Discharge control system

Abstract

To determine whether or not power consumption in a set peak cut time zone is less than assumed.SOLUTION: A discharge control system 1 comprises: a time setting unit 11 which can set a peak cut time zone as the one for discharging power from a storage battery to a load to perform peak cut; an operation unit 12 which can determine a discharge output value so that the storage battery can discharge power for the whole peak cut time zone; a threshold setting unit 13 which can set a threshold regarding power consumption of the load; and a determination unit 14 which can determine whether or not timing in which the power consumption of the load reaches the threshold is different from the preset peak cut time zone, determine whether or not the power consumption of the load continuously exceeds the threshold for fixed time, and determine that an abnormality is detected by using both of a determination result that the timing in which the power consumption of the load reaches the threshold is different from the preset peak cut time zone, and a determination result that the power consumption of the load continuously exceeds the threshold for the fixed time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a discharge control system. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a technique is known that prevents the use of commercial power sources from increasing excessively during a specific time period by discharging stored power during peak power consumption times. Such a technique is called peak shaving. In order to perform peak shaving, a time period during which peak shaving will be performed (peak shaving time period) may be set in advance, and the storage battery may be discharged during that time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-296880 A

[0004] In this case, users predict the time periods when the peak will occur and set the peak cut time periods. Even if peak cut is actually implemented in this way, the power consumption peak may occur at a different time than the predicted peak time period. As a result, discharging may not occur during the actual peak power consumption time period. Also, discharging may only occur during part of the peak time period, making it difficult to achieve the effect of peak cut. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventor of the present invention has made extensive research into this issue and attempted to solve it. The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to make it possible to determine whether or not power consumption during a set peak cut time period is less than expected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a discharge control system is provided which includes a time setting unit capable of setting a peak cutting time period during which the storage battery is discharged to a load to perform peak cutting; a calculation unit capable of determining a discharge output value so that the storage battery can discharge throughout the entire peak cutting time period; a threshold setting unit capable of setting a threshold value related to the power consumption of the load; and a determination unit which is capable of determining whether the timing at which the power consumption of the load reaches the threshold value differs from a preset peak cutting time period and whether the power consumption of the load exceeds the threshold value for a certain period of time, and which is capable of determining that an abnormality has been detected using both the determination result that the timing at which the power consumption of the load reaches the threshold value differs from the preset peak cutting time period and the determination result that the power consumption of the load has exceeded the threshold value for a certain period of time.

[0007] In addition, when the judgment unit judges that an abnormality has been detected, it is preferable that the peak cutting time period having a length equal to the added additional time length to the set time length, which is the length of the peak cutting time period already set, can be reconfigured to start before the timing when the threshold value is exceeded.

[0008] It is also preferable to configure the system so that the additional time length can be set to be longer as the time exceeding the threshold is longer.

[0009] In addition, it is preferable to configure the device so that it can determine whether an abnormality has been detected when the timing at which the load's power consumption reaches the threshold value is different from a preset peak cutting time period, when the amount of power consumption of the load during a specified period after exceeding the threshold value exceeds a specified value, and when the power consumption of the load exceeds the threshold value for a certain period of time continuously.

[0010] In addition, it is preferable to configure the system so that it is possible to control the discharge of the storage battery to be stopped when the power consumption of the load falls below the threshold value for a certain period of time consecutively during a peak-cut time period.

[0011] In addition, it is preferable to configure the device so that it can be controlled to discharge from the emergency storage battery to the load when the power consumption of the load continues to exceed the threshold even after the peak cut time period has passed.

[0012] It is also preferable to configure the system so that the amount of discharge from the emergency storage battery can be controlled to be larger as the difference between the power consumption during discharge and the threshold value increases.

[0013] It is also preferable to configure the storage battery so that it can be controlled to start discharging when the power consumption of the load reaches a threshold value, and so that it can be controlled to end discharging after a set peak-cutting period. Effect of the Invention

[0014] In the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not the power consumption during the set peak cut time period is less than expected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of connection between the discharge control system and a load, etc. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing that the time during which the threshold is exceeded is less than a certain period of time. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the threshold value is slightly exceeded and continues. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the peak cut time period is shifted. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which the peak cut time period has been reset to be longer than the example shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram showing that power consumption has been continuously below a threshold for a certain period of time or more during a peak cut period. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example in which power consumption exceeds a threshold even after a peak-cut period. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The following is an embodiment of the invention. As can be understood from FIG. 1, the discharge control system 1 of this embodiment includes a time setting unit 11 capable of setting a peak cut time period during which the storage battery 3 is discharged to the load 4 to perform peak cut, a calculation unit 12 capable of determining a discharge output value so that the storage battery 3 can discharge throughout the entire peak cut time period, a threshold setting unit 13 capable of setting a threshold value for the power consumption of the load 4, and a determination unit 14 capable of determining whether the timing at which the power consumption of the load 4 reaches the threshold value is different from a preset peak cut time period and whether the power consumption of the load exceeds the threshold value continuously for a certain period of time, and capable of determining that an abnormality has been detected using both the determination result that the timing at which the power consumption of the load 4 reaches the threshold value is different from the preset peak cut time period and the determination result that the power consumption of the load exceeds the threshold value continuously for a certain period of time. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the power consumption during the set peak cut time period is less than expected.

[0017] Here, an example of a load utilization system 8 equipped with the discharge control system 1 will be described. This load utilization system 8 can determine the source of electricity supplied to a load 4 (sometimes called a load device), and is usually used to select a power source from a grid power source 6 prepared by an electric power company and a power source other than the grid power source 6. For this reason, one or more power sources are prepared in addition to the grid power source 6, one of which includes a storage battery 3. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the solar panel 7, the storage battery 3, and the emergency storage battery 5 correspond to the power sources other than the grid power source 6.

[0018] Usually, the system power supply 6, which has the most stable supply, is mainly used, but other power supplies may be mainly used. However, what is usually assumed is a configuration in which the system power supply 6 is mainly used and other power supplies are used supplementarily. For this reason, an example in which the system power supply 6 is mainly used will be described below.

[0019] The system power supply 6 is replaced by, for example, a storage battery 3, a solar panel 7, a fuel cell, or the like. Of course, it may be replaced by something else. Furthermore, there may be one or more alternative power sources. In any case, the discharge control system 1 controls whether electricity is supplied from the system power supply 6 to the load 4, and whether electricity is supplied from an alternative power source (other than the system power supply 6) to the load 4.

[0020] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the discharge control system 1 includes a time setting unit 11, a calculation unit 12, a threshold setting unit 13, a determination unit 14, and a discharge control unit 15.

[0021] The time setting unit 11 can set a peak-cut time period during which the storage battery 3 is discharged to the load 4 to cut peak power consumption, and the user can set the peak-cut time period as desired. For example, the peak-cut time period can be set from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

[0022] The calculation unit 12 can determine the discharge output value so that the storage battery 3 can discharge throughout the entire peak cut time period. In other words, the calculation can be performed so that discharge can be continued according to the length of the peak cut time period. The discharge output value may be constant from the beginning to the end of the peak cut time period, or may be variable. For example, the discharge output value may be fixed for a while after the peak cut time period begins, and thereafter the discharge output value may be increased or decreased at any timing. In any case, in the embodiment, the discharge output value is controlled so that the alternative power source can be used throughout the entire peak cut time period.

[0023] The threshold setting unit 13 is capable of setting a threshold value related to the power consumption of the load 4, and it is preferable that a user or the like is allowed to arbitrarily set the threshold value in accordance with the tendency of the power consumption of the load 4. The threshold value set by the threshold setting unit 13 can be used by the determination unit 14 described next.

[0024] The determination unit 14 can determine whether the timing at which the power consumption of the load 4 reaches the threshold value is different from a preset peak cut time period. If the determination result indicates that the timing at which the power consumption of the load 4 reaches the threshold value is different from a preset peak cut time period, the determination result can be used to determine that an abnormality has been detected.

[0025] When the determination unit 14 determines that an abnormality has been detected, it is preferable that a corresponding output is automatically performed. For example, it is possible to automatically control the battery 3 to stop discharging, or to automatically notify a user of the abnormality detection.

[0026] The discharge control unit 15 is capable of operating to control the discharge from the storage battery 3 to the load 4, and is used to perform operations such as discharging or stopping the discharge. This discharge control unit 15 may be controlled using the determination result of the determination unit 14.

[0027] For example, the discharge control unit 15 may control the storage battery 3 to start discharging immediately when the power consumption of the load 4 reaches a threshold value, or may control the storage battery 3 to start discharging if the power consumption of the load 4 exceeds the threshold value for a certain continuous period of time after reaching the threshold value (see Figure 2).

[0028] If discharging is started immediately when the power consumption of the load 4 reaches the threshold, it is possible to quickly suppress the power consumption of the system power supply 6. On the other hand, if discharging of the storage battery 3 is started when the threshold is exceeded for a certain continuous period of time, it is possible to avoid discharging of the storage battery 3 when the power consumption of the load 4 exceeds the threshold for only a short period of time. Therefore, even if an inrush current occurs when, for example, an electrical device used by the load 4 is turned on, discharging from the storage battery 3 can be avoided.

[0029] In addition, when discharging is started immediately when the power consumption of the load 4 reaches the threshold value, the discharge may be controlled so as to be stopped if the power consumption of the load 4 falls below the threshold value within a certain time after the start of discharging. In this case, it is possible to both quickly suppress the power consumption of the system power supply 6 and take measures against inrush current. Of course, if the power consumption of the load 4 remains above the threshold value for a certain time after the start of discharging, the discharge may be controlled to be stopped after the set peak cut time period.

[0030] There may be cases where the power consumption of the load 4 exceeds the threshold for only a short time but should not be determined as an abnormality, as well as cases where the state where the threshold is slightly exceeded continues but should not be determined as an abnormality (see FIG. 3). In order to avoid determining both cases as an abnormality, it is preferable to configure the system to determine whether the power consumption of the load 4 during a predetermined period after the threshold is exceeded exceeds a specified value.

[0031] In other words, it is preferable to have a configuration that can detect an abnormality when the timing at which the power consumption of load 4 reaches the threshold value is different from the preset peak cutting time period, when the amount of power consumption of load 4 during a specified period after the threshold value is exceeded exceeds a specified value, and when the power consumption of the load exceeds the threshold value for a certain period of time continuously.

[0032] Incidentally, discharging from the alternative power source to the load 4 during the peak cutting time period does not have to be performed by a single alternative power source. When there are multiple alternative power sources, the multiple alternative power sources may be used and controlled to supply power to the load 4 throughout the entire peak cutting time period. For example, the alternative power source used first may be controlled so that the difference between the power consumption in the load 4 and the threshold value becomes a predetermined value (which may be 0), but the other alternative power sources may be controlled so that the discharge output value becomes constant regardless of the power consumption in the load 4.

[0033] In this way, it is preferable to mix a variable discharge frame that can discharge variably and a fixed discharge frame that can continue to discharge at a constant amount. In this case, when all the variable discharge frames have been used, it is preferable to use the fixed discharge frame during the remaining peak cut time period, but other combinations are also possible. In addition, in controlling the variable discharge frame, it is preferable to control so that the discharge amount increases as the actual measured value of the power consumption of the load 4 exceeds the threshold value.

[0034] Incidentally, when it is determined that an abnormality has been detected based on the determination result that the timing at which the power consumption of the load 4 reaches the threshold value is different from a preset peak cut time period, it is preferable to reset the peak cut time period using information on the timing at which the power consumption of the load 4 reaches the threshold value (see FIG. 4). In FIG. 4, the peak cut time period is reset to start from the timing at which the power consumption of the load 4 reaches the threshold value. Note that the length of the peak cut time period does not need to be changed before and after the resetting, and may be the length of time at which the power consumption of the load 4 reaches the threshold value.

[0035] Furthermore, when resetting the peak cut time period, the peak cut time period may be reset to be longer. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the peak cut time period is reset to start before the power consumption of the load 4 reaches the threshold value. Also, the peak cut time period is reset to continue longer than the set time length already set as the peak cut time period from the time when the power consumption of the load 4 reaches the threshold value. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the set time length, which is the length of the peak cut time period already set, is expressed as having additional time lengths added before and after it.

[0036] As can be understood from these descriptions, when the judgment unit 14 judges that an abnormality has been detected, it is preferable to configure the peak cutting time period to be reconfigurable so that the length of the peak cutting time period, which is the length of the already set peak cutting time period, plus the additional time length, starts before the threshold is exceeded.

[0037] It is even more preferable to configure the system so that the additional time length can be set to be longer as the time exceeding the threshold is longer. The control using the resetting of the peak cut time period is performed on or after the day after a determination result is made that the time period is different from a preset peak cut time period. This resetting may be performed every time a determination result is made that the time period is different from a preset peak cut time period, or may be performed after such a determination result is made several times. In this case, the resetting can be performed after it is confirmed that a continuous peak shift is occurring, rather than a one-off peak shift.

[0038] However, even during the peak-cut time period, the power consumption of the load 4 may fall below the threshold (see FIG. 6). For example, if the peak-cut time period is set to a "time length" that is the "preset time length" plus an "additional time length," the possibility of such a situation occurring increases. Even in this case, the storage battery 3 may continue to discharge, but discharging from the storage battery 3 to the load 4 may be stopped so that the power can be used at a different time or in a different place.

[0039] For example, it is preferable to configure the system so that it is possible to control the discharge of the storage battery 3 to be stopped when the power consumption of the load 4 falls below a threshold continuously for a certain period of time during a peak cut time period.

[0040] Conversely, it is also assumed that the threshold value will continue to be exceeded even after the peak cut time period has passed (see FIG. 7). In order to deal with such a situation, if the load utilization system 8 is equipped with the emergency storage battery 5, the discharge control system 1 is preferably configured to be capable of controlling the discharge from the emergency storage battery 5 to the load 4 when the power consumption of the load 4 continues to exceed the threshold value even after the peak cut time period has passed.

[0041] The output from the emergency battery 5 to the load 4 can be constant. In this case, the value may be determined in advance, or may be calculated based on information on power usage during the peak cut time period. In addition, when the output is constant during the peak cut time period, the output may be controlled to be the same as that during the peak cut time period.

[0042] Of course, the output of the emergency storage battery 5 may be varied in accordance with the power consumption of the load 4. In this case, it is preferable to configure the system so that the amount of discharge from the emergency storage battery 5 can be controlled to be larger as the difference between the power consumption during discharge and the threshold value becomes larger.

[0043] Incidentally, it is preferable to control the discharge from the storage battery 3 to the load 4 for peak cutting so as to start at the timing when the power consumption of the load 4 reaches a threshold value. Also, once the discharge from the storage battery 3 to the load 4 for peak cutting has started, it is preferable to control the discharge so as to continue as it is and to end the discharge after the set peak cutting time period.

[0044] Controlling the storage battery 3 to start discharging when the power consumption of the load 4 reaches a threshold value can be adopted whether this timing occurs before or during the peak-cut time period. In either case, when the supply of power from the storage battery 3 to the load 4 starts, the discharge output value is controlled so that the storage battery 3 can supply electricity to the load 4 at least until the peak-cut time period ends. However, it is better to avoid continuing to supply electricity to the load 4 for a long period of time after the peak-cut time period has passed. For example, it is preferable to control the discharge from the storage battery 3 to the load 4 to stop several seconds to several minutes after the peak-cut time period has passed.

[0045] As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable to configure the storage battery 3 so that it can be controlled to start discharging when the power consumption of the load 4 reaches a threshold value, and so that it can be controlled to end discharging after a set peak cutting time period.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described above by taking the embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be embodied in various forms. For example, it is possible to control so that power is automatically supplied from the storage battery to the load when the peak cut time period starts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 Discharge control system 3. Storage battery 4. Load 5 Emergency battery 11 Time setting section 12 Arithmetic section 13 Threshold setting section 14 Judgment section

Claims

1. a time setting unit capable of setting a peak cut time period during which the storage battery is discharged to a load to perform peak cut; A calculation unit capable of determining a discharge output value so that the storage battery can be discharged throughout the entire peak cut time period; a threshold setting unit capable of setting a threshold related to power consumption of a load; a determination unit capable of determining whether a timing at which the power consumption of the load reaches a threshold value is different from a preset peak cut time period and whether the power consumption of the load exceeds the threshold value for a certain period of time consecutively, and capable of determining that an abnormality has been detected using both a determination result that the timing at which the power consumption of the load reaches the threshold value is different from a preset peak cut time period and a determination result that the power consumption of the load exceeds the threshold value for a certain period of time consecutively; A discharge control system comprising:

2. The discharge control system of claim 1, wherein when the judgment unit judges that an abnormality has been detected, the peak cut time period having a length equal to the already set length of time, which is the length of the peak cut time period, plus an additional length of time, can be reset so that it starts before the timing when the threshold value is exceeded.

3. The discharge control system according to claim 2 , wherein the additional time length can be set to be longer as the time over which the threshold is exceeded is longer.

4. The discharge control system of claim 1, which is capable of detecting an abnormality when the timing at which the load's power consumption reaches the threshold value is different from a predetermined peak cut time period, when the amount of power consumption of the load during a specified period after exceeding the threshold value exceeds a specified value, and when the power consumption of the load exceeds the threshold value for a certain period of time continuously.

5. The discharge control system according to claim 1 , wherein the discharge control system is capable of controlling so as to stop discharging the storage battery when the power consumption of the load falls below the threshold continuously for a certain period of time within a peak cut time period.

6. The discharge control system according to claim 1 , capable of controlling so as to discharge from the emergency storage battery to the load when the power consumption of the load continues to exceed the threshold even after the peak cut time period has passed.

7. The discharge control system according to claim 6, capable of controlling so that the amount of discharge from the emergency storage battery increases as the difference between the power consumption during discharge and the threshold value increases.

8. The discharge control system according to claim 1, which is capable of controlling the discharge of the storage battery to start when the power consumption of the load reaches a threshold value, and is capable of controlling the discharge to end after a set peak cutting period.

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