Power storage facility, theft detection device, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a power storage facility, a theft detection device, and a computer program.SOLUTION: A power storage facility includes a plurality of power storage elements connected in parallel. The power storage facility includes: multiple current paths that connect each of the power storage elements to an external current source or a current supply destination; multiple breakers that individually interrupt each of the current paths; and multiple current sensors that individually measure the current flowing through each of the current paths. The power storage facility includes a detection unit that detects a theft of a conductive member that constitutes a current path based on the broken state of the current path by the breaker and the measurement result by the current sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power storage facility, a theft detection device, and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] Power storage facilities that store electric power supplied from power generation facilities such as solar power generation facilities and wind power generation facilities and supply the stored electric power to loads such as factories and office buildings as needed are widespread. The power storage facility is equipped with a large number of power storage elements (power storage modules or banks).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventionally, when the current cable provided in the power storage facility is stolen, it is not possible to supply the power required by the customer, resulting in a large economic loss.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a power storage facility, a theft detection device, and a computer program capable of detecting theft of a current cable.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The power storage facility of the present disclosure includes a plurality of power storage elements connected in parallel, a plurality of current paths that respectively connect each power storage element to an external current supply source or a current supply destination, a plurality of circuit breakers that individually cut off each of the current paths, a plurality of current sensors that individually measure the current flowing through each of the current paths, and a detection unit that detects theft of a conductive member constituting the current path based on the cut-off state of the current path by the circuit breaker and the measurement result by the current sensor.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] In the present disclosure, theft of a current cable can be detected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (1) The power storage facility of the present disclosure includes a plurality of power storage elements connected in parallel. The power storage facility includes a plurality of current paths that individually connect each power storage element to an external current supply source or current supply destination, a plurality of circuit breakers that individually cut off each of the current paths, and a plurality of current sensors that individually measure the current flowing through each of the current paths. The power storage facility includes a detection unit that detects theft of a conductive member constituting the current path based on the cut-off state of the current path by the circuit breaker and the measurement result by the current sensor.

[0010] The power storage facility is installed in parallel with power generation facilities such as solar power generation facilities and wind power generation facilities, stores the power supplied from the power generation facilities, and supplies the stored power to a load. An example of the power storage facility is an ESS (Energy Storage System). Alternatively, the power storage facility may be a power conditioner, a backup power supply device, or the like.

[0011] The power storage device includes a plurality of power storage elements connected in parallel. The power storage element is, for example, a module formed by connecting a plurality of power storage cells in series, or a bank formed by connecting a plurality of modules in series. In the following embodiments, the configuration of a power storage device including a plurality of banks will be described.

[0012] A power storage device including a plurality of banks is provided with a plurality of current cables that connect an external current supply source or current supply destination to each bank. The current cables in the power storage device are provided, for example, in a concentrated state inside a power collection box. Conductive members (for example, copper wires) that constitute the current cables have become a problem due to theft damage against the backdrop of the fact that the prices of power storage members have been on the rise in recent years. In a relatively small-scale power storage device (for example, a power storage device with a capacity of less than 50 kW), since a large current does not flow, the cable diameter is small and the cable length is often short. For this reason, in a relatively small-scale power storage device, it is less likely to suffer theft damage to the current cables. On the other hand, in a relatively large-scale power storage device having a plurality of banks (for example, a power storage device with a capacity of 50 kW or more and less than 2 MW), since a plurality of current cables with a large cable diameter and a long cable length are provided, there is concern that the risk of theft is high.

[0013] Once theft occurs, there is a problem that charging of the power storage device stops, and furthermore, power generation stops. It is necessary to stop power generation until the power storage device is restored, and a considerable amount of time passes through procedures such as on-site verification by the police, assessment by the insurance company, and restoration plan by the construction company, resulting in loss of power generation opportunities and economic losses.

[0014] According to the power storage device of (1) above, theft of the conductive member constituting the current path can be detected based on the measurement results of the current flowing through each current path and the cutoff state of each current path. When theft is detected, for example, by issuing an alarm to the thief, theft damage can be minimized.

[0015] (2) In the power storage facility described in (1) above, when the circuit breaker that shuts off one current path is in the closed state and the current flowing through the one current path is substantially equal to zero, it may be determined that theft of the conductive member constituting the one current path has been detected.

[0016] According to the power storage facility of (2) above, even though the circuit breaker that shuts off one current path is in the closed state, if no current is flowing through the one current path, it means that no current is flowing through the current path where current should originally flow, so it is possible to detect that theft has occurred.

[0017] (3) In the power storage facility described in (1) or (2) above, when the circuit breaker that shuts off one current path is in the closed state and the current flowing through the one current path is relatively low compared to the current flowing through other current paths, it may be determined that theft of the conductive member constituting the one current path has been detected.

[0018] According to the power storage facility of (3) above, even though the circuit breaker that shuts off one current path is in the closed state, if the current flowing through the one current path is lower than that of other current paths, it means that the current of the magnitude that should originally flow is not flowing, so it is possible to detect that theft has occurred.

[0019] (4) In the power storage facility described in any one of (1) to (3) above, when the detection unit detects theft of the conductive member, it may further include a notification unit that notifies information indicating that theft of the conductive member has been detected.

[0020] According to the power storage facility of (4) above, since it notifies when theft is detected, it is possible to notify the occurrence of theft to the administrator or the like, and through the administrator or the like, theft damage can be minimized.

[0021] (5) The theft detection device of the present disclosure includes a plurality of energy storage elements connected in parallel, a plurality of current paths that respectively connect each energy storage element to an external current supply source or current supply destination, a plurality of circuit breakers that individually cut off each of the current paths, and a plurality of current sensors that individually measure the current flowing through each of the current paths. From an energy storage facility, an acquisition unit acquires information related to the cutoff state of the current path by the circuit breaker and a measurement result by the current sensor, and a detection unit that detects theft of a conductive member constituting the current path based on the information related to the cutoff state acquired by the acquisition unit and the measurement result.

[0022] According to the theft detection device of (5) above, theft of a conductive member constituting the current path can be detected based on the measurement result of the current flowing through each current path and the cutoff state of each current path. When theft is detected, for example, by issuing an alarm to the thief, theft damage can be minimized.

[0023] (6) The computer program of the present disclosure acquires information related to the cutoff state of the current path by the circuit breaker and a measurement result by the current sensor from an energy storage facility including a plurality of energy storage elements connected in parallel, a plurality of current paths that respectively connect each energy storage element to an external current supply source or current supply destination, a plurality of circuit breakers that individually cut off each of the current paths, and a plurality of current sensors that individually measure the current flowing through each of the current paths, and is a computer program for causing a computer to execute a process of detecting theft of a conductive member constituting the current path based on the acquired information related to the cutoff state and the measurement result.

[0024] According to the computer program of (6) above, theft of a conductive member constituting the current path can be detected based on the measurement result of the current flowing through each current path and the cutoff state of each current path. When theft is detected, for example, by issuing an alarm to the thief, theft damage can be minimized.

[0025] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described based on the drawings showing its embodiments. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a power storage system including a power storage facility. The power storage system according to the embodiment includes a power storage facility 1, a power generation facility 2, and a load 3. The power storage facility 1 is, for example, an ESS, stores the power supplied from the power generation facility 2, and supplies the stored power to the load 3. The power generation facility 2 includes a solar power generation facility 21, a wind power generation facility 22, and the like. The load 3 includes power consumption facilities such as factories, office buildings, schools, hospitals, restaurants, and airports.

[0026] A power converter 20 is installed between the power storage facility 1, the power generation facility 2, and the load 3. The power converter 20 is also called a PCS (Power Conditioning System). The power converter 20 converts the power (alternating current power or direct current power) supplied from the power generation facility 2 into direct current power of a predetermined magnitude, and supplies the converted direct current power to the power storage facility 1. The power storage facility 1 stores the power supplied from the power generation facility 2 via the power converter 20.

[0027] The power storage facility 1 supplies the stored power to the load 3 in response to a request from the outside. The power supplied from the power storage facility 1 to the load 3 is converted from direct current power to alternating current power by the power converter 20.

[0028] Alternatively, the power storage facility 1 may store the power supplied from the power grid 4, and may supply the stored power to the power grid 4.

[0029] The power storage system includes a monitoring server 5 that remotely monitors the power storage facility 1. The power storage facility 1 and the monitoring server 5 are communicably connected via a communication network NW. The communication network NW may be a general line such as the Internet, or may be a dedicated line. The power storage facility 1 transmits and receives information to and from the monitoring server 5 via the communication network NW.

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the power storage facility 1. The power storage facility 1 includes a container main body 10 (see FIG. 1), as well as a battery board 11 and a control board 12 housed in the container main body 10. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the battery board 11 and the control board 12 housed in the container main body 10. The number of battery boards 11 included in the power storage facility 1 may be two or more. In addition to the battery board 11 and the control board 12, the container main body 10 may house auxiliary equipment such as an air conditioner and a lighting device.

[0031] The battery board 11 includes a plurality of banks 111 and a busbar box 113. Each bank 111 is configured by electrically connecting a plurality of power storage modules BT in series. In the example of FIG. 2, the battery board 11 includes three banks 111, and each bank 111 is configured by electrically connecting a total of 18 power storage modules BT in two columns in the vertical direction in series. These three banks 111 are connected in parallel to each other. A configuration in which a plurality of banks 111 are connected in parallel is also called a domain. The number of banks 111 included in the battery board 11 and the number of power storage modules BT constituting each bank 111 are arbitrarily selected.

[0032] The power storage module BT is configured by electrically connecting a plurality of power storage cells in series. In one example, the power storage cell is a battery cell using a lithium-ion secondary battery. Alternatively, the power storage cell may be a battery cell using an all-solid-state battery, a lead battery, a redox flow battery, a zinc-air battery, an alkaline manganese battery, a lithium-sulfur battery, a sodium-sulfur battery, a silver-zinc oxide battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a molten salt thermal battery, etc., or may be a capacitor. The number of power storage cells constituting the power storage module BT is arbitrarily selected.

[0033] The power collection box 113 includes a current cable 113a and a circuit breaker 113b. The current cable 113a is made of a copper wire (an example of a conductive member) and constitutes a current path (current paths P0 to P3 shown in FIG. 3) between the bank 111 and an external current supply source or current supply destination. The external current supply source is the power generation facility 2 (or the power grid 4), and the external current supply destination is the load 3 (or the power grid 4). The circuit breaker 113b is a circuit breaker such as an MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breaker) that can cut off the current flowing through the current paths P1 to P3. The circuit breaker 113b is provided, for example, for each bank 111.

[0034] Hereinafter, a configuration in which the power storage facility 1 includes one battery board 11 and the battery board 11 includes three banks 111 will be described as an example.

[0035] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the circuit configuration of the power storage facility 1. The battery board 11 of the power storage facility 1 includes three banks 111 and three bank BMUs (Battery Management Unit) 112 provided corresponding to the respective banks 111. The control board 12 of the power storage facility 1 includes a domain BMU 121 and a communication interface 122. The bank BMU 112 and the domain BMU 121 are communicably connected. For the communication between the bank BMU 112 and the domain BMU 121, an existing communication standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network) is used. Alternatively, a communication standard such as LIN (Local Interconnect Network), ECHONET (registered trademark), or ECHONETLight (registered trademark) may be used.

[0036] The bank 111 is connected to an external current supply source or current supply destination via the main circuit MC. The external current supply source is the power generation facility 2 (or the power grid 4), and the external current supply destination is the load 3 (or the power grid 4).

[0037] Hereinafter, when explaining the three banks 111 separately, the bank 111 is also denoted as banks 111-1, 111-2, and 111-3. Similarly, when explaining the three banks BMU112 separately, the bank BMU112 is also denoted as banks BMU112-1, 112-2, and 112-3.

[0038] The main circuit MC includes one current path P0 connected to a current supply source or a current supply destination, and three current paths P1 to P3 branched from this current path P0 and connected to each of the banks 111-1 to 111-3. The main circuit MC further includes circuit breakers B1 to B3 that cut off the current flowing through each of the current paths P1 to P3, and current sensors S1 to S3 that measure the current flowing through each of the current paths P1 to P3. The circuit breakers B1 to B3 are circuit elements corresponding to the above-described circuit breakers 113b. The opening and closing of the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are controlled by the banks BMU112-1 to 112-3, and it is assumed that their opening and closing states (cut-off states) are managed by the banks BMU112-1 to 112-3. In the present embodiment, the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are normally closed. Information regarding the cut-off states of the circuit breakers B1 to B3 is notified from each of the banks BMU112-1 to 112-3 to the domain BMU121. The current sensors S1 to S3 are existing current sensors such as Hall sensors. The measurement results of the current sensors S1 to S3 are output to the domain BMU121 through each of the banks BMU112-1 to 112-3.

[0039] The domain BMU121 is a device for monitoring the state of the domain (the entire bank). The domain BMU121 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU included in the domain BMU121 reads and executes a computer program stored in the ROM, thereby causing the domain BMU121 to function as the theft detection device of the present application. The RAM temporarily stores data generated during the execution of the computer program and data acquired from the outside.

[0040] In the embodiment, the domain BMU121 acquires information related to the open / closed states of the circuit breakers B1 to B3 and the measurement results of the current sensors S1 to S3, and based on the acquired information related to the open / closed states and the measurement results of the current, detects theft of the current cable 113a (theft of the conductive members constituting the current paths P1 to P3).

[0041] The domain BMU121 notifies the detection result of the theft of the current cable 113a. For example, when the domain BMU121 detects the theft of the current cable 113a, it notifies an external device through the communication interface 122. The external device is, for example, the monitoring server 5 that monitors the state of the power storage facility 1. The communication interface 122 of the power storage facility 1 and the monitoring server 5 are communicably connected via a communication network NW such as the Internet. Alternatively, the domain BMU121 may notify the theft detection to the mobile device of the administrator who manages the power storage facility 1. When the power storage facility 1 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, the domain BMU121 may output information indicating that the theft has been detected to the display unit and cause the display unit to display it. When the power storage facility 1 includes an alarm buzzer or a warning light, the domain BMU121 may notify the occurrence of the theft by sound or light.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the process executed by the power storage facility 1. As described above, the individual open / closed states of the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are managed by the corresponding bank BMUs 112-1 to 112-3. The domain BMU121 acquires information related to the open / closed states of the circuit breakers B1 to B3 from the bank BMUs 112-1 to 112-3 (step S101). The information related to the open / closed states of the circuit breakers B1 to B3 may be spontaneously transmitted by each of the bank BMUs 112-1 to 112-3 to the domain BMU121, or each of the bank BMUs 112-1 to 112-3 may be made to reply in response to a request from the domain BMU121. In the present embodiment, since the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are operated in the normally closed state, when any one of the circuit breakers B1 to B3 is switched from the closed state to the open state, the bank BMUs 112-1 to 112-3 may notify the domain BMU121 of the information to that effect.

[0043] When the power storage device receives power supply from the power generation device 2 or supplies power to the load 3, it measures the currents flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 with the current sensors S1 to S3 respectively (step S102). The measurement results by the current sensors S1 to S3 are output to the banks BMU112-1 to 112-3 respectively.

[0044] The domain BMU121 acquires the measurement results by the current sensors S1 to S3 through the banks BMU112-1 to 112-3 (step S103). Let the current values obtained as the measurement results of the current sensors S1 to S3 be I1 to I3 respectively.

[0045] The domain BMU121 determines whether the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are in the closed state (step S104), and determines whether the currents flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 are substantially equal to zero (step S105). Specifically, the domain BMU121 sets allowable errors ε1 to ε3, and determines whether I1 < ε1, I2 < ε2, and I3 < ε3 to determine whether the currents flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 are substantially equal to zero. The allowable errors ε1 to ε3 are set values set to small values near zero, and are set by an administrator or the like and stored in the memory in the domain BMU121. The allowable errors ε1 to ε3 may be set to a common value, or different values may be set for each of the banks 111-1 to 111-3.

[0046] When the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are in the closed state (S104: YES) and the currents flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 are substantially equal to zero (S105: YES), it means that although current should flow through the current paths P1 to P3 due to charging from the power generation device 2 or discharging to the load 3, but actually no current is flowing. Therefore, the domain BMU121 determines that it has detected theft of the current cable 113a (the conductive member constituting the current paths P1 to P3) (step S106).

[0047] When the domain BMU121 determines in step S106 that the theft of the current cable 113a has been detected, it notifies that the theft of the current cable 113a has been detected (step S107). The domain BMU121 notifies, for example, the monitoring server 5 or the administrator's mobile terminal that the theft of the current cable 113a has been detected through the communication interface 122. Alternatively, the domain BMU121 may display on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that the theft of the current cable 113a has been detected, or may activate an alarm buzzer or a warning light to sound the alarm buzzer or turn on the warning light.

[0048] When the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are in the open state (S104: NO), or when the current flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 is not zero (S105: NO), the domain BMU121 ends the processing according to this flowchart without notifying the detection of theft.

[0049] In the flowchart of FIG. 4, after the domain BMU121 acquires information regarding the open / closed states of the circuit breakers B1 to B3, the current sensors S1 to S3 measure the current flowing through each of the current paths P1 to P3. Alternatively, after the current sensors S1 to S3 measure the current flowing through each of the current paths P1 to P3, the domain BMU121 may acquire information regarding the open / closed states of the circuit breakers B1 to B3, or these procedures may be executed simultaneously in parallel.

[0050] In the flowchart of FIG. 4, after determining whether the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are in the closed state, the domain BMU121 determines whether the current flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 is substantially equal to zero. Alternatively, the domain BMU121 may determine whether the current flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 is substantially equal to zero and then determine whether the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are in the closed state. Further, during discharging or charging, when the domain BMU121 determines that the current flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 is substantially equal to zero, it may acquire information on the circuit breakers B1 to B3 and determine whether the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are in the closed state.

[0051] In step S105 of the flowchart in FIG. 4, the domain BMU121 is configured to determine whether the currents flowing through current paths P1 to P3 are substantially equal to zero. Alternatively, the domain BMU121 may determine whether the current flowing through one current path (for example, current path P1) is relatively low compared to the currents flowing through other current paths (for example, current paths P2 and P3). When the domain BMU121 determines that each of the circuit breakers B1 to B3 is in the closed state and the current flowing through current path P1 is clearly lower than the currents flowing through current paths P2 and P3 (in the case of I1≪I2, I3), it determines that theft of the current cable 113a constituting current path P1 has been detected. The same applies to the cases of I2≪I3, I1 and I3≪I1, I2.

[0052] As described above, in Embodiment 1, by using the information on the open / closed states of the circuit breakers B1 to B3 and the measurement results of the currents flowing through the respective current paths P1 to P3, it is possible to detect theft of the current cables 113a constituting the current paths P1 to P3.

[0053] (Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 2, a configuration in which the monitoring server 5 executes theft detection will be described. Since the overall configuration of the power storage system and the internal configuration of the power storage facility 1 are the same as those in Embodiment 1, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the monitoring server 5. The monitoring server 5 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a communication unit 53, an operation unit 54, a display unit 55, and the like.

[0055] The control unit 51 is an arithmetic circuit including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU included in the control unit 51 reads and executes various computer programs stored in the ROM and the storage unit 52, and functions as a theft detection device for detecting theft of the current cable 113a in the power storage facility 1. In the embodiment, the control unit 51 detects theft of the current cable 113a based on the information obtained from the power storage facility 1.

[0056] Alternatively, the control unit 51 may be any arithmetic circuit including a plurality of CPUs, a multi-core CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a microcomputer, a volatile or non-volatile memory, etc. The control unit 51 may have functions such as a timer for measuring the elapsed time from giving a measurement start instruction to giving a measurement end instruction, a counter for counting numbers, a clock for outputting date and time information, etc.

[0057] The storage unit 52 includes a storage device such as a flash memory and a hard disk. Various computer programs and data are stored in the storage unit 52. The computer program stored in the storage unit 52 includes a theft detection program PG for causing a computer to execute a process of detecting theft of the current cable 113a in the power storage facility 1 based on information obtained from the power storage facility 1. The data stored in the storage unit 52 includes parameters used in the theft detection program PG and data generated by the control unit 51.

[0058] The computer program including the theft detection program PG is provided by a non-temporary recording medium RM that stores the computer program in a readable manner. The recording medium RM is a portable memory such as a CD-ROM, a USB memory, an SD (Secure Digital) card, etc. The control unit 51 reads a desired computer program from the recording medium RM using a reading device (not shown in the figure) and stores the read computer program in the storage unit 52. Alternatively, the computer program including the theft detection program PG may be provided by communication.

[0059] The communication unit 53 includes a communication interface for transmitting and receiving various information. The communication unit 53 acquires, for example, information related to the open / closed states of the circuit breakers B1 to B3 and measurement results by the current sensors S1 to S3 from the power storage facility 1.

[0060] The operation unit 54 is provided with input devices such as various switches and buttons, and receives operations by the administrator. The display unit 55 is provided with a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, and displays information to be notified to the administrator. Alternatively, the monitoring server 5 may be configured to receive necessary operations through an external computer and transmit information to be notified to the administrator to the external computer. In this case, the operation unit 54 and the display unit 55 may not be mounted on the monitoring server 5.

[0061] In the embodiment, the monitoring server 5 may be a single computer, or may be a computer system composed of a plurality of computers, peripheral devices, etc. The monitoring server 5 may be a virtual machine in which the entity is virtualized, or may be a cloud.

[0062] In the embodiment, the theft detection program PG may be a single computer program, or may be a program group composed of a plurality of computer programs. The theft detection program PG may be executed in cooperation by a plurality of computers.

[0063] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the process executed by the monitoring server 5. The control unit 51 of the monitoring server 5 acquires, from the power storage facility 1, information regarding the open / closed states of the circuit breakers B1 to B3 and the measurement results by the current sensors S1 to S3 through the communication unit 53 (step S201).

[0064] Based on the information acquired from the power storage facility 1, the control unit 51 determines whether the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are in the closed state (step S202), and determines whether the current flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 is substantially equal to zero (step S203). Similar to Embodiment 1, tolerance errors ε1 to ε3 are set, and it may be determined whether I1 < ε1, I2 < ε2, and I3 < ε3 to determine whether the current flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 is substantially equal to zero.

[0065] When the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are in the closed state (S202: YES) and the current flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 is substantially equal to zero (S203: YES), although current should flow through the current paths P1 to P3 due to charging from the power generation facility 2 or discharging to the load 3, but actually no current is flowing, it means that the control unit 51 determines that the theft of the current cable 113a (the conductive member constituting the current paths P1 to P3) has been detected (step S204).

[0066] When the control unit 51 determines in step S204 that the theft of the current cable 113a has been detected, it notifies that the theft of the current cable 113a has been detected (step S205). The control unit 51 notifies, for example, the administrator's mobile terminal that the theft of the current cable 113a has been detected through the communication interface 122. Alternatively, the control unit 51 may display on the display unit 55 that the theft of the current cable 113a has been detected.

[0067] When the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are in the open state (S202: NO), or when the current flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 is not zero (S203: NO), the control unit 51 ends the processing according to this flowchart without notifying the detection of theft.

[0068] In the flowchart of FIG. 6, after determining whether the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are in the closed state, the control unit 51 determines whether the current flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 is substantially equal to zero. Alternatively, the control unit 51 may determine whether the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are in the closed state after determining whether the current flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 is substantially equal to zero.

[0069] In step S203 of the flowchart of FIG. 6, the control unit 51 is configured to determine whether the current flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 is substantially equal to zero. Alternatively, the control unit 51 may determine whether the current flowing through one current path (for example, the current path P1) is relatively lower compared to the current flowing through other current paths (for example, the current paths P2, P3). The determination method is the same as that in Embodiment 1.

[0070] As described above, in the second embodiment, by obtaining the information on the interruption states of the circuit breakers B1 to B3 and the measurement results of the currents flowing through the current paths P1 to P3 via the communication network NW, it is possible for the external monitoring server 5 to detect the theft of the current cables 113a constituting the current paths P1 to P3.

[0071] The disclosed embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0072] For example, in the embodiment, the power storage facility 1 is configured to include one battery board 11, and this battery board 11 includes three banks 111. Alternatively, the power storage facility 1 may be configured to include a plurality of battery boards 11, and each battery board includes one or more banks 111.

[0073] In the embodiment, the configuration is such that a power converter 20 is provided separately from the power storage facility 1. Alternatively, the power storage facility 1 may be configured to include the power converter 20. The power storage facility 1 may be a backup power supply device such as a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) or a DC power supply device.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0074] 1 Power storage facility 2 Power generation facility 3 Load 4 Power system 5 Monitoring server 11 Battery board 12 Control panel 111 Bank 112 Bank BMU 113 Current collector box 121 Domain BMU 122 Communication interface MC Main circuit P0 to P3 Current paths S1 to S3 Current sensors B1 - B3 Circuit Breakers

Claims

1. A plurality of power storage elements connected in parallel, A plurality of current paths that respectively connect each power storage element to an external current supply source or a current supply destination, A plurality of circuit breakers that individually cut off each of the current paths, A plurality of current sensors that individually measure the current flowing through each of the current paths, A detection unit that detects theft of a conductive member constituting the current path based on the cut-off state of the current path by the circuit breaker and the measurement result by the current sensor A power storage facility comprising:

2. When the circuit breaker that cuts off one current path is in a closed state and the current flowing through the one current path is substantially equal to zero, the detection unit determines that theft of the conductive member constituting the one current path has been detected The power storage facility according to claim 1.

3. When the circuit breaker that cuts off one current path is in a closed state and the current flowing through the one current path is relatively low compared to the current flowing through other current paths, the detection unit determines that theft of the conductive member constituting the one current path has been detected The power storage facility according to claim 1.

4. When the detection unit detects theft of the conductive member, a notification unit that notifies information indicating that theft of the conductive member has been detected The power storage facility according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. From a power storage facility comprising a plurality of power storage elements connected in parallel, a plurality of current paths that respectively connect each power storage element to an external current supply source or a current supply destination, a plurality of circuit breakers that individually cut off each of the current paths, and a plurality of current sensors that individually measure the current flowing through each of the current paths, an acquisition unit that acquires information related to the cut-off state of the current path by the circuit breaker and the measurement result by the current sensor, A detection unit that detects theft of a conductive member constituting the current path based on the information related to the cut-off state acquired by the acquisition unit and the measurement result A theft detection device comprising:

6. From a power storage facility comprising a plurality of power storage elements connected in parallel, a plurality of current paths that respectively connect each power storage element to an external current supply source or a current supply destination, a plurality of circuit breakers that individually cut off each of the current paths, and a plurality of current sensors that individually measure the current flowing through each of the current paths, information related to the cut-off state of the current path by the circuit breaker and the measurement result by the current sensor are acquired, Based on the acquired information related to the cut-off state and the measurement result, theft of the conductive member constituting the current path is detected A computer program for causing a computer to execute a process.

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