JP2016081382A - Management device, management system, program and management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management device, management system, program and management method that can control an electric power distribution device supplying an electric power to be supplied from electric power suppliers to electric devices.SOLUTION: A management device comprises: an event monitor unit 522 that detects a predetermined event; and a control signal transmission unit 524 that, when the event monitor unit 522 detects the predetermined event, transmits a limit signal instructing to limit an electric power to be supplied to one or more burden devices from an electric power distribution device supplying the electric power to be supplied from an electric power supplier to one or more burden devices to the electric power distribution device or a control device controlling the electric power distribution device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a management apparatus, a management system, a program, and a management method.

A system is known in which the electrical device adjusts the power consumption based on a signal from a controller that manages the power consumption of the electrical device (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4).
[Prior art documents]
[Patent Literature]
[Patent Document 1] JP 2013-513353 [Patent Document 2] JP 2002-369385 [Patent Document 3] JP 2013-183585 [Patent Document 4] JP 2012-023824

  According to a conventional system, it is impossible to control a power distribution device that supplies electric power supplied from an electric power supplier to an electric device.

  In a first aspect of the present invention, a management device that manages the use of electricity by one or more load devices is provided. The above management device supplies an event detection unit that detects a predetermined event and power supplied from a power supplier to one or more load devices when the event detection unit detects a predetermined event. A limit signal transmitting unit that transmits a limit signal that instructs to limit power supplied to one or more load devices from the power distribution device to the power distribution device or a control device that controls the power distribution device. Good. In the above management device, the predetermined event is that an abnormality has occurred in the management device, and the amount of power consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices in a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined value. And at least one of a rate of electricity consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices in a predetermined period of time being greater than a predetermined amount.

  Said management apparatus may be provided with the interruption | blocking detection part which detects that supply of the electric power to the management apparatus was interrupted | blocked. The management apparatus may include a power source that supplies power to the management apparatus when the interruption detection unit detects that the supply of power from the power supplier to the management apparatus is interrupted. In the above management device, the limit signal is a stop signal for stopping power supply from the power distribution device to the one or more load devices, and a total current supplied from the power distribution device to the one or more load devices. At least one of setting signals for setting the upper limit value may be included. In the above management device, the upper limit value of the total current may be set according to a predetermined event.

  The management apparatus may include a restriction signal selection unit that selects a restriction signal corresponding to a predetermined event from one or more restriction signals. In the above management device, the limit signal transmission unit may transmit the limit signal selected by the limit signal selection unit to the power distribution device or the control device. Said management apparatus may be provided with the authentication information acquisition part which acquires the authentication information of a management apparatus. When the authentication information acquisition unit acquires the authentication information, the management device described above outputs a release signal that instructs to release the restriction on the power supplied from the power distribution device to the one or more load devices. You may provide the cancellation | release signal transmission part transmitted to a control apparatus.

  In the 2nd aspect of this invention, the management system provided with said management apparatus and a power distribution apparatus or a control apparatus is provided.

  In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to function as the above management device. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a computer to function as the above management apparatus is recorded may be provided.

  In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a management method for managing the use of electricity by one or more load devices is provided. The above management method includes an event detection stage for detecting a predetermined event. In the above management method, when a predetermined event is detected in the event detection stage, from a power distribution device that supplies power supplied from a power supplier to one or more load devices, to one or more load devices. There is a limit signal transmission step of transmitting a limit signal instructing to limit the supplied power to the power distribution device or a control device that controls the power distribution device. In the above management method, the predetermined event is that an abnormality has occurred in the management device, and the amount of power consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices in a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined value. And at least one of a rate of electricity consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices in a predetermined period of time being greater than a predetermined amount.

  It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention. In addition, a sub-combination of these feature groups can also be an invention.

An example of management system 100 is shown roughly. An example of management server 122 is shown roughly. An example of the electric power provision management part 216 is shown roughly. An example of distribution part 228 is shown roughly. An example of consumer terminal 152 is shown roughly. An example of data table 600 is shown roughly. An example of data table 700 is shown roughly. An example of data table 800 is shown roughly. An example of data table 900 is shown roughly. An example of data table 1000 is shown roughly. An example of the process in the management server 122 is shown schematically. An example of data table 1200 is shown roughly. An example of event monitoring part 522 is shown roughly. An example of control signal transmission part 524 is shown roughly. An example of authentication information acquisition part 532 is shown roughly. An example of data table 1600 is shown roughly. An example of the authentication process of the consumer terminal 152 is shown schematically. An example of data table 1800 is shown roughly.

  Hereinafter, although one aspect of the present invention will be described through embodiments of the present invention, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solving means of the invention. In the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. In the specification of the present application, the term “time” may indicate time or may indicate a period.

  FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a management system 100. In FIG. 1, a supplier site 102 indicates a site of a power supplier such as a power generation company or a power sales company. The consumer site 104 indicates a site of a power consumer such as a house, an apartment house, a business office, or a factory. In the present embodiment, a management server 122 and a power supply device 124 are arranged at the supplier site 102. In addition, an electrical device 132, an electrical device 134, a power distribution device 142, a watt-hour meter 144, a consumer terminal 152, and a gateway 154 are arranged at the consumer site 104.

  In the present embodiment, the management system 100 includes a management server 122 and a consumer terminal 152. The management server 122 and the consumer terminal 152 may be realized by hardware, may be realized by software, or may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

  The management system 100 may further include an authentication server 20 that executes authentication processing of the consumer terminal 152. Similar to the management server 122, the authentication server 20 may be realized by hardware, may be realized by software, or may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

  For example, the authentication server 20 generates authentication information for establishing communication between the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152. The authentication server 20 transmits the generated identification information to one or more of the management server 122, the consumer terminal 152, and the watt-hour meter 144. The authentication server 20 may generate authentication information based on a request from the user. The authentication server 20 receives a request from a user via, for example, the management server 122, the consumer terminal 152, the user's mobile terminal, and the like.

  The authentication information may include an authentication ID and password information such as a password associated with the authentication ID. The authentication ID may be information uniquely assigned to each of the one or more watt-hour meters 144. When the watt-hour meter 144 is a smart meter, the authentication ID may be a B route authentication ID. The B route authentication ID is used for user confirmation or identification by the installer or operator of the watt-hour meter 144 when using the smart meter B route.

  Each of the management system 100 and the management server 122 may be an example of a power management system. The watt-hour meter 144 may be an example of a control device. The consumer terminal 152 may be an example of a management device. Each of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 may be an example of one or more load devices.

  In the present embodiment, the management system 100 will be described by taking as an example a case where the management server 122 and the power supply device 124 are arranged in the same site. However, the management system 100 is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the management server 122 and the power supply device 124 may be arranged in different premises.

  In the present embodiment, the management system 100 will be described by taking as an example the case where the management server 122 manages the power or the amount of power provided by the power supply device 124. However, the management server 122 is not limited to this embodiment. The management server 122 may manage at least one of electric power and electric energy supplied by a plurality of electric power supply devices (sometimes referred to as electric power). The management server 122 may manage power supplied by a plurality of power suppliers. In one embodiment, the management server 122 includes power supplied from a specific power generation facility or power storage facility of a specific power supplier, and power supplied from another power generation facility or power storage facility of the specific power supplier. And so on. In another embodiment, the management server 122 manages the power provided by a specific power supplier and the power provided by another power supplier. The management server 122 may manage not only the electrical equipment or watt hour meter placed at the consumer site 104 but also the electrical equipment or watt hour meter placed at a consumer site other than the consumer site 104.

  The management server 122 transmits / receives information to / from the facility arranged at the consumer site 104 via the communication network 12. Examples of the communication network 12 include a wireless communication transmission line, a wired communication transmission line, and a combination thereof. The communication network 12 may be a mobile communication network such as a cellular phone line network, a wireless packet communication network, the Internet, a dedicated line, or a combination thereof. The management server 122 may send and receive information to and from the power supply device 124. The management server 122 may send and receive information via a dedicated line, and may send and receive information via the communication network 12.

[Management by load device]
The management server 122 manages a provider of electricity consumed in each of the one or more consumer sites 104. In one embodiment, the management server 122 manages the provider of electricity consumed by each of the one or more load devices. For example, the management server 122 manages a provider of electricity consumed by the electrical device 132 during a specific period and a provider of electricity consumed by the electrical device 134 during the specified period. The management server 122 uses the power supply device 124 or the power supply device 124 to supply power out of the power or the amount of power consumed by each of the electrical device 132 and the electrical device 134 (the power supply device 124). The power supply source may be managed by recording the power or the amount of power handled as being supplied from.

  The management server 122 manages, for example, the provider of electricity consumed by the load device for each of the one or more load devices according to the following procedure. When the electric device 132 is turned on, the electric device 132 transmits information indicating that the electric device 132 is turned on to the management server 122. The electric device 132 may transmit the above information in association with the identification information of the electric device 132.

  The management server 122 receives the above information from the electrical device 132, and at an arbitrary timing, the management server 122 assumes that the electrical device 132 is treated as being provided with electricity from the power supply device 124 or the like (electrical device). It may be referred to as a look-up process 132.) or not. The power consumption or the amount of power consumption of the electrical device 132 during the period in which the look-up process is performed is treated as being provided from the power supply device 124 or the like.

  The management server 122 may determine whether to start the look-up process based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided by the power supply device 124 or the like. For example, the management server 122 is based on the predicted value of power or the amount of power that can be supplied by the power supply device 124 and the like, and the predicted value of power or the amount of power consumed at one or more consumer sites 104, Decide whether to start the look-up process. The management server 122 further considers at least one of the current value of the power or the amount of power supplied by the power supply device 124 or the like and the current value of the power or the amount of power consumed at one or more consumer sites 104. Then, it may be determined whether or not to start the look-up process. The management server 122 may determine the time to start the look-up process. When the management server 122 determines to start the look-up process of the electrical device 132, the management server 122 may record the time when the look-up process is started.

  Similarly, the management server 122 may determine whether to end the look-up process at an arbitrary timing. When the look-out process ends, the electric device 132 is not handled as being provided with electricity from the power supply device 124 or the like.

  The management server 122 may determine whether or not to end the look-up process based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided by the power supply device 124 or the like. For example, the management server 122 ends the look-up process based on the predicted value of power that can be supplied by the power supply device 124 and the like, and the predicted value of power consumed at one or more consumer sites 104. Decide whether or not to do. The management server 122 further considers at least one of the current value of power supplied by the power supply device 124 and the like and the current value of power consumed at one or more consumer sites 104 and considers it. It may be determined whether or not to end the process. The management server 122 may determine the time to end the look-up process. When the management server 122 determines to end the look-up process of the electrical device 132, the management server 122 may record the time when the look-up process is finished.

  For example, at 10:25, the management server 122 predicts the amount of power that can be provided by the power supply device 124 from 10:30 to 10:59, and from 10:30 to 10:59. And the predicted value of the amount of power consumed by each of the electrical devices managed by the management server 122 during the period.

  Next, the management server 122 includes a range in which the total amount of predicted power amount consumed by each of the electrical devices managed by the management server 122 does not exceed the predicted power amount that can be provided by the power supply device 124. , The difference between the predicted amount of power consumed by each of the electrical devices managed by the management server 122 and the predicted amount of power that can be provided by the power supply device 124 is a predetermined condition. In order to satisfy the above, an electric device to be processed is determined from 10:30 to 10:59. Examples of the predetermined condition include a condition in which the above difference is minimized and the above difference is smaller than a predetermined value.

  At 10:30, the management server 122 starts a look-up process. In addition, the management server 122 transmits a request for transmitting the accumulated power consumption at 10:30 to the electrical device for which the processing is started. The management server 122 may transmit the above request to all the electrical devices that are being viewed. At this stage, the management server 122 may transmit a request for transmitting the accumulated power consumption at 11:00 in advance.

  The request for transmitting the accumulated power consumption may include information specifying the transmission time. The transmission time may be specified by a different time depending on the electric device or the consumer terminal. The management server 122 may transmit various requests for each electrical device to the consumer terminal that manages the electrical device, and cause the consumer terminal to execute processing according to the request.

  For example, at 10:55, the management server 122 determines the predicted amount of power that can be provided by the power supply device 124 from 11:00 to 11:29, and from 11:00 to 11:29. And the predicted value of the amount of power consumed by each of the electrical devices managed by the management server 122 during the period. In the same manner as the previous time, the management server 122 determines an electrical device that is a target of the processing from 11:00 to 11:29. The management server 122 is the target of the processing of the electrical equipment that was subject to the processing from 10:30 to 10:59 from 11:00 to 11:29. It decides to end the process of looking at the electrical equipment that does not become.

  In addition, the management server 122 is the target of the look-up process from 10:30 to 10:59 out of the electrical equipment that is the look-up process target from 11:00 to 11:29. It may be determined to start the processing for the electrical device that has not been changed. In addition, the management server 122 sets the target of the process of the electrical device that is subject to the processing from 11:00 to 11:29 from 10:30 to 10:59. It may be determined to continue the processing for the electrical device that has become.

  At 11:00, the management server 122 starts a look-up process for the electrical device that is the look-up process target from 11:00 to 11:29. The management server 122 ends the look-up process of the electrical device that has been determined to end the look-up process. In addition, the management server 122 transmits a request for transmitting the accumulated power consumption at 11:00 to the electrical device for which the processing is started. The management server 122 may transmit the above request to all the electrical devices that are being viewed. Note that the management server 122 does not have to transmit a request for transmitting the accumulated power consumption at 11:00 to the electrical device that has been determined to continue the look-up process.

  The management server 122 considers the request for transmitting the accumulated power consumption at 11:00 to be determined at 11:00, or a consumer terminal that manages the electrical device. Send to. The management server 122 transmits the above request to all of the electric devices that have been subject to processing between 10:30 and 10:59 or to the consumer terminal that manages the electric devices. Also good. When the management server 122 has transmitted a request for transmitting the accumulated power consumption at 11:00 in advance, the management server 122 determines the accumulated power consumption at 11:00 at this stage. It is not necessary to transmit a request for transmission.

  The management server 122 acquires information on the accumulated power consumption at each time from each electrical device or each consumer terminal. The management server 122 uses the acquired information to calculate the power consumption amount during the period when each electrical device is considered. For example, when the management server 122 acquires the integrated power consumption at 10:30 and the integrated power consumption at 11:00 of each electrical device, the management server 122 is 11:00 of each electrical device. By subtracting the integrated power consumption at 10:30 from the integrated power consumption at, the power consumption of each electrical device between 10:30 and 10:59 is calculated.

  In the present embodiment, the management server 122 transmits a request for transmitting the accumulated power consumption at 10:30 to an electrical device whose processing is started at 10:30 at 10:30. Then, by transmitting a request for transmitting the accumulated power consumption at 11:00 to the electrical equipment that is assumed to be processed at 11:00 and completing the processing, the estimated period is A case has been described in which information for determining the amount of power consumption is acquired. However, the process for determining the power consumption amount in the look-up period is not limited to the present embodiment.

  In another embodiment, the management server 122 applies an electrical device that is an object of an object process or a consumer terminal that manages the electrical device between 10:30 and 10:59 at 10:30. A request for executing processing for transmitting the accumulated power consumption at 11:00 and the accumulated power consumption at 11:00 to the management server 122 at 11:05 may be transmitted at 10:25. The above request includes a command for causing an electric device or a consumer terminal to execute a process of storing the accumulated power consumption at 10:30 and a process of storing the accumulated power consumption at 11:00. A command for executing and a command for executing processing for transmitting the stored accumulated power consumption amount to the management server 122 may be included. In another embodiment, the management server 122 considers the electric device to the electric device that has been determined to end processing at 11:00 or the consumer terminal that manages the electric device. A request for executing processing for transmitting the power consumption amount during the period to the management server 122 at 11:05 may be transmitted at 10:55.

[Management by watt-hour meter]
In another embodiment, the management server 122 manages a provider of electricity consumed by the one or more load devices for each group of one or more load devices whose power consumption is measured by the watt-hour meter. . For example, the electricity supplier consumed by the group consisting of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 whose power consumption is measured by the watt-hour meter 144 in a specific period, and the consumption by other watt-hour meters in the period. It manages separately from a provider of electricity consumed by a group of one or more electrical devices whose power is measured.

  According to the present embodiment, the power consumption or the power consumption measured by the watt hour meter and the electricity provider to the watt hour meter are associated with each other and managed. According to the present embodiment, by recording the power or the amount of power that is treated as being supplied from the power supply device 124 or the like among the power consumption or the power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter, the electricity provider is recorded. May be managed. In the present embodiment, the power consumption or power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter 144 is the power or power consumption consumed by both the electric device 132 and the electric device 134.

  In another embodiment, the management server 122 consumes a part of a plurality of load devices for each group of one or more load devices whose power consumption is measured by a watt hour meter. You may manage the electricity provider. Moreover, the management server 122 may manage the provider of electricity consumed by each load device that does not belong to the group.

  For example, according to the following procedure, the management server 122 manages, for each of the one or more watt-hour meters, the power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter or the electricity provider of the power consumption. When the power meter 144 is turned on, the power meter 144 transmits information indicating that the power meter 144 is turned on to the management server 122. The watt hour meter 144 may transmit the above information in association with the identification information of the watt hour meter 144.

  After receiving the above information from the watt hour meter 144, the management server 122 provides at least a part of the power consumption measured by the watt hour meter 144 at any timing by the power supply device 124 or the like. It is determined whether or not to start a look-ahead process (sometimes referred to as a look-ahead process of the watt-hour meter 144) handled as a thing. During the period in which the look-up process is performed, the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 whose power consumption is measured by the watt-hour meter 144 are treated as being provided with electricity from the power supply device 124 or the like. Good.

  The management server 122 may determine whether to start the look-up process based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided by the power supply device 124 or the like. For example, the management server 122 is based on the predicted value of power or the amount of power that can be supplied by the power supply device 124 and the like, and the predicted value of power or the amount of power consumed at one or more consumer sites 104, Decide whether to start the look-up process. The management server 122 further considers at least one of the current value of the power or the amount of power supplied by the power supply device 124 or the like and the current value of the power or the amount of power consumed at one or more consumer sites 104. Then, it may be determined whether or not to start the look-up process. The management server 122 may determine the time to start the look-up process. When the management server 122 determines to start the look-up process of the electrical device 132, the management server 122 may record the time when the look-up process is started.

  Similarly, the management server 122 may determine whether to end the look-up process at an arbitrary timing. When the look-up process ends, the power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter 144 is not treated as being provided by the power supply device 124 or the like. Further, when the look-up process is completed, the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 whose power consumption is measured by the watt-hour meter 144 are not treated as being provided with electricity from the power supply device 124 or the like.

  The management server 122 may determine whether or not to end the look-up process based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided by the power supply device 124 or the like. For example, the management server 122 is based on the predicted value of power or the amount of power that can be supplied by the power supply device 124 and the like, and the predicted value of power or the amount of power consumed at one or more consumer sites 104, Decide whether to end the look-ahead process. The management server 122 further considers at least one of the current value of the power or the amount of power supplied by the power supply device 124 or the like and the current value of the power or the amount of power consumed at one or more consumer sites 104. Then, it may be determined whether or not to end the look-up process. The management server 122 may determine the time to end the look-up process. When the management server 122 determines to end the look-up process of the electrical device 132, the management server 122 may record the time when the look-up process is finished. The management server 122 determines the power consumption measured by the watt hour meter during the look-up period in the same manner as the request for executing the process for determining the power consumption of the electrical equipment during the look-up period. You may transmit the request | requirement for performing the process for doing to the said watt-hour meter or the consumer terminal which manages the said watt-hour meter.

  In general, the power supplied to the power network 14 by the power supply device 124 or the like is transmitted to the consumer site 104 together with the power supplied from other supplier sites. Therefore, in reality, it is not possible to specify a supplier of electricity consumed in the electric device 132. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, for example, in the management server 122, the processing of the electric device 132 or the processing of the electric device whose power consumption is measured by the watt-hour meter 144 is performed. By recording the start time and the time at which the electric device 132 or the electric device whose power consumption is measured by the watt hour meter 144 is recorded. Of the amount of power consumed by the device 132 or the electrical device whose power consumption is measured by the power meter 144, the amount of power provided by the power supply device 124 or the like can be specified.

  According to the present embodiment, even when a plurality of power supply devices or a plurality of power suppliers provide electricity to the power network 14, the amount of power consumed by the electric device 132 or the watt-hour meter 144. It is possible to logically switch the power supply source to the electrical equipment to be measured. As a result, (1) the electric power supply device 124 or the electric power supplier who supplies electric power using the electric power supply device 124 supplies electricity to the electric device whose power consumption is measured by the electric device 132 or the watt-hour meter 144. Or (2) during this period, the amount of power consumed by the electric device 132 or the electric device whose power consumption is measured by the watt hour meter 144 can be specified. As a result, for example, the electricity bill can be easily settled.

  According to the present embodiment, there is no need to physically switch the power supply source to the electric device 132 or the electric device whose power consumption is measured by the watt-hour meter 144. Therefore, the electric power consumer can enjoy economic merits without sacrificing convenience.

  According to the present embodiment, one or more load devices provided with electricity by the power supply device 124 or the like are selected according to the power or the amount of power that can be supplied by the power supply device 124 or the like. Thereby, even if the power supply device 124 includes a power generation facility with a relatively unstable power generation amount such as a solar power generation facility or a wind power generation facility, the generated electricity can be used effectively. .

  Note that the management server 122 may manage the supply destination of electricity supplied by the power supply device 124, and a power supplier who supplies power using the power supply device 124 purchases from another power supplier. You may manage the electricity supply destination. The supply destination of electricity supplied by the power supply device 124 may be one or more consumer sites 104, or may be another power supplier. Here, the provision of electricity to other power suppliers means not only the case where electricity is actually transmitted to the supplier site of other power suppliers via the power network 14, but also other power supplies on the books. Including the case where it is treated as providing electricity to the person.

  In another embodiment, the management server 122 supplies power or an amount of power that can be supplied by the power supply device 124 or the like to an electrical device managed by another management server installed at another supplier site. You may manage whether to provide. For example, the management server 122 is turned on among other electrical servers or watt-hour meters managed by the other management server from another management server installed at another supplier site, and Obtain information about electrical equipment or watt-hour meters that are not treated as being supplied with electricity by other suppliers.

  When the management server 122 is expected to generate surplus power even if power is supplied to the electrical equipment managed by the management server 122, the management server 122 obtains information from other management servers and information about the surplus power. Based on the above, a device to which electricity is provided by the power supply device 124 or the like may be determined from among the electrical devices managed by other management servers. As described above, the management server 122 may set priorities for the electrical devices managed by the management server 122.

  The management server 122 may manage information regarding each advance payment of one or more consumers (sometimes referred to as a user). For example, the management server 122 determines the prepayment for each of the one or more consumers based on the prepayment received by each of the one or more consumers and the electricity rate used by each of the one or more consumers. Calculate the balance. The management server 122 associates identification information for identifying each of one or more consumers (sometimes referred to as a consumer ID) and the balance of the prepayment of the consumer identified by the consumer ID. May be managed.

  The consumer ID may be information assigned to each consumer, or may be information assigned to each information processing terminal of the consumer. Examples of the information processing terminal include a consumer terminal 152, a personal computer in which Web browser software is introduced, a portable terminal, and the like. Examples of the portable terminal include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, a tablet, a notebook computer, or a laptop computer.

  Information assigned to the information processing terminal includes a MAC address, a BD address for identifying a Bluetooth (registered trademark) compatible device (sometimes referred to as BD_ADDR), and a ZigBee (registered trademark) compatible device. ID unique to a communication terminal, such as an address (sometimes referred to as ZigBeeID), an ID number unique to an information processing terminal recorded on various SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards, and a subscriber of the communication terminal IDs unique to each contractor assigned for each (may be referred to as a contractor-specific ID. Depending on the communication carrier, the terminal manufacturing number, user ID, i-mode (registered trademark) ID, subscriber ID, EZ number , Sometimes referred to as terminal serial number etc.) It can be illustrated.

  The method for depositing the prepayment is not particularly limited. According to one embodiment, a consumer deposits a down payment into an account managed by the management server 122 using an information processing terminal. According to another embodiment, a consumer purchases a prepaid card corresponding to a predetermined amount, and deposits a prepayment into an account managed by the management server 122. A consumer may insert a prepaid card into a slot provided in the consumer terminal 152 so that a prepayment is deposited into an account managed by the management server 122. In addition, the payment method of an electricity bill is not limited to the prepayment method. The payment method of the electricity charge may be a postpaid method.

  Each unit of the management server 122 may be realized by hardware, may be realized by software, or may be realized by a combination of hardware and software. Further, the computer may function as a part of the management server 122 by executing the program. The program may be stored in a computer-readable medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, memory, or hard disk, or may be stored in a storage device connected to a network. The program may be installed in the computer of the management server 122 from a computer-readable medium or a storage device connected to a network.

  The program that causes the computer to function as a part of the management server 122 may include a module that defines the operation of each unit of the management server 122. These programs or modules work on a processor, a communication interface, a GPS information acquisition device, and the like to cause the computer to function as each unit of the management server 122 or cause the computer to execute an information processing method in the management server 122.

  The information processing described in these programs functions as a specific means in which software and various hardware resources of the management server 122 cooperate with each other by being read by a computer. And the management server 122 according to the intended use can be constructed | assembled by implement | achieving the calculation or processing of the information according to the intended use of the computer in this embodiment by these specific means.

  A computer used as the management server 122 includes a data processing device having a processor such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication interface, an input device such as a keyboard, a touch panel, a microphone, and a GPS information acquisition device, a display device, a speaker, and the like. You may provide an output device and memory | storage devices, such as memory and HDD. The data processing device or the storage device may store the above software or program.

  The power supply device 124 supplies power to the facilities arranged at the customer site 104 via the power network 14. The power supply device 124 may be a power generation facility, a power storage facility, or a combination thereof. Examples of power generation facilities include thermal power generation facilities, hydroelectric power generation facilities, geothermal power generation facilities, solar power generation facilities, wind power generation facilities, and combinations thereof. The power supply device 124 may have a substation facility. Thereby, electric power can be smoothly transmitted to and received from the electric power network 14. For example, the power supply device 124 receives electricity from the power network 14 and stores it in the power storage facility, and supplies the electricity stored in the power storage facility to the power network 14 via the substation facility (referred to as reverse power flow). There is a case.)

  Each of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 may be any device that consumes power, and is not particularly limited. At least one of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 may have a function of recording power consumption or power consumption. At least one of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 may record the information related to time and the power consumption or power consumption at the time in association with each other. The information about time and the accumulated power consumption at the time May be recorded in association with each other. At least one of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 may record the power consumption or the power consumption amount in response to a request from the management server 122, and a predetermined time has arrived or a predetermined period has elapsed. Along with this, power consumption or power consumption may be recorded.

  In the present embodiment, the electrical device 132 transmits and receives information to and from the management server 122 via the gateway 154. The electric device 134 transmits and receives information to and from the management server 122 via the consumer terminal 152 and the gateway 154. Each of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 may output advertisement information distributed from the management server 122. Each of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 may display the advertisement information on the display screen, and may output the advertisement information as a sound from a speaker.

  The power distribution device 142 distributes the electricity received from the power network 14 to each of the electrical device 132 and the electrical device 134. In the present embodiment, the power distribution device 142 supplies power to the consumer terminal 152 and the gateway 154 as well. Thereby, the electric power supplied from the electric power supplier is supplied to one or more load devices arranged in the consumer site 104. The power distribution device 142 may be an example of an electrical device or a load.

  In the present embodiment, the power distribution device 142 is supplied from the power distribution device 142 to the electric device 132, the electric device 134, the consumer terminal 152, and the gateway 154 based on an instruction from the watt-hour meter 144 or the customer terminal 152. Limit the power to be released, or remove the restriction. Based on the instruction from the management server 122, the power distribution device 142 limits the power supplied from the power distribution device 142 to the electric device 132, the electric device 134, the consumer terminal 152, and the gateway 154, or restricts the restriction. It may be canceled.

  The power distribution device 142 continues to supply power to at least one of the consumer terminal 152 and the gateway 154 even when power supply from the power distribution device 142 to other devices is restricted. It may be configured. For example, the power distribution device 142 includes a circuit that supplies power to at least one of the consumer terminal 152 and the gateway 154, and a circuit that supplies power to other devices. By continuing the supply of power to the consumer terminal 152, it is possible to continue recording power consumption at the consumer site 104. By continuing to supply power to the gateway 154, communication with the management server 122 can be continued.

  The watt-hour meter 144 is disposed between the power network 14 and the power distribution device 142, for example, and records the power consumption amount at the consumer site 104. The watt-hour meter 144 may record information related to time and power consumption at the time in association with each other, or may record information related to time and accumulated power consumption at the time in association with each other. The watt-hour meter 144 may be an example of an electric device or a load.

  The watt-hour meter 144 may be a smart meter corresponding to the ECHONET Lite standard. The watt-hour meter 144 may have a communication function. The watt-hour meter 144 may send and receive information to and from the consumer terminal 152. For example, the watt-hour meter 144 transmits the recorded information to the consumer terminal 152 when a predetermined event occurs. As a predetermined event, when a transmission request for transmitting information recorded in the watt hour meter 144 is received from the management server 122 or the consumer terminal 152, or when a predetermined time arrives A case where a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous transmission can be exemplified. In the present embodiment, the watt-hour meter 144 periodically transmits the recorded information to the consumer terminal 152.

  In one embodiment, the watt-hour meter 144 controls the power distribution device 142. For example, the watt-hour meter 144 transmits a signal instructing to limit the power supplied from the power distribution device 142 to the electric device 132, the electric device 134, the consumer terminal 152, and the gateway 154 to the power distribution device 142. To do. The watt-hour meter 144 may transmit a signal instructing to remove the restriction to the power distribution device 142. The watt-hour meter 144 may control the power distribution device 142 based on an instruction from the management server 122 or the consumer terminal 152.

  The consumer terminal 152 relays transmission / reception of information between the electrical device 134 and the management server 122. The consumer terminal 152 may send and receive the above information by wireless communication, and may send and receive the above information by wired communication. In the present embodiment, the consumer terminal 152 transmits and receives information to and from the electrical device 134. In addition, the consumer terminal 152 transmits and receives information to and from the watt-hour meter 144. The consumer terminal 152 sends and receives information to and from the management server 122 via the gateway 154 and the communication network 12.

  The consumer terminal 152 may manage the use of electricity at the consumer site 104. The consumer terminal 152 collects information related to the usage status of electricity in watt-hour meters, electrical equipment, power generation equipment, power storage equipment, etc. distributed to the consumer site 104. In one embodiment, the consumer terminal 152 collects the integrated power consumption when a specific time is used as a reference for each of one or more electrical devices that are arranged to be communicable with the consumer terminal 152. In another embodiment, the consumer terminal 152 collects the integrated power consumption when measured by the watt-hour meter 144 and based on a specific time. The consumer terminal 152 may collect the amount of power consumed in a specific period instead of the accumulated power consumption based on a specific time.

  In response to a request from the management server 122, the consumer terminal 152 may collect information on the usage status of electricity at the consumer site 104. The consumer terminal 152 may collect information on the usage status of electricity at the consumer site 104 with the arrival of a predetermined time or the passage of a predetermined period.

  The predetermined time or the predetermined period may be determined based on a period in which the same amount is to be achieved. In the simultaneous equal amount system, it is required to match the total value of actual power generation and the total value of actual demand in a specific period (sometimes referred to as a period in which the same amount is to be achieved). The The specific period is set to 30 minutes, for example. A period in which the customer terminal 152 should achieve the same amount by collecting information on the usage status of electricity at the consumer site 104 with the arrival of a predetermined time or the elapse of a predetermined period. It is possible to acquire information on the actual demand in The acquired information on the actual demand amount may be used for prediction of the future demand power amount.

  The consumer terminal 152 may transmit the collected information to the management server 122 in response to a request from the management server 122. The consumer terminal 152 may temporarily store the collected information and transmit it to the management server 122 at an arbitrary timing. The consumer terminal 152 may transmit the collected information to the management server 122 at a random timing during a predetermined period. For example, the consumer terminal 152 stores the data collected at 12:29 and transmits the data to the management server 122 at a time randomly determined from 12:30 to 12:35. To do. Thereby, the data processing in the management server 122 can be facilitated.

  The consumer terminal 152 may control the supply of electricity to the electrical equipment disposed in the consumer site 104 in response to a request from the management server 122. For example, when the consumer terminal 152 receives a power saving request from the management server 122, the consumer terminal 152 determines an electrical device that actually stops or reduces the supply of electricity. The consumer terminal 152 stops or reduces the supply of electricity to the electric device according to the above determination.

  Each unit of the consumer terminal 152 may be realized by hardware, may be realized by software, or may be realized by a combination of hardware and software. Similarly to the case of the management server 122, the computer may function as a part of the consumer terminal 152 by executing the program. The consumer terminal 152 may be a device that supports the ECHONET Lite standard. The consumer terminal 152 may be a device arranged between the gateway 154 and the electric device 134, or may be a device arranged between the outlet and the electric device 134. The consumer terminal 152 is a HEMS (Home Energy Management System), a BEMS (Building Energy Management Systems), a FEMS (Factor Energy Management Systems), a CEMS Energy Management System (CMS), a CEMS Good.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the electric device 132, the electric device 134, the watt-hour meter 144, and the consumer terminal 152 are connected to the communication network 12 via the gateway 154 has been described. However, the above devices are not limited to this embodiment. In another embodiment, at least one of the electrical device 132, the electrical device 134, the watt-hour meter 144, and the consumer terminal 152 has a wireless communication function, and includes a wireless LAN access point, a mobile communication network base station, and the like. Via the communication network 12. Further, at least one of the electric device 132, the electric device 134, the watt-hour meter 144, and the consumer terminal 152 may have the function of the gateway 154.

  In one embodiment, the consumer terminal 152 controls the power distribution device 142. For example, the consumer terminal 152 may be referred to as a signal (referred to as a restriction signal) instructing to limit the power supplied from the power distribution device 142 to the electrical device 132, the electrical device 134, the consumer terminal 152, and the gateway 154. .) Is transmitted to the power distribution device 142. The restriction signal may be a signal instructing to restrict the power supplied to the equipment except for at least one of the consumer terminal 152 and the gateway 154 among the equipment supplied with power from the power distribution device 142. . The consumer terminal 152 may transmit a signal (sometimes referred to as a cancellation signal) instructing to cancel the above restriction to the power distribution device 142.

  The consumer terminal 152 may control the power distribution device 142 via the watt-hour meter 144. For example, the consumer terminal 152 transmits at least one of the restriction signal and the release signal to the watt-hour meter 144. When the watt-hour meter 144 receives the limit signal from the consumer terminal 152, the watt-hour meter 144 transmits a signal instructing to limit the power supplied to the device connected to the power distribution device 142 to the power distribution device 142. When the watt-hour meter 144 receives the release signal from the consumer terminal 152, the watt-hour meter 144 transmits a signal instructing to release the restriction imposed on the power distribution device 142 to the power distribution device 142. The consumer terminal 152 may control the power distribution device 142 based on an instruction from the management server 122.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of the management server 122. In the present embodiment, the management server 122 includes a supply amount prediction unit 212, a device information acquisition unit 214, a power provision management unit 216, a request transmission unit 218, a usage history generation unit 222, an information storage unit 224, A power interchange unit 226 and a distribution unit 228 are provided. The device information acquisition unit 214 may be an example of an information acquisition unit. The power provision management unit 216 may be an example of a selection unit, a start determination unit, or an end determination unit. The power interchange unit 226 may be an example of a power procurement unit. In addition, the process in each part of the management server 122 is not limited to this embodiment. The process in the specific member of the management server 122 may be executed by another member of the management server 122.

  The supply amount prediction unit 212 predicts the power or the amount of power that can be provided by the power supply device 124 or the like in a specific period. For example, the power or power amount in the future 30 minutes is predicted. The supply amount prediction unit 212 predicts the above-mentioned power or the amount of power based on the power generation amount predicted in advance based on information such as weather forecast and the latest actual power generation amount acquired from the power supply device 124. Good. The supply amount prediction unit 212 may further predict the above-described power or power amount in consideration of the power or power amount that can be procured from an external power supplier acquired from the power interchange unit 226.

  The device information acquisition unit 214 acquires information related to the electric device 132 and the electric device 134. The device information acquisition unit 214 may acquire information regarding the watt-hour meter 144. For each of the one or more watt-hour meters, the device information acquisition unit 214 may acquire information on one or more electric devices whose power consumption is measured by the watt-hour meter.

  In the present embodiment, the device information acquisition unit 214 acquires information related to the power usage status of the electrical device 132 and the electrical device 134. The device information acquisition unit 214 may acquire information input from the user, information provided by the manufacturer of each electric device, and information regarding the specifications of each electric device. In the present embodiment, the device information acquisition unit 214 acquires information related to the electrical device 132 from the electrical device 132 via the communication network 12. The device information acquisition unit 214 acquires information regarding the electrical device 134 from the consumer terminal 152 via the communication network 12.

  In the present embodiment, the device information acquisition unit 214 generates a data table (sometimes referred to as an entry device list) in which identification information of an electric device or a watt hour meter that is turned on is stored. The entry device list includes information indicating that the power is turned on or information indicating that the power is turned off to the management server 122 during a specific period. It may be a list. The entry device list may be a list of all electric devices and watt hour meters managed by the management server 122, or may be a list of electric devices or watt hour meters that are currently turned on.

  For example, when the power of the electrical device 132 is turned on, the device information acquisition unit 214 receives a notification including identification information of the electrical device 132 and information indicating the power state from the electrical device 132. In this case, the device information acquisition unit 214 confirms whether or not the entry device list includes identification information of the electric device 132. When the entry device list includes the identification information of the electrical device 132, the device information acquisition unit 214 updates the entry device list to indicate that the power source of the electrical device identified by the identification information is ON. Add information. When the entry device list does not include the identification information of the electrical device 132, the device information acquisition unit 214 updates the entry device list, and identifies the identification information of the electrical device 132 and the electrical device identified by the identification information. And information indicating that the power is ON.

  On the other hand, when the power of the electrical device 132 is turned off, the device information acquisition unit 214 receives a notification including identification information of the electrical device 132 and information indicating the state of the power from the electrical device 132. In this case, the device information acquisition unit 214 confirms whether or not the entry device list includes identification information of the electric device 132. When the entry device list includes the identification information of the electrical device 132, the device information acquisition unit 214 updates the entry device list to indicate that the power supply of the electrical device identified by the identification information is OFF. Add information. When the entry device list does not include the identification information of the electrical device 132, the device information acquisition unit 214 updates the entry device list, and identifies the identification information of the electrical device 132 and the electrical device identified by the identification information. And information indicating that the power is off. Thereby, the analysis of the information regarding the period when the power supply of each electric equipment is OFF can be performed efficiently.

  When the entry device list is a list of electrical devices that are currently turned on, the entry device list may be updated by the following procedure, for example. First, when the electric device 132 is powered on, the device information acquisition unit 214 receives a notification including identification information of the electric device 132 and information indicating the state of the power supply. The device information acquisition unit 214 adds the identification information to the entry device list. When the power supply of the electric device 132 is turned off, the device information acquisition unit 214 receives a notification including identification information of the electric device 132 and information indicating the state of the power supply. The device information acquisition unit 214 deletes the identification information of the electric device 132 from the entry device list.

  Similarly, the device information acquisition unit 214 receives a notification including identification information of the electrical device 134 from the consumer terminal 152 when the power of the electrical device 134 is turned on. The device information acquisition unit 214 receives a notification including identification information of the electrical device 134 from the consumer terminal 152 when the power of the electrical device 134 is turned off. The device information acquisition unit 214 updates the entry device list in response to receiving the notification including the identification information of the electric device 134.

  Similarly, when the watt-hour meter 144 is turned on, the device information acquisition unit 214 receives identification information of the watt-hour meter 144 and information indicating the power state from the watt-hour meter 144 or the consumer terminal 152. Receive notifications containing. In this case, the device information acquisition unit 214 checks whether or not the entry device list includes the identification information of the watt-hour meter 144. When the entry device list includes the identification information of the watt-hour meter 144, the device information acquisition unit 214 updates the entry device list and confirms that the electric device identified by the identification information is powered on. Add information to indicate. When the entry device list does not include the identification information of the watt-hour meter 144, the device information acquisition unit 214 updates the entry device list to identify the identification information of the watt-hour meter 144 and the electricity identified by the identification information. Information indicating that the power of the device is ON is added.

  On the other hand, when the power source of the watt hour meter 144 is turned off, the device information acquisition unit 214 sends the identification information of the watt hour meter 144 and information indicating the state of the power source from the watt hour meter 144 or the consumer terminal 152. Receive notifications containing. In this case, the device information acquisition unit 214 checks whether or not the entry device list includes the identification information of the watt-hour meter 144. When the entry device list includes the identification information of the watt-hour meter 144, the device information acquisition unit 214 updates the entry device list to confirm that the power supply of the electric device identified by the identification information is OFF. Add information to indicate. When the entry device list does not include the identification information of the watt-hour meter 144, the device information acquisition unit 214 updates the entry device list to identify the identification information of the watt-hour meter 144 and the electricity identified by the identification information. Information indicating that the power of the device is OFF is added. Thereby, the analysis of the information regarding the period when the power supply of each electric equipment is OFF can be performed efficiently.

  Similarly, when the watt-hour meter 144 is turned on, the device information acquisition unit 214 receives a notification including the identification information of the watt-hour meter 144 from the watt-hour meter 144 or the consumer terminal 152. The device information acquisition unit 214 receives a notification including the identification information of the watt hour meter 144 from the consumer terminal 152 when the watt hour meter 144 is turned off. The device information acquisition unit 214 updates the entry device list in response to receiving the notification including the identification information of the watt-hour meter 144.

  The device information acquisition unit 214 may determine that the power meter 144 is turned on when the power consumption measured by the power meter 144 is larger than a predetermined value. The device information acquisition unit 214 may determine that the power meter 144 is turned off when the power consumption measured by the power meter 144 is smaller than a predetermined value.

  The power provision management unit 216 manages a provider of electricity consumed in each of the one or more consumer sites 104. In the present embodiment, the power provision management unit 216 manages a provider of electricity consumed by each of the electrical device 132 and the electrical device 134. The power provision management unit 216 records the power or the amount of power that is handled as being supplied from the power supply device 124 or the like among the power or the amount of power consumed by each of the electrical device 132 and the electrical device 134, thereby You may manage the provider.

  The power provision management unit 216 receives information indicating that the power source of the electrical device 132, the electrical device 134, or the watt hour meter 144 is turned on from the device information acquisition unit 214. The power provision management unit 216 receives information indicating that the power of the electrical device 132, the electrical device 134, or the watt hour meter 144 is turned off from the device information acquisition unit 214.

  In one embodiment, the power provision management unit 216 determines whether or not to start the process of judging the electrical device 132 or the electrical device 134. In addition, the power provision management unit 216 determines whether or not to end the process of judging the electric device 132 or the electric device 134. The power provision management unit 216, when the user of the electric device 132 or the electric device 134 is a user of a predetermined product or service, the probability of being treated as being provided with electricity from the power supply device 124, etc., and Whether to start the look-ahead process so that at least one of the power consumption treated as provided by the power supply device 124 or the like is greater than when the user is not a user of a predetermined product or service You may decide whether or not. For example, a predetermined point may be given to each user of a predetermined product or service, and the above probability or power consumption may be determined according to the total number of the point.

  In another embodiment, the power provision management unit 216 determines whether or not to start the process for checking the watt-hour meter 144. In addition, the power provision management unit 216 determines whether or not to end the processing of the watt-hour meter 144. When the user of the watt-hour meter 144 is a user of a predetermined product or service, the power provision management unit 216 uses at least a part of the power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter 144 by the power supply device 124 or the like. At least one of the probability of being treated as provided and the amount of power consumption handled as being provided by the power supply device 124 or the like is greater than when the user is not a user of a predetermined product or service. In this way, it may be determined whether to start the look-up process. For example, a predetermined point may be given to each user of a predetermined product or service, and the above probability or power consumption may be determined according to the total number of the point.

  In the present embodiment, for example, when the power provision management unit 216 determines to start the process of looking at the electrical device 132, the power provision management unit 216 notifies the usage history generation unit 222 of the identification information of the electrical device 132. In addition, when the power provision management unit 216 determines to end the process of judging the electrical device 132, the power provision management unit 216 notifies the usage history generation unit 222 of the identification information of the electrical device 132.

  Similarly, the power provision management unit 216 notifies the usage history generation unit 222 of the identification information of the watt-hour meter 144 when it is determined to start the processing of the watt-hour meter 144. In addition, when the power provision management unit 216 determines to end the process of the watt-hour meter 144, the power provision management unit 216 notifies the usage history generation unit 222 of the identification information of the watt-hour meter 144.

  In the present embodiment, when the power provision management unit 216 receives information indicating that the power of the electrical device 132 has been turned off from the device information acquisition unit 214, the power provision management unit 216 sends the identification information of the electrical device 132 to the usage history generation unit 222. Notice. The power provision management unit 216 executes the same process for the electrical device 134 and the watt-hour meter 144.

  The power provision management unit 216 may manage information related to the prepayment of each of one or more consumers. For example, the power provision management unit 216 may determine each of one or more consumers based on a prepayment received by each of the one or more consumers and an electricity rate used by each of the one or more consumers. Calculate the prepayment balance. The power provision management unit 216 may manage the consumer ID in association with the balance of the prepayment of the consumer identified by the consumer ID. The power provision management unit 216 may perform a prepayment deposit process.

  The request transmission unit 218 transmits various requests to the electrical device 132 or the consumer terminal 152. The request transmission unit 218 may transmit various requests to the electrical device 134 or the watt hour meter 144 via the consumer terminal 152.

  In one embodiment, when the power provision management unit 216 decides to end the process of judging the electrical device 132, the request transmission unit 218 is provided with electricity from the power supply device 124 or the like to the electrical device 132. The request | requirement for making the electric equipment 132 perform the process for determining the power consumption in the period treated as thing is produced | generated. The period treated as being provided with electricity from the power supply device 124 or the like to the electric device 132 may be a period from the start to the end of the process of considering the electric device 132. The request transmission unit 218 may transmit the generated request to the electric device 132.

  Note that the request transmission unit 218 may generate and transmit the above request when the power provision management unit 216 determines to start the process of considering the electrical device 132. In this case, the above process may be set to be executed when the power provision management unit 216 determines to end the process of looking at the electric device 132.

  In another embodiment, when the power provision management unit 216 decides to end the process of the watt-hour meter 144, the request transmission unit 218 determines at least one of the power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter 144. The unit generates a request for causing the watt-hour meter 144 or the consumer terminal 152 to execute processing for determining the amount of power consumption in a period that has been treated as provided by the power supply device 124 or the like. The period in which at least a part of the power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter 144 is treated as provided by the power supply device 124 or the like ends after the watt-hour meter 144 is started. It may be a period until it is done. The request transmission unit 218 may transmit the generated request to the consumer terminal 152.

  Note that the request transmission unit 218 may generate and transmit the above request when the power provision management unit 216 determines to start the watt-hour meter 144 process. In this case, the above-described process may be set to be executed when the power supply management unit 216 determines to end the watt-hour meter 144 process.

  The power supply device 124 or the like provides at least a part of the amount of power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter 144 during the period when it is treated as being provided with electricity from the power supply device 124 or the like to the electrical device 132 The process for determining the amount of power consumption in a period (sometimes referred to as an “evaluation period”) that has been treated as being performed is at least one of a series of processes for determining the amount of power consumption in the evaluation period. The process which comprises a part may be sufficient. The look-up period may be the time from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process. The process for determining the power consumption during the look-up period includes (1) a process for transmitting the power consumption during the look-up period, and (2) an integrated power consumption when the look-up process is started. (3) a process for transmitting the accumulated power consumption at the time when the look-up process is completed, and (4) a period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process. A process for transmitting the integrated power consumption at a predetermined time, (5) The integrated power consumption is transmitted at a predetermined time interval from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process. Examples of the processing to be performed and combinations thereof can be given.

  For example, the usage history generation unit 222 generates a usage history for each of the electrical device 132 and the electrical device 134. The usage history generation unit 222 may generate a usage history for each group of one or more electrical devices whose power consumption is measured by the watt-hour meter 144.

  In the present embodiment, the usage history generation unit 222 acquires information regarding the usage status of electricity in a plurality of devices including the electrical device 132, the electrical device 134, and the watt-hour meter 144 from the power provision management unit 216. The usage history generation unit 222 stores at least one of identification information of an electric device provided with electricity by the power supply device 124 and the like, and identification information of a watt-hour meter that measures the power consumption of the electric device. A table (may be referred to as a power supply device list) may be generated. The power supply device list may be an example of a usage history.

  In the usage history generation unit 222, one of the identification information of the specific watt hour meter and the identification information of one or more electric devices whose power consumption is measured by the specific watt hour meter is included in the power supply device list. The power supply device list may be generated so as to be stored. For example, when at least a part of the power consumption measured by the watt hour meter 144 is handled as provided by the power supply device 124 or the like, the power providing device list includes identification information of the watt hour meter 144. Is stored, but the identification information of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 is not stored. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the power consumption amount of one or more electric devices whose power consumption amount is measured by a specific power meter from being counted twice.

  In another embodiment, when at least a part of the power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter 144 is not treated as being provided such as the power supply device 124, the identification information of the watt-hour meter 144 is the power supply Not stored in the device list. In this case, the identification information of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 may not be stored in the power supply device list, and the identification information of at least one of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 is stored in the power supply device list. Also good. When the identification information of at least one of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 is stored in the power supply device list, the power or the amount of power consumed in at least one of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 is the power supply device 124 or the like. It is treated as the power or amount of power provided by.

  The power supply device list is updated by the following procedure, for example. When the power provision management unit 216 determines to start the process of judging the electric device 132, the usage history generation unit 222 refers to the power provision device list and associates it with the identification information of the electric device 132. , Information on the time at which the provision of power is started is stored. The time when the electric appliance 132 look-up process is started may be the time when the power provision management unit 216 decides to start the electric device 132 look-up process.

  When the power supply management unit 216 determines to end the process of judging the electrical device 132, the usage history generation unit 222 refers to the power supply device list and associates it with the identification information of the electrical device 132. The information regarding the time when the look-out process of the electric device 132 is completed is stored. The time when the look-up process of the electric device 132 is ended may be the time when the power provision management unit 216 determines to end the look-up process of the electric device 132.

  When the power supply management unit 216 receives information indicating that the power supply of the electrical device 132 has been turned off, the usage history generation unit 222 refers to the power supply device list and corresponds to the identification information of the electrical device 132 In addition, the time at which the information is received may be stored as the time at which the electrical device 132 is finished. When the power supply management unit 216 receives information regarding the time when the power of the electric device 132 is turned off, the usage history generation unit 222 refers to the power supply device list to obtain identification information of the electric device 132. Correspondingly, the time included in the information may be stored as the time when the supply of power ends.

  When the power provision management unit 216 determines to start the process of considering the watt hour meter 144, the usage history generation unit 222 refers to the power provision device list and corresponds to the identification information of the watt hour meter 144. In addition, information about the time when the supply of power is started is stored. The time when the power meter 144 starts the look-up process may be the time when the power provision management unit 216 decides to start the power meter 144 look-up process.

  When the power provision management unit 216 determines to end the process of observing the watt hour meter 144, the usage history generation unit 222 refers to the power provision device list and corresponds to the identification information of the watt hour meter 144. In addition, information about the time when the watt-hour meter 144 is finished is stored. The time when the power meter 144 finishes the look-ahead process may be the time when the power provision management unit 216 decides to finish the power meter 144 look-ahead process.

  When the power supply management unit 216 receives information indicating that the power meter 144 is turned off, the usage history generation unit 222 refers to the power supply device list and identifies the power meter 144 identification information. The time at which the information is received may be stored as the time at which the watt-hour meter 144 is finished. When the power provision management unit 216 receives information regarding the time when the power meter 144 is turned off, the usage history generation unit 222 refers to the power provision device list to identify the power meter 144. In association with the information, the time included in the information may be stored as the time when the provision of power ends.

  In another embodiment, the usage history generation unit 222 acquires information related to the selection result of an electrical device or watt hour meter that can provide electricity from the power supply management unit 216 or the like. The selection result includes identification information of the selected electric device or watt hour meter. The usage history generation unit 222 may update the power providing device list using the identification information included in the selection result.

  The power supply device list includes identification information of an electric device, information on a period in which the electric device is treated as having been supplied with electricity by the power supply device 124, power consumption in the period, and power in the period. The unit price may be stored in association with each other. The power supply device list includes identification information of the watt-hour meter, information regarding a period in which at least a part of the power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter is treated as being provided by the power supply device 124, and the like. The power consumption amount in the period and the unit price of electricity in the period may be stored in association with each other. The usage history generation unit 222 may execute a power charge settlement process for the consumer of the consumer site 104.

  The electrical device may be a power storage facility installed at the supplier site 102 or the consumer site 104. When the electrical device is a power storage facility, the power supply device list includes the identification information of the power storage facility, the identification information of another power supply device or power supplier that supplies power to the power storage facility, Information regarding a period in which electricity is treated as being supplied from a power supply device, the amount of power received during the period, and the unit price of electricity during the period may be stored in association with each other. The power supply equipment list includes information on the identification of the electricity supply destination and information on the period during which the electricity storage facility provided electricity when electricity stored in the electricity storage facility was provided to other supplier sites or consumer sites. Information on the amount of power provided by the power storage device may be stored. The power supply device list may further store at least one of the remaining amount of electricity stored in the power storage facility and the average purchase unit price of electricity stored in the power storage facility in association with the identification information of the power storage facility.

  For example, when the electrical device is a power storage facility disposed at the supplier site 102, an example of processing in each unit of the management server is as follows. First, the power interchange unit 226 determines to procure power from another power supplier or a power supply device via the power auction market or the like. For example, the power interchange unit 226 determines conditions such as a period for purchasing power, an amount of power purchased in the period, and a unit price of the power.

  When the start of the above period arrives, the power storage facility starts to receive power from the power network 14. In addition, the power provision management unit 216 starts a look-up process. The power provision management unit 216 may measure or calculate the remaining amount of power stored in the power storage facility. When the power supply management unit 216 starts the process, the usage history generation unit 222 refers to the power supply device list and updates the record of the power storage facility. For example, the usage history generation unit 222 writes the start time of the above-described storage facility estimation process in the power supply device list. The usage history generation unit 222 may calculate the average purchase unit price of electricity stored in the power storage facility, and enter the average purchase unit price in the power supply device list. The usage history generation unit 222 may enter the remaining power storage amount of the power storage facility in the power providing device list.

  On the other hand, when the end of the above period arrives, the power storage facility ends power reception from the power network 14. In addition, the power provision management unit 216 ends the look-up process. When the power provision management unit 216 finishes the look-up process, the usage history generation unit 222 updates the record of the power storage facility stored in the power provision device list. For example, the usage history generation unit 222 enters the end time of the above-described storage facility assessment process in the power supply device list. The average purchase unit price may be calculated at the end of the look-up process. In addition, at least one of the average purchase unit price and the remaining power storage amount may be entered in the power supply device list at the end of the look-up process. Thereby, for example, the cheap electricity at night is stored in the power storage facility, and the electricity stored in the power storage facility is stored in the customer site or the supplier site where power is insufficient during a time when the power demand is strong. In the case of supplying the electricity, it is possible to easily execute the adjustment of the electricity bill.

  When it is detected that an abnormality has occurred in the consumer terminal 152, the usage history generation unit 222 consumes the power providing device list until no abnormality is detected or until the end of the abnormality is detected. The update of the electric energy may be stopped. Even when an abnormality occurs in the consumer terminal 152, at least one of the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152 may collect and store data such as the amount of power consumption. Therefore, after the occurrence of abnormality is no longer detected or after the end of the abnormality is detected, the usage history generation unit 222 sets the customer terminal 152 to at least one of the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152. You may request | require to transmit the data of the period when abnormality had occurred. The usage history generation unit 222 may update the power providing device list using data during a period in which an abnormality has occurred in the consumer terminal 152.

  The information storage unit 224 stores information used in each unit of the management server 122. Each unit of the management server 122 refers to the information storage unit 224 and extracts information necessary for processing in each unit.

  The power interchange unit 226 interchanges power with other power suppliers other than the power supplier that supplies power using the power supply device 124. The power interchange unit 226 may individually procure power from other power suppliers or may procure power through the power auction market. The power interchange unit 226 may individually supply power to other power suppliers, or may supply power through a power trading market such as a power auction market.

  The power interchange unit 226 determines, for example, the time for accommodating power, the power to be accommodated in the time, the amount of power, and the unit price. The power interchange unit 226 may notify the power provision management unit 216 of information regarding the power to be interchanged. The power interchange unit 226 may record the above information and execute a settlement process with another power supplier for each predetermined period. Note that the settlement process may be executed on a server connected to the communication network 12.

  The electric power interchange unit 226 obtains at least one of the electric power selling price of another electric power supplier or the electric power supply device, the electric power selling price of electricity traded in the electric power trading market, and a predetermined first price. In comparison, if these power selling prices are lower than the predetermined first price, the purchase of electricity may be determined. Examples of the first price include a price designated by the user, an average electricity purchase price stored in the power storage facility of the power supply device 124, and the like.

  The power interchange unit 226 obtains at least one of a power purchase price of another power supplier or a power supply device and a power purchase price of electricity traded in the power trading market, and a predetermined second price. In comparison, if these power purchase prices are lower than a predetermined second price, the sale of electricity may be determined. Examples of the second price include a price specified by the user, an average electricity purchase price stored in the power storage facility of the power supply device 124, and the like.

  The distribution unit 228 may distribute the advertisement information to at least one user of the electric device 132, the electric device 134, the watt-hour meter 144, and the consumer terminal 152. The distribution unit 228 may distribute the advertisement information to at least one of the electric device 132, the electric device 134, the watt-hour meter 144, and the consumer terminal 152, and distribute the advertisement information to the information processing terminal of the user. Good. The information processing terminal may be a mobile terminal. The distribution unit 228 may distribute the advertisement information to a website that can be accessed by the user. The distribution unit 228 may select advertisement information to be distributed based on information regarding the specifications, usage status, and the like of the electric device 132 and the electric device 134.

  The advertisement information is not particularly limited as long as it is information notified to the user. The advertisement information may be information related to the advertisement provider's product or service. The information on the product or service may be discount information on the product or service (sometimes referred to as coupon information), event notification information, or the like.

  As another example of information on goods or services, when the advertisement provider is public transportation, the advertisement information may be suspension information, delay information, traffic jam information, and the like. Further, when the advertisement provider is a business provider or administrative agency that provides a weather forecast service, the advertisement information may be a warning or a warning regarding local heavy rain, lightning strikes, gusts, and the like. The advertisement information may be information regarding a disaster. The advertisement information may be information regarding a specific area. The advertisement information may be information regarding at least one of the electric device 132, the electric device 134, the watt-hour meter 144, and the consumer terminal 152.

  FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an example of the power provision management unit 216. In the present embodiment, the power provision management unit 216 includes an event detection unit 312, a selection unit 314, a start determination unit 316, and an end determination unit 318. In the present embodiment, the information storage unit 224 stores an entry device list 332, a power supply device list 334, a device information database 336, and a selection condition 338. In addition, the process in each part of the electric power provision management part 216 is not limited to this embodiment. The process in the specific member of the power provision management unit 216 may be executed by another member of the power provision management unit 216.

  The event detection unit 312 detects the occurrence of a predetermined event. Examples of the predetermined event include a sudden increase or decrease in predicted power generation, a sudden increase or decrease in predicted power consumption, the arrival of a predetermined time, the passage of a predetermined time, and the like. The predetermined event may be that the device information acquisition unit 214 has acquired information indicating that the power source of the electrical device or the watt hour meter is turned on or off. The event detection unit 312 may detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the consumer terminal 152.

  The predetermined time may be set based on fluctuations in the power generation amount. For example, when the weather is expected to change suddenly, the time may be set short. Thereby, it is possible to maintain a good balance between supply and demand. Further, the power supply device 124 generates power at night compared to fluctuations in power generation during the day, as in the case of power generation mainly by solar power generation facilities during the day and power generation mainly by wind power generation facilities at night. When the fluctuation is small, the nighttime setting value may be longer than the daytime setting value. Thereby, it is possible to maintain a good balance between supply and demand by combining different power generation methods.

  The selection unit 314, when the event detection unit 312 detects the occurrence of a predetermined event (sometimes referred to as a selection event), at least one electric device or watt-hour meter that can be an object of the processing. Is selected. In the present embodiment, the selection unit 314 includes one or more electric devices included in the entry device list 332 stored in the information storage unit 224 based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided by the power supply device 124 or the like. At least one electric device or watt hour meter is selected from the devices or watt hour meters. The selection unit 314 may notify the usage history generation unit 222 of the selection result.

  The power or the amount of power that can be provided by the power supply device 124 or the like may include the power or the amount of power that can be procured by the power interchange unit 226. The selection unit 314 further includes at least one electric device or a unit price based on the power or the power amount and the unit price that can be provided by the power supply device 124 and the power or the power amount and the unit price that the power interchange unit 226 can procure. An electricity meter may be selected.

  In the present embodiment, the selection unit 314 uses the power or power amount predicted by the supply amount prediction unit 212 and at least one of the rated power of each power device and the predicted power consumption of each power device or each power meter. Based on this, at least one electric device or watt-hour meter that can be a target of the assessment process may be selected. The selection unit 314 refers to the device information database 336 stored in the information storage unit 224 and acquires at least one of the rated power of each power device and the predicted power consumption of each power device or each power meter. It's okay.

  When it is detected that an abnormality has occurred in the consumer terminal 152, the selection unit 314 selects each power device or information based on the information regarding the power consumption before the occurrence of the abnormality in the consumer terminal 152 is detected. The predicted power consumption of each watt-hour meter may be calculated. For example, the selection unit 314 calculates the predicted power consumption of each power device or each watt-hour meter based on the information related to the power consumption until the day before the occurrence of the abnormality is detected. In one embodiment, the selection unit 314 statistically analyzes information on the power consumption up to the day before the day when the abnormality is detected, and predicts the power consumption during the period in which the abnormality occurs. Good.

  The selection unit 314 may further select at least one electric device or watt hour meter that can be an object of the processing based on the selection condition 338 stored in the information storage unit 224. The selection condition 338 includes a condition that the electricity is preferentially provided to a specific type of electric equipment, a condition that the number of consumer sites 104 to which electricity is provided satisfies a specific condition, and a usage status of the equipment is specific. For example, a condition that the condition is satisfied, a condition that electricity is preferentially provided to a user having a specific attribute, and the like can be exemplified.

  The specific type of electrical device may be a device such as a refrigerator in which the percentage of time during which the power is turned on in a day is larger than a specific value. This facilitates power consumption prediction. As a result, the update frequency of the power providing device list 334 can be reduced.

  As a condition regarding the number of customer sites 104 to which electricity is provided, the ratio of the customer sites 104 to which electricity is provided is larger than a specific value with respect to the entire customer sites 104 that have concluded a power supply contract. And the condition of maximizing the number of consumer sites 104 to which electricity is provided. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the supply destination of electricity supplied by the power supply device 124 or the like from being biased toward a specific customer.

  The condition regarding the usage status of the device may be a condition that statistical information regarding the usage status of the past satisfies a specific condition. Examples of such conditions include giving priority to a device whose average usage time per time is smaller than a specific value, and giving priority to a device whose use probability in a specific time period is higher than a specific value. Can do. Thereby, the difference between the supply curve such as the power supply device 124 and the demand curve at one or more customer sites 104 can be reduced.

  The attributes of the user include whether or not it is cooperative with a power saving request from the power supply device 124, whether or not a specific product is purchased or used, whether or not a specific service is subscribed, Examples include whether or not the contract period is longer than a specific period, whether or not the contract period is present in a specific area, and whether or not the actual value of the provided power amount satisfies a specific condition. The particular area may be a neighborhood area of the supplier site 102. For example, by preferentially supplying power to the customer site 104 existing in an area near the supplier site 102, it is possible to promote the spread or attraction of power generation facilities.

  The start deciding unit 316 decides to start the processing considering at least one of the electric device or the watt hour meter selected by the selecting unit 314. For example, the start determination unit 316 starts the processing for the electric devices or watt hour meters that are not included in the power providing device list 334 among the electric devices or watt hour meters selected by the selection unit 314. Decide that. The start determination unit 316 starts the processing for the electric devices whose power consumption is measured by the watt-hour meter that is not included in the power supply device list 334 among the electric devices selected by the selection unit 314. You may decide to do. The start time of the look-up process may be the same as or different from the selection time. The start determination unit 316 may notify the usage history generation unit 222 of information related to the determination result.

  The start determination unit 316 includes, when the watt-hour meter 144 is in the process of being viewed, an electric device that has not been measured by the watt-hour meter 144 among the electric devices selected by the selection unit 314. It may be determined that the power or amount of power consumed in at least one is treated as provided by the power supply device 124 or the like. The start determination unit 316 determines the power or the amount of power consumed in at least one of the electrical devices selected by the selection unit 314 when the watt-hour meter 144 is not being processed. You may decide to treat it as provided by.

  The end determination unit 318 determines to end the look-ahead process for at least one of the one or more electric devices or watt-hour meters. For example, the end determination unit 318 determines to end the processing for the electric devices or watt hour meters that are not selected by the selection unit 314 among the electric devices included in the power providing device list 334. When the start determination unit 316 determines that the specific power meter is to start processing, the end determination unit 318 determines one or more electric powers whose power consumption is measured by the specific power meter. It may be decided to end the process for recognizing the device. The end time of the look-up process may be the same as or different from the selection time.

  The end determination unit 318 may receive information indicating that the power of one or more electrical devices or watt hour meters has been turned off from the device information acquisition unit 214. The information may be identification information for identifying each of one or more electric devices or watt-hour meters. In this case, the end determination unit 318 may determine to end the recognizing process for the electric device or watt hour meter identified by the received identification information. The end determination unit 318 may notify the usage history generation unit 222 of information related to the determination result.

  In the present embodiment, the selection unit 314 selects at least one electric device or watt hour meter from one or more electric devices or watt hour meters included in the entry device list 332 stored in the information storage unit 224. Explained when to do. However, the selection unit 314 is not limited to this embodiment.

  In another embodiment, the selection unit 314 may acquire a list of electric devices or watt hour meters managed by the other management server from another management server installed at another supplier site. As for the selection part 314, the power supply is turned ON among the electric equipment or watt-hour meter managed by another management server, and electricity is provided by another power supply apparatus or another power supplier. You may select the apparatus handled as what is provided with electricity by the electric power supply apparatus 124 etc. from the apparatus which is not handled.

  In this embodiment, the case where the information storage unit 224 stores the entry device list 332, the power providing device list 334, the device information database 336, and the selection condition 338 has been described. However, the information storage unit 224 is not limited to this embodiment. In another embodiment, the information storage unit 224 may store a list in which the entry device list 332 and the power supply device list 334 are integrated. In another embodiment, the information storage unit 224 may store information related to the advance payment of each of the one or more consumers in association with the identification information of each of the one or more consumers.

  In another embodiment, the selection unit 314 may select at least one electric device or watt hour meter from among the electric devices or watt hour meters included in the plurality of entry device lists 332. Priorities may be set in the plurality of entry device lists 332.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows an example of the distribution unit 228. In the present embodiment, the distribution unit 228 includes an information collection unit 412, an advertisement information storage unit 414, an extraction unit 416, and an advertisement transmission unit 418.

  The information collection unit 412 collects at least one of information related to one or more electric devices or watt-hour meters and information related to the usage status of one or more electric devices or watt-hour meters. The information collecting unit 412 acquires, for example, information input from the user, information on the WEB site provided by the manufacturer of each electric device or each watt-hour meter, and the like. Gather information about specifications. For example, the information collection unit 412 analyzes the usage history generated by the usage history generation unit 222 and collects information on the usage status of each electrical device or each watt-hour meter.

  The advertisement information storage unit 414 stores one or more pieces of advertisement information. Based on the information collected by the information collection unit 412, the extraction unit 416 includes at least one user of one or more electric devices or watt hour meters among the one or more pieces of advertisement information stored in the advertisement information storage unit 414. To extract information suitable for. The advertisement transmission unit 418 transmits the advertisement information extracted by the extraction unit 416 to the user. The advertisement transmission unit 418 may transmit the advertisement information to the user's electric device, watt-hour meter, consumer terminal, portable terminal, and the like.

  FIG. 5 schematically shows an example of the consumer terminal 152. In the present embodiment, the consumer terminal 152 includes a request receiving unit 512, a request processing unit 514, a load management unit 516, and a power consumption storage unit 518. In the present embodiment, the consumer terminal 152 includes an event monitoring unit 522 and a control signal transmission unit 524. The customer terminal 152 may include an emergency power supply 526 or an authentication information acquisition unit 532.

  The event monitoring unit 522 may be an example of at least one of an event detection unit and an interruption detection unit. The control signal transmission unit 524 may be an example of at least one of a restriction signal selection unit, a restriction signal transmission unit, and a release signal transmission unit. The authentication information acquisition unit 532 may be an example of an authentication ID acquisition unit. The emergency power source 526 may be an example of a power source.

  The request receiving unit 512 receives a request from the management server 122. The request receiving unit 512 may be a communication interface with the management server 122. The request processing unit 514 executes various types of information processing according to the request received by the request receiving unit 512.

  The load management unit 516 manages the use of electricity in an electric device or watt-hour meter that has established communication with the consumer terminal 152. In the present embodiment, the load management unit 516 manages at least one of the power consumption amount in the electrical device 134 and the power consumption amount measured by the watthour meter 144. For example, the load management unit 516 acquires the accumulated power consumption of the electrical device 134 at a predetermined time interval. The load management unit 516 may acquire the integrated power consumption measured by the watt hour meter 144 at a predetermined time interval. The integrated power consumption may be an integrated power consumption based on a specific time. The integrated power consumption may be an integrated power consumption based on the time at which the look-up process is started.

  The load management unit 516 transmits the acquired information to the management server 122. The load management unit 516 may store the acquired information in the power consumption storage unit 518 and transmit it to the management server 122 at random time intervals. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent intensive transmission to the management server 122 in a short period of time from the consumer terminals 152 arranged in the plurality of consumer sites 104. When the communication with the management server 122 cannot be established, the load management unit 516 may execute the transmission process again. When the communication with the management server 122 cannot be established, the load management unit 516 may generate a communication log indicating that the transmission process cannot be executed. The load management unit 516 may transmit a communication log to the management server 122 when communication with the management server 122 is established.

  The load management unit 516 may hold information regarding whether or not the electric device 134 or the watt-hour meter 144 is handled as being provided with electricity by the power supply device 124 or the like. Thereby, when the load management unit 516 processes a request from the management server 122, whether or not the electric device 134 or the watt-hour meter 144 is treated as being provided with electricity by the power supply device 124 or the like. Different processes can be executed depending on the situation.

  In one embodiment, when the load management unit 516 receives information indicating that the power is turned off from the electrical device 134, the load management unit 516 treats the electrical device 134 as being provided with electricity by the power supply device 124 or the like. If the power is not supplied to the management server 122, the electric device 134 is requested to notify the current accumulated power consumption amount. Thereby, the load management unit 516 can simultaneously transmit to the management server 122 that the power of the electric device 134 has been turned off and the current accumulated power consumption of the electric device 134. Thereby, the communication amount can be significantly reduced.

  In another embodiment, the load management unit 516 collects information on the usage status of electricity at the consumer site 104 with the arrival of a predetermined time or the elapse of a predetermined period. This information can only be collected for electrical equipment or watt-hour meters that are treated as being provided with electricity by device 124 or the like. Thereby, the information of an electric equipment or a watt-hour meter can be collected efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, the load management unit 516 transmits various requests to the watt-hour meter 144. The load management unit 516 receives information transmitted from the watt-hour meter 144. The load management unit 516 may mediate communication between the watt-hour meter 144 and the management server 122. The load management unit 516 may be a communication interface with the electric device 134 and the watt hour meter 144.

  The event monitoring unit 522 monitors the occurrence of a predetermined event (sometimes referred to as a limited event) and detects the event. According to the present embodiment, when the event monitoring unit 522 detects a restriction event, the event monitoring unit 522 transmits information indicating that the event has been detected to the control signal transmission unit 524. When the event monitoring unit 522 detects a restriction event, the event monitoring unit 522 may transmit information indicating that the event has been detected to the information processing terminal of the consumer. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of a restriction | limiting event can be notified to a consumer. Information indicating that a restriction event has been detected may be information indicating at least one of the type and content of the detected restriction event.

  As a limited event, an abnormality has occurred in the consumer terminal 152, the amount of power consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices in a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined value, and a predetermined event It can be exemplified that at least one of the charges of electricity consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices in a given period is greater than a predetermined amount.

  The state in which an abnormality has occurred in the consumer terminal 152 includes a state in which a failure has been detected in the consumer terminal 152, a state in which the power to the consumer terminal 152 is not turned on, and an abnormality in power supply to the consumer terminal 152. In a state in which there is a problem, a state in which an abnormality has occurred in the security of the consumer terminal 152, a state in which a predetermined type of disaster may occur in the area where the consumer terminal 152 is installed, and communication in the consumer terminal 152 The state in which an abnormality has occurred, the state in which an abnormality has occurred in data output from the consumer terminal 152, and combinations thereof can be exemplified.

  The consumer terminal 152 may switch the power ON / OFF by a power switch provided outside the housing. The consumer terminal 152 may switch the power ON / OFF via the communication network 12. The consumer terminal 152 may switch the power ON / OFF by short-range wireless communication. The consumer terminal 152 turns on the power of the consumer terminal 152 by inserting a physical card into a slot provided in the consumer terminal 152, and turns off the power by pulling out the physical card from the slot. It may be configured.

  The state in which an abnormality has occurred in the power supply to the consumer terminal 152 includes a state in which the supply of power to the consumer terminal 152 is interrupted and a voltage or current of electricity supplied to the consumer terminal 152. A state smaller than the value and a state where the voltage fluctuation or current fluctuation of electricity supplied to the consumer terminal 152 is larger than a predetermined value can be exemplified. The state in which the security of the consumer terminal 152 has occurred includes a state in which a failure has occurred in the authentication process of the consumer terminal 152, a state in which the consumer terminal 152 may have been hacked, and a state in which the consumer terminal 152 has become a virus. The state which may be infected etc. can be illustrated.

  As a state in which a predetermined type of disaster may occur in the area where the customer terminal 152 is installed, information indicating that the disaster may occur is from an administrative organization or a private forecast company. The received state can be exemplified. As a state in which an abnormality has occurred in communication between the consumer terminal 152 and the communication between the management server 122 and the consumer terminal 152 is interrupted, communication between the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152 is established. For example, a state in which communication cannot be performed and a state in which the frequency of communication errors is greater than a predetermined value can be exemplified. Examples of the state in which an abnormality has occurred in the data output from the consumer terminal 152 include a state in which the power usage data is rapidly increasing or decreasing.

  Whether or not the power consumption by at least one of the one or more load devices in a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined value depends on whether the power consumption is managed by the consumer terminal 152 or not. It may be determined based on the power consumption amount by at least one, or may be determined based on the power consumption amount measured by the watt hour meter 144. Whether or not the charge of electricity consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices during a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined amount is determined by an electric device whose power consumption is managed by the consumer terminal 152 It may be determined based on the power consumption amount by at least one of them, or may be determined based on the power consumption amount measured by the watt hour meter 144. When the balance of the prepayment is smaller than the predetermined amount, the event monitoring unit 522 determines that the electricity charge consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices during the predetermined period is greater than the predetermined amount. You may judge that it is large.

  The event monitoring unit 522 may determine a transmission destination of information indicating that the event has been detected, according to at least one of the type and content of the detected limited event. According to one embodiment, when an abnormality has occurred in the consumer terminal 152, the event monitoring unit 522 transmits information indicating that the event has been detected to the control signal transmission unit 524. On the other hand, when another restriction event is detected, information indicating that the event has been detected is transmitted to the information processing terminal of the consumer.

  As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not to actually limit power supply according to at least one of the type and content of the detected limiting event. In addition, it is possible to prompt the customer who has received the information indicating that the restriction event has been detected to contact a call center or the like. Note that the determination as to whether or not to actually limit power supply may be executed by the control signal transmission unit 524.

  According to another embodiment, the event monitoring unit 522 detects the event when there is an abnormality that is highly likely to be caused by the user among the abnormality of the consumer terminal 152. Information indicating this is transmitted to the control signal transmission unit 524. On the other hand, when another restriction event is detected, information indicating that the event has been detected is transmitted to the information processing terminal of the consumer. Accordingly, it is possible to execute appropriate processing according to the cause of the abnormality while suppressing a decrease in user convenience. The abnormality that is likely to be caused by the user is caused by a state where the power of the consumer terminal 152 is not turned on, a state where an abnormality occurs in power supply to the consumer terminal 152, a consumer terminal A state where an abnormality has occurred in the security of 152 can be exemplified.

  According to another embodiment, when the balance of the prepayment is larger than a predetermined amount, information indicating that the event has been detected is transmitted to the information processing terminal of the consumer. On the other hand, when the balance of the prepayment is smaller than a predetermined amount, information indicating that the event has been detected is transmitted to the control signal transmission unit 524.

  The event monitoring unit 522 may determine a transmission destination of information indicating that the event has been detected according to the frequency of occurrence of the limited event. For example, when the occurrence frequency of a specific restriction event is greater than a predetermined value, the event monitoring unit 522 transmits information indicating that the event has been detected to the control signal transmission unit 524. On the other hand, when the occurrence frequency of a specific restriction event is smaller than a predetermined value, information indicating that the event has been detected is transmitted to the information processing terminal of the consumer.

  The event monitoring unit 522 may periodically transmit information indicating that the event has been detected while the limit event is being detected. When the event monitoring unit 522 detects a restriction event, the event monitoring unit 522 may transmit information indicating that the event has been detected only once.

  The control signal transmission unit 524 transmits a restriction signal to the power distribution device 142 when a restriction event is detected. The control signal transmission unit 524 may transmit a limit signal to the power distribution device 142 via the watt-hour meter 144.

  The control signal transmission unit 524 may transmit a release signal to the power distribution device 142. The control signal transmission unit 524 may transmit a release signal to the power distribution device 142 via the watt-hour meter 144. The control signal transmission unit 524 transmits a release signal when a period in which the information is not received exceeds a predetermined period after receiving information indicating that the restriction event has been detected from the event monitoring unit 522. You can do it.

  The control signal transmission unit 524 may transmit a release signal when the authentication information acquisition unit 532 acquires authentication information. The control signal transmission unit 524 transmits a release signal when the authentication information acquisition unit 532 acquires the authentication information and does not receive information indicating that the restriction event is detected from the event monitoring unit 522. Good.

  The control signal transmission unit 524 may transmit the release signal when the authentication process of the consumer terminal 152 is completed. The control signal transmission unit 524 may transmit the release signal when the authentication process of the consumer terminal 152 is completed and the information indicating that the restriction event is detected is not received from the event monitoring unit 522. .

  The control signal transmission unit 524 may transmit a release signal when communication between the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152 is established. When the communication between the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152 has been established and the control signal transmission unit 524 has not received information indicating that a restriction event has been detected from the event monitoring unit 522, the control signal transmission unit 524 outputs a release signal. May be sent.

  The emergency power supply 526 supplies power to the consumer terminal 152 when the event monitoring unit 522 detects that power supply from the power supplier to the consumer terminal 152 is cut off. Thereby, even if it is a case where supply of the electric power from the electric power supplier to the consumer terminal 152 is interrupted | blocked, a restriction | limiting signal can be transmitted to the power distribution apparatus 142. FIG. In addition, recording of power consumption at the consumer site 104, communication with the management server 122, etc. can be continued.

  The authentication information acquisition unit 532 acquires authentication information used for authentication of the consumer terminal 152. The authentication information is used, for example, for establishing communication between the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152. The authentication information acquisition unit 532 may acquire authentication information from at least one of the authentication server 20, the management server 122, and the consumer's mobile terminal.

  FIG. 6 schematically shows an example of the data table 600 of the entry device list 332 stored in the information storage unit 224. The data table 600 includes a consumer ID 602, a device ID 604, a power supply state 606 of the electric device or watt hour meter identified by the device ID 604, a power supply status 608 of the electric device or watt hour meter, Information relating to the time 610 when the device or watt-hour meter was last turned on and the time 612 when the electric device or watt-hour meter was last turned off are stored in association with each other. When the device identified by the device ID 604 is a watt-hour meter, it may be determined that the device is ON when the power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter is greater than a predetermined value. Further, when the power consumption measured by the watt hour meter is smaller than a predetermined value, it may be determined to be OFF.

  FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an example of the data table 700 of the power providing device list 334 stored in the information storage unit 224. The data table 700 includes the consumer ID 702, the device ID 704, the start time 706 of the look-up process for the electric device or watt-hour meter identified by the device ID 704, and the look-up process for the electric device or watt-hour meter. The end time 708, the power consumption 710 between the start time 706 and the end time 708, and the information regarding the unit price 712 of electricity considered to be provided between the start time 706 and the end time 708 are associated with each other. Store.

  Each row of the data table 700 stores information on one watt hour meter or electric device (sometimes referred to as a record). Thereby, even when electricity provided by a plurality of power supply devices or a plurality of power suppliers is supplied to the same consumer site 104, it is provided from each power supply device or each power supplier. The amount of power that is considered to be

  The data table 700 is associated with the device ID 704, the time when the electric device or the watt hour meter identified by the device ID 704 is turned on, and the time when the electric device or the watt hour meter is turned off. May be stored. As a result, the power supply is turned on after the power of the electric device or the watt-hour meter is turned on separately from the time from the start of the look-up processing for the electric device or the watt-hour meter until the end of the look-up processing. The time until turning off can be managed. The device ID 704, the time when the electric device or watt hour meter identified by the device ID 704 is turned on, and the time when the electric device or watt hour meter is turned off are stored in association with each other. Other data tables may be prepared.

  In one embodiment, when a record during an evaluation period of a specific watt-hour meter is stored in the data table 700, the above-mentioned evaluation of the electric device whose power consumption is measured by the specific watt-hour meter. Records during the period are not stored in the data table 700. In another embodiment, when a record during an evaluation period of a specific watt-hour meter is stored in the data table 700, the above-mentioned evaluation of the electric device whose power consumption is measured by the specific watt-hour meter. In the record during the period, 0 kWh is entered in the column of power consumption 710.

  FIG. 8 schematically shows an example of the data table 800. The data table 800 may be another example of the entry device list 332. The data table 800 stores information on electrical devices or watt hour meters that are turned on. The data table 800 stores the customer ID 802, the device ID 804, and the time 806 when the electric device or watt-hour meter identified by the device ID 804 was last turned on in association with each other.

  FIG. 9 schematically shows an example of the data table 900. The data table 900 may be another example of the power providing device list 334. The data table 900 stores information on electrical devices or watt-hour meters that are considered to be provided with electricity by the power supply device 124 or the like. The data table 900 stores a consumer ID 902, a device ID 904, and an electric device or watt hour meter identified by the device ID 904 in association with the processing start time 906.

  FIG. 10 schematically shows an example of the data table 1000 of the device information database 336 stored in the information storage unit 224. The data table 1000 includes the consumer ID 1002, the device ID 1004, the specification information 1006 of the device identified by the device ID 1004, the statistical information 1008 of the device, and the watt-hour meter that measures the power consumption of the device. The total ID 1010 is stored in association with each other. The specification information 1006 includes information on the manufacturer 1062, the model number 1064, the rated power consumption 1066, and the like of each device. The statistical information 1008 may be statistical information obtained by analyzing the usage status of each device. The statistical information 1008 may include information regarding the average power consumption 1082, the average usage time 1084, the usage probability 1086 for each time zone, and the like of each device.

  In the present embodiment, the data table 1000 stores a device ID 1004 and a watt-hour meter ID 1010 of a watt-hour meter that measures the power consumption of the device in association with each other. Thereby, one or more electric appliances whose power consumption is measured by a specific watt-hour meter can be specified. As a result, for example, when the power providing device list 334 includes a record of the watt hour meter and a record of the electric device whose power consumption is measured by the watt hour meter, the power providing device list 334 and the data table 1000 , It is possible to extract a record of an electric device whose power consumption is measured by a specific watt hour meter. In the present embodiment, in the watt-hour meter record, the watt-hour meter ID 1010 is filled with the device ID 1004 of the watt-hour meter. In the watt-hour meter record, information indicating that the device is a watt-hour meter may be entered in the watt-hour meter ID 1010, or NONE may be entered.

  FIG. 11 schematically shows an example of processing in the management server 122. According to the present embodiment, in step 1102 (step may be abbreviated as S), the event detection unit 312 detects the occurrence of a predetermined event. In S <b> 1104, the selection unit 314 of the power provision management unit 216 selects the data among the electric devices or watt-hour meters included in the entry device list 332 according to the power or the power amount that can be supplied by the power supply device 124 or the like. Electricity treated as being provided with electricity by the power supply device 124 or the like from an electric device or watt hour meter to which information indicating that the power source is turned on is given in the power state 606 of the table 600 Select equipment or watt-hour meter. The selection unit 314 may select an electrical device or a watt hour meter that is a target of the look-up process based on the selection condition 338 stored in the information storage unit 224.

  In S1104, the selection unit 314 refers to the entry device list 332, and in the column of the power supply status 608 of the data table 600 among the electrical devices or watt hour meters selected in the current selection, the power supply status is displayed. The identification information of the electric device or watt hour meter to which information indicating that “is not provided” is given is extracted. The selection unit 314 notifies the start determination unit 316 of the extracted identification information. The start determination unit 316 that has received the notification determines to start the processing considering the electrical device or watt hour meter identified by the identification information included in the notification. When the start time of the look-up process arrives, the start determination unit 316 starts the look-up process.

  Similarly, the selection unit 314 refers to the entry device list 332, and refers to the power supply status 608 of the data table 600 to which the information indicating that the power supply status is “providing” is attached or From the watt hour meter, the identification information of the electrical device or watt hour meter that was not selected in the current selection is extracted. The selection unit 314 notifies the extraction determination unit 318 of the extracted identification information. Upon receiving the notification, the end determination unit 318 determines to end the processing for the electrical device identified by the identification information included in the notification. When the end time of the look-up process comes, the end determination unit 318 ends the look-up process.

  The selection unit 314 may update the power supply status 608 of the data table 600 based on the selection result. The start determination unit 316 and the end determination unit 318 may update the power provision status 608 of the data table 600 based on the determination result.

  In S <b> 1106, the request transmission unit 218 causes the electrical device or the watt hour meter that is determined to end the look-up process to execute the process for determining the power consumption amount during the look-up period. Generate a request. The request transmission unit 218 transmits the generated request to the electric device or watt hour meter. The request transmission unit 218 is a request for causing the electrical device or watt-hour meter that has been determined to start the look-up process to execute a process necessary for determining the power consumption amount in the future. May be generated. The request transmission unit 218 may transmit the generated request to the above electric device or watt hour meter.

  In S <b> 1108, the usage history generation unit 222 acquires information related to the determination result from each of the start determination unit 316 and the end determination unit 318. The usage history generation unit 222 may update the power providing device list 334 based on the acquired information.

  According to the present embodiment, the management server 122 first determines the specific power supply device or the specific power supply according to the power or the amount of power that can be supplied by the specific power supply device or the specific power supplier. Select one or more electrical appliances or watt-hour meters that can be treated as being provided by a person. Next, the management server 122 determines that the selected one or more electrical devices or watt-hour meters are treated as being provided with electricity by the specific power supply device or the specific power supplier. Thereby, the deviation between the power supply curve and the power demand curve can be reduced.

  FIG. 12 schematically illustrates an example of the data table 1200 of the power providing device list 334 stored in the information storage unit 224. The data table 1200 includes a consumer ID 1202, a device ID 1204, a start time 1206 of a look-up process for the electric device or watt-hour meter identified by the device ID 1204, and a look-up process for the electric device or watt-hour meter. Identified by the supplier ID 1210 between the end time 1208 and the supplier ID 1210 of the power supplier deemed to provide electricity between the start time 1206 and the end time 1208 and between the start time 1206 and the end time 1208 The amount of power 1212 that is considered to be provided by the supplied power supplier and the amount of power consumption 1214 between the start time 1206 and the end time 1208 are stored in association with each other.

  Thereby, even when electricity provided by a plurality of power supply devices or a plurality of power suppliers is supplied to the same consumer site 104, it is provided from each power supply device or each power supplier. The amount of power that is considered to be Instead of the supplier ID 1210, the ID of the power supply apparatus that is considered to provide electricity between the start time 1206 and the end time 1208 may be used.

  As an example, the data table 1200 will be described by taking as an example the case where the consumer ID 1202 of the watt-hour meter 144 is “0001” and the device ID 1204 is “0101”. For example, at 10:25, the power supply management unit 216 is consumed by the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 whose power consumption is measured by the watt-hour meter 144 between 10:30 and 10:59. The amount of power that is considered to be provided by each of the one or more power suppliers is determined.

  The power provision management unit 216 enters the determined power amount in the column of the estimated power amount 1212 of the data table 1200. In the present embodiment, the amount of power provided by the power supplier whose supplier ID 1210 is “S001” is 20 kWh, and the amount of power provided by the power supplier whose supplier ID 1210 is “S002” is 10 kWh. Yes, it is considered that the amount of power provided by the power supplier whose supplier ID 1210 is “S003” is 20 kWh.

  For example, at 10:35, the power provision management unit 216 receives information on the accumulated power consumption measured by the power meter 144 from the consumer terminal 152 at 10:30. Also, at 11:05, the power provision management unit 216 receives information on the integrated power consumption measured by the power meter 144 from the consumer terminal 152 at 11:00. The power provision management unit 216 subtracts the integrated power consumption at 10:30 from the integrated power consumption at 11:00 to obtain the electrical device 132 and the electrical device 134 from 10:30 to 10:59. To calculate the amount of power consumed.

  The power provision management unit 216 enters the calculated power consumption amount in the column of the power consumption amount 1214 of the data table 1200. As a result, for example, the usage history generation unit 222 uses the amount of power entered in the estimated amount of power 1212 and the electricity rate provided by the supplier at the time to perform the settlement of the electricity rate. Can be executed.

  As another embodiment, the data table 1200 will be described by taking as an example a case where the consumer ID 1202 of the watt-hour meter 144 is “0003” and the device ID 1204 is “0103”. For example, at 10:25, the power supply management unit 216 is consumed by the electric device 132 and the electric device 134 whose power consumption is measured by the watt-hour meter 144 between 10:30 and 10:59. The amount of power that is considered to be provided by each of the one or more power suppliers is determined.

  The power provision management unit 216 enters the determined power amount in the column of the estimated power amount 1212 of the data table 1200. In the present embodiment, the amount of power provided by the power supplier whose supplier ID 1210 is “S001” is 20 kWh, and the amount of power provided by the power supplier whose supplier ID 1210 is “S002” is 10 kWh. It is considered to be. On the other hand, the amount of power provided by the power supplier whose supplier ID 1210 is “S003” is not specified.

  For example, at 10:35, the power provision management unit 216 receives information on the accumulated power consumption measured by the power meter 144 from the consumer terminal 152 at 10:30. Also, at 11:05, the power provision management unit 216 receives information on the integrated power consumption measured by the power meter 144 from the consumer terminal 152 at 11:00. The power provision management unit 216 subtracts the integrated power consumption at 10:30 from the integrated power consumption at 11:00 to obtain the electrical device 132 and the electrical device 134 from 10:30 to 10:59. To calculate the amount of power consumed. In addition, the power supply management unit 216 determines whether the supplier ID 1210 is based on the calculated power consumption and the estimated power amount of the power supplier whose supplier ID 1210 is represented by “S001” and “S002”. The amount of electric power estimated by the power supplier represented by “S003” is calculated.

  The power provision management unit 216 enters the calculated power consumption amount in the column of the power consumption amount 1214 of the data table 1200. The power provision management unit 216 enters the estimated power amount of the power supplier whose calculated supplier ID 1210 is represented by “S003” in the column of the estimated power amount 1212 of the data table 1200. As a result, for example, the usage history generation unit 222 uses the amount of power entered in the estimated amount of power 1212 and the electricity rate provided by the supplier at the time to perform the settlement of the electricity rate. Can be executed.

  FIG. 13 schematically illustrates an example of the event monitoring unit 522. In the present embodiment, the event monitoring unit 522 includes a terminal monitoring unit 1312, a power consumption monitoring unit 1314, and an electricity rate monitoring unit 1316. The terminal monitoring unit 1312 may be an example of at least one of an event detection unit and a block detection unit. Each of the power consumption monitoring unit 1314 and the electricity bill monitoring unit 1316 may be an example of an event detection unit.

  The terminal monitoring unit 1312 monitors the consumer terminal 152. The terminal monitoring unit 1312 determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the consumer terminal 152. The power consumption monitoring unit 1314 monitors the power consumption of one or more devices distributed to the consumer site 104. The power consumption monitoring unit 1314 determines whether or not the power consumption by at least one of the one or more devices in a predetermined period is larger than a predetermined value. The electricity rate monitoring unit 1316 monitors the electricity rate consumed by one or more devices arranged at the consumer site 104. The electricity rate monitoring unit 1316 may monitor the balance of the prepayment for each consumer. The electricity rate monitor 1316 determines whether or not the electricity rate consumed by at least one of the one or more devices during a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined amount.

  FIG. 14 schematically illustrates an example of the control signal transmission unit 524. In the present embodiment, the control signal transmission unit 524 includes a control signal storage unit 1412 and a control signal selection unit 1414. The control signal selection unit 1414 may be an example of at least one of a limit signal selection unit, a limit signal transmission unit, and a release signal transmission unit.

  The control signal storage unit 1412 stores an instruction or command transmitted by each of one or more control signals in association with a condition for transmitting the control signal. The condition for transmitting the control signal is determined by the type and content of the event detected by the event monitoring unit 522 and the combination thereof.

  As the control signal, (i) a stop signal for instructing to stop the supply of power from the power distribution device 142 to one or more devices to which power is supplied by the power distribution device 142, and (ii) the power distribution device 142 A setting signal for setting an upper limit value of the total current supplied to one or more devices to which power is supplied by the power distribution device 142, (iii) canceling the restriction imposed on the power distribution device 142 A release signal to be instructed can be exemplified.

  The upper limit value of the total current may be set according to at least one of the type and content of the limit event. The upper limit value of the total current may be set to a value smaller than the contract amperage of the consumer.

  The control signal selection unit 1414 transmits a limit signal to the power distribution device 142 when the event monitoring unit 522 detects a limit event. In the present embodiment, the control signal selection unit 1414 first receives information indicating at least one of the type and content of the detected limited event from the event monitoring unit 522. Next, the control signal selection unit 1414 refers to the control signal storage unit 1412 and selects a control signal corresponding to the detected limit event based on the type and content of the detected limit event. The control signal selection unit 1414 transmits the selected control signal to the power distribution device 142.

  After receiving the information indicating that the restriction event has been detected from the event monitoring unit 522, the control signal selection unit 1414 distributes the release signal when the period during which the information is not received exceeds a predetermined period. It may be transmitted to the device 142. When the authentication information acquisition unit 532 acquires authentication information, when the authentication process of the consumer terminal 152 is completed, or when communication between the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152 is established. In addition, the release signal may be transmitted to the power distribution device 142. When the authentication information acquisition unit 532 acquires authentication information, when the authentication process of the consumer terminal 152 is completed, or when communication between the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152 is established. And when the information which shows that the restriction | limiting event was detected from the event monitoring part 522 is not received, you may transmit a cancellation | release signal to the power distribution apparatus 142. FIG.

  FIG. 15 schematically shows an example of the authentication information acquisition unit 532. In the present embodiment, the authentication information acquisition unit 532 includes an authentication ID acquisition unit 1512, a password information acquisition unit 1514, and an authentication information communication unit 1516.

  In the present embodiment, information processing in the consumer terminal 152 will be described by taking as an example a case where the consumer terminal 152 acquires an authentication ID used for authentication of the consumer terminal 152 in the watt-hour meter 144 from the user. According to this embodiment, even if a specific consumer uses electricity at a plurality of consumer sites, the amount of power used by the consumer can be managed. Further, in a facility used by an unspecified number of users, the power consumption of a user who uses the facility can be managed for each user. Moreover, when authentication ID cannot be acquired from a user, since communication of the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152 is interrupted | blocked, unauthorized use can be suppressed.

  The authentication ID acquisition unit 1512 acquires the authentication ID of the consumer terminal 152. The authentication ID of the consumer terminal 152 may be an ID number used for authentication of the consumer terminal 152 in the watt-hour meter 144. The authentication ID may be a B root authentication ID. In the present embodiment, the authentication ID acquisition unit 1512 acquires an authentication ID from the user's portable terminal 40 by short-range wireless communication.

  Short-range wireless communication includes RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification), short-range wireless communication such as NFC, wireless PAN such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and ZigBee (registered trademark), wireless LAN such as (registered trademark) Wi-Fi, Wireless MAN such as WiMAX and infrared communication can be exemplified. The portable terminal 40 may be a contactless IC card having an IC chip such as an RF tag, an IC tag, or a Felica (registered trademark) chip, or may be an information processing terminal having a short-range wireless communication function. Examples of the information processing terminal include a personal computer, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet, and a wearable terminal.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the authentication ID acquisition unit 1512 acquires the authentication ID from the mobile terminal 40 has been described. However, the authentication ID acquisition unit 1512 is not limited to this embodiment. The authentication ID acquisition unit 1512 may acquire the authentication ID input by the user to the input device of the consumer terminal 152 from the input device.

  The personal identification information acquisition unit 1514 acquires personal identification information corresponding to the authentication ID. Examples of the password information include a password and a passphrase. The password information acquisition unit 1514 may acquire password information that the user has input to the input device of the consumer terminal 152 from the input device. The personal identification information acquisition unit 1514 may acquire personal identification information input to the portable terminal 40 by the user from the portable terminal 40 of the user by short-range wireless communication.

  In the present embodiment, the authentication information communication unit 1516 associates the authentication ID acquired by the authentication ID acquisition unit 1512 with the password information acquired by the password information acquisition unit 1514 and transmits it to the watt-hour meter 144. The authentication information communication unit 1516 receives the result of the authentication process by the watt-hour meter 144 from the watt-hour meter 144. When the authentication information communication unit 1516 receives information indicating that the authentication process of the consumer terminal 152 has been normally completed from the watt-hour meter 144, the authentication information communication unit 1516 transmits the information to the event monitoring unit 522.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing in the consumer terminal 152 has been described by taking as an example the case where the consumer terminal 152 acquires an authentication ID used for authentication of the consumer terminal 152 in the watt-hour meter 144 from the consumer. However, the information processing in the consumer terminal 152 is not limited to this embodiment. According to another embodiment, the consumer terminal 152 may acquire an authentication ID used for user authentication at the consumer terminal 152 from the consumer. In this case, the authentication process of the consumer terminal 152 in the watt-hour meter 144 has already been completed, and communication between the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152 may be established.

  FIG. 16 schematically shows an example of the data table 1600. The data table 1600 is stored in the information storage unit 224, for example. The data table 1600 may be stored in the power consumption storage unit 518. The power consumption monitoring unit 1314 described with reference to FIG. 13 refers to the data table 1600, and the power consumption by at least one of the one or more load devices in a predetermined period is determined based on a predetermined value. You may detect that it is large. In addition, the electricity bill monitoring unit 1316 refers to the data table 1600 and detects that the electricity bill consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices in a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined amount. You can do it.

  In this embodiment, the data table 1600 includes a consumer ID 1612, a consumer terminal ID 1614, a mobile terminal ID 1616, information indicating the current month's power consumption 1618, information indicating this month's electricity bill 1620, and a prepayment balance. The information indicating 1622 is stored in association with each other. Each of the one or more records stored in the data table 1600 includes a consumer ID 1612, a consumer terminal ID 1614, a portable terminal ID 1616, information indicating the current power consumption 1618, information indicating the current electricity bill 1620, and a prepayment. It may be an example of information associated with at least one piece of information indicating the balance 1622.

  This month's power consumption 1618 may be an example of power consumption by at least one of the one or more load devices in a predetermined period. This month's electricity bill 1620 may be an example of a bill of electricity consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices during a predetermined period.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the data table 1600 stores information indicating the power consumption 1618 of this month, the electricity bill 1620 of this month, and the prepayment balance 1622 for each consumer or each consumer terminal has been described. However, the data table 1600 is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the data table 1600 may store information indicating the monthly electricity bill 1620 and prepayment balance 1622 for each watt-hour meter. In other embodiments, the data table 1600 may store information indicating a monthly electricity bill 1620 and a prepayment balance 1622 for each electrical device.

  FIG. 17 schematically shows an example of authentication processing of the consumer terminal 152. According to the present embodiment, first, in step 1702, the consumer terminal 152 or the management server 122 that manages the consumer terminal 152 uses the watt-hour meter 144 to the authentication server 20 that manages the watt-hour meter 144. Send the application.

  In step 1704, the authentication server 20 determines whether the watt-hour meter 144 can be used. When permitting use of the watt-hour meter 144, the authentication server 20 transmits authentication information including an authentication ID and password information for authenticating the consumer terminal 152 in the watt-hour meter 144 to the watt-hour meter 144. . Further, the authentication server 20 transmits the authentication information to the management server 122 or the consumer terminal 152.

  In step 1712, the watt-hour meter 144 acquires authentication information from the authentication server 20. In step 1722, the management server 122 acquires authentication information from the authentication server 20. The management server 122 notifies the user of the consumer terminal 152 of the acquired authentication information. In step 1724, the management server 122 updates the data table 1600 to associate the above-described user demander ID 1612 with the consumer terminal ID 1614 of the consumer terminal 152.

  Next, in step 1732, the authentication ID acquisition unit 1512 of the consumer terminal 152 acquires an authentication ID from the user. Also, the password information acquisition unit 1514 acquires password information from the user. In step 1734, the authentication information communication unit 1516 of the consumer terminal 152 transmits the authentication ID and the password information to the watt-hour meter 144. The watt-hour meter 144 compares the authentication ID and password information received from the authentication server 20 with the authentication ID and password information received from the consumer terminal 152, and authenticates the consumer terminal 152 if they match. To do. When the power meter 144 authenticates the consumer terminal 152, the watt-hour meter 144 transmits information necessary for establishing communication to the consumer terminal 152. Thereafter, communication establishment processing is executed between the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152.

  After communication is established between the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152, the consumer terminal 152 may transmit a release signal to the power distribution device 142. In one embodiment, after communication is established between the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152, the consumer terminal 152 first transmits a release signal to the power distribution device 142. Next, the consumer terminal 152 determines whether or not a limit event has been detected, and transmits a limit signal to the power distribution device 142 when a limit event is detected. As described above, the consumer terminal 152 may transmit information indicating that a restriction event has been detected to the information processing terminal of the consumer. In another embodiment, after the communication is established between the watt-hour meter 144 and the consumer terminal 152, the consumer terminal 152 first determines whether or not a limit event is detected and does not detect the limit event. In addition, a release signal may be transmitted to the power distribution device 142.

  FIG. 18 schematically shows an example of the data table 1800. The data table 1800 is stored in the information storage unit 224, for example. The data table 1800 may be an example of a power providing device list related to a power storage facility provided in the power supply device 124. In the present embodiment, the data table 1800 includes a supplier ID 1802 indicating a power supplier of electricity stored in the power storage facility, a consumer ID 1804 indicating a power consumer who uses electricity stored in the power storage facility, and the power storage. It is assumed that power is provided to the facility, the start time 1806 of the look-up process, the end time 1808 of the look-up process, the power amount 1810 and unit price 1812 of the power, and the storage battery Are stored in association with the remaining battery charge 1814 and the average purchase unit price 1816 of electricity stored in the storage battery. The battery remaining amount 1814 may be a value at the start time 1806 of the look-up process or may be a value at the end time 1808 of the look-up process. The average purchase unit price 1816 may be a value at the start time 1806 of the look-up process, or may be a value at the end time 1808 of the look-up process.

  Note that the data table 1800 may store the identification information of the power supply apparatus instead of the supplier ID 1802 or together with the supplier ID 1802. The data table 1800 may store identification information of a power device that is considered to be supplied with power from the power storage device instead of the consumer ID 1804 or together with the consumer ID 1804. In addition, the data table 1800 does not have to store information when power is supplied from the power storage device. In this case, the data table 1800 may not store the consumer ID 1804.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. In addition, the matters described in the specific embodiment can be applied to other embodiments within a technically consistent range.

  In each embodiment, the order and timing of performing each step can be changed as appropriate within a range where no technical contradiction arises. Furthermore, A or B may be read as at least one of A and B within a technically consistent range. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The order of execution of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, the description, and the drawings is particularly “before” or “prior to”. It should be noted that the output can be realized in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Regarding the operation flow in the claims, the description, and the drawings, even if it is described using “first”, “next”, etc. for convenience, it means that it is essential to carry out in this order. It is not a thing.

The following items are described in the present specification. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the following items. In addition, a sub-combination of these feature groups can also be an invention.
[item]
Determining to start the process of assuming that at least a part of the power consumption consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices is provided by the power supply device or the power supplier. A start determination unit to
An end determination unit for determining to end the look-up process;
A period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process for the load device or the management apparatus that is determined to finish the look-up process by the end determination unit A request transmitter for transmitting a request for executing a process for determining the power consumption of the load device in
Comprising
Power management system.
[Item 1-1]
The identification information of each of the one or more load devices is acquired from one or more load devices that are powered on or a management device that manages the power consumption status of the one or more load devices via a communication network. An information acquisition unit;
Based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided to the one or more load devices, the first power supply device of the plurality of power supply devices from the one or more load devices identified by the identification information or A selector that selects at least one load device that can be treated as being provided with electricity by a first one of the plurality of power suppliers;
Whether or not to start a process for assuming that electricity is provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier for at least one of the load devices selected by the selection unit A start determination unit for determining whether or not
An end determination unit that determines whether or not to end the above-described processing for at least one of the one or more load devices;
A period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process for the load device or the management device that is determined to finish the look-up process by the end determination unit A request transmitting unit for transmitting a request for executing a process for determining a power consumption amount of the load device that is determined to end the above-described processing by the end determination unit,
Comprising
Power management system.
[Item 1-2]
The information acquisition unit acquires identification information of a load device whose power is turned off when at least one power source of the one or more load devices is turned off.
The termination determination unit determines to terminate the processing for the load device identified by the identification information of the load device whose power is turned off;
Item 1. A power management system according to item 1-1.
[Item 1-3]
The request transmission unit performs the look-up process after the look-up process is started with respect to the load device or the management device that is determined to start the look-up process by the start determination unit. Transmitting a request to execute a process for determining the power consumption amount of the load device that is determined to start the above-described processing by the start determination unit in a period until it is terminated;
The power management system according to item 1-1 or item 1-2.
[Item 1-4]
An event detector for detecting occurrence of a predetermined event;
The selection unit may be treated as being provided with electricity by the first power supply device or the first power supplier when the event detection unit detects the occurrence of the predetermined event. Select at least one load device,
The power management system according to any one of Items 1-1 to 1-3.
[Item 1-5]
Identification information of each of the one or more load devices, information on a period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process, power consumption in the period, and the period A usage history storage unit that stores a usage history associated with the unit price of power;
The power management system according to any one of Items 1-1 to 1-4.
[Item 1-6]
A power procurement unit that procures power from the second power supply device or the second power supplier;
The selection unit includes the first power supply device or the first power supply based on the amount of power that can be provided to the one or more load devices, including the amount of power that can be procured by the power procurement unit. Selecting at least one load device that can be treated as being supplied with electricity by a person,
The power management system according to any one of Items 1-1 to 1-5.
[Item 1-7]
An information collection unit for collecting at least one of the information on the one or more load devices and the information on the usage status of the one or more load devices;
An advertisement information storage unit for storing one or more advertisement information;
An extraction unit that extracts information suitable for at least one user of the one or more load devices from the one or more advertisement information based on the information collected by the information collection unit;
An advertisement transmitter that transmits the advertisement information extracted by the extractor to the user;
Further comprising
The power management system according to any one of Items 1-1 to 1-6.
[Item 1-8]
When each user of the one or more load devices is a user of a predetermined product or service, each of the one or more load devices is the first power supply device or the At least one of the probability of being treated as being provided with electricity by the first power supplier and the amount of power consumption handled as being provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier is Decide whether or not to start the above processing so as to increase.
The power management system according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-7.
[Item 1-9]
Further comprising the management device,
The power management system according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-8.
[Item 1-10]
A program for causing a computer to function as the power management system according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-9.
[Item 1-11]
The identification information of each of the one or more load devices is acquired from one or more load devices that are powered on or a management device that manages the power consumption status of the one or more load devices via a communication network. An information acquisition stage;
Based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided to the one or more load devices, the first power supply device of the plurality of power supply devices from the one or more load devices identified by the identification information or A selection step of selecting at least one load device that can be treated as being provided with electricity by a first one of the plurality of power suppliers;
Whether or not to start a process for assuming that electricity is provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier for at least one of the load devices selected by the selection unit A starting decision stage to decide,
An end determination stage for determining whether or not to end the above-described processing for at least one of the one or more load devices;
A period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process for the load device or the management device that is determined to finish the look-up process by the end determination unit A request transmitting unit for transmitting a request for executing a process for determining a power consumption amount of the load device that is determined to end the above-described processing by the end determination unit,
Comprising
Power management method.
[Claim 2-1]
At least a part of the power consumption measured by a watt hour meter that is supplied from a plurality of power supply devices or a plurality of power suppliers and that is consumed by one or more load devices is used as the plurality of power supplies. A start determining unit that determines whether or not to start an assumed process that is considered to be provided by a first power supply device of the device or a first power supplier of the plurality of power suppliers; ,
An end determination unit that determines whether to end the look-up process;
Consumption of the one or more load devices during the period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process for the watt-hour meter or the management device managing the watt-hour meter A request transmission unit that transmits a request for executing processing for determining the amount of power;
With
The start determination unit determines whether to start the look-up process based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier.
Power management system.
[Claim 2-2]
The process for determining the power consumption is as follows:
A process of transmitting power consumption in a period in which electricity was considered to be provided from the first power supply device or the first power supplier;
A process of transmitting the accumulated power consumption at the time when the start determination unit determines to start the look-up process;
A process of transmitting the accumulated power consumption at the time when the end determination unit determines to end the look-up process; and
At least one process selected from the group consisting of processes that transmit the accumulated power consumption at a predetermined time interval during a period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process. Is,
The power management system according to claim 2-1.
[Claim 2-3]
The end determination unit performs the look-up process when the power meter is turned off or when the power consumption measured by the watt hour meter is smaller than a predetermined value. Decide to finish,
The power management system according to claim 2-1 or claim 2-2.
[Claim 2-4]
When the user of the watt-hour meter is a user of a predetermined product or service, the start determination unit is configured such that at least a part of the power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter is the first power supply device. Or at least one of the probability of being treated as provided by the first power supplier and the amount of power consumption handled as provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier. Determine whether to start the look-up process to be larger,
The power management system according to any one of claims 2-1 to 2-3.
[Claim 2-5]
The identification information of each of the one or more load devices is acquired from one or more load devices that are powered on or a management device that manages the power consumption status of the one or more load devices via a communication network. An information acquisition unit;
The first power supply from the one or more load devices identified by the identification information based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier. A selector for selecting at least one load device that can be treated as being provided with electricity by the device or the first power supplier;
Further comprising
The start determination unit further includes:
When the watt-hour meter is being processed, it is consumed in at least one of the load devices that have not been measured by the watt-hour meter among the load devices selected by the selection unit. The power or amount of power to be treated as provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier,
In the case where the watt-hour meter is not implemented, the power or the amount of power consumed in at least one of the load devices selected by the selection unit is determined as the first power supply device or the first power supply device. Decides to treat it as being provided by
The power management system according to any one of claims 2-1 to 2-4.
[Claim 2-6]
The information acquisition unit acquires identification information of a load device whose power is turned off when at least one power source of the one or more load devices is turned off.
The termination determination unit determines the power or the amount of power consumed in the load device identified by the identification information of the load device whose power is turned off by the first power supply device or the first power supplier. Decide not to treat it as provided,
The power management system according to claim 2-5.
[Claim 2-7]
Further comprising the management device;
The power management system according to claim 2-5 or claim 2-6.
[Claim 2-8]
The power or the amount of power that can be provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier is determined by the first power supply device or the first power supplier by another power supply device or other Including the power or amount of power available from the power supplier,
The power management system according to any one of claims 2-1 to 2-7.
[Claim 2-9]
A program for causing a computer to function as the power management system according to any one of claims 2-1 to 2-8.
[Claim 2-10]
At least a part of the power consumption measured by a watt hour meter that is supplied from a plurality of power supply devices or a plurality of power suppliers and that is consumed by one or more load devices is used as the plurality of power supplies. A start determination stage for determining whether to start a look-ahead process that is considered to be provided by a first power supply device of the device or a first power supplier of the plurality of power suppliers; ,
An end determination step for determining whether or not to end the above-described processing;
Consumption of the one or more load devices during the period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process for the watt-hour meter or the management device managing the watt-hour meter A request transmission stage for transmitting a request for executing a process for determining the amount of power; and
With
The start determination step includes a step of determining whether to start the look-up process based on power or an amount of power that can be provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier. ,
Power management method.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Communication network, 14 Power network, 20 Authentication server, 40 Portable terminal, 100 Management system, 102 Supplier site, 104 Consumer site, 122 Management server, 124 Power supply apparatus, 132 Electrical equipment, 134 Electrical equipment, 142 Power distribution Device, 144 watt-hour meter, 152 consumer terminal, 154 gateway, 212 supply amount prediction unit, 214 device information acquisition unit, 216 power provision management unit, 218 request transmission unit, 222 usage history generation unit, 224 information storage unit, 226 Power interchange unit, 228 distribution unit, 312 event detection unit, 314 selection unit, 316 start determination unit, 318 end determination unit, 332 entry device list, 334 power supply device list, 336 device information database, 338 Selection conditions, 412 information collection unit, 414 advertisement information storage unit, 416 extraction unit, 418 advertisement transmission unit, 512 request reception unit, 514 request processing unit, 516 load management unit, 518 power consumption storage unit, 522 event monitoring unit, 524 Control signal transmission unit, 526 emergency power supply, 532 authentication information acquisition unit, 600 data table, 602 consumer ID, 604 device ID, 606 status, 608 provision status, 610 time, 612 time, 700 data table, 702 consumer ID , 704 device ID, 706 start time, 708 end time, 710 power consumption, 712 unit price, 800 data table, 802 consumer ID, 804 device ID, 806 time, 900 data table, 902 consumer ID, 904 Device ID, 906 Start time, 1000 Data table, 1002 Consumer ID, 1004 Device ID, 1006 Specification information, 1008 Statistical information, 1010 Power meter ID, 1062 Manufacturer, 1064 Model number, 1066 Rated power consumption, 1082 Average power consumption , 1084 average usage time, 1086 usage probability, 1200 data table, 1202 consumer ID, 1204 device ID, 1206 start time, 1208 end time, 1210 supplier ID, 1212 power consumption, 1214 power consumption, 1312 terminal monitoring unit, 1314 Power consumption monitoring unit, 1316 Electricity rate monitoring unit, 1412 Control signal storage unit, 1414 Control signal selection unit, 1512 Authentication ID acquisition unit, 1514 Password information acquisition unit, 1516 Information communication department, 1600 data table, 1612 consumer ID, 1614 consumer terminal ID, 1616 portable terminal ID, 1618 power consumption of this month, 1620 electricity bill, 1622 advance payment balance, 1800 data table, 1802 supplier ID, 1804 Customer ID, 1806 Start time, 1808 End time, 1810 Electric energy, 1812 Unit price, 1814 Remaining battery power, 1816 Average purchase unit price 1816

The following items are described in the present specification. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the following items. In addition, a sub-combination of these feature groups can also be an invention.
[item]
Determining to start the process of assuming that at least a part of the power consumption consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices is provided by the power supply device or the power supplier. A start determination unit to
An end determination unit for determining to end the look-up process;
A period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process for the load device or the management apparatus that is determined to finish the look-up process by the end determination unit A request transmitter for transmitting a request for executing a process for determining the power consumption of the load device in
Comprising
Power management system.
[Item 1-1]
The identification information of each of the one or more load devices is acquired from one or more load devices that are powered on or a management device that manages the power consumption status of the one or more load devices via a communication network. An information acquisition unit;
Based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided to the one or more load devices, the first power supply device of the plurality of power supply devices from the one or more load devices identified by the identification information or A selector that selects at least one load device that can be treated as being provided with electricity by a first one of the plurality of power suppliers;
Whether or not to start a process for assuming that electricity is provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier for at least one of the load devices selected by the selection unit A start determination unit for determining whether or not
An end determination unit that determines whether or not to end the above-described processing for at least one of the one or more load devices;
A period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process for the load device or the management device that is determined to finish the look-up process by the end determination unit A request transmitting unit for transmitting a request for executing a process for determining a power consumption amount of the load device that is determined to end the above-described processing by the end determination unit,
Comprising
Power management system.
[Item 1-2]
The information acquisition unit acquires identification information of a load device whose power is turned off when at least one power source of the one or more load devices is turned off.
The termination determination unit determines to terminate the processing for the load device identified by the identification information of the load device whose power is turned off;
Item 1. A power management system according to item 1-1.
[Item 1-3]
The request transmission unit performs the look-up process after the look-up process is started with respect to the load device or the management device that is determined to start the look-up process by the start determination unit. Transmitting a request to execute a process for determining the power consumption amount of the load device that is determined to start the above-described processing by the start determination unit in a period until it is terminated;
The power management system according to item 1-1 or item 1-2.
[Item 1-4]
An event detector for detecting occurrence of a predetermined event;
The selection unit may be treated as being provided with electricity by the first power supply device or the first power supplier when the event detection unit detects the occurrence of the predetermined event. Select at least one load device,
The power management system according to any one of Items 1-1 to 1-3.
[Item 1-5]
Identification information of each of the one or more load devices, information on a period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process, power consumption in the period, and the period A usage history storage unit that stores a usage history associated with the unit price of power;
The power management system according to any one of Items 1-1 to 1-4.
[Item 1-6]
A power procurement unit that procures power from the second power supply device or the second power supplier;
The selection unit includes the first power supply device or the first power supply based on the amount of power that can be provided to the one or more load devices, including the amount of power that can be procured by the power procurement unit. Selecting at least one load device that can be treated as being supplied with electricity by a person,
The power management system according to any one of Items 1-1 to 1-5.
[Item 1-7]
An information collection unit for collecting at least one of the information on the one or more load devices and the information on the usage status of the one or more load devices;
An advertisement information storage unit for storing one or more advertisement information;
An extraction unit that extracts information suitable for at least one user of the one or more load devices from the one or more advertisement information based on the information collected by the information collection unit;
An advertisement transmitter that transmits the advertisement information extracted by the extractor to the user;
Further comprising
The power management system according to any one of Items 1-1 to 1-6.
[Item 1-8]
When each user of the one or more load devices is a user of a predetermined product or service, each of the one or more load devices is the first power supply device or the At least one of the probability of being treated as being provided with electricity by the first power supplier and the amount of power consumption handled as being provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier is Decide whether or not to start the above processing so as to increase.
The power management system according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-7.
[Item 1-9]
Further comprising the management device,
The power management system according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-8.
[Item 1-10]
A program for causing a computer to function as the power management system according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-9.
[Item 1-11]
The identification information of each of the one or more load devices is acquired from one or more load devices that are powered on or a management device that manages the power consumption status of the one or more load devices via a communication network. An information acquisition stage;
Based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided to the one or more load devices, the first power supply device of the plurality of power supply devices from the one or more load devices identified by the identification information or A selection step of selecting at least one load device that can be treated as being provided with electricity by a first one of the plurality of power suppliers;
Whether or not to start a process for assuming that electricity is provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier for at least one of the load devices selected by the selection unit A starting decision stage to decide,
An end determination stage for determining whether or not to end the above-described processing for at least one of the one or more load devices;
A period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process for the load device or the management device that is determined to finish the look-up process by the end determination unit A request transmitting unit for transmitting a request for executing a process for determining a power consumption amount of the load device that is determined to end the above-described processing by the end determination unit,
Comprising
Power management method.
[ Item 2-1]
At least part of the power consumption measured by a watt hour meter that is supplied from a plurality of power supply devices or a plurality of power suppliers and that is consumed by one or more load devices is used as the plurality of power supplies. A start determining unit that determines whether or not to start a reserving process that is considered to be provided by the first power supply device of the devices or the first power supplier of the plurality of power suppliers; ,
An end determination unit that determines whether or not to end the above-described processing;
Consumption of the one or more load devices during the period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process for the watt-hour meter or the management device managing the watt-hour meter A request transmission unit that transmits a request for executing processing for determining the amount of power;
With
The start determination unit determines whether to start the look-up process based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier.
Power management system.
[ Item 2-2]
The process for determining the power consumption is as follows:
A process of transmitting power consumption in a period in which it is considered that electricity is provided from the first power supply device or the first power supplier;
A process of transmitting the accumulated power consumption at the time when the start determination unit determines to start the look-up process;
A process of transmitting the accumulated power consumption at the time when the end determination unit determines to end the look-up process; and
At least one process selected from the group consisting of processes that transmit the accumulated power consumption at predetermined time intervals during a period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process. Is,
Item 2. The power management system according to item 2-1.
[ Item 2-3]
The termination determination unit performs the above-described processing when the watt-hour meter is turned off or when the power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter is smaller than a predetermined value. Decide to finish,
The power management system according to item 2-1 or item 2-2.
[ Item 2-4]
When the user of the watt-hour meter is a predetermined product or service user, at least a part of the power consumption measured by the watt-hour meter is the start determination unit. Or at least one of the probability of being treated as provided by the first power supplier and the amount of power consumption handled as provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier. Decide whether or not to start the above processing so as to increase.
The power management system according to any one of Items 2-1 to Item 2-3.
[ Item 2-5]
The identification information of each of the one or more load devices is acquired from one or more load devices that are powered on or a management device that manages the power consumption status of the one or more load devices via a communication network. An information acquisition unit;
The first power supply from the one or more load devices identified by the identification information based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier. A selector for selecting at least one load device that can be treated as being provided with electricity by the device or the first power supplier;
Further comprising
The start determination unit further includes
When the watt-hour meter is being processed, it is consumed in at least one of the load devices that are not measured by the watt-hour meter among the load devices selected by the selection unit. The power or amount of power to be treated as provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier,
When the watt-hour meter is not being processed, the power or the amount of power consumed in at least one of the load devices selected by the selection unit is determined as the first power supply device or the first power supply. Decides to treat it as being provided by
The power management system according to any one of Items 2-1 to Item 2-4.
[ Item 2-6]
The information acquisition unit acquires identification information of a load device whose power is turned off when at least one power source of the one or more load devices is turned off.
The termination determining unit determines the power or the amount of power consumed in the load device identified by the identification information of the load device whose power is turned off by the first power supply device or the first power supplier. Decide not to treat it as provided,
Item 6. The power management system according to item 2-5.
[ Item 2-7]
Further comprising the management device,
The power management system according to item 2-5 or item 2-6.
[ Item 2-8]
The power or amount of power that can be provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier is determined by the first power supply device or the first power supplier by another power supply device or other power supply. Including the power or amount of power available from the power supplier,
The power management system according to any one of Items 2-1 to Item 2-7.
[ Item 2-9]
A program for a computer to function as a power management system according to any one of Items 2-1 to Item 2-8.
[ Item 2-10]
At least part of the power consumption measured by a watt hour meter that is supplied from a plurality of power supply devices or a plurality of power suppliers and that is consumed by one or more load devices is used as the plurality of power supplies. A start determination stage for determining whether to start a process that is considered to be provided by the first power supply device of the device or the first power supplier of the plurality of power suppliers; ,
An end determination stage for determining whether or not to end the above-described processing;
Consumption of the one or more load devices during the period from the start of the look-up process to the end of the look-up process for the watt-hour meter or the management device managing the watt-hour meter A request transmission stage for transmitting a request for executing a process for determining the amount of power; and
With
The start determination step includes a step of determining whether to start the look-up process based on the power or the amount of power that can be provided by the first power supply device or the first power supplier. ,
Power management method.

Claims (9)

A management device that manages the use of electricity by one or more load devices,
An event detector for detecting a predetermined event;
When the event detection unit detects the predetermined event, a power distribution device that supplies power supplied from a power supplier to the one or more load devices is supplied to the one or more load devices. A limit signal transmitting unit that transmits a limit signal instructing to limit power to the power distribution device or a control device that controls the power distribution device;
With
The predetermined event is that an abnormality has occurred in the management device, the amount of power consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices in a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined value, and Including at least one of a rate of electricity consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices in a predetermined time period being greater than a predetermined amount;
Management device. An interruption detection unit for detecting that the supply of electric power to the management device is interrupted;
A power source that supplies power to the management device when the cutoff detection unit detects that the supply of power from the power supplier to the management device is interrupted;
Comprising
The management apparatus according to claim 1. The limit signal includes a stop signal for stopping power supply from the power distribution device to the one or more load devices, and an upper limit of a total current supplied from the power distribution device to the one or more load devices. Including at least one of setting signals for setting a value,
The management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The upper limit value of the total current is set according to the predetermined event,
The management device according to claim 3. A limit signal selection unit that selects a limit signal according to the predetermined event from the one or more limit signals;
The limit signal transmitting unit transmits the limit signal selected by the limit signal selecting unit to the power distribution device or the control device;
The management apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1- Claim 4. An authentication information acquisition unit for acquiring authentication information of the management device;
When the authentication information acquisition unit acquires the authentication information, a release signal for instructing to release the restriction on the power supplied from the power distribution device to the one or more load devices, the power distribution device or the A release signal transmitter for transmitting to the control device;
Further comprising
The management apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1- Claim 5. The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The power distribution device or the control device;
A management system comprising:   The program for functioning a computer as a management apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1- Claim 6. A management method for managing the use of electricity by one or more load devices,
An event detection stage for detecting a predetermined event;
When the predetermined event is detected in the event detection stage, the power supplied from the power supplier is supplied to the one or more load devices from the power distribution device that supplies the power to the one or more load devices. A limiting signal transmission step of transmitting a limiting signal instructing to limit the power to be transmitted to the power distribution device or a control device that controls the power distribution device;
With
The predetermined event indicates that an abnormality has occurred in a management device that manages the use of electricity by the one or more load devices, and power consumption by at least one of the one or more load devices in a predetermined period. At least one of an amount greater than a predetermined value and an electricity rate consumed by at least one of the one or more load devices in a predetermined period of time being greater than a predetermined amount; Including,
Management method.