

The hot water supply system according to each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The hot water supply control device according to this embodiment includes a power acquisition unit that acquires power information indicating the power consumed by the hot water supply in each of the multiple homes in which the hot water supply is installed, a total power calculation unit that calculates the total power equivalent to the sum of the power consumed by the hot water supply in each of the multiple homes, and a power determination unit that determines whether the total power exceeds a preset reference total power. The hot water supply control device also includes a number calculation unit that calculates the number of water heaters to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters to be stopped, based on the power consumption per water heater and the difference power between the total power and the reference total power when it is determined that the total power exceeds the reference total power, a remaining hot water amount acquisition unit that acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating the remaining hot water amount of the hot water supply in each of the multiple homes, a priority determination unit that determines the stop priority when stopping at least one of the hot water supply in each of the multiple homes based on the remaining hot water amount so that the hot water supply with a larger remaining hot water amount is higher, and a hot water supply selection unit that selects the hot water supply to be stopped based on the number of water heaters to be stopped and the stop priority after the number of water heaters to be stopped is calculated.

The hot water supply system according to the present embodiment is used for an apartment house B1 that constitutes a housing group consisting of a plurality of houses H[0], H[1], ..., H[i], ... (i is an integer equal to or greater than 0), as shown in FIG. 1. Here, the apartment house B1 is, for example, an apartment building that receives power from a power grid PS by a high-voltage collective power receiving method. In each house H[i], a water heater 3, an electric appliance 4, a distribution board 21 that supplies power to the water heater 3 and the electric appliance 4, and a power measuring device 22 that measures the power supplied to the water heater 3 and the electric appliance 4 are installed. The distribution board 21 branches and supplies the power supplied from the power grid PS to the water heater 3 and the electric appliance 4. In addition, the apartment house B1 is installed with a broadband router (hereinafter referred to as "BBR") 61 that can communicate with the water heater 3 and the power measuring device 22 installed in the house H[i] via a local network NW2. The BBR 61 is connected to a wide area network NW1 such as the Internet. The local network NW2 is a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or a wired LAN. Here, the hot water supply system according to this embodiment includes a terminal device 7 managed by a so-called aggregator that manages the power supply to the apartment building B1, a terminal device 8 managed by each resident of the house H[i], and a cloud server 1. The terminal devices 7 and 8 and the cloud server 1 can communicate with each other via the wide area network NW1. The electrical appliances 4 are, for example, air conditioners, lighting devices, floor heating systems, refrigerators, induction heating (IH) cookers, televisions, etc. The electrical appliances 4 are installed in each house and receive power from a distribution board 21.

The power measurement device 22 is a so-called smart meter equipped with a communication adapter 229 that controls communication with the cloud server 1 via the local network NW2, the BBR 61, and the wide area network NW1. The power measurement device 22 measures the power supplied from the distribution board 21 to the water heater 3, generates power information indicating the measured power consumed by the water heater 3, and transmits it to the cloud server 1. Here, when the power measurement device 22 receives power information request information from the cloud server 1 requesting transmission of power information from the cloud server 1 to the cloud server 1, the power measurement device 22 generates power information accordingly. Then, the power measurement device 22 transmits the generated power information to the cloud server 1.

The water heater 3 is a storage-type water heater having a hot water tank (not shown) and a heat pump unit (not shown), and the heat pump unit boils water stored in the hot water tank. The heat pump unit has a heat pump (not shown) and a control board (not shown) that controls the heat pump. Here, water sent from the hot water tank to the heat exchanger by the pump is heated in the heat exchanger of the heat pump and returned to the hot water tank. Then, hot water is supplied to the bathroom or kitchen in the house H [i] from the hot water tank outlet pipe. As shown in FIG. 2, the water heater 3 has a controller 31 connected to the control board via a communication line (not shown) and controlling the operation of the heat pump unit, a remaining hot water amount measuring unit 32 that measures the amount of hot water remaining in the hot water tank, which is the amount of hot water stored in the hot water tank, and a communication adapter 39. The remaining hot water amount measuring unit 32 is connected to the controller 31 via a communication line and periodically outputs remaining hot water amount information indicating the measured remaining hot water amount to the controller 31.

The communication adapter 39 controls communication between the controller 31 and the cloud server 1 via the local network NW2, the BBR 61, and the wide area network NW1. The controller 31 has a schedule storage unit (not shown) that stores schedule information indicating the operation schedule of the heat pump unit, and controls the operation of the heat pump unit by sending operation start command information or stop command information to the control board described above according to the operation schedule indicated by the schedule information. In addition, when the controller 31 acquires stop command information from the cloud server 1 instructing the water heater 3 to stop, it sends stop command information to the control board of the heat pump unit to forcibly stop the heat pump unit and the pump. On the other hand, when the controller 31 acquires operation start command information from the cloud server 1 instructing the water heater 3 to start operation, it sends operation start command information to the control board of the heat pump unit according to the operation schedule indicated by the schedule information, thereby starting the operation of the heat pump unit and the pump according to the operation schedule described above.

The terminal device 7 is, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory unit, an auxiliary memory unit, a display unit, an input unit, and a wide area communication unit, and is used by a user belonging to the aggregator. Here, the main memory unit is a volatile memory used as a working area for the CPU, and the auxiliary memory unit is a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor flash memory, and stores programs for realizing various functions of the terminal device 7. The display unit is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-luminescence) display, or the like, and displays various information. The input unit is, for example, a keyboard, and accepts various operation information in response to operations by users belonging to the aggregator, and outputs the accepted operation information to the CPU. The wide area communication unit has an interface for connecting to the wide area network NW1.

The terminal device 8 is, for example, a smartphone, and is equipped with a CPU, a main memory unit, an auxiliary memory unit, a display unit, an input unit, and a wide area communication unit, and is used by the resident of the house H[i]. The main memory unit is a volatile memory used as a working area for the CPU, and the auxiliary memory unit is a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor flash memory, and stores programs for realizing the various functions of the terminal device 8. The display unit is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and displays various information. The input unit is, for example, a transparent touch pad placed over the display unit, and accepts various operational information in response to operations by the resident and outputs the accepted operational information to the CPU. The wide area communication unit has an interface for connecting to the wide area network NW1.

Cloud server 1 is connected to water heater 3 via local network NW2, BBR61, and wide area network NW1, and functions as a water heater control device that controls water heater 3. Cloud server 1 is, for example, a computer for server use, and includes CPU 101, main memory 102, auxiliary memory 103, wide area communication 106, clock 108, and bus 109 that connects each part. CPU 101 is, for example, a multi-core processor. Main memory 102 is a volatile memory and is used as a working area for CPU 101. Auxiliary memory 103 has non-volatile memory, functions as ROM and storage, and stores programs for realizing various functions of cloud server 1. Wide area communication 106 communicates with water heater 3 via wide area network NW1 and BBR61. Clock 108 has, for example, an RTC (Real Time Clock).

The CPU 101 reads out the programs stored in the auxiliary memory 103 into the main memory 102 and executes them, so as to function as a power acquisition unit 112, a total power calculation unit 113, a power determination unit 114, a number calculation unit 115, a remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116, a priority determination unit 117, a water heater selection unit 118, a command unit 119, an operation state acquisition unit 120, an operation state determination unit 121, an operation restart request acquisition unit 141, a water heater identification unit 142, and a remaining hot water amount determination unit 143, as shown in FIG. 3. The auxiliary memory 103 shown in FIG. 2 also has a power memory unit 131, a reference total power memory unit 132, a remaining hot water amount memory unit 133, a priority order memory unit 134, an operation state memory unit 135, and a reference remaining hot water amount memory unit 136, as shown in FIG. 3.

The power storage unit 131 stores, for each house H[i] (i is an integer equal to or greater than 0), the actual value of the power consumed by the water heater 3 in each of multiple preset time periods for the house H[i], in association with information indicating the date and time period, and water heater identification information that identifies the water heater 3. The power storage unit 131 also stores the total power equivalent to the sum of the power consumed by the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple houses H[i], in association with information indicating the date and time period. The reference total power storage unit 132 stores reference total power information indicating a preset reference total power that serves as a reference for the total power equivalent to the sum of the power consumed by the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple houses H[i] that make up the apartment building B1.

The remaining hot water amount memory unit 133 stores remaining hot water amount information indicating the remaining hot water amount of the hot water heater 3 installed in each of the multiple residences H[i] in association with the hot water heater identification information IDW[i] that identifies the hot water heater 3 in each of the multiple residences H[i], for example, as shown in FIG. 4(A).

As shown in FIG. 4B, for example, the priority storage unit 134 stores stop priority information indicating the stop priority when at least one of the water heaters 3 in each of the multiple homes H[i] is stopped, in association with the water heater identification information IDW[i] that identifies the water heater 3 in each of the multiple homes H[i]. The priority storage unit 134 also stores operation start priority information indicating the operation start priority when at least one of the water heaters 3 in each of the multiple homes H[i] that is stopped is restarted, in association with the water heater identification information IDW[j+k] that identifies the water heater 3 installed in at least one home H[j+k] (j and k are integers equal to or greater than 0) in which the water heater 3 is stopped.

Returning to FIG. 3, the operation status memory unit 135 stores operation status information indicating whether the water heater 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] is operating or stopped, in association with water heater identification information that identifies the water heater 3 of each of the multiple homes H[i]. The reference remaining hot water amount memory unit 136 stores reference remaining hot water amount information that indicates a preset reference remaining hot water amount that serves as a reference for the remaining hot water amount of the water heater 3.

The power acquisition unit 112 acquires power information indicating the power consumed by the water heater 3 in each of the multiple homes H[i] in which the water heater 3 is installed from the power measurement device 22. When the power acquisition unit 112 determines that a pre-set water heater stop determination time has arrived based on the date and time measured by the clock unit 108, the power acquisition unit 112 transmits power information request information requesting the power measurement device 22 to transmit power information to the power measurement device 22, thereby acquiring the power information transmitted from the power measurement device 22. In addition, after forcibly stopping at least one of the water heaters 3 in each of the multiple homes H[i], when the power acquisition unit 112 determines that a pre-set water heater operation restart determination time has arrived based on the date and time measured by the clock unit 108, the power acquisition unit 112 transmits the above-mentioned power information request information to the power measurement device 22, thereby acquiring the power information transmitted from the power measurement device 22. Then, the power acquisition unit 112 stores the acquired power information in the power storage unit 131. Furthermore, even when the power acquisition unit 112 acquires operation stop notification information from the water heater 3 that has stopped operating, it acquires the power information by transmitting the above-mentioned power information request information to the power measurement device 22. The time intervals at which the water heater stop determination time and the water heater operation restart determination time arrive are set, for example, based on the response performance of the water heater 3 to the stop command information or operation start command information transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the water heater 3, and can be set, for example, to 5 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less.

The total power calculation unit 113 calculates the total power equivalent to the sum of the power consumed by the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i]. The total power calculation unit 113 stores total power information indicating the calculated total power in the power storage unit 131 and notifies the power determination unit 114. The power determination unit 114 acquires the reference total power information stored in the reference total power storage unit 132, and determines whether the total power indicated by the total power information notified from the total power calculation unit 113 exceeds the reference total power indicated by the acquired reference total power information. The power determination unit 114 notifies the number calculation unit 115 of information indicating the determination result.

When the power determination unit 114 determines that the total power of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] exceeds the aforementioned reference total power, the number calculation unit 115 calculates the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped, based on the power consumed by one water heater 3. Here, the power consumed by one water heater 3 is set to, for example, 1.5 kW uniformly for all water heaters 3. The number calculation unit 115 also calculates the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped based on the difference power between the total power of the water heaters 3 and the reference total power so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power. Furthermore, when the water heater selection unit 118 selects the water heater 3 to be stopped and it is determined that the total power of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] is equal to or less than the reference total power, the number calculation unit 115 calculates the number of water heaters 3 to be restarted, which is the number of water heaters 3 to be restarted, based on the power consumed by one water heater 3. Here, the number calculation unit 115 calculates the number of water heaters 3 to be restarted based on the difference in power between the total power of the water heaters 3 and the reference total power so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power.

The remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating the remaining hot water amount of each water heater 3 from each water heater 3 by multicasting remaining hot water amount information request information to the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i], requesting the water heaters 3 to transmit remaining hot water amount information indicating the amount of remaining hot water. The remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 stores the acquired remaining hot water amount information in the remaining hot water amount memory unit 133 in association with the water heater identification information of the water heater 3 that transmitted the remaining hot water amount information.

The priority determination unit 117 determines the stop priority when stopping at least one of the water heaters 3 in each of the multiple homes H[i] based on the remaining hot water amount of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] stored in the remaining hot water amount storage unit 133, so that the water heater 3 with a larger remaining hot water amount is higher. Here, the priority determination unit 117 determines the stop priority by sorting the water heaters 3 installed in each home H[i] in descending order of the remaining hot water amount. In addition, the priority determination unit 117 determines the operation restart priority when restarting the operation of at least one of the stopped water heaters 3 based on the remaining hot water amount of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i], so that the water heater 3 with a smaller remaining hot water amount is higher. Here, the priority determination unit 117 determines the operation restart priority by sorting the water heaters 3 installed in each home H[i] in descending order of the remaining hot water amount. In this way, the shutdown priority is set higher for water heaters 3 with a larger amount of remaining hot water, and the restart priority is set higher for water heaters 3 with a smaller amount of remaining hot water, thereby reducing the possibility of running out of hot water while the water heater 3 is stopped.

After the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped is calculated, the water heater selection unit 118 selects the water heaters 3 to be stopped based on the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped and the above-mentioned priority order of the water heaters 3 to be stopped. After the number of water heaters 3 to be restarted is calculated, the water heater selection unit 118 selects the water heaters 3 to be restarted based on the number of water heaters 3 to be restarted and the above-mentioned priority order of the water heaters 3 to be restarted. Furthermore, when the remaining hot water amount determination unit 143 described later determines that the remaining hot water amount of the water heater 3 identified by the water heater identification unit 142 described later is greater than a reference remaining hot water amount described later, the water heater selection unit 118 selects the water heater 3 corresponding to the operation restart request information as the water heater 3 to be restarted, and selects the identified water heater 3 as the water heater to be stopped.

The command unit 119 transmits stop command information to the water heater 3 selected by the water heater selection unit 118 as the water heater 3 to be stopped, instructing the water heater 3 to be stopped. The command unit 119 also transmits operation start command information to the water heater 3 selected by the water heater selection unit 118 as the water heater 3 to be started. Furthermore, when the command unit 119 transmits the stop command information or operation start command information, it notifies the operation status acquisition unit 120 of operation stop notification information including the water heater identification information of the water heater 3 to which the information is transmitted.

When the operation state acquisition unit 120 acquires operation stop notification information from the command unit 119, it updates the operation state information associated with the water heater identification information of the water heater 3 corresponding to the acquired operation stop notification information to "stopped". When the operation state acquisition unit 120 acquires operation stop notification information from the water heater 3, it updates the operation state information corresponding to the water heater identification information of the water heater 3 that is the sender of the acquired operation stop notification information to "stopped". The operation state determination unit 121 notifies the priority determination unit 117 of the water heater identification information of the water heater 3 in operation by referring to the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 135. The power notification unit 122 acquires the total power information of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple houses H[i] stored in the power storage unit 131 and the reference total power information stored in the reference total power storage unit 132, and transmits the acquired total power information and the reference total power information to the terminal device 7.

The reference total power setting unit 123 determines the reference total power based on the past actual values of the total power of the water heater 3 installed in each of the multiple houses H[i], and stores the reference total power information indicating the determined reference total power in the reference total power storage unit 132. Specifically, the reference total power setting unit 123 determines the average value of the actual values of the total power indicated by the past total power information stored in the power storage unit 131 as the reference total power each time a preset reference total power update time arrives. Note that the reference total power setting unit 123 may determine other representative values such as the intermediate value or maximum value of the actual values of the total power indicated by the past total power information stored in the power storage unit 131 as the reference total power. In addition, when the reference total power setting unit 123 acquires the reference total power information from the terminal device 7, it updates the reference total power information based on the acquired reference total power information. Here, the reference total power information can be, for example, information indicating a coefficient indicating the ratio of the new reference total power to the average value of the actual values of the total power indicated by the past total power information. In this case, the reference total power setting unit 123 sets the reference total power based on the product of the average value of past actual values of total power and a preset coefficient.

When the operation restart request acquisition unit 141 acquires operation restart request information requesting the restart of the stopped water heater 3 from the terminal device 8, it notifies the acquired operation restart request information to the water heater identification unit 142. The water heater identification unit 142 identifies the water heater 3 with the largest remaining hot water amount from among the operating water heaters 3 based on the remaining hot water amount information stored in the remaining hot water amount memory unit 133 and the water heater identification information notified from the operation state determination unit 121. The water heater identification unit 142 then notifies the remaining hot water amount determination unit 143 of the identified water heater identification information and the remaining hot water amount information of the water heater 3 corresponding thereto. The remaining hot water amount determination unit 143 acquires the reference remaining hot water amount information stored in the reference remaining hot water amount memory unit 136, and determines whether the remaining hot water amount indicated by the remaining hot water amount information notified from the water heater identification unit 142 is greater than the reference remaining hot water amount indicated by the acquired reference remaining hot water amount information. When the remaining hot water amount determination unit 143 determines that the remaining hot water amount indicated by the remaining hot water amount information notified from the water heater identification unit 142 is greater than the reference remaining hot water amount, it notifies the water heater selection unit 118 of the water heater identification information notified from the water heater identification unit 142. On the other hand, when the remaining hot water amount determination unit 143 determines that the remaining hot water amount indicated by the remaining hot water amount information notified from the water heater identification unit 142 is equal to or less than the reference remaining hot water amount, it notifies the non-permission notification unit 144 of the water heater identification information notified from the water heater identification unit 142. When the non-permission notification unit 144 is notified of the water heater identification information from the remaining hot water amount determination unit 143, it transmits non-permission notification information notifying that the resumption of operation of the water heater 3 is not permitted to the water heater 3 identified by the notified water heater identification information.

Next, the operation of the hot water supply system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 9. In the following description, hot water supply units 3_i, 3_j, and 3_k each represent a different hot water supply unit 3 selected from the plurality of hot water supply units 3. First, as shown in FIG. 5, when a preset hot water supply unit stop determination time arrives, power information request information that requests the power measurement unit 22 to transmit power information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the power measurement unit 22 (step S1). On the other hand, when the power measurement unit 22 receives the power information request information, the power measurement unit 22 generates power information accordingly (step S2). Next, the generated power information is transmitted from each of the power measurement units 22 to the cloud server 1 (step S3). At this time, the cloud server 1 stores the received power information in the power storage unit 131.

Next, the cloud server 1 calculates the total power equivalent to the sum of the power consumed by the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] (step S4). Here, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the calculated total power Pt exceeds a preset reference total power Ptth (step S5). In this case, the cloud server 1 calculates the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped, based on the power consumed by one water heater 3 (step S6). Next, the above-mentioned remaining hot water amount information request information is multicast from the cloud server 1 to all water heaters 3 that can communicate with the cloud server 1, including the water heater 3_i (step S7). Meanwhile, the water heater 3_i generates remaining hot water amount information indicating the remaining hot water amount of its own machine in response to the remaining hot water amount information request information (step S8). After that, the generated remaining hot water amount information is transmitted from the water heater 3_i to the cloud server 1 (step S9). Here, the cloud server 1 stores the acquired remaining hot water amount information in the remaining hot water amount storage unit 133 in association with the corresponding water heater identification information.

Next, the cloud server 1 determines the stop priority when stopping at least one of the water heaters 3 in each of the multiple homes H[i] based on the remaining hot water amount of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] stored in the remaining hot water amount storage unit 133 so that the water heater 3 with a larger remaining hot water amount has a higher stop priority (step S10). Next, the cloud server 1 selects the water heater 3_i to be stopped based on the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped and the above-mentioned stop priority of the water heaters 3 (step S11). Then, stop command information for stopping the selected water heater 3_i is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the water heater 3_i (step S12). Meanwhile, when the water heater 3_i acquires the stop command information, it stops operation by stopping the heat pump unit (step S13).

As shown in FIG. 6, after the water heater 3_i has stopped, the user of the water heater 3_i performs an operation on the terminal device 8 to resume the operation of the water heater 3_i. In this case, the above-mentioned operation restart request information is transmitted from the terminal device 8 to the cloud server 1 (step S14). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the operation restart request information, the remaining hot water amount information request information is transmitted by multicast from the cloud server 1 to all the water heaters 3 that can communicate with the cloud server 1, including the water heaters 3_i and 3_j (steps S15 and S16). On the other hand, when the water heater 3_i acquires the remaining hot water amount request information, it generates the remaining hot water amount information in response to this (step S17), and the generated remaining hot water amount information is transmitted from the water heater 3_i to the cloud server 1 (step S18). Also, when the water heater 3_j acquires the remaining hot water amount request information, it generates the remaining hot water amount information in response to this (step S19), and the generated remaining hot water amount information is transmitted from the water heater 3_j to the cloud server 1 (step S20).

Next, the cloud server 1 identifies the water heater 3_j with the largest remaining hot water amount Wr from among the multiple water heaters 3 in operation (step S21). Here, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the remaining hot water amount Wr_max of the water heater 3_j with the largest remaining hot water amount Wr is equal to or greater than the reference remaining hot water amount Wr_t (step S22). In this case, operation start command information that commands the water heater 3_i to start operation is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the water heater 3_i (step S23). Meanwhile, when the water heater 3_i acquires the operation start command information, it starts operation by operating the heat pump unit (step S24). Next, stop command information that commands the water heater 3_j identified by the cloud server 1 to stop operation is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the water heater 3_j (step S25). Meanwhile, when the water heater 3_j acquires the stop command information, it stops operation by stopping the heat pump unit (step S26).

As shown in FIG. 7, after step S21, the cloud server 1 determines that the remaining hot water amount Wr_max of the water heater 3_j with the largest remaining hot water amount Wr is less than the reference remaining hot water amount Wr_t (step S27). In this case, non-permission notification information notifying that the water heater 3_j is not permitted to resume operation is sent from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 8 (step S28). Meanwhile, upon receiving the non-permission notification information, the terminal device 8 displays a non-permission notification message on the display unit (step S29).

When the water heater 3_k in operation stops, the water heater 3_k transmits operation stop notification information notifying that the operation has stopped to the cloud server 1 (step S30). After that, the above-mentioned power information request information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the power measurement device 22 (step S31). On the other hand, when the power measurement device 22 receives the power information request information, it generates power information accordingly (step S32). Next, the generated power information is transmitted from each of the power measurement devices 22 to the cloud server 1 (step S33). Next, the cloud server 1 calculates the total power of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] (step S34). Here, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the calculated total power Pt is equal to or less than a preset reference total power Ptth (step S35). In this case, the cloud server 1 calculates the number of water heaters 3 to be restarted, which is the number of water heaters 3 to be started (step S36).

Next, the aforementioned remaining hot water amount information request information is multicast from the cloud server 1 to all water heaters 3 that can communicate with the cloud server 1, including the water heater 3_i (step S37). Meanwhile, the water heater 3_i generates remaining hot water amount information indicating the remaining hot water amount of its own machine in response to the remaining hot water amount information request information (step S38). After that, the generated remaining hot water amount information is transmitted from the water heater 3_i to the cloud server 1 (step S39). Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the cloud server 1 determines the operation restart priority when restarting at least one of the stopped water heaters 3 based on the remaining hot water amount of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple houses H[i] stored in the remaining hot water amount storage unit 133 so that the water heater 3 with the smaller remaining hot water amount has a higher operation restart priority (step S40). Next, the cloud server 1 selects the water heater 3_i to be restarted based on the number of water heaters 3 to be restarted and the aforementioned operation restart priority of the water heater 3 (step S41). Thereafter, operation start command information for starting the operation of the selected water heater 3_i is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the water heater 3_i (step S42). Meanwhile, upon receiving the operation start command information, the water heater 3_i starts operation by operating the heat pump unit (step S43). Note that the series of processes from steps S31 to S43 is also executed when the cloud server 1 determines that the preset time for determining whether to resume water heater operation has arrived.

Also, assume that a user belonging to the aggregator performs a preparatory operation on the terminal device 7 to change the reference total power. This preparatory operation is, for example, an operation in which the user launches an application for changing the reference total power. In this case, total power information/reference total power information request information, which requests the cloud server 1 to transmit the total power information of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] and the currently set reference total power information, is transmitted from the terminal device 7 to the cloud server 1 (step S44). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the total power information/reference total power information request information, the total power information and reference total power information stored in the power storage unit 131 are transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 7 (step S45). On the other hand, when the terminal device 7 acquires the total power information and the reference total power information, it causes the display unit to display the power indicated by the acquired total power information and the reference total power information (step S46).

Here, the terminal device 7 displays an operation screen image GA11, for example, as shown in FIG. 9 (A), on the display unit. The operation screen image GA11 includes a message image M11 including the maximum available power preset in the apartment B1, the total power consumed by all the water heaters 3 installed in the apartment B1 in the past in the entire apartment B1, and a reference total power, and an input field B11 for setting the reference total power. The terminal device 7 may display an operation screen image GA12, for example, as shown in FIG. 9 (B), on the display unit. Here, the operation screen image GA12 includes a message image M12 indicating the maximum available power preset in the apartment B1, a message image M13 including the total power consumed by all the water heaters 3 installed in the apartment B1 in each of a plurality of time periods and a reference total power, and input fields B12 and B13 for setting the reference total power for each of a plurality of time periods. This allows the user to set the reference total power individually for each of a plurality of time periods. In this case, the reference total power storage unit 132 may store multiple types of reference total power information in association with time zone information indicating the corresponding time zone. The power determination unit 114 may select the reference total power information to be adopted based on the time measured by the clock unit 108 and the time zone information. The input fields B11, B12, and B13 may be designed so that a user belonging to the aggregator inputs a numerical value. Alternatively, when a user performs an operation to select the input field B11, B12, or B13, a pull-down menu image listing multiple numerical values may be displayed, and the user may select one numerical value from the multiple numerical values.

Returning to FIG. 8, next, assume that a user belonging to the aggregator performs an operation on the terminal device 7 to change the reference total power. This operation to change the reference total power is, for example, an operation in which the user inputs a numerical value into the input field B11 in the operation screen image GA11 shown in FIG. 9 (A). In this case, the terminal device 7 generates reference total power information in response to the user's operation (step S47). Next, the generated reference total power information is transmitted from the terminal device 7 to the cloud server 1 (step S48). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the reference total power information, the cloud server 1 updates the reference total power information stored in the reference total power storage unit 132 using the acquired reference total power information (step S49).

Next, the water heater control process executed by the cloud server 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10 to FIG. 12. This water heater control process is started when a program for executing the water heater control process is started in the cloud server 1. First, the power acquisition unit 112 determines whether a pre-set water heater stop determination time has arrived (step S101). If the power acquisition unit 112 determines that the water heater stop determination time has not yet arrived (step S101: No), the process of step S112 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the power acquisition unit 112 determines that the water heater stop determination time has arrived (step S101: Yes), it transmits power information request information to the power measurement device 22 installed in each dwelling unit H[i] (step S102). Then, the power acquisition unit 112 acquires the power information transmitted from the power measurement device 22 and stores the acquired power information in the power storage unit 131 (step S103).

Next, the total power calculation unit 113 calculates the total power equivalent to the sum of the power consumed by the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] (step S104). Here, the total power calculation unit 113 stores total power information indicating the calculated total power in the power storage unit 131 and notifies the power determination unit 114. Next, the power determination unit 114 acquires the reference total power information stored in the reference total power storage unit 132, and determines whether the total power Pt indicated by the total power information notified from the total power calculation unit 113 exceeds the reference total power Ptth indicated by the acquired reference total power information (step S105). Here, if the power determination unit 114 determines that the total power Pt is equal to or less than the reference total power Ptth (step S105: No), the process of step S112 described below is executed.

On the other hand, when the power determination unit 114 determines that the total power Pt exceeds the reference total power Ptth (step S105: Yes), the number calculation unit 115 calculates the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped, based on the power consumed by one water heater 3 (step S106). After that, the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 multicasts remaining hot water amount information request information to the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i], requesting the water heaters 3 to transmit remaining hot water amount information indicating the remaining hot water amount of each water heater 3 (step S107). As a result, the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating the remaining hot water amount of each water heater 3 from each water heater 3 (step S108). Here, the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 stores the acquired remaining hot water amount information in the remaining hot water amount storage unit 133 in association with the water heater identification information of the water heater 3 that transmitted the remaining hot water amount information.

Next, the priority determination unit 117 determines the stop priority when stopping at least one of the water heaters 3 in each of the multiple homes H[i] based on the remaining hot water amount of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] stored in the remaining hot water amount storage unit 133 so that the water heater 3 with a larger remaining hot water amount has a higher stop priority (step S109). Next, the water heater selection unit 118 selects the water heater 3 to be stopped based on the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped and the above-mentioned stop priority of the water heater 3 (step S110). Then, the command unit 119 transmits stop command information to command the water heater 3 to be stopped to the water heater 3 selected by the water heater selection unit 118 as the water heater 3 to be stopped (step S111). Here, when the command unit 119 transmits the stop command information, it notifies the operation status acquisition unit 120 of the operation stop notification information including the water heater identification information of the destination water heater 3, and the operation status acquisition unit 120 updates the operation status information associated with the water heater identification information of the water heater 3 corresponding to the operation stop notification information while the water heater 3 is stopped.

Next, the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 determines whether or not it has acquired operation restart request information transmitted from the terminal device 8 possessed by the user residing at the address H[i] (step S112). If the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 determines that it has not acquired operation restart request information (step S112: No), the process of step S121 described later is executed. On the other hand, if the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 determines that it has acquired operation restart request information (step S112: Yes), it transmits the remaining hot water amount information request information by multicast to the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] (step S113). As a result, the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 acquires the remaining hot water amount information from each water heater 3 (step S114). Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the water heater identification unit 142 identifies the water heater 3 with the largest remaining hot water amount from among the water heaters 3 in operation based on the remaining hot water amount information of each water heater 3 (step S115). Here, the water heater identification unit 142 notifies the remaining hot water amount determination unit 143 of the identified water heater identification information and the remaining hot water amount information of the water heater 3 corresponding thereto. Thereafter, the remaining hot water amount determination unit 143 acquires the reference remaining hot water amount information stored in the reference remaining hot water amount storage unit 136, and determines whether the remaining hot water amount Wr_max indicated by the remaining hot water amount information notified from the water heater identification unit 142 is greater than the reference remaining hot water amount Wt_t indicated by the acquired reference remaining hot water amount information (step S116). Here, when the remaining hot water amount determination unit 143 determines that the remaining hot water amount indicated by the remaining hot water amount information notified from the water heater identification unit 142 is greater than the reference remaining hot water amount (step S116: Yes), it notifies the water heater identification information notified from the water heater identification unit 142 to the water heater selection unit 118. Then, the water heater selection unit 118 selects the water heater 3 corresponding to the operation restart request information as the water heater 3 to be restarted, and selects the water heater 3 identified by the water heater identification unit 142 as the water heater to be stopped (step S117).

Next, the command unit 119 transmits operation start command information commanding the water heater 3 to start operation to the water heater 3 selected by the water heater selection unit 118 as the water heater 3 to be resumed (step S118), and transmits stop command information to the water heater 3 selected by the water heater selection unit 118 as the water heater 3 to be stopped (step S119). Here, the command unit 119 notifies the operation status acquisition unit 120 of operation start notification information including the water heater identification information of the water heater 3 to which the operation start command information was sent, and operation stop notification information including the water heater identification information of the water heater 3 to which the stop command information was sent. Next, the processing of step S121 described below is executed.

On the other hand, in step S116, if the remaining hot water amount determination unit 143 determines that the remaining hot water amount Wr_max of the water heater 3 identified by the water heater identification unit 142 is equal to or less than the reference remaining hot water amount Wr_t (step S116: No), it notifies the non-permission notification unit 144 of the water heater identification information notified by the water heater identification unit 142. Then, when the non-permission notification unit 144 is notified of the water heater identification information from the remaining hot water amount determination unit 143, it transmits non-permission notification information notifying that the water heater 3 cannot be permitted to resume operation to the water heater 3 identified by the notified water heater identification information (step S120).

After that, the power acquisition unit 112 judges whether or not a preset operation restart judgment time has arrived (step S121). When the power acquisition unit 112 judges that the operation restart judgment time has arrived (step S121: Yes), the processing of step S123 described later is executed. On the other hand, when the power acquisition unit 112 judges that the operation restart judgment time has not yet arrived (step S121: No), it judges whether or not it has acquired operation stop notification information notifying that the operation of the water heater 3 has stopped from the water heater 3 (step S122). Here, when the power acquisition unit 112 judges that it has not acquired operation stop notification information (step S122: No), the processing of step S133 described later is executed. On the other hand, when the power acquisition unit 112 judges that it has acquired operation stop notification information (step S122: Yes), it transmits power information request information to the power measurement device 22 installed in each dwelling unit H[i] (step S123). Then, the power acquisition unit 112 acquires the power information transmitted from the power measurement device 22 and stores the acquired power information in the power storage unit 131 (step S124).

Next, the total power calculation unit 113 calculates the total power of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] (step S125). Next, the power determination unit 114 determines whether the total power Pt calculated by the total power calculation unit 113 is equal to or less than the reference total power Ptth (step S126). Here, if the power determination unit 114 determines that the total power Pt exceeds the reference total power Ptth (step S126: No), the processing of step S133 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the power determination unit 114 determines that the total power Pt is equal to or less than the reference total power Ptth (step S126: Yes), the number calculation unit 115 calculates the number of water heaters 3 to be restarted, which is the number of water heaters 3 to be restarted, based on the power consumed by one water heater 3 (step S127). Then, the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 transmits the remaining hot water amount information request information to the water heaters 3 by multicast (step S128). As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating the remaining hot water amount of each hot water heater 3 from each hot water heater 3 (step S129). Here, the remaining hot water amount acquisition unit 116 stores the acquired remaining hot water amount information in the remaining hot water amount storage unit 133 in association with the hot water heater identification information of the hot water heater 3 that transmitted the remaining hot water amount information.

Next, the priority determination unit 117 determines the operation restart priority when restarting at least one of the stopped water heaters 3 based on the remaining hot water amount of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] stored in the remaining hot water amount storage unit 133, so that the water heater 3 with the smaller remaining hot water amount has a higher operation restart priority (step S130). Next, the water heater selection unit 118 selects the water heater 3 to start operation based on the number of water heaters 3 to be restarted and the above-mentioned operation restart priority of the water heater 3 (step S131). Then, the command unit 119 transmits operation start command information to command the water heater 3 to start operation to the water heater 3 selected by the water heater selection unit 118 as the water heater 3 to start operation (step S132).

Next, the reference total power setting unit 123 determines whether a preset reference power update time has arrived (step S133). If the reference total power setting unit 123 determines that the reference power update time has not yet arrived (step S133: No), the process of step S135 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the reference total power setting unit 123 determines that the reference power update time has arrived (step S133: Yes), it determines a reference total power based on the past actual values of the total power of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i], and stores reference total power information indicating the determined reference total power in the reference total power storage unit 132 (step S134).

Then, the power notification unit 122 judges whether or not it has acquired total power information and reference total power information request information, which is sent from the terminal device 7 owned by a user belonging to the aggregator and requests the cloud server 1 to transmit total power information and reference total power information of the multiple homes H[i] (step S135). If the power notification unit 122 judges that it has not acquired total power information and reference total power information request information (step S135: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, it is assumed that the power notification unit 122 has determined that it has acquired total power information and reference total power information request information (step S135: Yes). In this case, the power notification unit 122 acquires the total power information of the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] stored in the power storage unit 131 and the reference total power information stored in the reference total power storage unit 132, and transmits the acquired total power information and reference total power information to the terminal device 7 (step S136).

Then, the reference total power setting unit 123 judges whether or not the reference total power information is acquired from the terminal device 7 within a preset waiting time after transmitting the total power information and the reference total power information to the terminal device 7 (step S137). Here, if the reference total power setting unit 123 judges that the reference total power information is not acquired from the terminal device 7 within a preset waiting time after transmitting the total power information and the reference total power information to the terminal device 7 (step S137: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the reference total power setting unit 123 judges that the reference total power information is acquired from the terminal device 7 (step S137: Yes), the reference total power setting unit 123 updates the reference total power information based on the acquired reference total power information (step S138). Here, if the reference total power information is, for example, information indicating a coefficient indicating the ratio of the new reference total power to the average value of the actual value of the total power indicated by the past total power information, the reference total power setting unit 123 sets the reference total power based on the product of the average value of the actual value of the total power indicated by the past and the preset coefficient. Next, the process of step S101 is executed again.

As described above, according to the cloud server 1 of this embodiment, when the number calculation unit 115 determines that the total power of all the water heaters 3 in each of the multiple homes H[i] exceeds the reference total power, it calculates the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped based on the power consumed by one water heater 3. Furthermore, the priority determination unit 117 determines the stop priority of the water heaters 3 based on the remaining hot water amount of the water heaters 3 in each of the multiple homes H[i] so that the water heater with the larger remaining hot water amount has a higher priority. Then, the water heater selection unit 118 selects the water heater 3 to be stopped based on the number of units to be stopped and the stop priority. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of hot water shortages in each of the multiple homes H[i] while suppressing the total power of all the water heaters 3 in each of the multiple homes H[i] to be below the reference total power.

In the apartment complex B1, in order to level out the power usage in the entire apartment complex B1 and prevent the peak of power usage from becoming too large, the operation schedule may be set so that the operation timing of the water heaters 3 installed in each house H[i] is dispersed. However, even in this case, for example, when recovery from a long-term power outage or when hot water usage increases more than usual due to the sudden arrival of a cold wave, the water heaters 3 installed in each house H[i] of the apartment complex B1 often ignore the initial operation schedule and immediately operate, prioritizing the prevention of hot water shortage. In this case, the operation timing of the water heaters 3 installed in multiple houses H[i] may overlap, and the power usage of the entire apartment complex B1 may greatly exceed the standard total power. In response to this, the cloud server 1 according to the present embodiment stops the water heaters 3 with the largest remaining hot water amount preferentially based on the remaining hot water amount of the water heaters 3 of each of the multiple houses H[i] so that the total power of the entire water heaters 3 installed in the apartment complex B1 is equal to or less than the standard total power. This makes it possible to prevent hot water shortages in each of the multiple residences H[i] while also reducing the total power consumed by the entire apartment complex B1.

In addition, when the total power of the water heaters 3 in each of the multiple homes H[i] is determined to be equal to or less than the reference total power after the water heater selection unit 118 has selected the water heater 3 to be stopped, the number calculation unit 115 in this embodiment calculates the number of water heaters 3 to be restarted based on the power consumption per water heater 3 and the differential power between the total power and the reference total power. Furthermore, the priority determination unit 117 determines the restart priority when restarting at least one of the stopped water heaters 3 based on the remaining hot water amount of the water heaters 3 in each of the multiple homes H[i] such that the water heater with the smaller remaining hot water amount has a higher priority. Then, the water heater selection unit 118 selects the water heater 3 to be restarted based on the number of water heaters to be restarted and the restart priority. As a result, when the total power of all the operating water heaters 3 falls below the reference total power, the water heaters 3 that have been forcibly stopped so that the total power of all the water heaters 3 does not exceed the reference total power can be restarted preferentially starting with the water heater 3 with the least amount of hot water remaining. This makes it possible to prevent the water heaters 3 that have been forcibly stopped from running out of hot water.

Furthermore, the cloud server 1 according to this embodiment includes an operation restart request acquisition unit 141 that acquires operation restart request information requesting restart of the stopped water heater 3 from the terminal device 7 owned by the user residing in the residence H[i]. The cloud server 1 also includes a water heater identification unit 142 that identifies the water heater 3 with the largest remaining hot water amount among the operating water heaters 3 when the operation restart request acquisition unit 141 acquires the operation restart request information, and a remaining hot water amount determination unit 143 that determines whether the remaining hot water amount of the identified water heater 3 is greater than a reference remaining hot water amount. When the water heater selection unit 118 determines that the remaining hot water amount of the identified water heater 3 is greater than the reference remaining hot water amount, it selects the water heater 3 corresponding to the operation restart request information as the water heater to be restarted, and selects the identified water heater 3 as the water heater to be stopped. As a result, if a user of the water heater 3 needs to operate the water heater 3 after the water heater 3 has been forcibly stopped, the water heater 3 for that user can be operated, thereby improving the convenience of the user of the water heater 3.

The reference total power setting unit 123 according to this embodiment determines the reference total power based on the past actual values of the total power of all the water heaters 3 in the apartment complex B1. This allows the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped among those installed in each of the multiple homes H[i] that make up the apartment complex B1 to be kept at an appropriate number.

Furthermore, the standard total power setting unit 123 according to this embodiment sets the standard total power based on the product of a representative value of past actual values of the total power of all the water heaters 3 in the apartment complex B1 and a preset coefficient. This allows a user belonging to the aggregator to change the coefficient depending on, for example, the season or the area in which the apartment complex B1 is located, thereby setting the standard total power to a value appropriate for the season or the area in which the apartment complex B1 is located.

Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the cloud server may determine the reference total power for the apartment building B1 in which the water heater 3 to be controlled is installed, based on total power information indicating the total power of multiple residences in which the water heater 3 to be controlled is installed, i.e., apartment buildings other than the apartment building B1 in which the water heater 3 to be controlled is installed. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the cloud server 2001 according to this modified example is capable of communicating with the condominium management server 2009 via the wide area network NW1. Note that in FIG. 13, the same components as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3.

The condominium management server 2009 manages information indicating the number of units of the houses constituting the other apartment complex and the number of residents of the other apartment complex in association with apartment complex identification information that identifies each apartment complex. Here, the other apartment complex is, for example, an apartment complex built in the same area as the apartment complex B1 in which the water heater 3 to be controlled by the cloud server 2001 is installed. The condominium management server 2009 also manages total power information indicating the total power equivalent to the sum of the power consumed by the water heaters 3 installed in each of the houses constituting the other apartment complex in association with the apartment complex identification information. Here, it is assumed that the condominium management server 2009 acquires total power request information from the cloud server 2001, which requests the condominium management server 2009 to transmit total power information indicating the total power of the water heaters 3 of other apartment complexes other than the apartment complex in which the water heater 3 to be controlled by the cloud server 2001 is installed. In this case, the condominium management server 2009 selects the total power information of each apartment complex corresponding to the total power request information and the apartment complex identification information corresponding to these, and transmits them to the cloud server 2001. In addition, when condominium management server 2009 acquires from cloud server 2001 unit number request information that requests condominium management server 2009 to transmit unit number information indicating the number of units in each apartment building and occupied unit number information indicating the number of occupied units, it transmits the unit number information and occupied unit number information for each apartment building and the corresponding apartment building identification information to cloud server 2001.

For example, when a user belonging to an aggregator performs an operation on an input unit of the terminal device 7 to update the reference total power, the terminal device 7 transmits reference total power update request information requesting an update of the reference total power to the cloud server 1. The terminal device 7 also has an apartment name storage unit (not shown) that stores apartment name information indicating the names of each of the other apartment buildings in association with the apartment identification information. Then, when the terminal device 7 acquires the total power information, number of occupants information, information indicating the power consumed by the water heater 3 per house, the apartment identification information, and the reference total power information described below from the cloud server 2001, the terminal device 7 refers to the apartment name information stored in the apartment name storage unit, converts the apartment identification information into the corresponding apartment name information, and displays it on the display unit.

The cloud server 2001 according to this modification has a hardware configuration similar to that of the cloud server 1 described in the embodiment. Hereinafter, the hardware configuration similar to that of the cloud server 1 described in the embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2. The CPU 101 functions as a total power acquisition unit 2124, a power calculation unit 2125, a power notification unit 2122, and a reference total power setting unit 2123 by reading a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executing it. The auxiliary storage unit 103 also has a total power storage unit 2137. As shown in FIG. 14, for example, the total power storage unit 2137 stores total power information corresponding to the sum of the power consumed by the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple houses constituting the multiple housing complex for each of the multiple housing complexes in association with the collective housing identification information identifying the collective housing complex and the collective housing name information indicating the name of the collective housing complex. The total power storage unit 2137 also stores information indicating the number of houses constituting the other collective housing complexes and the number of occupants in the other collective housing complexes in association with the collective housing identification information identifying each collective housing complex. Here, "number of occupied units" refers to the number of units in other housing complexes that are actually occupied by people.

Returning to FIG. 13, the total power acquisition unit 2124 acquires total power information indicating the total power of a second group of houses consisting of a plurality of houses in which water heaters different from the first group of houses consisting of a plurality of houses for which the reference total power setting unit 2123 determines the reference power. Here, the first group of houses and the second group of houses each correspond to an apartment building. Specifically, when the total power acquisition unit 2124 acquires a reference total power update request transmitted from the terminal device 7, it transmits the above-mentioned total power request information to the apartment building management server 2009. As a result, the total power acquisition unit 2124 acquires the total power information of the water heaters 3 in each apartment building and the corresponding apartment building identification information from the apartment building management server 2009. The total power acquisition unit 2124 stores the acquired total power information and the apartment building identification information in the total power storage unit 2137 in association with each other, and notifies the power calculation unit 2125 of the total power information.

When the number of units acquisition unit 2126 acquires a reference total power update request sent from the terminal device 7, it transmits the above-mentioned number of units request information to the condominium management server 2009. As a result, the number of units acquisition unit 2126 acquires number of units information indicating the number of units in the apartment building in which the water heater 3 to be controlled is installed and other apartment buildings in which the water heater 3 is installed, number of occupied units information indicating the number of occupied units, and apartment building identification information. The number of units acquisition unit 2126 stores the acquired number of units information, number of occupied units information, and apartment building identification information in correspondence with each other in the total power storage unit 2137, and notifies the power calculation unit 2125 of the number of occupied units information. The number of units acquisition unit 2126 also notifies the reference total power setting unit 2123 of the number of occupied units information of the apartment building in which the water heater 3 to be controlled is installed.

The power calculation unit 2125 calculates the power consumed by the water heater 3 per household by dividing the average value of the total power of the water heaters 3 of the other apartment buildings by the number of households indicated by the information on the number of occupants of that apartment building. The power calculation unit 2125 stores the calculated power in the total power storage unit 2137 in association with the apartment building identification information of the corresponding apartment building.

The reference total power setting unit 2123 sets the reference total power based on the total power indicated by the total power information for other apartment buildings and the information on the number of occupants. Specifically, the reference total power setting unit 2123 calculates the reference total power as the power equivalent to the product of the power consumed by the water heater 3 per house calculated by the power calculation unit 2125 and the number of occupants indicated by the information on the number of occupants in the apartment building B1 in which the water heater 3 to be controlled is installed and notified by the number of units acquisition unit 2126. The reference total power setting unit 2123 then stores the reference total power information indicating the calculated reference total power in the reference total power storage unit 132.

When the standard total power setting unit 2123 stores new standard total power information in the standard total power storage unit 132, the power notification unit 2122 accordingly acquires the total power information, number of occupants information, information indicating the power consumed by the water heater 3 per unit, and apartment identification information for each of the other apartment buildings stored in the total power storage unit 2137, as well as the standard total power information stored in the standard total power storage unit 132. The power notification unit 2122 then transmits the acquired total power information, number of occupants information, information indicating the power consumed by the water heater 3 per unit, and standard total power information to the terminal device 7.

The terminal device 7 then displays an operation screen image GA2, for example as shown in FIG. 15, on the display unit. The operation screen image GA2 includes a message image M21 that provides an explanation of the information to be displayed on the display unit, and a message image M22 that includes information indicating the names of the other apartment buildings, the total power, the number of occupants, and the power consumed by the water heater 3 per unit. The operation screen image GA2 also includes a message image M23 that includes the number of occupants and reference total power of apartment building B1 in which the water heater 3 to be controlled by the cloud server 2001 is installed.

According to this configuration, the standard total power can be appropriately set based on the total power consumed by all the water heaters 3 in the other apartment buildings. Furthermore, the standard total power setting unit 2123 determines the standard total power based on the power per household obtained by dividing the total power of the other apartment buildings by the number of households indicated by the information on the number of occupied households in the other apartment buildings. This makes it possible to exclude homes that no longer have residents due to moving, for example, when calculating the power consumed by the water heaters 3 in one residence, and therefore allows the standard total power to be set more appropriately.

In the above-mentioned modified example, the power calculation unit 2125 may calculate the power consumed by the water heater 3 per occupied residence, for example, by dividing the median or maximum value of the total power of the water heaters 3 of the other apartment buildings by the number of units indicated in the information on the number of occupied units of the apartment building. Alternatively, the power calculation unit 2125 may calculate the power consumed by the water heater 3 per residence, for example, by dividing the average, median or maximum value of the total power of the water heaters 3 of the other apartment buildings by the number of units in the apartment building.

In addition, in the above-mentioned modified example, a user belonging to the aggregator may be able to select one total power from the total power of each of the other apartment buildings and set it as the reference total power. Furthermore, a total power management server that manages the total power of not only other apartment buildings but also an entire area where a group of houses consisting of multiple detached houses or a group of houses consisting of multiple detached houses and an apartment building such as an condominium is present is connected to the wide area network NW1. In this case, the cloud server 2001 may obtain total power information of the entire area where a group of houses consisting of multiple detached houses or a group of houses consisting of multiple detached houses and an apartment building such as an condominium is present from this total power management server.

In the embodiment, the cloud server may have a function of notifying the terminal device 8 carried by the user of the hot water heater 3 when a disaster occurs. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the cloud server 3001 according to this modified example can communicate with the weather server 3010 via the wide area network NW1. In FIG. 16, the same components as those in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3. When a disaster occurs, the weather server 3010 broadcasts disaster information to the cloud server 3001 connected to the wide area network NW1. When the terminal device 8 carried by the user of the hot water heater 3 residing in the dwelling acquires the disaster information transmitted from the cloud server 1, the terminal device 8 displays on the display unit an operation screen image GA31 including a message image M31 that asks the user whether or not to evacuate, as shown in FIG. 17(A). In addition, the operation screen image GA31 includes two types of button images BU31 and BU32 that indicate "Yes" and "No". Here, when the user touches a portion of the input section that corresponds to button image BU31, terminal device 8 generates stop instruction information including water heater identification information of the water heater 3 used by the user and transmits it to cloud server 3001. After that, terminal device 8 displays on the display section an operation screen image GA32 including a message image M32 that notifies the user that the water heater 3 will be stopped, as shown in FIG. 17(B).

The cloud server 3001 according to this modification has the same hardware configuration as the cloud server 1 described in the embodiment. Hereinafter, the same hardware configuration as the cloud server 1 described in the embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2. The CPU 101 reads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes it, thereby functioning as a disaster information notification unit 3127, an instruction information acquisition unit 3128, and a water heater selection unit 3118, as shown in FIG. 16. When the disaster information notification unit 3127 acquires disaster information transmitted from the weather server 3010, it transmits the acquired disaster information to the terminal device 8 held by the user of the water heater 3. The instruction information acquisition unit 3128 acquires stop instruction information that instructs the user of the water heater 3 residing in the dwelling unit to stop the water heater 3, which is transmitted via the terminal device 8 in response to the disaster information. Then, the instruction information acquisition unit 3128 notifies the water heater selection unit 3118 of the acquired stop instruction information. The water heater selection unit 3118 selects the water heater 3 to be stopped based on the stop instruction information notified from the instruction information acquisition unit 3128. Here, the water heater selection unit 3118 selects the water heater 3 identified by the water heater identification information included in the stop instruction information as the water heater 3 to be stopped. Then, the command unit 119 transmits the stop instruction information to the water heater 3 selected by the water heater selection unit 3118.

This configuration can prevent the water heater 3 from continuing to operate unnecessarily in a home where users are away from home due to a disaster, thereby reducing the total power consumed by all the water heaters 3 in the apartment building.

In an embodiment, for example, a cloud server may monitor the amount of hot water supplied by the water heaters 3 in each of a plurality of houses, and if there is a water heater whose amount of hot water supplied is less than a preset reference amount of hot water supplied, the water heater 3 may be stopped. As shown in FIG. 18, the water heater 4003 in this modified example includes a hot water supply amount measuring unit 33 that measures the amount of hot water supplied from a hot water outlet pipe provided in the hot water storage tank of the water heater 4003. The hot water supply amount measuring unit 33 is connected to the controller 31 via a communication line, and periodically outputs hot water supply amount information indicating the measured amount of hot water supplied to the controller 31. The controller 31 periodically transmits the hot water supply amount information indicating the amount of hot water supplied by the water heater 4003 to the cloud server 4001.

The cloud server 4001 according to this modification has the same hardware configuration as the cloud server 1 described in the embodiment. Hereinafter, the same hardware configuration as the cloud server 1 described in the embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2. The CPU 101 functions as a hot water supply amount acquisition unit 4129 and a water heater selection unit 4118 by reading a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executing it. The auxiliary storage unit 103 also has a hot water supply amount storage unit 4138 that stores hot water supply amount information indicating the amount of hot water supply in each of the multiple residences. The hot water supply amount storage unit 4138 stores hot water supply amount information indicating the amount of hot water supply in each time period previously set for the water heaters 3 installed in each of the multiple residences in association with the water heater identification information, as shown in FIG. 19, for example.

Returning to FIG. 18, the hot water supply amount acquisition unit 4129 acquires hot water supply information periodically transmitted from the hot water heater 3 of each of the multiple residences, and stores the acquired hot water supply information in the hot water supply amount storage unit 4138 in association with the hot water heater identification information of the transmitting hot water heater 3. If there is a hot water heater 3 whose hot water supply amount is less than a preset reference hot water supply amount based on the hot water supply amount information stored in the hot water supply amount storage unit 4138, the hot water heater selection unit 4118 selects that water heater 3 as the water heater 3 to be stopped. On the other hand, if there is a water heater 3 whose hot water supply amount has increased from less than the reference hot water supply amount to equal to or greater than the reference hot water supply amount based on the hot water supply amount information stored in the hot water supply amount storage unit 4138, the hot water heater selection unit 4118 selects that water heater 3 as the water heater 3 to be started.

Next, the water heater control process executed by the cloud server 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 20. In FIG. 20, the same processes as those in the water heater control process described in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12. First, the power acquisition unit 112 determines whether or not a predetermined water heater stop determination time has arrived (step S101). When the power acquisition unit 112 determines that the water heater stop determination time has arrived (step S101: Yes), a series of processes from step S102 to step S111 are executed. Then, the process of step S4103 described later is executed. On the other hand, it is assumed that the power acquisition unit 112 determines that the water heater stop determination time has not yet arrived (step S101: No). In this case, the water heater selection unit 4118 determines whether or not there is a water heater 3 whose hot water supply amount is less than the predetermined reference hot water supply amount (step S4101). Here, if the water heater selection unit 4118 determines that there is no water heater 3 whose hot water supply amount is less than the reference hot water supply amount (step S4101: No), the processing of step S4103 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the water heater selection unit 4118 determines that there is a water heater 3 whose hot water supply amount is less than the reference hot water supply amount (step S4101: Yes), it selects that water heater 3 as the water heater 3 to be stopped. Then, the command unit 119 transmits stop command information to the water heater 3 selected by the water heater selection unit 4118 as the water heater 3 to be stopped (step S4102). Next, a series of processes from step S102 to step S111 are executed.

Then, the water heater selection unit 4118 judges whether or not there is a water heater 3 whose hot water supply amount has increased from less than the reference hot water supply amount to equal to or more than the reference hot water supply amount (step S4103). Here, if the water heater selection unit 4118 judges that there is no water heater 3 whose hot water supply amount has increased to equal to or more than the reference hot water supply amount (step S4103: No), the processing from step S112 onwards is executed as it is. On the other hand, if the water heater selection unit 4118 judges that there is a water heater 3 whose hot water supply amount has increased to equal to or more than the reference hot water supply amount (step S4103: Yes), it selects that water heater 3 as the water heater 3 to start operating. Then, the command unit 119 transmits operation start command information to the water heater 3 selected by the water heater selection unit 4118 as the water heater 3 to start operating (step S4104). Next, the processing from step S112 onwards is executed.

With this configuration, the operating state of the water heater 3 is changed in response to the amount of hot water supplied from the water heater 3, so the water heater 3 can be operated appropriately according to the user's lifestyle pattern.

In an embodiment, the number calculation unit 115 may switch the power consumed by one water heater 3 used when calculating the number of water heaters 3 to be stopped to a different power value depending on the season. Specifically, the number calculation unit 115 may set the power consumption of one water heater 3 in winter to 1.2 times the power consumption in other seasons, for example.

In the embodiment, an example has been described in which a user belonging to an aggregator can set the reference total power individually for each of a plurality of time periods. However, this is not limited to this, and a user belonging to an aggregator may be able to set the reference total power individually for each of a plurality of seasons. For example, a user can set a low reference total power for the summer when hot water usage is low, and a high reference total power for the winter when hot water usage is high. In this case, the reference total power storage unit 132 may store multiple types of reference total power information in association with seasonal information indicating the corresponding season. Then, the power determination unit 114 may select the reference total power information to be adopted based on the date and time measured by the clock unit 108 and the seasonal information.

The various functions of the cloud servers 1, 2001, 3001, and 4001 according to the present disclosure may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. In this case, the software or firmware may be written as a program, and the program may be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or an MO (Magneto-Optical Disc), and the program may be read and installed on a computer to configure a computer capable of realizing each of the above-mentioned functions. In addition, when each function is realized by sharing the work between an OS (Operating System) and an application, or by cooperation between an OS and an application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored on the recording medium.

Furthermore, each program can be superimposed on a carrier wave and distributed over a network. For example, the program can be posted on a bulletin board (BBS, Bulletin Board System) on the network and distributed over the network. These programs can then be started and run under the control of the OS in the same way as other application programs, thereby enabling the above-mentioned processing to be performed.

This disclosure is suitable as a hot water system that controls hot water heaters installed in each residence in an apartment complex that has a bulk power receiving contract with an electric power company.

1,2001,3001,4001 Cloud server, 3,4003 Water heater, 4 Electrical equipment, 7,8 Terminal device, 21 Distribution board, 22 Power measurement device, 31 Controller, 32 Remaining hot water amount measurement unit, 33 Hot water amount measurement unit, 39,229 Communication adapter, 101 CPU, 102 Main memory unit, 103 Auxiliary memory unit, 106 Wide area communication unit, 108 Timekeeping unit, 109 Bus, 112 Power acquisition unit, 113 Total power calculation unit, 114 Power judgment unit, 115 Number calculation unit, 116 Remaining hot water amount acquisition unit, 117 Priority order determination unit, 118,3118,4118 Water heater selection unit, 119 Command unit, 120 Operation state acquisition unit, 121 Operation state judgment unit, 122,2122 Power notification unit, 123, 2123 Reference total power setting unit, 131 Power storage unit, 132 Reference total power storage unit, 133 Remaining hot water storage unit, 134 Priority order storage unit, 135 Operation state storage unit, 141 Operation restart request acquisition unit, 142 Water heater identification unit, 143 Remaining hot water amount determination unit, 144 Disapproval notification unit, 2009 Condominium management server, 2124 Total power acquisition unit, 2125 Power calculation unit, 2126 Number of households acquisition unit, 2137 Total power storage unit, 3010 Weather server, 3127 Disaster information notification unit, 3128 Instruction information acquisition unit, 4129 Hot water supply amount acquisition unit, 4138 Hot water supply amount storage unit, B1 Apartment building, B11, B12, B13 Input field, BU31, BU32 Button image, GA2, GA11, GA12, GA31, GA32 Operation screen image, H[0], H[1], H[i] House, M11, M12, M13, M21, M22, M23, M31, M32 Message image, NW1 Wide area network, NW2 Local network, PS System power supply

Claims (18)

a power acquisition unit that acquires power information indicating power consumed by the water heater in each of a plurality of homes in which the water heater is installed;
a total power calculation unit that calculates a total power equivalent to a sum of the power consumed by the water heaters of each of the plurality of houses;
a power determination unit that determines whether the total power exceeds a preset reference total power;
a number-of-units calculation unit that, when it is determined that the total power exceeds the reference total power, calculates a number of water heaters to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters to be stopped, based on the power consumption per water heater and the differential power between the total power and the reference total power, so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power;
a remaining hot water amount acquiring unit that acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating a remaining hot water amount of the hot water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
a priority order determination unit that determines a priority order for stopping at least one of the hot water heaters in each of the plurality of houses based on the amount of remaining hot water such that a hot water heater having a larger amount of remaining hot water is assigned a higher priority;
a water heater selection unit that selects the water heater to be stopped based on the number of stopped units and the stop priority order after the number of stopped units is calculated ;
an operation restart request acquisition unit that acquires operation restart request information that requests restart of the water heater that has been stopped;
a water heater identification unit that identifies the water heater with the largest amount of remaining hot water from among the plurality of water heaters in operation;
a remaining hot water amount determination unit that determines whether the remaining hot water amount of the water heater identified by the water heater identification unit is greater than a predetermined reference remaining hot water amount,
When it is determined that the remaining hot water amount of the identified hot water heater is greater than the reference remaining hot water amount, the hot water heater selection unit selects the hot water heater corresponding to the operation restart request information as the hot water heater to be restarted, and selects the identified hot water heater as the hot water heater to be stopped .
Water heater control device. a power acquisition unit that acquires power information indicating power consumed by the water heater in each of a plurality of homes in which the water heater is installed;
a total power calculation unit that calculates a total power equivalent to a sum of the power consumed by the water heaters of each of the plurality of houses;
a power determination unit that determines whether the total power exceeds a preset reference total power;
a number-of-units calculation unit that, when it is determined that the total power exceeds the reference total power, calculates a number of water heaters to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters to be stopped, based on the power consumption per water heater and the differential power between the total power and the reference total power, so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power;
a remaining hot water amount acquiring unit that acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating a remaining hot water amount of the hot water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
a priority order determination unit that determines a priority order for stopping at least one of the hot water heaters in each of the plurality of houses based on the amount of remaining hot water such that a hot water heater having a larger amount of remaining hot water is assigned a higher priority;
a water heater selection unit that selects the water heater to be stopped based on the number of stopped units and the stop priority order after the number of stopped units is calculated;
a total power acquisition unit that acquires total power information indicating the total power of a second housing group consisting of a plurality of other housings in which the water heater is installed, the second housing group being different from a first housing group consisting of the plurality of housings for which the reference total power is to be set;
and a reference total power setting unit that determines the reference total power based on the total power information about the other homes.
Water heater control device. the reference total power setting unit sets the reference total power based on an average value of the total power of the second group of homes.
The water heater control device according to claim 2 . A number of houses acquisition unit that acquires occupied house number information indicating the number of houses in the second housing group that are actually occupied by people,
the reference total power setting unit determines the reference total power based on the power per household obtained by dividing the total power of the second group of houses by the number of houses indicated by the previously recorded number-of-houses information of the second group of houses.
The water heater control device according to claim 2 or 3 . a power acquisition unit that acquires power information indicating power consumed by the water heater in each of a plurality of homes in which the water heater is installed;
a total power calculation unit that calculates a total power equivalent to a sum of the power consumed by the water heaters of each of the plurality of houses;
a power determination unit that determines whether the total power exceeds a preset reference total power;
a number-of-units calculation unit that, when it is determined that the total power exceeds the reference total power, calculates a number of water heaters to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters to be stopped, based on the power consumption per water heater and the differential power between the total power and the reference total power, so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power;
a remaining hot water amount acquiring unit that acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating a remaining hot water amount of the hot water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
a priority order determination unit that determines a priority order for stopping at least one of the hot water heaters in each of the plurality of houses based on the amount of remaining hot water such that a hot water heater having a larger amount of remaining hot water is assigned a higher priority;
a water heater selection unit that selects the water heater to be stopped based on the number of stopped units and the stop priority order after the number of stopped units is calculated;
a reference total power setting unit that determines an average, median or maximum value of past actual values of total power as a reference total power every time a preset reference total power update time arrives;
Water heater control device. a power acquisition unit that acquires power information indicating power consumed by the water heater in each of a plurality of homes in which the water heater is installed;
a total power calculation unit that calculates a total power equivalent to a sum of the power consumed by the water heaters of each of the plurality of houses;
a power determination unit that determines whether the total power exceeds a preset reference total power;
a number-of-units calculation unit that, when it is determined that the total power exceeds the reference total power, calculates a number of water heaters to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters to be stopped, based on the power consumption per water heater and the differential power between the total power and the reference total power, so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power;
a remaining hot water amount acquiring unit that acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating a remaining hot water amount of the hot water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
a priority order determination unit that determines a priority order for stopping at least one of the hot water heaters in each of the plurality of houses based on the amount of remaining hot water such that a hot water heater having a larger amount of remaining hot water is assigned a higher priority;
a water heater selection unit that selects the water heater to be stopped based on the number of stopped units and the stop priority order after the number of stopped units is calculated;
a hot water supply amount acquisition unit that acquires hot water supply amount information indicating the hot water supply amount of the hot water heater of each of the plurality of houses,
the water heater selection unit determines whether or not there is a water heater whose hot water supply amount is less than a predetermined standard hot water supply amount based on the hot water supply amount information each time a predetermined water heater stop determination time arrives, and when it determines that there is a water heater whose hot water supply amount is less than the standard hot water supply amount, selects the water heater whose hot water supply amount is less than the standard hot water supply amount as the water heater to be stopped;
Water heater control device. when it is determined that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power after the water heater selection unit has selected the water heater to be stopped, the number calculation unit calculates a number of water heaters to be restarted, which is the number of water heaters to be restarted, based on the power consumption per water heater and a differential power between the total power and the reference total power;
the priority order determination unit determines an operation restart priority order for restarting at least one of the stopped hot water heaters based on the amount of remaining hot water such that a hot water heater having a smaller amount of remaining hot water is assigned a higher priority;
After the number of restarted units is calculated, the water heater selection unit selects the water heater to be restarted based on the number of restarted units and the operation restart priority order.
The water heater control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . a reference total power setting unit that determines the reference total power based on a past actual value of the total power,
The water heater control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 7 . the reference total power setting unit sets the reference total power based on a product of a representative value of actual values of the total power and a preset coefficient.
The water heater control device according to claim 8 . a disaster information notification unit that acquires disaster information and transmits it to a terminal device carried by a user of the water heater;
and an instruction information acquisition unit that acquires stop instruction information that instructs the user to stop the water heater, the stop instruction information being transmitted via the terminal device in response to the disaster information,
When the instruction information acquisition unit acquires the stop instruction information, the water heater selection unit selects the water heater to be stopped based on the stop instruction information.
The water heater control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . a hot water supply amount acquisition unit that acquires hot water supply amount information indicating the hot water supply amount of the hot water heater of each of the plurality of houses;
the water heater selection unit, when there is a water heater whose hot water supply amount is less than a preset standard hot water supply amount based on the hot water supply amount information, selects the water heater whose hot water supply amount is less than the standard hot water supply amount as the water heater to be stopped;
The water heater control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 7 to 10 . A water heater installed in each of a plurality of residences;
a power acquisition unit that acquires power information indicating power consumed by the water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
a total power calculation unit that calculates a total power equivalent to a sum of the power consumed by the water heaters of each of the plurality of houses;
a power determination unit that determines whether the total power exceeds a preset reference total power;
a number-of-units calculation unit that, when it is determined that the total power exceeds the reference total power, calculates a number of water heaters to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters to be stopped, based on the power consumption per water heater and the differential power between the total power and the reference total power, so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power;
a remaining hot water amount acquiring unit that acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating a remaining hot water amount of the hot water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
a priority order determination unit that determines a priority order for stopping at least one of the hot water heaters in each of the plurality of houses based on the amount of remaining hot water such that a hot water heater having a larger amount of remaining hot water is assigned a higher priority;
a water heater selection unit that selects the water heater to be stopped based on the number of stopped units and the stop priority order after the number of stopped units is calculated ;
an operation restart request acquisition unit that acquires operation restart request information that requests restart of the water heater that has been stopped;
a water heater identification unit that identifies the water heater with the largest amount of remaining hot water from among the plurality of water heaters in operation;
a remaining hot water amount determination unit that determines whether the remaining hot water amount of the water heater identified by the water heater identification unit is greater than a predetermined reference remaining hot water amount,
When it is determined that the remaining hot water amount of the identified hot water heater is greater than the reference remaining hot water amount, the hot water heater selection unit selects the hot water heater corresponding to the operation restart request information as the hot water heater to be restarted, and selects the identified hot water heater as the hot water heater to be stopped .
Hot water system. A water heater installed in each of a plurality of residences;
a power acquisition unit that acquires power information indicating power consumed by the water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
a total power calculation unit that calculates a total power equivalent to a sum of the power consumed by the water heaters of each of the plurality of houses;
a power determination unit that determines whether the total power exceeds a preset reference total power;
a number-of-units calculation unit that, when it is determined that the total power exceeds the reference total power, calculates a number of water heaters to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters to be stopped, based on the power consumption per water heater and the differential power between the total power and the reference total power, so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power;
a remaining hot water amount acquiring unit that acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating a remaining hot water amount of the hot water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
a priority order determination unit that determines a priority order for stopping at least one of the hot water heaters in each of the plurality of houses based on the amount of remaining hot water such that a hot water heater having a larger amount of remaining hot water is assigned a higher priority;
a water heater selection unit that selects the water heater to be stopped based on the number of stopped units and the stop priority order after the number of stopped units is calculated;
a total power acquisition unit that acquires total power information indicating the total power of a second housing group consisting of a plurality of other housings in which the water heater is installed, the second housing group being different from a first housing group consisting of the plurality of housings for which the reference total power is to be set;
a reference total power setting unit that determines the reference total power based on the total power information about the other homes.
Hot water system. A water heater installed in each of a plurality of residences;
A terminal device having a display unit and an input unit;
a power acquisition unit that acquires power information indicating power consumed by the water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
a total power calculation unit that calculates a total power equivalent to a sum of the power consumed by the water heaters of each of the plurality of houses;
a power determination unit that determines whether the total power exceeds a preset reference total power;
a number-of-units calculation unit that, when it is determined that the total power exceeds the reference total power, calculates a number of water heaters to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters to be stopped, based on the power consumption per water heater and the differential power between the total power and the reference total power, so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power;
a remaining hot water amount acquiring unit that acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating a remaining hot water amount of the hot water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
a priority order determination unit that determines a priority order for stopping at least one of the hot water heaters in each of the plurality of houses based on the amount of remaining hot water such that a hot water heater having a larger amount of remaining hot water is assigned a higher priority;
a water heater selection unit that selects the water heater to be stopped based on the number of stopped units and the stop priority order after the number of stopped units is calculated;
a reference total power setting unit that sets the reference total power every time a preset reference total power update time arrives, based on a product of an average, median or maximum value of past actual values of the total power and a coefficient indicated by coefficient information transmitted from the terminal device,
the terminal device causes the display unit to display the actual value of the total power, and when the coefficient is input via the input unit, transmits coefficient information indicating the input coefficient.
Hot water system. A step in which the hot water supply system acquires power information indicating power consumed by the hot water heater in each of a plurality of residences in which the hot water heater is installed;
A step of calculating a total power consumption corresponding to a sum of the power consumption by the hot water heaters of each of the plurality of residences by the hot water supply system ;
A step of determining whether the total power exceeds a preset reference total power by the hot water supply system ;
When the hot water supply system determines that the total power exceeds the reference total power, it calculates a number of water heaters to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters to be stopped, based on the power consumption per water heater and the differential power between the total power and the reference total power, so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power;
The hot water supply system acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating a remaining amount of hot water in the hot water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
determining a stop priority order for stopping at least one of the water heaters in each of the plurality of houses based on the amount of remaining hot water, such that a water heater having a larger amount of remaining hot water is assigned a higher priority;
a step of the hot water supply system selecting the hot water heater to be stopped based on the number of stopped units and the stop priority order after the number of stopped units is calculated;
A step in which the hot water supply system acquires operation restart request information requesting restart of the hot water supply device that has been stopped;
The hot water supply system identifies the hot water supply device with the largest amount of remaining hot water from among the plurality of hot water supply devices in operation;
A step of determining whether the remaining hot water amount of the identified hot water heater is greater than a predetermined reference remaining hot water amount by the hot water supply system;
and when the hot water supply system determines that the remaining hot water amount of the identified hot water heater is greater than the reference remaining hot water amount, selecting the hot water heater corresponding to the operation restart request information as the hot water heater to be restarted, and selecting the identified hot water heater as the hot water heater to be stopped .
A water heater control method. A step in which the hot water supply system acquires power information indicating power consumed by the hot water heater in each of a plurality of residences in which the hot water heater is installed;
A step of calculating a total power consumption corresponding to a sum of the power consumption by the hot water heaters of each of the plurality of residences by the hot water supply system;
A step of determining whether the total power exceeds a preset reference total power by the hot water supply system;
When the hot water supply system determines that the total power exceeds the reference total power, it calculates a number of water heaters to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters to be stopped, based on the power consumption per water heater and the differential power between the total power and the reference total power, so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power;
The hot water supply system acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating a remaining amount of hot water in the hot water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
determining a stop priority order for stopping at least one of the water heaters in each of the plurality of houses based on the amount of remaining hot water, such that a water heater having a larger amount of remaining hot water is assigned a higher priority;
a step of the hot water supply system selecting the hot water heater to be stopped based on the number of stopped units and the stop priority order after the number of stopped units is calculated;
a step in which the hot water supply system acquires total power information indicating the total power of a second home group consisting of a plurality of homes in which the hot water heater is installed, the second home group being different from a first home group consisting of the plurality of homes for which the reference total power is set;
determining the reference total power based on the total power information for the other residences;
A water heater control method. Computer,
a power acquisition unit that acquires power information indicating power consumed by the water heater in each of a plurality of residences in which the water heater is installed;
a total power calculation unit that calculates a total power equivalent to the sum of the power consumed by the water heaters of each of the plurality of houses;
a power determination unit that determines whether the total power exceeds a preset reference total power;
a number-of-units calculation unit that calculates, when it is determined that the total power exceeds the reference total power, a number of water heaters to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters to be stopped, based on a power consumption per water heater and a differential power between the total power and the reference total power, so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power;
a remaining hot water amount acquiring unit that acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating a remaining hot water amount of the hot water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
a priority order determination unit that determines a priority order for stopping at least one of the hot water heaters in each of the plurality of houses based on the amount of remaining hot water such that a hot water heater having a larger amount of remaining hot water is assigned a higher priority;
a water heater selection unit that selects the water heater to be stopped based on the number of stopped units and the stop priority order after the number of stopped units is calculated;
an operation restart request acquisition unit that acquires operation restart request information that requests restart of the water heater that has been stopped;
a water heater identification unit that identifies the water heater with the largest amount of remaining hot water from among the plurality of water heaters in operation;
a remaining hot water amount determination unit that determines whether the remaining hot water amount of the hot water heater identified by the hot water heater identification unit is greater than a predetermined reference remaining hot water amount;
A program for causing the device to function as a
When it is determined that the remaining hot water amount of the identified hot water heater is greater than the reference remaining hot water amount, the hot water heater selection unit selects the hot water heater corresponding to the operation restart request information as the hot water heater to be restarted, and selects the identified hot water heater as the hot water heater to be stopped .
program . Computer,
a power acquisition unit that acquires power information indicating power consumed by the water heater in each of a plurality of residences in which the water heater is installed;
a total power calculation unit that calculates a total power equivalent to the sum of the power consumed by the water heaters of each of the plurality of houses;
a power determination unit that determines whether the total power exceeds a preset reference total power;
a number-of-units calculation unit that calculates, when it is determined that the total power exceeds the reference total power, a number of water heaters to be stopped, which is the number of water heaters to be stopped, based on a power consumption per water heater and a differential power between the total power and the reference total power, so that the total power is equal to or less than the reference total power;
a remaining hot water amount acquiring unit that acquires remaining hot water amount information indicating a remaining hot water amount of the hot water heater in each of the plurality of residences;
a priority order determination unit that determines a priority order for stopping at least one of the hot water heaters in each of the plurality of houses based on the amount of remaining hot water such that a hot water heater having a larger amount of remaining hot water is assigned a higher priority;
a water heater selection unit that selects the water heater to be stopped based on the number of stopped units and the stop priority order after the number of stopped units is calculated;
a total power acquisition unit that acquires total power information indicating the total power of a second home group consisting of a plurality of homes in which the water heater is installed, the second home group being different from a first home group consisting of the plurality of homes for which the reference total power is to be set;
a reference total power setting unit that determines the reference total power based on the total power information about the other plurality of residences;
A program to function as a

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