Control System

The control system addresses renewable energy integration issues by managing power flow and storage with varying thresholds and supply limits, enhancing efficiency and reducing expansion costs in power distribution networks.

JP7801523B1Active Publication Date: 2026-01-16NTT ANODE ENERGY CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025084259
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-05-20
Publication Date
2026-01-16
Estimated Expiration
2045-05-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The integration of renewable energy devices in power transmission and distribution networks with small facilities can lead to deviations from allowable power values, particularly with increased renewable energy generation.

Method used

A control system that utilizes a distribution system with varying power supply upper limits and power flow thresholds, adjusting storage unit operations based on current and voltage measurements and thresholds specific to different sections of the network.

Benefits of technology

Facilitates efficient utilization of renewable energy by managing power flow and storage based on distance from the power transmission grid, reducing the need for facility expansion and costs.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a control system that makes it easy to utilize renewable energy. [Solution] A system in which power is supplied to a plurality of demand units 15 via a power distribution system 10 having parts with different upper limit values ​​for power supply, characterized by comprising a plurality of measurement units 14 that are arranged in at least one of the plurality of demand units 15 and measure power flow information related to the flow of power supplied to the demand unit 15 and transmit the measured power flow information; at least one storage unit 13 that is connected to the part with the different upper limit value and stores and discharges power; and a management unit that instructs at least one or more of the storage units 13 to store and discharge power based on the transmitted power flow information and a judgment result based on a power flow threshold value that is predetermined for each part with a different upper limit value.
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control system. [Background technology]

[0002] Electricity generated at power plants is supplied to demand areas such as homes through a power transmission and distribution network. However, the closer the power transmission and distribution network is to the demand end, the smaller the power distribution facilities become. Furthermore, with the recent interest in renewable energy, renewable energy power generation devices are sometimes installed in power transmission and distribution networks. When such renewable energy devices are installed, a power storage unit is installed in the power transmission and distribution network in order to effectively utilize the renewable energy (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-133626 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the above-described control is performed, as the amount of power generated by renewable energy increases, the power of the power transmission and distribution network in which the renewable energy device is installed increases, which may result in deviation from the facility's allowable value. In other words, when a solar power generation device is installed in a power transmission and distribution network with small power distribution facilities, there is a problem that the power is likely to deviate from the allowable value.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a control system that makes it easy to utilize renewable energy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. A control system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a system in which power is supplied to a plurality of demand units via a distribution system having parts with different upper limits for power supply, the control system comprising: a plurality of measurement units disposed at each of the demand units, which measure power flow information relating to the flow of the power supplied to the demand unit and transmit the measured power flow information; at least one storage unit connected to the part with the different upper limit and which stores and discharges the power; and a management unit which instructs at least one storage unit to store and discharge power based on the transmitted power flow information and a determination result based on a power flow threshold value predetermined for each of the parts with different upper limit values.

[0007] According to the control system of the first aspect of the present invention, the power distribution system has different upper limit values ​​for power supply in different sections. Also, different power flow thresholds are provided for the different sections with different upper limit values. Based on the measured power flow information and the different power flow thresholds, the power storage unit can be instructed to store and discharge power. The power flow information and the power flow thresholds will be described later. The upper limit value may be the upper limit value specified by the Electricity Business Act, the upper limit value of the facility's allowable capacity, an upper limit value predetermined by the user of the present invention, or any other value.

[0008] In the first aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the power flow information includes a current value and a voltage value, the power flow thresholds include a current threshold and a voltage threshold, the comparison performed by the management unit includes a determination based on the current value and the current threshold and a determination based on the voltage value and the voltage threshold, and the management unit instructs the storage unit to store electricity if at least one of the comparison results in storage of electricity. Note that the threshold may be a threshold under the Electricity Business Act, a threshold for the facility's capacity, a threshold predetermined by the user of the present invention, or any other threshold.

[0009] Thus, the power flow information preferably includes a current value and a voltage value. The power flow threshold preferably includes a current threshold and a voltage threshold. Therefore, the management unit preferably instructs the power storage unit to store power based on the current value, the voltage value, the current threshold, and the voltage threshold.

[0010] In a first aspect of the above invention, it is preferable that the upper limit value of the power distribution system decreases with increasing distance from the power transmission system that supplies the power, and the management unit issues instructions to the power storage unit connected to a point that is relatively close to the power transmission system, giving priority to the judgment result based on the current value and the threshold value for the current, and issues instructions to the power storage unit connected to a point that is relatively far from the power transmission system, giving priority to the judgment result based on the voltage value and the threshold value for the voltage.

[0011] In this way, it is preferable that the upper limit value differs depending on the distance from the power grid. The closer the distance from the power grid, the larger the current value. The farther the distance from the power grid, the larger the voltage characteristics tend to be compared to the current characteristics.

[0012] Therefore, when the distance from the power transmission grid is short, it is preferable that the management unit issues instructions to the power storage unit by prioritizing the determination result based on the current value and the threshold value for the current, and when the distance from the power transmission grid is long, it is preferable that the management unit issues instructions to the power storage unit by prioritizing the determination result based on the voltage value and the threshold value for the voltage.

[0013] In the first aspect of the above invention, it is preferable that the threshold value for the current used for the storage unit connected to a point that is relatively close to the power transmission grid is smaller than the threshold value for the current used for the storage unit connected to a point that is relatively far away, and that the threshold value for the voltage used for the storage unit connected to a point that is relatively far away is smaller than the threshold value for the voltage used for the storage unit connected to a point that is relatively close.

[0014] In this way, the current value and the voltage value change based on the distance from the power transmission grid, so it is preferable to determine the threshold value for the current and the threshold value for the voltage based on the distance from the power transmission grid.

[0015] Specifically, when the storage unit is connected to a point that is relatively close to the power transmission grid, it is preferable that the threshold value for the current be smaller than the threshold value for the current used for a storage unit connected to a point that is relatively far away.

[0016] When a power storage unit connected to a relatively distant point is connected, the threshold value for voltage is preferably smaller than the threshold value for voltage used for a power storage unit connected to a relatively close point. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the control system of the present invention, control can be performed that makes it easy to utilize renewable energy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a power distribution system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the control device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control process downstream of the control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] [First embodiment] <Configuration description> A control system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the control system 100 of this embodiment is a system that controls power supplied to a demand unit 15 via a power distribution system 10 that is provided with a renewable power generation device 12, a power storage unit 13, a measurement unit 14, and a control device 110. Note that the power distribution system 10 may be provided with a configuration other than that described above, or may not be provided with all of the above.

[0020] The power distribution system 10 is a flow of power for supplying power from a power company that owns the power distribution system 10 to a plurality of demand units 15. It is preferable that an upper limit value of power is set for each section of the power distribution system 10. Specifically, it is preferable that the upper limit value of power becomes lower from the power distribution equipment side (hereinafter also referred to as the upstream side) toward the demand unit 15 side (hereinafter also referred to as the downstream side). The decreasing trend of the upper limit value of power may be a linear decrease, a curved decrease, or a stepwise decrease.

[0021] The renewable power generation device 12 is a device configured to generate electricity by a power generator other than the electric power company that owns the power distribution system 10. Specifically, the renewable power generation device 12 is preferably a solar panel or a wind power generation device. Note that the renewable power generation device 12 also includes renewable energy power generation devices other than those described above.

[0022] The renewable power generation device 12 has a configuration that supplies power to a demand unit 15 and a power storage unit 13 in the same power distribution system 10 as the renewable power generation device 12 in the power distribution system 10. In addition, the renewable power generation device 12 can supply power generated by the renewable power generation device 12 to the demand unit 15.

[0023] The power storage unit 13 is a device configured to store and discharge power. The power storage unit 13 is capable of storing power supplied from at least the renewable power generation device 12. The power storage unit 13 can discharge the stored power to supply it to the renewable power generation device 12 in the power distribution system 10 and to a demand unit 15 in the same power distribution system 10. The power storage unit 13 may be a controlled device.

[0024] The measurement unit 14 is a measurement device provided upstream of the demand unit 15 in the power distribution system 10, and is configured to measure at least power flow information. Note that the measurement unit 14 may be provided upstream of all of the demand units 15, or may not be provided in all of the demand units 15.

[0025] The power flow information preferably includes a value of the current supplied to the demand unit 15 and a value of the voltage supplied to the demand unit 15. Note that the measurement unit 14 may include information related to gas, water, and any other information related to the demand unit 15 in addition to information related to electricity.

[0026] The control device 110 is a system that controls charging or discharging of the power storage unit 13. The control device 110 has an acquisition unit 105, a threshold setting unit 101, a determination unit 102, and a management unit 103, as shown in FIG.

[0027] The acquisition unit 105 has a configuration for acquiring the current information measured by the measurement unit 14 . The threshold setting unit 101 is configured to set a threshold related to power flow for each upper limit value of power in the power distribution system 10. The threshold related to power flow includes a threshold related to current and a threshold related to voltage.

[0028] It is preferable that the threshold value for the current be set to a smaller value as the current approaches the upstream side of the power distribution system 10, and that the threshold value be set to a larger value as the current approaches the downstream side of the power distribution system 10. It is preferable that the voltage threshold be set to a larger value on the upstream side of the power distribution system 10 and to a smaller value toward the downstream side of the power distribution system 10 .

[0029] The determining unit 102 has a configuration for determining where the demand unit 15 is located in the power distribution system 10. In this embodiment, the determining unit 102 can determine whether the demand unit 15 is located upstream or downstream in the power distribution system 10.

[0030] Management unit 103 is configured to issue control signals to at least one or more power storage units 13 to store and discharge electricity, based on the value of the current supplied to demand unit 15, the value of the voltage supplied to demand unit 15, a threshold value related to the current, and a threshold value related to the voltage. Specifically, when the value of the current supplied to demand unit 15 exceeds the threshold value related to the current, management unit 103 issues a control signal to power storage unit 13 to store electricity. When the value of the voltage supplied to demand unit 15 exceeds the threshold value related to the voltage, management unit 103 issues a control signal to power storage unit 13 to store electricity.

[0031] When the management unit 103 is on the upstream side, it gives priority to the result of the threshold value related to current over the result of the threshold value related to voltage and issues a control signal to the power storage unit 13. When the management unit 103 is on the downstream side, it gives priority to the result of the threshold value related to voltage over the result of the threshold value related to current and issues a control signal to the power storage unit 13. In other words, the demand unit 15 is supplied with power via the power distribution system 10 and consumes the supplied power.

[0032] Depending on the application, management unit 103 has a configuration that can determine whether to prioritize the result of the threshold value related to the current over the result of the threshold value related to the voltage and issue a control signal to power storage unit 13, or whether to prioritize the result of the threshold value related to the voltage over the result of the threshold value related to the current and issue a control signal to power storage unit 13. In other words, management unit 103 has a configuration that can determine whether to prioritize the result of the threshold value related to the voltage or the result of the threshold value related to the current.

[0033] In this embodiment, when it is confirmed that the power distribution system 10 falls within the predetermined voltage range, the management unit 103 issues a control signal to the power storage unit 13, prioritizing the result of the voltage threshold over the result of the current threshold.

[0034] In this embodiment, when checking whether the usage status of the demand unit 15 complies with the power distribution facility, the management unit 103 prioritizes the result of the current threshold over the result of the voltage threshold and issues a control signal to the power storage unit 13. Furthermore, when the value of the current used by the demand unit 15 is smaller than the capacity of the power distribution facility, the management unit 103 prioritizes the result of the current threshold over the result of the voltage threshold and issues a control signal to the power storage unit 13.

[0035] <Description of action> Next, the operation of the control system 100 configured as described above will be described. First, the supply of power will be described, and second, the control device 110 will be described.

[0036] An electric power company that owns a power distribution facility generates electric power. The generated electric power is supplied to a demand unit 15 through a power distribution system 10. The supplied electric power is then supplied to a demand unit 15 and a power storage unit 13 downstream of the power distribution facility. The supplied electric power decreases each time it is distributed in the power distribution system 10.

[0037] Next, the operation of the control device 110 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. In this embodiment, the operation of the control device 110 in one demand unit 15 selected at random will be described. The control unit performs a process of acquiring power flow information measured by the measurement unit 14 (S1). Based on the measured power flow information, the threshold setting unit 101 performs a process of setting a power threshold (S2). In this embodiment, the process of setting a threshold related to current and a threshold related to voltage is performed. It is also preferable that the threshold setting unit 101 sets a power threshold for each portion having a different upper limit value related to power supply.

[0038] After the process of S2, the management unit 103 performs a process of determining whether to prioritize the result of the current threshold or the result of the voltage threshold (S3). If the result of the current threshold is to be prioritized (case A), the management unit 103 performs a process of determining whether the current value included in the measured power flow information exceeds the current threshold in the power distribution system 10 provided in the demand unit 15 (S4).

[0039] If the current exceeds the threshold value (YES), the management unit 103 performs processing to instruct the power storage unit 13 to charge (S5). If the current threshold is not exceeded (NO), management unit 103 performs processing to instruct power storage unit 13 to discharge (S6). Note that management unit 103 may end the control instead of instructing power storage unit 13 to discharge.

[0040] When the result of the voltage threshold is given priority (case B), as shown in Figure 4, the management unit 103 performs a process to determine whether the voltage value included in the measured power flow information exceeds the voltage threshold in the distribution system 10 installed in the demand unit 15 (S7).

[0041] If the voltage exceeds the threshold value (YES), the management unit 103 performs processing to instruct the power storage unit 13 to charge (S8). If the voltage threshold is not exceeded (NO), management unit 103 performs processing to instruct power storage unit 13 to discharge (S9). Note that management unit 103 may end the control instead of instructing power storage unit 13 to discharge.

[0042] Furthermore, when the voltage of the power distribution system 10 drops (for example, when renewable energy power generation is not being performed), the management unit 103 may end the control instead of instructing the power storage unit 13 to discharge. Furthermore, when the power distribution system 10 is disconnected from the upper system, the management unit 103 may end the control instead of instructing the power storage unit 13 to discharge.

[0043] <Description of effects> According to the control system 100 having the above configuration, the upper limit of power supply differs for each section of the power distribution system 10. In addition, each section with a different upper limit has a different power flow threshold. Based on the measured power flow information and the different power flow thresholds, it is easy to instruct the power storage unit 13 to store and discharge electricity.

[0044] Furthermore, it is preferable that the management unit 103 instructs the power storage unit 13 to store power based on the current value, the voltage value, the current threshold value, and the voltage threshold value. By controlling the values ​​of both the current and the voltage, the control system 100 can easily perform accurate control.

[0045] Furthermore, it is preferable that the upper limit value differs depending on the distance from the power transmission grid. As the distance from the grid increases, voltage fluctuations can become more pronounced.

[0046] Therefore, when the distance from the power transmission grid is short, the management unit 103 can give priority to the determination result based on the current value and the threshold value for the current and instruct the power storage unit 13. When the distance from the power transmission grid is long, the management unit 103 can give priority to the determination result based on the voltage value and the threshold value for the voltage and instruct the power storage unit 13. Control based on the distance makes it easier for the control system 100 to perform accurate control.

[0047] Furthermore, it is easy to measure the voltage status of the power distribution system 10, measure the voltage status within the system, and store or release renewable energy as needed. Furthermore, increasing the capacity of the equipment allows for efficient use of renewable energy, but such expansion incurs large costs. By using storage batteries or the like, it is possible to utilize existing equipment without expanding it. In other words, it is easy to reduce the costs incurred by expansion.

[0048] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to applications of the above-described embodiments, and may be applied to embodiments in which these embodiments are appropriately combined, and is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10...power distribution system, 11...power company, 12...renewable power generation device, 13...power storage unit, 14...measurement unit, 15...demand unit, 100...control system, 101...threshold setting unit, 102...judgment unit, 103...management unit, 105...acquisition unit, 110...control device

Claims

1. In a system in which power is supplied to a plurality of demand units through a power distribution system having parts with different upper limit values ​​for power supply, a plurality of measurement units disposed in at least one of the plurality of demand units, each measuring power flow information relating to the flow of the power supplied to the demand unit and transmitting the measured power flow information; at least one power storage unit connected to the part with the different upper limit values ​​and storing and discharging the power; a management unit that instructs at least one of the power storage units to store and discharge power, based on the transmitted power flow information and a determination result based on a power flow threshold value that is predetermined for each portion where the upper limit value differs; and A control system comprising:

2. The power flow information includes a current value and a voltage value, the power flow threshold includes a current threshold and a voltage threshold; the comparison performed by the management unit includes a determination based on the value of the current and a threshold value for the current, and a determination based on the value of the voltage and a threshold value for the voltage; 2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the management unit instructs the power storage unit to store power if at least one of the comparison results in power storage.

3. the upper limit value of the power distribution system decreases as the power distribution system is farther away from the power transmission system that supplies the power, 3. The control system according to claim 2, wherein the management unit issues instructions to the storage unit, for the storage unit connected to a point that is relatively close to the power transmission system, by giving priority to a determination result based on the current value and a threshold value for the current, and issues instructions to the storage unit, for the storage unit connected to a point that is relatively far from the power transmission system, by giving priority to a determination result based on the voltage value and a threshold value for the voltage.

4. a threshold value related to the current used for the power storage unit connected to a point that is relatively close to the power transmission grid is smaller than a threshold value related to the current used for the power storage unit connected to a point that is relatively far from the power transmission grid; 3. The control system according to claim 2, wherein the voltage threshold value used for the storage unit connected to a relatively distant point is smaller than the voltage threshold value used for the storage unit connected to a relatively close point.

Citation Information

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