Power supply system, power supply method, apartment building and complex consumer facility

Abstract

To reduce an electricity fee in collective reception of low-voltage electricity.SOLUTION: A power supply system 90 is for a multiple dwelling house that collectively receives low-voltage electricity from a grid 80 and includes a plurality of dwellings and a shared space to which an electricity fee from a company different from an electricity company with which a low-voltage electricity collective reception contract has been concluded, is allocated in accordance with use amounts of electricity. The power supply system 90 includes a high-order metering device 1, a low-voltage electricity collective reception board 2 having a first breaker connected to the grid 80 side, a distribution board 4 having a plurality of second breakers respectively connected to the plurality of dwellings and the shared space, a plurality of low-order metering device 5 that measures electricity consumptions of the plurality of dwellings, and a distributed-type power source 3 connected between the high-order metering device 1 and the plurality of low-order metering devices 5. The capacity of the first breaker is smaller than the total capacity of the second breakers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply system and a power supply method. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there has been known a power distribution system for an apartment building in which a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract is concluded and the received power is distributed to each unit (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-118961 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3869648 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, high-voltage power receiving and transforming equipment incurs a certain cost. Furthermore, high-voltage bulk power receiving contracts cannot be concluded unless the power contract has a capacity above a certain standard (for example, 50 kW), so high-voltage bulk power receiving contracts can only be concluded for apartment buildings above a certain size. Apartment buildings that are not large enough to conclude a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract can still conclude a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract, but this does not necessarily mean that the electricity bill will be reduced.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply system and a power supply method that can reduce electricity charges when low-voltage collective power reception is performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a power supply system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: A power supply system for a single complex consumer facility that receives low-voltage bulk power from a grid based on a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract for power less than the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract, and that has multiple consumer facilities and common areas where electricity charges are allocated according to the amount of power used, an upper meter that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and measures the amount of electricity purchased from the grid at the complex consumer facility; a first breaker connected to the system side; a plurality of second breakers connected to the plurality of customer facilities and the common area, respectively; a branch point that supplies low-voltage collectively received power from the system via the upper meter without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment to each of the plurality of customer facilities and the common area via the second breaker; a plurality of lower-level meters connected between the branch point and the plurality of customer facilities and measuring the amounts of power consumed by the plurality of customer facilities; a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device including at least one of a fuel cell, a solar power generation device, and a wind power generation device, the distributed power source being connected between the upper meter and the plurality of lower meters and capable of supplying power to the plurality of customer facilities and the common area; and The capacity of the first breaker is smaller than the sum of the capacities of the second breakers.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a power supply method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: A power supply method for a single complex consumer facility having a plurality of consumer facilities and common areas, which receives low-voltage bulk power from a grid based on a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract for power less than the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract, and in which electricity charges are allocated according to the amount of power used, a first step of measuring the amount of power consumed by an upper meter that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and that measures the amount of power consumed by the power purchased from the grid at the complex consumer facility; a second step of receiving power from the grid without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment via a first breaker connected to the grid side and cutting off power greater than the contract capacity of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract; a third step of supplying the power received in the second step to each of the plurality of customer facilities and the common area via a plurality of second breakers connected to each of the plurality of customer facilities and the common area; a fourth step of measuring the amount of power consumed by the plurality of customer facilities in a plurality of lower level meters that measure the amount of power consumed by the plurality of customer facilities; a fifth step of supplying electric power to the plurality of customer facilities and the common area from a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device including at least one of a fuel cell, a solar power generation device, and a wind power generation device, via the upper meter and the plurality of lower meters; The capacity of the first breaker is smaller than the sum of the capacities of the second breakers. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the power supply system and power control method according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to reduce electricity charges when low-voltage collective power reception is performed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a functional block diagram of a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing the state of power consumption when the upper control device of FIG. 1 controls the storage battery. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power supply system of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a power supply system 90 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Control lines and information transmission lines are indicated by dashed lines, and power lines are indicated by solid lines. The power supply system 90 is connected to a grid 80. The power supply system 90 has at least a host meter device 1, a centralized power receiving panel 2, a distributed power source 3, and a distribution panel 4, and may further include at least one of a lower meter device 5, a lower control device 6, a load 7, a host control device 8, and a server device 9. It should be noted that while each function of the power supply system 90 will be described, it is not intended to exclude other functions that the power supply system 90 has.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1 , the upper meter device 1, the centralized power receiving panel 2, the distributed power source 3, the distribution panel 4, the lower meter device 5, the lower control device 6, the load 7, and the upper control device 8 are installed in a complex consumer facility. As an alternative, the centralized power receiving panel 2 may have the upper meter device 1 and the distribution panel 4 inside. The upper meter device 1 may also be installed outside the complex consumer facility. In this embodiment, the complex consumer facility is an apartment building with multiple consumer facilities (e.g., three units on the first floor and three on the second floor, for a total of six units) and common areas (e.g., corridors, stairs, elevator halls). The lower control devices 6 are installed in each of the consumer facilities and in the common areas, and the loads 7 are also installed in each of the consumer facilities and in the common areas.

[0012] The power supply system 90 is provided, for example, by an electric power company (also called a new power company or an apartment complex management company). The multiple consumer facility in this embodiment is relatively small for an apartment complex, and therefore does not consume the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract. For this reason, the multiple consumer facility cannot enter into a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract. Therefore, the multiple consumer facility enters into a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract with an electric power company for power less than the power required for the high-voltage bulk power receiving contract (for example, 50 kW).

[0013] The complex consumer facility enters into a low-voltage bulk power purchase contract with the electric power company, and also enters into a power sales contract for surplus electricity from solar power generation. The complex consumer facility also enters into power contracts with each tenant of the consumer facility. In this way, the complex consumer facility receives electricity from the electric power company and supplies the received electricity to the consumer facilities.

[0014] The upper meter device 1 is a certified meter device that measures the amount of power consumed by a complex consumer facility. The upper meter device 1 outputs the measured amount of power consumed to the upper control device 8 for purposes such as calculating electricity charges. The certified meter device is certified in accordance with the Weights and Measures Act and is within the validity period of its certification. A smart meter may also be used as the upper meter device 1.

[0015] The collective power receiving panel 2 is connected to the upper meter device 1 and receives power from the grid 80 through low-voltage collective power receiving. The collective power receiving panel 2 supplies the received power to the distribution panel 4.

[0016] The distributed power source 3 can supply power to multiple customer facilities. The distributed power source 3 includes at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device including at least one of a fuel cell, a solar power generation device, and a wind power generation device. This makes it possible to reduce electricity charges by combining various types of distributed power sources. The storage battery is capable of independent output and can supply power to at least one of customer facilities and common areas during a power outage, for example. The power generation device can supply generated power to at least one of the storage battery, customer facilities, and common areas.

[0017] During grid-connected operation, the distribution board 4 branches the power received by the centralized power receiving board 2 into multiple branches and supplies it to at least one of the common areas and customer facilities. The distribution board 4 also branches the power supplied from the distributed power sources 3 into multiple branches and distributes it to customer facilities.

[0018] The lower meter device 5 is, for example, a certified electric meter (sub-meter) and is connected to each of the customer facilities. The lower meter device 5 connected to each of the customer facilities measures the amount of power consumed by each of the loads 7 at the customer facility. The lower meter device 5 is connected to the distribution board 4 and is installed by the business operator inside or outside the customer facility. The lower meter device 5 is also connected to the common area. The lower meter device 5 connected to the common area measures the amount of power consumed by the loads 7 in the common area. The lower meter device 5 may be a smart meter. The lower meter device 5 notifies the upper control device 8 of the measured amount of power consumed.

[0019] The lower-level control device 6 is, for example, a HEMS (Home Energy Management System). The processing performed by the lower-level control device 6 is executed by a control unit including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program that defines a control procedure, and the program is stored in a memory unit of the lower-level control device 6 or an external storage medium. The lower-level control device 6 is provided in each of the customer facilities and at least one of the common areas, and is capable of controlling the amount of power consumption of the loads 7 in the corresponding customer facilities and at least one of the common areas. When the upper-level control device 8 requests that the amount of power consumption in at least one of the customer facilities and the common areas be reduced, the lower-level control device 6 is capable of controlling the loads 7 to reduce the amount of power consumption.

[0020] The loads 7 are power loads that consume power, and are, for example, various electrical appliances used by consumer facilities, such as air conditioners, microwave ovens, refrigerators, televisions, routers, etc. The loads 7 may be machines such as air conditioners or lighting fixtures, lighting equipment, etc. The loads 7 in the common areas are, for example, devices that consume power in the common areas, such as lighting equipment and emergency equipment (for example, fire alarms, etc.).

[0021] The upper control device 8 is, for example, a HEMS. The processing performed by the upper control device 8 is executed by a control unit including a processor such as a CPU that executes a program that defines a control procedure, and the program is stored in a memory unit of the upper control device 8 or an external memory medium. The upper control device 8 is provided in the complex consumer facility. As an alternative, the upper control device 8 may be provided in a server device 9 located inside or outside the complex consumer facility. The upper control device 8 periodically (for example, once an hour) acquires the amount of power measured by the lower meter device 5 via communication and outputs the acquired operation log (power generation status of the power generation device, charging / discharging status of the storage battery, error information, etc.) to the server device 9.

[0022] When the upper control device 8 receives a demand response signal, it requests the lower control device 6 to reduce the amount of power consumption by multiple consumer facilities. For example, when the upper control device 8 receives a demand response signal, it may determine the amount of power consumption reduction for each of the multiple consumer facilities based on the current amount of power consumption at each of the multiple consumer facilities, and request the lower control device 6 to implement the reduction in accordance with the determination. This allows the operator managing each of the multiple consumer facilities or a complex consumer facility to receive an incentive. The upper control device 8 may also similarly reduce the amount of power consumption in common areas.

[0023] More specifically, the incentive can be obtained from the sender of the demand response received by the upper control device 8. The sender of the demand response is assumed to be, for example, an electric power supplier (electric power company) or an electric power distribution company (electric power aggregator). The incentive from the sender is first given to the operator who manages the multiple consumer facility. The operator then allocates the incentive from the sender according to the degree of contribution of the consumer at the consumer facility to the demand response. The incentive given by the operator to the consumer may be different from the incentive given by the sender.

[0024] When the upper control device 8 receives an instruction to suppress the output of power to the grid 80, it charges the storage battery with surplus power from the power generation device. For example, when the upper control device 8 receives the instruction from an electric power utility (electric power company), an electric power distribution utility (electric power aggregator), an electric power transmission and distribution utility, a specified-scale electricity supplier (PPS: Power Producer and Supplier), or the like, it charges the storage battery with surplus power from the power generation device. When a device other than the upper control device 8 (for example, an output control device or a power conditioner) receives the instruction, the device other than the upper control device 8 forwards the instruction to the upper control device 8. Therefore, not only can the upper control device respond to the output suppression instruction, but it can also continue generating power using the power generation device and charge the surplus power into the storage battery for future discharge.

[0025] The server device 9 is used by a business operator that manages a complex consumer facility. The server device 9 may be a cloud server. The server device 9 acquires information such as power consumption amount from the upper control device 8, and provides meter reading data management support, billing data creation support, energy creation and storage equipment management, and a service (web service) that visualizes electricity usage for consumer facilities (tenants). When the server device 9 acquires error information from the upper control device 8, it notifies the monitor, who is the user of the server device 9, that an error has occurred by voice, lamp, image, video, telephone, email, etc.

[0026] Furthermore, when the server device 9 receives a notification from the upper control device 8 that the storage battery has switched to independent output mode, it determines that the breaker of the bulk power receiving panel 2 has been turned off and notifies the monitor of the warning information. It is generally difficult for the occupants of the consumer facility to turn on the breaker of the low-voltage bulk power receiving panel. Therefore, the monitor who receives the warning information rushes to the complex consumer facility and turns on the breaker. As an alternative, the server device 9 may determine that the breaker of the bulk power receiving panel 2 has been turned off when communication with the upper control device 8 is cut off.

[0027] A configuration for realizing a reduction in electricity charges when low-voltage collective power reception is performed will be described below.

[0028] In the first configuration, the power supply system 90 not only receives low-voltage power collectively but also has a distributed power source 3. Multiple consumer facilities share the distributed power source 3 and can reduce the amount of power purchased from the grid 80 by receiving power from the distributed power source 3 during times when electricity rates are high. This allows for a reduction in electricity rates.

[0029] In the second configuration, the contract capacity in a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract is smaller than the total breaker capacity of each customer facility. For example, suppose a complex customer facility has six customer facilities, each with a breaker capacity of 40A. If the breaker capacity of the common area is 50A, the total breaker capacity of the entire complex customer facility is 40 x 6 + 50 = 290A. However, since it is unlikely that all households will consume the maximum capacity at the same time, the complex customer facility may enter into a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract with a contract capacity of 240A, for example. This can reduce electricity bills.

[0030] In the third configuration, instead of multiple consumer facilities each signing a contract for each household, a complex consumer facility signs a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract, and the multiple consumer facilities receive the electricity received under the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract. Depending on the power company's rate plan, the electricity rate per household becomes cheaper as the contract capacity increases. This makes it possible to reduce electricity charges.

[0031] In a fourth configuration, the upper control device 8 acquires the value of the amount of purchased power (unit: kWh) from the upper meter device 1 and outputs it to the server device 9. The server device 9, having acquired this value, references the time-series pattern of the amount of purchased power and selects the (cheapest) low-voltage bulk power receiving rate plan that is appropriate for that pattern. For example, since the power supply system 90 can receive power from the distributed power sources 3 during the daytime, the amount of power purchased from the grid 80 during the daytime is relatively small. Therefore, it is possible to reduce electricity charges by changing the rate plan and lowering the nighttime electricity rate. Therefore, the upper control device 8 determines a rate plan that offers a lower nighttime electricity rate. The upper control device 8 outputs the determined rate plan to the server device 9. This allows the business operator using the server device 9 to determine which rate plan to adopt. In other words, the selection, change, and determination of the rate plan may be performed by the upper control device 8, the server device 9, or the business operator. The selection, change, and determination of the rate plan may also be performed by an electric power business operator, an electric power distribution business operator, an electric power transmission and distribution business operator, a specified-scale electric power utility, etc.

[0032] As a fifth configuration, when the distributed power sources 3 include storage batteries, the upper control device 8 controls the storage batteries by switching between the first mode and the second mode, with the first mode being the normal mode, as follows.

[0033] In the first mode, the storage battery charges when the unit price of electricity is lower than a predetermined reference value and discharges when the unit price of electricity is higher than the predetermined reference value. The predetermined reference value can be set arbitrarily. For example, the predetermined reference value can be set so that the time when the unit price of electricity is lower than the predetermined reference value is nighttime and the time when the unit price of electricity is higher than the predetermined reference value is daytime. As an alternative, two reference values ​​(a first reference value and a second reference value) may be set as the predetermined reference value. More specifically, in the first mode, the storage battery charges with power from the grid 80 when the unit price of electricity is lower than the first reference value (e.g., nighttime) and discharges when the unit price of electricity is higher than a second reference value that is equal to or greater than the first reference value (e.g., daytime). If the distributed power source 3 further includes a solar power generation device, the storage battery may charge surplus power from the solar power generation device during the daytime. During the daytime when there is a lot of surplus power from the solar power generation device, the power supply system 90 may sell the surplus power.

[0034] In the second mode, the storage battery discharges the stored power so that the power consumption of the complex consumer facility does not exceed the contracted power of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract. In other words, when the power consumption increases and falls within a predetermined range from the contracted power of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract, the storage battery discharges the stored power. This makes it less likely that the breaker will be turned off. In the case of a contract that allows for the purchase of power in excess of the contracted power, the power supply system 90 can reduce the purchase of power in excess of the contracted power.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows the power consumption when the upper controller 8 controls the storage battery in the first mode without the power consumption falling within the specified power range of the contracted power of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract (i.e., without the need to switch to the second mode). As shown in FIG. 2, the upper controller 8 purchases power from the grid 80 at night or early in the morning (from midnight to 7:00 AM) to charge the storage battery, and then during the next time period (from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM), the power consumed by multiple consumer facilities is covered by the power generated by the power generation equipment (photovoltaic power generation equipment) and the power discharged from the storage battery. Any surplus power remaining even after the power consumption has been covered is sold. During the time period after that (from 4:00 PM to midnight), the amount of power consumed exceeds the amount of power generated, but the upper controller 8 discharges the storage battery to reduce the amount of power purchased from the grid 80.

[0036] With at least the above five configurations, the electricity fee charged to each of the multiple consumer facilities does not exceed the electricity fee that would be charged if each of the multiple consumer facilities had individually entered into a contract for each household.

[0037] In addition to the configuration for realizing a reduction in electricity charges, the power supply system 90 has the following configuration.

[0038] First, the upper control device 8 acquires the value of the maximum purchased power (unit: kW) or maximum current (unit: A) from the upper meter device 1 via communication and outputs it to the server device 9. The server device 9 can renew the power contract with the power company to a contract capacity obtained by adding a predetermined value to the acquired value. Even if the power consumption or current consumption exceeds the maximum purchased power or maximum current, the breaker will not be turned off as long as the excess is within the predetermined value. In other words, the power supply from the grid 80 will not be cut off.

[0039] Secondly, multiple consumer facilities share the distributed power source 3. Therefore, the installation cost per household for the distributed power source 3 is cheaper than the cost of installing a distributed power source 3 in each household. Therefore, the installation cost can be reduced.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power supply system 90.

[0041] The power supply system 90 receives power from the grid 80 at the centralized power receiving panel 2 (step S1). The power supply system 90 measures the power consumption of the multiple consumer facilities at the upper meter device 1 (step S2). The power supply system 90 supplies the power received in step S1 to each of the multiple consumer facilities from the distribution panel 4 (step S3). The power supply system 90 supplies power from the distributed power sources 3 to the multiple consumer facilities (step S4). The power supply system 90 measures the power consumption of each of the multiple consumer facilities at the lower meter device 5 (step S5). The power supply system 90 can perform steps S2, S4, and S5 as appropriate, so the order of these steps can be reversed. Furthermore, the power supply system 90 can perform step S4 at any time. Examples of such times include when the electricity price is high, such as during the day, or when there is a possibility that power consumption will exceed the contracted power of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract.

[0042] Furthermore, the power supply system 90 may not perform steps S4 and S5 depending on the situation. For example, when there is no need for power supply from the distributed power sources 3 to multiple customer facilities, the power supply system 90 may not perform step S5. In other words, the power supply system 90 may simply supply power from the distributed power sources 3 to multiple customer facilities as needed.

[0043] According to this embodiment, the power supply system 90 is a system in a complex consumer facility that enters into a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract for power less than that required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract. The power supply system 90 includes a bulk power receiving panel 2 that receives power from a grid 80, a host meter device 1 that measures the amount of power consumed by the complex consumer facility, a distribution panel 4 that supplies the power received by the bulk power receiving panel 2 to multiple consumer facilities within the complex consumer facility, and a distributed power source 3 that can supply power to multiple consumer facilities. In other words, the complex consumer facility not only receives low-voltage bulk power but also has the distributed power source 3. The consumer facilities share the distributed power source 3 and can reduce the amount of power they purchase by receiving power from the distributed power source 3 during times when electricity rates are high. This allows for reduced electricity rates.

[0044] Furthermore, given the low probability that all households will consume the maximum capacity at the same time, a complex consumer facility can enter into a low-voltage bulk power supply contract with a contract capacity that is smaller than the total breaker capacity of all households and the common area. Alternatively, a complex consumer facility can cover its power needs through a low-voltage bulk power supply contract even if the total breaker capacity of all households and the common area is the value required for a high-voltage bulk power supply contract. This allows for reduced electricity bills.

[0045] Furthermore, depending on the power company's rate plan, the electricity rate per household becomes cheaper as the contract capacity increases. According to this embodiment, instead of each consumer facility entering into an individual contract, the complex consumer facility enters into a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract. As a result, each consumer facility is allocated electricity charges by the complex consumer facility operator according to the amount of electricity used, and it is possible to reduce the electricity charges at each consumer facility by entering into a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract rather than paying electricity charges through individual contracts.

[0046] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the distributed power sources 3 include at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device including at least one of a fuel cell, a solar power generation device, and a wind power generation device, which makes it possible to combine various types of distributed power sources in order to reduce electricity charges.

[0047] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the power supply system 90 further includes a lower-level control device 6 provided in each of the multiple consumer facilities, and a higher-level control device 8 provided in the complex consumer facility or in a server device 9 located either inside or outside the complex consumer facility. This allows for control of power consumption for each consumer facility.

[0048] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the upper control device 8 receives a demand response signal, it requests the lower control device 6 to suppress the amount of power consumption by multiple customer facilities. This makes it possible to control the amount of power consumption for each of multiple customer facilities and obtain incentives in response to demand response.

[0049] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the upper control device 8 receives an instruction to suppress the output of power to the grid 80, the upper control device 8 causes the storage battery to be charged with surplus power from the power generation device. This not only makes it possible to respond to the output suppression instruction, but also makes it possible to continue power generation by the power generation device and charge the surplus power into the storage battery for future discharge.

[0050] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the power supply system 90 further includes a lower-level meter device 5 that measures the amount of power consumed by each of a plurality of customer facilities, and the lower-level meter device 5 notifies the higher-level control device 8 of the measured amount of power consumed. Therefore, the higher-level control device 8 can provide services to each of the customer facilities according to the amount of power consumed by each of the customer facilities.

[0051] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the host control device 8 selects the cheapest rate plan from among multiple rate plans for the low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract based on the amount of power consumption measured by the host meter device 1, and notifies the server device 9 of the business operator that manages the multiple consumer facility. This allows the business operator or the like to determine the cheapest plan, thereby realizing a reduction in electricity charges.

[0052] According to this embodiment, the storage battery is charged when the electricity unit price is lower than a predetermined reference value, and discharged when the electricity unit price is higher than the predetermined reference value. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of electricity purchased from the grid 80 when the electricity unit price is high, thereby realizing a reduction in electricity charges.

[0053] According to this embodiment, the storage batteries discharge the stored power to reduce the amount of power received by the entire complex consumer facility so that the power consumption of the entire complex consumer facility does not exceed the contract power of the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract. This reduces the number of times that the power supply system 90 purchases more power than the contract power due to the power consumption of the entire complex consumer facility exceeding the contract power.

[0054] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the electricity fee charged to each of the multiple customer facilities does not exceed the electricity fee that would be charged if each of the multiple customer facilities had individually signed a contract for each household. This increases the satisfaction of each resident of the customer facility and increases demand for the power supply system 90.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art would easily be able to make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions of each component, unit, step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies. Furthermore, when the present invention is implemented as a method, multiple units, steps, etc. can be combined or divided into one.

[0056] The above explanation is about a case where a multiple consumer facility does not consume the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract, but this is not limited to this. In other words, even if a multiple consumer facility consumes the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract (for example, when the sum of the power of each individual contract is the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract), by having a distributed power source 3, it can cover the power required for a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract. This means that the multiple consumer facility does not need to enter into a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract, and therefore does not need to install cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment, thereby reducing initial investment and maintenance costs.

[0057] Furthermore, the above description is of a case where the upper control device 8 requests the lower control devices 6 to reduce power consumption when it receives a demand response signal. However, the upper control device 8 may request reduction only from the lower control devices 6 in the common areas, without making the request to the lower control devices 6 in the consumer facility. Such processing may be performed, for example, when the amount of power consumption to be reduced is less than a predetermined reference value. In this case, the upper control device 8 does not need to inquire of the consumer whether or not to respond to the demand response, and therefore can easily respond to the demand response.

[0058] Furthermore, the upper control device 8 may selectively request only the lower control devices 6 in some of the consumer facilities, and which consumer facilities to request may be determined, for example, according to the current power consumption amount at the consumer facility. When the upper control device 8 can directly control the equipment in each consumer facility, the upper control device 8 may directly control the equipment in the consumer facility in accordance with demand response without going through the lower control devices 6. When the upper control device 8 directly controls the equipment, the incentive given to the consumer may be increased.

[0059] Furthermore, when a fuel cell is used as a power generation device, air conditioning, steam, hot water, chilled water, etc., utilizing exhaust heat may be supplied to each consumer facility. In this way, by having the operator of a complex consumer facility collectively provide air conditioning, etc., utilizing exhaust heat, electricity, gas, and water rates at each consumer facility can be reduced. Fuel cells that can be used include solid oxide fuel cells, solid polymer fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, and biofuel cells.

[0060] In the above description, the lower-level meter device 5 is connected to the common area and the lower-level control device 6 is installed in the common area, as shown in Figure 1, but these do not necessarily have to be installed. If the lower-level meter device 5 is not connected to the common area and the lower-level control device 6 is not installed in the common area, the amount of power consumed in the common area can be calculated by subtracting the total of all the data of the lower-level meter devices 5 connected to each of the consumer facilities from the data of the upper-level meter device 1. The calculation of the amount of power consumed in the common area can be performed by the upper-level control device 8 or the server device 9.

[0061] In the above explanation, the upper control device 8 selects a rate plan for the low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract based on the amount of power consumed measured by the upper meter device 1, but the selection may also be made based on the power consumption (kW). Also, the storage battery is controlled based on the amount of power consumed (kWh) so as not to exceed the contract amount of the low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract, but it may also be controlled based on the power consumption (kW).

[0062] Furthermore, when the control units of the upper control device 8 and the lower control device 6 according to the present invention are configured as computers, programs describing the processing to realize each function can be stored in an internal or external memory unit of the computer and read and executed by the computer's central processing unit (CPU). Such programs can be distributed by selling, transferring, lending, or otherwise distributing portable recording media such as DVDs or CD-ROMs. Alternatively, such programs can be distributed by storing them in the memory unit of a server on a network and transferring them from the server to other computers via the network. A computer that executes such programs can temporarily store a program recorded on a portable recording medium or transferred from a server in its own memory. Alternatively, the computer can read the program directly from a portable recording medium and execute the processing in accordance with the program. Furthermore, the computer can execute the processing in accordance with the program each time a program is transferred from the server to the computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Upper meter device 2. Collective power receiving panel 3 Distributed power generation 4 Distribution board 5 Lower level meter device 6 Lower level control device 7 Load 8 Upper control device 9. Server equipment 80 lines 90 Power Supply System

Claims

1. An electric power supply system for a single apartment building, in which an apartment building receives low-voltage bulk electricity from the grid based on a low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract for electricity less than that required for a high-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract, said apartment building having multiple dwelling units and common areas, and at least said dwelling units are charged electricity according to their electricity usage by a business operator that manages said apartment building and is different from the grid power company, a host meter device that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and that measures the amount of electricity purchased from the grid in the apartment building; a plurality of breakers connected to the plurality of dwelling units and the common area, respectively; a branch point that supplies low-voltage collectively received power from the system via the host meter device without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment to each of the plurality of dwelling units and the common area via the breaker; a plurality of lower-level meter devices connected between the branch point and the plurality of dwelling units and measuring the amounts of power consumed by the plurality of dwelling units; a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device, the distributed power source being connected between the upper meter device and the plurality of lower meter devices and capable of supplying power to the plurality of dwelling units and the common area; A power supply system comprising:

2. In the power supply system according to claim 1, A power supply system in which the distributed power source is not connected between the branch point and the load of each dwelling unit.

3. In the power supply system according to claim 1 or 2, a lower-level control device provided in each of the plurality of dwelling units; a host control device provided in the apartment building or provided in a server device inside or outside the apartment building; A power supply system having:

4. In the power supply system according to claim 3, the lower-level meter device notifies the upper-level control device of the measured amount of power consumption; The upper control device notifies a server device that provides a meter reading data management support service of the amount of power consumption.

5. In the power supply system according to claim 3 or 4, The power supply system, wherein the lower control device and the upper control device are both HEMS.

6. In the power supply system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, When the upper control device receives a demand response signal, the upper control device requests the lower control device to reduce the amount of power consumed by the plurality of dwelling units and the common area.

7. In the power supply system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, the distributed power source includes the storage battery and the power generation device, When the upper level control device receives an instruction to suppress the output of power to the grid, the power generation device causes the storage battery to store surplus power.

8. In the power supply system according to any one of claims 3 to 7, The upper control device selects the cheapest rate plan from among multiple rate plans for the low-voltage bulk power receiving contract based on the amount of power consumed measured by the upper meter device, and notifies the server device of the operator managing the apartment complex.

9. In the power supply system according to any one of claims 3 to 8, When the upper control device receives a demand response signal, it requests devices in the apartment building to reduce the amount of power consumed by the multiple dwelling units and the common areas.

10. In the power supply system according to any one of claims 3 to 9, The distributed power source includes at least a storage battery, and when the upper control device acquires a demand response signal, it charges the storage battery with surplus power from another distributed power source other than the storage battery.

11. The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a distribution board having the branch point, The distribution board is a power supply system that enables low-voltage bulk power received from the system via the upper meter device without going through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment to be supplied to all units in the apartment building.

12. In the power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The storage battery is charged when the unit price of electricity is lower than a predetermined reference value, and is discharged when the unit price of electricity is higher than the predetermined reference value.

13. In the power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, The storage battery discharges the stored electricity so that the power consumption of the apartment building does not exceed the contracted power of the low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract.

14. In the power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, An electricity supply system in which the electricity fee charged to each of the plurality of dwelling units does not exceed the electricity fee that would be charged if each of the plurality of dwelling units had entered into an individual contract for each unit.

15. In the power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The distributed power source supplies power to at least the common area during a power outage.

16. A method of supplying electricity to a single apartment building, in which an apartment building receives low-voltage bulk electricity from a grid based on a low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract for electricity less than that required for a high-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract, said apartment building having a plurality of dwelling units and common areas, and at least said dwelling units are charged electricity fees according to their electricity usage by a business operator that manages said apartment building and is different from the grid power company, a first step of measuring the amount of power consumed by an upper meter device that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and that measures the amount of power consumed by the apartment building purchased from the grid; a second step of receiving power from the grid without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment; a third step of supplying the power received in the second step to each of the plurality of dwelling units and the common area via a plurality of breakers connected to each of the plurality of dwelling units and the common area; a fourth step of measuring the amount of power consumed by the plurality of dwelling units in a plurality of lower-level meter devices that measure the amount of power consumed by the plurality of dwelling units; a fifth step of supplying power from a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device to the plurality of dwelling units and the common area via the upper meter device and the plurality of lower meter devices; A power supply method including:

17. An electric power supply system for a single apartment building having a plurality of dwelling units which receive low-voltage bulk electricity from the grid based on a low-voltage bulk electricity contract for electricity less than the amount required for the high-voltage bulk electricity contract, wherein the plurality of dwelling units are charged electricity according to a first amount of electricity consumed by purchasing electricity from the grid from a party other than the grid power company and a second amount of electricity consumed by the plurality of dwelling units, an upper meter that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and that measures the first power consumption; a plurality of breakers connected to each of the plurality of dwelling units; a branch point that supplies low-voltage collectively received power from the system via the host meter without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment to each of the plurality of dwelling units via the breaker; a plurality of lower-level meters that are connected between the branch point and the plurality of dwelling units and measure the second amount of power consumption and are not managed by the grid power company; a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device, the distributed power source being connected between the upper meter and the plurality of lower meters and capable of supplying power to the plurality of dwelling units; and A power supply system in which no switch is connected between the breaker and the upper meter, and no switch is connected between the breaker and the distributed power source.

18. A power supply method for a single apartment building having a plurality of dwelling units which receive low-voltage bulk power from the grid based on a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract for power less than that required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract, wherein the plurality of dwelling units are charged electricity according to a first amount of power consumption purchased from the grid by a party other than the grid power company and a second amount of power consumption consumed by the plurality of dwelling units, a first step of measuring the first amount of power consumption in a host meter that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and that measures the first amount of power consumption; a second step of receiving power from the grid without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment; a third step of supplying the power received in the second step to each of the plurality of dwelling units via a plurality of breakers connected to each of the plurality of dwelling units; a fourth step of measuring the second amount of power consumption in a plurality of lower-level meters that are not managed by the grid power company, the lower-level meters being meters that measure the second amount of power consumption; a fifth step of supplying power to the plurality of dwelling units from a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device via the upper meter and the plurality of lower meters; Including, A power supply method in which no switch is connected between the breaker and the host meter, and no switch is connected between the breaker and the distributed power source.

19. A power supply system in a single complex consumer facility having a plurality of consumer facilities that receive low-voltage bulk power from the grid based on a low-voltage bulk power receiving contract for power less than the power required for a high-voltage bulk power receiving contract, wherein the plurality of consumer facilities are provided by a party other than the grid power company and electricity charges are allocated according to a first amount of power consumption purchased from the grid and a second amount of power consumption consumed at the plurality of consumer facilities, an upper meter that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and that measures the first power consumption; a plurality of breakers connected to each of the plurality of customer facilities; a branch point that supplies low-voltage collectively received power from the grid via the host meter without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment to each of the plurality of customer facilities via the breaker; a plurality of lower-level meters that are connected between the branch point and the plurality of customer facilities and measure the second amount of power consumption and are not managed by the grid power company; a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device, the distributed power source being connected between the upper meter and the plurality of lower meters and capable of supplying power to the plurality of customer facilities; and A power supply system in which no switch is connected between the breaker and the upper meter, and no switch is connected between the breaker and the distributed power source.

20. A single apartment building that receives low-voltage bulk electricity from the grid based on a low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract for electricity less than the power required for the high-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract, A plurality of dwelling units to which electricity charges are allocated according to the amount of electricity used by a business operator that manages the housing complex, which is different from a grid power company; Common areas and a host meter device that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and that measures the amount of electricity purchased from the grid in the apartment building; a plurality of breakers connected to the plurality of dwelling units and the common area, respectively; a branch point that supplies low-voltage collectively received power from the system via the host meter device without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment to each of the plurality of dwelling units and the common area via the breaker; a plurality of lower-level meter devices connected between the branch point and the plurality of dwelling units and measuring the amounts of power consumed by the plurality of dwelling units; a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device, the distributed power source being connected between the upper meter device and the plurality of lower meter devices and capable of supplying power to the plurality of dwelling units and the common area; An apartment building with the following features.

21. A single complex consumer facility having a plurality of consumer facilities that receive low-voltage bulk electricity from the grid based on a low-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract for electricity less than the electricity required for the high-voltage bulk electricity receiving contract, wherein the plurality of consumer facilities are provided by a party other than the grid power company and electricity charges are allocated according to a first amount of electricity consumed by the plurality of consumer facilities and a second amount of electricity consumed by the plurality of consumer facilities, an upper meter that is directly connected to the grid without going through a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility and that measures the first power consumption; a plurality of breakers connected to each of the plurality of customer facilities; a branch point that supplies low-voltage collectively received power from the grid via the host meter without passing through the cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment to each of the plurality of customer facilities via the breaker; a plurality of lower-level meters that are connected between the branch point and the plurality of customer facilities and measure the second amount of power consumption and are not managed by the grid power company; a distributed power source including at least one of a storage battery and a power generation device, the distributed power source being connected between the upper meter and the plurality of lower meters and capable of supplying power to the plurality of customer facilities; and A complex consumer facility in which no switch is connected between the breaker and the upper meter, and no switch is connected between the breaker and the distributed power source.

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