Power outage information provision device, power outage information provision system, and program

Abstract

To obtain a power failure information service device capable of giving assistance to specify a cause of power failure, while specifying a place of the power failure in a low-voltage system.SOLUTION: A power failure information service device 3 comprises a data acquisition part 32 for acquiring cause estimation support information as information about a cause of power failure; a display data generation part 33 that generates display data for display the cause estimation support information together with power failure information indicating a power failure state of an estimated smart meter, based on a communication condition of the smart meter for periodically measuring a consumer's power amount; and a transmitting / receiving part 31 for transmitting the display data to a display terminal 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power outage information providing device, a power outage information providing system, and a program that provide information regarding power outages.

Background Art

[0002] In a power distribution system, regarding high-voltage power distribution lines, for example, state monitoring is performed for each section divided by switches by a system called a distribution automation system or the like. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the occurrence status of power outages in units of sections of high-voltage power distribution lines, but it is difficult to grasp power outages caused by damage to low-voltage power distribution lines or service drops. Power outages caused by damage to low-voltage power distribution lines or service drops are also called hidden power outages, and in order to restore hidden power outages, it is desirable to grasp the occurrence status of hidden power outages.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining that the location where a smart meter, which is a metering device for automatic electricity measurement installed for each consumer, is in a power outage state when a communication failure occurs. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a power outage area is specified based on the position of the smart meter determined to be in a power outage state. Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a distribution map of the specified power outage causes is displayed on a map based on the power outage information of the distribution automation system and the information on the power outage causes obtained at business offices in each area.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 limits the causes of power outages that can be identified in the power distribution automation system or at the sales office. For example, it is not easy for workers to identify damage to low-voltage distribution lines and service lines. Therefore, there is a need for technology that can identify the location of power outages in low-voltage systems and assist in identifying the causes of power outages.

[0006] This disclosure is made in view of the above, and aims to provide a power outage information device that can identify the location of a power outage in a low-voltage system and assist in identifying the cause of the power outage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the power outage information providing device according to this disclosure comprises: a data acquisition unit that acquires cause estimation support information, which is information relating to the cause of a power outage; a display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying the cause estimation support information together with power outage information indicating the power outage state in a metering device estimated based on the communication status of a metering device that periodically measures the amount of electricity consumed by a consumer; and an output unit that outputs the display data. The cause estimation support information includes the locations of high-voltage and low-voltage distribution lines, and the display data generation unit generates display data for displaying power outage information, high-voltage and low-voltage distribution lines on a map. ru. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The power outage information provision device described herein has the effect of identifying the location of power outages in low-voltage systems and assisting in the identification of the cause of power outages. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of the power outage information provision system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] A flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure in the power outage information providing device of Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of the information included in the equipment data of Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display terminal of Embodiment 1. [Figure 5]A flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure in the power outage information providing device when the second display in Embodiment 1 is performed. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a display screen shown by the second display of Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a display screen shown by the third display of Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example configuration of a computer system that implements the power outage information provision device of Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example configuration of the power outage information provision system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a display screen shown by the third display in Embodiment 2. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example configuration of the power outage information provision system according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a display screen shown by the fifth display in Embodiment 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The power outage information provision device, power outage information provision system, and program according to the embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 shows an example configuration of a power outage information provision system according to Embodiment 1. The power outage information provision system 1 of this embodiment includes a display terminal 2, a power outage information provision device 3, a data storage device 4, and a measurement data management device 5. The power outage information provision system 1 may also include an equipment data management device 6.

[0012] The measurement data management device 5 includes a data transmission unit 51, a missing data processing unit 52, a data acquisition unit 53, and a data storage unit 54.

[0013] The data acquisition unit 53 acquires measurement data (hereinafter referred to as SM measurement data) of a smart meter (not shown), which is a metering device that periodically measures the power consumption of a customer for automatic power consumption metering, and stores the acquired SM measurement data in the data storage unit 54. The data acquisition unit 53 may acquire SM measurement data from the smart meter via another device. The smart meter transmits SM measurement data periodically. The transmission period of the SM measurement data is, for example, 30 minutes, but is not limited thereto. The SM measurement data, which is the measurement data of the smart meter, includes SMID (Smart Meter IDentifier), which is the identification information of the smart meter, and time information indicating the time when the SM measurement data was transmitted. In addition, the data acquisition unit 53 acquires high-voltage measurement data, which is measurement data such as the voltage and current of the high-voltage distribution line, and stores the high-voltage measurement data in the data storage unit 54. It is assumed that the high-voltage measurement data is also periodically transmitted from a measurement device (not shown). The high-voltage measurement data includes identification information of the measured value and time information indicating the time when the high-voltage measurement data was transmitted.

[0014] The missing measurement processing unit 52 determines the power outage state of the smart meter, that is, the power outage state of the customer corresponding to the smart meter, based on the communication state of the smart meter. For example, for each smart meter, the missing measurement processing unit 52 determines that there is a communication failure in the smart meter and that the smart meter is in a power outage state when the latest SM measurement data stored in the data storage unit 54 cannot be acquired even after a certain period of time has elapsed since the time of the previous transmission. For the smart meter for which it is determined that there is a communication failure, the missing measurement processing unit 52 generates SM measurement data in which information indicating that the measured value is missing due to the communication failure is stored in the measured value part, and stores the generated SM measurement data in the data storage unit 54. Alternatively, for the smart meter for which it is determined that there is a communication failure, the missing measurement processing unit 52 may store communication failure information indicating that a communication failure has occurred, together with the SMID, in the data storage unit 54 separately from the SM measurement data.

[0015] In addition, when the missing measurement processing unit 52 cannot obtain the high-voltage measurement data even after a certain period of time has elapsed since the time of the previous transmission, similar to the SM measurement data, it determines that a communication failure has occurred in the measurement device and determines that the measurement device is in a power outage state. For the measurement device for which the missing measurement processing unit 52 determines that a communication failure has occurred, it generates high-voltage measurement data in which information indicating that the measurement value is missing due to the communication failure is stored in the measurement value part, and stores the generated high-voltage measurement data in the data storage unit 54. Alternatively, for the measurement device for which the missing measurement processing unit 52 determines that a communication failure has occurred, it may store communication failure information indicating that a communication failure has occurred separately from the high-voltage measurement data, together with the identification information of the measurement device, in the data storage unit 54. Here, an example of determining the power outage state of the high-voltage distribution line based on the communication state of the high-voltage measurement data is described, but the power outage state of the high-voltage distribution line is not limited to the example calculated from the communication state, and for example, information obtained from another distribution automation system or the like may be used.

[0016] When new data is stored in at least one of the SM measurement data and the high-voltage measurement data in the data storage unit 54, the data transmission unit 51 transmits the new data to the data storage device 4.

[0017] The equipment data management device 6 manages equipment data, which is information on various types of equipment in the power distribution system. The equipment data includes information indicating the installation location and information indicating the connection relationship for each piece of equipment. The equipment in the power distribution system includes, for example, various types of distribution lines such as high-voltage distribution lines, low-voltage distribution lines, and service drops, transformers such as pole-mounted transformers, and smart meters. When the equipment data is updated, the equipment data management device 6 transmits it to the data storage device 4.

[0018] The data storage device 4 comprises a data transmission unit 41, a data acquisition unit 42, and a data storage unit 43. The data acquisition unit 42 receives data from other devices and stores the received data in the data storage unit 43. For example, when the data acquisition unit 42 receives SM measurement data and high-voltage measurement data from the measurement data management device 5, it stores the received SM measurement data and high-voltage measurement data in the data storage unit 43. Also, when the data acquisition unit 42 receives equipment data from the equipment data management device 6, it stores the received equipment data in the data storage unit 43. Furthermore, the data acquisition unit 42 acquires map data from a map data providing device (not shown) and stores the acquired map data in the data storage unit 43.

[0019] The data storage unit 43 stores map data, high-voltage measurement data, SM measurement data, and equipment data. The data storage unit 43 may be, for example, a database that stores various types of data, or it may be a data lake.

[0020] The data transmission unit 41 reads data stored in the data storage unit 43 based on a data acquisition request received from the power outage information providing device 3, and transmits the read data to the power outage information providing device 3. The data acquisition request includes type information indicating the type of data to be acquired and display range information indicating the display range, which will be described later. For example, if a value indicating SM measurement data is specified as the type information in the data acquisition request, the data transmission unit 41 extracts data from the SM measurement data stored in the data storage unit 43 within the range specified by the display range information, and transmits the extracted data to the power outage information providing device 3. The data storage unit 43 may store map data, high-voltage measurement data, SM measurement data, and equipment data in association with information indicating the range on the map, or the data transmission unit 41 may extract data corresponding to the range specified in the data acquisition request using location information included in each data. The information indicating the range may be indicated by an address (place name), such as P prefecture, K city, A town, or by latitude and longitude.

[0021] The power outage information providing device 3 comprises a transmitting / receiving unit 31, a data acquisition unit 32, and a display data generation unit 33. The transmitting / receiving unit 31 communicates with the display terminal 2. For example, the transmitting / receiving unit 31 receives display specification information that specifies the display content from the display terminal 2 and outputs the received display specification information to the display data generation unit 33. The transmitting / receiving unit 31 also transmits the display data received from the display data generation unit 33 to the display terminal 2. The transmitting / receiving unit 31 is an example of an output unit that outputs display data. The output unit of the power outage information providing device 3 may also be a display unit that performs display, in which case the output unit outputs display data by displaying the display data.

[0022] The display data generation unit 33 determines the area on the map to be displayed based on the display specification information received from the transmission / reception unit 31, generates a data acquisition request to obtain various data corresponding to the determined area, and outputs it to the data acquisition unit 32. The display data generation unit 33 generates display data using the various data received from the data acquisition unit 32 and outputs the generated display data to the transmission / reception unit 31. In this embodiment, the display data generation unit 33 generates display data for displaying information indicating the power outage status determined from the communication status of the smart meter and information regarding the cause of the power outage superimposed on each other. That is, the display data generation unit 33 generates display data for displaying information regarding the cause of the power outage together with power outage information indicating the power outage status in the smart meter estimated based on the communication status of the smart meter. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to identify the location of the power outage in the low-voltage system and to assist in identifying the cause of the power outage. The information regarding the cause of the power outage is, as will be described later, at least one of the following: the location of the low-voltage distribution line, the location of the high-voltage distribution line, and power outage information for the high-voltage distribution line.

[0023] The data acquisition unit 32 acquires information regarding the cause of the power outage. Specifically, the data acquisition unit 32 transmits the data acquisition request received from the display data generation unit 33 to the data storage device 4, and outputs the data received from the data storage device 4 to the display data generation unit 33.

[0024] Display terminal 2 is a terminal that can be viewed by users such as an administrator managing a power outage or a worker performing power restoration work. Display terminal 2 comprises an input receiving unit 21, a transmitting / receiving unit 22, and a display unit 23.

[0025] The input receiving unit 21 receives input from the user and outputs information indicating the content of the received input to the transmitting / receiving unit 22. For example, the input receiving unit 21 receives information indicating the content to be displayed from the user and outputs the received information as display specification information to the transmitting / receiving unit 22.

[0026] The transmitting / receiving unit 22 communicates with the power outage information providing device 3. The transmitting / receiving unit 22 transmits, for example, display specification information received from the input receiving unit 21 to the power outage information providing device 3. Also, when the transmitting / receiving unit 22 receives display data from the power outage information providing device 3, for example, it outputs the received display data to the display unit 23. The display unit 23 displays the display data received from the transmitting / receiving unit 22. In this embodiment, as described above, display data is generated to superimpose information indicating the power outage status determined from the communication status of the smart meter and information regarding the cause of the power outage. Therefore, the display unit 23 can superimpose information indicating the power outage status determined from the communication status of the smart meter and information regarding the cause of the power outage.

[0027] For example, the power outage information provider 3 may also function as a web server, and the display terminal 2 may access a website and send display specification information, and the power outage information provider 3 may provide display data on the website according to the display specification information. Also, although Figure 1 shows one display terminal 2, there may be multiple display terminals 2. The display terminal 2 may be a portable device such as a smartphone or tablet, or it may be a personal computer.

[0028] Furthermore, although the example shown in Figure 1 provides the display terminal 2 and the power outage information providing device 3 separately, the display terminal 2 and the power outage information providing device 3 may be integrated. For example, the power outage information providing device 3 may include a display unit, and the display unit may display the display data generated by the display data generation unit 33.

[0029] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 1, the power outage information provider 3 and the data storage device 4 are provided separately, but the system is not limited to this, and the power outage information provider 3 may also function as the data storage device 4. Alternatively, the power outage information provider 3 may function as the data storage device 4 and also have a display unit as described above. In other words, the display terminal 2, the power outage information provider 3, and the data storage device 4 may all be implemented in a single device.

[0030] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 1, the measurement data management device 5 determines the power outage of the smart meter, but this is not limited to this. The power outage information providing device 3 may also determine a power outage by using the SM measurement data stored in the data storage device 4 to determine a communication failure. Similarly, the power outage information providing device 3 may also determine a power outage of a measurement device on a high-voltage distribution line by using the high-voltage measurement data stored in the data storage device 4 to determine a communication failure.

[0031] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure in the power outage information providing device 3 of this embodiment. The power outage information providing system 1 of this embodiment can perform three types of displays: a first display that is magnified to the extent that the location of each smart meter can be seen, a second display that shows the number of power outages in a specified area, and a third display that shows the power outage status of each smart meter in a list. Figure 2 shows an example in which display data corresponding to the first display is generated. Furthermore, although an example in which the three types of displays described above are possible is explained here, it is not limited to this, and only one of the three types described above may be displayed, or two of the three types described above may be displayed.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the power outage information providing device 3 acquires display specification information (step S1). Specifically, the transmitting / receiving unit 31 acquires the display specification information by receiving it from the display terminal 2, and outputs the acquired display specification information to the display data generation unit 33. The display specification information includes, for example, display range information indicating the range to be displayed. The user inputs display range information indicating the range to be displayed into the display terminal 2. The display range information may be entered as an address, as latitude and longitude, or a map may be displayed on the display terminal 2 in the initial state, and the range may be selected on the displayed map.

[0033] The power outage information providing device 3 acquires equipment data, map data, SM measurement data, and high-voltage measurement data for the area corresponding to the display designation information (step S2). Specifically, the display data generation unit 33 generates a data acquisition request requesting the acquisition of equipment data, map data, SM measurement data, and high-voltage measurement data corresponding to the area indicated by the display range information in the display designation information, and outputs it to the data acquisition unit 32, which then transmits the data acquisition request to the data storage device 4. The data acquisition unit 32 receives the data corresponding to the data acquisition request from the data storage device 4 and outputs it to the display data generation unit 33. At this time, the data storage device 4 transmits the latest data among the equipment data, map data, SM measurement data, and high-voltage measurement data to the power outage information providing device 3. Note that if the power outage section of the high-voltage distribution line is not determined based on the high-voltage measurement data described later, the high-voltage measurement data does not need to be acquired in step S2.

[0034] Next, the power outage information providing device 3 identifies customers who are presumed to be experiencing a power outage using the acquired SM measurement data (step S3). Specifically, the display data generation unit 33 refers to the latest SM measurement data acquired from the data storage device 4 and determines whether or not there is a power outage by determining whether or not information indicating a communication failure is stored in the SM measurement data for each smart meter. Then, the display data generation unit 33 identifies smart meters that are presumed to be experiencing a power outage, i.e., customers who are presumed to be experiencing a power outage, using the determination result of whether or not each smart meter is experiencing a power outage. Furthermore, as described above, if communication failure information is generated separately from the SM measurement data, the communication failure information is acquired in step S2 instead of the SM measurement data, and in step S3, the display data generation unit 33 uses the communication failure information to identify customers who are presumed to be experiencing a power outage. In addition, the display data generation unit 33 may further identify power outage sections of high-voltage distribution lines based on high-voltage measurement data.

[0035] Next, the power outage information providing device 3 generates display data based on the determination result, acquired map data, equipment data, and high-voltage measurement data (step S4). Specifically, the display data generation unit 33 generates display data to superimpose information indicating the power outage status determined from the communication status of the smart meter and information regarding the cause of the power outage onto the map, based on the determination result in step S3 and the map data, equipment data, and high-voltage measurement data acquired in step S2, and outputs the generated display data to the transmitting and receiving unit 31.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of the information included in the equipment data of this embodiment. Figure 3 shows an example of equipment information for a smart meter. As shown in Figure 3, the equipment data for a smart meter includes the SMID, the address of the customer where the smart meter is installed, the latitude where the smart meter is installed, the longitude where the smart meter is installed, and the connecting power distribution line indicating the power distribution line to which the smart meter is connected. In the example shown in Figure 3, both the address and the latitude and longitude are included in the equipment data as information indicating the location of the equipment, but either the address or the latitude and longitude may be included in the equipment data. Similarly, for other equipment such as high-voltage power distribution lines, low-voltage power distribution lines, and transformers, the equipment data includes identification information, location information, and connecting power distribution lines. The display data generation unit 33 can determine the location of each piece of equipment on the map based on the location information of each piece of equipment in the equipment data.

[0037] Returning to the explanation of Figure 2, the power outage information device 3 then transmits display data (step S5). Specifically, the transmitting / receiving unit 31 transmits display data to the display terminal 2. The display terminal 2 displays the display data as described above.

[0038] Figure 4 shows an example of the display screen shown on the display terminal 2 of this embodiment. Figure 4 shows an example of a display performed by the first display. In the example shown in Figure 4, a high-voltage distribution line 61, a low-voltage distribution line 62, a smart meter 63 which is a smart meter experiencing a power outage, a smart meter 64 which is a normal smart meter that is not experiencing a power outage, and pole-mounted transformers 65-1 to 65-4 are shown on the map. Note that the black-filled diamond shapes, even those without a label, indicate a smart meter experiencing a power outage, similar to smart meter 63, and the diamond shapes that are not hatched, even those without a label, indicate a normal smart meter, similar to smart meter 64. Similarly, linear shapes of the same thickness as the high-voltage distribution line 61, even those without a label, are high-voltage distribution lines, and linear shapes of the same thickness as the low-voltage distribution line 62, even those without a label, are low-voltage distribution lines. Note that service drops are not shown in Figure 4, but each customer is connected to a service drop from the nearest low-voltage distribution line 62.

[0039] In the first display example shown in Figure 4, power outage information is displayed on the map by shapes corresponding to the power outage status of each smart meter, and the installation locations of equipment in the power distribution system are displayed on the map by shapes representing each piece of equipment as cause estimation support information, which is information related to the cause of the power outage.

[0040] In this embodiment, the power outage status of each smart meter is displayed, thereby showing the power outage status of each customer in the low-voltage system. In addition, the locations of high-voltage and low-voltage distribution lines are superimposed and displayed as information to support the estimation of the cause. This allows the user to understand the relationship between the power outage smart meter and the high-voltage and low-voltage distribution lines. Figure 4 also shows an example in which the power outage status of the high-voltage distribution line can be determined. The blacked-out portion of the high-voltage distribution line 61 indicates a power outage, while the hatched portion indicates a normal state.

[0041] For example, the two smart meters shown above and to the right of pole-mounted transformer 65-1 are both experiencing power outages, and the corresponding sections of high-voltage distribution line 61 are also experiencing power outages. Power outage status of high-voltage distribution lines is displayed on a section-by-section basis, as illustrated in Figure 4. Therefore, it is highly likely that the cause of the power outages for these two smart meters is some kind of malfunction in high-voltage distribution line 61. On the other hand, the smart meter shown below and to the right of pole-mounted transformer 65-1 is also experiencing a power outage, but the other smart meter connected to the low-voltage distribution line in the same section is not experiencing a power outage, suggesting that the cause of the power outage may be damage to the service drop. Additionally, the two smart meters in the lower left are also experiencing power outages, and since they are connected to the same section of low-voltage distribution line, damage to the low-voltage distribution line may be the cause.

[0042] Furthermore, although the example shown in Figure 4 illustrates the power outage state of the high-voltage distribution lines, the power outage state of the high-voltage distribution lines may be omitted, and only the location of the high-voltage distribution lines may be illustrated. In this case as well, users can understand the relationship between the power outage state of each smart meter and the high-voltage and low-voltage distribution lines, making it easier to estimate the cause of the power outage. Thus, this embodiment can support the estimation of the cause of a power outage, allowing users such as administrators and workers to quickly take action to restore power according to the estimated cause.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, the first display allows for detailed identification of the location of each customer experiencing a power outage, but the displayed range is narrow. Therefore, if the area where a power outage is expected to occur has not been narrowed down, the user may not be able to appropriately specify the display range information in the display specification information, and it may take time to find the location of the power outage. For this reason, if the power outage information provision system 1 of this embodiment displays a wider area than the first display by performing a second display that shows the number of power outages within a specified area, for example, it becomes easier for the user to grasp the approximate power outage status. In other words, the user can determine the display range information in the display specification information for performing the first display described above based on the content displayed by the second display and input it into the display terminal 2, thereby appropriately setting the display range information for the first display.

[0044] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure in the power outage information providing device 3 when the second display in this embodiment is performed. As shown in Figure 5, the power outage information providing device 3 acquires display specification information including aggregation units (step S11). Specifically, similar to step S1, the transmitting / receiving unit 31 acquires the display specification information by receiving it from the display terminal 2, and outputs the acquired display specification information to the display data generation unit 33. The display specification information includes aggregation units in addition to the display range information described above. The aggregation unit is a unit for aggregating the number of customers experiencing power outages, and may be specified by prefecture, city, town, or village, or it may be a place name such as A city X town, which is a further division within a city, or it may be an address such as A city X town 1-chome.

[0045] Next, the power outage information providing device 3 acquires equipment data, map data, and SM measurement data for the area corresponding to the display designation information (step S12). Specifically, the display data generation unit 33 generates a data acquisition request requesting the acquisition of equipment data, map data, and SM measurement data corresponding to the area indicated by the display range information in the display designation information, and outputs it to the data acquisition unit 32, which then transmits the data acquisition request to the data storage device 4. The data acquisition unit 32 receives the data corresponding to the data acquisition request from the data storage device 4 and outputs it to the display data generation unit 33. At this time, the data storage device 4 transmits the latest data from the equipment data, map data, and SM measurement data to the power outage information providing device 3.

[0046] Next, the power outage information provider 3 uses the acquired SM measurement data to identify customers who are presumed to be experiencing a power outage (step S13). The process in step S13 is the same as in step S3.

[0047] Next, the power outage information providing device 3 aggregates the number of customers estimated to be experiencing power outages for each aggregation unit (step S14). Specifically, the display data generation unit 33 uses the determination result from step S13 to aggregate the number of customers estimated to be experiencing power outages for each aggregation unit.

[0048] Next, the power outage information providing device 3 generates display data based on the aggregated results, acquired map data, and equipment data (step S15). Specifically, the display data generation unit 33 generates display data based on the aggregated results in step S14 and the map data and equipment data acquired in step S12, and outputs it to the transmission / reception unit 31. Step S5 is the same as in the example described above.

[0049] Thus, the display data generation unit 33 may aggregate the number of smart meters experiencing power outages for each aggregation unit, generate aggregate result display data for displaying information indicating the aggregation results for each aggregation unit, and the transmission / reception unit 31 may transmit the aggregate result display data to the display terminal 2.

[0050] Figure 6 shows an example of a display screen shown by the second display of this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 6, the aggregation unit is the town unit obtained by dividing a city. In the example shown in Figure 6, the number of customers who are presumed to be experiencing power outages is displayed for each town, which is the aggregation unit, so the user can grasp the general trend of which areas are experiencing power outages. In the example shown in Figure 6, power outages have occurred in towns D, F, and G, so the user can estimate the cause of the power outage by selecting these areas in order and checking the details in the first display. Also, since areas with a large number of cases are more likely to have experienced large-scale outages, the user may also check the details by performing the first display in order from the areas with the most cases. Furthermore, although the display in Figure 6 is performed by dividing a city into town units, the user may also narrow down the search step by step, for example by specifying a wider area such as a prefecture and performing the second display with the aggregation unit set to municipalities, selecting the municipalities to be displayed using the content displayed in the second display, and then specifying the selected municipalities as the display range and performing the second display.

[0051] Furthermore, for example, with the screen shown in Figure 6 displayed on the display terminal 2, the user may select an area corresponding to each aggregation unit, such as town D or town F, to display a third display in which the power outage information for each smart meter in the selected area is shown in a list. In other words, the user inputs display specification information that specifies information instructing the display terminal 2 to display a list and display range information indicating the range to be displayed in the list, and the display terminal 2 transmits the display specification information to the power outage information providing device 3. Based on the display specification information, the power outage information providing device 3 creates a list, generates display data for displaying the list, and transmits it to the display terminal 2.

[0052] Figure 7 shows an example of a display screen shown by the third display of this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 7, the displayed list includes SMID, address, latitude, longitude, connected power distribution line, and power outage status. When the transmitting / receiving unit 31 receives display specification information indicating that a list should be displayed, the display data generation unit 33 extracts SMID, address, latitude, longitude, and connected power distribution line from the equipment data described above, and generates a list by adding the power outage status to the extracted data based on the determination result of step S13 described above, thereby generating display data for displaying the list. In this way, the display data generation unit 33 may generate a list in which information indicating the installation location of each smart meter and information indicating whether or not there is a power outage are shown as text, and generate list display data for displaying the list.

[0053] For example, after displaying the second display, the user may display a list of areas where a power outage has occurred and then determine the display range for the first display by reviewing the list.

[0054] As described above, by using not only the first display but also a combination of at least one of the second and third displays, users can efficiently identify the location of the power outage and estimate its cause.

[0055] Next, the hardware configuration of the power outage information providing device 3 of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the power outage information providing device 3 functions as a computer system when a computer program describing the processing in the power outage information providing device 3 is executed on the computer system. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer system that realizes the power outage information providing device 3 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, this computer system comprises a control unit 101, an input unit 102, a storage unit 103, a display unit 104, a communication unit 105, and an output unit 106, which are connected via a system bus 107.

[0056] In Figure 8, the control unit 101 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executes a program describing the processing in the power outage information provision device 3 of this embodiment. Note that a part of the control unit 101 may be implemented by dedicated hardware such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The input unit 102 consists of, for example, a keyboard and mouse, and is used by the user of the computer system to input various types of information. The storage unit 103 includes various types of memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), as well as storage devices such as a hard disk, and stores the program to be executed by the control unit 101, necessary data obtained during processing, etc. The storage unit 103 is also used as a temporary storage area for the program. The display unit 104 consists of a display, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display Panel), etc., and displays various screens to the user of the computer system. The communication unit 105 is a receiver and transmitter that perform communication processing. The output unit 106 is a printer, speaker, etc. Note that Figure 8 is an example, and the configuration of the computer system is not limited to the example in Figure 8.

[0057] Here, an example of the operation of the computer system until the program of this embodiment becomes executable will be described. In the computer system with the above configuration, for example, a computer program is installed in the storage unit 103 from a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM set in a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM drive or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM drive (not shown). When the program is executed, the program read from the storage unit 103 is stored in the main memory area of ​​the storage unit 103. In this state, the control unit 101 performs processing as the power outage information providing device 3 of this embodiment according to the program stored in the storage unit 103.

[0058] In the above explanation, a program describing the processing in the power outage information provider 3 is provided on a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM as the recording medium. However, the explanation is not limited to this, and depending on the configuration of the computer system, the capacity of the program to be provided, a program provided via a transmission medium such as the Internet via the communication unit 105 may also be used.

[0059] The program of this embodiment causes a computer system to perform, for example, the steps of: acquiring cause estimation support information; generating display data for displaying the cause estimation support information together with power outage information indicating the power outage state in the metering device estimated based on the communication status of the metering device that periodically measures the amount of electricity consumed by the consumer; and outputting the display data.

[0060] The display data generation unit 33 shown in Figure 1 is realized by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 103 shown in Figure 8 by the control unit 101 shown in Figure 8. The storage unit 103 shown in Figure 8 is also used to realize the display data generation unit 33 shown in Figure 1. The transmitting / receiving unit 31 and data acquisition unit 32 shown in Figure 1 are realized by the communication unit 105 shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, the power outage information provision device 3 may be realized by multiple computer systems. For example, the power outage information provision device 3 may be realized by a cloud computer system.

[0061] Similarly, the display terminal 2 is implemented by a computer system with the configuration shown in Figure 8, for example. The input receiving unit 21 shown in Figure 1 is implemented by the input unit 102 shown in Figure 8. The transmitting and receiving unit 22 shown in Figure 1 is implemented by the communication unit 105 shown in Figure 8. The display unit 23 shown in Figure 1 is implemented by the display unit 104 shown in Figure 8. Similarly, the data storage device 4, the measurement data management device 5, and the equipment data management device 6 are also implemented by a computer system with the configuration shown in Figure 8, for example.

[0062] As described above, the power outage information providing device 3 of this embodiment generates display data for superimposing information indicating the power outage status of the low-voltage system, determined from the communication status of the smart meter, and cause estimation support information, which is information regarding the cause of the power outage. In this embodiment, it is possible to identify the location of the power outage in the low-voltage system and to support the identification of the cause of the power outage.

[0063] Embodiment 2. Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of the power outage information provision system according to Embodiment 2. The power outage information provision system 1a of this embodiment is the same as in Embodiment 1, except that it includes a power outage information provision device 3a and a data storage device 4a instead of the power outage information provision device 3 and data storage device 4. Components having the same functions as in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 1, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0064] In this embodiment, the data storage device 4a includes a data storage unit 43a instead of a data storage unit 43. In this embodiment, the data acquisition unit 42 acquires data from the measurement data management device 5 and the equipment data management device 6, similar to Embodiment 1, and stores the acquired data in the data storage unit 43a. Furthermore, it acquires inspection data for each piece of equipment from the inspection data management device 7, which manages inspection data for each piece of equipment in the power distribution system, and stores the acquired inspection data in the data storage unit 43a. The inspection data is, for example, data acquired through inspections such as periodic inspections of each piece of equipment.

[0065] In this embodiment, the power outage information providing device 3a includes a display data generation unit 33a instead of a display data generation unit 33. The display data generation unit 33a has the same functions as in Embodiment 1 and generates display data for a fourth display that displays equipment deterioration information, which is information regarding the deterioration of each piece of equipment in the power distribution system. In this embodiment, for example, when performing the first display of Embodiment 1, the data acquisition unit 32 acquires inspection data of equipment within the range corresponding to the display range information from the data storage device 4a in step S2 shown in Figure 2, and outputs the inspection data to the display data generation unit 33a. In this embodiment, the equipment data acquired in step S2 includes information necessary for evaluating equipment deterioration, such as the number of years installed, the service life, and the type of each piece of equipment.

[0066] Figure 10 shows an example of a display screen shown by the third display of this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 10, equipment deterioration information is displayed on the display screen shown by the first display described in Embodiment 1 for two pieces of equipment: the service drop to the customer in the upper right and the low-voltage line (low-voltage distribution line) in the lower left. In the example shown in Figure 10, the equipment deterioration information includes the number of years installed, the service life, the type, the insulation damage, and the insulation resistance measurement. The insulation damage and insulation resistance measurement are information included in the inspection data; the insulation damage indicates the degree of damage to the insulation of the wires being used, and the insulation resistance measurement indicates the result of the insulation resistance measurement. Thus, the equipment deterioration information may include, for example, the number of years installed and the service life of the equipment, or it may include the type of equipment and inspection data showing the inspection results. Note that the equipment deterioration information shown in Figure 10 is just an example, and the equipment deterioration information may include items other than these items, or it may not include one or more of these items.

[0067] The equipment for which equipment deterioration information is to be displayed is specified by the user operating the display terminal 2. For example, a list of equipment within the displayed range is displayed along with the display screen of the first display, and the user may select the equipment to display from the equipment list, or the user may select the shape of the equipment displayed by the first display, and the equipment deterioration information for that equipment may be displayed.

[0068] The input receiving unit 21 of the display terminal 2 outputs equipment designation information indicating the specified equipment to the transmitting / receiving unit 22, and the transmitting / receiving unit 22 transmits the equipment designation information to the power outage information providing device 3a. When the display data generation unit 33a of the power outage information providing device 3a receives the equipment designation information via the transmitting / receiving unit 31, it generates equipment deterioration information corresponding to the equipment designation information using equipment data and inspection data, and transmits the generated display data to the display terminal 2 via the transmitting / receiving unit 22. When the display unit 23 of the display terminal 2 receives the display data via the transmitting / receiving unit 22, it displays the received display data.

[0069] In the example shown in Figure 10, the equipment deterioration information is displayed superimposed on the display screen of the first display. However, the display method shown in Figure 10 is just one example, and the equipment deterioration information may be displayed in a manner other than that shown in Figure 10, such as being displayed alongside the display screen of the first display.

[0070] Furthermore, the display data generation unit 33a may use equipment deterioration information to determine whether deterioration is progressing and generate display data so that equipment determined to be deteriorating is highlighted. For example, the display data generation unit 33a may use the installation year, service life, and current date and time to generate display data so that equipment where the difference between the number of years elapsed since installation and the service life is below a threshold is highlighted. Alternatively, the display data generation unit 33a may define a range for the difference between the number of years elapsed since installation and the service life, such as less than 1 year, 1 year or more but less than 3 years, and generate display data so that the categories can be distinguished, for example by changing the color for each category. In addition, if there are items among the inspection data, such as damage to the covering, that are determined to be defective, the display data may be generated to highlight them.

[0071] Highlighting may include, for example, using a different color from other equipment, changing the shape of a graphic, displaying text indicating the degree of deterioration along with a graphic representing the equipment, or overlaying another graphic on the equipment, such as circling it. Highlighting is not limited to these examples.

[0072] The power outage information providing device 3a and data storage device 4a in this embodiment are implemented by a computer system, similar to the power outage information providing device 3 and data storage device 4 in Embodiment 1.

[0073] As described above, in this embodiment, equipment deterioration information, which is an example of information that supports the estimation of the cause of a power outage, is displayed together with information indicating the power outage status of the low-voltage system determined from the communication status of the smart meter. This allows the user to understand the deterioration of the equipment and estimate whether or not the cause of the power outage is equipment deterioration. For example, the user can refer to the equipment deterioration information of the equipment corresponding to the customer experiencing the power outage, and if the difference between the number of years elapsed since installation and the service life is small and there are defective items in the inspection data, the user can estimate that the cause of the power outage may be equipment deterioration over time. Alternatively, the user can refer to the equipment deterioration information of the equipment corresponding to the customer experiencing the power outage, and if the difference between the number of years elapsed since installation and the service life is sufficient and there are no defective items in the inspection data, the user can estimate that the cause of the power outage is not equipment deterioration over time.

[0074] Embodiment 3. Figure 11 shows an example of the configuration of a power outage information provision system according to Embodiment 3. The power outage information provision system 1b of this embodiment is the same as in Embodiment 1, except that it includes a power outage information provision device 3b and a data storage device 4b instead of a power outage information provision device 3 and a data storage device 4. Components having the same functions as in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 1, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0075] In this embodiment, the data storage device 4b includes a data storage unit 43b instead of a data storage unit 43. In this embodiment, the data acquisition unit 42 acquires data from the measurement data management device 5 and the equipment data management device 6, similar to Embodiment 1, and stores the acquired data in the data storage unit 43b. Furthermore, it acquires weather data from the weather data management device 8, which manages weather data, and stores the acquired weather data in the data storage unit 43b. The weather data includes, for example, at least one of precipitation, wind speed, typhoon path, weather, and temperature.

[0076] In this embodiment, the power outage information providing device 3b includes a display data generation unit 33b instead of a display data generation unit 33. The display data generation unit 33b has the same functions as in Embodiment 1 and generates display data for a fifth display that displays weather data. In this embodiment, for example, when performing the second display of Embodiment 1, the data acquisition unit 32 acquires weather data within the range corresponding to the display range information from the data storage device 4b in step S12 shown in Figure 5, and outputs the weather data to the display data generation unit 33b. The power outage information providing device 3b may similarly acquire weather data when performing the first display.

[0077] Figure 12 shows an example of a display screen shown by the fifth display of this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 12, information indicating precipitation is superimposed on the display screen shown by the second display described in Embodiment 1. In Figure 12, as described in Embodiment 1, the number of power outages for each aggregation unit is displayed. Although not shown in Figure 12, the corresponding place name may also be displayed along with the number of power outages. In the example shown in Figure 12, power outages have occurred in the lower right region, and precipitation is high in the lower right region. Therefore, the user can estimate that power outages may be caused by rain or lightning. Similarly, weather data may be superimposed on the display screen shown by the first display. In Figure 12, precipitation is displayed by color-coding it according to the amount, but the display method is not limited to this example, and a number indicating precipitation may be displayed for each mesh for which weather data is provided. Also, in Figure 12, precipitation is displayed as weather data, but at least one of wind speed, typhoon path, weather, and temperature may be displayed instead of precipitation. Furthermore, two or more types of weather data may be superimposed on the display screen shown by the second display. For example, the display screen shown by the second display may show the precipitation amount and the typhoon's path superimposed on each other.

[0078] The fifth display may, for example, display a button for specifying that weather data be superimposed on the screen displayed by the second display. When the user presses this button, the input receiving unit 21 of the display terminal 2 outputs instruction information to the transmitting / receiving unit 22 instructing the display of weather data, and the transmitting / receiving unit 22 transmits the instruction information to the power outage information providing device 3b. At this time, the type of weather data to be displayed may also be specified by the user, and the type of weather data to be displayed may be included in the instruction information. When the display data generation unit 33b of the power outage information providing device 3b receives the instruction information via the transmitting / receiving unit 31, it generates display data for superimposing and displaying the weather data corresponding to the instruction information, and transmits the generated display data to the display terminal 2 via the transmitting / receiving unit 31. When the display unit 23 of the display terminal 2 receives the display data via the transmitting / receiving unit 22, it displays the received display data. Similarly, a button for specifying that weather data be superimposed on the screen displayed by the first display may be displayed, and when the user presses this button, the weather data may be superimposed and displayed on the screen displayed by the first display.

[0079] The power outage information providing device 3b and data storage device 4b in this embodiment are implemented by a computer system, similar to the power outage information providing device 3 and data storage device 4 in Embodiment 1.

[0080] Furthermore, the power outage information providing device 3b and the data storage device 4b may perform operations similar to those of the power outage information providing device 3a and the data storage device 4a described in Embodiment 2, so that weather data is superimposed on the screen displayed by the first display, and the equipment deterioration information described in Embodiment 2 is also displayed.

[0081] As described above, in this embodiment, weather data, which is an example of information that supports the estimation of the cause of a power outage, is displayed together with information indicating the power outage status of the low-voltage system determined from the communication status of the smart meter. This allows the user to estimate whether or not the cause of the power outage is due to a weather phenomenon. Furthermore, when used in combination with Embodiment 2, for example, if a user confirms that there is no deterioration in equipment that is experiencing a power outage using equipment deterioration information, and there is heavy rainfall in the area where the power outage is occurring, the user can estimate that there is a high possibility that a weather phenomenon is the cause of the power outage.

[0082] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are examples only, and it is possible to combine them with other known technologies, combine different embodiments, and omit or modify parts of the configuration without departing from the gist of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1,1a,1b Power outage information provision system, 2 Display terminal, 3,3a,3b Power outage information provision device, 4,4a,4b Data storage device, 5 Measurement data management device, 6 Equipment data management device, 7 Inspection data management device, 8 Weather data management device, 21 Input reception unit, 22,31 Transmit / receive unit, 23,104 Display unit, 32,42,53 Data acquisition unit, 33,33a,33b Display data generation unit, 41,51 Data transmission unit, 43,43a,43b,54 Data storage unit, 52 Missing data processing unit.

Claims

1. A data acquisition unit that acquires cause estimation support information, which is information related to the cause of the power outage, A display data generation unit generates display data for displaying the aforementioned cause estimation support information together with power outage information indicating the power outage state in the metering device, which is estimated based on the communication status of the metering device that periodically measures the amount of electricity consumed by the consumer. An output unit that outputs the aforementioned display data, Equipped with, The aforementioned cause estimation support information includes the locations of high-voltage and low-voltage distribution lines. The power outage information providing device is characterized in that the display data generation unit generates the display data for displaying the power outage information, the high-voltage distribution lines, and the low-voltage distribution lines on a map.

2. The aforementioned cause estimation support information includes information indicating the installation location of equipment in the power distribution system on the map, The power outage information providing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the power outage information is information indicating the installation location of the measuring device on the map and whether or not the measuring device is experiencing a power outage.

3. The power outage information providing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the cause estimation support information further includes equipment deterioration information, which is information relating to the deterioration of the equipment.

4. The power outage information providing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the equipment deterioration information includes the number of years the equipment has been installed and its service life.

5. The power outage information providing device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the equipment deterioration information includes the type of equipment and inspection data indicating the inspection results.

6. The power outage information providing device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the display data generation unit determines whether or not deterioration is progressing using the equipment deterioration information, and generates the display data such that the equipment determined to be deteriorating is highlighted.

7. The display data generation unit aggregates the number of the measuring devices that are experiencing power outages for each aggregation unit, and generates aggregate result display data for displaying information indicating the aggregation results for each aggregation unit. The output unit outputs the aggregated result display data, The power outage information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the aggregation unit is a prefecture, a municipality, or an area based on a place name obtained by dividing a municipality.

8. The display data generation unit generates a list in which information indicating the installation location of each weighing device and information indicating whether or not there is a power outage are shown as text, and generates list display data for displaying the list. The power outage information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the output unit outputs the list display data.

9. The power outage information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cause estimation support information includes meteorological data indicating information about weather.

10. The power outage information providing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the weather data includes at least one of precipitation, wind speed, typhoon path, weather, and temperature.

11. The power outage information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the display data generation unit generates the display data such that the display pattern of the figure indicating the high-voltage distribution line changes depending on whether or not there is a power outage in the high-voltage distribution line.

12. Power outage information provision device, Display terminal and Equipped with, The aforementioned power outage information providing device is A data acquisition unit that acquires cause estimation support information, which is information related to the cause of the power outage, A display data generation unit generates display data for displaying the aforementioned cause estimation support information together with power outage information indicating the power outage state in the metering device, which is estimated based on the communication status of the metering device that periodically measures the amount of electricity consumed by the consumer. An output unit that transmits the aforementioned display data to the display terminal, Equipped with, The display terminal displays the display data, The aforementioned cause estimation support information includes the locations of high-voltage and low-voltage distribution lines. The power outage information provision system is characterized in that the display data generation unit generates the display data for displaying the power outage information, the high-voltage distribution lines, and the low-voltage distribution lines on a map.

13. A data storage device that collects and stores the aforementioned cause estimation support information, Furthermore, The power outage information provision system according to claim 12, characterized in that the data acquisition unit acquires the cause estimation support information from the data storage device.

14. In a computer system, The acquisition step involves obtaining cause estimation support information, which is information related to the cause of the power outage. The generation step of generating display data for displaying the aforementioned cause estimation support information together with power outage information indicating the power outage state in the metering device, which is estimated based on the communication status of the metering device that periodically measures the amount of electricity consumed by the consumer; An output step that outputs the aforementioned display data, A program that executes, The aforementioned cause estimation support information includes the locations of high-voltage and low-voltage distribution lines. The program is characterized in that, in the generation step, the display data for displaying the power outage information, the high-voltage distribution lines, and the low-voltage distribution lines on a map is generated.

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