JP6074843B2 - controller - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a controller that keeps an electricity bill low by operating a device when the unit price of commercial power that changes within a predetermined period is relatively low.

  Conventionally, as this type of controller (home appliance control device), a device that controls the operation of a device (home appliance) based on an electricity rate table has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The controller described in Patent Literature 1 determines a reduction time zone that is a time zone in which the power unit price (electricity charge) is high, and performs control for reducing power consumption in the reduction time zone for the target device. At this time, depending on the device, the controller shifts the operation period (start time) outside the reduction time zone, thereby reducing the power consumption of the device in the reduction time zone. Therefore, the controller can control the device economically while suppressing the amount of power consumption in a time zone where the power unit price is high.

JP 2011-142753 A

  However, the controller described in Patent Literature 1 may not be able to sufficiently suppress the electricity bill when the operation period is shifted to a time zone where the power unit price is relatively low for a plurality of devices.

  That is, if a plurality of devices are operated simultaneously, the total power consumption may become excessive. Therefore, the controller needs to develop the operation period of the plurality of devices in the time axis direction. However, if the operation period of multiple devices is expanded in the time axis direction, the operation period of some devices will not fit within the relatively cheap time zone (time zone other than the reduction time zone) of the power unit price. There is a possibility of overhanging in a high time zone (reduction time zone). At this time, if the operation period of a device with relatively large power consumption among a plurality of devices protrudes into a time zone in which the power unit price is high, as a result, the electricity bill cannot be sufficiently suppressed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and an object of the present invention is to provide a controller that can suppress an electricity bill as much as possible while shifting an operation period for a plurality of devices.

The controller of the present invention is a controller for controlling a device whose operation period is shiftable and whose power consumption information during operation is known, and unit price information related to the unit price of commercial power that changes within a predetermined period; Based on the device information regarding the power and time required for the operation of the device, the operation period of the plurality of devices is shifted, and an operation schedule that defines the operation period after the shift is set for the plurality of the devices. A setting unit; and a control unit configured to operate the plurality of devices according to the operation schedule set by the setting unit, wherein the setting unit consumes a device having an operation period overlapping among the plurality of devices. The operation schedule is set so as to minimize the electricity bill in the predetermined period within a range where the sum of electric power does not exceed a predetermined peak value . In addition, when the operation period overlaps between the device included in the operation schedule and the device not included in the operation schedule, the setting unit includes the device not included in the operation schedule. The operation schedule is reset.

In this controller, the setting unit is configured to operate in order from a time included in a time zone in which the unit price of electric power in the predetermined period is the lowest, from a device with the largest power consumption among the plurality of devices. It is desirable to set a schedule.

  In this controller, it is more preferable to further include a prediction unit that predicts an operation period of the device that is not included in the operation schedule.

  In this controller, it is more desirable that the prediction unit is configured to predict the operation period of the device based on information input in accordance with a user operation on the operation input unit.

  Alternatively, in this controller, it is more desirable that the prediction unit is configured to predict the operation period of the device based on the past operation history of the device.

  In this controller, it is more preferable that the setting unit is configured to set the operation schedule according to the type of the device.

  In this controller, it is more preferable that the setting unit is configured to set the operation schedule according to a priority set in advance for each device.

  In this controller, it is more preferable that the setting unit is configured to set the operation schedule according to a preset combination of the devices.

  In this controller, it is more desirable that the unit price information is an average value of the power unit price for each specified time.

  Alternatively, in this controller, the setting unit is configured to minimize the cumulative value for a predetermined period of a product of the unit price of power and the amount of power consumed by the device in a period in which the unit price of power is constant. It is more desirable to set.

  In the present invention, the setting unit minimizes the electricity bill in a predetermined period within a range in which the sum of the power consumption of the devices whose operation periods overlap among a plurality of devices whose operation periods are shifted does not exceed a predetermined peak value Set the driving schedule to Therefore, there is an advantage that the electricity bill can be suppressed as much as possible while shifting the operation period for a plurality of devices.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a device control system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the controller according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the controller according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the controller according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the controller according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the controller according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of a controller according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of a controller according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of a controller according to the second embodiment.

  In the following embodiment, it is assumed that a power unit price (a unit price for power purchase), which is a unit price of an electricity bill when a consumer purchases (purchases) commercial power from an electric power company, changes within a predetermined period. In other words, the unit price of electricity is not constant within a given period, but changes step by step. For example, the unit price varies depending on the time of day, varies depending on the day of the week, or varies depending on the season within the year. . In the case where the power unit price changes in the time axis direction, the controller according to this embodiment collects the operation (operation) period of the device as much as possible in a time zone where the power unit price is low, thereby reducing the electricity bill of the consumer. Has a function to suppress.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 2, the device control system 10 of the present embodiment includes a controller 1 installed in the customer 100 and a plurality of devices 201, 202,. Are referred to as “device 2”). In addition, the device control system 10 of the present embodiment includes a power meter 3 that measures power used by the customer 100 and a control panel 4 as a user interface. The controller 1 is connected to a network 5 such as the Internet, and is configured to be able to communicate with a server 6 of an electric power company or service provider provided on the network 5 and a server 7 of a device manufacturer. ing.

  Below, although illustrated about the case where the consumer 100 is a detached house, it is not restricted to this example, The consumer 100 may be each dwelling unit of a housing complex, an office, a factory, etc., for example.

  The controller 1 is a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) device, and performs bidirectional communication with various devices 2 to which a communication terminal is attached or integrated. Here, the devices 2 that can communicate with the controller 1 include an EV (electric vehicle) battery charger 201, a hot water heater 202, a washing dryer 203, an air conditioner (air conditioner) 204, and the like. The hot water heater 202 here has a hot water storage tank (not shown) for storing hot water and a heating device (not shown) for heating the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, and supplies hot water with hot water in the hot water storage tank. It is a hot water storage type water heater. The heating device is a heat pump system, and is installed outside the house together with a hot water storage tank.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the controller 1 includes a first communication unit 11 that communicates with the device 2, a second communication unit 12 that communicates with the control panel 4, and servers 6 and 7. And a third communication unit 13 that performs the above communication. Furthermore, the controller 1 includes a memory 14 that stores various data, a processing unit 15 that executes each process, and a clock unit 16. The controller 1 may be housed in a distribution board (not shown) of the customer 100, or may have a casing separately from the distribution board. The processing unit 15 has a microcomputer as a main component, and implements various functions by executing predetermined programs.

  The first communication unit 11 is configured to perform two-way wireless communication with the device 2 through a communication path using radio waves as a transmission medium. The second communication unit 12 is configured to perform bidirectional communication with the control panel 4 via a home network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The third communication unit 13 is configured to communicate with the power company server 6 and the device manufacturer server 7 via the power meter 3 or the network 5. In addition, the communication method of each communication part 11,12,13 quoted here is only an example, for example, the 1st communication part 11 communicates through the communication path which used wired communication or infrared rays for the transmission medium between the apparatuses 2. It may be configured to.

  The power meter 3 is connected to a distribution line (not shown) to which commercial power from an electric power company (electricity company) is supplied, and measures the amount of power used by the customer 100. The power meter 3 constitutes a so-called smart meter having a communication function, and transmits meter reading data to the server 6 of the power company by communicating with a host device (not shown) connected to the distribution line. Enables remote meter reading. Here, the meter-reading data includes at least the amount of power measured by the power meter 3 within a predetermined period (the amount of power used by the customer 100).

  Communication between the power meter 3 and the host device is realized by a power line communication (PLC) technology in which terminals communicate with each other using a distribution line as a transmission medium. That is, a communication path using the distribution line upstream of the power meter 3 as a transmission medium is formed between the power meter 3 and the host device, and the power meter 3 communicates with the host device through this communication path. By performing power line carrier communication, meter reading data is transmitted to the host device.

  On the other hand, the power meter 3 is configured to perform bidirectional communication with the controller 1 by wireless or wired communication. As a result, the controller 1 displays the meter reading data on the control panel 4 or a device 2 such as a television to visualize the amount of electric power used, or to suppress the peak of energy demand (peak cut). The operation of the device 2 can be controlled based on the above.

  The commercial power is distributed from a substation to a step-down transformer (not shown) installed on a pillar or the like, stepped down by the step-down transformer, and supplied to the customer 100 through the distribution line. The host device is installed in the vicinity of the step-down transformer, and is operated by a power company server 6 or a server operated by a company that provides a total amount of power via a dedicated line (not shown) using an optical fiber or the like ( Meter reading data is transmitted to (not shown).

  Further, a measurement unit (not shown) for measuring the amount of power used for each branch circuit may be provided in the distribution board installed in the customer 100. In this case, the controller 1 is a measurement unit. It is also connected to the measurement unit so that the measurement result can be acquired. In this configuration, when the controller 1 receives a signal for peak cut from the communication device 32, the controller 1 outputs a signal for controlling the electrical device based on the current power consumption of each branch circuit measured by the measurement unit. Transmit to device 2. Thereby, the controller 1 can control the operation | movement of the electric equipment currently used by the consumer 100 based on the signal from the electric power company side, in order to suppress the peak of energy demand (peak cut).

  Furthermore, the controller 1 identifies the power meter 3 using identification information (for example, a meter number) assigned in advance for each power meter 3. That is, when the controller 1 is installed in the consumer 100, the contractor registers the identification number of the power meter 3 of the consumer 100 in the controller 1 so that the controller 1 can identify the power meter 3 thereafter. Become. Therefore, when the controller 1 communicates with the electric power meter 3 of the consumer 100, for example, the controller 1 does not erroneously communicate with the adjacent electric power meter 3.

  Here, the control panel 4 has a touch panel display (not shown), and functions as an operation input unit that receives an operation input from a user and a display unit that displays and outputs various types of information. That is, even if the controller 1 itself does not have a user interface, the user can receive presentation of information from the controller 1 or operate the controller 1 by using the control panel 4 as a user interface.

  By the way, the controller 1 of this embodiment has a function of performing a time shift for a device 2 whose operation period can be shifted and whose information on power consumption during operation is known among the devices 2 to be controlled. doing. Time shift here means shifting the operation period of the device 2 in the time axis direction to shift power consumption in a time zone when power demand increases to another time zone (peak shift), In this control, power consumption in a required time zone is shifted to another time zone.

  In the following description, it is assumed that among the devices 2, the charger 201, the water heater 202, and the washing / drying machine 203 are compatible with time shift, but the other devices 2 may be compatible with time shift. . In the following description, “device 2” means device 2 that supports time shift unless otherwise specified.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 1 shifts the operation period of the device 2 and sets an operation schedule that defines the operation period after the shift, and a control unit 152 that operates the device 2 according to the operation schedule. The processing unit 15 has a function. Furthermore, the controller 1 has a function of acquiring operation information including an operation state of the device 2 (whether it is in operation or the like) by communicating with the device 2 through the first communication unit 11.

  The setting unit 151 shifts the operation period of the plurality of devices 2 based on the unit price information regarding the power unit price and the device information regarding the power and time required for the operation of the device 2, and shifts the plurality of devices 2. Set an operation schedule that defines the subsequent operation period.

  Here, the controller 1 acquires from the server 6 at the third communication unit 13 information (unit price information) relating to the unit price of commercial power that changes within a predetermined period. The unit price information is information indicating a correspondence relationship between a period (such as a time zone) obtained by dividing a predetermined period into a plurality of times and a power unit price (yen / kWh), and is distributed from the server 6. When the unit price information is distributed from the server 7 of the device manufacturer, the controller 1 may acquire the unit price information from the server 7.

  On the other hand, for the information (device information) related to the power and time required for the operation of the device 2, the controller 1 sends each device from the device 2 in the first communication unit 11 or from the server 7 in the third communication unit 13. 2 is acquired by acquiring characteristic information unique to 2. The device information is information included in the characteristic information unique to each device 2, and this characteristic information is held in the device 2 itself or the server 7. Therefore, for example, when the model number of the device 2 is input by the user on the control panel 4, the controller 1 acquires characteristic information corresponding to the device 2 from the device 2 or the server 7. In addition, characteristic information may be stored in the memory 14 of the controller 1 by default. In this case, when the user inputs the model number of the device 2 on the control panel 4, the controller 1 The corresponding characteristic information is read to obtain device information. Furthermore, the controller 1 may cause the device 2 to perform a trial run, measure the power consumption and the time taken by the device 2 at that time, and acquire device information from these measured values. When the device information is distributed from the server 6 such as an electric power company, the controller 1 may acquire the device information from the server 6.

  The setting unit 151 shifts the operation period of the plurality of devices 2 based on the unit price information and the device information, and sets an operation schedule that defines the operation period after the shift for the plurality of devices 2. The operation schedule is data in which the device 2 and the control content (operation start, operation end, etc.) are associated with time, and the setting unit 151 stores the set operation schedule in the memory 14. That is, the setting unit 151 performs a time shift on the plurality of devices 2 and defines how to shift the operation periods of the plurality of devices 2 according to the operation schedule.

  Here, the setting unit 151 minimizes the electricity bill in a predetermined period within a range in which the sum of the power consumption of the devices 2 whose operation periods overlap among the plurality of devices 2 performing time shift does not exceed a predetermined peak value. Set the driving schedule to The peak value here is set based on the maximum allowable power (contract power etc.) allowed to be used by the customer 100, and is set to about 80% of the maximum allowable power, for example. By setting the peak value to be small with respect to the maximum allowable power in this way, it is possible to avoid that the power consumption of the customer 100 exceeds the maximum allowable power when any device 2 starts operation by a user operation. .

  In short, for example, when the power unit price is set in two stages and a plurality of devices 2 try to operate during a period in which the power unit price is high, the setting unit 151 sets the operation period of the plurality of devices 2 to the power unit price. Set a power schedule to shift to a cheaper period. At this time, the setting unit 151 sets the operation schedule under the constraint that the sum of the power consumption of the devices 2 whose operation periods overlap does not exceed a predetermined peak value.

  Specifically, the setting unit 151 sets the operation schedule so as to minimize the cumulative value for a predetermined period of the product of the power unit price and the power consumption amount in the device 2 during a period when the power unit price is constant. For example, when the unit price of electricity changes every two hours with a day as a predetermined period, the setting unit 151 makes a one-day product of the product of the unit price of power and the amount of power consumed by the device 2 every two hours. The operation schedule is set so as to minimize the cumulative value of. Thereby, the setting part 151 can set the driving schedule which minimizes the electricity bill in a predetermined period.

  In the present embodiment, the setting unit 151 further sets an operation schedule so as to operate in order from the device with the largest power consumption among the plurality of devices 2. The operation schedule is not only automatically set by the setting unit 151 but can also be arbitrarily set by the user using the control panel 4.

  When the current time counted by the clock unit 16 becomes the time registered in the operation schedule, the control unit 152 controls the device 2 corresponding to this time according to the control content. Specifically, the control unit 152 controls the device 2 according to the content of the control signal by transmitting a control signal from the first communication unit 11 to the device 2. The control unit 152 can adjust not only the on / off control but also the output of the charger 201, for example, by reducing the charging current in the case of the charger 201.

  Since the controller 1 includes the setting unit 151 that sets the operation schedule and the control unit 152 that operates the device 2 according to the operation schedule as described above, the operation period of the plurality of devices 2 is shifted while shifting. Electricity charges can be reduced as much as possible.

  In addition, the setting unit 151 includes the device 2 outside the operation schedule when the operation period overlaps between the device 2 included in the operation schedule and the device 2 not included in the operation schedule (outside the operation schedule). The operation schedule is reset. That is, when the setting unit 151 sets the operation schedule by shifting the operation period for the plurality of devices 2, at least a part of the operation period of the plurality of devices 2 overlaps with the operation period of another device 2. Then, the operation schedule including this other device 2 is reset.

  Here, the controller 1 further includes a function as a prediction unit 153 that predicts the operation period of the device 2 not included in the operation schedule in the processing unit 15. That is, the controller 1 predicts the future operation period of the device 2 outside the operation schedule by the prediction unit 153, and the setting unit 151 determines that the operation period overlaps based on the prediction result of the prediction unit 153. Reset the schedule.

  The prediction unit 153 is configured to predict the operation period of the device 2 based on information input in accordance with a user operation on the control panel 4 (operation input unit). For example, based on information such as the operation start time, operation end time, and operation time of the device 2 set by the user, the prediction unit 153 predicts the operation period of the device 2 outside the operation schedule.

  Alternatively, the prediction unit 153 may be configured to predict the operation period of the device 2 based on the past operation history of the device 2. For example, the prediction unit 153 stores information such as the operation start time, the operation end time, and the operation time during the past operation of the device 2, so that the operation of the device 2 outside the operation schedule is performed based on the information. The period can be predicted. Note that power consumption and operation time vary greatly depending on the outside temperature if the device 2 is a water heater, depending on the remaining battery power if it is a charger, and depending on the amount of clothing if it is a washing and drying machine. Therefore, the prediction unit 153 may predict the driving period by adding information such as the outside air temperature, the remaining battery level, and the amount of clothes as additional information.

  Below, the operation example of the controller 1 of this embodiment is shown. Here, the power unit price varies depending on the time zone, and the power unit price in the time zone from 7:00 to 23:00 (hereinafter referred to as “first time zone”) is 28.17 yen / kWh, and from 23:00 to 7:00. As an example, the unit price of power in the time zone (hereinafter referred to as “second time zone”) is 9.17 yen / kWh. Further, it is assumed that the peak value of power consumption at the customer 100 is set to 3 kW. In the following description, a plurality of devices 2A, 2B, 2C,. 3 to 7, the horizontal axis is the time axis and the vertical axis is the power consumption, the power consumption amount of the device 2A is “A”, the power consumption amount of the device 2B is “B”, and the power consumption amount of the device 2C is “ “C”, the power consumption of the device 2D is represented by “D”.

  First, a basic method of time shifting will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), when the device 2A is operated at a power consumption of 1 kW for 1 hour from 22:00 to 23:00, the controller 1 is connected to the device 2A immediately before the device 2A starts operation. In response to the permission request, it is determined whether or not to permit driving. In this case, since 22:00 to 23:00 corresponds to the first time zone in which the unit price of electricity is higher than the second time zone, the controller 1 does not immediately permit the operation of the device 2A. The operation period of the device 2A is shifted to the second time zone. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, the device 2A operates in one hour from 23:00 to 24:00 corresponding to the second time zone where the power unit price is lower than that in the first time zone. As a result, the electricity charge of the customer 100 during a predetermined period (one day) is reduced by 19 yen.

  Next, a case where another device 2B is scheduled to operate in the time shift destination time zone will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), when the device 2A is operated at a power consumption of 1 kW for 1 hour from 22:00 to 23:00, the controller 1 is connected to the device 2A immediately before the device 2A starts operation. In response to the permission request, it is determined whether or not to permit driving. In this case, since 22:00 to 23:00 corresponds to the first time zone, the controller 1 does not immediately permit the operation of the device 2A, but shifts the operation period of the device 2A to the second time zone. .

  However, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), another device 2B is scheduled to operate at a power consumption of 1.5 kW at 23:00 to 24:00 corresponding to the second time zone. Therefore, the controller 1 calculates the sum of the power consumption during operation of the device 2A (1 kW) and the power consumption during operation of the device 2B (1.5 kW) as the total power consumption, and the total power consumption is less than the peak value. Determine whether or not. In the example of FIG. 4, since the total power consumption (2.5 kW) is equal to or less than the peak value (3 kW), the controller 1 determines that these devices 2A and 2B can be operated simultaneously.

  Therefore, the controller 1 shifts the operation period of the device 2A from 23:00 to 24:00, and operates the device 2A and the device 2B in one hour from 23:00 to 24:00. As a result, The electricity bill of the customer 100 during the predetermined period is reduced by 19 yen.

  On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 5, the total power consumption (3) is the sum of the power consumption (1 kW) during operation of the device 2A that is the target of time shift and the power consumption (2.5 kW) during operation of the device 2B. 0.5 kW) is greater than the peak value (3 kW). Therefore, the controller 1 determines that these devices 2A and 2B cannot be operated at the same time, and shifts the operation period of the device 2A from 0:00 to 1:00. The electricity bill for house 100 is reduced by 19 yen.

  Next, a time shift method for a plurality of devices 2 (here, devices 2A, 2B, and 2C) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (a), when the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C are operated between 7:00 and 23:00, the controller 1 immediately before each of the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C starts operation. In response to the permission request from each device 2A, 2B, 2C, it is determined whether or not to permit the operation. In this case, since 7:00 to 23:00 corresponds to the first time zone, the controller 1 does not immediately permit the operation of the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C, but the operation period of the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C. Is shifted to the second time zone.

  Specifically, the setting unit 151 shifts the operation periods of the plurality of devices 2A, 2B, and 2C, and sets an operation schedule that defines the operation period after the shift. At this time, the setting part 151 sets an operation schedule so that it may drive | operate in order from an apparatus with large power consumption among these several apparatus 2A, 2B, 2C. In the example of FIG. 6, the power consumption of the device 2C is the largest, and the power consumption decreases in the order of the device 2A and the device 2B. Therefore, the setting unit 151 operates in the order of the devices 2C, 2A, and 2B from 23:00. Set the operation schedule.

  However, as shown to Fig.6 (a), the apparatus 2D which is not included in the driving schedule will drive | operate in the 2nd time slot | zone. Therefore, the controller 1 resets the operation schedule by including the devices 2D outside the operation schedule in the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C. In the example of FIG. 6, the power consumption of the device 2D is the largest among the devices 2A to 2D, and the power consumption decreases in the order of the device 2C, the device 2A, and the device 2B, so the setting unit 151 starts from 23:00 to the device 2D, An operation schedule is set so that it may drive in order of 2C, 2A, 2B.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C operate together with the device 2D in the second time zone where the power unit price is lower than that in the first time zone. The electricity charge of the customer 100 during a predetermined period (one day) is reduced. Further, in the example of FIG. 6B, a part of the operation period of the device 2B protrudes from the first time zone, but the power consumption of the device 2B is the smallest among the devices 2A to 2D. Electricity charges that run out in an hour are minimized.

  On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 7, the total power consumption, which is the sum of the power consumption during operation of the devices 2A to 2C that are the targets of time shift, is smaller than the peak value. Therefore, the controller 1 determines that these devices 2A to 2C can be operated simultaneously, and operates the device 2D from 23:00, and then sets an operation schedule so that the devices 2A to 2C are simultaneously operated.

  According to the controller 1 of the present embodiment described above, since the setting unit 151 that sets the operation schedule and the control unit 152 that operates the device 2 according to the operation schedule are included, the operation period is shifted for a plurality of devices 2. However, the electricity bill can be suppressed as much as possible. That is, the setting unit 151 minimizes the electricity bill in a predetermined period within a range in which the sum of the power consumption of the devices 2 whose operation periods overlap among the plurality of devices 2 performing time shift does not exceed a predetermined peak value. Set the driving schedule as follows. Therefore, a plurality of devices 2 that are subject to time shift operate all at once and the total power consumption does not exceed the peak value, and the controller 1 can suppress the electricity bill as much as possible.

  In the present embodiment, the setting unit 151 sets the operation schedule so as to minimize the accumulated value for a predetermined period of the product of the unit price of power and the amount of power consumed by the device 2 during a period when the unit price of power is constant. Therefore, the controller 1 can minimize the electricity bill in a predetermined period by operating the apparatus 2 according to the operation schedule set in this way.

  In addition, the setting unit 151 sets an operation schedule so as to operate in order from the device with the largest power consumption among the plurality of devices 2. Thereby, even if the operation period of the plurality of devices 2 does not fall within the period when the power unit price is low and protrudes during a period when the power unit price is high, the operation period of the device 2 with relatively low power consumption protrudes. Therefore, the controller 1 can keep the electricity charge for the protruding portion to a minimum.

  In addition, when the operation period overlaps between the device 2 included in the operation schedule and the device 2 not included in the operation schedule, the setting unit 151 resets the operation schedule including the devices 2 outside the operation schedule. To do. Thereby, the controller 1 can avoid that total power consumption exceeds a peak value, even if the apparatus 2 outside a driving schedule starts driving | operation by user operation, for example, when driving the apparatus 2 according to a driving schedule. .

  Furthermore, since the controller 1 further includes a prediction unit 153 that predicts the operation period of the device 2 that is not included in the operation schedule, the controller 1 can predict the future operation period of the device 2 outside the operation schedule. It can be reflected. That is, the controller 1 can reset the operation schedule in advance including the operation period of the device 2 without waiting for the device 2 outside the operation schedule to start the actual operation. It is possible to efficiently operate the device 2 without stopping.

  Here, the prediction unit 153 predicts the operation period of the device 2 based on information input in accordance with the user's operation on the control panel 4 (operation input unit), thereby determining the operation period of the device 2 set by the user. Predict accurately. Or if the prediction part 153 is the structure which estimates the driving | running period of this apparatus 2 based on the driving | operation history of the past apparatus 2, there exists an advantage that the driving | running period of the apparatus 2 outside a schedule can be predicted automatically. .

  By the way, the unit price information used in the present embodiment may be an average value of the power unit price for each specified time. In other words, when the power unit price frequently changes in a relatively short time, the time zone where the power unit price is low does not last long, so the setting unit 151 concentrates the operation period of the device 2 on the time zone where the power unit price is low. It becomes difficult to set a driving schedule. In such a case, the setting unit 151 uses the average value (representative value) of the power unit price for each specified time (for example, 2 hours) collected to some extent as unit price information, so that the setting unit 151 can It becomes easier to set an operation schedule that concentrates the operation period.

(Embodiment 2)
In the controller 1 of the present embodiment, the setting unit 151 has an operation schedule according to at least one of the type of the device 2, the priority set in advance for each device 2, and the combination of the devices 2 set in advance. Is different from the controller 1 of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the setting unit 151 is configured to set an operation schedule according to one or more of the type, priority, and combination of the devices 2.

  When the operation schedule is set according to the type of the device 2, the controller 1 determines whether the operation is stopped halfway or whether output adjustment is possible for each type of the device 2 (a charger, a water heater, or a washing / drying machine). Are previously stored in the memory 14 as type information. For example, if the device 2 is a charger, the output (charge current) is variable, so that the operation time can be adjusted, and the operation can be stopped halfway if the minimum battery level is secured. Is stored as type information. If the device 2 is a water heater, it is stored as type information that the operation can be stopped halfway if the minimum required amount of hot water is secured. The setting unit 151 can set the operation schedule under the constraint condition defined for each type of the device 2 by reading the type information and setting the operation schedule.

  In addition, when setting the operation schedule according to the type of the device 2, if the device 2 is a rice cooker, the controller 1 shortens the heat retention time by shifting the operation period so that it is cooked immediately before use. The amount of power consumed by the device 2 can be reduced. In addition, if the device 2 is a device having a relatively large operation sound such as a washing / drying machine or a dishwasher, the controller 1 shifts the operation period of the device 2 in accordance with the wake-up time set by the user, The operation sound of the device 2 can be used instead of waking up. Further, if the device 2 is a washing / drying machine, the controller 1 determines whether drying is necessary based on the weather information acquired from the servers 6, 7, etc., and finishes washing immediately before the wake-up time when drying is unnecessary. Thus, by shifting the operation period, the power consumption in the device 2 can be reduced.

  Note that, depending on the type of the device 2, the power consumption fluctuation is relatively large, and when operated simultaneously with other devices 2, there is a high possibility that the total power consumption exceeds the peak value. For, the controller 1 shifts the operation period so as to operate alone.

  When the operation schedule is set according to the priority, the controller 1 stores a number representing the priority order in the memory 14 in advance as a priority for each device 2. Here, five levels of priority from “1” to “5” are set for each device 2, and the higher the priority, that is, the higher the priority value is set for the device 2 to be operated preferentially. For example, when the controller 1 is operating the device 2 according to the operation schedule and receives a permission request from the device 2 having a higher priority, the controller 1 stops the operation of the currently operating device 2 if possible and permits it. The operation period of the requested device 2 is interrupted. On the other hand, if the operating device 2 cannot stop the operation, the controller 1 resets the operation schedule including the device 2 for which the permission request is made.

  When setting the operation schedule according to the combination of the devices 2, the controller 1 stores in advance in the memory 14 a combination of the devices 2 that are advantageous by simultaneous operation or a combination of the devices 2 that prohibits simultaneous operation. For example, a combination of a charger and a water heater is registered as a combination that prohibits simultaneous operation because total power consumption tends to exceed a peak value when operated simultaneously. In addition, the combination of the washing / drying machine and the dishwasher is registered as a combination that prohibits simultaneous operation because noise increases when operated simultaneously.

  The type, priority, and combination of the devices 2 as described above are set in advance by the user using the control panel 4. Here, for example, regarding the type of the device 2, the user sets whether or not to permit midway stop of the operation between washing / dehydration and drying for the washing / drying machine, or the minimum necessary for the charger and the water heater. You can set the remaining battery level and amount of hot water. In addition, if the device 2 is a battery charger for an electric vehicle, the user can also set the minimum required battery level for each day of the week according to, for example, the usage pattern of the electric vehicle. The remaining battery level on Saturday can be set larger than on other days.

  Below, the operation example of the controller 1 of this embodiment is shown. Here, the power unit price varies depending on the time zone, and the power unit price in the time zone from 7:00 to 23:00 (hereinafter referred to as “first time zone”) is 28.17 yen / kWh, and from 23:00 to 7:00. As an example, the unit price of power in the time zone (hereinafter referred to as “second time zone”) is 9.17 yen / kWh. Further, it is assumed that the peak value of power consumption at the customer 100 is set to 3 kW. In the following description, a plurality of devices 2A, 2B, 2C,. 8 to 10, the horizontal axis is the time axis and the vertical axis is the power consumption. The power consumption of the device 2A is “A”, the power consumption of the device 2B is “B”, and the power consumption of the device 2C is “ “C”, the power consumption of the device 2D is represented by “D”.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, when the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C are operated between 7:00 and 23:00, the controller 1 immediately before each of the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C starts operation. In response to the permission request from each device 2A, 2B, 2C, it is determined whether or not to permit the operation. In this case, since 7:00 to 23:00 corresponds to the first time zone, the controller 1 does not immediately permit the operation of the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C, but the operation period of the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C. Is shifted to the second time zone.

  Specifically, the setting unit 151 shifts the operation periods of the plurality of devices 2A, 2B, and 2C, and sets an operation schedule that defines the operation period after the shift. In the example of FIG. 8, the setting unit 151 sets an operation schedule so that the devices 2A, 2C, and 2B are operated in order from 23:00. Here, since the total power consumption of the device 2A and the device 2C is less than or equal to the peak value, the setting unit 151 sets the operation schedule so that the operation period of the device 2A and the operation period of the device 2C partially overlap. .

  However, as shown to Fig.8 (a), the apparatus 2D which is not included in the driving schedule will drive | operate in the 2nd time slot | zone. Therefore, the controller 1 resets the operation schedule by including the devices 2D outside the operation schedule in the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C. Here, although the total power consumption of the device 2B and the device 2D exceeds the peak value, the setting unit 151 determines that the output adjustment during the operation of the device 2D is possible from the type information of the device 2D, and the device 2D An operation schedule is set so that the output is lowered and the device 2B is operated simultaneously. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the setting unit 151 divides the power consumption of the device 2D into “D1” and “D2”, and a part of “D1” is consumed by the power consumption of the device 2B. Set the operation schedule to overlap.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C operate together with the device 2D in the second time zone where the power unit price is lower than that in the first time zone. The electricity charge of the customer 100 during a predetermined period (one day) is reduced. Further, in the example of FIG. 8, the setting unit 151 determines that the device 2B is an inverter device in which an inrush current flows at the start of operation from the type information of the device 2B, and delays the device 2B by a certain time from the start of the operation period. The operation schedule is set so that the 2D operation period starts.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the setting unit 151 shifts the operation periods of the plurality of devices 2A, 2B, and 2C, and sets an operation schedule that defines the operation period after the shift. At this time, the setting unit 151 sets the operation schedule so that the devices are operated in order from the device with the highest priority (larger) among the plurality of devices 2A, 2B, and 2C. In the example of FIG. 9, since the priority of the device 2A is the highest and the priority is decreased in the order of the device 2C and the device 2B, the setting unit 151 operates in the order of the devices 2A, 2C, and 2B from 23:00. The operation schedule is set.

However, as shown in FIG. 9A, the device 2D that is not included in the operation schedule is scheduled to operate in the second time zone. Therefore, the controller 1 resets the operation schedule by including the devices 2D outside the operation schedule in the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C. In the example of FIG. 9, the priority of the device 2A is the highest among the devices 2A to 2D, and the priority becomes lower in the order of the device 2C, the device 2B, and the device 2D. The driving schedule is set to drive in the order of 2C, 2B, and 2D.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, the devices 2A, 2B, and 2C operate together with the device 2D in the second time zone where the unit price of power is lower than that in the first time zone, and as a result. The electricity charge of the customer 100 during a predetermined period (one day) is reduced. Further, in the example of FIG. 9B, since a part of the operation period of the device 2D protrudes in the first time zone, the setting unit 151 can stop the operation of the device 2D during the operation from the type information of the device 2D. And the operation schedule is set to stop the device 2D at 7:00.

  The example of FIG. 10 is substantially the same as the example of FIG. 9, but is different from the example of FIG. 9 in that the device 2 </ b> A stops operating halfway. That is, in the example of FIG. 10, the setting unit 151 determines that the device 2A is a charger that can be stopped during operation if the necessary minimum battery level is secured from the type information of the device 2A. The device 2A is stopped halfway and the operation start of the device 2C is accelerated.

  According to the controller 1 of the present embodiment described above, the setting unit 151 sets the operation schedule according to the type of the device 2, so that the setting unit 151 is specific to the type of the device 2 such as whether or not the operation can be stopped halfway or whether or not output adjustment is possible. The operation schedule can be set efficiently based on the information of the above.

  Moreover, the setting part 151 can set an operation schedule so that the apparatus 2 with a high priority may be operated preferentially by setting an operation schedule according to the priority preset for every apparatus 151. FIG. That is, the controller 1 can drive the device 2 according to the operation schedule set relatively flexibly according to the priority order set by the user.

  Furthermore, the setting unit 151 sets the operation schedule according to the combination of the devices 2 so that the combination of the devices 2 having the merit of the simultaneous operation can be actively operated simultaneously, or the combination of the devices 2 in which the simultaneous operation is not preferable. Simultaneous driving can be avoided.

  Note that the setting unit 151 may set the operation schedule according to one or more of the type, priority, and combination of the devices 2, and therefore any one of the type of device 2, the priority, and the combination of the devices 2. You may set an operation schedule according to one. The setting unit 151 also sets an operation schedule according to the type and priority of the device 2, or according to the combination of the priority and the device 2, or according to all of the combination of the device 2, the priority, and the device 2. May be.

  Other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

1 controller 2 device 201 charger (device)
202 Water heater (equipment)
203 Washer / Dryer (Equipment)
15 processing unit 151 setting unit 152 control unit 153 prediction unit

Claims (10)

A controller for controlling a device whose operation period is shiftable and whose power consumption information during operation is known,
Based on unit price information related to the unit price of commercial power that changes within a predetermined period and device information related to power and time required for operation of the device, the operation period of the plurality of devices is shifted, and the plurality of devices A setting unit for setting an operation schedule that defines the operation period after the shift for the device;
A control unit that operates the plurality of devices according to the operation schedule set by the setting unit,
The setting unit is configured to minimize the electricity bill in the predetermined period in a range in which the sum of power consumption of the devices having the same operation period among the plurality of devices does not exceed a predetermined peak value. set,
When the operation period overlaps between the device included in the operation schedule and the device not included in the operation schedule, the setting unit includes the device not included in the operation schedule. A controller configured to reset an operation schedule . The setting unit sets the operation schedule so as to operate in order from the device with the highest power consumption among the plurality of devices from the time included in the time zone in which the power unit price is lowest in the predetermined period. The controller according to claim 1.   The apparatus further includes a prediction unit that predicts an operation period of the device that is not included in the operation schedule.
  The controller according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above-mentioned.   The prediction unit is configured to predict an operation period of the device based on information input in accordance with a user operation on the operation input unit.
  The controller according to claim 3.   The prediction unit is configured to predict an operation period of the device based on a past operation history of the device.
  The controller according to claim 3.   The setting unit is configured to set the operation schedule according to the type of the device.
  The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:   The setting unit is configured to set the operation schedule according to a priority set in advance for each device.
  The controller of any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The setting unit is configured to set the operation schedule according to a preset combination of the devices.
  The controller according to claim 1, wherein:   The unit price information is an average value of the power unit price for each specified time.
  The controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller is one of the following.   The setting unit sets the operation schedule so as to minimize a cumulative value for the predetermined period of a product of the unit price of power and a power consumption amount in the device in a period in which the unit price of power is constant.
  The controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller is one of the following.

Images