JP7350693B2 - Power monitoring and control device and power monitoring and control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power monitoring and control device for distributed power supply equipment. In detail, power monitoring control that acquires power information such as current value, power value, and power amount necessary for operational control of a household fuel cell cogeneration system, which is an example of distributed power supply equipment, via wireless communication. The present invention relates to a device and a power monitoring and control program.

(Existing equipment)

In addition to commercial power sources, buildings are equipped with so-called distributed power sources, such as solar power generation, storage batteries, cogeneration systems that generate electricity using gas engines and fuel cells, and utilize waste heat. It is important to monitor such matters. For example, a distributed power source such as a cogeneration system is installed in a control system of a distributed power source such as a cogeneration system by attaching a clamp-type current sensor to a building's distribution board, etc., and wiring work that penetrates the wall of the building. By connecting it, it was common to monitor overcurrent, reverse power flow, etc.

By the way, if it is possible to directly acquire data on the power usage status of a building from a smart meter or indirectly from a home controller such as a HEMS (Home Energy Management System), it is possible to Although it is possible to omit the work of attaching the type current sensor to a distribution board or the like and the work of wiring penetrating the wall of a building, this has not yet been realized.

Note that smart meter information acquisition has communication paths of A route, B route, and C route.

Route A is a communication route that connects the smart meter and the power company, route B is a communication route that connects the smart meter and HEMS, etc., and route C is the communication route that connects the smart meter and HEMS, etc., and route C is the communication route that connects the smart meter and the power company. This is a communication route for providing information to three parties (retail electricity companies, etc.).

As a reference regarding smart meters, Patent Document 1 provides a distribution board that can prevent enlargement even when it accommodates equipment that manages both power consumption data of branch power lines and power amount data from smart meters. Are listed.

More specifically, Patent Document 1 describes a main breaker, a plurality of branch breakers connected to the main bar, a current sensor unit that measures the current flowing through each branch breaker, and a current sensor unit installed at a site adjacent to the branch breaker. and a power information transmitting unit equipped with a power information output section that receives branch current information measured by the current sensor unit, calculates and outputs power usage for each branch circuit, and the power information transmitting unit is connected to the main bar. between the smart meter installed on the primary side of the main breaker via the connected main bar and G3-PLC (Power Line Communication) or Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network). It is described that B route communication is performed in any of the communications, and in addition to the power amount data obtained through the communication, the power consumption data of the branch electric circuit obtained from the current sensor unit is outputted to the outside.

In addition, as a conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, a power information transmission unit installed in a distribution board performs B route communication with a smart meter using either G3PLC or Wi-SUN wireless communication. The relationship between the transmitting unit and the distributed power source is not described.

Here, if it is assumed that a control system of a distributed power source such as a cogeneration system directly acquires power information from a smart meter via B route communication, problems with wireless communication may occur. Alternatively, it is assumed that the control system of a distributed power source such as a cogeneration system acquires power information indirectly from the smart meter to the HEMS via B route communication, and from the HEMS via specified low power communication, etc. In some cases, wireless communication issues may arise.

When acquiring power information in a control system on the side of a distributed power source such as a cogeneration system, the shorter the acquisition interval, the higher the followability of the power information. Further, by obtaining two pieces of power information, a current value and a power value, control followability can be further improved.

On the other hand, for Route B and specified low-power wireless communications, communication periods are limited by various standards in order to avoid radio wave interference with other devices and ensure processing speed of smart meters and HEMS. Therefore, as an example of the default interval for acquiring current values and power values from smart meters via wireless communication (specific low power wireless communication, Wi-SUN wireless communication/B route), communication is performed once every 30 seconds. Get by frequency. If information on current values and power values can be acquired at a frequency of about 30 seconds/time, power generation can be controlled in accordance with the power consumed in the building.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-075895

However, if distributed power sources are continuously used, the timing of communication of other devices (A route communication, B route communication, specified low power wireless communication) overlaps, resulting in radio wave interference or communication standby to avoid interference. It is assumed that communication may fail due to control (carrier sense). Therefore, in a system that communicates at a constant frequency, radio wave interference may occur, and distributed power sources may not be able to obtain power information as frequently as necessary. In other words, sufficient followability of power information may not be obtained.

An object of the present invention is to obtain a power monitoring and control device and a power monitoring and control program that can improve the followability of power information compared to the case where power information is acquired from a smart meter at a constant communication frequency. .

The power monitoring and control device according to the present invention performs wireless communication for acquiring power information from a smart meter connected to a power drop-in line for drawing commercial power into a building at a period determined according to the power information. a communication unit to be executed; and if the communication unit fails to acquire the power information, the power information is limited compared to before the failure, and wireless communication is executed at a cycle according to the limited power information. , a communication control section that controls the communication section.

According to the present invention, wireless communication for acquiring power information from a smart meter connected to a power lead-in line for drawing commercial power into a building is performed at a predetermined period according to the power information. When the communication unit fails to acquire power information, the communication unit is controlled to limit the power information compared to before the failure and perform wireless communication at a cycle according to the limited power information. This improves the followability of the power information compared to the case where the power information is acquired from the smart meter at regular intervals.

In the present invention, the power information acquired by the communication unit includes a plurality of pieces of information regarding power, and when the communication control unit fails to acquire the power information, The communication unit is controlled to perform wireless communication at a period according to the limited information.

In the present invention, the communication control unit controls the communication unit to acquire the plurality of pieces of information at once at a cycle according to the plurality of pieces of information until acquisition of the power information fails; If the acquisition of the power information fails, the communication unit is controlled to acquire the single information at a cycle shortened according to the single information smaller than the plurality of pieces of information. .

In the present invention, the communication control unit controls the plurality of pieces of information to be sequentially acquired until the acquisition of the power information fails, and when the acquisition of the power information fails, the communication control unit The communication unit is characterized in that the communication unit is controlled to repeatedly acquire the single piece of information until the information is successfully acquired.

In the present invention, when the communication control unit is able to acquire the power information through wireless communication executed at a cycle corresponding to the limited power information, the communication control unit transmits the plurality of The communication unit is characterized in that the communication unit is controlled to perform wireless communication for acquiring information.

In the present invention, the communication control unit may notify that the power information cannot be acquired if the power information cannot be acquired within a predetermined period or cannot be acquired by a predetermined number of wireless communications. It is said that

The power monitoring and control device according to the present invention is a distributed fuel cell cogeneration system that includes a power generation section that generates power using gas and a hot water generation section that generates hot water using heat generated during power generation. It is characterized by monitoring the amount of power generated by the type power source.

The power monitoring control program according to the present invention is characterized in that it causes a computer to operate as the power monitoring and control device described above.

The present invention is new in that the present invention acquires power information through wireless communication between a smart meter and a distributed power source, or between a HEMS and a distributed power source, and controls the distributed power source. Further, great progress has been made in the ability to adjust communication intervals in accordance with the success or failure of communication and the amount of power information, thereby increasing followability.

According to the present invention, wireless communication for acquiring power information from a smart meter connected to a power line for drawing commercial power into a building is performed at a predetermined period depending on the amount of power information. . When power information cannot be acquired from the communication unit, by controlling the amount of power information to be limited and performing wireless communication with a shortened cycle, compared to the case where power information is acquired at a constant cycle, This has the effect of improving the followability of the power information.

1 is a schematic diagram of a cogeneration device according to each embodiment and a house in which the cogeneration device is installed. It is a control block diagram of the controller of the cogeneration device concerning each embodiment. It is a transition characteristic diagram of electric power usage, tank hot water storage amount, hot water supply usage, and gas usage based on the living situation (daily lifestyle) according to each embodiment. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for communication control in the controller of the cogeneration device according to each embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of communication interval time according to each embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing communication between the cogeneration device and the smart meter according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing power monitoring control processing executed by the controller of the cogeneration device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing communication between a cogeneration device and a smart meter according to a second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the power monitoring control process performed by the controller of the cogeneration device based on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cogeneration device according to a modification of each embodiment and a house in which the cogeneration device is installed.

[First embodiment]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a household fuel cell cogeneration system (hereinafter simply referred to as "cogeneration system 10" in this embodiment) as an example of distributed power supply equipment according to the present embodiment. has been done.

The cogeneration device 10 is a system that includes a tank unit and a fuel cell unit. Note that coexisting does not mean that they are physically adjacent, but rather that they cooperate with each other. That is, the tank unit and the fuel cell unit may be installed separately and connected by piping, electrical wiring, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cogeneration device 10 is installed along the outer wall of a house 12, and a worker goes to the site and performs the installation work. Note that, as an example, the building according to the present embodiment is a house 12. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the building may be an office, a store, a box office, a warehouse, a building, or any other building.

The distributed power supply equipment shown in FIG. 1 has completed installation work, completed trial operation, and is in a state where it can be operated regularly in cooperation with various equipment (electrical equipment, hot water equipment, etc.) on the house 12 side.

(Configuration of cogeneration device 10)

Although not shown, the cogeneration device 10 includes a hot module, a power conditioner, an exhaust heat recovery device, a heat storage tank, a radiator, a heat exchanger, etc., each of which is controlled by a controller 14 to control a hot water supply related control section 27 and a power generation device. They are controlled in cooperation with each other via the related control section 29 (see FIG. 2).

The hot module uses a fuel processing device to extract hydrogen, supplies the extracted hydrogen to the fuel cell stack, and generates DC power using oxygen in the air.

A power conditioner converts the generated DC power into AC power and supplies it to a house.

The exhaust heat recovery device recovers heat from exhaust heat gas generated by power generation.

A heat storage tank can store heat recovered via a heating medium at high temperatures, and the stored heat is used when hot water is supplied.

The radiator radiates heat and cools the heat medium. A radiator is not required.

The heat exchanger uses the high temperature heat medium from the heat medium tank to heat the tap water. A heat exchanger is not required.

Further, the cogeneration device 10 can also send the generated power to the heat source device 16 via the power line 15. The heat source device 16 further heats the hot water heated by the cogeneration device 10 by burning city gas (for example, 13A) as needed, and supplies the heated water to the house 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 14 includes a microcomputer 28 composed of a CPU 18, a RAM 20, a ROM 22, an I/O 24, and a bus 26 such as a data bus or a control bus that connects these.

A hot water supply related control section 27 and a power generation related control section 29 are connected to the I/O 24, and operations associated with hot water supply and power generation are controlled by the controller 14.

A large-scale storage device 30 is also connected to the I/O 24, which stores processing programs related to power generation and hot water supply executed by the controller 14, as well as history information based on power generation (for example, in this embodiment, , communication interval adjustment information, etc.) are stored.

Furthermore, a remote control 32 is connected to the I/O 24. The remote control 32 is installed inside the house 12 where the cogeneration device 10 is installed, and has a function for the user to input commands regarding the cogeneration device 10 (and the heat source device 16), and displays the status of the cogeneration device 10. It has functions such as

(Distributed power source configuration)

As shown in FIG. 1, in the distributed power source according to the present embodiment, the power generated by the commercial power source 34 and the cogeneration device 10 is used as the power source for the house 12.

Commercial power source 34 is connected to smart meter 36 . The smart meter 36 measures electric power information such as the current value, electric power value, and electric energy of the commercial power source 34, and transmits the measured information to a specific communication destination through the communication paths A, B, and C. It is possible to send to.

That is, the A route is a communication path that connects the smart meter 36 and the electric power company, and the B route is a communication path that connects the smart meter 36 and the equipment installed in the house 12 (for example, if a HEMS is constructed, its controller, etc. ), and the C route is a communication route for providing data acquired by the power company via the A route to a third party (retail power company, etc.).

A power line 38 output from the smart meter 36 is wired to a distribution board 40 installed in the house 12.

In the distribution board 40, assuming that the smart meter 36 side is the upstream side, a service breaker 42, an earth leakage breaker 46, and a safety breaker 48 are installed in this order from the upstream side.

The service breaker 42 is a circuit breaker for determining contract capacity, but may not be installed.

The earth leakage breaker 46 is a circuit breaker that quickly senses and interrupts earth leakage in the internal wiring and electrical equipment of the house 12 to prevent electrical accidents.

The safety breaker 48 is attached to each of the branch circuits for transmitting power from the distribution board 40 to each usage location of the house 12, and is automatically activated when a short circuit or power usage exceeding a certain level is detected due to a failure of electrical equipment, etc. It is a circuit breaker that protects the circuit.

Here, the power generated by the cogeneration device 10 is combined with the commercial power source 34 via a dedicated safety breaker 48A provided in the distribution board 40, and is used as a power source for electrical equipment inside the house 12. I can do it.

Note that although not shown in the drawings, the cogeneration device 10 is provided with a power line dedicated to when the commercial power supply 34 is out of power. Therefore, in a situation where power is not supplied from the commercial power supply 34 due to a power outage, the power generated by the cogeneration device 10 can be supplied through a power outage dedicated outlet installed in a part of the house 12. There is.

Here, the controller 14 of the cogeneration device 10 needs to control the generated power according to the amount of power used in the house 12, which changes from moment to moment.

As an example, FIG. 3 shows a transition characteristic diagram of power usage, tank hot water storage volume, hot water supply usage, and gas usage based on living conditions (daily lifestyle). In FIG. 3, as an example, it is assumed that the rated power generation output of the cogeneration device 10 is 0.7kW, and if the power consumption in the house 12 is 0.7kW or less, the power consumption in the house 12 is only the power generation output. When the power exceeds 0.7 kW, control is shown in which the power is supplied by the generated power and the commercial power supply 34. For this reason, the controller 14 uses the B route communication path from the smart meter 36 to obtain power information such as the current value, power value, and power amount of the commercial power source 34.

In this embodiment, once every 30 seconds is used as the standard interval for acquiring a plurality of pieces of power information such as a current value, a power value, and a power amount from the smart meter 36 via the B-route communication path. With this interval, it is possible to roughly follow the ever-changing power usage in the house 12 without violating various wireless communication standards, and to perform control approximating the power transition characteristics shown in FIG. 3.

By the way, in addition to communication with the controller 14 of the cogeneration device 10 via the B route, the smart meter 36 also performs other communications such as communication via the A route.

Therefore, if the controller 14 of the cogeneration device 10 attempts to acquire power information via the B route communication route at an interval of once every 30 seconds, the controller 14 of the cogeneration device 10 attempts to obtain power information via the communication route B route at an interval of once every 30 seconds. , specified low power radio) interferes, or communication standby (carrier sense) for interference avoidance exceeds a specified number of times, and communication for obtaining power information may fail.

In other words, in the controller 14 of the cogeneration device 10, there is a possibility that power information cannot be obtained as frequently as necessary only by controlling communication to obtain information at intervals of once every 30 seconds.

Furthermore, it is a well-known fact that when information is acquired through communication, the communication time varies depending on the amount of information. Similarly, in the present embodiment, when acquiring power information via the B route communication path, the communication time varies depending on the amount of power information.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the communication interval is determined based on the success or failure of communication through the B route communication path and the amount of power information to be acquired, at intervals of once every 30 seconds in the controller 14 of the cogeneration device 10. Adjusted. Here, the communication interval is an example of a cycle.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram for communication control in the controller 14 of the cogeneration device 10. Each block in this functional block diagram is classified by function. In the present embodiment, control is performed by software in which the CPU 18 operates based on the power monitoring control program stored in the ROM 22. Note that the operation program shown in some or all of the functional blocks may be operated by incorporating an IC chip such as an ASIC.

As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless communication unit 50 establishes a communication protocol for acquiring power information via the communication route B of the smart meter 36. The wireless communication unit 50 is connected to a communication control unit 52 and receives timing for establishing a communication protocol from the communication control unit 52.

The wireless communication section 50 is connected to a power information acquisition section 54. When the communication protocol is established (successfully) in the wireless communication unit 50, the power information acquisition unit 54 acquires power information from the smart meter 36 via the communication route B.

The power information acquisition unit 54 is connected to the system operation control unit 56 and notifies the system operation control unit 56 of the acquired power information.

The system operation control unit 56 calculates power generation output and the like based on the acquired power information, and sends a control instruction signal to the necessary controlled devices of the cogeneration system 10.

Thereby, the cogeneration device 10 can be operated with a power generation output that roughly follows the power consumption in the house 12.

On the other hand, the wireless communication section 50 is connected to a communication success/failure determination section 58. The communication success/failure determination unit 58 determines whether the wireless communication unit 50 has succeeded or failed in establishing a communication protocol at a predetermined interval.

The communication success/failure determination unit 58 notifies the communication control unit 52 of communication success/failure information (success/failure (binary signal) at each predetermined interval).

The communication control unit 52 sets a communication interval time according to the communication success/failure information and the acquired power information. Here, the communication interval time is determined by the amount of communication success/failure information and the acquired power information.

As shown in FIG. 5 as an example, the cogeneration device 10 stores a communication interval time as adjustment information, and sets the communication interval time according to the amount of communication success/failure information and power information. If the communication success/failure information is successful and multiple types of information (hereinafter referred to as "multiple information") are obtained as power information, the communication interval time is set to "30 seconds" and the communication success/failure information is set to "30 seconds". If it is successful and a single piece of information is acquired as power information, the communication interval time is set to "15 seconds". Also, if the communication success/failure information is a failure and an attempt is made to acquire multiple pieces of information, the communication interval time is set to "60 seconds", and the communication success/failure information is a failure and an attempt is made to acquire a single piece of information. In this case, the communication interval time is set to "20 seconds".

In this way, when the cogeneration device 10 attempts to acquire multiple pieces of information at once as power information and fails, and then acquires the multiple pieces of information again without limiting the power information, the communication interval time is set to 30 seconds. It will be extended to 60 seconds. However, in this embodiment, when an attempt to acquire multiple pieces of power information fails, communication is limited to only one piece of information among the pieces of information included in the power information. Try again. In the following, when an attempt to acquire power information that includes current value and power amount as multiple pieces of information fails, the case where the power information is limited to only the current value, which is a single piece of information, and communication is attempted again is explained. explain. Hereinafter, a state in which a current value and a power value are acquired as power information at the same time will be referred to as a normal state. In the normal state, when acquisition of the current value and the power value fails, the cogeneration device 10 obtains limited power information compared to the normal state (compared to before the failure). Specifically, the cogeneration device 10 limits the multiple types of information acquired at once to a single piece of information, for example, a current value, and attempts communication again. Hereinafter, the state in which a single piece of information is acquired will be referred to as the observation state.

As shown in FIG. 6, the wireless communication unit 50 of the cogeneration device 10 acquires power information including a current value and power amount as a plurality of pieces of information from the smart meter 36. If the power information is successfully acquired, the communication success/failure determination unit 58 notifies the communication control unit 52 that the communication has been successful. The communication control unit 52 sets 30 seconds as the communication interval time, and after the communication interval time has elapsed, notifies the wireless communication unit 50 to acquire a plurality of pieces of power information, and the wireless communication unit 50 informs the smart meter 36 Request multiple pieces of information.

On the other hand, if the wireless communication unit 50 attempts to acquire a plurality of pieces of information as power information from the smart meter 36 and cannot successfully acquire the power information, the communication success/failure determination unit 58 informs the communication control unit 52 that the communication has failed. to notify. The communication control unit 52 sets 60 seconds as the communication interval time, and after the communication interval time has elapsed, notifies the wireless communication unit 50 to acquire only the current as a single piece of information, and the wireless communication unit 50 uses the smart A single piece of information is requested from meter 36.

Further, when the wireless communication unit 50 attempts to acquire a single piece of information (for example, a current value) as power information from the smart meter 36 and cannot successfully acquire the power information, the communication success/failure determination unit 58 determines that the communication has failed. The communication control unit 52 is notified of this fact. The communication control unit 52 sets 20 seconds as the communication interval time, and after the communication interval time has elapsed, notifies the wireless communication unit 50 to continue acquiring the current value as a single piece of information. 50 requests a single piece of information from smart meter 36.

Further, when the wireless communication unit 50 attempts to acquire a single piece of power information from the smart meter 36 and is able to successfully acquire the power information, the communication success/failure determination unit 58 notifies the communication control unit 52 that the communication has been successful. do. The communication control unit 52 sets 30 seconds as the communication interval time, and after the communication interval time has elapsed, notifies the wireless communication unit 50 to acquire a plurality of pieces of power information, and the wireless communication unit 50 informs the smart meter 36 Request multiple pieces of information.

That is, the communication control unit 52 reduces the amount of power information and shortens the communication interval when power information cannot be acquired, as a means of increasing followability of power information. For example, if power information cannot be acquired, and if you try to acquire multiple pieces of information as power information, the communication interval time is 60 seconds, but if you try to acquire a single piece of power information, The communication interval will be 20 seconds.

That is, when power information cannot be acquired (the communication state is failed), the time to acquire power information is reduced by 40 seconds. In addition, when it becomes possible to acquire power information again, by setting the interval time to 30 seconds and controlling the acquisition of multiple pieces of information, compared to the case where power information is acquired at a constant frequency, , the followability of power information is improved.

By improving followability, the amount of power generated by the cogeneration device 10 can be set to a more optimal output as a distributed power source in combination with the commercial power source 34.

The operation of this embodiment will be explained below according to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing power monitoring control processing executed by the controller 14 of the cogeneration device 10. The power monitoring control process shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the CPU 18 reading out and executing the power monitoring control program from the ROM 22 or the large-scale storage device 30. The power monitoring control process shown in FIG. 7 is executed, for example, when a user inputs an instruction to execute a power monitoring control program.

In step S100, the CPU 18 sets a communication interval time (for example, 30 seconds) when the communication success/failure information is successful and a plurality of pieces of information are acquired as power information.

In step S102, the CPU 18 determines whether the communication interval time has elapsed. If the communication interval time has elapsed (step S102: YES), the CPU 18 moves to step S104. On the other hand, if the communication interval time has not elapsed (step S102: NO), the CPU 18 waits until the communication interval time has elapsed.

In step S104, the CPU 18 acquires a plurality of pieces of information including a current value, a power value, and a power amount as power information.

In step S106, the CPU 18 determines whether or not power information could not be acquired. If the power information cannot be acquired (step S106: YES), the CPU 18 moves to step S108. On the other hand, if the power information can be acquired (step S106: NO), the CPU 18 moves to step S102.

In step S108, the CPU 18 sets a communication interval time (for example, 60 seconds) when the communication success/failure information fails and an attempt is made to acquire a plurality of pieces of information as power information.

In step S110, the CPU 18 determines whether the communication interval time has elapsed. If the communication interval time has elapsed (step S110: YES), the CPU 18 moves to step S112. On the other hand, if the communication interval time has not elapsed (step S110: NO), the CPU 18 waits until the communication interval time has elapsed.

In step S112, the CPU 18 acquires single information of only current as power information.

In step S114, the CPU 18 determines whether the power information has been acquired. If the power information has been acquired (step S114: YES), the CPU 18 moves to step S116. On the other hand, if the power information cannot be acquired (step S114: NO), the CPU 18 moves to step S118.

In step S116, the CPU 18 determines whether to end the process. When ending the process (step S116: YES), the CPU 18 ends the power monitoring control process. On the other hand, if the process does not end (step S116: NO), the CPU 18 moves to step S100.

In step S118, the CPU 18 sets a communication interval time (for example, 20 seconds) when the communication success/failure information fails and an attempt is made to obtain a single piece of information as power information.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when communication fails, the communication control unit 52 limits the amount of power information and shortens the communication interval time, thereby increasing the followability of the power information. .

[Second embodiment]

In the first embodiment, a mode has been described in which, when an attempt to acquire power information including a plurality of pieces of information at once fails, the power information is limited to a single piece of information to shorten the communication interval time. In the second embodiment, when acquiring a plurality of pieces of information as power information in sequence and fails to acquire any of the pieces of information, the power information is limited, that is, only a single piece of information from among the pieces of information is acquired. We will explain how to retry communication by limiting it to .

Note that the schematic diagram of the house (see FIG. 1) and the control block diagram of the controller of the cogeneration device (see FIG. 2) according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. In addition, a diagram showing transition characteristics of power usage, etc. (see FIG. 3), a functional block diagram for communication control (see FIG. 4), and a diagram showing an example of communication interval time (see FIG. 5) according to the present embodiment are , is the same as the first embodiment, so the explanation will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment, the cogeneration device 10 sequentially acquires a plurality of pieces of information as power information from the smart meter 36. Here, for example, the cogeneration device 10 sequentially acquires a current value, a power value, and a power amount as power information. Hereinafter, a state in which a current value, a power value, and a power amount are sequentially acquired as power information will be referred to as a normal state. In a normal state, when acquisition of a current value, a power value, or an amount of power fails, the cogeneration device 10 obtains limited power information compared to the normal state (compared to before the failure). Specifically, the cogeneration device 10 limits the multiple types of information that it has sequentially acquired to a single piece of information, for example, a current value, and attempts communication again. Hereinafter, the state in which a single piece of information is acquired will be referred to as the observation state.

The operation of this embodiment will be explained below according to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing power monitoring control processing executed by the controller 14 of the cogeneration device 10. The power monitoring control process shown in FIG. 9 is executed by the CPU 18 reading out and executing the power monitoring control program from the ROM 22 or the large-scale storage device 30. The power monitoring control process shown in FIG. 9 is executed, for example, when a user inputs an instruction to execute a power monitoring control program. Note that steps in FIG. 9 that are the same as those in the power monitoring control process shown in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 7, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In step S120, the CPU 18 sets priorities for the power information to be acquired (for example, first priority is current, second priority is electric power value, third priority is electric energy, etc.).

In step S122, the CPU 18 sets an initial value (for example, 1) in the order of acquisition.

In step S124, the CPU 18 sets a communication interval time (for example, 15 seconds) when the communication success/failure information is successful and a single piece of information is acquired.

In step S126, the CPU 18 acquires information according to the acquisition order (for example, if the acquisition order is 1, the current with the first priority) as the power information.

In step S128, the CPU 18 determines whether or not power information could not be acquired. If the power information cannot be acquired (step S128: YES), the CPU 18 moves to step S130. On the other hand, if the power information can be acquired (step S128: NO), the CPU 18 moves to step S132.

In step S130, the CPU 18 sets a communication interval time (for example, 20 seconds) when the communication success/failure information fails and an attempt is made to obtain a single piece of information as power information.

In step S132, the CPU 18 adds 1 in the order of acquisition, and proceeds to step S102. Here, if the acquisition order exceeds the number of types of power information to be acquired, 1 is set in the acquisition order. For example, when there are three types of power information to be acquired: a current value, a power value, and a power amount, and the acquisition order is 4, the acquisition order is set to 1.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the normal state, a plurality of pieces of information are sequentially acquired, while in the observation state, only a single piece of information is acquired until communication is successful. As a result, among a plurality of pieces of information, the highest priority information can be acquired more quickly. For example, when acquiring a current value in an observation state, an overcurrent can be detected more quickly by extracting the current value flowing through the neutral wire.

The above-described embodiment improves the followability of power information, and enables optimal output (optimal power generation amount of the cogeneration device 10) as a distributed power source using the cogeneration device 10 and the commercial power source 34. . Furthermore, by acquiring power information at appropriate communication intervals, it is possible to reduce primary energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, and energy costs.

Note that in this embodiment, a mode in which a current value, a power value, and a power amount are acquired as power information has been described. However, it is not limited to this. The amount of power used, the electricity rate, the amount of reverse power flow, etc. may be acquired. Furthermore, a mode has been described in which the current value is acquired when the communication state is in the observation state. However, it is not limited to this. Voltage, power value, or power amount may be acquired, or any information that can be obtained through communication with the smart meter 36 may be used.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when the communication state is in the observation state and the power information cannot be obtained, the power information is repeatedly obtained after the communication interval time has elapsed. However, it is not limited to this. If power information cannot be acquired for a predetermined period or a predetermined number of times while the communication state is in the observation state, a notification may be sent that power information cannot be acquired. This suppresses occurrence of overcurrent or the like due to inability to follow power information.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, when the communication state is in the observation state, multiple pieces of information such as current value and power value are limited to a single information of current value, that is, the number of types of power information is limited. The form of acquisition has been explained. However, it is not limited to this. The amount of information acquired in each communication may be limited. For example, if power information cannot be acquired, the amount of information acquired in each communication may be reduced. As a result, the communication interval time for each communication is shortened, and followability is further improved compared to the case where the amount of information acquired in each communication is constant.

(Modified example)

The controller 14 of the cogeneration device 10 according to the present embodiment acquires power information directly from the smart meter 36 installed in the house 12 via route B.

Here, as shown in FIG. 10, a HEMS 62 is built in the house 12 according to the modification.

The HEMS 62 saves electricity and gas used in the house 12 by managing it in real time, and also helps prevent global warming by reducing carbon dioxide.

By connecting home appliances and the like to the HEMS controller 64 built into the HEMS 62 and managing the usage status of electricity and gas on a monitor, visualization (monitor display) is realized and the home appliances are automatically controlled.

By the way, the HEMS 62 acquires the data that is the basis of management from the smart meter 36. In other words, the HEMS controller 64 of the HEMS 62 has acquired the same power information as the smart meter 36.

Therefore, in the modified example, Wi-SUN HAN wireless communication, Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN wireless communication, specified low power wireless communication, LPWA (Low Power A communication protocol is established using a communication means such as Wide Area), and power information is acquired from the HEMS controller 64 of the HEMS 62.

The power information acquired from the HEMS controller 64 of the HEMS 62 is equivalent to the power information acquired from the smart meter 36. For example, if radio interference occurs on the B route communication path of the smart meter 36, the communication success rate can be improved by installing the HEMS 62 and communicating with the HEMS controller 64. .

Note that the combination of distributed power sources is not limited to the commercial power source 34 and the cogeneration device 10. For example, when combined with other renewable energies such as solar power generation, geothermal power generation, wind power generation, storage batteries, etc., the present invention applies to all configurations that acquire power information from smart meters 36 etc. and control the amount of power generation. Applicable.

10 Cogeneration device 12 House 14 Controller 15 Power line 16 Heat source device 18 CPU
20 RAM
22 ROM
24 I/O
26 Bus 27 Hot water supply related control unit 28 Microcomputer 29 Power generation related control unit 30 Large scale storage device 32 Remote control 34 Commercial power supply 36 Smart meter 38 Power line 40 Distribution board 42 Service breaker 46 Earth leakage breaker 48 Safety breaker 48A Safety breaker 50 Wireless Communication unit 52 Communication control unit 54 Power information acquisition unit 56 System operation control unit 58 Communication success/failure determination unit 62 HEMS
64 HEMS controller

Claims (8)

a communication unit that performs wireless communication for acquiring power information from a smart meter connected to a power drop-in line for drawing commercial power into the building at a predetermined period according to the power information;
If acquisition of the power information by the communication unit fails, the communication unit is controlled to limit the power information compared to before the failure and execute wireless communication at a cycle according to the limited power information. a communication control unit,
A power monitoring and control device equipped with The power information acquired by the communication unit includes a plurality of pieces of information regarding power,
The communication control unit is configured to limit the acquisition of the power information to a single piece of information among the plurality of pieces of information and perform wireless communication at a cycle according to the limited single piece of information; The power monitoring and control device according to claim 1, which controls the communication section. The communication control unit controls the communication unit to acquire the plurality of pieces of information at once at a period corresponding to the plurality of pieces of information until the acquisition of the power information fails;
3. The communication unit is controlled to acquire the single information at a cycle shortened according to the single information smaller than the plurality of pieces of information if the acquisition of the power information fails. power monitoring and control equipment. The communication control unit controls the plurality of pieces of information to be acquired in order until acquisition of the power information fails,
The power monitoring and control device according to claim 2, wherein when the acquisition of the power information fails, the communication unit is controlled to repeatedly acquire the single information until the acquisition of the power information succeeds next time. . The communication control unit is configured to perform wireless communication at a cycle according to the power information before being limited, if the power information can be acquired through wireless communication performed at a cycle according to the limited power information. The power monitoring and control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which controls the communication unit. Claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication control unit notifies that the power information cannot be acquired if the power information cannot be acquired within a predetermined period or cannot be acquired by a predetermined number of wireless communications. The power monitoring control device according to any one of the above. A claim that monitors the power generation amount of a distributed power source that is a fuel cell cogeneration system that includes a power generation section that generates power using gas and a hot water generation section that generates hot water using heat generated during power generation. The power monitoring and control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. computer,
A power monitoring and control program for operating as the power monitoring and control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.