Control device and control method

Abstract

This system enables, at a low cost, at least one of the following: discharging electricity stored in the energy storage device to the facility's power grid, or charging the energy storage device from the said power grid. [Solution] The control device 10 includes an acquisition unit 132 that acquires power receiving point power information, which indicates the power receiving point power that is power supplied from the power system P to the facility F or power supplied from the facility F to the power system P, as measured by a power meter 1 installed in the facility F, and first energy storage status information, which indicates the energy storage status of a plug-in energy storage device 4 installed in the facility F, connected to the power grid within the facility F via an AC outlet 3, and capable of at least one of charging from the power grid and discharging to the power grid, and an operation control unit 133 that changes the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage device 4 based on the energy storage status indicated by the first energy storage status information, so that the power receiving point power indicated by the power receiving point power information acquired by the acquisition unit 132 approaches the target power.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] ,

[0006]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device and a control method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, charging equipment for charging electric vehicles has been installed in ordinary households and the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There are cases where the electric power stored in a power storage device such as an electric vehicle is output to the power system of a facility such as a home, or the power storage device is charged from the power system. However, in order to enable at least either charging from the home power system to the electric vehicle or discharging to the power grid, complicated construction work has been required.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to realize at least either discharging of the electric power stored in the power storage device to the power system of the facility or charging of the power storage device from the power system at low cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A control device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: an acquisition unit that acquires receiving point power information indicating receiving point power which is power supplied to the facility from the power system or power supplied from the facility to the power system, as measured by a power meter installed in the facility; first energy storage status information indicating the energy storage status of a plug-in energy storage device installed in the facility, connected to the power grid within the facility via an outlet, and capable of at least one of charging from the power grid and discharging to the power grid; and an operation control unit that changes the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage device based on the energy storage status indicated by the first energy storage status information so that the receiving point power indicated by the receiving point power information acquired by the acquisition unit approaches the target power.

[0007] The control device may have a notification unit that determines whether the control device can communicate with the plug-in energy storage equipment, and if the control device determines that it cannot communicate with the plug-in energy storage equipment, it notifies the user's terminal of the control device that the control device cannot communicate with the plug-in energy storage equipment.

[0008] The operation control unit calculates the amount of change in the power at the power receiving point per unit time. If the calculated amount of change does not exceed a predetermined threshold, it may change the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage device at a first time interval. If the calculated amount of change exceeds a predetermined threshold, it may change the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage device at a second time interval shorter than the first time interval.

[0009] The facility is provided with energy storage equipment or power consuming equipment whose operation can be controlled by the control device, the acquisition unit acquires second energy storage status information indicating the energy storage status of the energy storage equipment or operation status information indicating the operation status of the power consuming equipment, and the operation control unit controls the charging and discharging of the plug-in energy storage equipment and the operation of the energy storage equipment or the power consuming equipment based on the energy storage status indicated by the first energy storage status information and the energy storage status indicated by the second energy storage status information or the operation status of the power consuming equipment indicated by the operation status information, so that the power at the point of power supply approaches the target power, and the time interval for controlling the charging and discharging of the energy storage equipment or the operation of the power consuming equipment may be shorter than the time interval for controlling the charging and discharging of the energy storage equipment or the time interval for controlling the operation of the power consuming equipment.

[0010] The facility is equipped with a plurality of energy storage devices, including the plug-in energy storage device, and has a setting unit that sets at least one of the priority order for discharge of the plurality of energy storage devices and the priority order for charge of the plurality of energy storage devices, and the operation control unit may control at least one of the discharge from the plurality of energy storage devices based on the priority order for discharge set by the setting unit, and the charge to the plurality of energy storage devices based on the priority order for charge set by the setting unit.

[0011] A control method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: acquiring power receiving point power information, which is power supplied to the facility from the power grid or power supplied from the facility to the power grid, as measured by a power meter installed in the facility and executed by a computer; and acquiring first energy storage status information, which is the energy storage status of a plug-in energy storage device installed in the facility, connected to the power grid within the facility via an outlet, and capable of at least one of charging from the power grid and discharging to the power grid; and changing the power charged and discharged from the plug-in energy storage device based on the energy storage status indicated by the first energy storage status information, so that the power receiving point power indicated by the acquired power receiving point power information approaches the target power. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve at least one of the following at low cost: discharging the electricity stored in the energy storage device to the facility's power grid, and charging the energy storage device from the said power grid. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates the outline of the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows the functional configuration of the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow in a control device. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates the outline of a power control system according to a second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] <First Embodiment> [Overview of Control Device 10] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the outline of a power control system S according to the first embodiment. The power control system S is a system for controlling electricity in a facility F such as a house or a store, and includes a power meter 1, a load 2, an AC outlet 3, a plug-in energy storage device 4, and a control device 10.

[0015] The power meter 1 is, for example, a smart meter connected to the power grid P. The power meter 1 measures the point-of-reception power, which is the power supplied from the power grid P to facility F or the power supplied from facility F to the power grid P. The power meter 1 transmits point-of-reception power information, which indicates the measured point-of-reception power, to the control device 10. The load 2 is an electrical appliance used in facility F, such as a home, that consumes power. The load 2 consumes power supplied from the power grid P or the plug-in energy storage equipment 4.

[0016] AC outlet 3 is, for example, an AC100V outlet or an AC200V outlet. Plug-in energy storage equipment 4 is energy storage equipment connected to the power grid within facility F via AC outlet 3. Plug-in energy storage equipment 4 is, for example, an electric vehicle equipped with a battery. Plug-in energy storage equipment 4 can be charged from and discharged to the power grid within facility F via AC outlet 3. Plug-in energy storage equipment 4 has a wireless communication unit for wireless communication and can communicate wirelessly with control device 10. Plug-in energy storage equipment 4 charges and discharges according to the control of control device 10. Note that there is one plug-in energy storage equipment 4 installed in facility F, but there may be multiple installed.

[0017] The control device 10 is a device that changes the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage system 4. The control device 10 can communicate wirelessly with, for example, the power meter 1 and the plug-in energy storage system 4. The control device 10 acquires power receiving point power information from the power meter 1, which indicates the power receiving point power measured by the power meter 1. The control device 10 also acquires first energy storage status information from the plug-in energy storage system 4, which indicates the energy storage status in the plug-in energy storage system 4. Then, based on the energy storage status indicated by the first energy storage status information, the control device 10 changes the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage system 4 so that the power receiving point power indicated by the acquired power receiving point power information approaches the target power.

[0018] Thus, the control device 10 changes the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage equipment 4, which is connected to the power grid within facility F via the AC outlet 3, based on the power reception point information and the first energy storage status information. Therefore, no construction work is required to output the power stored in the energy storage equipment to the power grid within facility F. Consequently, the control device 10 can achieve at least one of the following at low cost: discharge of power stored in the energy storage equipment to the facility's power grid, or charging of the energy storage equipment from the power grid. Furthermore, the control device 10 can reduce the amount of electricity purchased from the power grid P by changing the power discharged from the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 so that the power reception point power approaches the target power.

[0019] [Configuration of Control Device 10] Next, the configuration of the control device 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 10 includes a wireless communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0020] The wireless communication unit 11 is an interface for the control device 10 to perform wireless communication with devices capable of wireless communication such as the power meter 1 and the plug-in power storage facility 4. The wireless communication unit 11 performs wireless communication with the power meter 1 and the plug-in power storage facility 4, for example, by Wi-SUN (registered trademark). Note that the wireless communication unit 11 may perform wireless communication in accordance with known wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0021] The storage unit 12 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage unit 12 stores a program that causes the control unit 13 to function as a setting unit 131, an acquisition unit 132, an operation control unit 133, and a notification unit 134.

[0022] The control unit 13 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 13 functions as a setting unit 131, an acquisition unit 132, an operation control unit 133, and a notification unit 134 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 12.

[0023] The setting unit 131 performs settings related to the communication connection between the power meter 1 and the plug-in power storage facility 4. For example, the setting unit 131 receives settings related to the communication connection from the user via a setting terminal (not shown) such as a smartphone capable of executing a setting application for setting the control device 10. The setting unit 131 performs searches for each of the power meter 1 and the plug-in power storage facility 4, and receives connection information for establishing a wireless communication connection with each of the searched power meter 1 and plug-in power storage facility 4. The setting unit 131 uses the received connection information to establish wireless communication with each of the power meter 1 and the plug-in power storage facility 4.

[0024] Furthermore, the setting unit 131 receives settings related to the charging and discharging of the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 from the setting terminal. The setting unit 131 sets the discharge threshold by receiving, for example, the discharge threshold which is the lower limit of the charge rate that the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 will allow to discharge. The setting unit 131 also sets the charge threshold by receiving, for example, the charge threshold which is the upper limit of the charge rate that the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 will allow to be charged. Here, the discharge threshold and the charge threshold may be set to different values ​​for each of the multiple time periods.

[0025] The acquisition unit 132 acquires power reception point power information, which indicates the power reception point power measured by the power meter 1 installed in facility F, and first energy storage status information, which indicates the energy storage status (e.g., charge rate) of the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 connected to the power grid within facility F via the AC outlet 3. The acquisition unit 132 acquires the power reception point power information by receiving the power reception point power information from the power meter 1 via wireless communication every hour via the wireless communication unit 11. The acquisition unit 132 also acquires the first energy storage status information by receiving the first energy storage status information from the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 via wireless communication every hour via the wireless communication unit 11.

[0026] The operation control unit 133 changes the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 based on the energy storage status indicated by the first energy storage status information acquired by the acquisition unit 132, so that the power at the point of reception indicated by the power reception point power information acquired by the acquisition unit 132 approaches the target power. Here, the power at the point of reception is a positive value when power is supplied from the power system P to the facility F, and a negative value when power is supplied from the facility F to the power system P. The target power is predetermined, but is not limited to this, and may be set to different values ​​for each of the multiple time periods. The target power may also be a value received from the setting unit 131.

[0027] For example, if the power at the point of power received, as indicated by the power information at the point of power received acquired by the acquisition unit 132, exceeds the target power, and the charge rate indicated by the power storage status information of the plug-in energy storage device 4, as indicated by the first power storage status information acquired by the acquisition unit 132, is equal to or greater than the discharge threshold, the operation control unit 133 performs feedback control to change the power that the plug-in energy storage device 4 discharges to the power system of facility F so that the power at the point of power received approaches the target power.

[0028] Furthermore, if the power at the point of power received, as indicated by the power information at the point of power received by the acquisition unit 132, is below the target power, and the charge rate indicated by the charge status information of the plug-in energy storage device 4, as indicated by the first charge status information received by the acquisition unit 132, is below the charge threshold, the operation control unit 133 performs feedback control to change the power charged to the plug-in energy storage device 4 so that the power at the point of power receives approaches the target power.

[0029] Here, depending on the conditions of load 2, the power at the point of power reception may fluctuate significantly or gradually. In response to this, the acquisition unit 132 may calculate the amount of change in the power at the point of power reception per unit time. The acquisition unit 132 may then acquire power at the point of power reception information and the first energy storage status information at a first time interval if the calculated amount of change does not exceed a predetermined threshold, and acquire power at the point of power reception information and the first energy storage status information at a second time interval shorter than the first time interval if the calculated amount of change exceeds a predetermined threshold. Here, the first time interval is, for example, 1 second, and the second time interval is, for example, several tens of milliseconds to several hundred milliseconds.

[0030] Similarly, the operation control unit 133 may calculate the amount of change in the power at the power receiving point per unit time. If the calculated amount of change does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the operation control unit 133 may change the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 in the first time interval, and if the calculated amount of change exceeds a predetermined threshold, the operation control unit 133 may change the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 in the second time interval.

[0031] In this way, the control device 10 can reduce the load on the acquisition unit 132 and the operation control unit 133 when the amount of change in the power at the point of reception is small, and when the amount of change in the power at the point of reception is large, it can finely control the charging and discharging of the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 and control it in accordance with the change in the power at the point of reception.

[0032] The notification unit 134 determines whether the control device 10 can communicate with the plug-in energy storage equipment 4. For example, the notification unit 134 determines that communication with the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 is not possible if the acquisition unit 132 is unable to acquire the first energy storage status information from the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 for a predetermined period of time or longer. Here, the predetermined period is set to be longer than the first hour, which is the acquisition interval for the first energy storage status information.

[0033] The notification unit 134 may periodically transmit confirmation information to the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 indicating whether a communication connection is established, and may receive response information from the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 indicating that a communication connection is established. Furthermore, if the notification unit 134 is unable to receive the first energy storage status information from the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 for a predetermined period of time or longer, it may determine that it cannot communicate with the plug-in energy storage equipment 4.

[0034] When the control device 10 determines that it is unable to communicate with the plug-in energy storage device 4, the notification unit 134 notifies the user's terminal of the control device 10 that the control device 10 is unable to communicate with the plug-in energy storage device 4. The plug-in energy storage device 4 is easier to move than a fixed-installation energy storage device because it can be unplugged from the AC outlet 3, and is therefore more susceptible to theft than a fixed-installation energy storage device. In response to this, the control device 10 can notify the user that it is unable to communicate with the plug-in energy storage device 4 at the moment it loses communication with the plug-in energy storage device 4, so it can quickly notify the user that the plug-in energy storage device 4 has been moved.

[0035] Furthermore, the plug-in energy storage device 4 may determine whether or not it can communicate with the control device 10 when it is connected to the AC outlet 3. If the plug-in energy storage device 4 determines that it cannot communicate with the control device 10, it may stop charging and discharging. In this way, it is possible to prevent the plug-in energy storage device 4 from behaving unintended when the control device 10 is unable to communicate with the plug-in energy storage device 4.

[0036] [Operation Flow] Next, the basic processing flow in the control device 10 will be explained. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow in the control device 10. It is assumed that the discharge threshold and charge threshold have been set by the setting unit 131 before the start of this flowchart.

[0037] First, the acquisition unit 132 acquires power information at the point of power reception from the power meter 1 (S1), and acquires first energy storage status information from the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 (S2).

[0038] Next, the notification unit 134 determines whether the acquisition unit 132 is unable to acquire the first energy storage status information from the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 for a predetermined period of time or longer (S3). If the notification unit 134 determines that the first energy storage status information cannot be acquired (YES in S3), it moves to S4 and notifies the control device 10 that it is unable to communicate with the plug-in energy storage equipment 4. If the notification unit 134 determines that the first energy storage status information has been acquired (NO in S3), it moves to S5.

[0039] Next, the operation control unit 133 determines whether the power at the point of power reception, as indicated by the power reception point power information acquired by the acquisition unit 132, exceeds the target power (S5). If the operation control unit 133 determines that the power at the point of power reception exceeds the target power (YES in S5), it moves to S6; if it determines that the power at the point of power reception does not exceed the target power (NO in S5), it moves to S8.

[0040] In S6, the operation control unit 133 determines whether the charge rate of the plug-in energy storage equipment 4, as indicated by the first energy storage status information acquired by the acquisition unit 132, exceeds the discharge threshold. If the operation control unit 133 determines that the charge rate of the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 exceeds the discharge threshold (YES in S6), it moves the process to S7. If it determines that the charge rate of the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 does not exceed the discharge threshold (NO in S6), it moves the process to S1.

[0041] In S7, the operation control unit 133 controls the power discharged by the plug-in energy storage device 4 so that the power at the point of power reception approaches the target power. Then, the operation control unit 133 moves the process to S1.

[0042] In S8, the operation control unit 133 determines whether the charge rate of the plug-in energy storage equipment 4, as indicated by the first energy storage status information acquired by the acquisition unit 132, exceeds the charge threshold. If the operation control unit 133 determines that the charge rate of the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 does not exceed the charge threshold (YES in S8), it moves the process to S9. If it determines that the charge rate of the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 exceeds the charge threshold (NO in S8), it moves the process to S1.

[0043] In S9, the operation control unit 133 controls the power charged to the plug-in energy storage device 4 so that the power at the point of power reception approaches the target power. Then, the operation control unit 133 moves the process to S1.

[0044] <Effects related to the first embodiment> As described above, the control device 10 according to the first embodiment acquires power reception point power information indicating the power reception point power measured by the power meter 1, and first energy storage status information indicating the energy storage status of the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 connected to the power grid within facility F via the AC outlet 3. Based on the energy storage status indicated by the first energy storage status information, the control device 10 changes the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 so that the power reception point power indicated by the acquired power reception point power information approaches the target power. In this way, the control device 10 can achieve at least one of the following at low cost: discharge of power stored in the energy storage equipment to the power grid of facility F, and charging of the energy storage equipment from the power grid.

[0045] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. In addition to the plug-in energy storage equipment 4, facility F may be equipped with other devices whose operation can be controlled by the control device 10. These devices whose operation can be controlled by the control device 10 include, for example, energy storage equipment fixedly installed in facility F, and power-consuming equipment which is a type of load 2. The power control system S according to the second embodiment has these devices whose operation can be controlled by the control device 10, and the control device 10 controls both the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 and these devices. The power control system S according to the second embodiment will be described below. Note that explanations of parts that are the same as in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0046] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the outline of a power control system S according to a second embodiment. The power control system S according to the second embodiment includes a power meter 1, a load 2, an AC outlet 3, a plug-in energy storage device 4, an energy storage device 5, a power consuming device 6, and a control device 10.

[0047] The energy storage device 5 is a fixedly installed energy storage device at facility F that stores electricity generated by, for example, a power generation device (not shown) that generates electricity using solar power. Unlike the plug-in energy storage device 4, the energy storage device 5 is connected to the power grid within facility F without going through the AC outlet 3. The energy storage device 5 has a wireless communication unit for wireless communication and is capable of wireless communication with the control device 10. The energy storage device 5 can discharge the electricity it has stored to the power grid within facility F in accordance with the control of the control device 10. The energy storage device 5 may also be capable of storing electricity supplied from the power system P in accordance with the control of the control device 10. In addition, although it is assumed that there is one energy storage device 5 installed at facility F, there may be multiple installed.

[0048] The power-consuming device 6 is a load 2 located in facility F whose operation can be controlled by the control device 10, and is, for example, a heat pump water heater. The power-consuming device 6 is a device that can operate with relatively small fluctuations in power consumption over a relatively long period of time compared to load 2 within facility F, which is different from itself. The power-consuming device 6 has a wireless communication unit for wireless communication and is capable of wireless communication with the control device 10. Furthermore, the power-consuming device 6 can operate in accordance with the control of the control device 10. Although the power-consuming device 6 is a type of load 2, in the following explanation, load 2 and the power-consuming device 6 will be described separately.

[0049] The setting unit 131 sets at least one of the priority order for discharge of multiple energy storage devices, including the plug-in energy storage device 4 and the energy storage device 5, and the priority order for charging of the multiple energy storage devices. For example, the setting unit 131 sets these priority orders by receiving the priority order for discharge and the priority order for charging from the multiple energy storage devices from the user via a setting terminal. The setting unit 131 also sets the discharge threshold and charging threshold for each of the multiple energy storage devices by receiving the discharge threshold and charging threshold for each of the multiple energy storage devices from the user via a setting terminal.

[0050] In this way, when power can be supplied to facility F from multiple energy storage devices, the user can set charging and discharging priorities, discharge thresholds, and charging thresholds from the perspective of the impact on the wear and tear of the energy storage devices and as a backup in the event of a disaster.

[0051] Furthermore, the setting unit 131 may set the discharge priority of the energy storage equipment 5 to a higher priority than the discharge priority of the plug-in energy storage equipment 4 when the energy storage equipment 5 stores electricity generated by solar power generation or the like. The setting unit 131 may also accept the priority order for charging when the energy storage equipment 5 can charge other energy storage equipment. In addition, the setting unit 131 may accept that the power grid P will not charge the energy storage equipment 5 when the energy storage equipment 5 only stores electricity generated by solar power generation equipment.

[0052] The acquisition unit 132 acquires second energy storage status information, which indicates the energy storage status of the energy storage equipment 5. The acquisition unit 132 acquires the second energy storage status information by receiving it wirelessly from the energy storage equipment 5 via the wireless communication unit 11. The acquisition unit 132 also acquires operation status information, which indicates the operation status of the power consuming equipment 6. The acquisition unit 132 acquires the operation status information by receiving it wirelessly from the power consuming equipment 6 via the wireless communication unit 11.

[0053] Here, the acquisition unit 132 acquires operating status information from the power consuming device 6 at time intervals corresponding to the characteristics of the power consuming device 6. For example, if the power consuming device 6 is a device such as the heat pump water heater described above, in which the amount of change in power consumption during operation is relatively small compared to other loads 2, the acquisition unit 132 acquires operating status information at a time interval longer than the acquisition interval for the power receiving point information and the first energy storage status information. In this way, the control device 10 can reduce the load required to acquire operating status information.

[0054] The operation control unit 133 controls the charging and discharging of the plug-in energy storage equipment 4, the charging and discharging of the energy storage equipment 5, and the operation of the power-consuming equipment 6, based on the energy storage status indicated by the first energy storage status information, the energy storage status indicated by the second energy storage status information, and the operation status of the power-consuming equipment 6 indicated by the operation status information, so that the power at the point of power approaches the target power. In addition, the operation control unit 133 controls at least one of the following: discharging from multiple energy storage equipment based on the priority order during discharge set by the setting unit 131, and charging to multiple energy storage equipment based on the priority order during charging set by the setting unit 131.

[0055] For example, the operation control unit 133 first identifies the peak time period for power generation indicated by the power generation equipment that supplies power to the energy storage equipment 5. The operation control unit 133 also identifies the continuous operating time of the power consumption equipment 6 based on the operating status of multiple operating status information acquired over a period longer than the interval between acquisitions of operating status information. Based on the identified peak time period and the continuous operating time of the power consumption equipment 6, the operation control unit 133 determines the start time of operation for the power consumption equipment 6 and starts operation of the power consumption equipment 6 at the determined start time.

[0056] The operation control unit 133 identifies a dischargeable energy storage facility from among multiple energy storage facilities if the power at the point of reception indicated by the power reception information exceeds the target power. For example, the operation control unit 133 identifies a dischargeable energy storage facility from among multiple energy storage facilities by identifying an energy storage facility whose charge rate indicated by the energy storage status information is higher than the discharge threshold. If there are multiple dischargeable energy storage facilities, the operation control unit 133 initiates discharge from the energy storage facility with the highest priority and performs feedback control to change the power discharged from the dischargeable energy storage facilities so that the power at the point of reception approaches the target power.

[0057] Furthermore, if the power at the point of reception indicated by the power reception information is below the target power, the operation control unit 133 identifies a rechargeable energy storage facility from among multiple energy storage facilities. For example, the operation control unit 133 identifies a rechargeable energy storage facility from among multiple energy storage facilities by identifying an energy storage facility whose charge rate indicated by the energy storage status information is lower than the energy storage threshold. If there are multiple rechargeable energy storage facilities, the operation control unit 133 starts charging from the energy storage facility with the highest priority and performs feedback control to change the power charged to the rechargeable energy storage facilities so that the power at the point of reception approaches the target power.

[0058] For example, if the discharge priority of the energy storage facility 5, which stores electricity generated by solar power generation, is higher than that of the plug-in energy storage facility 4, and the charge levels of both the energy storage facility 5 and the plug-in energy storage facility 4 exceed the discharge threshold, the operation control unit 133 will prioritize discharging from the energy storage facility 5 if the power at the point of reception exceeds the target power during the power generation period, which is the time when the power generation facility is generating electricity. Then, when the charge level of the energy storage facility 5 no longer exceeds the discharge threshold, the operation control unit 133 will discharge from the plug-in energy storage facility 4. This allows the plug-in energy storage facility 4 to compensate for the power that should be discharged if, for example, the amount of electricity generated by solar power generation decreases due to bad weather, bringing the power at the point of reception closer to the target power.

[0059] Furthermore, the control unit 133, when the power at the point of power reception does not exceed the target power and the plug-in power storage device 4 is being charged from the power storage device 5 that stores electricity generated by solar power generation, stops charging the plug-in power storage device 4 in response to a sudden increase in power consumption by the load 2, causing the power at the point of power reception to exceed the target power, and allocates the discharge amount from the power storage device 5 to the power consumption of the load 2. In this way, even when the power consumption by the load 2 suddenly increases and the power at the point of power reception exceeds the target power, the control device 10 can bring the power at the point of power reception closer to the target power and suppress the purchase of excess electricity.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating them in any unit.

[0061] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 13 of the control device 10 functioned as a setting unit 131, an acquisition unit 132, an operation control unit 133, and a notification unit 134, but it is not limited to this. For example, the control unit of the plug-in energy storage device 4 may have some of these functions, and the control unit 13 of the control device 10 may have the remaining functions. For example, the control unit of the plug-in energy storage device 4 may function as an acquisition unit 132 and an operation control unit 133, acquire power receiving point information, and change the power charged and discharged from the plug-in energy storage device 4 so that the power receiving point power approaches the target power, based on the power receiving point power information and its own energy storage status.

[0062] Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 Power meter 2 loads 3 AC outlets 4. Plug-in energy storage equipment 5. Energy storage equipment 6 Power consumption equipment 10 Control device 11 Wireless Communication Section 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 131 Settings Section 132 Acquisition Department 133 Operation Control Unit 134 Notification Department P power system

Claims

1. The wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication, An acquisition unit that acquires, via wireless communication from a power meter installed in a facility such as a home or store and capable of wireless communication, power receiving point power information indicating power receiving point power, which is power supplied from the power grid to the facility or power supplied from the facility to the power grid, measured by the power meter, and acquires, via wireless communication from the power meter and via the wireless communication unit, first power storage status information indicating the power storage status of a plug-in power storage device installed in the facility, connected to the power grid within the facility via an outlet, capable of at least one of charging from the power grid and discharging to the power grid, and capable of wireless communication, An operation control unit that, based on the power storage status indicated by the first power storage status information, modifies the power charged and discharged by the plug-in power storage equipment via wireless communication through the wireless communication unit so that the receiving point power indicated by the receiving point power information acquired by the acquisition unit approaches the target power, and calculates the amount of change in the receiving point power per unit time, and if the calculated amount of change does not exceed a predetermined threshold, modifies the power charged and discharged by the plug-in power storage equipment at a first time interval, and if the calculated amount of change exceeds a predetermined threshold, modifies the power charged and discharged by the plug-in power storage equipment at a second time interval shorter than the first time interval, A control device having

2. A control device having a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication, An acquisition unit that acquires, via wireless communication from a power meter installed in a facility such as a home or store and capable of wireless communication, power receiving point power information indicating power receiving point power, which is power supplied from the power grid to the facility or power supplied from the facility to the power grid, measured by the power meter, first power storage status information indicating the power storage status of a plug-in power storage device installed in the facility, connected to the power grid within the facility via an outlet, capable of at least one of charging from the power grid and discharging to the power grid, and capable of wireless communication, second power storage status information indicating the power storage status of a power storage device installed in the facility and whose operation can be controlled by the control device, or operation status information indicating the operation status of a power consuming device installed in the facility and whose operation can be controlled by the control device, Based on the energy storage status indicated by the first energy storage status information and the energy storage status indicated by the second energy storage status information or the operating status of the power consuming equipment indicated by the operating status information, the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage equipment is changed via wireless communication through the wireless communication unit so that the power at the point of reception indicated by the power receiving point information acquired by the acquisition unit approaches the target power, and the operation control unit controls the charging and discharging of the energy storage equipment or the operation of the power consuming equipment so that the power at the point of reception indicated by the power receiving point information acquired by the acquisition unit approaches the target power, based on the energy storage status indicated by the first energy storage status information and the energy storage status indicated by the second energy storage status information or the operating status of the power consuming equipment indicated by the operating status information, It has, The time interval for controlling the charging and discharging of the plug-in energy storage equipment is shorter than the time interval for controlling the charging and discharging of the energy storage equipment or the time interval for controlling the operation of the power consuming equipment. Control device.

3. The control device has a notification unit that determines whether it can communicate with the plug-in energy storage equipment, and if the control device determines that it cannot communicate with the plug-in energy storage equipment, it notifies the user terminal of the control device that the control device cannot communicate with the plug-in energy storage equipment. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned facility is equipped with multiple energy storage facilities, including the plug-in energy storage facility. The system includes a setting unit that sets at least one of the priority order for the discharge of the plurality of energy storage devices and the priority order for the charging of the plurality of energy storage devices. The operation control unit controls at least one of the following: the discharge from the plurality of energy storage devices based on the priority order during discharge set by the setting unit, and the charging of the plurality of energy storage devices based on the priority order during charging set by the setting unit. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A computer having a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication will execute: The process involves acquiring, via wireless communication from the power meter, through the wireless communication unit, power receiving point power information, which indicates the power supply from the power grid to the facility or the power supply from the facility to the power grid, as measured by a power meter installed in a facility such as a home or store and capable of wireless communication; and acquiring, via wireless communication from the plug-in energy storage equipment, through the wireless communication unit, first energy storage status information, which indicates the energy storage status of a plug-in energy storage equipment installed in the facility, connected to the power grid within the facility via an outlet, capable of at least one of charging from the power grid and discharging to the power grid, and capable of wireless communication; A step of changing the power charged and discharged from the plug-in energy storage equipment via wireless communication through the wireless communication unit so that the power at the receiving point indicated by the acquired power receiving point information approaches the target power, based on the energy storage status indicated by the first energy storage status information, wherein the amount of change in the power at the receiving point per unit time is calculated, and if the calculated amount of change does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage equipment is changed at a first time interval, and if the calculated amount of change exceeds a predetermined threshold, the power charged and discharged by the plug-in energy storage equipment is changed at a second time interval shorter than the first time interval, A control method having

6. A computer having a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication will execute: The steps include: acquiring point-receiving power information, which indicates point-receiving power, which is power supplied from the power grid to the facility or power supplied from the facility to the power grid, measured by a power meter installed in a facility such as a home or store and capable of wireless communication; acquiring first storage status information, which indicates the storage status of a plug-in energy storage device installed in the facility, connected to the power grid within the facility via an outlet, capable of at least one of charging from the power grid and discharging to the power grid, and capable of wireless communication, from the plug-in energy storage device via wireless communication, acquiring second storage status information, which indicates the storage status of an energy storage device installed in the facility and whose operation can be controlled by the computer, or operation status information, which indicates the operation status of a power-consuming device installed in the facility and whose operation can be controlled by the computer; Based on the energy storage status indicated by the first energy storage status information, the energy storage status indicated by the second energy storage status information, or the operating status of the power consuming equipment indicated by the operating status information, the power charged and discharged from the plug-in energy storage equipment is changed via wireless communication through the wireless communication unit so that the power at the point of reception indicated by the acquired power receiving point information approaches the target power; and based on the energy storage status indicated by the first energy storage status information, the energy storage status indicated by the second energy storage status information, or the operating status of the power consuming equipment indicated by the operating status information, the power at the point of reception indicated by the acquired power receiving point information approaches the target power; It has, The time interval for controlling the charging and discharging of the plug-in energy storage equipment is shorter than the time interval for controlling the charging and discharging of the energy storage equipment or the time interval for controlling the operation of the power consuming equipment. Control method.

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