Power management control device

Abstract

To efficiently operate one or more electric working machines each requiring the charge performed by a charger.SOLUTION: A power management control device includes: a charging control unit configured to control a plurality of chargers capable of charging electric working machines, respectively; and a power consumption monitoring unit configured to monitor a demand value caused by power consumption in a facility via measurement means provided between a power system and a facility used by a power consumer. The charging control unit controls the plurality of chargers so that the demand value does not exceed an upper limit value based on a current contract of the power consumer based on a monitoring result of the power consumption monitoring unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a controller for power management. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Demand control devices capable of controlling the operation of power equipment are known in order to suppress a maximum demand value (also called "maximum demand power") in an electricity consumer having at least one power equipment for kitchen facilities. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7220265 specification Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the above-described conventional technology, it is difficult to efficiently operate one or more electric work machines that require charging by a charger.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to efficiently operate one or more electric work machines that require charging by a charger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect, a charge control unit controls a plurality of chargers each capable of charging an electric work machine; a power consumption monitoring unit that monitors a demand value due to power consumption in a facility used by an electric power consumer via a measuring means provided between the electric power system and the facility, the facility includes the plurality of chargers; A power management control device is provided in which the charging control unit controls the multiple chargers based on the monitoring results of the power consumption monitoring unit so that the demand value does not exceed an upper limit value based on the power consumer's current contract. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to use a plurality of chargers to efficiently operate one or more electric work machines that require charging by the chargers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a power supply system to which a power management control device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control system including a power management control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the power management control device 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of data in a machine information storage unit; [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of data in a charger information storage unit. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart (part 1) that schematically illustrates an example of processing executed by a power management control device, the processing relating to power management control in accordance with a maximum demand value. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart (part 2) schematically illustrating an example of processing executed by the power management control device, the processing relating to power management control in accordance with a maximum demand value. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by a power management control device, the process being a calculation process of required charging power. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Each embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are merely examples and are not limiting. Furthermore, shapes and the like in the drawings may be partially exaggerated for the sake of explanation. Furthermore, in the drawings, for ease of viewing, reference symbols may be assigned only to some of the parts that exist with the same attribute.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a power supply system to which a power management control device 1 (described later) of this embodiment can be applied.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows the power supply system at one construction site. Note that one construction site refers to a construction site to which one contract by an electricity consumer applies. Note that the electricity consumer is generally a business operator (e.g., a construction company) that manages the construction site. For example, in the case of a very large construction site, each section may have a different contract, and in that case, although the site is continuous, there are multiple construction sites as referred to in this specification. In the following, unless otherwise specified, we will explain one site.

[0012] A plurality of chargers 10 (hereinafter, when distinguishing between them, they may also be referred to as a first charger 11, a second charger 12, a third charger 13, etc.) are arranged at the construction site.

[0013] The facility 2 used by the power consumer includes other facility 3 and multiple chargers 10. The other facility 3 is facility used at a construction site and refers to all of the facility other than the multiple chargers 10. In other words, the other facility 3 is facility that operates using electricity and is a collection of multiple electrical loads. In this case, the multiple electrical loads may be electrically connected in parallel to the power grid, or some of them may be electrically connected in series.

[0014] The demand meter 4 is installed between the power grid (represented as the "primary side" in FIG. 1) and the facility 2 used by the power consumer. The demand meter 4 measures the demand value due to the power consumption of the facility 2. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the demand value is the demand value used in the contract between the power consumer and the power company, and specifically refers to the average power usage (average capacity of the operating load) over a 30-minute period.

[0015] The multiple chargers 10 are capable of charging electric work machines 70 (hereinafter, when distinguishing between them, they will also be referred to as electric work machines 71, 72, etc.). Unless otherwise specified, the multiple chargers 10 are assumed to be capable of charging all of the electric work machines 70 that appear according to the standards. The multiple chargers 10, together with other equipment 3, are electrically connected in parallel to the power grid.

[0016] The chargers 10 may be chargers capable of rapid charging, or may be normal chargers. The chargers 10 may also be a combination of multiple types of chargers.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a control system including the power management control device 1 of this embodiment.

[0018] The power management control device 1 may be in the form of, for example, a server computer. In this case, the power management control device 1 and the various other components shown in Figure 2 may be able to communicate with each other via a wireless network.

[0019] A site management computer 5 (referred to as "site management PC" in Figure 2) is connected to the power management control device 1. The site management computer 5 can be operated by a site supervisor or the like, and in this embodiment, the site supervisor inputs work schedule information for each electric work machine 70 via the site management computer 5. The work schedule information is sent to the power management control device 1. Note that the work schedule information may be information that indicates, for each electric work machine 70, what work each electric work machine 70 will perform and during what time period. Note that the site management computer 5 may be in any form, such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0020] The above-mentioned demand meter 4 is connected to the power management control device 1. The demand meter 4 has, for example, a built-in communication device and transmits the measurement results to the power management control device 1.

[0021] The power management control device 1 is connected to a control device 30 of another facility 3. The control device 30 periodically transmits information indicating the current power consumption of the other facility 3 (hereinafter also referred to as "other facility power consumption information") to the power management control device 1.

[0022] A plurality of electric work machines 70 operating at a construction site are connected to the power management control device 1. The electric work machines 70 periodically transmit information indicating the status of the electric work machines 70 (hereinafter also referred to as "work machine status information") to the power management control device 1 via a built-in computer and communication device (not shown). The work machine status information may indicate whether the electric work machine 70 is operating or not, the current battery state of charge (SOC: State Of Charge), etc.

[0023] A control device 18 of the charger 10 is connected to the power management control device 1. The control device 18 periodically transmits information indicating the status of the charger 10 (hereinafter also referred to as "charger status information") to the power management control device 1. The charger status information may indicate whether the charger 10 is in operation, the charging output of the charger 10, etc. Furthermore, if the charger 10 is in operation, the charger status information may include information that can identify the electric work machine 70 that is being charged.

[0024] The power management control device 1 controls the charger 10 based on work schedule information, other equipment power consumption information, work machine status information, etc., so that the demand value from the demand meter 4 does not exceed an upper limit value. The upper limit value is an upper limit value based on the power consumer's current contract. The upper limit value is a value that, if the demand value exceeds this upper limit value, the electricity fee based on the contract will increase. The upper limit value may be a maximum demand value (also called "maximum demand power"). Hereinafter, this type of control will also be referred to as "power management control according to the maximum demand value." Details of power management control according to the maximum demand value will be described later.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the power management control device 1. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of data in the machine information storage unit 170, and Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of data in the charger information storage unit 172. Some or all of the functions of the power management control device 1 described below may be realized by another computer (for example, a control device 18 that may be built into the charger 10). Note that in Fig. 4 (and similarly in Fig. 5 below), "***" indicates a state in which some information is stored, and "..." indicates a state in which similar information is repeatedly stored.

[0026] The power management control device 1 includes a demand value acquisition unit 150, a work schedule acquisition unit 152, an equipment status acquisition unit 154, a machine status acquisition unit 156, a charger status acquisition unit 158, a charging control unit 160, and a power adjustment unit 162. The power management control device 1 also includes a machine information storage unit 170 and a charger information storage unit 172.

[0027] The demand value acquisition unit 150 monitors the demand value by acquiring the demand value from the demand meter 4 at predetermined intervals.

[0028] The work schedule acquisition unit 152 acquires work schedule information from the site management computer 5. The work schedule information is as described above.

[0029] The equipment state acquisition unit 154 acquires other equipment power consumption information from the control device 30 of the other equipment 3. The other equipment power consumption information is as described above.

[0030] The machine status acquisition unit 156 acquires work machine status information from the electric work machine 70. The work machine status information is as described above.

[0031] The charger state acquisition unit 158 ​​acquires charger state information from the charger 10. The charger state information is as described above.

[0032] The charging control section 160 executes power management control according to the maximum demand value described above. For example, based on a work schedule for the electric work machine 70, the charging control section 160 charges the electric work machine 70 via a plurality of chargers 10 so that the work schedule is carried out as scheduled. For example, a situation may be assumed in which it is difficult to charge at maximum output via each of a plurality of chargers 10, depending on the power consumption based on other equipment power consumption information (hereinafter also referred to as a "restricted situation"). In such a restricted situation, the electric work machine 70 with the highest priority may be determined from among the plurality of electric work machines 70 according to the following rules:

[0033] (1) The shorter the time until the next work start, the higher the priority of the electric work machine 70.

[0034] (2) If there is not a large difference in the time until the next work time, the electric work machine 70 with the smaller current battery charge capacity relative to the electrical energy required for the next work by the electric work machine 70 is given a higher priority. Regarding (2), the required charging power E may be taken into consideration. The required charging power E represents the charging power required for an electric work machine 70 before the next task. For example, the current state of charge of one electric work machine 70 is α1%, and the state of charge required at the start of the next task is α2 (>α1)%. In this case, the power required to increase the state of charge from α1 to α2 corresponds to the required charging power E. In this case, the electric work machine 70 with the larger required charging power E is given a higher priority.

[0035] Then, the charging control unit 160 may permit charging at the maximum output for the charger 10 connected to the electric working machine 70 with a high priority among the plurality of chargers 10.

[0036] Here, for example, when the power consumption based on the other equipment power consumption information is A [kWh] and the upper limit value is B [kWh], the power consumption C (hereinafter, also referred to as "available power consumption C") [kWh] that can be allocated to one or more electric working machines 70 (chargers 10) is C = B - A. And let the power consumption when charging one electric working machine 70 at the maximum output of the charger 10 be D (hereinafter, also referred to as "maximum charging power D") [kWh]. Note that the maximum charging power D may be different for each electric working machine 70, but here, it is assumed to be the same for each electric working machine 70.

[0037] Note that hereinafter, the above-described parameter A is also referred to as the other equipment power consumption A, and the parameter B is also referred to as the upper limit value B.

[0038] In this case, for example, when N × maximum charging power D < available power consumption C ≤ (N + 1) × maximum charging power D, N electric working machines 70 can be charged at the maximum output. At this time, if there are N + 1 or more electric working machines 70 that need to be charged, charging at the maximum output may be permitted for the chargers 10 connected to N electric working machines 70 in the order of high priority. Also, charging at the maximum output may be permitted for the chargers 10 connected to the electric working machines 70 up to a predetermined number M (<N) with high priority, and charging with the remaining power consumption distributed output (=(C - M × D) / (N - M)) may be permitted for the chargers 10 connected to the remaining electric working machines 70.

[0039] The power adjustment unit 162 reduces the power consumption by the other equipment 3 so that the work schedule is realized as planned based on the work schedule by the electric working machine 70 in the situation where restriction is required. The power adjustment unit 162 may operate in cooperation with the charging control unit 160.

[0040] For example, in the above example, assume there are L electric work machines 70 that require rapid charging at maximum output. At this time, when the consumable power C < L × maximum charging power D, the power adjustment unit 162 may increase the consumable power C (= B - A) by reducing the power consumption A of other equipment so that the consumable power C > L × maximum charging power D.

[0041] The machine information storage unit 170 stores various information related to the electric work machines 70 operating at the construction site. The information in the machine information storage unit 170 may be updated based on the work schedule information acquired by the work schedule acquisition unit 152 and the work machine state information acquired by the machine state acquisition unit 156. In the example shown in FIG. 4, various information is stored in the machine information storage unit 170 for each identifier (represented as "machine ID" in the figure) for identifying each electric work machine 70. In this case, the various information may include machine information, the current charging state, the current work state, the scheduled time and duration of the next work start, and other information (such as reservation information like the scheduled time of charger connection). The machine information may include, for example, the average value of the power consumption per unit time during operation. In this case, the machine information, and the scheduled time and duration of the next work start can be used for calculating the required charging power E described above. Note that the current work state may indicate whether the machine is in operation. If it is in operation, the required charging power E described above may be calculated taking into account the power consumed until the end of the work.

[0042] The charger information storage unit 172 stores various information related to the plurality of chargers 10. The information in the charger information storage unit 172 may be updated based on the charger state information acquired by the charger state acquisition unit 158. In the example shown in FIG. 5, various information is stored for each identifier (represented as "charger ID" in the figure) for identifying each charger 10. In this case, the various information includes charger information and the current charger state. The charger information is, for example, the cable diameter of the charger 10 and may be used for calculating the maximum charging power D described above. The current charger state includes information on whether the charger is charging an electric work machine 70. Also, if it is charging, it may include information (such as an identifier) that can identify the electric work machine 70 being charged.

[0043] Note that displaying various information related to the power usage status on a display unit (not shown) makes it easy to manage the current charging status. Examples of the various information related to the power usage status include charger status information, work machine status information, and power usage information of other equipment, all of which are included in the charge management control device 1. Furthermore, a warning may be displayed when a situation requiring restriction occurs, and the power consumption of other equipment 3 may be manually reduced in accordance with the warning.

[0044] However, if the electric work machine 70 is operated while charging, there is a risk that the charging cable may get caught on the machine body, etc. For safety reasons, the machine cannot be operated while charging, and therefore, at work sites where the electric work machine 70 needs to be charged by the charger 10, it is difficult to charge the electric work machine 70 efficiently so that work plans can be carried out as planned.

[0045] In this regard, according to this embodiment, as described above, power management control is executed according to the maximum demand value so that the work schedule is achieved as scheduled based on the work schedule for the electric work machine 70. This makes it possible to charge and operate the electric work machine 70 efficiently so that the work schedule is achieved as scheduled.

[0046] Next, an example of the operation of the power management control device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and subsequent figures.

[0047] 6 and 7 are flowcharts that schematically show an example of processing executed by the power management control device 1, which processing is related to power management control in accordance with the maximum demand value.

[0048] In the example shown in Figure 6, the connection status of each charger 10 is confirmed based on the data in the charger information storage unit 172 (S600), and it is determined how many chargers 10 the electric work machine 70 is connected to (i.e., whether it is being charged). If only one charger 10 is connected ("YES" in S602), the process proceeds to S606 and subsequent steps. If all chargers 10 are not operating ("NO" in S604), the process enters a connection wait state. On the other hand, if multiple chargers 10 are operating ("YES" in S604), the process proceeds to the process shown in Figure 7 (described below).

[0049] When only one charger 10 is operating, the above-mentioned consumable power C is calculated based on the demand value from the demand meter 4 and the other equipment power consumption information (the above-mentioned other equipment power consumption A) (S606). Then, when the consumable power C is greater than the maximum charging power D for the electric work machine 70 currently connected to the charger 10 ("YES" in S608), that is, when the consumable power C > the maximum charging power D, the charger 10 charges the electric work machine 70 at maximum output (S614). On the other hand, when the consumable power C < the maximum charging power D ("NO" in S608), it is determined whether there is sufficient time until the next job (construction) (S610). For example, if the time until the next job is ΔT, it is determined whether the required charging power E of the electric work machine 70 can be covered by charging for the time ΔT at the current consumable power C. At this time, the battery characteristics of the electric work machine 70 may be taken into consideration. If the required charging power E of the electric working machine 70 can be covered, it is determined that there is sufficient time ("YES" in S610), and if not, it is determined that there is insufficient time ("NO" in S610). Alternatively, it may simply be determined whether or not a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) or more remains.

[0050] If the answer is "YES" in S610, the process returns to S600, but in a modified example, the electric work machine 70 may be charged via the charger 10 using the consumable power C. If the answer is "NO" in S610, the power consumption by the other equipment 3 is reduced (S612). For example, the power supply to part of the other equipment 3 is turned off. Note that this process is automatically executed by the control device 30 of the other equipment 3, but in a modified example, it may be executed manually by an operator. In this case, a notification instructing the operator to turn off the power supply may be sent to a mobile terminal (not shown) of the operator or the like. Note that the equipment to be turned off may be lighting or other equipment that does not need to be used temporarily (preset).

[0051] 7, if the answer is "YES" in S604 of FIG. 6, the above-mentioned consumable power C is calculated based on the demand value from the demand meter 4 and the other equipment power consumption information (the above-mentioned other equipment power consumption A) (S700). Then, if the consumable power C is greater than the maximum charging power D for the electric work machine 70 currently connected to the charger 10 (the maximum charging power D for one charger 10) ("YES" in S702), that is, if the consumable power C > the maximum charging power D, the process proceeds to S708. Note that in a modified example, if the consumable power C > the maximum charging power D × N (N is the number of electric work machines 70 currently connected to the charger 10), the electric work machine 70 may be charged at maximum output by the charger 10, and in other cases the process proceeds to S708.

[0052] On the other hand, if the consumable power C<the maximum charging power D ("NO" in S702), it is determined whether there is enough time until the next work (construction) (S704). S704 may be the same as S610 described above.

[0053] If "YES" in S704, the process returns to S700, but in a modified example, the electric work machine 70 with the highest priority may be charged via the charger 10 using the consumable power C. If "NO" in S704, the power consumption by the other equipment 3 is reduced (S706). S706 may be the same as S612 described above.

[0054] In S708, the start date and time of the next work for the electric work machines 70 currently connected to the charger 10 is compared based on the data (work schedule information) in the machine information storage unit 170. Then, the charger 10 connected to the electric work machine 70 with the earliest work start date and time is permitted to charge at maximum output (S710). Charging of the electric work machine 70 by the charger 10 may be terminated when the state of charge of the electric work machine 70 reaches a predetermined target value. The predetermined target value may be a fixed value (for example, 100%), or may be a value corresponding to the required charging power E described above. Thereafter, it is determined whether charging of all electric work machines 70 connected to the charger 10 has been completed (S712), and if completed (YES in S712), the processing ends.

[0055] On the other hand, if the answer is "NO" in S712, it is determined whether the remaining power obtained by subtracting the maximum charging power D from the current consumable power C is greater than the maximum charging power D for the electric work machine 70 currently connected to the charger 10 (S714). If the answer is "YES" in S714, charging at maximum output is permitted for the charger 10 connected to the electric work machine 70 with the second earliest work start date and time (S716). If the answer is "NO" in S714, the process returns to S712.

[0056] Then, it is determined whether charging of any electric work machine 70 has been completed (S718), and if it has been completed ("YES" in S718), the process proceeds to S712, and if not ("NO" in S718), the process returns to S714. In this case, in S714, it is determined whether the remaining power obtained by subtracting the maximum charging power D x 2 from the current consumable power C is greater than the maximum charging power D for the electric work machine 70 currently connected to the charger 10 (S714). Then, if the determination is "YES" in S714, charging at maximum output is permitted for the charger 10 connected to the electric work machine 70 with the third earliest work start date and time (S716).

[0057] FIG. 8 is a flowchart that shows an example of the process executed by the power management control device 1, which is a process for calculating the required charging power E described above.

[0058] First, the connection status of the charger 10 is confirmed (S800), and the electric work machine 70 connected to the charger 10 is identified. Next, the battery characteristics and state of charge (remaining capacity) of the identified electric work machine 70 are determined based on the data in the machine information storage unit 170 (S802). Next, the next process plan (for example, a construction plan) for the corresponding electric work machine 70 is acquired based on the work schedule information (S804). Then, the battery capacity required for the next work (construction) from the process plan is calculated as the required charging power E (S806).

[0059] Although each embodiment has been described in detail above, it is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims. It is also possible to combine all or a plurality of components of the above-described embodiments.

[0060] For example, the above-described embodiment may be a system that allows charging reservations for some or all of the multiple chargers 10. In this case, the required charging power E can be calculated from the input information without linking it to the work schedule information process. It is also possible to grasp (predict) the availability of chargers 10. In this case, the input information at the time of reservation may be, for example, the contractor's name, the construction machine to be charged (individual ID), the charger use start time, the work start date and time, the next work content, and the continuous work time. In this case, for example, the required charging power E can be calculated from the next work content and work time. Furthermore, the charging time may be predicted from the input battery characteristic information of the construction machine, and the charger usage time may be calculated. In this case, the available time can be grasped relatively accurately and minimized. The person who made the reservation may be notified of the completion of the reservation. The reservation status may also be displayed on a display (not shown) of the device of the person who made the reservation or the user making the reservation. In such a reservation system, the power management control device 1 may accept reservations while predicting the work schedule information, so as to prevent the reserved charging from exceeding the upper limit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 Power management control device 3 Other equipment 4 Demand Meter 5. Site management computer 10 charger 18 Charger control device 30 Control devices for other equipment 70 Electric working machines 150 Demand value acquisition unit 152 Work Schedule Acquisition Department 154 Equipment status acquisition unit 156 Machine status acquisition unit 158 Charger status acquisition unit 160 Charging control unit 162 Power adjustment section 170 Machine information storage unit 172 Charger information storage section

Claims

1. a charge control unit that controls a plurality of chargers each capable of charging an electric work machine; a power consumption monitoring unit that monitors a demand value due to power consumption in a facility used by an electric power consumer via a measuring means provided between the electric power system and the facility, the facility includes the plurality of chargers; The charging control unit controls the plurality of chargers based on the monitoring results of the power consumption monitoring unit so that the demand value does not exceed an upper limit value based on the power consumer's current contract.

2. a schedule acquisition unit that acquires information representing a work schedule for one or more of the electric work machines, The power management control device according to claim 1 , wherein the charge control unit controls the plurality of chargers based on a work schedule for one or more of the electric work machines so that the work schedule is achieved as scheduled.

3. a charger status acquisition unit that acquires information representing the status of each of the plurality of chargers; a machine status acquisition unit that acquires information representing the status of one or more of the electric working machines that can be charged by the plurality of chargers, 3. The power management control device according to claim 2, wherein the charging control unit limits the charging operation of one or more of the plurality of chargers based on the respective states of the plurality of chargers and the state of one or more of the electric work machines.

4. a machine status acquisition unit that acquires information representing the status of two or more of the electric working machines that can be charged by the plurality of chargers, 3. The power management control device according to claim 2, wherein the charging control unit limits the charging operation of one or more of the plurality of chargers based on the states of two or more of the electric work machines so that the electric work machine with the shortest time until its next scheduled work is charged preferentially.

5. the facility further includes other electrical loads used at the same construction site as the plurality of chargers; 5. The power management control device according to claim 2, further comprising a power adjustment unit that reduces power consumption by the other electric loads based on the monitoring results of the power consumption monitoring unit and a work schedule for one or more of the electric work machines so that the work schedule is achieved as scheduled.

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