Electric power equipment and home power management systems

Abstract

To provide a power apparatus which is operated by receiving supply of power from a power system or a private power management system during interconnection and by receiving supply of power from a power supply device for supplying generated or stored power during independence, and the private power management system.SOLUTION: An electric apparatus comprises: a communication circuit for acquiring from an external power management device a value representing a system interconnection state of whether a private power management system including a power generation device or a power storage device is interconnected with a power system or independent of the power system; an operation circuit which performs a running operation by receiving supply of power from the power supply device in a case where the system is independent of the power system and by receiving supply of power from the power system or the power supply device in a case where the system is interconnected with the power system; a switch circuit for turning on and turning off the power supply to the operation circuit; and a control unit for controlling the operation circuit. Upon receiving the switch circuit ON, the control unit performs different control in accordance with whether the value representing the system interconnection state acquired by the communication circuit is a value representing the interconnection or a value representing the independence.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to electric power equipment that receives power from a power grid or a private power management system when connected to a grid, and operates by receiving power from a power supply device that supplies generated or stored power when independent, and to a private power management system that includes the power supply device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a private power management system that charges a storage battery with power generated using natural energy, such as a solar power generation device, and with power supplied from a power grid. Conventional private power management systems were configured to supply power generated using natural energy or power stored in a storage battery to only some electrical appliances when the system was independent of the grid. However, as the performance of storage batteries improves and the popularity of storage batteries increases, and as awareness of disaster preparedness increases, private power management systems are being adapted to supply power generated or stored in a storage battery to all electrical appliances in the home, not just some of them, when power is not supplied from the grid. In particular, in a home power management system configured to supply power to all electrical devices in the home, even in a power outage in which power is not supplied from the power grid, in other words, in an independent grid-connected state, the system can supply generated power or power from a storage battery to all electrical devices. Therefore, in a power outage, only some electrical devices in the home could be used in a conventional home power management system, whereas in a home power management system configured to supply power to all electrical devices in the home, all electrical devices in the home can be used, realizing high convenience in a power outage. On the other hand, since electrical devices can be used in the same way as when power is supplied from the power grid even in a power outage, there is an aspect that the user is unlikely to notice that a power outage has occurred. For example, the following techniques are known as methods for notifying a user of a power outage. When an energy management device detects a power outage, it notifies a communication terminal that displays information from the energy management device of the power outage information, and the communication terminal that receives the power outage information displays a power outage icon, text, etc., indicating that a power outage is occurring. Also, when the energy management device detects a power restoration, it notifies the communication terminal of the power restoration information, and the communication terminal that receives the power restoration information displays a power restoration icon, text, etc., indicating that power has been restored (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-033578 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Since the amount of power generated by the private power management system or stored in the storage battery is limited, it is desirable to suppress unnecessary power consumption when the grid connection state is independent. Therefore, it is desirable to avoid a situation where the user does not realize that the grid connection state has changed from connected to independent, and therefore power is not saved. There is a method in which information provided by an energy management device of an energy management system includes information on power outages and power restoration, and the information is displayed on a communication terminal, as in Patent Document 1. However, this method is cumbersome, since it requires the user to take the time to check the display on the communication terminal every time they use an electrical device. This invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and allows the user to recognize that the grid-connected state is independent, i.e., that there is a power outage, without having to go through any trouble, thereby reducing the risk of using electrical equipment and consuming power without realizing that there is a power outage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention relates to The present invention provides an electrical device comprising: a communication circuit that acquires a value representing a grid-connected state, i.e., whether a private power management system equipped with a power generation device or a power storage device is connected to a power grid or is independent of the power grid, from an external power management device; an operation circuit that receives power from a power supply device that supplies power generated or stored within the private power management system when the private power management system is independent of the power grid, and receives power from the power grid or the power supply device when the private power management system is connected to the power grid, and operates accordingly; a switch circuit that turns on and off the power supply to the operation circuit; and a control unit that controls the operation circuit, wherein when the control unit receives an operation to turn on the switch circuit, it performs different control depending on whether the value representing the grid-connected state acquired by the communication circuit is a value representing a connection or a value representing independence.

[0006] The present invention also provides The present invention provides a private power management system comprising: a power management device that provides a value representing a grid-connected state, whether the private power management system is equipped with a power generation device or a power storage device, and a power supply device that supplies power generated by the power generation device or power stored in the power storage device; an operation circuit that receives power from the power supply device when the private power management system is independent of the power grid, and receives power from the power grid or the power supply device when the private power management system is connected to the power grid, and operates; a switch circuit that turns on and off the power supply to the operation circuit; and an electrical device including a control unit that controls the operation circuit, wherein when the control unit receives an operation to turn on the switch circuit, the control unit communicates with the power management device to obtain the value representing the grid-connected state, and performs different control depending on whether the obtained grid-connected state is a value representing connection or a value representing independence. Effect of the Invention

[0007] In the electrical device of the present invention, when an operation to turn on the switch circuit is received, different control is performed depending on whether the grid-connected state is connected or independent, thereby reducing the risk that the user will consume power by using the electrical device without realizing that the grid-connected state is independent. The private power management system according to the present invention also provides the same advantageous effects. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a private power management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a private power management system according to this embodiment, which is different from that shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a private power management system according to this embodiment, which is different from those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the electrical device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by a control unit when the power supply is turned on in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation different from that during grid-connection when the television is powered on while the grid-connected state is independent in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by a control unit when the power supply is turned on in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation different from that during grid-connection when the television is powered on while the grid-connected state is independent in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by a control unit when the power supply is turned on in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. (Embodiment 1) <Example of a home power management system configuration> First, the configuration of a home power system according to this embodiment will be described as an example of a private power management system according to the present invention.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a private power management system in this embodiment. Although Fig. 1 shows an example in which a private power management system 10 is installed in a detached house, the installation location of the private power management system is not limited to this. For example, it may be any building where people are present, such as an apartment building, a store, a factory, or a warehouse. FIG. 1 also illustrates a power grid 21 and an electric appliance 19, which is an electric load, together with the private power management system 10.

[0011] 1 is mainly composed of a solar cell module 11, a power conditioner 12, a storage battery 13, and a power monitor 16. It also includes a distribution board . The power monitor 16 functions integrally with the power conditioner 12, and provides information on the power generation status, grid connection status, etc. in addition to controlling power generation and storage. The grid connection status information indicates whether the private power management system 10 is in a state of being connected to the grid power network 21 or in an independent state. The power conditioner 12 acquires the information and notifies the power monitor 16.

[0012] The solar cell module 11 is a module that converts the light energy of sunlight into electrical energy. The power conditioner 12 is a device that converts the power generated by the solar cell module 11 and the power of the power grid 21 so that the storage battery 13 can be charged, and also converts the power generated by the solar cell module 11 and the power stored in the storage battery 13 so that the electrical device 19 can use them. In other words, the power conditioner 12 is a power supply device that supplies power to electrical devices. The power conditioner 12 includes a DC / DC converter connected to the solar cell module 11, a bidirectional DC / DC converter connected to the storage battery 13, and a bidirectional inverter connected to the power grid 21 via the distribution board 14. The power conditioner 12 converts the DC power output by the solar cell module 11 and the storage battery 13 into AC power, and converts the AC power from the power grid 21 into DC power to charge the storage battery. The power conditioner 12 also includes a communication circuit for communicating with a power monitor. In one example, it is a serial communication circuit that complies with the RS485 communication standard.

[0013] The storage battery 13 is a power storage device that stores electric energy, and stores the electric energy generated by the solar cell module 11 or the electric energy supplied from the power grid 21. The distribution board 14 distributes the power drawn from the power grid 21 and the power supplied from the solar cell module 11 and the storage battery 13 to electrical appliances 19 in the home.

[0014] The power monitor 16 acquires power information from the private power management system 10 and controls the operation of the power conditioner 12 according to the power information. Examples of the power information include information indicating the state of buying and selling commercial power, information indicating the power generated by the solar cell module 11, and information indicating the charging power or discharging power of the storage battery 13. The state of commercial power purchase and sale and the amount of power purchase and sale can be determined from the output value of a sensor connected to the power line connecting the distribution board 14 and the power grid 21. Information indicating the power generated by the solar cell module 11 and the charging and discharging power of the storage battery 13 can be obtained via the power conditioner 12. Furthermore, since the storage battery 13 is connected to the power conditioner 12, the power monitor 16 can control switching between charging and discharging the storage battery 13 via the power conditioner 12.

[0015] In this embodiment, the power monitor 16 is mainly configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and a memory in terms of hardware configuration. The CPU or MPU (hereinafter collectively referred to as CPU) executes a processing program stored in the memory to control functions related to charge and discharge control of the storage battery 13. Furthermore, the power monitor 16 includes a first communication circuit for communicating with the power conditioner 12 and a second communication circuit for communicating with the electric appliance 19. The first communication circuit may be, for example, a serial communication circuit conforming to the RS485 communication standard, and the second communication circuit may be a communication circuit conforming to the LAN (Local Area Network) standard for communicating with the electric appliance 19 connected to a home network. The power monitor 16 may be configured to communicate with a mobile communication terminal (not shown) through the second communication circuit.

[0016] Electric appliances 19 that consume power, such as air conditioners (such as air conditioners and air purifiers), cooking appliances, and video equipment, are connected to the private power management system 10, and power can be supplied from the private power management system 10. These appliances are also connected to a home network (local area network). A power monitor 16 provides each of the electric appliances 19 with grid connection status information via the home network. The home network may be, for example, a network conforming to the ECHONET (registered trademark) standard or the ECHONET Lite standard, but is not limited to this. Other communication standards or manufacturer-specific communication standards are also possible. For example, by configuring the power monitor 16 to detect the voltage on the outside of the house of the distribution board 14, it is possible to determine whether the private power management system 10 is connected to the power grid 21 (connected state) or independent (independent state). By configuring in this way, it is also possible for the power monitor 16 to provide grid connection state information to each electric device 19. Specifically, each electric device 19 communicates with the power monitor 16 in accordance with a communication standard to obtain a value indicating the grid connection state.

[0017] 2 and 3 show an embodiment different from the configuration shown in FIG. Fig. 2 shows a configuration in which, instead of the power monitor 16 shown in Fig. 1, a HEMS controller 17 is communicably connected to each electric device 19 and provides grid connection state information to each electric device 19. The power conditioner 12 includes a communication circuit for communicating with the HEMS controller 17. In one example, the communication circuit is a serial communication circuit conforming to the RS485 communication standard. The configuration shown in Fig. 2 can also be said to be an embodiment in which the HEMS controller 17 includes the function of the power monitor 16 and the power monitor 16 does not exist as an independent device. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, a home energy management system (HEMS) is configured by a HEMS controller 17 in the home and a HEMS server 22 outside the home that communicates via the Internet. The HEMS controller 17 transmits information on the equipment configuration, power generation status, and grid connection status related to power generation and storage of the home power management system to the HEMS server 22 via the Internet. The HEMS server 22 provides the information on the equipment configuration, power generation status, and grid connection status related to power generation and storage transmitted from the HEMS controller 17 to a mobile communication terminal 18 via the Internet. That is, a user can check the information on the equipment configuration, power generation status, and grid connection status related to power generation and storage of the home power management system even outside the home by accessing the HEMS server 22 using the mobile communication terminal 18. The HEMS controller 17 also obtains information required for the operation of the home power management system 10 from the HEMS server 22 and external devices connected via the Internet. It also transmits information on the home power management system to the HEMS server 22. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, the HEMS controller 17 corresponds to a power management device that provides grid connection state information to electrical appliances.

[0018] Furthermore, the HEMS controller 17 may display the operation state of each electric appliance 19 on the user's mobile communication terminal 18, and may receive user instructions related to the operation control of each electric appliance 19 via the mobile communication terminal 18. Also, a data transmitter that transmits detection values ​​of power or current supplied to each electric appliance 19, or sensing information such as room temperature, may be connected to the HEMS controller 17. The HEMS controller 17 can display the power consumption of the electric appliances in the house on the mobile communication terminal 18. In this embodiment, the HEMS controller 17 is mainly configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and a memory in terms of hardware configuration. The CPU or MPU (hereinafter collectively referred to as CPU) executes a processing program stored in the memory to control functions related to charge and discharge control of the storage battery 13. Furthermore, the HEMS controller 17 includes a third communication circuit for communicating with the power conditioner 12 and a fourth communication circuit for communicating with the electric appliance 19. The third communication circuit may be, for example, a serial communication circuit conforming to the RS485 communication standard, and the fourth communication circuit may be a communication circuit conforming to the LAN (Local Area Network) standard for communicating with the electric appliance 19 connected to a home network.

[0019] As described above, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, the HEMS controller 17 includes the function of the power monitor 16. In contrast, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the HEMS controller 17 and the power monitor 16 are present as devices connected to a home network. The power monitor 16 shown in FIG. 3 is connected to the power conditioner 12 via a first communication circuit like the power monitor 16 shown in FIG. 1, and functions like the power monitor 16 shown in FIG. 1. The HEMS controller 17 shown in FIG. 3 is the HEMS controller 17 shown in FIG. 2 from which the function corresponding to the power monitor 16 has been removed, and provides functions related to the HEMS. The HEMS controller 17 shown in FIG. 3 is connected to an electric device 19 via a fourth communication circuit like the HEMS controller 17 shown in FIG. 2, and functions like the HEMS controller 17 shown in FIG. 2.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electrical device 19 shown in FIG. The electric device 19 shown in FIG. 4 includes a control unit 41, a communication circuit 43, an operation circuit 45, a switch circuit 47, a power supply circuit 49, and a remote controller 51. The control unit 41 controls the operation of the electric device 19. As hardware, it is configured with a control circuit centered around a microprocessor (MPU). The functions of the control unit 41 are realized by the MPU executing a control program.

[0021] The communication circuit 43 is a circuit that communicates with external devices. As shown in Fig. 1, each electric appliance 19 communicates with the power monitor 16 and the HEMS controller 17 via a home network. Then, at least when the power is turned on, the electric appliance 19 acquires grid connection status information from the power monitor 16 and the HEMS controller 17. It is preferable to acquire the grid connection status as needed even after the power is turned on. The control unit 41 may acquire the grid connection status recognized by the power monitor 16 and the HEMS controller 17 as needed. Alternatively, the power monitor 16 and the HEMS controller 17 may notify each electric appliance 19 of the grid connection status as needed, regardless of whether or not there is a request from each electric appliance 19. In the configuration example shown in Fig. 2, the communication circuit 43 is connected to the HEMS controller 17 via a home network instead of the power monitor 16 shown in Fig. 4. In the configuration example shown in Fig. 3, in addition to the power monitor 16 shown in Fig. 4, the communication circuit 43 is connected to the HEMS controller 17 via a home network.

[0022] The operation circuit 45 is a circuit that operates by receiving power from the grid power network 21 or the private power management system 10, and is a circuit that realizes the function of the electric appliance 19. For example, the operation circuit in a refrigerator corresponds to circuits such as a compressor for cooling the interior of the refrigerator, and a lighting and temperature control circuit for the refrigerator. The operation circuit in a television corresponds to an input / output interface circuit for a video signal, a processing circuit for a video signal, and a display device. The operation circuit also corresponds to a control circuit for controlling the operation of an air compressor and a heat exchanger of an air conditioner. The operation circuit 45 further includes a circuit related to a user interface of the electric appliance 19. The operation circuit 45 is a circuit related to a voice output circuit, a display lamp, a message display device, and the like for notifying the user of the operation state of the electric appliance 19 by voice or display. The operation of the operation circuit 45 means that the electric appliance 19 performs a normal operation (operation operation) to perform its function, or an operation to notify the user that the grid-connected state is independent. The operation of the operation circuit means that the electric appliance 19 performs a normal operation to perform its function.

[0023] The switch circuit 47 is a circuit that switches whether or not power supplied from the power grid 21 or the private power management system 10 is supplied to a power supply circuit 49 (described later). For example, a relay, a transistor, an SSR (Solid State Relay), etc. are applied. The operation of switching the power of the electric device 19 from a power-off state to a power-on state is performed by the switch circuit 47 alone. This is because the control unit 41 is not operating in the power-off state. However, when power is being supplied to the control unit 41, the operation related to turning the power off and on is performed by the switch circuit 47 under the control of the control unit 41. The power supply circuit 49 is a circuit that receives power from the power grid 21 or the private power management system 10 via the switch circuit 47 and supplies power to the control unit 41 , the communication circuit 43 and the operation circuit 45 . In this embodiment, the remote controller 51 receives a user's operation and transmits an optical signal to the main body of the electrical device 19. In addition to or instead of the remote controller 51, the electrical device 19 may include an operation unit (not shown in Fig. 4) that receives a user's operation.

[0024] Returning to the explanation of Figures 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the mobile communication terminal 18 has a communication function and an information output function. A user of the private power management system 10 can use the mobile communication terminal 18 to check the power generation status of the private power management system 10, the charging / discharging status of the storage battery, or the remaining capacity. More specifically, the mobile communication terminal 18 is preferably a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a stationary terminal device such as a personal computer. The mobile communication terminal 18 communicates with the power monitor 16 and the HEMS controller 17 via a local area network. The mobile communication terminal 18 also communicates with the HEMS server 22 via the Internet. In the case of a mobile communication terminal, it is assumed that communication is performed wirelessly, but in the case of a stationary terminal device, wired communication may be used.

[0025] 2 and 3, the HEMS server 22 is a single server, but may be a group of multiple servers that perform processing in cooperation with each other. The HEMS server 22 communicates with the HEMS controller 17 via the Internet, and exchanges information related to electricity (electricity information) such as the amount of electricity generated, consumed, sold, purchased, and remaining capacity of the storage battery with the private power management system 10, as well as information related to the operating status of the private power management system 10 and the electrical appliances 19 (operation information).

[0026] <<Processing of the control unit when the power is turned on>> Next, a process executed by the control unit 41 of the electric device 19 when the electric device 19 is powered on will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control unit 41 when the power is turned on in this embodiment. As described above, when the remote controller 51 receives a power-on operation from the user, the switch circuit 47 responds to the operation and supplies power from the private power management system 10 to the power supply circuit 49, which then supplies power to the control unit 41, the communication circuit 43, and the operation circuit 45. When power is supplied from the power supply circuit 49, the control unit 41 starts processing.

[0027] When the control unit 41 starts the process, it performs a predetermined initialization process on its own circuits, the communication circuit 43, and the operation circuit 45, and then communicates with the HEMS controller 17 via the communication circuit 43 to obtain grid interconnection status information (step S11). If the acquired grid connection status information is a value indicating grid connection (No in step S13), the control unit 41 controls the operation circuit 45 to start operation (step S19). That is, the operation to perform the function of the electric device 19 is started, and the process at power-on is completed. On the other hand, if the acquired grid interconnection status is a value indicating independence (Yes in step S13), the control unit 41 does not start operation at that point, but performs a predetermined operation to notify the user that a power outage is occurring (step S15).

[0028] For example, FIG. 6 shows a television as an example of the electrical appliance 19. When the power is turned on, the normal operation of the television is to display images of broadcasts or the like on the display unit 53. However, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 41 of the television notifies the user of a power outage by, for example, a voice notification or by blinking a predetermined indicator lamp of the electrical appliance 19, instead of displaying images of broadcasts or the like on the display unit 53 of the television. As a different mode of notification of a power outage, a message (power outage message 55) notifying of a power outage may be displayed as shown in FIG. 6. The display of the message as shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and any means or mode of notification is acceptable as long as the user can recognize that the state is not normal. An appropriate notification means can be adopted depending on the configuration of the electrical appliance 19.

[0029] Returning to the description of Fig. 5, after reporting that a power outage is occurring, the control unit 41 monitors whether or not an operation to turn on the power of the electrical device 19 is performed again within a predetermined period of time (step S17). For example, in the case of the television shown in Fig. 6, if the power button of the remote controller 51 is operated in a power-off state and a power outage occurs, the control unit 41 causes the display unit 53 to display a power outage message 55. After displaying the power outage message 55, the control unit 41 continues to monitor whether or not the power button is operated again until a predetermined period of time (e.g., 3 seconds) has elapsed (a loop passing through No in step S17 and No in step S21). If the power is turned on again within that period (Yes in step S17), the control unit 41 determines that the power was turned on again after the notification of the power outage was made at the user's will, and controls the operation circuit 45 to start operation (step S19). Then, the power-on process ends. On the other hand, if no operation to turn the power on again is performed within the period (Yes in step S21), the control unit 41 ends the notification started in step S15, and causes the switch circuit 47 to turn off the power to the electrical device 19, thereby ending the processing. The above is the process executed by the control unit 41 when the power is turned on in this embodiment.

[0030] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, when the electric appliance 19 is turned on while the electric appliance 19 is in the power-off state and the grid interconnection state is independent, the electric appliance 19 performs an operation of notifying the user that a power outage is occurring without performing an operating operation. In contrast, in this embodiment, when the power is turned on while the power is off and the grid interconnection state is independent, the device performs an operation to operate and also performs an operation to notify the user that a power outage is occurring. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control unit 41 when the power is turned on in this embodiment. In Fig. 7, the same processes as those in Fig. 5 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The processing of the control unit 41 will be described with reference to Fig. 7, focusing mainly on the points different from Fig. 5.

[0031] When the power is turned on and the control unit 41 starts processing, it performs a predetermined initialization process and then acquires grid interconnection state information (step S11). If the acquired grid connection status information is a value indicating grid connection (No in step S13), operation is started (step S19) and the power-on process is terminated. If the acquired grid connection status information is a value indicating independence (Yes in step S13), the control unit 41 performs a predetermined operation to notify the user that a power outage is occurring (step S31), and then starts operation (step S19) to end the power-on process. The operation related to the notification that starts in step S31 may continue until a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and may be terminated after the period has elapsed, or may be continued as long as the grid-connected state is independent.

[0032] For example, FIG. 8 shows a television as an example of the electrical device 19. When the power is turned on, the normal operation of the television is to display images of broadcasts or the like on the display unit 53. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 41 of the television causes the display unit 53 of the television to display images of broadcasts or the like, and also causes a pop-up message (power outage pop-up 57) to be displayed to notify the user of a power outage. However, the display of the power outage pop-up 57 as shown in FIG. 8 is merely an example. As different modes of notification of a power outage, for example, a voice notification or blinking of a predetermined indicator lamp of the electrical device 19 may be used. In addition, any means or mode of notification may be used as long as the user can recognize that the state is not normal. An appropriate notification means may be adopted depending on the configuration of the electrical device 19. The above is the process executed by the control unit 41 when the power is turned on in this embodiment.

[0033] (Embodiment 3) In the first and second embodiments, when the grid-connected state when the power supply is turned on is independent, an operation to notify that a power outage is occurring is performed as an operation different from that during grid-connection. In this embodiment, the control unit 41 performs control to perform an operation in a mode that consumes less power than the operation during grid connection, as an operation different from the operation during grid connection. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by control unit 41 when the power is turned on in this embodiment. In Fig. 9, the same processes as those in Fig. 5 according to embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The processing of control unit 41 will be described with reference to Fig. 9, focusing mainly on the points different from Fig. 5.

[0034] When the power is turned on and the control unit 41 starts processing, it performs a predetermined initialization process and then acquires grid interconnection state information (step S11). If the acquired grid interconnection state information is a value indicating interconnection (No in step S13), operation is started (step S41) and the power-on process is terminated. If the acquired grid connection status information is a value indicating independence (Yes in step S13), the control unit 41 starts operation in a mode consuming less power than operation during grid connection (step S43). Furthermore, a predetermined operation may be performed to notify the user that a power outage is occurring (step S45). Then, the power-on process ends.

[0035] The operation of notifying the power outage in step S45 is a preferred embodiment but is not essential. When making a notification, the control unit 41 may continue the notification until a predetermined period has elapsed and end the notification when the period has elapsed, or may continue the notification while the grid-connected state is independent. 9 as a preferred mode is similar to that of the second embodiment in that it is performed together with the start of the operation, but the notification may be performed in a similar mode to that of the first embodiment. That is, the control unit 41 may perform control so as to perform notification without performing an operation when the power is turned on and the grid-connected state is independent, and may start an operation in a mode that consumes less power than the operation during grid connection when the power is turned on again within a predetermined period. The above is the process executed by the control unit 41 when the power is turned on in this embodiment.

[0036] As mentioned above, (i) An electrical device according to the present invention comprises a communication circuit that acquires a value representing a grid-connected state, i.e., whether a private power management system equipped with a power generation device or a power storage device is connected to a power grid or is independent of the power grid, from an external power management device; an operation circuit that receives power from a power supply device that supplies power generated or stored within the private power management system when the private power management system is independent of the power grid, and receives power from the power grid or the power supply device when the private power management system is connected to the power grid, and operates accordingly; a switch circuit that turns on and off the power supply to the operation circuit; and a control unit that controls the operation circuit, wherein the control unit, upon receiving an operation to turn on the switch circuit, performs different control depending on whether the value representing the grid-connected state acquired by the communication circuit is a value representing connection or a value representing independence.

[0037] In this invention, the private power management system includes at least one of a private power generation device that generates power using natural energy such as a solar power generation device and a power storage device. For example, the private power management system also includes a system (power storage device) that does not include a private power generation device but has a storage battery as an emergency power source in case of a power outage and charges the storage battery with power from the power grid. It is highly preferable that the power storage device is a power storage device configured to be able to supply power to all electrical appliances in the home.

[0038] The power management device provides information on whether the private power management system is connected to the power grid or independent. The power management device is also called a HEMS (Home Energy Management System), and may be a part of an information system that visualizes the amount of energy used in the house and the operating status so that the user can understand it, and allows the power to be appropriately managed. A specific aspect is a HEMS controller that communicates with a power conditioner as described in the embodiment and monitors and controls the power usage status of a power grid, a storage battery, preferably a private power generation device such as a solar power generation device, and electrical appliances in the house. However, the aspect is not limited to this.

[0039] The electrical appliances are appliances that operate by receiving power from the private power management system and consume power. Specific examples of such appliances include home appliances such as refrigerators, televisions, and air conditioners. Furthermore, the circuits that operate these electrical appliances by consuming power supplied from the home power management system or the grid power are collectively called operating circuits. When the grid-connected state is in a grid-connected state, the electrical appliances may operate on power supplied from the power grid or from a power supply device. When the grid-connected state is in an independent state, the electrical appliances do not receive power from the power grid and operate on power supplied from a power supply device.

[0040] The switch circuit is a circuit that switches whether or not power from the home power management system is supplied to the operating circuit. On the other hand, the power supply device supplies power from the private power management system to these electrical appliances. Specific examples of such a power supply device include a device that supplies power from a private power generation device such as a photovoltaic power generation device or a home fuel cell, or a storage battery. The solar cell module, the storage battery, and the power conditioner that controls the power of these devices in the above-mentioned embodiment correspond to the power supply device of this invention. The control unit controls the operation of the electrical device. A specific example of the control unit is a configuration in which the hardware resources of a control circuit centered on a microprocessor and control software executed by the microprocessor work together to realize the control.

[0041] Further, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. (ii) When the value representing the grid-connected state is a value representing independence, the control unit may cause the operational circuit to perform a predetermined operation to notify a user that the grid-connected state is independent. In this way, when the power supply of the electrical device is turned on, an operation different from that when the grid-connected state is connected is performed, informing the user that the grid-connected state is independent, and this operation makes the user aware that there is a power outage and urges them to take appropriate action.

[0042] (iii) The control unit may be configured to not cause the operation circuit to perform an operating operation until it has notified the user that the grid-connection state is independent, and if an operation to perform an operating operation is further received after the control unit has notified the user that the grid-connection state is independent, it may be configured to cause the operation circuit to perform an operating operation even if the grid-connection state is independent. In this way, if a predetermined operation is performed to inform the user that the grid-connected state is independent, and then an operation to perform an operation is further received, it is possible to operate the electrical appliance, assuming that it is the user's intention to operate the electrical appliance even during a power outage.

[0043] (iv) When the value representing the grid-connection state acquired by the communication circuit is a value representing independence, the control unit may cause the operation circuit to notify that the grid-connection state is independent or to notify the operation state of the power supply device in addition to performing an operating operation. In this way, when the power to the electrical appliance is turned on, the electrical appliance is operated, and the user is made aware of the power outage by being notified that the grid connection status is independent or by being notified of the operating status of the power supply device, thereby urging the user to take appropriate action.

[0044] (v) When the value representing the grid-connection state acquired by the communication circuit is a value representing independence, the control unit may cause the operating circuit to operate in a mode that consumes less power than the operating mode performed when the grid-connection state is connected. In this way, when the grid-connected state is independent, the system is operated in a mode consuming less power than when the system is connected, thereby making it possible to save power.

[0045] (vi) One aspect of the present invention includes an electric appliance including a power management device that provides a value representing a grid interconnection state of a private power management system including a power generation device or a power storage device, whether the private power management system is connected to a power grid or independent of the power grid; a power supply device that supplies power generated by the power generation device or power stored in the power storage device; an operation circuit that receives power supply from the power supply device when the private power management system is independent of the power grid, and receives power supply from the power grid or the power supply device when the private power management system is connected to the power grid, and operates; a switch circuit that turns on and off the power supply to the operation circuit; and a control unit that controls the operation circuit, wherein the control unit communicates with the power management device to obtain a value representing the grid interconnection state when it receives an operation to turn on the switch circuit, and performs different control depending on whether the obtained grid interconnection state is a value representing interconnection or a value representing independence.

[0046] The aspects of the present invention include any combination of the above-mentioned aspects. In addition to the above-mentioned embodiment, various modifications of the present invention are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not falling within the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include all modifications within the scope of the claims and the equivalent meanings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10: Home power management system, 11: Solar cell module, 12: Power conditioner, 13: Storage battery, 14: Distribution board, 16: Power monitor, 17: HEMS controller, 18: Mobile communication terminal, 19: Electrical equipment, 21: Power grid, 22: HEMS server, 41: Control unit, 43: Communication circuit, 45: Operation circuit, 47: Switch circuit, 49: Power supply circuit, 51: Remote controller, 53: Display unit, 55: Power outage message, 57: Power outage pop-up

Claims

1. a communication circuit that acquires a value representing a grid connection state, that is, whether the private power management system including the power generation device or the power storage device is connected to the power grid or is independent from the power grid, from an external power management device; an operating circuit that receives power from a power supply device that supplies power generated or stored within the private power management system when the private power management system is independent of the power grid, and receives power from the power grid or the power supply device when the private power management system is connected to the power grid; a switch circuit that turns on and off the power supply to the operational circuit; A control unit that controls the operation circuit, The control unit is an electrical device that, upon receiving an operation to turn on the switch circuit, performs different control depending on whether the value indicating the grid-connected state acquired by the communication circuit is a value indicating grid-connected state or a value indicating independence.

2. The electric device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit causes the operation circuit to perform a predetermined operation to notify a user that the grid-connected state is independent when the value representing the grid-connected state is a value representing independence.

3. 3. The electrical device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit prevents the operation circuit from performing the operating operation until it has notified the user that the grid-connected state is independent, and when an operation to perform the operating operation is further received after the control unit has notified the user that the grid-connected state is independent, the control unit causes the operation circuit to perform the operating operation even if the grid-connected state is independent.

4. 3. The electric device according to claim 1, wherein when the value representing the grid-connected state acquired by the communication circuit is a value representing independence, the control unit causes the operation circuit to notify that the grid-connected state is independent or to notify of an operation state of the power supply device in addition to the operating action.

5. The electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit, when the value representing the grid interconnection state acquired by the communication circuit is a value representing independence, causes the operation circuit to operate in a mode that consumes less power than an operation performed when the grid interconnection state is connected.

6. a power management device that provides a value representing a grid connection state of a private power management system having a power generation device or a power storage device, the value representing whether the private power management system is connected to a power grid or is independent from the power grid; a power supply device that supplies electric power generated by the power generation device or electric power stored in the power storage device; an operation circuit that receives power from the power supply device when the private power management system is independent of the power grid, and receives power from the power grid or the power supply device when the private power management system is connected to the power grid, and operates; a switch circuit that turns on and off the power supply to the operation circuit; and an electric device including a control unit that controls the operation circuit; When the control unit receives an operation to turn on the switch circuit, it communicates with the power management device to obtain a value representing the grid-connection state, and controls the operation circuit to perform different operations depending on whether the obtained grid-connection state is a value representing connection or a value representing independence.

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