JP7724893B2 - Power supply system and power supply method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power supply system and a power supply method.

Conventionally, power distribution systems for apartment complexes have been known in which high-voltage bulk power receiving contracts are concluded and the received power is distributed to each unit (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-118961 Patent No. 3869648

However, high-voltage substation equipment incurs a certain cost. Furthermore, a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract cannot be signed unless the power contract has a capacity above a certain value (for example, 50 kW), so high-voltage bulk power receiving contracts can only be signed by apartment buildings above a certain size. Even apartment buildings of a size that cannot sign a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract can sign a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract, but this does not necessarily mean that they will be able to reduce their electricity bills.

The objective of the present invention, developed in light of these circumstances, is to provide a power supply system and a power supply method that can reduce electricity charges when receiving low-voltage power in bulk.

In order to solve the above problem, a power supply system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises:
A power supply system for a single complex consumer facility having a plurality of consumer facilities and common areas, which receives low-voltage bulk power from a grid based on a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract for power less than the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract, and in which electricity charges are allocated according to the amount of power used,
an upper meter that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and measures the amount of electricity purchased from the grid at the complex consumer facility;
a first breaker connected to the system side;
a plurality of second breakers connected to the plurality of customer facilities and the common area, respectively;
a branch point that supplies low-voltage collectively received power from the grid via the host meter without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment to each of the plurality of customer facilities and the common area via the second breaker;
a plurality of lower-level meters connected between the branch point and the plurality of customer facilities and measuring the amounts of power consumed by the plurality of customer facilities;
a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device including at least one of a fuel cell, a solar power generation device, and a wind power generation device, the distributed power source being connected between the upper meter and the plurality of lower meters and capable of supplying power to the plurality of customer facilities and the common area;
and
The capacity of the first breaker is smaller than the sum of the capacities of the second breakers.

In order to solve the above problem, a power supply method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes:
A power supply method for a single complex consumer facility having a plurality of consumer facilities and common areas, which receives low-voltage bulk power from a grid based on a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract for power less than the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract, and in which electricity charges are allocated according to the amount of power used,
a first step of measuring the amount of power consumed by an upper meter that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and that measures the amount of power consumed by the power purchased from the grid at the complex consumer facility;
a second step of receiving power from the grid without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment via a first breaker connected to the grid side and cutting off power that exceeds the contract capacity of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract;
a third step of supplying the power received in the second step to each of the plurality of customer facilities and the common area via a plurality of second breakers connected to each of the plurality of customer facilities and the common area;
a fourth step of measuring the amounts of power consumed by the plurality of customer facilities in a plurality of lower-level meters that measure the amounts of power consumed by the plurality of customer facilities;
a fifth step of supplying electric power to the plurality of customer facilities and the common area via between the upper meter and the plurality of lower meters from a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device including at least one of a fuel cell, a solar power generation device, and a wind power generation device;
The capacity of the first breaker is smaller than the sum of the capacities of the second breakers.

The power supply system and power control method according to one embodiment of the present invention can reduce electricity charges when receiving low-voltage power in bulk.

1 is a functional block diagram of a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing power consumption when the upper control device of FIG. 1 controls the storage battery; 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power supply system of FIG. 1 .

Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of a power supply system 90 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Control lines and information transmission lines are indicated by dashed lines, and power lines are indicated by solid lines. The power supply system 90 is connected to a grid 80. The power supply system 90 has at least a host meter device 1, a centralized power receiving panel 2, a distributed power source 3, and a distribution panel 4, and may further include at least one of a lower meter device 5, a lower control device 6, a load 7, a host control device 8, and a server device 9. While each function of the power supply system 90 will be described, please note that this is not intended to exclude other functions that the power supply system 90 has.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper meter device 1, the centralized power receiving panel 2, the distributed power source 3, the distribution panel 4, the lower meter device 5, the lower control device 6, the load 7, and the upper control device 8 are installed in a complex consumer facility. As an alternative, the centralized power receiving panel 2 may have the upper meter device 1 and the distribution panel 4 inside. The upper meter device 1 may also be installed outside the complex consumer facility. In this embodiment, the complex consumer facility is an apartment building with multiple consumer facilities (e.g., three units on the first floor and three on the second floor, for a total of six units) and common areas (e.g., corridors, staircases, elevator halls). The lower control devices 6 are installed in each of the consumer facilities and in the common areas, and the loads 7 are also installed in each of the consumer facilities and in the common areas.

The power supply system 90 is provided, for example, by an electric power company (also known as a new power company or an apartment complex management company). Because the multiple consumer facility in this embodiment is relatively small for an apartment complex, it does not consume the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract. Therefore, the multiple consumer facility cannot enter into a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract. Therefore, the multiple consumer facility enters into a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract with the electric power company for less power than the power required for the high-voltage bulk power receiving contract (e.g., 50 kW).

The complex consumer facility enters into a low-voltage bulk power purchase contract with the electric power company, as well as a power sales contract for surplus solar power generation. The complex consumer facility also enters into power contracts with each occupant of the consumer facility. In this way, the complex consumer facility receives electricity from the electric power company and supplies the received electricity to the consumer facilities.

The upper meter device 1 is a certified meter device that measures the amount of power consumed by a complex consumer facility. The upper meter device 1 outputs the measured amount of power consumed to the upper control device 8 for purposes such as calculating electricity charges. The certified meter device has been certified in accordance with the Weights and Measures Act and is within the validity period of its certification. A smart meter may also be used as the upper meter device 1.

The centralized power receiving panel 2 is connected to the upper-level meter device 1 and receives power from the grid 80 via low-voltage centralized power receiving. The centralized power receiving panel 2 supplies the received power to the distribution panel 4.

The distributed power source 3 is capable of supplying power to multiple consumer facilities. The distributed power source 3 includes at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device including at least one of a fuel cell, a solar power generation device, and a wind power generation device. This makes it possible to reduce electricity bills by combining various types of distributed power sources. The storage battery is capable of independent output and can supply power to at least one of consumer facilities and common areas during a power outage, for example. The power generation device can supply generated power to at least one of the storage battery, consumer facilities, and common areas.

During grid-connected operation, the distribution board 4 branches the power received by the centralized power receiving board 2 into multiple branches and supplies it to at least one of the common areas and customer facilities. The distribution board 4 also branches the power supplied from the distributed power sources 3 into multiple branches and distributes it to customer facilities.

The lower-level meter devices 5 are, for example, certified electric meters (sub-meters) and are connected to each of the customer facilities. The lower-level meter devices 5 connected to each of the customer facilities measure the amount of electricity consumed by each of the customer facilities' loads 7. The lower-level meter devices 5 are connected to the distribution board 4 and are installed by the utility either inside or outside the customer facilities. The lower-level meter devices 5 are also connected to common areas. The lower-level meter devices 5 connected to common areas measure the amount of electricity consumed by the loads 7 in the common areas. The lower-level meter devices 5 may be smart meters. The lower-level meter devices 5 notify the upper control device 8 of the measured amount of electricity consumed.

The lower-level control device 6 is, for example, a HEMS (Home Energy Management System). The processing performed by the lower-level control device 6 is executed by a control unit including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program that defines the control procedures, and the program is stored in the memory unit of the lower-level control device 6 or an external storage medium. The lower-level control device 6 is provided in each of the customer facilities and/or the common areas, and is capable of controlling the amount of power consumption of the loads 7 in the corresponding customer facilities and/or the common areas. When the higher-level control device 8 requests that the amount of power consumption in at least one of the customer facilities and/or the common areas be reduced, the lower-level control device 6 is capable of controlling the loads 7 to reduce the amount of power consumption.

Load 7 is a power load that consumes electricity, and is, for example, various electrical appliances used by consumer facilities, such as air conditioners, microwave ovens, refrigerators, televisions, and routers. Load 7 may also be machinery such as air conditioners or lighting fixtures, lighting equipment, etc. Loads 7 in common areas are, for example, devices that consume electricity in common areas, such as lighting equipment and emergency equipment (e.g., fire alarms, etc.).

The upper control device 8 is, for example, a HEMS. The processing performed by the upper control device 8 is executed by a control unit including a processor such as a CPU that executes a program that defines the control procedures, and the program is stored in the memory unit of the upper control device 8 or in an external storage medium. The upper control device 8 is provided in the complex consumer facility. As an alternative, the upper control device 8 may be provided in a server device 9 located within or outside the complex consumer facility. The upper control device 8 periodically (for example, once per hour) acquires the amount of power measured by the lower meter device 5 via communication and outputs it to the server device 9. The upper control device 8 also monitors the operating status of the distributed power sources 3 and outputs the acquired operation log (power generation status of the power generation device, charging/discharging status of the storage battery, error information, etc.) to the server device 9.

When the upper control device 8 receives a demand response signal, it requests the lower control device 6 to reduce the amount of power consumed by multiple consumer facilities. For example, when the upper control device 8 receives a demand response signal, it may determine the amount of power consumption reduction for each of the multiple consumer facilities based on the current amount of power consumed at each of the multiple consumer facilities, and request the lower control device 6 to implement the reduction in accordance with that determination. This allows the operator managing each of the multiple consumer facilities or a complex consumer facility to receive an incentive. The upper control device 8 may also similarly reduce the amount of power consumed in common areas.

More specifically, incentives can be obtained from the sender of the demand response received by the upper control device 8. The sender of the demand response is expected to be, for example, an electric power provider (electric power company) or an electric power distribution provider (electric power aggregator). The incentive from the sender is first given to the operator managing the complex consumer facility. The operator then allocates the incentive from the sender according to the degree of contribution of the consumers at the consumer facility to the demand response. The incentive given by the operator to the consumer may be different from the incentive given by the sender.

When the upper control device 8 receives an instruction to reduce power output to the grid 80, it charges the storage battery with surplus power from the power generation device. For example, when the upper control device 8 receives such an instruction from an electric power utility (electric power company), electric power distribution business (electric power aggregator), electric power transmission and distribution business, or specified-scale electricity producer and supplier (PPS), it charges the storage battery with surplus power from the power generation device. When a device other than the upper control device 8 (e.g., an output control device or a power conditioner) receives such an instruction, the device other than the upper control device 8 forwards the instruction to the upper control device 8. As a result, not only can the output reduction instruction be responded to, but the power generation device can continue generating power and the surplus power can be charged into the storage battery for future discharge.

Server device 9 is used by a business operator who manages a complex consumer facility. Server device 9 may be a cloud server. Server device 9 obtains information such as power consumption from the upper-level control device 8 and provides services such as meter reading data management support, billing data creation support, energy generation and storage equipment management, and visualization services (web services) for electricity usage at consumer facilities (for tenants). When server device 9 obtains error information from the upper-level control device 8, it notifies the monitor, who is the user of server device 9, that an error has occurred by voice, lamp, image, video, telephone, email, etc.

Furthermore, when the server device 9 receives notification from the upper control device 8 that the storage battery has switched to independent output mode, it determines that the breaker of the bulk power receiving panel 2 has been turned off and notifies the monitor of warning information. It is generally difficult for the occupants of the consumer facility to turn on the breaker of the low-voltage bulk power receiving panel. Therefore, a monitor who receives the warning information will rush to the complex consumer facility and turn on the breaker. As an alternative, the server device 9 may determine that the breaker of the bulk power receiving panel 2 has been turned off when communication with the upper control device 8 is cut off.

Below, we will explain the configuration for achieving reduced electricity charges when receiving low-voltage power in bulk.

In the first configuration, the power supply system 90 not only receives low-voltage power in bulk, but also has a distributed power source 3. Multiple consumer facilities share the distributed power source 3, and by receiving power from the distributed power source 3 during times when electricity rates are high, the amount of power purchased from the grid 80 can be reduced. This makes it possible to reduce electricity rates.

In a second configuration, the contract capacity in a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract is smaller than the total breaker capacity of each consumer facility. For example, suppose a complex consumer facility has six consumer facilities, each with a breaker capacity of 40A. If the breaker capacity of the common areas is 50A, the total breaker capacity of the entire complex consumer facility is 40 x 6 + 50 = 290 (A). However, since it is unlikely that all households will consume the maximum capacity at the same time, a complex consumer facility may enter into a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract with a contract capacity of 240A, for example. This can reduce electricity bills.

In a third configuration, rather than multiple consumer facilities each signing a contract for each household, a complex consumer facility signs a low-voltage bulk power purchasing contract, and the multiple consumer facilities receive the power received under the low-voltage bulk power purchasing contract. Depending on the power company's rate plan, the electricity rate per household decreases as the contract capacity increases. This makes it possible to reduce electricity bills.

In a fourth configuration, the upper control device 8 acquires the value of the amount of purchased power (unit: kWh) from the upper meter device 1 and outputs it to the server device 9. After acquiring this value, the server device 9 references the time-series pattern of the amount of purchased power and selects the (cheapest) low-voltage bulk power purchase rate plan that best suits that pattern. For example, because the power supply system 90 can receive power from the distributed power source 3 during the daytime, the amount of power purchased from the grid 80 during the daytime is relatively small. Therefore, it is possible to reduce electricity bills by changing the rate plan and lowering the nighttime electricity rate. Therefore, the upper control device 8 determines a rate plan that offers lower nighttime electricity rates. The upper control device 8 outputs the determined rate plan to the server device 9. This allows the business operator using the server device 9 to determine which rate plan to adopt. In other words, the selection, change, and determination of the rate plan may be performed by the upper control device 8, the server device 9, or the business operator. The selection, change, and determination of the rate plan may also be performed by an electric power business operator, an electric power distribution business operator, an electric power transmission and distribution business operator, a specified-scale electric power utility, etc.

In a fifth configuration, when the distributed power source 3 includes a storage battery, the upper control device 8 controls the storage battery by switching between the first mode and the second mode, with the first mode being the normal mode, as follows:

In the first mode, the storage battery charges when the unit price of electricity is lower than a predetermined reference value and discharges when the unit price of electricity is higher than the predetermined reference value. The predetermined reference value can be set arbitrarily. For example, the predetermined reference value can be set so that times when the unit price of electricity is lower than the predetermined reference value are nighttime and times when the unit price of electricity is higher than the predetermined reference value are daytime. As an alternative, two reference values (a first reference value and a second reference value) may be set as the predetermined reference value. More specifically, in the first mode, the storage battery charges with power from the grid 80 when the unit price of electricity is lower than the first reference value (e.g., nighttime) and discharges when the unit price of electricity is higher than a second reference value that is equal to or greater than the first reference value (e.g., daytime). If the distributed power source 3 further includes a solar power generation device, the storage battery may charge surplus power from the solar power generation device during the daytime. During the daytime when there is a lot of surplus power from the solar power generation device, the power supply system 90 may sell the surplus power.

In the second mode, the storage battery discharges the stored power so that the power consumption of the multiple consumer facility does not exceed the contracted power of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract. In other words, when power consumption increases and falls within a specified power range from the contracted power of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract, the storage battery discharges the stored power. This makes it less likely that the breaker will be turned off. In the case of a contract that allows for the purchase of power in excess of the contracted power, the power supply system 90 can reduce the purchase of power in excess of the contracted power.

Figure 2 shows power consumption when the upper-level control device 8 controls the storage battery in first mode without the power consumption falling within a predetermined range of the contracted power of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract (i.e., without the need to switch to second mode). As shown in Figure 2, the upper-level control device 8 purchases power from the grid 80 at night or early in the morning (12:00-7:00) to charge the storage battery, and during the next time period (7:00-16:00), the power consumed by multiple consumer facilities is covered by power generated by the power generation device (solar power generation device) and power discharged from the storage battery. Any surplus power remaining even after covering the power consumption is sold. During the time period after that (16:00-24:00), the amount of power consumed exceeds the amount of power generated, but the upper-level control device 8 discharges the storage battery to reduce the amount of power purchased from the grid 80.

With at least the above five configurations, the electricity fee charged to each of the multiple customer facilities will not exceed the electricity fee that would be charged if each of the multiple customer facilities had individually entered into a contract for each household.

In addition to being configured to reduce electricity bills, the power supply system 90 also has the following configuration:

First, the upper control device 8 acquires the value of the maximum purchased power (unit: kW) or maximum current (unit: A) from the upper meter device 1 via communication and outputs it to the server device 9. The server device 9 can then renew the power contract with the power company using a contract capacity that is the acquired value plus a predetermined value. Even if the power consumption or current consumption exceeds the maximum purchased power or maximum current, the breaker will not be turned off as long as the excess is within the predetermined value. In other words, the power supply from the grid 80 will not be cut off.

Secondly, multiple consumer facilities share the distributed power source 3. Therefore, the installation cost of a distributed power source 3 per household is lower than the cost of installing a distributed power source 3 in each household. This reduces installation costs.

Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power supply system 90.

The power supply system 90 receives power from the grid 80 at the centralized power receiving panel 2 (step S1). The power supply system 90 measures the power consumption of the multiple consumer facilities at the upper meter device 1 (step S2). The power supply system 90 supplies the power received in step S1 to each of the multiple consumer facilities from the distribution panel 4 (step S3). The power supply system 90 supplies power from the distributed power sources 3 to the multiple consumer facilities (step S4). The power supply system 90 measures the power consumption of each of the multiple consumer facilities at the lower meter device 5 (step S5). The power supply system 90 can perform steps S2, S4, and S5 as appropriate, so the order of these steps can be reversed. The power supply system 90 can also perform step S4 at any time. Examples of such times include when the electricity price is high, such as during the day, or when power consumption is likely to exceed the contracted power of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract.

Furthermore, the power supply system 90 may not perform steps S4 and S5 depending on the situation. For example, if there is no need for power supply from the distributed power source 3 to multiple consumer facilities, the power supply system 90 may not perform step S5. In other words, the power supply system 90 may simply supply power from the distributed power source 3 to multiple consumer facilities as needed.

According to this embodiment, the power supply system 90 is a system for a complex consumer facility that enters into a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract for power less than that required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract. The power supply system 90 includes a bulk power receiving panel 2 that receives power from the grid 80, an upper meter device 1 that measures the amount of power consumed by the complex consumer facility, a distribution panel 4 that supplies the power received by the bulk power receiving panel 2 to multiple consumer facilities within the complex consumer facility, and a distributed power source 3 that can supply power to multiple consumer facilities. In other words, the complex consumer facility not only receives low-voltage bulk power but also has a distributed power source 3. The consumer facilities share the distributed power source 3 and can reduce the amount of power they purchase by receiving power from the distributed power source 3 during times when electricity rates are high. This allows for reduced electricity rates.

Furthermore, considering that it is unlikely that all households will consume the maximum capacity at the same time, a complex consumer facility can enter into a low-voltage bulk power supply contract with a contract capacity that is smaller than the total breaker capacity of all households and the breaker capacity of the common areas. Alternatively, a complex consumer facility can cover its electricity needs with a low-voltage bulk power supply contract, even if the total breaker capacity of all households and the breaker capacity of the common areas is the value required for a high-voltage bulk power supply contract. This can result in reduced electricity bills.

Also, depending on the power company's rate plan, the electricity rate per household becomes cheaper as the contract capacity increases. According to this embodiment, rather than each consumer facility entering into an individual contract, the complex consumer facility enters into a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract. As a result, each consumer facility is allocated electricity charges by the complex consumer facility operator according to their power usage, and it is possible to reduce electricity charges at each consumer facility by entering into a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract rather than paying electricity charges on an individual contract.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the distributed power source 3 includes at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device including at least one of a fuel cell, a solar power generation device, and a wind power generation device. This makes it possible to combine various types of distributed power sources in order to reduce electricity bills.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the power supply system 90 further includes a lower-level control device 6 provided at each of the multiple consumer facilities, and a higher-level control device 8 provided at the complex consumer facility or at a server device 9 located at least either within or outside the complex consumer facility. This makes it possible to control power consumption for each consumer facility.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the upper control device 8 receives a demand response signal, it requests the lower control device 6 to reduce the amount of power consumed by multiple consumer facilities. This makes it possible to control the amount of power consumed by each of multiple consumer facilities and obtain incentives in response to demand response.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the upper control device 8 receives an instruction to suppress power output to the grid 80, the excess power from the power generation device is charged into the storage battery. This not only makes it possible to respond to the output suppression instruction, but also allows the power generation device to continue generating power and charge the excess power into the storage battery for future discharge.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the power supply system 90 further includes a lower-level meter device 5 that measures the amount of power consumed by each of multiple customer facilities, and the lower-level meter device 5 notifies the upper-level control device 8 of the measured amount of power consumed. As a result, the upper-level control device 8 can provide services to each of the customer facilities according to the amount of power consumed by each of the customer facilities.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the upper control device 8 selects the cheapest rate plan from among multiple rate plans for the low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract based on the amount of power consumed measured by the upper meter device 1, and notifies the server device 9 of the business operator managing the complex consumer facility. This allows the business operator, etc. to determine the cheapest plan, thereby realizing reduced electricity charges.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the storage battery charges when the unit price of electricity is lower than a predetermined reference value, and discharges when the unit price of electricity is higher than the predetermined reference value. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of electricity purchased from the grid 80 when the unit price of electricity is high, thereby achieving a reduction in electricity bills.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the storage batteries discharge the stored power to reduce the amount of power received by the entire complex consumer facility so that the power consumption of the entire complex consumer facility does not exceed the contracted power of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract. This reduces the number of times the power supply system 90 purchases more power than the contracted power due to the power consumption of the entire complex consumer facility exceeding the contracted power.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the electricity fee charged to each of the multiple customer facilities does not exceed the electricity fee that would be charged if each of the multiple customer facilities had individually entered into a contract for each household. This increases the satisfaction of each resident of the customer facility and increases demand for the power supply system 90.

While the present invention has been described based on various drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art would be able to easily make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions contained in each component, part, step, etc. may be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies. Furthermore, when implementing the present invention as a method, multiple parts, steps, etc. may be combined into one or divided into separate parts, steps, etc.

The above explanation concerns a case in which a multiple consumer facility does not consume the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract, but this is not limited to this. In other words, even if a multiple consumer facility consumes the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract (for example, when the sum of the power of each individual contract is the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract), by having a distributed power source 3, it can cover the power required with a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract. As a result, a multiple consumer facility does not need to enter into a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract, and therefore does not need to install cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment, thereby reducing initial investment or maintenance costs.

Furthermore, the above explanation is for the case where the upper control device 8 requests the lower control devices 6 to reduce power consumption when it receives a demand response signal. However, the upper control device 8 may request reduction only from the lower control devices 6 in the common areas, without making the request to the lower control devices 6 in the consumer facility. This type of processing can be performed, for example, when the amount of power consumption to be reduced is less than a predetermined reference value. In this case, the upper control device 8 does not need to inquire of the consumer whether or not to respond to the demand response, and can therefore easily respond to the demand response.

The upper control device 8 may also selectively request only the lower control devices 6 in some of the consumer facilities, and which consumer facilities to request may be determined, for example, based on the current power consumption at the consumer facility. When the upper control device 8 can directly control the equipment within each consumer facility, the upper control device 8 may directly control the equipment within the consumer facility without going through the lower control devices 6 in response to demand response. When the upper control device 8 directly controls the equipment, the incentive given to the consumer may be increased.

Furthermore, when fuel cells are used as power generation equipment, air conditioning, steam, hot water, chilled water, etc. utilizing exhaust heat can be supplied to each consumer facility. In this way, by having the operator of a complex consumer facility provide air conditioning, etc. utilizing exhaust heat in a centralized manner, electricity, gas, and water rates at each consumer facility can be reduced. Fuel cells that can be used include solid oxide fuel cells, solid polymer fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, and biofuel cells.

In addition, the above explanation assumes that the lower-level meter device 5 is connected to the common area and the lower-level control device 6 is installed in the common area, as shown in Figure 1, but these do not necessarily have to be installed. If the lower-level meter device 5 is not connected to the common area and the lower-level control device 6 is not installed in the common area, the amount of power consumed in the common area can be calculated by subtracting the total data of all the lower-level meter devices 5 connected to each of the consumer facilities from the data of the upper-level meter device 1. The calculation of the amount of power consumed in the common area can be performed by the upper-level control device 8 or the server device 9.

In the above explanation, the upper control device 8 selects the rate plan for the low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract based on the amount of power consumed measured by the upper meter device 1, but the selection and decision may also be based on the power consumption (kW). Furthermore, the storage battery is controlled based on the amount of power consumed (kWh) so as not to exceed the contracted amount of the low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract, but it may also be controlled based on the power consumption (kW).

Furthermore, when the control units of the upper control device 8 and lower control device 6 according to the present invention are configured as computers, programs describing the processing required to realize each function can be stored in the computer's internal or external storage unit and then read and executed by the computer's central processing unit (CPU). Such programs can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending portable recording media such as DVDs or CD-ROMs. They can also be distributed by storing them in the storage unit of a server on a network and transferring them from the server to other computers via the network. A computer that executes such a program can temporarily store a program recorded on a portable recording medium or transferred from a server in its own storage unit. Another embodiment of this program is one in which the computer reads the program directly from the portable recording medium and executes the processing in accordance with the program. Furthermore, each time a program is transferred from the server to the computer, the computer can execute the processing in accordance with the program received.

1 Upper meter device 2 Central power receiving board 3 Distributed power source 4 Distribution board 5 Lower meter device 6 Lower control device 7 Load 8 Upper control device 9 Server device 80 System 90 Power supply system

Claims (19)

An electric power supply system for a single apartment building, comprising a plurality of dwelling units that receive low-voltage bulk electricity from a grid based on a low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract for electricity less than the amount of electricity required for a high-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract, wherein electricity charges are allocated to the plurality of dwelling units according to a first amount of electricity consumed by the dwelling units and a second amount of electricity consumed by the dwelling units from a party other than the grid power company,
an upper meter that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and that measures the first power consumption;
a first breaker connected to the system side;
a plurality of second breakers connected to the plurality of dwelling units, respectively;
a branch point that supplies low-voltage collectively received power from the system via the host meter without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment to each of the plurality of dwelling units via the second breaker;
a plurality of lower-level meters that are connected between the branch point and the plurality of dwelling units and measure the second amount of power consumption and are not managed by the grid power company;
a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device including at least one of a fuel cell, a solar power generation device, and a wind power generation device, the distributed power source being connected between the upper meter and the plurality of lower meters and capable of supplying power to the plurality of dwelling units;
and
a switch is not connected between the second breaker and the upper meter and between the second breaker and the distributed power source,
A power supply system, wherein a contract capacity based on the capacity of the first breaker or the maximum power or maximum current obtained from the upper meter is smaller than the total value of the capacities of the second breakers. 2. The power supply system according to claim 1,
A power supply system in which the distributed power source is not connected between the branch point and the load of each dwelling unit. 3. The power supply system according to claim 1,
a lower-level control device provided in each of the plurality of dwelling units;
and a host control device that is provided in the apartment building or in a server device located at least either inside the apartment building or outside the apartment building. 4. The power supply system according to claim 3,
The lower-level meter notifies the upper-level control device of the measured amount of power consumption;
The upper control device notifies the second power consumption amount to a server device that provides a meter reading data management support service. 5. The power supply system according to claim 3,
The power supply system, wherein the lower control device and the upper control device are both HEMS. 6. The power supply system according to claim 3,
When the upper control device receives a demand response signal, the upper control device requests the lower control device to reduce the amount of power consumed by the plurality of dwelling units. 7. The power supply system according to claim 3,
the distributed power source includes the storage battery and the power generation device,
When the upper level control device receives an instruction to suppress the output of power to the grid, the power generation device causes the storage battery to store surplus power. 8. The power supply system according to claim 3,
The upper control device selects the cheapest rate plan from among multiple rate plans for the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract based on the first power consumption amount, and notifies a server device of the operator managing the apartment complex. 9. The power supply system according to claim 3,
When the upper control device receives a demand response signal, the upper control device requests devices in the apartment building to reduce the amount of power consumed by the multiple dwelling units. 10. The power supply system according to claim 3,
The distributed power source includes at least a storage battery, and when the upper control device acquires a demand response signal, it charges the storage battery with surplus power from another distributed power source other than the storage battery. The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a distribution board having the branch point,
The distribution board is a power supply system that enables low-voltage collectively received power to be supplied to all of the dwelling units in the apartment building. 12. The power supply system according to claim 1,
The power supply system further comprises a low-voltage centralized power receiving panel having the branch point therein. 13. The power supply system according to claim 1,
The storage battery is charged when the unit price of electricity is lower than a predetermined reference value, and is discharged when the unit price of electricity is higher than the predetermined reference value. 14. The power supply system according to claim 1,
The storage battery discharges the stored electricity so that the power consumption of the apartment building does not exceed the contracted power of the low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract. 15. The power supply system according to claim 1,
An electricity supply system in which the electricity fee charged to each of the plurality of dwelling units does not exceed the electricity fee that would be charged if each of the plurality of dwelling units had entered into an individual contract for each unit. 16. The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
The first breaker cuts off power that exceeds the contract capacity of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract. 17. The power supply system according to claim 1,
The distributed power source supplies power to the dwelling unit during a power outage. A power supply method for a single apartment building having a plurality of dwelling units that receive low-voltage bulk power from a grid based on a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract for power less than the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract, wherein the plurality of dwelling units are charged an electricity fee based on a first amount of power consumption purchased from the grid from a party other than the grid power company and a second amount of power consumption consumed in the plurality of dwelling units,
a first step of measuring the first amount of power consumption in a host meter that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and that measures the first amount of power consumption;
a second step of receiving power from the grid without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment via a first breaker connected to the grid side and cutting off power that exceeds the contract capacity of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract;
a third step of supplying the power received in the second step to each of the plurality of dwelling units via a plurality of second breakers connected to each of the plurality of dwelling units;
a fourth step of measuring the second amount of power consumption in a plurality of lower-level meters that are not managed by the grid power company, the lower-level meters being meters that measure the second amount of power consumption;
a fifth step of supplying power to the plurality of dwelling units via between the upper meter and the plurality of lower meters from a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device including at least one of a fuel cell, a solar power generation device, and a wind power generation device;
a switch is not connected between the second breaker and the upper meter and between the second breaker and the distributed power source,
A power supply method, wherein a contract capacity based on the capacity of the first breaker or the maximum power or maximum current acquired from the upper meter is smaller than the total value of the capacities of the second breakers. An electric power supply system for a single complex consumer facility, comprising a plurality of consumer facilities that receive low-voltage bulk electricity from a grid based on a low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract for electricity less than the amount of electricity required for a high-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract, wherein the plurality of consumer facilities are charged an electric power fee based on a first amount of consumed electricity purchased from the grid from a party other than a grid power company and a second amount of consumed electricity consumed at the plurality of consumer facilities,
an upper meter that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and that measures the first power consumption;
a first breaker connected to the system side;
a plurality of second breakers connected to each of the plurality of customer facilities;
a branch point that supplies low-voltage collectively received power from the grid via the upper meter without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment to each of the plurality of customer facilities via the second breaker;
a plurality of lower-level meters that are connected between the branch point and the plurality of customer facilities and measure the second amount of power consumption and are not managed by the grid power company;
a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device including at least one of a fuel cell, a solar power generation device, and a wind power generation device, the distributed power source being connected between the upper meter and the plurality of lower meters and capable of supplying power to the plurality of customer facilities;
and
a switch is not connected between the second breaker and the upper meter and between the second breaker and the distributed power source,
A power supply system, wherein a contract capacity based on the capacity of the first breaker or the maximum power or maximum current obtained from the upper meter is smaller than the total value of the capacities of the second breakers.