Power control device, power control system, and panel

Abstract

To provide a power control device, a power control system, and a panel that can improve the convenience of an inverter.SOLUTION: A power control device 10 includes an inverter 12 that converts power output from a renewable energy power generation device 60, and a gateway 14 that is connected to the inverter 12 so as to enable power line communication. The inverter 12 is connected to a node 71 located between a power grid 50 and a load 40 receiving power from the power grid 50. The gateway 14 is connected between the inverter 12 and the node 71.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power control device, a power control system, and a panel.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a configuration for controlling a solar cell module with a micro-inverter has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Improvement in the convenience of the inverter is required.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a power control device, a power control system, and a panel that can improve the convenience of the inverter.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A power control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an inverter that converts power output from a renewable energy power generation device, and a gateway that is connected to the inverter so as to be capable of performing power line communication. The inverter is connected to a node located between a power grid and a load that receives power from the power grid. The gateway is connected between the inverter and the node.

[0007] A power control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the power control device and the load.

[0008] A panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure houses a node and a gateway. The node is located between a power grid and a load receiving power from the power grid. The gateway is configured to enable power line communication with an inverter that converts power output from a renewable energy power generation device. The gateway is connected between the inverter and the node. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to a power control device, power control system, and control panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the convenience of the inverter is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This block diagram shows a schematic configuration example of a power control system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a power control system related to a comparative example. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing an example of load configuration set up in an apartment building. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a power control device equipped with a control distribution panel. [Figure 5] This block diagram shows a schematic configuration example of a power control system according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] This diagram shows an example of a gateway configuration. [Figure 7] This diagram shows an example configuration in which one renewable energy power generation device is connected to one inverter. [Figure 8] This diagram shows an example configuration in which multiple renewable energy power generation devices are connected to a single inverter. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] (Example configuration of power control system 1) As shown in Figure 1, a power control system 1 according to one embodiment comprises a power control device 10, a load 40, and a renewable energy power generation device 60. The power control system 1 is connected to a power grid 50 that supplies electricity and to the load 40.

[0012] The renewable energy power generation device 60 may include a photovoltaic power generation device (hereinafter also referred to as PV). The renewable energy power generation device 60 may also include other renewable energy devices such as wind power generation devices. In this embodiment, the renewable energy power generation device 60 is assumed to be a PV. The microinverter 12 controls the power output from the PV by converting the DC power output from the PV to AC power, etc. The microinverter 12 may include an inverter or converter, etc. The renewable energy power generation device 60 may be replaced by a storage battery or fuel cell, or may include a storage battery or fuel cell. The number of renewable energy power generation devices 60 and microinverters 12 is not limited to one, and there may be two or more.

[0013] The power control device 10 includes a microinverter 12 and a gateway 14. The microinverter 12 is connected to the renewable energy power generation device 60 and converts the power generated by the renewable energy power generation device 60 to supply to the load 40 or to feed it back into the power grid 50. When the renewable energy power generation device 60 outputs DC power, the microinverter 12 is configured to convert the DC power of the renewable energy power generation device 60 into AC power matched to the power grid 50. When the renewable energy power generation device 60 outputs AC power, the microinverter 12 is configured to convert the AC power of the renewable energy power generation device 60 into AC power matched to the power grid 50. The microinverter 12 may operate using power from the power grid 50 or using power from the renewable energy power generation device 60.

[0014] The gateway 14 is connected to the microinverter 12. The gateway 14 may acquire various information from the microinverter 12, such as information regarding the operating status of the renewable energy power generation device 60, or information regarding the operating status of the microinverter 12. The information regarding the operating status may include, for example, information regarding the open / closed status of the circuit breaker. The gateway 14 may be configured to output the information acquired from the microinverter 12 in various forms, such as visual information like images or text, or auditory information like sound. The gateway 14 may operate on power from the power grid 50, or on power from the renewable energy power generation device 60.

[0015] The microinverter 12 or gateway 14 may include at least one processor to provide control and processing capabilities for performing various functions. The processor can execute programs that realize the various functions of the microinverter 12 or gateway 14. The processor may be implemented as a single integrated circuit. An integrated circuit is also called an IC (Integrated Circuit). The processor may be implemented as a plurality of communicably connected integrated circuits and discrete circuits. The processor may be implemented based on various other known technologies.

[0016] The microinverter 12 or gateway 14 may include a storage unit. The storage unit may include an electromagnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk, or a memory such as a semiconductor memory or magnetic memory. The storage unit stores various information and programs executed by the microinverter 12 or gateway 14. The storage unit may be configured as a non-temporary readable medium. The storage unit may function as the work memory of the microinverter 12 or gateway 14. At least a part of the storage unit may be configured separately from the microinverter 12 or gateway 14.

[0017] The power control device 10 further includes a trading meter 45 which is not essential but is connected to the power grid 50. The power control system 1 is connected to the power grid 50 via the trading meter 45. The trading meter 45 measures the amount of power received by the power control system 1 from the power grid 50. The trading meter 45 may also measure the amount of power flowing in reverse from the power control system 1 to the power grid 50.

[0018] The power control device 10 further includes a coil 30 which is not essential. The power control device 10 is connected to the load distribution board 20 or the load 40 via the coil 30. The coil 30 is configured to reduce the noise flowing in the wiring. The coil 30 is also referred to as a blocking coil.

[0019] In the power control system 1, power is supplied from the power grid 50 to the load 40. Also, power is supplied from the micro-inverter 12 which converts the generated power of the renewable energy power generation device 60 to the load 40. The micro-inverter 12 is connected at a node 71 located between the power grid 50 and the load 40 to the wiring connecting from the power grid 50 to the load 40. The gateway 14 is connected at a node 72 located between the micro-inverter 12 and the node 71 to the wiring connecting from the micro-inverter 12 to the node 71.

[0020] The gateway 14 acquires information from the micro-inverter 12 by power line communication via the wiring connecting the gateway 14 and the micro-inverter 12. That is, the gateway 14 is connected to the micro-inverter 12 so as to be able to execute power line communication. Since the gateway 14 can acquire information from the micro-inverter 12 by power line communication, a dedicated communication line is not required. Since a dedicated communication line is not necessary, the micro-inverter 12 is easier to install. As a result, the convenience of the micro-inverter 12 is improved.

[0021] Also, the power line communication between the gateway 14 and the micro-inverter 12 is executed without passing through the wiring connecting the power grid 50 and the load 40.

[0022] In the power control system 9 shown in Figure 2 as a comparative example, the gateway 14 is connected to the load distribution panel 20 in parallel with the load 40. The configuration of the comparative example corresponds to a configuration in which the gateway 14 is connected to the load distribution panel 20 installed inside a house when the gateway 14 is installed inside the house. In the comparative example, the gateway 14 is connected to the microinverter 12 through the wiring that connects the power grid 50 and the load 40. In other words, part of the wiring connecting the gateway 14 and the microinverter 12 is common with the wiring that supplies power to the load 40. In this case, power line communication between the gateway 14 and the microinverter 12 is susceptible to noise from the load 40.

[0023] In the power control system 1 according to this embodiment, power line communication between the gateway 14 and the microinverter 12 is performed without passing through the wiring connecting the power grid 50 and the load 40, unlike in the comparative example. Power line communication that does not pass through the wiring connected to the load 40 is less susceptible to noise from the load 40. Furthermore, by providing a coil 30 that reduces noise from the load 40 between the node 71 to which the microinverter 12 and gateway 14 are connected and the load 40, the influence of noise from the load 40 on power line communication can be reduced.

[0024] Furthermore, the wiring from the transaction meter 45 to node 71 may be shorter than the wiring from node 71 to load 40. This increases the distance from the wiring connecting the microinverter 12 and gateway 14 to load 40. As a result, the impact of noise on load 40 can be further reduced.

[0025] (Example configuration of apartment building 4 equipped with load 40) Load 40 may be installed in a complex consumer facility that includes multiple consumer facilities. As shown in Figure 3, the complex consumer facility may be a multi-unit residential building 4. When the complex consumer facility is a multi-unit residential building 4, the complex consumer facility may include each of the multiple dwelling units 2 of the multi-unit residential building 4, or it may include the common areas 3 of the multi-unit residential building 4 as consumer facilities. The complex consumer facility may also be a commercial facility that includes shops as consumer facilities. Below, an example of an embodiment will be described assuming that the complex consumer facility is a multi-unit residential building 4.

[0026] The multi-unit dwelling 4 may take various forms such as a condominium, apartment, or maisonette. The multi-unit dwelling 4 may be managed by a management entity. The management entity of the multi-unit dwelling 4 may be the owner of the multi-unit dwelling 4 or a business that manages the multi-unit dwelling 4. The management entity of the multi-unit dwelling 4 may enter into individual tenancy agreements with the residents of each dwelling unit 2.

[0027] In the apartment building 4, the load 40 includes a common load 41 installed in the common area 3 and a dwelling unit load 42 installed in dwelling unit 2. In the apartment building 4, a common meter 47 is also installed, although it is not mandatory. The common meter 47 measures the amount of electricity supplied to the common load 41 installed in the common area 3. In the apartment building 4, a dwelling unit meter 46 is also installed. The dwelling unit meter 46 measures the amount of electricity supplied to the dwelling unit load 42 installed in dwelling unit 2.

[0028] The common load 41 is the load 40 provided in the common area 3 of the apartment building 4. The common area 3 may be, for example, a corridor or staircase of the apartment building 4. The common load 41 may include equipment provided in the common area 3, such as lighting fixtures such as streetlights, septic tank blower power supplies, emergency equipment such as fire alarms, and other equipment such as air conditioning equipment. The dwelling unit load 42 is the load 40 provided in each dwelling unit 2 of the apartment building 4, and may be, for example, electrical equipment such as lighting fixtures, refrigerators, televisions, or air conditioners used in each dwelling unit 2. The apartment building 4 includes multiple dwelling units 2. Each dwelling unit 2 is provided with a dwelling unit load 42. In other words, the apartment building 4 is provided with multiple dwelling unit loads 42.

[0029] In the apartment building 4, the PV (photovoltaic) renewable energy power generation device 60 may be installed in sections, for example, on the roof of the apartment building 4, the roof of the parking lot of the apartment building 4, or within the premises of the apartment building 4.

[0030] (Example configuration including a control distribution panel 80) As shown in Figure 4, the power control device 10 may include a control distribution panel 80. The control distribution panel 80 houses the gateway 14, the coil 30, and nodes 71 and 72. The control distribution panel 80 includes terminals 81, 82 and 83. The control distribution panel 80 is connected to the load 40 or the load distribution panel 20 at terminal 81. That is, terminal 81 is configured to be connectable to the load 40. The control distribution panel 80 is connected to the microinverter 12 at terminal 82. That is, terminal 82 is configured to be connectable to the microinverter 12. The control distribution panel 80 is connected to the power grid 50 or the transaction meter 45 at terminal 83. That is, terminal 83 is configured to be connectable to the power grid 50. The transaction meter 45 may be installed between terminal 83 and node 71. The transaction meter 45 may be installed in the control distribution panel 80. The control distribution panel 80 is also simply referred to as the panel. The control distribution panel 80 may be configured as a service entrance panel or a distribution panel, etc. By configuring the circuit, which includes wiring that branches off from the wiring supplying power from the power grid 50 to the load 40 and connects to the microinverter 12, as a panel, the power control device 10 according to this embodiment can be easily introduced into existing facilities, such as existing apartment buildings 4. The control distribution panel 80 may also be installed on the exterior wall of the apartment building 4. In this way, the power control device 10 according to this embodiment can be easily introduced into existing apartment buildings 4.

[0031] In the control distribution panel 80, the terminal 81 connected to the load 40 is located closer to the load 40 than the coil 30 when viewed from the node 71. This arrangement makes it less likely for noise from the load 40 to affect the power line communication performed in the wiring connected to the node 71.

[0032] (Example of a configuration where power grid 50 is branched to multiple loads 40) As shown in Figure 5, the power control system 1 may be configured to branch and supply power from the power grid 50 to loads 40A and 40B. The power control system 1 has a branching point 52. It can also be said that the power from the power grid 50 is branched at branching point 52 and supplied to two consumer facilities or a combined consumer facility. In this embodiment, the wiring branched at branching point 52 is assumed to be connected to the first facility and the second facility.

[0033] The first facility comprises a control distribution panel 80A equipped with a gateway 14, a renewable energy power generation device 60A, a microinverter 12A, a trading meter 45A, and a load 40A. The control distribution panel 80A is also referred to as the first panel. In addition to the gateway 14, the control distribution panel 80A comprises a coil 30A, a node 71A, a node 72A, terminals 81A, 82A, and 83A. The control distribution panel 80A is connected to the load 40A at terminal 81A. The control distribution panel 80A is connected to the microinverter 12A at terminal 82A. The control distribution panel 80A is connected to the trading meter 45A or branch point 52 at terminal 83A.

[0034] The second facility comprises a control distribution panel 80B without gateway 14, a renewable energy power generation device 60B, a microinverter 12B, a trading meter 45B, and a load 40B. The control distribution panel 80B is also referred to as the second panel. The control distribution panel 80B comprises a coil 30B, a node 71B, a node 72B, terminals 81B, 82B, and 83B. The control distribution panel 80B is connected to the load 40B at terminal 81B. The control distribution panel 80B is connected to the microinverter 12B at terminal 82B. The control distribution panel 80B is connected to the trading meter 45B or branch point 52 at terminal 83B.

[0035] In the configuration shown in Figure 5, the power control device 10 comprises a microinverter 12A installed in the first facility, a microinverter 12B installed in the second facility, and a gateway 14. The microinverter 12A installed in the first facility is also referred to as the first inverter. The microinverter 12B installed in the second facility is also referred to as the second inverter. The gateway 14 performs power line communication with the microinverter 12 installed in the first facility through the wiring within the first facility. In other words, the gateway 14 is connected to the microinverter 12A in a communicative manner without going through the branching point 52. The gateway 14 also performs power line communication with the microinverter 12B installed in the second facility through the wiring including the branching point 52. In other words, the gateway 14 is connected to the microinverter 12B in a communicative manner through the branching point 52. In this way, a single gateway 14 can acquire information from the microinverters 12 installed in each of the multiple customer facilities connected via the branching point 52.

[0036] Furthermore, the power control system 1 includes a coil 54 between the power grid 50 and the branching point 52, although this is not mandatory. The coil 54 can reduce the impact of noise from the power grid 50 on power line communications. Additionally, by connecting coil 30A to the load 40A side of node 71A and coil 30B to the load 40B side of node 71B, the impact of noise from loads 40A and 40B on power line communications can be reduced.

[0037] The control distribution panel 80A is also equipped with circuit breakers 84A and 85A, although these are not mandatory. Circuit breaker 84A is connected between the microinverter 12A and node 72A, and when ON, it connects the microinverter 12A to the load 40A or the power grid 50, and when OFF, it disconnects the microinverter 12A from the load 40A or the power grid 50. Circuit breaker 85A is connected between the gateway 14 and node 72A, and when ON, it enables the gateway 14 to perform power line communication with the microinverter 12A or microinverter 12B, and when OFF, it disconnects the gateway 14 from the microinverter 12A or microinverter 12B. If circuit breakers 84A and 85A were not present, and there was a circuit breaker between node 72A and node 71A, then if the microinverter 12A failed, turning off that circuit breaker would stop not only the microinverter 12A but also the gateway 14. On the other hand, because circuit breakers 84A and 85A are connected, even if microinverter 12A fails, if only circuit breaker 84A is turned off, gateway 14 can continue power line communication with microinverter 12B of the second facility.

[0038] The control distribution panel 80B is also equipped with a circuit breaker 84B, although this is not mandatory. The circuit breaker 84B is connected between the microinverter 12B and the node 72B, and when it is ON, it connects the microinverter 12B to the load 40B or the power grid 50, and when it is OFF, it disconnects the microinverter 12B from the load 40B or the power grid 50.

[0039] The control distribution panel 80B is not required to have an empty area 86 where a gateway 14 can be installed even if the control distribution panel 80B does not have a gateway 14. The control distribution panel 80B may also have terminals configured to connect to node 72B or microinverter 12B when a gateway 14 is installed in the empty area 86. The control distribution panel 80B is also not required to have a circuit breaker 85B. The circuit breaker 85B is connected between the gateway 14 and node 71B when the gateway 14 is installed in the empty area 86. In this case, when the circuit breaker 85B is ON, it enables the gateway 14 to perform power line communication with microinverter 12A or microinverter 12B, and when it is OFF, it disconnects the gateway 14 from microinverter 12A or microinverter 12B. Furthermore, if an additional gateway 14 is installed in the empty area 86, the installation of multiple gateways 14 allows other gateways 14 to continue to be used as replacements if one gateway 14 fails.

[0040] The power control system 1 may include a trading meter 45 between the coil 54 and the branching point 52. By connecting the first facility and the second facility via the branching point 52, power from the microinverter 12A can be supplied to the load 40B. Alternatively, power from the microinverter 12B can be supplied to the load 40A. In this way, local production and consumption or self-consumption of electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation device 60 is promoted. Local production and consumption means that the electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation device 60A flows to the power grid 50 side beyond the trading meter 45 and then immediately returns and is consumed by the load 40B. Self-consumption means that the electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation device 60A is consumed by the load 40B without flowing to the power grid 50 side beyond the trading meter 45.

[0041] In the power control system 1, if a transaction meter 45 is provided between coil 54 and branch point 52, bulk power reception can be achieved in an apartment building 4 equipped with loads 40A and 40B. The transaction meter 45A may be provided between terminal 83A and node 71A, or between node 71A and coil 30A. The transaction meter 45B may be provided between terminal 83B and node 71B, or between node 71B and coil 30B. Control distribution boards 80A and 80B may be a single control distribution board 80.

[0042] The management entity of apartment building 4 enters into a bulk power purchase agreement with the power company that supplies electricity from the power grid 50. The power company supplies electricity to apartment building 4 from the power grid 50 based on the bulk power purchase agreement. The loads 40 included in apartment building 4 consume the electricity received in bulk. The transaction meter 45 measures the amount of electricity supplied to apartment building 4 from the power grid 50. The transaction meter 45 is assumed to be a certified meter. The power company manages the transaction meter 45 and obtains measurement results from the transaction meter 45. The power company calculates the electricity charge corresponding to the total electricity consumption of apartment building 4 based on the measurement results of the transaction meter 45. The power company bills the management entity of apartment building 4 for the electricity charge calculated based on the measurement results of the transaction meter 45. The management entity of apartment building 4 may bill the residents of each apartment unit 2 for electricity charges based on the measurement results of the electricity consumption of each apartment unit load 42 by the apartment meter 46, or may bill the residents of each apartment unit 2 for electricity charges according to other criteria.

[0043] When the management entity of apartment building 4 enters into a bulk power supply contract, either a high-voltage bulk power supply contract or a low-voltage bulk power supply contract is selected. A high-voltage bulk power supply contract is a contract for bulk power supply with an electrical capacity of a predetermined value or higher. A low-voltage bulk power supply contract is a contract for bulk power supply with an electrical capacity of less than a predetermined value. The predetermined value is determined as appropriate by the power company. The predetermined value may be, for example, 50kW. The management entity of apartment building 4 may enter into either a high-voltage bulk power supply contract or a low-voltage bulk power supply contract based on the number of dwelling units 2 in apartment building 4. Regardless of whether a high-voltage or low-voltage bulk power supply contract is entered into, peak power consumption can be reduced by leveling out the power consumption of apartment building 4 as a whole. As a result, the management entity of apartment building 4 can enjoy the benefit of a reduction in the unit price of electricity due to the peak power consumption reduction. By the management entity of apartment building 4 entering into a bulk power supply contract, the residents of each dwelling unit 2 are saved the trouble of entering into their own power supply contracts. If apartment building 4 is equipped with a renewable energy power generation device 60, the load 40 of apartment building 4 as a whole receives electricity from the renewable energy power generation device 60. By leveling out power consumption, the load 40 of apartment building 4 can constantly consume electricity from the renewable energy power generation device 60. As a result, local production and consumption or self-consumption may be promoted.

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, the gateway 14 may include a display unit 141. The display unit 141 displays information acquired by the gateway 14 from the microinverter 12. The display unit 141 is configured to include a display device that outputs visual information such as images, characters, or graphics. The display device may include, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, an inorganic EL display, or a PDP (Plasma Display Panel). The display device is not limited to these displays and may include various other types of displays. The display device may include a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emission Diode) or an LD (Laser Diode). The display device may include various other devices.

[0045] The microinverter 12 may be replaced with an inverter that includes the microinverter 12. The inverter may include various inverters in addition to the microinverter 12.

[0046] The microinverter 12 may be attached to each renewable energy power generation device 60 (including, for example, solar panels, etc.), as illustrated in Figure 7. In other words, one microinverter 12 may be connected to one renewable energy power generation device 60. Alternatively, the microinverter 12 may be connected to multiple renewable energy power generation devices 60 (including, for example, solar panels, etc.), as illustrated in Figure 8.

[0047] As a comparative example, consider a system in which multiple renewable energy power generation devices 60 (including, for example, solar panels) are connected in series and controlled centrally by connecting one inverter. In the comparative example, if a malfunction occurred in at least one of the renewable energy power generation devices 60, one of the wirings connecting the renewable energy power generation devices 60, or one of the inverters, the impact of that malfunction would extend to the entire system. On the other hand, according to the power control system 1 of this embodiment, by controlling in a distributed manner with multiple inverters, even if a malfunction occurs in one of the renewable energy power generation devices 60, one of the wirings, or one of the inverters, the impact of the malfunction on other inverters or other renewable energy power generation devices 60 can be prevented. As a result, the scope of the impact of the malfunction can be limited to a part of the power control system 1.

[0048] Furthermore, if the output scale of the renewable energy power generation device 60 is smaller than the output of the inverter that operates to be centrally managed in the system relating to the comparative example, the inverter's specifications will be excessive. By using an inverter with specifications based on the output of the renewable energy power generation device 60, the difference between the required specifications for the inverter and the actual specifications of the inverter can be reduced. However, when the inverter communicates with the gateway 14 via power lines, it is susceptible to noise from the load 40. Therefore, the inverter needs to be configured to be less susceptible to noise from the load 40 during power line communication.

[0049] The diagrams illustrating the embodiments described herein are schematic. Dimensions and proportions shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to actual dimensions.

[0050] While embodiments relating to this disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications or alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications or alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components can be combined into one or separated.

[0051] In this disclosure, the designations "First," "Second," etc., are identifiers used to distinguish the configurations. Configurations distinguished by the designations "First," "Second," etc., in this disclosure may have their numbers swapped. For example, Equipment 1 may swap the identifiers "First" and "Second" with Equipment 2. The swapping of identifiers occurs simultaneously. The configurations remain distinguishable even after the swapping of identifiers. Identifiers may be deleted. Configurations from which identifiers have been deleted are distinguished by codes. The designations "First," "Second," etc., in this disclosure should not be used alone to interpret the order of the configurations or to justify the existence of smaller numbered identifiers. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 1. Power control system 4. Apartment buildings (2: dwelling units, 3: common areas) 10 Power control device 12 (12A, 12B) Microinverter 14 Gateway (141: Display Unit) 20 Load distribution board 30 (30A, 30B) coil 40 (40A, 40B) Load (41: Common load, 42: Unit load) 45 (45A, 45B) Transaction Meter 46 dwelling unit meters 47 Shared meter 50 Power grid 52 Branching Point 54 coils 60 (60A, 60B) Renewable Energy Power Generation Equipment 71(71A, 71B), 72(72A, 72B) nodes 80 (80A, 80B) Control Distribution Panel Terminals 81 (81A, 81B), 82 (82A, 82B), 83 (83A, 83B) 84A, 84B, 85A, 85B circuit breakers 86 Free space

Claims

1. An inverter that converts the power output from a renewable energy power generation device, The inverter and a gateway connected to enable power line communication. Equipped with, The inverter is connected to a load distribution panel located between the load receiving power from the power grid and the power grid, and to a node located between the load and the power grid. The gateway is connected between the inverter and the node and acquires information communicated from the inverter via power line communication. Power control device.

2. The power control device according to claim 1, further comprising a blocking coil connected between the load and the node.

3. The system further comprises a transaction meter connected between the power grid and the node, The power control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wiring from the transaction meter to the node is shorter than the wiring from the node to the load.

4. The power control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a panel for housing the node and the gateway.

5. The power control device according to claim 4, wherein the panel houses a blocking coil connected between the load and the node, and has terminals configured to be connectable to the load via the blocking coil.

6. The power control device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, when the renewable energy power generation device is installed in a dwelling, the control panel is configured to be installed on the exterior wall of the dwelling.

7. The power control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the renewable energy power generation device is installed in a dwelling, the node is configured to be installed on the exterior wall of the dwelling.

8. The power control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gateway comprises a display unit for displaying information acquired from the inverter.

9. The power control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising, as the inverters, a first inverter and a second inverter connected to the power grid via a branch point.

10. The power control device according to claim 9, wherein the gateway is connected to the first inverter so as to be able to communicate without going through the branch point, and is connected to the second inverter so as to be able to communicate through the branch point.

11. The power control device according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a blocking coil connected between the branching point and the power grid.

12. The power control device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first inverter, the second inverter, and the gateway are each connected to the wiring via a circuit breaker.

13. The first inverter supplies power to the load connected to the second inverter via the branch point. The power control device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the second inverter supplies power to a load connected to the first inverter via the branch point.

14. The system further comprises a first panel housing the nodes connected to the first inverter and the gateway, and a second panel housing the nodes connected to the second inverter. The power control device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the second panel is provided with terminals configured to connect to the gateway.

15. A power control system comprising a power control device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and the load.

16. A panel comprising: a load distribution panel located between a load receiving power from a power grid and the power grid; a node located between the power grid and the load distribution panel; an inverter for converting power output from a renewable energy power generation device and a gateway connected to enable power line communication, and connected between the inverter and the node, for acquiring information communicated from the inverter via power line communication.

17. The panel according to claim 16, further comprising a blocking coil connected between the load and the node, and a terminal configured to be connectable to the load via the blocking coil.

Images