JP7811566B2 - Power control device and power control method - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a power control device and power control method that are connected to a power grid and adjust power consumption for multiple consumers that have a solar power generation system and at least one of a power storage device and a storage-type hot water supply system.

In recent years, power generation using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power has become more common. Electricity demand varies depending on the time of day. Furthermore, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power have the characteristic that the amount of power generated fluctuates depending on the weather and time of day. Solar power generation is a typical example of a renewable energy power generation device, but as it becomes more widespread, the impact that fluctuations in power generation have on the power grid is becoming a problem. In a power grid, if the balance between supply and demand is disrupted, frequency will be disrupted and, in the worst case scenario, a large-scale power outage will occur, so maintaining the supply and demand balance is important.

Therefore, when power generation exceeds local demand, measures are taken to maintain the supply-demand balance, such as output control, which reduces the output of power generation facilities, creating electricity demand through measures such as pumping operations at pumped-storage hydroelectric power plants, and transmitting electricity to other areas. These measures are prioritized by law. Output control prioritizes thermal power plants, which can easily adjust output in short bursts. However, if the supply-demand balance cannot be maintained, output control is also applied to biomass power plants, solar power plants, and wind power plants. Thermal and biomass power plants can control output by reducing or stopping combustion, but curtailing solar power plants ultimately results in the waste of potential electricity. The same is true for wind power plants. Maintaining the supply-demand balance in the power grid without wasting potential energy will also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

An electricity trading matching system has been proposed as a mechanism for preventing electricity generated by renewable energy sources from being wasted (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The system in Patent Document 1 is designed to allow multiple consumers equipped with power generation equipment and power storage equipment to share surplus electricity between themselves when they are unable to sell the electricity they generate to the power company, i.e., when the amount of electricity exceeds the amount that the power company can purchase. The matching system in Patent Document 1 comprises a required energy information acquisition unit, a consumer information acquisition unit, a surplus energy estimation unit, and a matching unit.

The required energy information acquisition unit acquires information regarding the amount of energy required by a first consumer during a specified time period. The consumer information acquisition unit acquires information regarding the power generation equipment and storage battery owned by a second consumer, and the amount of energy consumed by the second consumer. The surplus energy estimation unit estimates the amount of surplus energy that can be supplied by the second consumer based on the information regarding the amount of energy generated by the power generation equipment, the amount of energy stored in the storage battery, and the amount of energy consumed by the second consumer during a specified time period acquired by the consumer information acquisition unit. The matching unit compares the amount of surplus energy that can be supplied by the second consumer estimated by the surplus energy estimation unit with information regarding the amount of energy required by the first consumer acquired by the required energy information acquisition unit, and detects a combination of the first consumer and the second consumer with which a transaction can be concluded.

JP 2017-153274 A

Power generation facilities with a power generation capacity above a certain level are subject to output control by law. Regarding output control, power generation operators with equipment capable of remote output control (online control operators) and those without such equipment (offline control operators) have different response capabilities and accuracy. Therefore, a system (online proxy control) has been introduced in which online control operators perform output control on behalf of offline control operators with limited response capabilities, and the online control operator who actually performed the output control receives compensation for the output control. For example, if solar power generation increases and the power supply on the power grid exceeds power demand, the offline control operator's power generation is deemed to have been suppressed by online proxy control. Under the online proxy control system, a proxy control service provider suppresses power generation on behalf of offline control operators who are unable to respond flexibly to adjustment commands related to output control. The proxy control service provider receives monetary revenue for the suppressed power (power that could have been generated and sold). This system facilitates coordination between offline control operators and proxy control service providers.

However, even if power generation companies with a power generation capacity above a certain value are able to respond to output control as a whole through online proxy control, there will still be power that is subject to output control (output suppression) in order to maintain the supply and demand balance of the power grid. For the power grid as a whole, this output suppression means that power that could be generated is wasted. If this amount of power could be effectively utilized, it would contribute to reducing the environmental burden. It is desirable to move away from the current situation in which power that should be output controlled is wasted and towards a system in which it is utilized. In contrast to such systems, matching systems such as those described in Patent Document 1 are designed to allow consumers with small-scale power generation equipment that is not subject to output control to mutually exchange surplus power from their own generation. However, they do not provide a mechanism designed to absorb output control by power generation companies with a power generation capacity above a certain value.

According to certain statistics, the cumulative number of residential solar power generation systems installed reached approximately 2.8 million in fiscal year 2020 (see URL: https://www.jpea.gr.jp/wp-content/uploads/session2_03_jpea_takahashi.pdf 1-1. Status of Residential (Under 10kW) Solar Power Generation Installation), which, assuming an average power generation capacity of 4kW, amounts to 11.2 million kW. This means that if such small-scale solar power generation systems could be applied to output control, they could make a significant contribution to maintaining the balance of power supply and demand in the power grid and making effective use of electricity.

This invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a power control device that allocates an adjustment amount commensurate with the output control of a solar power generation facility that is subject to power supply and demand management to each consumer with a small-scale solar power generation device, and can act as a proxy for output control while allowing each consumer to utilize the energy they can generate.

This invention provides a power control device that is connected to a power grid and adjusts power consumption for multiple consumers that have a photovoltaic power generation system and at least one of a power storage device and a hot water supply system. The power control device includes: an adjustment command acquisition unit that acquires an adjustment command to suppress output on behalf of the photovoltaic power generation facility connected to the power grid; an adjustment amount allocation unit that determines the allocation of adjustment amounts for each consumer in accordance with the adjustment command; and a power adjustment unit that causes each consumer to control at least one of the power storage device and the hot water supply system in accordance with the determined adjustment amount.

From a different perspective, the present invention provides a power control method in which a power control device connected to a power grid adjusts power for multiple consumers having a photovoltaic power generation system and at least one of a power storage device and a storage-type hot water supply system, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring an adjustment command to suppress output on behalf of the photovoltaic power generation facility connected to the power grid; determining an allocation of an adjustment amount for the power adjustment for each consumer in accordance with the adjustment command; and causing each consumer to control at least one of the power storage device and the storage-type hot water supply system in accordance with the determined adjustment amount.

Furthermore, from a different perspective, the present invention provides a power control system for a consumer connected to a power grid and having a solar power generation device and at least one of a power storage device or a hot water supply device, the power control system obtaining an adjustment amount related to the consumer's power adjustment determined based on an adjustment command to suppress output on behalf of a solar power generation facility connected to the power grid, and controlling at least one of the power storage device and the hot water supply device in accordance with the adjustment amount to adjust the power.
The present invention also provides a power control system comprising: a power control device that is connected to a power grid and causes a plurality of consumers having a solar power generation device and at least one of a power storage device or a hot water storage type water heater to perform power adjustment; and an adjustment command device that allocates adjustment amounts to the power control device, wherein the adjustment command device sends an adjustment command to the power control device, the adjustment command including an adjustment amount to suppress output on behalf of a solar power generation facility connected to the power grid, and the power control device comprises: an adjustment command acquisition unit that acquires the adjustment command; an adjustment amount allocation unit that determines the allocation of the adjustment amount for each consumer so as to match the adjustment command; and a power adjustment unit that causes each consumer to control at least one of the power storage device and the hot water storage type water heater according to the determined adjustment amount.

The power control device of this invention comprises an adjustment command acquisition unit that acquires adjustment commands related to power adjustment, an adjustment amount allocation unit that determines the allocation of adjustment amounts for each consumer in accordance with the adjustment commands, and a power adjustment unit that causes each consumer to control at least one of the storage device and the storage-type hot water supply device in accordance with the determined adjustment amount.Therefore, it is possible to allocate an adjustment amount that corresponds to the output control request for a solar power generation facility connected to the power grid to each consumer that has a small-scale solar power generation device, and to have each consumer utilize the energy that can be generated while acting as an agent for overall output control.
The power control method and power control system according to the present invention also achieve the same effects.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration in which output control of a photovoltaic power generation device is substituted by power adjustment of a plurality of small-scale consumers in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing an example of the relationship between an aggregation coordinator, an aggregator, a power control device, and consumers involved in power adjustment. 3 is a block diagram showing an example in which the resource server shown in FIG. 2 performs control relating to power adjustment as a power control device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example in which the HEMS server shown in FIG. 2 performs control relating to power adjustment as a power control device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a transmission and reception procedure related to power adjustment in this embodiment. FIG.

The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is given by way of example only in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in which a solar power generation facility fulfills requested output control by adjusting the power consumption of multiple small-scale consumers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The solar power generation facility 17 shown in FIG. 1 is a power generation facility that has a power generation capacity equal to or greater than a legally prescribed value and is subject to output control in the power grid. The aggregation coordinator 10 aggregates the power generated by power generation facilities with a power generation capacity equal to or greater than the predetermined value, such as the solar power generation facility 17, and conducts power trading with general electricity transmission and distribution utilities and retail electricity suppliers. The power generation capacity of the solar power generation facility 17 is, for example, 50 kW or more. In FIG. 1 , the server operated by the aggregation coordinator (hereinafter also referred to as the integration server) is simply referred to as the aggregation coordinator 10. The integration server of the aggregation coordinator 10 sends adjustment commands related to adjusting the power supply and demand balance to trading partners such as general electricity transmission and distribution utilities, retail electricity suppliers, and consumers. Output suppression is one method of adjusting the power supply and demand balance.

Photovoltaic power generation facility 17 is a power generation facility that has a power generation capacity above a predetermined value and is subject to output suppression. In contrast, consumers 13A, 13B, 13C, etc. shown in Figure 1 have small-scale photovoltaic power generation equipment (hereinafter referred to as small-scale photovoltaic power generation equipment) that is not subject to output suppression. The power generation capacity of the small-scale photovoltaic power generation equipment is, for example, 2 kW or more but less than 10 kW, which is, for example, 5 to several thousandths of the power generation capacity of photovoltaic power generation facility 17. In addition, each consumer is equipped with at least one of a power storage device and a hot water storage device, and a control device for a power control system (HEMS, i.e., Home Energy Management System) that controls power. In Figure 1, the power control system equipped by each consumer is simply represented as consumers 13A, 13B, 13C, etc. The HEMS servers connected to consumers 13A, 13B, 13C, etc. are operated by businesses that provide services to each consumer's power control system.

In this embodiment, instead of suppressing output at the solar power generation facility 17, substitute control is performed by implementing power adjustment to suppress the reverse flow of power generated by the aggregate of small-scale solar power generation devices of consumers 13A, 13B, 13C, etc. to the power grid. It does not matter whether the solar power generation facility 17 is equipped with a storage battery or other power storage facility. In particular, if the solar power generation facility 17 does not have a storage battery, output control at the solar power generation facility 17 will result in wasting power that could be generated. Even if the solar power generation facility 17 has a storage battery, if its storage capacity is smaller than the amount of suppression required by output control, output control at the solar power generation facility 17 will result in wasting power that could be generated. By performing power adjustment instead of the solar power generation facility 17, by charging each consumer's storage battery with the power generated by each consumer's small-scale solar power generation device to suppress reverse flow power, output control can be achieved and the stored power can be effectively utilized by using the power stored in the storage battery after the implementation period (e.g., after sunset). In this embodiment, the small-scale solar power generation devices of each consumer are not subject to output suppression because their individual power generation capacities are below a predetermined value. However, this does not exclude cases where the solar power generation devices of each consumer are subject to output control. Even if the solar power generation devices of each consumer are subject to output control, power adjustment can be performed to suppress power at a level that exceeds the required output suppression. In the example shown in FIG. 1, resource server 11B and HEMS server 12B are interposed between aggregation coordinator 10 and consumers 13A, 13B, 13C, etc. Communication related to power adjustment is performed hierarchically between aggregation coordinator 10, resource server, HEMS server, and consumers. Aggregation coordinator 10 communicates with multiple resource servers related to power adjustment.

While Figure 1 clearly shows one aggregation coordinator 10 and three resource servers 11A, 11B, and 11C, this number is merely an example. Resource servers 11A, 11B, 11C, etc. are servers operated by resource aggregators. Resource aggregators are businesses that enter into contracts with consumers and manage each consumer's power demand. Resource aggregators can also be considered upper-level aggregators because they communicate directly with aggregation coordinator 10. In the example shown in Figure 1, the integrated server, resource server, and HEMS server are operated by different businesses. It is assumed that the businesses operating the resource servers or HEMS servers are service providers that perform proxy control by adjusting consumers' power consumption. However, this is merely an example, and the scope of functions assumed by each business can vary. For example, an aggregation coordinator business may also serve as a resource aggregator. According to this aspect, the HEMS server communicates directly with the aggregation coordinator 10 without going through a resource server. One resource server communicates with multiple subordinate HEMS servers regarding power adjustment. While Figure 1 clearly shows three HEMS servers 12A, 12B, and 12C subordinate to resource server 11B, this number is merely an example. Also, Figure 1 shows only resource server 11B as a subordinate HEMS server, and omits the illustration of the other resource servers 11A, 11C, etc., but the same applies to the others.

HEMS servers 12A, 12B, 12C, etc. are servers operated by businesses that provide power control systems for consumers to provide services to their customers. Businesses that operate HEMS servers can also be considered lower-level aggregators, as they interact directly with each consumer. In some cases, resource aggregator businesses that operate resource servers also operate HEMS servers. In this case, the resource server and HEMS server hierarchies are integrated into one. That is, only the resource server (or, in other words, only the HEMS server) intervenes between the aggregation coordinator 10 and each consumer. A single HEMS server handles power adjustments with the power control systems of multiple lower-level consumers. While Figure 1 shows three consumers 13A, 13B, and 13C below HEMS server 12B, this number is merely an example. Also, in Figure 1, only the HEMS server 12B is shown as a lower-level consumer, and the other HEMS servers 12A, 12C, etc. are not shown, but the same applies to the others. In addition to the above-mentioned aspects, various other aspects can be considered for the scope of functions assumed by the business operator, and these are included in the scope of this invention.

Figure 2 corresponds to Figure 1 and is a block diagram showing an example of the relationship between an aggregation coordinator, aggregator, power control device, and consumers involved in power adjustment. Elements corresponding to those in Figure 1 are assigned corresponding reference numerals. Figure 2 also shows the configuration of the power control systems of consumers 13A, 13B, and 13C. Consumer 13A shown in Figure 2 is equipped with a small-scale solar power generation system 21A, a power conditioning circuit (PCS), a power load, a power storage device 22A, and a control device 24A. Consumer 13B is equipped with a small-scale solar power generation system 21B, a power conditioning circuit (PCS), a power load, a power storage device 22B, a hot water storage system 23B, and a control device 24B. Consumer 13C is equipped with a small-scale solar power generation system 21C, a power conditioning circuit (PCS), a power load, a hot water storage system 23C, and a control device 24C. In FIG. 2, the power conditioning circuit (PCS) is provided separately from the power storage device and the small-scale solar power generation device, but the power conditioning circuit (PCS) may be included in each of the power storage device and the small-scale solar power generation device, or the power storage device and the small-scale solar power generation device may share the power conditioning circuit (PCS).

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration when the resource server shown in Figures 1 and 2 performs control related to power adjustment as a power control device. The resource server 11 shown in Figure 3 represents the resource servers 11A, 11B, 11C, etc. shown in Figures 1 and 2. The resource server 11 in this embodiment includes a server control unit 31, a data storage unit 32, and a communication circuit 33. The consumer 13 shown in Figure 3 represents the power control systems provided by the consumers 13A, 13B, 13C, etc. shown in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 3, the small-scale solar power generation system 21, power storage device 22, hot water storage system 23, and control device 24 of the consumer 13 represent the small-scale solar power generation system, power storage device, hot water storage system, and control device provided by the consumers 13A, 13B, and 13C.

The server control unit 31 includes an adjustment command acquisition unit 35, an adjustment amount distribution unit 36, and a power adjustment unit 37. It also optionally includes a history acquisition unit 38. In terms of hardware resources, the server control unit 31 is composed of circuits centered around a processor and memory. The processor executes processing programs stored in the memory to function as the adjustment command acquisition unit 35, the adjustment amount distribution unit 36, the power adjustment unit 37, and the optional history acquisition unit 38. In other words, the functions of the server control unit 31 are realized by organically combining the processor's hardware resources and the processing programs, which are software resources. The data storage unit 32 is composed of a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Disk). The data storage unit 32 optionally includes a history storage unit 39. The history storage unit 39 is a storage area that stores the history acquired by the history acquisition unit 38. The history acquisition unit 38 will be described later. The communication circuit 33 is a communication circuit for communicating with external devices such as the upper-level aggregation coordinator 10 and the lower-level HEMS server 12.

The adjustment command acquisition unit 35 acquires from the aggregation coordinator 10 an adjustment command for power adjustment, which acts as an output control agent for the photovoltaic power generation facility 17 that is the target of output control. The adjustment amount allocation unit 36 determines the amount of power adjustment that each consumer should make to match the acquired adjustment command. Alternatively, the amount of power adjustment may be determined on a per-subordinate HEMS server basis and assigned to the HEMS server. In this case, the subordinate HEMS server determines the amount of power adjustment that each subordinate consumer should make to match the assigned adjustment command. The power adjustment unit 37 communicates with one or more subordinate HEMS servers 12 to control at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 according to the adjustment amount assigned to each consumer. The HEMS server 12 communicates with the control device 24 of the subordinate consumer 13 regarding power adjustment using at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 of each consumer.

To describe one example of this interaction in more detail, the resource server (power adjustment unit 37) sends an adjustment command to the HEMS server 12, including the adjustment amount allocated to each consumer. Upon receiving the adjustment amount allocated to each consumer from the resource server 11, the HEMS server 12 notifies each consumer 13 (control device 24) of the respective adjustment amount. Upon receiving the allocated adjustment amount from the HEMS server 12, the control device 24 of each consumer 13 performs power adjustment using at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 in accordance with the adjustment amount. As a different example, the HEMS server 12 may determine the content of power adjustment that each consumer 13 should perform in accordance with the adjustment amount, and the control device 24 of each consumer 13 may perform power adjustment using at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 in accordance with instructions from the HEMS server 12. Another possible embodiment is one in which the HEMS server 12 determines the content of power adjustment that each consumer 13 should perform in accordance with the adjustment amount, and at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 performs power adjustment in accordance with an instruction from the HEMS server 12. Alternatively, the resource server (power adjustment unit 37) sends an adjustment command including an adjustment amount allocated to each HEMS server 12 to the HEMS server 12. Upon receiving the allocated adjustment amount from the resource server 11, the HEMS server 12 determines and notifies each consumer 13 (control device 24) of the respective adjustment amount. Upon receiving the adjustment amount from the HEMS server 12, the control device 24 of each consumer 13 performs power adjustment using at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 in accordance with the adjustment amount. In this case, too, it is possible for the HEMS server 12 to determine the content of power adjustment that each consumer 13 should make in accordance with the adjustment amount, and for the control device 24 of each consumer 13 to make power adjustments using at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 in accordance with instructions from the HEMS server 12. It is also possible for the HEMS server 12 to determine the content of power adjustment that each consumer 13 should make in accordance with the adjustment amount, and for at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 to make power adjustments in accordance with instructions from the HEMS server 12.

As an example of this communication, from the perspective of the power control system of consumer 13, the power control system acquires the adjustment amount allocated to consumer 13 and performs power adjustment using at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 according to that adjustment amount. It is also possible for the power control system to acquire details of the power adjustment that consumer 13 should perform according to the adjustment amount and perform power adjustment using at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 according to the acquired details. Here, the power control system is a power control system for consumer 13 that is connected to the power grid and has a solar power generation device and at least one of a power storage device and a hot water storage device.

Furthermore, when the adjustment amount allocation unit 36 determines the amount of power adjustment each consumer should make to match the acquired adjustment command, or when the HEMS server 12 determines the amount of power adjustment each lower-level consumer should make to match the assigned adjustment command, the consumer 13 to be adjusted may be selected from multiple consumers 13. In this case, if the consumer 13 to be adjusted is selected based on the consumer's 13's postal code information, it is possible to easily select the consumer 13 in the area where output control is required. The consumer's 13 postal code information is effective for extracting consumers in the relevant area when output control is performed in a specific area, such as on a distribution substation basis.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the resource server 11 operated by the upper aggregator performs control related to power adjustment as a power control device, and the lower HEMS server 12 is interposed between the power control device and the consumer 13. In contrast, in this embodiment, the HEMS server 12 operated by the lower aggregator performs control related to power adjustment as a power control device. The resource server 11 operated by the upper aggregator is interposed between the HEMS server 12 as the control device and the aggregation coordinator 10.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration when the HEMS server shown in Figures 1 and 2 performs control related to power adjustment as a power control device. The HEMS server 12 shown in Figure 4 represents the HEMS servers 12A, 12B, 12C, etc. shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 4, the HEMS server 12 in this embodiment includes a server control unit 41, a data storage unit 42, and a communication circuit 43. The consumer 13 is the same as in Figure 3, and the small-scale solar power generation device 21, power storage device 22, hot water storage device 23, and control device 24 of the consumer 13 represent the small-scale solar power generation device, power storage device, hot water storage device, and control device provided by the consumers 13A, 13B, and 13C.

The server control unit 41 includes an adjustment command acquisition unit 45, an adjustment amount distribution unit 46, and a power adjustment unit 47. It also optionally includes a history acquisition unit 48. In terms of hardware resources, the server control unit 41 is composed of circuits centered around a processor and memory. The processor executes processing programs stored in the memory to function as the adjustment command acquisition unit 45, the adjustment amount distribution unit 46, the power adjustment unit 47, and the optional history acquisition unit 48. In other words, the processor's hardware resources and the processing programs, which are software resources, are organically combined to realize the functions of the server control unit 31. The data storage unit 42 is composed of a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Disk). The data storage unit 42 optionally includes a history storage unit 49. The history storage unit 49 is a storage area that stores the history acquired by the history acquisition unit 48. The history acquisition unit 48 will be described later. The communication circuit 43 is a communication circuit for communicating with external devices such as the upper-level aggregation coordinator 10 and the lower-level HEMS server 12.

The adjustment command acquisition unit 45 acquires adjustment commands related to power adjustment of the photovoltaic power generation facility 17 that is the target of output control from the aggregation coordinator 10 via the resource server 11. The adjustment amount allocation unit 46 determines the amount of power adjustment to be performed by each small-scale photovoltaic power generation device of each consumer that adjusts power to match the acquired adjustment command, and allocates the determined adjustment amount to each consumer. The power adjustment unit 47 communicates with the control device 24 of the lower-level consumer 13 regarding the power adjustment of each consumer. It communicates with the control device 24 so that the control device 24 controls at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 according to the adjustment amount allocated to each consumer.

To describe one example of this communication in more detail, the HEMS server 12 (power adjustment unit 47) sends an adjustment command to each consumer 13 (control device 24) including an adjustment amount allocated to each consumer. Upon receiving the allocated adjustment amount from the HEMS server 12, each consumer 13 (control device 24) performs power adjustment using at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 according to the adjustment amount. As a different example, the HEMS server 12 (power adjustment unit 47) may determine the content of power adjustment that each consumer 13 should perform according to the adjustment amount, and the control device 24 of each consumer 13 may perform power adjustment using at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 according to instructions from the HEMS server 12 (power adjustment unit 47). Another possible configuration is one in which the HEMS server 12 (power adjustment unit 47) determines the power adjustment that each consumer 13 should make according to the adjustment amount, and at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage type water heater 23 adjusts the power in accordance with instructions from the HEMS server 12.

As an example of this communication, from the perspective of the power control system of consumer 13, the power control system acquires the adjustment amount allocated to consumer 13 and performs power adjustment using at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 according to that adjustment amount. It is also possible for the power control system to acquire details of the power adjustment that consumer 13 should perform according to the adjustment amount and perform power adjustment using at least one of the power storage device 22 and the hot water storage device 23 according to the acquired details. Here, the power control system is a power control system for consumer 13 that is connected to the power grid and has a solar power generation device and at least one of a power storage device and a hot water storage device.

The adjustment amount allocation unit 46 may also determine the amount of power adjustment to be performed by each small-scale solar power generation device of each consumer that adjusts its power to match the acquired adjustment command, and when allocating the determined adjustment amount to each consumer, select the consumer 13 that will perform power adjustment from among multiple consumers 13. In this case, if the consumer 13 that will perform power adjustment is selected based on the consumer 13's postal code information, it is possible to easily select the consumer 13 in the area where output control is required. The postal code information of the consumer 13 is effective in extracting consumers in the relevant area when output control is performed in a specific area, such as on a distribution substation basis.

(Other embodiments)
In the first embodiment, the resource server 11 performs control related to power adjustment as a power control device. In the second embodiment, the HEMS server 12 performs control related to power adjustment as a power control device. As another embodiment, for example, the resource server 11 and the HEMS server 12 may cooperate to perform control related to power adjustment. In this embodiment, some functions of the server control unit 31 and the data storage unit 32 shown in FIG. 3 are not present in the resource server 11 but are present in the HEMS server 12 as shown in FIG. 4, and these cooperate to perform control related to power adjustment. Furthermore, a configuration in which at least one function of the resource server 11 and the HEMS server 12 is distributed among multiple servers may be considered. For example, the aggregation coordinator 10 may also perform the functions of the resource server 11. In this case, the HEMS server 12 performs control related to power adjustment as a power control device and directly communicates with the upper aggregation coordinator 10. Another embodiment in which the resource server 11 also functions as the HEMS server 12 may also be considered. In this case, the resource server and HEMS server hierarchies are integrated into one, and only the resource server 11 (in other words, only the HEMS 12 server) located between the aggregation coordinator 10 and the consumer 13 performs control related to power adjustment as a power control device.

<Basic configuration and communication procedures related to power adjustment>
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a procedure for communication related to power adjustment in this embodiment. In FIG. 5, the resource server 11 represents the resource servers 11A, 11B, 11C, and so on shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The HEMS server 12 represents the HEMS servers 12A, 12B, 12C, and so on. The consumers 13 represent the consumers 13A, 13B, 13C, and so on. The horizontal direction in FIG. 5 corresponds to the passage of time, with time elapsed from left to right. The output control implementation period shown in FIG. 5 is a period during which each consumer adjusts power instead of controlling the output of the photovoltaic power generation facility 17, and suppresses reverse power flow from the small-scale photovoltaic power generation device 21 to the power grid. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the output control implementation period may occur during any period during the daytime (daytime on the same day) when the photovoltaic power generation device generates power using solar radiation. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, at a predetermined time before the arrival of the day (the previous day), the control device 24 of the power control system of the consumer 13 calculates a predicted value of the amount of power that can be adjusted at each hour during the day on the day, and transmits the predicted value to the HEMS server 12 as the amount of power that can be adjusted.

The HEMS server 12, which receives reports of the amount of power adjustment possible from each consumer 13, compiles the amount of power adjustment possible from those consumers 13 and sends it to the resource server 11. The resource server 11, which receives reports from the HEMS server 12, compiles the amount of power adjustment possible from each HEMS server and sends it to the aggregation coordinator 10. The aggregation coordinator 10, which has received advance reports of the amount of power adjustment possible, determines whether or not it is necessary to send an adjustment command for output control and/or power adjustment based on the power supply and demand balance for that day. If it determines that an adjustment command for output control and/or power adjustment should be sent, it determines the target and implementation period for output control and/or power adjustment. The implementation period is a future point in time at the time the determination is made. At a predetermined time (one hour, for example) prior to the start of the implementation period for output control and/or power adjustment, an adjustment command for output control is sent to the target power generation facility, or an adjustment command for power adjustment is sent to the service provider that performs proxy control through the consumer's power adjustment.

Since this embodiment relates particularly to proxy control through consumer power adjustment, we will omit the exchange with the power generation facility that is the target of output control and will instead describe the power adjustment command sent to the service provider that performs proxy control through consumer power adjustment. The service provider is assumed to have concluded a proxy control contract with each consumer in advance. The service provider may be a business that operates resource server 11, and resource server 11 may perform control related to power adjustment (see Figure 3). Alternatively, the service provider may be a business that operates HEMS server 12, and HEMS server 12 may perform control related to power adjustment (see Figure 4).

The aggregation coordinator 10 sends an adjustment command for power adjustment to the service provider that performs proxy control by adjusting the power of the consumer. For example, if the service provider is the operator of the resource server 11, it sends an adjustment command for power adjustment to that resource server 11. Upon receiving the adjustment command for power adjustment from the aggregation coordinator 10, the resource server 11 determines the consumer 13 that will participate in the power adjustment. It then assigns an output control amount to the consumer 13 that will participate in the power adjustment. It then communicates with the subordinate HEMS server 12 so that each consumer controls at least one of their power storage device and their hot water storage device according to the assigned adjustment amount. The subordinate HEMS server 12 communicates with the control device 24 of the consumer 13 that will participate in the power adjustment.

Upon receiving the adjustment command from the HEMS server 12, the consumer 13 uses the control device 24 to calculate a target value from the command value, and when controlling the power storage device 22, changes the power storage schedule for the implementation period of the day to a power storage schedule corresponding to the target value. Then, charging and discharging of the power storage device 22 is controlled until the end of the implementation period of the day (which may include the nighttime of the previous day) so that the power demand corresponds to the target value. Furthermore, when controlling the hot water storage device 23, the consumer 13 changes the water heating schedule for the implementation period of the day to a water heating schedule corresponding to the target value. Then, water heating of the hot water storage device 23 is controlled until the end of the implementation period of the day (which may include the nighttime of the previous day) so that the power demand corresponds to the target value.
At a certain interval during the implementation period of the day or after the implementation period has ended, the consumer 13 reports the results of the power adjustment of the day to the HEMS server 12 (results response).

The HEMS server 12 receives performance responses regarding power adjustment from each power control system and sends them together to the resource server 11. The resource server 11, which receives reports from each HEMS server 12, then sends them together to the aggregation coordinator 10. The aggregation coordinator 10, which receives reports from each resource server, determines the incentives related to power adjustment to be given to the consumers 13 based on the performance.

In the examples shown in Figures 1 and 2, the operator operating the HEMS server 12 can be considered a lower-level resource aggregator. However, it is also possible for the HEMS server 12, which collectively manages multiple power consumers, to act as an equivalent consumer. In this case, the resource server 11, acting as a power control system, assigns adjustment amounts to one or more HEMS servers 12 and communicates with the HEMS servers 12 to control at least one of the power storage devices and hot water storage devices that the HEMS servers 12 control in accordance with the assigned adjustment amounts. The HEMS server to which the adjustment amounts are assigned determines which consumers 13 will participate in the power adjustment. It then assigns output control amounts to the consumers 13 that will participate in the power adjustment. The HEMS server 12 then communicates with the control devices 24 of the consumers 13 participating in the power adjustment so that each consumer controls at least one of the power storage devices and hot water storage devices in accordance with the assigned adjustment amounts.

<<Example of power adjustment using a power storage device>>
An example of power adjustment performed by the control device 24 of the consumer 13 will be described. Here, an example in which a power storage device 22 is applied to power adjustment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5 , the control device 24 of the consumer 13 transmits to the upper HEMS server 12, as the power adjustment possible amount, a predicted hourly amount of power that can be adjusted when an adjustment command is received the previous day or the next day. The control device 24 collects information such as the actual amount of power generated by the small-scale solar power generation device 21 of the consumer 13, the actual charging and discharging of the power storage device 22, the actual amount of power consumed due to the power load, and the weather forecast for the day, and derives the predicted value based on the collected information. The amount of power generated by the consumer 13, the charging and discharging of the power storage device 22, and the amount of power consumed due to the power load may be stored in advance as a history in a non-volatile memory of the control device 24. When the HEMS server 12 located at the upper level of the consumer 13 acts as a power control device, the history may be sent to the upper HEMS server 12, and the HEMS server 12 may store the history of each consumer 13. In this case, the data storage unit 32 of the HEMS server 12 includes a history storage unit 39 that stores the history of each consumer 13. The control device 24 derives the adjustable amount of output by referring to the history stored in the history storage unit 39.

Furthermore, if the resource server 11, which is higher up the HEMS server 12, acts as a power control device, the resource server 11 may store the history. In this case, the data storage unit 42 of the resource server 11 includes a history storage unit 49 that stores the history of each consumer. The control device 24 references the history stored in the history storage unit 49 of the resource server 11 via the HEMS server 12 and derives the amount of adjustable output.

When power adjustment is performed for the day, the adjustment amount allocation unit 36 or 46 of the power control device determines the amount of power that the consumer 13 should suppress within the range of the power adjustment allowable amount transmitted the previous day and transmits an adjustment command. The control device 24 of the consumer 13 receives the adjustment command from the higher-level HEMS server 12 before the implementation period begins. Upon receiving the adjustment command, the control device 24 references the information contained in the adjustment command regarding the implementation period and the amount of power to suppress during the implementation period. Upon receiving the adjustment command, the control device 24 modifies the power storage schedule during the power adjustment implementation period to correspond to the target value according to the adjustment command. Then, based on the modified power storage schedule, the control device 24 controls the charging and discharging of the power storage device 22 so that the amount of power sold from the consumer 13 to the power grid during the implementation period, in other words, the reverse flow power, is kept below a predetermined value. The aforementioned predetermined value may be zero. Alternatively, it may be power purchase. In other words, the charging and discharging of the power storage device 22 may be controlled to prevent reverse power flow to the power grid during the implementation period. However, because the amount of power that can be stored in the power storage device 22 is limited, it is not always possible to completely eliminate reverse power flow during the implementation period. For a portion of the implementation period, the charging and discharging of the power storage device 22 may be controlled to prevent reverse power flow from the consumer 13 to the power grid. The control device 24 modifies the power storage schedule to a level where the power stored in the power storage device 22 during the power adjustment implementation period covers the power used by the power load of the consumer 13 after the implementation period (e.g., after sunset). The modified power storage schedule may be to fully charge the power storage device 22. By controlling the charging of the power storage device 22 until it is fully charged, it is possible to cover the power used not only during the night of the day after the implementation period but also until the sun rises the next morning and solar power generation begins. Therefore, the power stored in the power storage device 22 during the implementation period is used without waste.

<Example of power adjustment using a hot water storage device>
As another example of power adjustment performed by the control device 24, an example in which a storage-type hot water supply device 23 is applied to power adjustment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5 , the control device 24 of the consumer 13 transmits to the upper-level HEMS server 12 a forecast value for each hour of the amount of power that can be adjusted when an adjustment command is received the previous day or the next day as the amount of power adjustment possible. The control device 24 collects information such as the actual amount of power generated by the small-scale solar power generation device 21 at the consumer 13, the actual amount of power consumed by the storage-type hot water supply device 23 due to heating, the actual amount of power consumed by other power loads, and the weather forecast for the day, and derives the forecast value based on the collected information. The amount of power generated by the consumer 13, the amount of power consumed by the storage-type hot water supply device 23, and the amount of power consumed by other power loads may be stored in advance as history in a non-volatile memory of the control device 24. If the upper-level HEMS server 12 or the resource server 11 higher than the HEMS server 12 acts as a power control device, the HEMS server 12 or the resource server 11 may store the history. The control device 24 refers to the history stored in the history storage unit 49 of the resource server 11 via the HEMS server 12 and derives the adjustable amount of output.

When power adjustment is performed for the day, the adjustment amount allocation unit 36 or 46 of the power control device determines the amount of power that the consumer 13 should suppress within the range of the power adjustment allowable amount transmitted the previous day and transmits an adjustment command. The control device 24 receives the adjustment command from the upper-level HEMS server 12 before the implementation period begins. Upon receiving the adjustment command, the control device 24 references the information contained in the adjustment command regarding the implementation period and the amount of power that should be suppressed during the implementation period. Upon receiving the adjustment command, the control device 24 changes the water heating schedule of the storage-type hot water heater 23 during the power adjustment implementation period to correspond to the target value according to the adjustment command. The control device 24 then controls the water heating of the storage-type hot water heater 23 based on the changed water heating schedule. In this way, the amount of power sold by the consumer 13 to the power grid during the implementation period, in other words, reverse flow power, is adjusted to a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be zero, i.e., a water heating schedule that prevents reverse flow to the power grid. However, because the amount of hot water that storage type hot water heater 23 can store is limited, it is not always possible to eliminate reverse power flow during the implementation period. In this way, control device 24 changes the hot water heating schedule to a range within which the amount of hot water used by consumer 13 after the implementation period (for example, after sunset) can be covered by the hot water heated and stored by storage type hot water heater 23 during the implementation period. Therefore, the electricity used to heat water by storage type hot water heater 23 during the implementation period is used without waste.

<Example of power adjustment amount allocation>
A specific example will be described in which the adjustment amount allocation unit 36 shown in Fig. 3 or the adjustment amount allocation unit 46 shown in Fig. 4 determines the adjustment amount related to power adjustment. Several methods can be considered for the adjustment amount allocation unit 36 or 46 to determine the adjustment amount for each consumer. As an example, when the implementation period is specified as a number of consecutive periods, with each unit being 30 minutes, the adjustment command is updated as needed, for example, in five-minute increments, depending on fluctuations in the supply and demand balance during the implementation period. In other words, the adjustment amount can be updated in five-minute increments.

In a first aspect, the adjustment amount allocation unit 36 or 46 may allocate an adjustment amount according to the power generation capacity of the small-scale solar power generation device 21 owned by each consumer. Small-scale solar power generation devices 21 with large power generation capacities are predicted to generate more electricity during the implementation period than small-scale solar power generation devices 21 with small power generation capacities, so a larger adjustment amount is allocated to consumers with small-scale solar power generation devices 21 with large power generation capacities accordingly.

A second aspect is to allocate the amount of adjustment to each consumer depending on whether or not there is reverse power flow for each consumer that is expected or actually occurring during the implementation period, or the magnitude of the reverse power flow. The reverse power flow from the consumer to the power grid is power generated by the small-scale solar power generation device 21 of the consumer 13. If this power is suppressed, it can be said that the small-scale solar power generation device 21 of the consumer 13 has performed power adjustment on behalf of the solar power generation facility 17. In other words, it can be said to act as a proxy for output control for the solar power generation facility 17.

Furthermore, as a third aspect, when the power storage device 22 is applied to power adjustment, the adjustment amount allocation unit 36 or 46 can determine and allocate an adjustment amount according to the magnitude of power consumption by each consumer after the implementation period. This is to ensure that power stored in the power storage device 22 during power adjustment is used efficiently, assuming that the consumer 13 will consume the power after the implementation period. Consumers with high power consumption after the implementation period are likely to be able to use power efficiently even if a large adjustment amount is assigned to them. An example of the period after the implementation period is after sunset, but any time period after the implementation period will do. The adjustment amount can also be determined and allocated according to the magnitude of power consumption that exceeds the amount of power generated after the implementation period.

As a fourth aspect, when applying the power storage device 22 to power adjustment, the adjustment amount allocation unit 36 or 46 may determine and allocate the adjustment amount according to the amount of free capacity of the power storage device 22 predicted during the power adjustment implementation period. The predicted free capacity can be considered the capacity at which the power storage device 22 can be applied to power adjustment, so the idea is to allocate a larger adjustment amount to consumers 13 that are predicted to have a larger free capacity during the implementation period. In this case, the storage schedule for power that was originally scheduled to be charged before the power adjustment implementation time may be shifted to the extent determined possible by referring to the history during the power adjustment implementation period, thereby increasing the free capacity compared to the original storage schedule.

Furthermore, as a fifth aspect, when applying the power storage device 22 to power adjustment, the control device 24 can accept a user setting of a dedicated capacity (free capacity) for the purpose of responding to power adjustment, and the power storage device 22 can reserve that free capacity according to the setting. The adjustment amount allocation unit 36 or 46 determines and allocates an adjustment amount according to the size of the free capacity thus reserved. Since the reserved free capacity can be said to be the capacity at which the power storage device 22 can be applied to power adjustment, the idea is to allocate a larger adjustment amount to a consumer 13 that has reserved a larger free capacity for power adjustment.

As a sixth aspect, when applying the hot water storage type hot water heater 23 to power adjustment, the adjustment amount allocation unit 36 or 46 can determine and allocate the adjustment amount as follows. When applying the hot water storage type hot water heater 23 to power adjustment, the hot water heating schedule, which was originally scheduled to be heated and stored before the power adjustment implementation time, is shifted to the period during which power adjustment is implemented, to the extent that it can be determined that there will be no shortage of hot water by referring to the history. In this way, at least a portion of the electricity generated by the small-scale solar power generation device 21 during the period during which power adjustment is implemented is used to heat water. The amount of power consumption equivalent to the shift of the water heating to the implementation period is calculated, and the adjustment amount is determined and allocated according to the amount of power consumption for the shift. The amount of power consumption for the shift can be said to be the power adjustment capacity that can be handled by applying the hot water storage type hot water heater 23.

<Compensation for power adjustment>
Providing incentives for the above-mentioned power adjustments would further encourage the use of electricity. The incentives could be funded by utilizing the power related to output control, which reduces the amount of power generated by thermal power plants across the entire power system. Therefore, fuel costs and greenhouse gas reduction costs equivalent to the amount of power reduced from thermal power plants could be used as incentive funds. By measuring these effects and linking them to the amount of power adjusted, it would also be possible to return value to users. The amount of power adjusted could be, for example, the amount of power charged or consumed during the adjustment period. When using the power storage device 22 for power adjustments, the amount of power charged during the adjustment period corresponds to the amount of power avoided from reverse power flow. Therefore, incentives may be provided based on the amount of power charged during the adjustment period. Furthermore, when using the hot water supply device 23 for power adjustments, power consumption may exceed power generation during the adjustment period, resulting in power purchases. This power purchase would result in an economic loss for the user. Therefore, incentives may be provided to compensate for the power purchases during the adjustment period. Alternatively, an incentive may be provided based on the amount of power consumed by hot water storage type water heater 23 during the implementation period. In this case, since an incentive is provided, hot water storage type water heater 23 can be applied to power adjustment without worrying about the risk of purchasing power.

As mentioned above,
(i) The power control device of this invention is a power control device that is connected to a power grid and causes a plurality of consumers having a solar power generation device and at least one of a power storage device or a hot water supply device to perform power adjustment, and is characterized by comprising: an adjustment command acquisition unit that acquires an adjustment command to suppress output on behalf of the solar power generation facility connected to the power grid; an adjustment amount allocation unit that determines an allocation of an adjustment amount for each consumer in accordance with the adjustment command; and a power adjustment unit that causes each consumer to control at least one of the power storage device and the hot water supply device in accordance with the determined adjustment amount.

In this invention, the power supply and demand of the power grid to which the solar power generation facility is connected is managed by a coordinator. The coordinator that manages the power supply and demand in the power grid manages the balance of power supply and demand in the power grid and sends adjustment commands related to that adjustment. A specific example of this is a power transmission and distribution business operator that operates the transmission and distribution of power in the power grid. The aggregation coordinator in the above-mentioned embodiment corresponds to the coordinator in this invention.

Furthermore, the photovoltaic power generation facility connected to the power grid is a photovoltaic power generation facility connected to a power grid in which a coordinator manages power supply and demand. The power generation capacity of the photovoltaic power generation facility is greater than the power generation capacity of the consumer's photovoltaic power generation device, and has a power generation capacity equivalent to the power generation capacity of the photovoltaic power generation devices of multiple consumers. The photovoltaic power generation facility is a power generation facility that can be subject to output control and has a power generation capacity equal to or greater than a predetermined value (10 kW, for example) set forth by law. A specific example of such a facility is a photovoltaic power generation device having a power generation capacity equal to or greater than the predetermined value. The photovoltaic power generation facility 17 (not the small-scale photovoltaic power generation device 21) in the above-described embodiment corresponds to the photovoltaic power generation facility connected to the power grid in this invention.
Furthermore, the adjustment command is a command sent from a coordinator that manages the supply and demand of electricity in a power grid to a service provider that performs proxy control by adjusting the power of consumers to suppress power in accordance with the output control of the solar power generation facilities under its management. It is also a command related to power adjustment sent from the service provider that received the command to multiple consumers that have small-scale solar power generation devices.

The power generation capacity of the photovoltaic power generation device of each consumer is smaller than the power generation capacity of the photovoltaic power generation facility. The photovoltaic power generation device of each consumer is mainly assumed to be a photovoltaic power generation device that is not subject to output control and has a power generation capacity less than a predetermined value (10 kW, for example) set by law. A specific example of such a device is a home photovoltaic power generation device. The small-scale photovoltaic power generation device 21 in the above-described embodiment corresponds to the photovoltaic power generation device owned by each consumer in this invention.
The adjustment amount is the amount of power that each consumer should adjust in relation to the adjustment command, or the total amount of power that each consumer should adjust in relation to the adjustment command.

Furthermore, the power storage device is a power storage device owned by each consumer, and includes a storage battery and a control device that controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery. The power storage device stores power supplied from a small-scale solar power generation system or the power grid and outputs it to each consumer's power load or the power grid. Charging a storage battery can be considered a type of power load. It is possible to control the schedule (power storage schedule) for when and how much power to charge the storage battery and output. In power adjustment, the time period for charging the storage battery can be shifted from the original schedule to the power adjustment period, and the power generated by the small-scale solar power generation system can be used to charge the storage battery and allocated to power adjustment. The power charged in the storage battery is supplied to the power load as needed, so the power allocated to power adjustment is used effectively. Note that the power storage device is included in the power control system of consumer 13 in the above-mentioned embodiment.

A storage-type hot water heater is a device that uses heat pump technology or other means to heat and store hot water using electricity, and supplies it as needed. It can be considered a type of power load. It is possible to control the schedule (heating schedule) for when and how much hot water is heated. With power adjustment, the time period for heating can be shifted from the original schedule to a power adjustment period, and the power generated by the small-scale solar power generation system can be used for heating and allocated to power adjustment. Boiled water is used as needed, so if there is no need to reheat the water, the power allocated to power adjustment can be used effectively. Note that the storage-type hot water heater is included in the power control system of consumer 13 in the above-mentioned embodiment.

The power adjustment method of this invention is effective in maintaining the balance of power supply and demand in a power grid and in making effective use of electricity. Apart from proxy control through power adjustment, another method of maintaining the balance of power supply and demand is, for example, changing the price of electricity depending on the state of the balance of power supply and demand. For example, if electricity is made cheaper during daytime hours, it would be economically rational to encourage each consumer to store the electricity generated by their small-scale solar power generation device in a storage battery during daytime hours. However, even if one tries to maintain the balance of power supply and demand through electricity prices alone, it is difficult to accurately estimate and guide the overall amount of power usage in the power grid. In other words, it is difficult to say that the risk of a power supply and demand imbalance caused by a power outage can be avoided by simply inducing electricity prices.

In addition, tertiary adjustment capacity (wide-area electricity procurement market) is being prepared as another method for maintaining the balance of electricity supply and demand in the power grid. For example, this is a mechanism for adjusting the balance of electricity supply and demand in each region by transferring electricity across a wide area from regions where electricity supply exceeds electricity demand to regions where electricity demand exceeds electricity supply. It is being prepared as a method for dealing with prediction errors in electricity generation from renewable energy sources. However, in situations where large amounts of surplus electricity are generated, the market price of electricity is low. As a result, there are costs involved in purchasing the surplus electricity, and even if this surplus electricity can be sold at a low price to regions where there is a power shortage, it can be difficult from a profitability perspective.

Further, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
(ii) The power adjustment unit may be configured to cause the storage device to perform charging control or the storage-type hot water supply device to perform boiling control using the power generated by the solar power generation device during the period in which the power adjustment is being performed.
According to this aspect, even if a consumer has a small-scale solar power generation device, the power generated by the consumer's multiple solar power generation devices during the power adjustment period can be used to charge and control the consumer's storage battery or to control the heating of the storage-type hot water heater, and by controlling these collectively, an adjustment amount commensurate with the output control can be obtained.The consumer can use the power stored in the storage battery during the power adjustment period or the hot water heated by the storage-type hot water heater after the period (for example, after sunset), so the power generated by the solar power generation device during the power adjustment period is utilized.

(iii) The adjustment amount allocation unit may allocate an adjustment amount to a consumer that receives a reverse flow of power generated by the solar power generation device to the power grid during the period in which the power adjustment is implemented, so that the reverse flow power is suppressed to zero or a predetermined value or less.
According to this aspect, the adjustment amount allocation unit can determine the allocation of adjustment amounts for each consumer that experiences reverse power flow during the period in which power adjustment is being implemented, so that the reverse power flow is eliminated or the reverse power flow power is reduced to a predetermined value or less.

(iv) The adjustment amount allocation unit may allocate the adjustment amount in accordance with the magnitude of the power generation capacity of the photovoltaic power generation device of each consumer.
According to this aspect, the adjustment amount allocation unit can determine the allocation of the adjustment amount according to the magnitude of the power generation capacity of the photovoltaic power generation device of each customer.

(v) The adjustment amount allocation unit may obtain in advance a predicted value of the capacity that can be stored in the storage device of each consumer that has the storage device during the period in which the power adjustment is implemented, and determine the allocation of the adjustment amount to each consumer based on the obtained predicted value of the capacity.
According to this aspect, the adjustment amount allocation unit obtains a predicted value of the capacity that can be stored in each consumer's storage device during the implementation period before the power adjustment is implemented, and can determine the allocation of the adjustment amount to each consumer based on the size of that value.

(vi) The system may further include a history acquisition unit that acquires history relating to at least one of the control of the charge and discharge control of the power storage device for each time period of the consumer and the control of the heating of the hot water storage type hot water heater, and the power adjustment unit may refer to the history acquired by the history acquisition unit and control at least one of the control of the charge of the power storage device before the period in which the power adjustment is implemented and the control of the heating of the hot water storage type hot water heater to be shifted to the period in which the power adjustment is implemented, and the adjustment amount allocation unit may determine the allocation of the adjustment amount to each consumer based on the amount of power demand that increases during the period in which the power adjustment is implemented due to the shift.
According to this aspect, the adjustment amount allocation unit can determine the allocation of adjustment amounts to each consumer based on the amount of electricity demand that increases during the implementation period by shifting the electricity demand during the nighttime before the output control is implemented to the implementation period.

(vii) The adjustment amount allocation unit may obtain in advance a predicted value of the amount of electricity that the storage-type hot water supply device of each consumer that has the storage-type hot water supply device can use for heating water during the period in which the power adjustment is implemented, and may determine the allocation of adjustment amounts to each consumer based on the predicted value obtained from each consumer.
According to this aspect, the adjustment amount allocation unit obtains a predicted value of the amount of electricity that each consumer's storage-type water heating device can use for heating during the implementation period before the power adjustment is implemented, and can determine the allocation of adjustment amounts to each consumer based on the magnitude of that value.

(viii) Each consumer may be provided with a control device that controls at least one of the power storage device and the hot water supply device, and the power adjustment unit may be configured to cause the control device to control at least one of the power storage device and the hot water supply device.
According to this aspect, the adjustment amount distribution unit can realize power adjustment that allows each consumer to consume electricity for their own use according to the determined adjustment amount by interacting with a control device that controls at least one of the storage device and the hot water storage type water heater owned by each consumer.

(ix) One aspect of the present invention is a power control system for a consumer connected to a power grid, having a photovoltaic power generation device and at least one of a power storage device and a hot water supply system, the power control system acquiring an adjustment amount related to the consumer's power adjustment determined based on an adjustment command to suppress output on behalf of a photovoltaic power generation facility connected to the power grid, and controlling at least one of the power storage device and the hot water supply system in accordance with the adjustment amount, thereby adjusting the power.

(x) One aspect of the present invention includes a power control method in which a power control device connected to a power grid adjusts power for multiple consumers having photovoltaic power generation equipment and at least one of a power storage device and a hot water storage type water heater, the power control device comprising: a step of obtaining an adjustment command to suppress output on behalf of the managed photovoltaic power generation facilities from a coordinator that manages power supply and demand in the power grid; a step of determining an allocation of an adjustment amount related to the power adjustment of the photovoltaic power generation equipment of each consumer in accordance with the adjustment command; and a step of causing each consumer to control at least one of the power storage device and the hot water storage type water heater in accordance with the determined adjustment amount.

(xi) Another aspect of the present invention is a power control system including a power control device connected to a power grid that causes multiple consumers having photovoltaic power generation equipment and at least one of a power storage device and a hot water storage device to perform power adjustments, and an adjustment command device that allocates adjustment amounts to the power control device, wherein the adjustment command device sends an adjustment command to the power control device, including an adjustment amount to suppress output on behalf of a photovoltaic power generation facility connected to the power grid, and the power control device includes an adjustment command acquisition unit that acquires the adjustment command, an adjustment amount allocation unit that determines an allocation of the adjustment amount for each consumer so as to match the adjustment command, and a power adjustment unit that causes each consumer to control at least one of the power storage device and the hot water storage device in accordance with the determined adjustment amount. The adjustment command device according to this invention corresponds, for example, to the resource server in the second embodiment described above.

The aspects of the present invention also include combinations of any of the above-described aspects.
In addition to the above-described embodiment, various modifications of the present invention are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not falling within the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include all modifications and equivalents to the scope of the claims.

10: Aggregation coordinator; 11, 11A, 11B, 11C: Resource server; 12, 12A, 12B, 12C: HEMS server; 13, 13A, 13B, 13C: Consumer; 17: Solar power generation facility; 21, 21A, 21B, 21C: Small-scale solar power generation system; 22, 22A, 22B: Power storage device; 23, 23B, 23C: Storage-type hot water supply system; 24, 24A, 24B, 24C: Control device; 31, 41: Server control unit; 32, 42: Data storage unit; 33, 43: Communication circuit; 35, 45: Adjustment command acquisition unit; 36, 46: Adjustment amount distribution unit; 37, 47: Power adjustment unit; 38, 48: History acquisition unit; 39, 49: History storage unit

Claims (10)

A power control device that is connected to a power grid and adjusts power consumption of a plurality of consumers that have a photovoltaic power generation device and at least one of a power storage device and a hot water supply device,
an adjustment command acquisition unit that acquires , from an aggregation coordinator that manages power supply and demand in the power system, an adjustment command to substitute a requested amount of output suppression for a photovoltaic power generation facility connected to the power system with power adjustment of each consumer ;
an adjustment amount distribution unit that determines and distributes, for each consumer, an adjustment amount, which is the amount of power that each consumer should absorb as self-consumption by at least one of charging the power storage device and heating the hot water storage type water heater during the implementation period of the power adjustment so as to correspond to the adjustment command;
A power control device comprising: a power adjustment unit that causes each consumer to control at least one of the storage device and the storage-type hot water supply device according to the determined adjustment amount , and suppresses the reverse flow power from the solar power generation device of each consumer to the power grid to be zero or below a predetermined value . The power control device of claim 1, wherein the power adjustment unit controls charging of the power storage device or controls heating of the hot water storage-type water heater using the power generated by the solar power generation device during the power adjustment period. The power control device described in claim 1, wherein the adjustment amount allocation unit allocates the adjustment amount according to the power generation capacity of the solar power generation device owned by each consumer. The power control device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment amount distribution unit obtains in advance a predicted value of the capacity that can be stored in the power storage device of each consumer that has the power storage device during the period in which the power adjustment is being implemented, and determines the allocation of the adjustment amount to each consumer based on the obtained predicted value of capacity. Further, a history acquisition unit is provided for acquiring a history of at least one of the charge/discharge control of the power storage device for each time zone of each consumer and the heating control of the hot water storage type hot water heater,
the power adjustment unit refers to the history acquired by the history acquisition unit and controls at least one of the charging control of the power storage device before the implementation period of the power adjustment and the heating control of the hot water storage type hot water heater to be shifted to the implementation period of the power adjustment;
The power control device according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment amount allocator determines the allocation of the adjustment amount to each consumer based on the magnitude of the power demand that increases during the implementation period of the power adjustment due to the shift. The power control device described in claim 1, wherein the adjustment amount allocation unit obtains in advance a predicted value of the amount of electricity that the storage-type hot water heater of each consumer that has the storage-type hot water heater can use for heating water during the period in which the power adjustment is implemented, and determines the allocation of the adjustment amount to each consumer based on the predicted value obtained from each consumer. Each consumer is provided with a control device that controls at least one of the power storage device and the hot water storage type hot water supply device,
The power control device according to claim 1 , wherein the power adjustment unit causes the control device to control at least one of the power storage device and the hot water storage type water heater. A power control system for a consumer connected to a power grid, the power control system including a solar power generation device and at least one of a power storage device and a hot water supply device,
From an aggregation coordinator that manages power supply and demand in the power system, an adjustment amount related to the power adjustment of the consumer, which is determined based on an adjustment command for substituting a requested amount of output suppression for a solar power generation facility connected to the power system with power adjustment on the consumer side , is acquired;
A power control system that controls at least one of the storage device and the hot water supply device according to the adjustment amount, thereby suppressing the reverse flow power from the consumer's solar power generation device to the power grid to zero or a predetermined value or less . A power control device is connected to a power grid and controls a plurality of consumers having a photovoltaic power generation device and at least one of a power storage device and a hot water supply device,
obtaining an adjustment command to suppress output on behalf of the photovoltaic power generation facility connected to the power grid;
determining and allocating for each consumer an adjustment amount, which is the amount of power that each consumer should absorb as self-consumption by at least one of charging the power storage device and heating the hot water storage type water heater during the implementation period of the power adjustment in accordance with the adjustment command;
and causing each consumer to control at least one of the power storage device and the hot water storage type water heater in accordance with the determined adjustment amount. a power control device connected to a power grid and configured to adjust power consumption of a plurality of consumers having a photovoltaic power generation device and at least one of a power storage device and a hot water supply device;
an adjustment command device that issues an adjustment command to the power control device;
A power control system comprising:
the adjustment command device sends an adjustment command to the power control device, the adjustment command being a command from an aggregation coordinator that manages power supply and demand in the power system, to substitute a requested amount of output suppression for a solar power generation facility connected to the power system with power adjustment of each consumer ;
The power control device includes: an adjustment command acquisition unit that acquires the adjustment command;
an adjustment amount distribution unit that determines and distributes, for each consumer, an adjustment amount, which is the amount of power that each consumer should absorb as self-consumption by at least one of charging the power storage device and heating the hot water storage type water heater during the implementation period of the power adjustment so as to correspond to the adjustment command;
a power adjustment unit that causes each consumer to control at least one of the power storage device and the hot water storage type water heater in accordance with the determined adjustment amount , and suppresses the reverse flow power from the solar power generation device of each consumer to the power grid to zero or a predetermined value or less .