Remote control device

Abstract

This aims to mitigate the disadvantages to consumers caused by the remote control of distributed resources. [Solution] A remote control device comprising a processor, the processor communicates with distributed resources used by a customer, remotely controls the distributed resources, detects a communication interruption when communication with the distributed resources is interrupted, or a remote anomaly state which is an anomaly related to remote control based on information obtained from the distributed resources, and performs processing to enable remote control or transmits instructions for remote control in response to the detected communication interruption or the detected remote anomaly state.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a power storage system characterized by including a control unit that controls so as to change a control operation for a power storage battery according to a prior plan regarding a discharge command of the power storage battery included in a command for the power storage battery of a power storage battery and an aggregator.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Power retailers and aggregators control distributed resources such as power storage batteries owned by consumers for the purpose of adjusting the power supply-demand balance. The control of distributed resources by aggregators and the like is realized by remotely controlling the distributed resources owned by consumers and rewriting an operation mode, which is an example of an operation state. Aggregators and the like rewrite the operation mode of a power storage battery and discharge it, for example, to perform reverse power flow. On the other hand, when there is a defect in the control system or communication with the power storage battery is disconnected, the operation mode cannot be rewritten to the original mode, and the operation mode of the power storage battery is fixed. For example, when communication is disconnected while the power storage battery is discharging by remote control, forced discharge continues even after the planned end of discharge. As a result, the power that should be charged for use during a power outage is also discharged, which may cause disadvantages to consumers. An object of the present invention is to suppress the occurrence of disadvantages to consumers due to remote control of distributed resources.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The remote control device to which the present invention applies includes a processor, the processor communicates with distributed resources used by a customer, remotely controls the distributed resources, detects a communication interruption when communication with the distributed resources is interrupted, or a remote abnormality state which is an abnormality related to remote control based on information obtained from the distributed resources, and performs processing to enable remote control or transmits instructions for remote control in response to the detected communication interruption or the detected remote abnormality state. Here, the distributed resource may be a battery. Here, remote control is performed by selecting one of the multiple operating states of the storage battery, and the remote abnormal state may be defined as the state in which the selected operating state is fixed. Here, the remote abnormal state may be defined as a state in which the charge level of the battery is less than the emergency charge level, which is the amount of power that the battery should keep charged for emergencies. Here, the charge level of the storage battery may be acquired, and based on the acquired charge level, the communication interruption or the remote abnormal state may be detected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of disadvantages to consumers due to the remote control of distributed resources. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of a control system to which this embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the management server. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the management server. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow of the management server. [Figure 5]This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow of the communication interruption detection unit. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow of the operation lock-up detection unit. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow of the discharge abnormality detection unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. <Overall configuration of the remote control system> Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of the remote control system 1 to which this embodiment is applied. The remote control system 1 according to this embodiment includes a management server 10, a storage battery 20, and a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) 30. The management server 10 is a server device installed in an aggregator that adjusts the balance of electricity supply and demand. The aggregator adjusts the balance of electricity supply and demand based on adjustment power supply orders issued by, for example, power companies. An adjustment power supply order is an order issued to adjust the demand and supply of electricity. More specifically, it is an order that requests a reduction in electricity demand or an order that requests an increase in electricity demand. Based on the adjustment power supply order it has acquired, the management server 10 remotely controls the storage battery 20, which is a distributed resource installed at a customer facility and used by the customer, to supply power adjustment power. A customer facility is one example of a residence, but it may also be a business or factory that consumes electricity.

[0009] Communication between the management server 10 and the battery 20 is conducted via the HEMS 30. The HEMS 30 is a residential equipment control device that controls energy such as electricity used in a house. The HEMS 30 is connected to the battery 20 via the network 80. The HEMS 30 is also connected to the management server 10 via the network 90. ​​Networks 80 and 90 are information communication networks that handle communication between each device. The type of network 80 and 90 is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of sending and receiving data, and may be, for example, the Internet or a Wide Area Network (WA). The communication line used for data communication may be wired or wireless, or a combination of both may be used. Furthermore, the system may be configured to connect each system via multiple networks and communication lines. Note that the management server 10 and the battery 20 may communicate without going through the HEMS 30.

[0010] The storage battery 20 only needs to be able to charge and discharge electricity, and the type of battery is not particularly limited. Examples of storage batteries 20 include lithium-ion batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries. The storage battery 20 can be charged with electricity supplied from the power grid, electricity supplied from solar panels installed at customer facilities, or electricity supplied from other power supply equipment. Alternatively, the storage battery 20 may be, for example, the battery of an electric vehicle (EV) equipped with an on-board charging device.

[0011] The storage battery 20 includes a battery control unit 21 that controls the storage battery 20. The battery control unit 21 performs a process to change the operating mode based on the operating mode instruction obtained from the HEMS 30. In this embodiment, the storage battery 20 has three operating modes. The battery control unit 21 executes one of these three operating modes. The operating modes are a charging mode as the first operating mode, a discharging mode as the second operating mode, and a standby mode as the third operating mode.

[0012] In the charging mode, the storage battery 20 is charged by receiving power supply from a power supply facility such as a power grid or a solar cell. In the discharging mode, the power stored in the storage battery 20 is discharged. In the discharging mode, the power is discharged to the power grid or consumed by the user. In the standby mode, it stands by without performing charging or discharging.

[0013] Further, the battery control unit 21 measures the charge amount of the storage battery 20 and transmits the measured charge amount to the HEMS 30. In the present embodiment, the charge amount of the storage battery 20 is measured every minute and the measured charge amount is transmitted to the HEMS 30. Note that the frequency of measuring the charge amount of the storage battery 20 is not particularly limited.

[0014] The HEMS 30 transmits an instruction of the operating state to the battery control unit 21 of the storage battery 20 to control the storage battery 20. Further, the HEMS 30 manages the storage battery 20 together with devices that use energy such as electric appliances and water heaters in the consumer facility. The HEMS 30 controls so that the charge amount of the storage battery 20 does not become smaller than the emergency charge amount that should be charged in order to use the storage battery 20 in an emergency. The emergency charge amount is a charge amount that is predetermined in order to use the storage battery 20 in an emergency such as a power outage. The emergency charge amount is, for example, predetermined by the consumer. Further, the emergency charge amount may be determined by the HEMS 30 based on, for example, the history of the power consumption amount in the consumer facility. Further, for example, when the probability of a power outage is high, such as when a typhoon is approaching, the emergency charge amount may be increased to vary the magnitude of the emergency charge amount. Lettered text

[0015] The HEMS 30 transmits information regarding the amount of charge acquired from the storage battery 20 to the management server 10. As the timing for transmitting the information regarding the amount of charge to the management server 10, it may be every time the information on the amount of charge is acquired from the storage battery 20, or it may be transmitted to the management server 10 at a predetermined interval. In the present embodiment, the information regarding the amount of charge includes information regarding the time when the amount of charge was measured. As the information regarding the time when the amount of charge was measured, it may be the time when the battery control unit 21 of the storage battery 20 measured the amount of charge, or it may be the time when the HEMS 30 acquired the amount of charge from the battery control unit 21.

[0016] <Hardware Configuration of Management Server 10> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 10. The management server 10 is configured by a computer device such as a desktop PC or a notebook PC. The management server 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 which is an example of a processor that controls the entire device, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12 used as a work area during calculations, a ROM 13 used for storing programs and various setting data, and a storage device 14 which is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a semiconductor memory for storing various information of the storage battery 20. Further, the management server 10 includes a communication interface (communication I / F) 15, a display device 16, and an input device 17. The communication interface (communication I / F) 15 transmits and receives data via the network 90. The display device 16 is a liquid crystal display or the like that displays images, text information, etc. to the user. The input device 17 is a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch panel, or the like that receives input operations from the user.

[0017] <Functional Configuration of Management Server 10> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management server 10. The management server 10 includes an information acquisition unit 110, a remote control unit 120, an anomaly detection unit 130, and an anomaly resolution unit 140. The information acquisition unit 110 acquires information regarding the charge level of the storage battery 20 from the HEMS 30. The information acquisition unit 110 also acquires the emergency charge level from the HEMS 30. Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires information regarding the supply of adjustment power from power companies and other sources. The information acquisition unit 110 stores the acquired information regarding the charge amount and the emergency charge amount in the storage device 14 (see Figure 2) of the management server 10. Hereinafter, the information regarding the charge amount stored in the storage device 14 may be referred to as the charge amount history.

[0018] The remote control unit 120 formulates a plan to discharge or charge the battery 20 based on information regarding the command to supply adjustment power. Then, the remote control unit 120 remotely controls the battery 20 in accordance with the formulated plan. In this embodiment, in order to remotely control the battery 20, information indicating the operating mode that the battery 20 will perform is transmitted to the HEMS 30. The HEMS 30 specifies the operating mode to the battery 20, and the battery 20 then performs the operation of that operating mode.

[0019] The anomaly detection unit 130 detects whether communication with the battery 20 has been interrupted, or whether there is a remote anomaly related to remote control. Examples of abnormalities related to remote control include the operating state of the battery 20 being fixed, and the charge level of the battery 20 being less than the emergency charge level. The abnormality detection unit 130 includes a communication interruption detection unit 131, an operation fixation detection unit 132, and a discharge abnormality detection unit 133.

[0020] The communication interruption detection unit 131 uses the charge amount history stored in the storage device 14 (see Figure 2) to detect a communication interruption between the management server 10 and the battery 20. If communication between the management server 10 and the battery 20 is interrupted, the data acquired from the battery 20 will be blank. In other words, a blank will occur in the charge history. The cumulative duration of this blank period is accumulated, and if it exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is detected as an anomaly. This predetermined threshold is determined, for example, according to the strength of communication under normal conditions.

[0021] The operation mode lock detection unit 132 uses the charge history to detect whether the operating mode of the battery 20 is locked. The state in which the operating mode of the battery 20 is fixed means that after remote control is performed by the management server 10, it is not possible to change the operating mode. For example, if, after remote control by the management server 10, the instruction to terminate remote control from the management server 10 does not reach the HEMS 30 due to some error, the battery 20 will continue to operate in the operating mode indicated by the management server 10. The operation mode lock detection unit 132 refers to the charging amount history and detects that the operating mode is locked if the period during which the charging amount does not change has continued for a predetermined period of time. Additionally, if the operating mode is fixed to charging mode, the charge level will not change after charging has reached its maximum limit. Furthermore, when the operating mode is fixed to discharge mode, the charge level stops changing after the discharge reaches its lower limit. Note that, if the HEMS30 controls the system to maintain the emergency charge level, the emergency charge level becomes the lower limit. If the HEMS30 does not control the system to maintain the emergency charge level, the emergency charge level also becomes 0% (when the charge level is completely depleted) as the lower limit. Furthermore, when the operating mode is fixed to standby mode, the amount of charge decreases to the extent of natural discharge, but the amount of charge remains almost unchanged. Therefore, the operation mode lock detection unit 132 can detect whether the operation mode is locked based on the length of time during which the charge amount does not change.

[0022] The discharge abnormality detection unit 133 detects when the charge level of the storage battery 20 falls below the emergency power level. The discharge abnormality detection unit 133 refers to the most recent charge amount from the charge amount history and detects an abnormality if it is less than the emergency power amount. In the event of an actual power outage or other emergency, the battery 20 is used as emergency power, and it is not considered abnormal even if the charge level is less than the emergency power level. Therefore, the discharge abnormality detection unit 133 obtains information indicating whether or not there is a power outage by referring, for example, to power outage information transmitted by the power company or the grid connection status properties of ECHONET / ECHONETLite (registered trademark). The discharge abnormality detection unit 133 may not detect an abnormality if the customer equipment where the battery 20 is installed is actually experiencing a power outage.

[0023] The abnormality resolution unit 140 performs recovery processing according to the detected abnormality. When the abnormality resolution unit 140 detects an abnormality, it notifies the customer of the detected abnormality. This notification may be made, for example, by displaying the details of the abnormality on the display screen provided by the HEMS 30. Alternatively, the notification may be sent via email or SMS using, for example, the customer's pre-registered email address or phone number. If the communication interruption detection unit 131 detects a communication interruption, the abnormality resolution unit 140 remotely restarts the communication modem of the storage battery 20. Furthermore, if the abnormality resolution unit 140 detects that the operating mode is fixed, it sends another instruction to the HEMS 30 to terminate remote control. Furthermore, if the discharge abnormality detection unit 133 detects an abnormality, the abnormality resolution unit 140 remotely forces the storage battery 20 to charge to a level greater than the emergency power capacity.

[0024] [Processing by the management server] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the management server 10. The management server 10 starts detecting anomalies at predetermined intervals. These predetermined intervals are not limited, but examples include every minute or every five minutes. First, the communication interruption detection unit 131 detects a communication interruption between the management server 10 and the battery 20 (step 410). The processing performed by the communication interruption detection unit 131 in step 410 will be described later with reference to Figure 5. Furthermore, the operation mode lock detection unit 132 detects whether the operating mode of the battery 20 is locked (step 420). The process performed by the operation mode lock detection unit 132 in step 420 will be described later with reference to Figure 6. Furthermore, the discharge abnormality detection unit 133 detects whether the charge level of the storage battery 20 has fallen below the emergency power level (step 430). The process performed by the discharge abnormality detection unit 133 in step 430 will be described later with reference to Figure 7.

[0025] If at least one abnormality is detected (YES in step 440), the abnormality resolution unit 140 notifies the customer of the detected abnormality (step 450). The abnormality resolution unit 140 then performs processing according to the detected abnormality (step 460), and the process ends. Furthermore, if no abnormalities are detected (NO in step 440), the process will terminate.

[0026] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the communication interruption detection unit 131. The communication interruption detection unit 131 refers to the charge amount history (step 411). The communication interruption detection unit 131 calculates the number of history entries from a predetermined time prior to the current time (step 412). In this embodiment, since the charge amount of the storage battery 20 is measured every minute, for example, when referring to the history from one hour ago, there will be a maximum of 60 history entries. When a communication interruption occurs, the charge amount cannot be obtained, so the number of history entries will be less than 60. Step 413 determines whether the number of history entries is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. Here, depending on the communication environment, not all measured values ​​may be acquired even if communication is functioning normally, so this is determined according to the battery 20 and HEMS 30. Therefore, if the number of history entries is less than or equal to a predetermined number (NO in step 413), an abnormality flag is set (step 414), and the process ends. If the number of history entries is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (YES in step 413), the process ends as is. Note that in step 440 of the flowchart shown in Figure 4, it is determined whether or not an abnormality has been detected based on the presence or absence of this flag.

[0027] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the operation fixation detection unit 132. The operation lock detection unit 132 refers to the charge amount history (step 421). Next, the operation lock detection unit 132 detects any changes in the charge amount from a predetermined time prior to the current time (step 422). If the charge amount has not changed over the predetermined time period (YES in step 423), the operation lock detection unit 132 flags it as abnormal (step 424) and the process ends. If the charge amount has changed over the predetermined time period (NO in step 423), the process ends as is.

[0028] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the discharge abnormality detection unit 133. The discharge abnormality detection unit 133 refers to the charge amount history (step 431). The discharge abnormality detection unit 133 determines whether the most recent charge amount exceeds the emergency power amount (step 432). If the most recent charge amount exceeds the emergency power amount (YES in step 432), the process ends. If the most recent charge amount is below the emergency power amount (NO in step 432), an abnormality is flagged (step 433), and the process ends.

[0029] In this embodiment, the customer is notified when an abnormality is detected, but the customer may also be notified if recovery work for the abnormality is not completed.

[0030] [Other components] In this embodiment, the management server 10 and the battery 20 communicated via the HEMS 30. However, the management server 10 and the battery 20 may communicate without going through the HEMS 30 and directly obtain information such as the charge level from the battery 20. Alternatively, the management server 10 may send operating status instructions to the battery 20 without going through the HEMS 30. Furthermore, for example, the manufacturer of the battery 20 may acquire information about the battery 20 and remotely control the battery 20. In such cases, the charge level of the battery 20 may be obtained from the manufacturer that acquires the charge level of the battery 20, and the battery 20 may be remotely controlled via the manufacturer's server.

[0031] As described above, in this embodiment, abnormalities related to communication interruptions and remote control are detected, and processing is performed in response to the detected abnormalities. This suppresses the occurrence of disadvantages due to remote control. More specifically, for example, if the temperature of the storage battery 20 exceeds a predetermined temperature, some systems emit an error signal using a thermometer to detect an abnormality in the storage battery 20 itself. However, abnormalities related to remote control may not be abnormalities in the storage battery 20 itself, and the storage battery 20 may not emit an error signal. Therefore, abnormalities related to remote control are difficult for consumers to recognize, and there is a risk that countermeasures against the abnormality will be delayed. In this embodiment, since the management server 10 detects communication interruptions and abnormalities related to remote control, when an abnormality occurs due to remote control, processing is performed in response to the abnormality quickly, and disadvantages to consumers are suppressed.

[0032] In this embodiment, each process is executed on any computer. Any computer may be implemented as a processor as hardware, a program as software, or a combination thereof. Any computer may be a general-purpose computer, a computer designed for a specific purpose, a workstation, or any other system capable of performing each of these processes. The processor is configured to perform various processes in cooperation with the program. The processor can function as each unit or each means in this embodiment. The execution order of the processes performed by the processor is not limited to the order described in this embodiment and can be changed as needed.

[0033] A processor can be configured with one or more hardware components. The types of hardware that make up a processor are not limited to any particular type. For example, a processor may be a CPU (=Central Processing Unit), an MPU (=Micro Processing Unit), a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (=Field Programmable Gate Array), a dedicated circuit for performing specific processing such as an ASIC (=Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (=Graphic Processing Unit), or hardware such as an NPU (=Neural Processing Unit). A processor can be configured not only with a combination of multiple hardware components of the same type, but also with a combination of multiple hardware components of different types. When multiple hardware components are configured to perform one or more processes of a given processor, these components may reside in physically separate devices or in the same device. Hardware is composed of electrical circuits and other components, such as semiconductor elements. In any embodiment, the execution order of each process by the processor is not limited to the order described in each embodiment, and can be changed as necessary.

[0034] The program can be firmware, or it can be software such as microcode. The program may be, for example, a group of program modules. Each function constituting the group of program modules may be implemented by a processor configured to execute each function. The program in each embodiment may be program code or multiple code segments stored in one or more non-temporary computer-readable media (e.g., semiconductor memory, magnetic or optical storage media, or other storage). A program may be divided and stored on multiple non-temporary computer-readable media located on devices that are physically separated from each other. Program code and multiple code segments may be represented by any combination of procedures, functions, subprograms, routines, subroutines, modules, software packages, classes, instructions, data structures, and program statements. Program code and multiple code segments may be connected to other code segments or hardware circuits by sending and receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 1...Remote control system, 10...Management server, 20...Storage battery, 21...Battery control unit, 80...Network, 90...Network, 110...Information acquisition unit, 120...Remote control unit, 130...Anomaly detection unit, 131...Communication interruption detection unit, 132...Operation fixation detection unit, 133...Discharge anomaly detection unit, 140...Anomaly resolution unit

Claims

1. Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, It communicates with the battery, which is a distributed resource used by the consumer. Remote control is performed by selecting one of the multiple operating states of the distributed resource. Based on the supply of adjustment capacity orders issued to adjust the supply and demand of electricity, the power grid balances supply and demand, After the supply and demand balance of the power system has been adjusted by remote control, based on the information obtained from the distributed resources, an anomaly related to remote control is detected, which is that the distributed resources are continuing to operate in the specified operating state. Upon detecting an anomaly, the system performs processing to enable remote control or sends instructions for remote control. Remote control device.

2. The aforementioned detection is performed when the amount of charge in the battery falls below the emergency charge amount that should be kept charged for use in emergencies, thereby detecting this as an abnormality related to the remote control. The remote control device according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

3. The aforementioned processor, Information is obtained indicating whether or not the area where the aforementioned battery is installed is experiencing a power outage. The aforementioned detection occurs when the amount of charge stored in the battery becomes less than the emergency charge amount. Furthermore, if the area is not experiencing a power outage, an abnormality related to the remote control is detected. The remote control device according to claim 2, characterized by the following:

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