Energy Management Systems

Abstract

To provide a control device, a program, and an energy management system, by which excessive consumption of stored energy and excessive storage of energy during a period until a disaster strikes are prevented.SOLUTION: In a power management system, when disaster prediction information predicting a disaster is acquired, a server control device outputs a control signal for raising at least one of a lower limit value and an upper limit value of stored energy in a supply and demand operation plan of energy more than that before the disaster prediction information is acquired, and changes at least one raising range of the lower limit value and the upper limit value in accordance with a striking probability included in the disaster prediction information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure ,workman Regarding energy management systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that when disaster prediction information is received, a charging process is performed to charge a power storage device, an on-board battery, or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-229992 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the lower and upper limits of energy storage are not taken into consideration in the supply and demand operation plan for the period leading up to a disaster, there is a risk that too much energy stored in the energy storage device will be used or stored in the energy storage device until a disaster occurs.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to prevent excessive use of stored energy or excessive storage of energy until a disaster occurs. Rue The objective of this project is to provide an energy management system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The control device according to the present disclosure includes a processor configured to output a control signal that, when disaster prediction information predicting a disaster is acquired, raises at least one of the lower limit and upper limit of stored energy in an energy supply and demand operation plan to a value higher than before the disaster prediction information was acquired.

[0007] The program of the present disclosure causes a processor to, when disaster prediction information predicting a disaster is acquired, output a control signal that raises at least one of the lower limit and upper limit of stored energy in an energy supply and demand operation plan to a level higher than before the disaster prediction information was acquired.

[0008] The energy management system according to the present disclosure includes a first control device having an energy storage device and a first processor that stores energy supplied based on an energy supply and demand operation plan, and a second control device having a second processor that, when disaster prediction information that predicts a disaster is acquired, outputs a control signal that raises at least one of the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the stored energy in the supply and demand operation plan compared to before the disaster prediction information was acquired. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present disclosure has an effect of preventing excessive use of stored energy or excessive storage of energy until a disaster occurs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the facility and the power generation equipment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control that is carried out when the server control device acquires weather forecast information. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of control that is carried out when the server control device acquires earthquake prediction information or earthquake detection information. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of control that is carried out when the server control device acquires fire alarm information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of a control device, a program, and a power management system as an energy management system according to the present disclosure will be described, but the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power management system 1 according to an embodiment. The power management system 1 is configured by a management server 10, a plurality of facilities 20A, 20B, a plurality of power generation facilities 30A, 30B, a weather information management device 40, a disaster information management device 50, an in-area power system 60, and a network NW, which are all installed within a management area 100, and an outside-area power system 70 installed outside the management area 100.

[0013] In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between facilities 20A and 20B, they will be referred to simply as facilities 20. Facilities 20 include, for example, residential buildings, commercial facilities, and public facilities. When there is no need to distinguish between power generation facilities 30A and 30B, they will be referred to simply as power generation facilities 30. For ease of explanation, FIG. 1 shows only two facilities 20A and 20B and two power generation facilities 30A and 30B, but the number of facilities 20 and power generation facilities 30 provided within the managed area 100 is not limited to two. The in-area power grid 60 and the out-area power grid 70 are power networks composed of, for example, power plants and power transmission and distribution facilities provided by electric utilities, etc.

[0014] The power management system 1, for example, manages the supply of electricity to the facility 20 from the power generation equipment 30, the in-area power system 60, and the out-area power system 70 using the management server 10 based on a supply and demand operation plan for maintaining a balance between the demand and supply of electricity within the management area 100.

[0015] The management server 10 is configured to be able to communicate with multiple facilities 20A, 20B, multiple power generation facilities 30A, 30B, a weather information management device 40, a disaster information management device 50, an in-area power system 60, and an outside-area power system 70 via the network NW.

[0016] 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the management server 10. The management server 10 includes a server control device 11, a storage device 12, and a communication device 13.

[0017] The server control device 11 includes a processor including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), etc., and a memory including a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The server control device 11 loads a program stored in the storage device 12 into a working area of ​​the memory, executes it, and controls each component through the execution of the program, thereby realizing functions that meet a predetermined purpose.

[0018] The storage device 12 is composed of recording media such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and removable media. Examples of removable media include optical disks (CD (Compact Disc)-R or CD-ROM, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-R or DVD-ROM, BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), etc.), flash memory (USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, memory card, etc.). The storage device 12 can store an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, various databases, etc., and stores, for example, a supply and demand operation plan for maintaining a balance between power supply and demand within the managed area 100. The storage device 12 also stores a facility ID, which is unique information for identifying each of the multiple facilities 20A and 20B, and a power generation facility ID, which is unique information for identifying each of the multiple power generation facilities 30A and 30B.

[0019] The communication device 13 is configured by, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board, a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication, etc. The communication device 13 is connected to a network NW such as the Internet, which is a public communication network. By connecting to the network NW, the communication device 13 realizes two-way communication between the server control device 11 and the network NW.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the facility 20 and the power generation equipment 30. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The facility 20 is provided with a facility control device 21, a storage device 22, a communication device 23, electrical equipment 24, a power storage device 25, a distribution board 26, and a power conversion device 27. The physical configurations of the facility control device 21, the storage device 22, and the communication device 23 are similar to those of the server control device 11, the storage device 12, and the communication device 13 provided in the management server 10, for example.

[0022] The electrical equipment 24 is lighting, home appliances, and the like installed in the facility 20.

[0023] The power storage device 25 includes a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery. Note that a capacitor such as an electric double layer capacitor can also be used as the power storage device 25. The power storage device 25 can store power supplied from the in-area power system 60, the out-area power system 70, and the power generation facility 30A, and can discharge the power to the electrical equipment 24.

[0024] The distribution board 26 branches the power from the in-area power system 60 and the out-area power system 70 to the electrical equipment 24, the power converter 27, and the like.

[0025] In accordance with instructions from the facility control device 21, the power conversion device 27 appropriately converts the power supplied from the in-area power system 60 and the out-area power system 70 to the storage device 25 via the distribution board 26, the power supplied from the generator 34 of the power generation facility 30 via the distribution board 26, and the power supplied from the storage device 25 to the electrical equipment 24.

[0026] The power generation facility 30 is a facility for generating electricity for using the electrical devices 24 provided in the facility 20 and for charging the power storage device 25 provided in the facility 20. The power generation facility 30 is provided with a power generation control device 31, a storage device 32, a communication device 33, a generator 34, etc. The physical configurations of the power generation control device 31, the storage device 32, and the communication device 33 are similar to those of the server control device 11, the storage device 12, and the communication device 13 provided in the management server 10, for example.

[0027] The generator 34 is configured, for example, by a fuel cell that generates electricity using hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen supply source. Note that the generator 34 may also be configured to generate electricity using a rotating electric machine that operates an internal combustion engine using a liquid fuel such as petroleum fuel or alcohol. The electric power generated by the generator 34 is supplied to the power conversion device 27 of the facility 20 via a power cable or the like. The electric power supplied to the power conversion device 27 is then transformed and supplied to the electrical equipment 24, or is transformed from AC to DC and supplied to the power storage device 25 to charge the power storage device 25, for example.

[0028] The facility control device 21 can perform control to adjust the amount of power supplied to the power storage device 25 from the in-area power system 60, the out-area power system 70, and the generator 34 via the power conversion device 27 so that the state of charge (SOC) of the power storage device 25 falls between a lower limit and an upper limit that are preset as initial values. In the power management system 1 according to the embodiment, the initial values ​​of the lower limit and upper limit of the amount of power stored in the power storage device 25 are 20% and 80%, respectively, when the state of charge (SOC) at full charge is 100%.

[0029] In the power management system 1 according to the embodiment, the upper limit of the state of charge (SOC) of the power storage device 25 is not set to 100% because, in general, repeatedly fully charging the lithium-ion batteries constituting the power storage device 25 so that the state of charge (SOC) becomes 100% leads to early deterioration of the lithium-ion batteries. Note that if the power storage device 25 is configured using a secondary battery other than a lithium-ion battery and repeated full charging does not pose a risk of early deterioration, the upper limit of the state of charge (SOC) of the power storage device 25 can also be set to 100%.

[0030] 1, the weather information management device 40 is a device that outputs, for example, weather information related to the management area 100 to the management server 10 via the network NW. The weather information management device 40 acquires weather information from, for example, public or private institutions that issue weather forecasts.

[0031] The disaster information management device 50 is a device that outputs, for example, disaster information related to the management area 100 to the management server 10 via the network NW. The disaster information management device 50 acquires information related to disasters such as heavy rain, floods, typhoons, and earthquakes (hereinafter also referred to as disaster information) from, for example, public or private institutions that issue weather forecasts, or national or local disaster prevention centers. The disaster information also includes the predicted time of future disaster occurrence.

[0032] If a disaster such as heavy rain, lightning, earthquake, or fire occurs within the managed area 100, it may become difficult to supply power from the local power grid 60 to each facility 20 due to a power outage or the like, and power usage may increase compared to normal times. In this case, each facility 20 will mainly use the power stored in the power storage device 25 for the electrical equipment 24, but if too much power is used in the power storage device 25 before the disaster occurs, there is a risk that the amount of power available in the power storage device 25 will be insufficient in the event of a disaster.

[0033] Therefore, in the power management system 1 of the embodiment, when a disaster is predicted to occur within the management area 100, power management control can be implemented to raise the lower and upper limits of the storage capacity of the storage devices 25 installed in each facility 20 above their initial values.

[0034] 4 is a diagram showing a power management control routine that is executed when the server control device 11 acquires weather forecast information in the power management system 1. The power management control routine shown in FIG. 4 is executed in cooperation between the server control device 11 and the facility control device 21, and is made up of a control routine executed by the server control device 11 and a control routine executed by the facility control device 21.

[0035] First, the server control device 11 acquires weather forecast information from the weather information management device 40 via the network NW or the like (step S1). Next, the server control device 11 calculates the probability of heavy rain occurring within 24 hours in the management area 100 based on the weather forecast information (step S2). Next, the server control device 11 determines whether the relationship of heavy rain occurrence probability within 24 hours > 60% is satisfied based on the calculated heavy rain occurrence probability within 24 hours (step S3). Note that the criterion value for determining the heavy rain occurrence probability within 24 hours is not limited to 60%. If the server control device 11 determines that the relationship of heavy rain occurrence probability within 24 hours > 60% is satisfied (Yes in step S3), the server control device 11 proceeds to step S6.

[0036] On the other hand, if the server control device 11 determines in step S3 that the relationship of probability of heavy rain occurring within 24 hours > 60% is not satisfied (No in step S3), it calculates the probability of lightning strikes occurring within 24 hours in the managed area 100 (step S4). Note that the reference value for determining the probability of lightning strikes occurring within 24 hours is not limited to 60%. Next, the server control device 11 determines whether the relationship of probability of lightning strikes occurring within 24 hours > 60% is satisfied (step S5). If the server control device 11 determines that the relationship of probability of lightning strikes occurring within 24 hours > 60% is not satisfied (No in step S5), it terminates this control routine. On the other hand, if the server control device 11 determines in step S5 that the relationship of probability of lightning strikes occurring within 24 hours > 60% is satisfied (Yes in step S5), it proceeds to step S6.

[0037] Next, the server control device 11 calculates the upper and lower limits of the amount of stored electricity in the supply and demand operation plan, in other words, the upper and lower limits of the amount of stored electricity in the entire managed area 100 (the total amount of stored electricity obtained by adding up the amounts of stored electricity in all the power storage devices 25 installed in the managed area 100) (step S6). For example, if the initial value of the lower limit of the amount of stored electricity in the supply and demand operation plan (the entire managed area 100) is 20%, the server control device 11 calculates ((20 + 50 × max) ÷ 100) [%] as the lower limit of the amount of stored electricity in the supply and demand operation plan (the entire managed area 100). Note that "max" in the formula is the probability [%] of heavy rain or lightning occurring within 24 hours. Furthermore, for example, if the initial value of the upper limit of the amount of stored electricity in the supply and demand operation plan (the entire managed area 100) is 80 [%], the server control device 11 calculates the upper limit of the amount of stored electricity in the supply and demand operation plan (the entire managed area 100) as 90 [%].

[0038] Next, the server control device 11 calculates upper and lower limit values ​​for the amount of stored power for each of the plurality of power storage devices 25 in order to allocate the amount of stored power in the entire management area 100 to the plurality of power storage devices 25 provided in the plurality of facilities 20 (step S7). Next, the server control device 11 outputs signals of the upper and lower limit values ​​for the amount of stored power for each of the plurality of power storage devices 25 to each of the plurality of facility control devices 21 that respectively control the plurality of power storage devices 25 via the network NW or the like (step S8). Then, the server control device 11 ends this control routine.

[0039] Next, facility controller 21 acquires signals of the upper and lower limit values ​​of the amount of power stored in power storage device 25 from server controller 11 via network NW or the like (step S9). Next, facility controller 21 determines whether the difference between the upper and lower limit values ​​of the amount of power stored in power storage device 25 (upper limit value - lower limit value) has increased (step S10). If facility controller 21 determines that the difference between the upper and lower limit values ​​of the amount of power stored in power storage device 25 (upper limit value - lower limit value) has increased (Yes in step S10), it outputs a signal to power generation control device 31 to command activation of generator 34 (step S11). Then, facility controller 21 ends this control routine.

[0040] On the other hand, if facility controller 21 determines in step S10 that the difference between the upper limit and lower limit of the amount of electricity stored in power storage device 25 (upper limit minus lower limit) has not increased (No in step S10), it determines whether the difference between the upper limit and lower limit of the amount of electricity stored in power storage device 25 (upper limit minus lower limit) is equal to or greater than a preset initial value (step S12). If facility controller 21 determines that the difference between the upper limit and lower limit of the amount of electricity stored in power storage device 25 (upper limit minus lower limit) is not equal to or greater than the initial value (No in step S12), it ends this control routine. On the other hand, if facility controller 21 determines in step S12 that the difference between the upper limit and lower limit of the amount of electricity stored in power storage device 25 (upper limit minus lower limit) is equal to or greater than the initial value (Yes in step S12), it outputs a signal to power generation controller 31 to command stop of generator 34 (step S13). Then, facility controller 21 ends this control routine.

[0041] As a result, in the power management system 1 according to the embodiment, when the management server 10 acquires disaster prediction information, which is weather forecast information including a probability of heavy rain or lightning strikes occurring within 24 hours of 60% or more, in other words, when a disaster is predicted, the upper and lower limit values ​​of the amount of stored power in the supply and demand operation plan (for the entire management area 100) are changed to be higher than those before the disaster prediction information was acquired (before a disaster was predicted), and based on this change in the supply and demand operation plan, the upper and lower limit values ​​of the amount of stored power in each of the multiple power storage devices 25 are raised to be higher than those before the disaster prediction information was acquired (before a disaster was predicted). This makes it possible to prevent excessive use of the power stored in each of the multiple power storage devices 25 and to prevent excessive storage of power by charging each of the multiple power storage devices 25 until the predicted disaster occurs.

[0042] Furthermore, the amount by which at least one of the upper and lower limits of the amount of stored power in the supply and demand operation plan (power storage device 25) is increased may be changed depending on the probability of a disaster included in the disaster prediction information, such as the probability of heavy rain occurring within 24 hours or the probability of lightning striking within 24 hours. This allows the amount of power to be stored in power storage device 25 to be appropriately set depending on the probability of a disaster occurring (such as the probability of heavy rain occurring within 24 hours or the probability of lightning striking within 24 hours).

[0043] In addition, in the power management system 1 according to the embodiment, if the predicted disaster is an earthquake or a fire, the increase in at least one of the upper and lower limits of the amount of stored electricity in the supply and demand operation plan (electricity storage device 25) may be maximized.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of control that the server control device 11 performs when it acquires earthquake prediction information or earthquake detection information.

[0045] First, the server control device 11 acquires earthquake prediction information or earthquake detection information (step S21). Next, the server control device 11 outputs a command signal to the power generation control device 31 via the network NW or the like to start the generator 34 and maximize the amount of power generated (step S22). Next, the server control device 11 outputs a maximum power purchase command signal to the facility control device 21 via the network NW or the like to set the amount of power purchased from the outside area power grid 70 (power purchase amount) to a preset maximum value (step S23). Then, the server control device 11 ends this control routine.

[0046] As a result, in the power management system 1 of the embodiment, in the event of an earthquake, which is more urgent than other disasters, as much electricity as possible can be supplied to the storage device 25 from the generator 34 and the outside area power system 70 and stored therein, thereby preparing for power demands.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of control that the server control device 11 performs when it acquires fire alarm information.

[0048] First, the server control device 11 acquires fire alarm information (step S31). Next, the server control device 11 outputs a command signal to the power generation control device 31 via the network NW or the like to start the generator 34 and maximize the amount of power generated (step S32). Next, the server control device 11 outputs a maximum power purchase command signal to the facility control device 21 via the network NW or the like to set the amount of power purchased from the outside area power grid 70 (power purchase amount) to a preset maximum value (step S33). Then, the server control device 11 ends this control routine.

[0049] As a result, in the power management system 1 of the embodiment, in the event of a fire, which is more urgent than other disasters, as much electricity as possible can be supplied to the storage device 25 from the generator 34 and the external power system 70 and stored therein, thereby preparing for power demands.

[0050] Further advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The broader aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific details and exemplary embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general disclosed concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, the energy to be stored may be hydrogen instead of electricity, and a hydrogen storage device for storing hydrogen may be provided as the energy storage device instead of the electricity storage device 25. For example, when a disaster is predicted, at least one of the upper and lower limits of the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device may be increased from a value before the disaster is predicted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1. Power Management System 10 Management Server 11 Server control device 12,22,32 Storage device 13, 23, 33 Communication equipment 20, 20A, 20B Facilities 21 Facility control device 24 Electrical Equipment 25 Energy storage device 26 Distribution board 27 Power conversion equipment 30, 30A, 30B power generation equipment 31 Power generation control device 34 Generator 40 Weather Information Management Device 50 Disaster information management device 60 Area power system 70 Out-of-area power system 100 Controlled Area

Claims

[Claim 1] An energy management system in which a management server manages the supply of electricity from a power generation facility installed within a management area to a facility based on a supply and demand operation plan for maintaining a balance between the demand and supply of electricity within the management area, comprising: The facility includes: A power storage device that stores power; a facility control device capable of performing control to adjust an amount of power supplied from the power generation facility to the power storage device, The management server includes: A storage device that stores the supply and demand operation plan; a server control device which outputs to the facility control device a control signal for raising the lower and upper limits of the storage amount of the power storage device in the supply and demand operation plan in accordance with the probability of heavy rain or the probability of lightning in the event that the probability of heavy rain or lightning is greater than a preset reference value based on weather forecast information acquired from a weather information management device, The facility control device includes: when a difference between the upper limit value and the lower limit value becomes larger than before the upper limit value and the lower limit value were raised, a command signal for starting a generator provided in the power generation facility that generates power to be supplied to the power storage device is output to a power generation control device that controls the generator; outputting a command signal to stop the generator to the power generation control device when the difference between the upper limit value and the lower limit value is equal to or greater than a preset initial value; Energy management systems.

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