Power generation management system

Abstract

To provide a power generation management system for suppressing purchase price, when a power generation unit is stopped.SOLUTION: A power generation management system 1 comprises: a power generation unit 20 generating at least power by consuming fuel gas; an operation time determining part 50 determining a continuous operation time showing a continuous operation time of the power generation unit 20; and a stop determining part 70 determining whether or not to stop the power generation unit 20. The power generation management system includes at least any one of a power market unit price, a private power source unit price and a power transaction unit price. Cost per unit power amount required for a power supplier to secure the power for supplying a user having the power generation unit 20 is the power unit price. The stop determining part 70 determines whether or not to stop the power generation unit 20, on the basis of the power unit price, at prescribed control timing of the continuous operation time of a prescribed time or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generation management system.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cogeneration system having a fuel cell unit that generates power and heat using fuel gas. Here, a gas meter that measures the amount of fuel gas used has a security function of issuing an alarm for gas leakage when it detects that the fuel gas has been flowing continuously for a predetermined period or more. When the fuel cell unit uses fuel gas continuously for a predetermined number of days or more, an alarm for gas leakage is issued by the security function of the gas meter even though there is actually no gas leakage. Therefore, in order to temporarily interrupt the continuous use of fuel gas, the fuel cell unit is stopped before the continuous operation time of the fuel cell unit reaches the predetermined number of days. In the technology of Patent Document 1, candidates for the time zone when the fuel cell unit can be stopped are extracted from the power consumption amount during a predetermined period in which the fuel gas is flowing continuously, and after the elapse of the period, the fuel cell unit is stopped in the extracted time zone.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the power generation unit of a distributed power supply system stops, it is necessary to supply the power during the stoppage of the power generation unit from the power grid. An administrator such as an aggregator that manages the power supply and demand of a consumer having a power generation unit supplies (sells) power to the consumer through the power grid while the power generation unit is stopped. The administrator incurs corresponding costs (e.g., power unit price) to ensure the power supplied to the consumer. If the power generation unit stops during a time period when the power unit price is high, depending on the degree of increase in the power unit price, the administrator may have to raise the selling unit price of the power. Then, when the power generation unit stops during a time period when the power unit price is high, it leads to the consumer purchasing expensive power. Thus, when the price of the power purchased by the consumer increases, the merit of introducing the distributed power supply system is reduced for the consumer.

[0005] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a power generation management system capable of suppressing the purchase price of power when the power generation unit is stopped.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the power generation management system of the present invention includes a power generation unit that consumes fuel gas to generate at least electricity, an operation time determination unit that determines a continuous operation time indicating the time during which the power generation unit is continuously operating, and a stop determination unit that determines whether to stop the power generation unit. The price per unit amount of electricity traded in the power market is the power market unit price, the cost per unit amount of electricity required for power generation by the in-house power source managed by the power supplier that supplies electricity to the consumer having the power generation unit is the in-house power source unit price, and the cost per unit amount of electricity based on the power trading contract concluded between the power supplier and other power companies is the power trading unit price. It includes at least any one of the power market unit price, the in-house power source unit price, and the power trading unit price, and the cost per unit amount of electricity required for the power supplier to secure the electricity supplied to the consumer having the power generation unit is the power generation cost unit price. The stop determination unit determines whether to stop the power generation unit based on the power generation cost unit price at a predetermined control timing when the continuous operation time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

[0007] Further, the power generation unit and the operation time determination unit are provided in the distributed power source device, the stop determination unit is provided in the server device capable of communicating with the distributed power source device, and when the continuous operation time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the operation time determination unit transmits operation information indicating that the continuous operation time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time to the server device. The stop determination unit determines whether to stop the power generation unit based on the power generation cost unit price in response to the reception of the operation information, and when it is determined to stop the power generation unit, a stop command to stop the power generation unit may be transmitted to the distributed power source device.

[0008] Further, when there are a plurality of distributed power source devices, the stop determination unit determines whether to stop the power generation unit based on the power generation cost unit price in response to the reception of the operation information transmitted from any one of the plurality of distributed power source devices, and when it is determined to stop the power generation unit, a stop command may be transmitted to the plurality of distributed power source devices.

[0009] Further, the power generation unit, the operation time determination unit, and the stop determination unit may be provided in the distributed power source device.

[0010] Further, the stop determination unit may determine to stop the power generation unit if the power generation unit has been continuously operating for a predetermined time or more at a predetermined control timing and the power generation unit cost is less than a predetermined reference value.

[0011] Further, the stop determination unit may periodically obtain the power generation unit cost and store it in the storage device, and set the reference value based on the past power generation unit costs stored in the storage device.

[0012] Further, the stop determination unit may derive a plurality of predicted values of future power generation unit costs in association with future dates, and determine to stop the power generation unit on the date corresponding to the lowest predicted value.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the purchase price of power when the power generation unit is stopped.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in such embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0016] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a power generation management system 1 according to the first embodiment. The power generation management system 1 includes a distributed power generation device 10, a power market 12, a first server device 14, and a second server device 16.

[0017] The distributed power generation device 10 is installed in a building such as a house, for example. Note that the distributed power generation device 10 may be installed across a plurality of buildings. The distributed power generation device 10 includes a power generation unit 20, a communication device 22, and a control device 24.

[0018] The power generation unit 20 consumes fuel gas to generate at least electric power. The fuel gas is, for example, city gas, but is not limited to this example, and may be propane gas, hydrogen gas, or the like. The power generation unit 20 is a cogeneration unit that consumes fuel gas to generate electric power and heat, such as a fuel cell unit, for example. However, the power generation unit 20 is not limited to a cogeneration unit. For example, the power generation unit 20 may be a monogeneration unit that consumes fuel gas to generate electric power, or any device that consumes fuel gas to generate at least electric power.

[0019] A conduit 30 is connected to the power generation unit 20 of the distributed power supply device 10, and fuel gas is supplied through the conduit. Note that the conduit 30 may also be connected to other gas equipment in the building where the distributed power supply device 10 is installed. A gas meter 32 is provided in the conduit 30. The gas meter 32 measures the amount of gas used in the building. Note that the gas meter 32 may be a smart meter that measures the measurement target digitally and has a communication function.

[0020] The gas meter 32 has a security function of monitoring the flow of the fuel gas in the conduit 30 and detecting leakage (inner pipe leakage) of the fuel gas. Specifically, when the gas meter 32 detects that the fuel gas has been flowing continuously for a preset predetermined period or more, it notifies that the fuel gas is leaking. Hereinafter, such a predetermined period for determining leakage may be referred to as a leakage detection period. The leakage detection period is set to, for example, 30 days, but is not limited to this example, and may be set to any period that can appropriately detect leakage. Also, as a notification method, an abnormal lamp may be lit or blinked, an alarm sound may be emitted, or notification may be made by communication.

[0021] The power generation unit 20 of the distributed power supply device 10 is electrically connected to the power grid 42 via a power meter 40 and is also electrically connected to a load facility 44. The power meter 40 measures the amount of received power from the power grid 42. Note that the power meter 40 can also measure the amount of power supplied from the distributed power supply device 10 side to the power grid 42 side. Note that the power meter 40 may be a smart meter. The load facility may be any device that consumes power.

[0022] The communication device 22 establishes communication with the second server device 16 by wired communication or wireless communication. As will be described later, since the second server device 16 can communicate with the first server device 14, the communication device 22 can communicate with the first server device 14 via the second server device 16.

[0023] The control device 24 is composed of a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processing unit, a ROM storing programs and the like, and a RAM serving as a work area. The control device 24 controls the entire distributed power supply device 10 by executing a program. Further, the control device 24 functions as an operation time determination unit 50 by executing a program.

[0024] The operation time determination unit 50 determines a continuous operation time indicating the time during which the power generation unit 20 is continuously operating. The operation time determination unit 50 has a counter for counting the continuous operation time. The operation time determination unit 50 will be described in detail later.

[0025] The power market 12 is, for example, the Japan Electric Power Exchange (JEPX). In the power market 12, a power market unit price (yen / kWh) indicating the price per unit amount of electric power is traded. The power market unit price fluctuates in real time.

[0026] The first server device 14 is, for example, a server device managed by the upper aggregator among the upper aggregator and the lower aggregator. The second server device 16 is, for example, a server device managed by the lower aggregator among the upper aggregator and the lower aggregator. The upper aggregator can participate in the control of the distributed power supply device 10 via the lower aggregator. The lower aggregator executes the control of the distributed power supply device 10 under the instruction of the upper aggregator. Note that an aggregator means a entity that provides a service for managing the supply and demand of electric power of consumers. The administrator of the first server device 14 (for example, the upper aggregator) manages the supply and demand of electric power of consumers having the distributed power supply device 10 (that is, the power generation unit 20).

[0027] The first server device 14 includes a communication device 60, a storage device 62, and a control device 64. The communication device 60 establishes communication with the second server device 16 by means of wired communication or wireless communication. Since the second server device 16 can communicate with the distributed power supply device 10, the communication device 60 can communicate with the distributed power supply device 10 via the second server device 16. The storage device 62 is a hard disk drive, a flash memory, etc., and is composed of non-volatile elements. Various kinds of information used by the control device 64 are stored in the storage device 62.

[0028] The control device 64 is composed of a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processing unit, a ROM storing programs, etc., and a RAM serving as a work area, etc. The control device 64 controls the entire first server device 14 by executing a program. Also, the control device 64 functions as a stop determination unit 70 by executing a program.

[0029] Here, suppose that the power generation unit 20 of the distributed power supply device 10 has stopped. In that case, the consumer having the power generation unit 20 will receive power from the power grid 42 for consumption by the load equipment 44 while the power generation unit 20 is stopped. At this time, the administrator of the first server device 14 will manage the power supplied from the power grid 42 to the said consumer (i.e., the distributed power supply device 10).

[0030] That is, the administrator of the first server device 14 secures the power supplied to the consumer having the power generation unit 20 through the power grid 42, and supplies the secured power to the consumer (i.e., the distributed power supply device 10) through the power grid 42. At this time, the administrator of the first server device 14 will sell the supplied power to the consumer. That is to say, the administrator of the first server device 14 is both a power supplier that supplies power to the consumer having the power generation unit 20 and a power seller that sells power to the said consumer.

[0031] As methods for the administrator of the first server device 14 to secure power, the following three modes (the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode) can be mentioned. The administrator of the first server device 14 may secure power by at least any one of the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode, or may secure power by combining a plurality of the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode.

[0032] As the first mode, it can be mentioned to procure power from the power market 12 and supply it to consumers. When securing power by this first mode, as the administrator of the first server device 14, it will cost the cost per unit of the power market unit price determined in the transaction in the power market 12.

[0033] As the second mode, it can be mentioned to supply the power generated by the in-house power source independently managed by the administrator of the first server device 14 to consumers. The in-house power source is a power source managed by a power supplier that supplies power to consumers having the power generation unit 20, and is a power source prepared separately from the power sources of other power companies, the distributed power source devices 10 of consumers, etc. When securing power by this second mode, as the administrator of the first server device 14, it will cost the cost per unit of the in-house power source unit price indicating the cost per unit amount of power generated by the in-house power source.

[0034] As the third mode, it can be mentioned to conclude a transaction contract regarding the lending of power in advance between the administrator of the first server device 14 and other power companies, and based on this transaction contract, receive power supply from other power companies and supply it to consumers. When securing power by this third mode, as the administrator of the first server device 14, it will cost the cost per unit of the power transaction unit price indicating the cost per unit amount of power based on the power transaction contract concluded between the administrator (power supplier) and other power companies.

[0035] Considering these three aspects, in order for the administrator of the first server device 14 to ensure the power supply to the consumer having the power generation unit 20, it incurs costs per unit price of power as shown in the following formula (1). The unit price of power indicates the cost per unit amount of power required for the power supplier to ensure the power supply to the consumer having the power generation unit 20. The unit price of power is the sum of the power market unit price, the self-generation power unit price, and the power trading unit price. Unit price of power = Power market unit price + Self-generation power unit price + Power trading unit price ···(1)

[0036] Note that the unit price of power is not limited to the sum of the power market unit price, the self-generation power unit price, and the power trading unit price. The unit price of power may include at least any one of the power market unit price, the self-generation power unit price, and the power trading unit price. For example, the unit price of power may be equal to the power market unit price with the self-generation power unit price and the power trading unit price omitted. The unit price of power may be equal to the self-generation power unit price with the power market unit price and the power trading unit price omitted. The unit price of power may be equal to the power trading unit price with the power market unit price and the self-generation power unit price omitted. The unit price of power may be the sum of the power market unit price and the self-generation power unit price with the power trading unit price omitted. The unit price of power may be the sum of the power market unit price and the power trading unit price with the self-generation power unit price omitted. The unit price of power may be the sum of the self-generation power unit price and the power trading unit price with the power market unit price omitted.

[0037] The power market unit price fluctuates more significantly compared to the self-generation power unit price and the power trading unit price. Therefore, the unit price of power is liable to be affected by the fluctuations in the power market unit price.

[0038] The self-generation power unit price and the power trading unit price are, for example, pre-stored in the storage device 62. The control device 64 updates the self-generation power unit price by, for example, determining the current self-generation power unit price at regular intervals such as once a week and storing the determined self-generation power unit price in the storage device 62. Also, the control device 64 updates the power trading unit price by storing the current power trading unit price in the storage device 62 each time the power trading unit price is revised.

[0039] Here, when the power generation unit 20 stops during a time period when the power unit price (or the power market unit price) is high, the administrator of the first server device 14 may have to increase the selling unit price of the power sold to the consumer having the power generation unit 20 depending on the degree of increase in the power unit price (or the power market unit price). Then, the consumer having the power generation unit 20 has to purchase expensive power from the administrator of the first server device 14.

[0040] Therefore, the stop determination unit 70 determines whether to stop the power generation unit 20 based on the power unit price of the power supplier that supplies power to the consumer having the power generation unit 20 at a predetermined control timing when the continuous operation time of the power generation unit 20 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. Specifically, the stop determination unit 70 acquires the power market unit price from the power market 12 at a predetermined control timing when the continuous operation time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. The stop determination unit 70 derives the power unit price based on the power market unit price. If the power unit price is less than a predetermined reference value, the stop determination unit 70 determines to stop the power generation unit 20. In other words, if the power unit price is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference value, the stop determination unit 70 determines not to stop the power generation unit 20. The predetermined time is set to be shorter than at least the leakage detection period. The predetermined control timing is a timing that occurs at a predetermined control cycle such as every day.

[0041] Here, the stop determination unit 70 periodically (for example, every day) acquires the power market unit price, and derives the power unit price each time the power market unit price is acquired. For example, the stop determination unit 70 sums up the acquired power market unit price, the self-power unit price and the power trading unit price stored in the storage device 62 to derive the current power unit price. The stop determination unit 70 stores the derived power unit price in the storage device 62 in association with the derivation date of the power unit price. The stop determination unit 70 sets the current reference value based on the past power unit prices accumulated in the storage device 62.

[0042] Specifically, the stop determination unit 70 uses the average value of the electricity unit price from one year ago until now as the current reference value. Also, the stop determination unit 70 may use the average value of the electricity unit price in the same month one year ago as the current reference value for the current month. For example, if the current month is May, the average value of the electricity unit price in May one year ago may be used as the current reference value. Further, the stop determination unit 70 may use the average value of the electricity unit price from one month ago until now as the current reference value. Additionally, the stop determination unit 70 may use a value that is a predetermined value lower than the maximum value of the electricity unit price in the same month one year ago as the current reference value for the current month. Moreover, the stop determination unit 70 may use a value that is a predetermined value higher than the minimum value of the electricity unit price in the same month one year ago as the current reference value for the current month. As such, for the method of setting the reference value, any method can be adopted.

[0043] In this way, since the current reference value fluctuates according to the past actual performance values of the electricity unit price, the stop determination unit 70 can always set the reference value to an appropriate value. As a result, the stop determination unit 70 can appropriately determine whether the current electricity unit price is relatively low.

[0044] Note that the reference value is not limited to a variable value set based on past electricity unit prices. For example, the reference value may be set in advance as a fixed value.

[0045] The second server device 16 includes a communication device 80 and a control device 82. The communication device 80 establishes communication with the first server device 14 and the distributed power source device 10 by means of wired communication or wireless communication. The communication device 80 transmits the information received from the first server device 14 to the distributed power source device 10 and transmits the information received from the distributed power source device 10 to the first server device 14.

[0046] The control device 82 is composed of a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processing unit, a ROM in which programs and the like are stored, and a RAM serving as a work area and the like. The control device 82 controls the entire second server device 16 by executing programs.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation flow in the operation time determination unit 50. The operation time determination unit 50 repeats a series of processes in FIG. 2 at each predetermined control timing that is visited at a predetermined control cycle. The predetermined control cycle is, for example, every day, but is not limited to this example and can be arbitrarily set, for example, every hour.

[0048] When the predetermined control timing arrives, the operation time determination unit 50 increments the count value of a counter that counts the continuous operation time (S10). Next, the operation time determination unit 50 determines whether the count value is less than or equal to a predetermined upper threshold value (S11). When the leakage detection period is 30 days, the predetermined upper threshold value is set to, for example, 26 days. Note that the predetermined upper threshold value is not limited to this example and may be set to any time (number of days) shorter than the leakage detection period.

[0049] When the count value is greater than or equal to the upper threshold value (YES in S11), the operation time determination unit 50 stops the operation of the power generation unit 20 (S12). Thereby, the supply of fuel gas to the power generation unit 20 is stopped. Since the flow of fuel gas is temporarily stopped before the leakage detection period arrives, it is possible to avoid unintentional notification by the safety function of the gas meter 32.

[0050] After step S12, the operation time determination unit 50 resets the count value (S13) and ends the series of processes. Thereby, when the power generation unit 20 restarts, the count value is counted from the initial value.

[0051] Here, in the safety function of the gas meter 32, when the non-use time during which the fuel gas does not flow through the gas meter 32 becomes equal to or longer than a predetermined reference time, the continuous time of leakage detection is reset. This predetermined reference time is set to, for example, 12 hours or the like. For this reason, the control device 24 of the distributed power supply device 10 maintains the stop of the power generation unit 20 for at least a time longer than the reference time. Then, after the non-use time during which the fuel gas does not flow through the gas meter 32 has elapsed the reference time, the control device 24 restarts the power generation unit 20. When the fuel gas is used in other gas equipment while the power generation unit 20 is stopped, the control device 24 restarts the power generation unit 20 after the non-use time after the use of the fuel gas in the other gas equipment has ended becomes longer than the reference time.

[0052] In step S11, when the count value is less than the upper limit threshold (NO in S11), the operation time determination unit 50 determines whether the count value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (S14). This predetermined threshold is set to a value smaller than the upper limit threshold in step S11. For example, when the upper limit threshold in step S11 is 26 days, the predetermined threshold in step S14 is set to 21 days or the like. Note that the predetermined threshold is not limited to this example and may be set to any time (number of days) shorter than the upper limit threshold.

[0053] When the count value is less than the predetermined threshold (NO in S14), the operation time determination unit 50 ends the series of processes. When the count value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (YES in S14), the operation time determination unit 50 transmits operation information indicating that the continuous operation time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time to the second server device 16 through the communication device 22 (S15), and ends the series of processes. When receiving the operation information from the distributed power supply device 10, the second server device 16 transmits the operation information to the first server device 14.

[0054] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation flow of the stop determination unit 70. The stop determination unit 70 executes the series of processes in FIG. 3 at a predetermined interrupt timing that is visited at a predetermined control cycle.

[0055] When the predetermined interruption timing is reached, the stop determination unit 70 determines whether operation information has been received (S20). If the operation information has not been received (NO in S20), the stop determination unit 70 ends the series of processes.

[0056] If the operation information has been received (YES in S20), the stop determination unit 70 acquires the electricity market unit price from the electricity market 12 (S21). The stop determination unit 70 reads out the self-power unit price and the power trading unit price from the storage device 62, and derives the power generation cost unit price by summing up the read self-power unit price, the read power trading unit price, and the acquired electricity market unit price (S22). Next, the stop determination unit 70 sets the current reference value based on the past power generation cost unit price stored in the storage device 62 (S23).

[0057] Next, the stop determination unit 70 determines whether the power generation cost unit price is less than the reference value (S24). The process of step S24 corresponds to determining whether to stop the power generation unit 20 based on the power generation cost unit price. If the power generation cost unit price is greater than or equal to the reference value (NO in S24), the stop determination unit 70 ends the series of processes. That is, while the power generation cost unit price is greater than or equal to the reference value, the stop determination unit 70 waits.

[0058] If the power generation cost unit price is less than the reference value (YES in S24), that is, if it is determined to stop the power generation unit 20, the stop determination unit 70 transmits a stop command to stop the power generation unit 20 to the second server device 16 through the communication device 60 (S25). When the second server device 16 receives the stop command from the first server device 14, the second server device 16 transmits the stop command to the distributed power supply device 10.

[0059] When the operation time determination unit 50 of the distributed power supply device 10 receives the stop command, the operation time determination unit 50 stops the power generation unit 20 and resets the count value. As a result, when the power generation unit 20 restarts, the count value is counted from the initial value.

[0060] In addition, when the count value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value and less than the upper limit threshold value, the operation time determination unit 50 transmits operation information. When the stop determination unit 70 receives the operation information, if the power unit price is equal to or greater than the reference value, it will wait. In this case, when the count value becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value and less than the upper limit threshold value again at the next control timing, the operation time determination unit 50 transmits the operation information again. Then, if the power unit price is less than the reference value at the timing when the stop determination unit 70 receives the retransmitted operation information, the stop determination unit 70 transmits a stop command at this timing. That is, while the count value satisfies the condition of being equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value and less than the upper limit threshold value, the operation time determination unit 50 repeats the transmission of the operation information at every predetermined control cycle until a stop command is received from the first server device 14. Then, each time the stop determination unit 70 receives the operation information, it determines whether the power unit price is less than the reference value, and transmits a stop command at the timing when the power unit price becomes less than the reference value.

[0061] As described above, in the power generation management system 1 of the first embodiment, when the continuous operation time of the power generation unit 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, it is determined whether to stop the power generation unit 20 based on the power unit price. Specifically, the stop determination unit 70 determines whether to stop the power generation unit 20 based on the power unit price in response to the reception of the operation information. If the power unit price is less than a predetermined reference value, the stop determination unit 70 determines to stop the power generation unit 20. Since the power generation unit 20 is stopped at the timing when the power unit price is less than the reference value, in the power generation management system 1 of the first embodiment, it is possible to set the selling unit price of the power sold by the power supplier to the consumer having the power generation unit 20 during the stop of the power generation unit 20 to a unit price based on the power unit price less than the reference value.

[0062] Therefore, according to the power generation management system 1 of the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the purchase price of the power purchased by the consumer when the power generation unit 20 is stopped while avoiding the occurrence of unintended notifications due to the security function of the gas meter 32.

[0063] In addition, the first server device 14 and the distributed power supply device 10 of the first embodiment communicated via the second server device 16. However, the second server device 16 may be omitted, and the first server device 14 and the distributed power supply device 10 may communicate directly with each other.

[0064] Also, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the count value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the operation time determination unit 50 transmitted operation information indicating that the continuous operation time is equal to or greater than a predetermined time. However, the operation time determination unit 50 may transmit the count value that has become equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold as operation information to the first server device 14 via the second server device 16. In that case, when the stop determination unit 70 of the first server device 14 receives the operation information indicating the count value that has become equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the stop determination unit 70 may perform the processing after step S21 of acquiring the electricity market unit price shown in FIG. 3. Further, in FIG. 2, when the count value is less than the upper limit threshold (NO in S11), the operation time determination unit 50 may omit the process of step S14 of determining whether the count value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, and transmit the count value at that time to the first server device 14 via the second server device 16. In that case, the stop determination unit 70 of the first server device 14 determines whether the count value has been received, and when the count value is received, the stop determination unit 70 may determine whether the count value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold. Then, when the count value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the stop determination unit 70 may perform the processing after step S21 of acquiring the electricity market unit price shown in FIG. 3.

[0065] (Modification example of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, it was determined whether to stop the power generation unit 20 based on the power generation cost per unit. However, the stop determination unit 70 may determine whether to stop the power generation unit 20 based on the electricity market unit price indicating the price per unit amount of electricity traded in the electricity market 12.

[0066] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the operation flow of the stop determination unit 70. Similar to the example of FIG. 3, when a predetermined interrupt timing occurs, the stop determination unit 70 determines whether operation information has been received (S20). If operation information has been received (YES in S20), the stop determination unit 70 acquires the electricity market unit price from the electricity market 12.

[0067] Next, the stop determination unit 70 sets a current reference value based on the past electricity market unit prices stored in the storage device 62 (S23a).

[0068] Specifically, the stop determination unit 70 sets the average value of the electricity market unit prices from one year ago to the present as the current reference value. Also, the stop determination unit 70 may set the average value of the electricity market unit prices in the same month one year ago for the current month as the current reference value. For example, if the current month is May, the average value of the electricity market unit prices in May one year ago may be set as the current reference value. Also, the stop determination unit 70 may set the average value of the electricity market unit prices from one month ago to the present as the current reference value. Also, the stop determination unit 70 may set a value that is a predetermined value lower than the maximum value of the electricity market unit prices in the same month one year ago for the current month as the current reference value. Also, the stop determination unit 70 may set a value that is a predetermined value higher than the minimum value of the electricity market unit prices in the same month one year ago for the current month as the current reference value. As such, any method can be adopted for setting the reference value.

[0069] Next, the stop determination unit 70 determines whether the electricity market unit price is less than the reference value (S24a). The process of step S24a corresponds to determining whether to stop the power generation unit 20 based on the electricity market unit price. If the electricity market unit price is greater than or equal to the reference value (NO in S24a), the stop determination unit 70 ends a series of processes. That is, while the electricity market unit price is greater than or equal to the reference value, the stop determination unit 70 waits.

[0070] When the electricity market unit price is less than the reference value (YES in S24a), that is, when it is determined to stop the power generation unit 20, the stop determination unit 70 transmits a stop command to stop the power generation unit 20 to the second server device 16 through the communication device 60 (S25). When the second server device 16 receives the stop command from the first server device 14, the second server device 16 transmits the stop command to the distributed power supply device 10. Thereby, the power generation unit 20 is stopped.

[0071] In this modification, during the stop of the power generation unit 20, it is possible to set the selling unit price of the electricity sold by the power supplier to the consumer having the power generation unit 20 to a unit price based on the electricity market unit price less than the reference value. Therefore, according to this modification, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the purchase price of the electricity purchased by the consumer when the power generation unit 20 is stopped while avoiding the unintentional notification by the security function of the gas meter 32.

[0072] (Second Embodiment) The stop determination unit 70 of the first embodiment stops the power generation unit 20 when the current power generation cost per unit derived from the current electricity market unit price acquired from the electricity market 12 is less than the reference value. On the other hand, the stop determination unit 70 of the second embodiment derives a plurality of predicted values of the future power generation cost per unit in association with future dates. The plurality of future dates here are set, for example, to the period from the present to the date corresponding to the upper limit threshold of the continuous operation time of the power generation unit 20. Note that the plurality of future dates may be set to the period up to the date corresponding to the end of the leakage detection period. Hereinafter, for convenience, the plurality of future dates will be described as the dates from the present to one week ahead.

[0073] Here, a plurality of teacher data for predicting future power unit prices are stored in the storage device 62 of the first server device 14. The teacher data is, for example, data in which past power unit prices, the dates (day of the week, holiday) on which the power unit prices were derived, the weather (or sunshine hours) at the time the power unit prices were derived, the temperature at the time the power unit prices were derived, etc. are associated. Since the date, weather, and temperature affect the power consumption, they are considered to be related to the power market unit price, and the power market unit price is related to the power unit price.

[0074] The stop determination unit 70 performs machine learning using the above-described teacher data to generate a predetermined machine learning model. The machine learning model outputs a predicted value of the power unit price corresponding to the input in response to the input of the date, weather, and temperature.

[0075] The stop determination unit 70 acquires the weather and predicted average temperature for each day up to one week ahead, which are the original data for predicting the power unit price, from weather forecasts, etc. The stop determination unit 70 inputs the date, weather, and predicted average temperature for each day from now until one week ahead into a predetermined machine learning model respectively, and acquires the predicted values of the power unit price for each day from now until one week ahead. As a result, seven predicted values from now until one week ahead are acquired.

[0076] Then, the stop determination unit 70 of the second embodiment determines to stop the power generation unit 20 on the day corresponding to the lowest predicted value among the plurality of predicted values. For example, if the predicted value of the power unit price for the third day is the lowest among the predicted values of the power unit price for each day from now until one week ahead, the stop determination unit 70 determines to stop the power generation unit 20 three days later.

[0077] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation flow of the stop determination unit 70 according to the second embodiment. The stop determination unit 70 of the second embodiment executes the series of processes in FIG. 5 when it reaches a predetermined interrupt timing that is visited at a predetermined control cycle.

[0078] When the timing reaches a predetermined interruption timing, the stop determination unit 70 determines whether or not it has received operation information (S30). If it has not received operation information (NO in S30), the stop determination unit 70 ends a series of processes.

[0079] If it has received operation information (YES in S30), the stop determination unit 70 generates a machine learning model based on teacher data stored in the storage device 62 (S31). Next, the stop determination unit 70 acquires original data such as weather and predicted average temperature during a period to be predicted (S32). Next, the stop determination unit 70 inputs the date, weather, and predicted average temperature during the period to be predicted into the machine learning model to derive a predicted value of the power unit price (S33).

[0080] Next, the stop determination unit 70 acquires the date on which the predicted value becomes the minimum value among the plurality of derived predicted values (S34). Next, the stop determination unit 70 reserves to send a stop command to the acquired date (S35) and ends a series of processes. Thereby, when the reserved date arrives, the stop determination unit 70 transmits a stop command to the second server device 16 through the communication device 60. When receiving the stop command, the second server device 16 transmits the stop command to the distributed power supply device 10. The operation time determination unit 50 of the distributed power supply device 10 stops the power generation unit 20 at the timing of receiving the stop command and resets the count value.

[0081] As described above, in the power generation management system 1 of the second embodiment, the power generation unit 20 can be stopped at the timing predicted to have the lowest power unit price. Therefore, in the power generation management system 1 of the second embodiment, it is possible to further suppress the purchase price of the power purchased by the consumer when the power generation unit 20 is stopped.

[0082] (Modification Example of the Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, a plurality of predicted values of future power unit prices are derived in association with future dates, and it was determined that the power generation unit 20 would be stopped on the date corresponding to the lowest predicted value. However, the stop determination unit 70 may derive a plurality of predicted values of future electricity market unit prices in association with future dates and determine that the power generation unit 20 will be stopped on the date corresponding to the lowest predicted value.

[0083] For example, the storage device 62 of the first server device 14 stores a plurality of pieces of teacher data for predicting future electricity market unit prices. The teacher data is data in which, for example, past electricity market unit prices, the dates (day of the week, holiday) on which the electricity market unit prices were obtained, the weather (or sunshine hours) at the time the electricity market unit prices were obtained, the temperature at the time the electricity market unit prices were obtained, etc. are associated.

[0084] The stop determination unit 70 performs machine learning using the above-described teacher data to generate a predetermined machine learning model. The machine learning model outputs a predicted value of the electricity market unit price corresponding to the input in response to the input of the date, weather, and temperature.

[0085] The stop determination unit 70 acquires the weather and predicted average temperature for each day up to one week ahead, which are the original data for predicting the electricity market unit price, from weather forecasts, etc. The stop determination unit 70 inputs the date, weather, and predicted average temperature for each day from now until one week ahead into a predetermined machine learning model respectively, and acquires the predicted values of the electricity market unit price for each day from now until one week ahead. As a result, seven predicted values from now until one week ahead are acquired.

[0086] Then, the stop determination unit 70 determines that the power generation unit 20 will be stopped on the date corresponding to the lowest predicted value among the plurality of predicted values. For example, if the predicted value of the electricity market unit price on the third day is the lowest among the predicted values of the electricity unit price for each day from now until one week ahead, the stop determination unit 70 determines that the power generation unit 20 will be stopped three days later.

[0087] In this modification example, the power generation unit 20 can be stopped at the timing when the electricity market unit price is predicted to be the lowest. According to this modification example, similar to the second embodiment, it is possible to further suppress the purchase price of the electricity purchased by the consumer when the power generation unit 20 is stopped.

[0088] (Third Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the power generation management system 100 according to the third embodiment. The power generation management system 100 of the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it has a plurality of distributed power generation devices 10. In FIG. 6, two distributed power generation devices 10 are illustrated, but the number of distributed power generation devices 10 is not limited to two, and three or more may be provided.

[0089] The stop determination unit 70 of the first server device 14 in the third embodiment determines whether to stop the power generation unit 20 based on the power generation cost in response to the reception of the operation information transmitted from any one of the plurality of distributed power generation devices 10. That is, in the third embodiment, when the continuous operation time in any one of the plurality of distributed power generation devices 10 reaches a predetermined time or more, a determination is made as to whether to stop the power generation unit 20.

[0090] And when the stop determination unit 70 determines to stop the power generation unit 20, a stop command is transmitted to the plurality of distributed power generation devices 10. That is, in the second embodiment, the plurality of distributed power generation devices 10 are stopped simultaneously at the same timing.

[0091] Therefore, in the power generation management system 100 of the third embodiment, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the stop determination unit 70 as compared with the mode of individually stopping the distributed power generation devices 10.

[0092] Also, in the third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the purchase price of the electricity purchased by the consumer when the power generation unit 20 is stopped.

[0093] Note that the features of the second embodiment may be combined with the third embodiment. Specifically, the stop determination unit 70 may derive a predicted value of the future power unit price and send a stop command to the plurality of distributed power generation devices 10 on the day corresponding to the lowest predicted value among the plurality of predicted values. Further, the features of the modified example of the first embodiment may be combined with the third embodiment, or the features of the modified example of the second embodiment may be combined with the third embodiment.

[0094] (Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the power generation management system 200 according to the fourth embodiment. In the above-described first embodiment, the stop determination unit 70 was provided in the first server device 14. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, the first server device 14 and the second server device 16 are omitted, and the stop determination unit 270 is provided in the distributed power generation device 10. The control device 24 of the distributed power generation device 10 according to the fourth embodiment functions as an operation time determination unit 50 and also functions as a stop determination unit 270.

[0095] The stop determination unit 270 according to the fourth embodiment acquires the power market unit price from the power market 12 at a predetermined control timing when the continuous operation time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. The stop determination unit 270 derives the power unit price based on the acquired power market unit price. If the power unit price is less than a predetermined reference value, the stop determination unit 270 determines to stop the power generation unit 20.

[0096] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation flow of the operation time determination unit 50 and the stop determination unit 270 according to the fourth embodiment. Steps S10 to S14 in FIG. 8 are the same as steps S10 to S14 in FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is different from FIG. 2 in the processing after step S14 is YES. Further, the operation time determination unit 50 starts a series of processes in FIG. 8 at each predetermined control timing visited at a predetermined control period.

[0097] In step S14, when the count value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (YES in S14), that is, when the continuous operation time is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, the stop determination unit 270 acquires the electricity market unit price from the electricity market 12 (S40). The stop determination unit 270 reads out the home power unit price and the power trading unit price from the storage device 62, and derives the power generation cost unit price by adding up the read home power unit price, the read power trading unit price, and the acquired electricity market unit price (S41). Next, the stop determination unit 270 sets the current reference value based on the past power generation cost unit price stored in the storage device 62 (S42).

[0098] Next, the stop determination unit 270 determines whether the power generation cost unit price is less than the reference value (S43). If the power generation cost unit price is equal to or greater than the reference value (NO in S43), the stop determination unit 270 ends the series of processes.

[0099] If the power generation cost unit price is less than the reference value (YES in S43), the stop determination unit 270 determines to stop the power generation unit 20, and accordingly, the control device 24 stops the power generation unit 20 (S44). Then, the stop determination unit 270 resets the count value (S45) and ends the series of processes.

[0100] As described above, in the power generation management system 200 according to the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when the continuous operation time is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, it is determined whether to stop the power generation unit 20 based on the power generation cost unit price.

[0101] Therefore, in the power generation management system 200 according to the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the purchase price of the power purchased by the consumers when the power generation unit 20 is stopped.

[0102] Note that the features of the second embodiment may be combined with the fourth embodiment. Specifically, the stop determination unit 270 of the distributed power generation device 10 may derive a predicted value of the future power generation cost per unit, and determine to stop the power generation unit 20 on the day corresponding to the lowest predicted value among the plurality of predicted values. Further, the features of the modified example of the first embodiment may be combined with the fourth embodiment, or the features of the modified example of the second embodiment may be combined with the fourth embodiment.

[0103] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modification examples or correction examples within the scope described in the claims, and it is naturally understood that they also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0104] For example, in each of the above embodiments and modified examples, the power generation cost per unit was the sum of the power market unit price, the self-generated power unit price, and the power trading unit price. However, when the power of the self-generated power is not used for ensuring power, the self-generated power unit price may not be included in the power generation cost per unit. Similarly, when the power based on the trading contract with other power companies is not used for ensuring power, the power trading unit price may not be included in the power generation cost per unit. That is, the power generation cost per unit may be equal to the power market unit price.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0105] 1, 100, 200 Power Generation Management System 10 Distributed Power Generation Device 12 Power Market 14 First Server Device 20 Power Generation Unit 50 Operating Time Determination Unit 70, 270 Stop Determination Unit

Claims

1. A power generation unit that consumes fuel gas to generate at least electricity, An operating time determination unit that determines a continuous operating time indicating the time during which the power generation unit is continuously operating, A stop determination unit that determines whether to stop the power generation unit, Comprising, The price per unit amount of electricity traded in the electricity market is the electricity market unit price, The cost per unit amount of electricity required for power generation by a private power source managed by a power supplier that supplies electricity to a customer having the power generation unit is the private power source unit price, The cost per unit amount of electricity based on a power trading contract concluded between the power supplier and other power companies is the power trading unit price, Including at least any one of the electricity market unit price, the private power source unit price, and the power trading unit price, and the cost per unit amount of electricity required for the power supplier to secure the electricity supplied to the customer having the power generation unit is the power cost unit price, The stop determination unit, A power generation management system that determines whether to stop the power generation unit based on the power cost unit price at a predetermined control timing when the continuous operating time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

2. The power generation unit and the operating time determination unit are provided in a distributed power source device, The stop determination unit is provided in a server device that can communicate with the distributed power source device, When the continuous operating time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the operating time determination unit transmits operating information indicating that the continuous operating time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time to the server device, The stop determination unit determines whether to stop the power generation unit based on the power cost unit price in response to the reception of the operating information, and when it is determined to stop the power generation unit, transmits a stop command for stopping the power generation unit to the distributed power source device. The power generation management system according to Claim 1.

3. Having a plurality of the distributed power source devices, The stop determination unit determines whether to stop the power generation unit based on the power cost unit price in response to the reception of the operating information transmitted from any one of the plurality of distributed power source devices, and when it is determined to stop the power generation unit, transmits the stop command to the plurality of distributed power source devices. The power generation management system according to Claim 2.

4. The power generation unit, the operating time determination unit, and the stop determination unit are provided in a distributed power source device. The power generation management system according to Claim 1.

5. The power generation management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stop determination unit determines to stop the power generation unit if the power generation unit is continuously operated for a predetermined time or more at a predetermined control timing and the power unit price is less than a predetermined reference value.

6. The stop determination unit periodically acquires the power unit price and accumulates it in a storage device, and sets the reference value based on the past power unit price stored in the storage device. The power generation management system according to claim 5.

7. The power generation management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stop determination unit derives a plurality of predicted values of the future power unit price in association with future dates, and determines to stop the power generation unit on the date corresponding to the lowest predicted value.

Images