Charge / discharge control device and charge / discharge control method

Abstract

To appropriately control charging and discharging of a storage battery based on information about earthquakes that have occurred even if prediction is difficult.SOLUTION: A charge / discharge control device comprises a charge / discharge control unit that controls charging and discharging of a storage battery, an earthquake information acquisition unit that acquires information related to earthquake occurrences from outside, and a retention remaining amount setting unit that sets, when information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired, a remaining capacity for emergency storage to enable autonomous operation with the power stored in the storage battery even if a power outage occurs. The charge / discharge control unit, triggered by the acquisition of information related to the occurrence of the earthquake, starts an earthquake information cooperation state in which charging and discharging of the storage battery is controlled to ensure the remaining capacity for emergency storage, and terminates the earthquake information cooperation state when a preset earthquake information cooperation period has elapsed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charge / discharge control apparatus and a charge / discharge control method for charging and discharging a storage battery. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Storage batteries that can be charged using electric power generated with renewable energy and electric power supplied from a grid power network, and can discharge electricity to an electric power load are applied to electric power systems in homes and business establishments. Charge / discharge control of a storage battery in such an electric power system is generally broadly classified and performed in any one of an economic mode, a clean mode, and a charging mode. The contents of the three modes are as follows. Note that there are slight differences in the names of each mode depending on the operator.

[0003] In the economic mode, the storage battery is charged as much as possible during nighttime hours when the unit price of grid power is low, and the energy stored in the storage battery is discharged during power purchase in other time zones when the unit price of power is high, thereby suppressing as much as possible the amount of electric power supplied from the grid power network during time zones when the unit price of power is high. In the clean mode, the storage battery is charged with surplus power from photovoltaic power generation and discharged during power purchase, thereby suppressing as much as possible the amount of electric power supplied from the grid power network. In the charging mode, charging of the storage battery is preferentially performed in preparation for a blackout of the grid power network due to a disaster or the like. However, the storage battery is not necessarily charged to full capacity, and charging is performed until the target remaining capacity of the storage battery is reached. That is, the charging target is not necessarily full capacity.

[0004] Regarding the charging mode, a charge / discharge control apparatus is known that includes a mode for acquiring weather information related to meteorological disasters that are highly likely to cause blackouts, and performing charge / discharge control of the storage battery according to the urgency level of the acquired information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, it is known that charge / discharge control is performed in conjunction with thunderstorm warnings, not limited to weather information such as heavy rain warnings, heavy snow warnings, and storm warnings (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [[Prior Art Documents]] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-235541 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-132494 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] One of the motivations for introducing battery storage systems as a power outage countermeasure is preparation for natural disasters, and among natural disasters, earthquakes are the most worrying. However, with current technology, it is practically impossible to predict the occurrence of earthquakes by specifying, for example, the date and location, and the reality is that it is impossible to know when and where an earthquake will occur. Therefore, there has been no system that controls charging and discharging in conjunction with earthquake-related information. However, past examples have shown that there is a risk of a second earthquake occurring after a major earthquake, and that this second earthquake may cause a major power outage. In other words, it is empirically known that when a major earthquake occurs, the risk of aftershocks or main shocks related to the initial earthquake occurring in quick succession is higher than usual.

[0007] When faced with severe situations that could lead to natural disasters such as earthquakes, electricity consumers expect that even if a power outage occurs, the electricity stored in batteries will be supplied to their power loads (hereinafter simply referred to as loads), and they will not be affected by the power outage. However, providing disaster prevention weather information that specifies the date, time, and region, as is the case with typhoons, rainfall, low pressure systems, strong winds and the resulting floods, landslides, storm surges, and river flooding, is difficult when it comes to earthquakes. Patent Document 1 describes considering natural phenomena such as typhoons and thunderstorms, as well as earthquake swarms and volcanic eruptions, as precursors to earthquakes. Specifically, it describes receiving earthquake information from a server as precursor information, representing the region where an earthquake swarm occurred, the timing of the earthquake, and changes in the frequency of earthquake swarms, and then charging the battery of an electric vehicle based on the received precursor information.

[0008] However, with current technology, there is a significant difference between the prediction accuracy of disaster prevention weather information and the accuracy of earthquake prediction. Disaster prevention weather information is issued as forecasts, including special warnings, warnings, and advisories, which provide information categorized by level of alert, allowing us to prepare for the risk of future disasters. On the other hand, the Japan Meteorological Agency does not issue special warnings, warnings, or advisories equivalent to forecasts for earthquakes. It only issues earthquake early warnings and earthquake information for earthquakes that have already occurred. Treating the two as equivalent is not realistic in some respects. From the perspective of electricity consumers, they feel more anxious about earthquakes, which are difficult to predict, than about typhoons or thunderstorms, which can be forecasted, and therefore want to prepare for earthquakes. This invention was made in consideration of the circumstances described above, and provides a method for appropriately controlling the charging and discharging of a storage battery based on information about an earthquake that has occurred, even if it is difficult to predict. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This invention provides a charge / discharge control device comprising: a charge / discharge control unit that controls the charging and discharging of a storage battery; an earthquake information acquisition unit that acquires information related to the occurrence of an earthquake from an external source; and a storage capacity setting unit that, when the information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired, sets an emergency storage capacity so that the storage battery can operate independently using the power stored in it even if a power outage occurs. The charge / discharge control unit starts an earthquake information linkage state in which it controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery to secure the emergency storage capacity when the information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired, and ends the earthquake information linkage state when a preset earthquake information linkage period has elapsed.

[0010] Furthermore, from a different perspective, this invention provides a charge / discharge control method comprising: a control unit that controls the charging and discharging of a storage battery, which acquires information relating to the occurrence of an earthquake from an external source;, when the information relating to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired, sets an emergency reserve capacity so that the storage battery can operate independently for a predetermined period of independent operation even if a power outage occurs; starts an earthquake information linkage state in which the charging and discharging of the storage battery is controlled to secure the emergency reserve capacity when the information relating to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired; and ends the earthquake information linkage state when a preset earthquake information linkage period has elapsed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In the charge / discharge control device according to this invention, when information regarding the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired, the retained charge setting unit sets an emergency retained charge so that the battery can operate independently using the power stored in the battery even if a power outage occurs. The charge / discharge control unit starts an earthquake information linkage state in response to the acquisition of information regarding the occurrence of an earthquake, which controls the charging and discharging of the battery to secure the emergency retained charge. The earthquake information linkage state ends when a preset earthquake information linkage period has elapsed. Thus, the charging and discharging of the battery can be appropriately controlled based on information regarding the occurrence of an earthquake. The charge / discharge control method according to this invention also produces similar effects. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This block diagram shows the configuration of a charge / discharge control system including a charge / discharge control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the weather and earthquake linkage settings screen related to charge and discharge control, which is displayed on the control unit. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing examples of the home screen and battery level details screen displayed on the control unit. [Figure 4]It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of charge / discharge control performed by the charge / discharge control device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of state transition of charge / discharge control performed by the charge / discharge control unit shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is the first part of a flowchart showing an example of charge / discharge control executed by the charge / discharge control unit and the like of the charge / discharge control device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] It is the second part of a flowchart showing an example of charge / discharge control executed by the charge / discharge control unit and the like of the charge / discharge control device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] It is the third part of a flowchart showing an example of charge / discharge control executed by the charge / discharge control unit and the like of the charge / discharge control device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] It is the fourth part of a flowchart showing an example of charge / discharge control executed by the charge / discharge control unit and the like of the charge / discharge control device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. (Embodiment 1) <<Configuration of Charge / Discharge Control Device and Charge / Discharge Control System>> The configuration of a charge / discharge control system including the charge / discharge control device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the charge / discharge control system 10 including the charge / discharge control device 16 according to this embodiment. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the charge / discharge control system 10 is installed in a detached house, the installation location of the charge / discharge control system is not limited thereto. In addition, FIG. 1 also shows a grid power network 21 and a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) server 22 together with the charge / discharge control system 10.

[0014] The charge / discharge control system 10 according to this embodiment is a system in which a power consumer is equipped with a power generator using renewable energy and a storage battery. More specifically, it is mainly composed of a solar cell module 11 that generates power using solar energy, which is one form of renewable energy, a storage battery 13, and a charge / discharge control device 16. The power generator using renewable energy is not limited to the solar cell module 11. For example, it may be wind power generation, biomass power generation, or the like, or a combination thereof. The charge / discharge control system 10 may include, in addition to the configuration related to power generation and storage, a configuration for presenting power generation status and the like to the power consumer, and acquiring information necessary for the operation of the charge / discharge control system 10 from the outside.

[0015] The charge / discharge control system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a solar cell module 11, a power conditioner 12, a storage battery 13, a distribution board 14, a smart meter 15, a charge / discharge control device 16, a communication interface circuit 17, and an operation unit 18. The solar cell module 11 is a module that converts light energy of sunlight into electrical energy. The power conditioner 12 is a device that converts generated power so that it can be consumed by a load. Specifically, the power conditioner 12 performs conversion of the direct current output by the solar cell module 11 into alternating current, and the like.

[0016] The storage battery 13 is a device that stores electrical energy, and stores the electrical energy generated by the solar cell module 11 or the electrical energy supplied from the grid power network 21. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the charge / discharge control system 10 may include other power generators (for example, a fuel cell that generates power using fuel gas). When the charge / discharge control system 10 includes another power generator, it is possible to perform charge / discharge control that takes into account the power generation amount of the other power generator by detecting and acquiring the power generation amount of the other power generator with, for example, a sensor.

[0017] The distribution board 14 collects electricity drawn in from the power grid 21 via the smart meter 15, as well as electricity from the solar cell modules 11 and the storage battery 13, and distributes the collected electricity to the indoor electrical equipment 23. The smart meter 15 is a digital electricity meter that measures the amount of electricity used by electricity consumers (supply contract holders) and transmits the data to power generators and grid operators.

[0018] The charge / discharge control device 16 acquires power information related to power generation from the charge / discharge control system 10 and controls the operation of the power conditioner 12 according to that power information. Examples of power information include information indicating whether or not commercial power is purchased, information indicating the power generated by the solar cell module 11, and information indicating the charging power or discharging power of the storage battery 13. Whether or not commercial electricity is purchased, and the amount of electricity purchased, can be determined by connecting a sensor to the power line connecting the smart meter 15 and the grid power network 21, and analyzing the output value of that sensor. In addition, information indicating the power generated by the solar cell module 11 and the charging and discharging power of the storage battery 13 can be obtained via the power conditioner 12. Furthermore, since the battery 13 is connected to the power conditioner 12, the charge / discharge control device 16 can control the battery 13, such as switching between charging and discharging, via the power conditioner 12.

[0019] In this embodiment, the charge / discharge control device 16 is primarily composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and memory, from a hardware configuration standpoint. The CPU or MPU (hereinafter collectively referred to as the CPU) executes a processing program stored in the memory, thereby realizing the functions related to charge / discharge control. Furthermore, it includes input / output circuits for controlling the power conditioner 12, communication interface circuit 17, etc. Furthermore, from a functional configuration standpoint, the system includes an earthquake information acquisition unit 16E, a remaining battery charge setting unit 16R, and a charge / discharge control unit 16C. Additionally, it optionally includes a weather information acquisition unit 16W, and the remaining battery charge setting unit 16R optionally includes at least one of the following: a self-sustaining operation period setting unit 16T, a battery charge setting unit 16B, and an earthquake information linkage period setting unit 16L.

[0020] The earthquake information acquisition unit 16E acquires information related to earthquake occurrences from an external server connected via a communication interface circuit 17, which will be described later. The earthquake information acquisition unit 16E acquires information related to earthquake occurrences, such as earthquake information or earthquake early warnings issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Earthquake information is information that is released sequentially as data related to an earthquake becomes available after the earthquake occurs. Earthquake information is a general term for several types of information, including seismic intensity reports, information on the epicenter and seismic intensity, information on seismic intensity in various locations, and other information. Seismic intensity reports announce the names of the areas that observed a seismic intensity of 3 or higher and the time the shaking was detected, approximately 1.5 minutes after the earthquake occurs. Information on the epicenter and seismic intensity announces the epicenter and magnitude when a seismic intensity of 3 or higher is observed. Information on seismic intensity in various locations announces the locations that observed a seismic intensity of 1 or higher, as well as the epicenter and magnitude.

[0021] The Earthquake Early Warning is issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency when a maximum seismic intensity of 5-minus or higher is expected at two or more seismic observation points. It provides information that quickly predicts the arrival time and intensity of strong shaking in various locations immediately after the earthquake occurs. The Earthquake Early Warning is information related to earthquake occurrences issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency with the aim of enabling disaster preparedness before strong shaking occurs at locations far from the epicenter. The earthquake information acquisition unit 16E acquires updated information by sequentially obtaining information from the server that provides earthquake occurrence information as described above. This can be done by receiving information from the server or by accessing the server to acquire information. In a preferred embodiment, the remaining battery capacity setting unit sets the emergency remaining battery capacity when information regarding the epicenter and seismic intensity is acquired from the information related to the occurrence of an earthquake, and the charge / discharge control unit starts the earthquake information linkage state when information regarding the epicenter and seismic intensity is acquired.

[0022] The remaining capacity setting unit 16R sets the amount of remaining capacity to be stored in the battery 13. Under normal circumstances, a minimum remaining capacity is set. When the earthquake information acquisition unit 16E acquires information related to an earthquake, the remaining capacity setting unit 16R assumes that the power supply from the grid 21 will be cut off, i.e., a power outage will occur as the worst-case scenario. Then, it sets an emergency remaining capacity to be stored in the battery 13 in preparation for a power outage.

[0023] The emergency reserve capacity may be set by the user via the operation unit 18. Alternatively, the amount of power consumed by the load from the present until a preset period of independent operation has elapsed may be predicted, and an amount of power corresponding to the predicted amount of power may be calculated as the emergency reserve capacity. In this case, the reserve capacity setting unit 16R obtains the current time, a preset period of independent operation, and a predicted value of the amount of power consumed from the present until the preset period of independent operation has elapsed, and calculates the amount of battery capacity 13 that can cover the predicted power consumption from the present until the preset period of independent operation has elapsed. However, if power generation from a power generation device using renewable energy such as a solar cell module 11 can be expected under the predicted weather conditions, that amount of power generation may be subtracted.

[0024] The predicted power consumption from the present until the pre-set period of independent operation has elapsed can be predicted, for example, based on past power consumption data, i.e., history. The history data may be stored as history by the charge / discharge control device 16, or it may be stored in a HEMS server 22 that can communicate via the communication interface circuit 17. The predicted power consumption may be based on past normal daily power consumption. Alternatively, it may be set to a value greater than normal daily consumption in preparation for emergencies. It may be calculated by multiplying the normal daily power consumption by a predetermined percentage (for example, a 20% increase), or by adding a predetermined amount of power consumption.

[0025] Unlike information such as disaster prevention weather information, which is issued and then cancelled, information related to earthquake occurrences is not cancelled. Therefore, the emergency reserve amount that is activated upon acquisition of earthquake occurrence information remains valid from the time the information is acquired until the predetermined earthquake information sharing period has elapsed. It should be noted that after an earthquake occurs, a new earthquake may occur several hours to several days later, and this new earthquake may cause a power outage. For this reason, it is preferable that the earthquake information sharing period be one day or longer, for example, three days. Regarding the time interval between a major earthquake and the occurrence of a new earthquake, the Japan Meteorological Agency has stated that "it is fundamental to be vigilant for earthquakes of similar magnitude to the initial earthquake for about a week," and that "in particular, large-scale earthquakes often occur for about two to three days after an earthquake" (see Japan Meteorological Agency website: Seismic activity (aftershocks, etc.) after a major earthquake, URL: https: / / www.data.jma.go.jp / eqev / data / aftershocks / index_whats_aftershock.html). Therefore, as mentioned above, it is preferable to set the initial value of the earthquake information sharing period to 3 days, which is generally considered to be the period with a high probability of a new earthquake occurring, and to allow users to change the length of this period through user operation. When the remaining charge setting unit 16R predicts the amount of power consumed, it repeatedly predicts the amount of power consumed by the load from that point until the end of the self-sustaining operation period, for example, every 15 minutes, and updates the predicted value. 15 minutes is just one example, but it is preferable to set an interval long enough for the predicted value to follow the changes in power consumption of the charge / discharge control system 10.

[0026] When information regarding an earthquake is acquired, the charge / discharge control unit 16C controls the charging and discharging of the battery 13 so as to store the emergency reserve amount set by the reserve amount setting unit 16R in the battery 13. For example, every 15 minutes, the charge / discharge control unit 16C compares the emergency reserve amount set by the reserve amount setting unit 16R with the reserve amount of the battery 13 and determines whether to charge, discharge, or maintain the current state of the battery 13 without charging or discharging. 15 minutes is just an example, but it is preferable to set the interval to one that allows the predicted value to follow the changes in power consumption of the charge / discharge control system 10. Furthermore, it is preferable that the reserve amount setting unit 16R updates the reserve amount at a timing synchronized with the update of the predicted value.

[0027] In the charge / discharge control system 10 shown in Figure 1, the battery 13 is charged by power supplied from at least one of the solar cell module 11 and the grid power 21. In this embodiment, the charge / discharge control device 16 also performs processing related to the management of information concerning the charge / discharge control system 10 and communication with the outside world. Specifically, the charge / discharge control device 16 transmits power information acquired by at least one of the power conditioner 12, distribution board 14, and smart meter 15 to an information management server (not shown) of the power generator or grid operator. The charge / discharge control device 16 also acquires information necessary for charge / discharge control of the charge / discharge control system 10 from an information management server of the power generator or grid operator outside the system.

[0028] The communication interface circuit 17 is a device that connects the charge / discharge control device 16 to the network NW. Furthermore, in Figure 1, the communication interface circuit 17 constitutes a local area network within the electricity consumer's home and communicates with the external network NW (e.g., the Internet). Although not shown in Figure 1, various devices such as air conditioners (so-called air conditioners and air purifiers, etc.), televisions, and cooking appliances, which are specific examples of electrical equipment 23, may be connected to the local area network within the home. This makes it possible to allow the electricity consumer to check the operating status of each device and to control the operation of each device via the local area network within the home. In addition, a data transmitter that transmits detected values ​​of power or current supplied to each device, or sensing information such as room temperature, may also be connected. In this case, the power consumption of the devices within the home can be presented to the electricity consumer.

[0029] In this embodiment, the operation unit 18 consists of a portable communication terminal equipped with communication and information output functions. Power consumers of the charge / discharge control system 10 can use the operation unit 18 to check the power generation status of the charge / discharge control system 10 and set the value of the remaining charge. The operating unit 18 is preferably, more specifically, a smartphone or tablet device, but is not limited to such mobile communication terminals; it may also be a stationary terminal device such as a personal computer. The operating unit 18 communicates via a local area network or an external network NW. In the case of a mobile communication terminal, communication is assumed to be wireless, but in the case of a stationary terminal device, wired communication may be used.

[0030] The weather information acquisition unit 16W acquires weather information from an external server that provides weather information, which is connected via the communication interface circuit 17. Here, the weather information is, for example, disaster prevention weather information issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency, and types such as special warnings, warnings, and advisories are set for each category such as heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning. However, because it is difficult to predict lightning with high accuracy, special warnings and warnings are not provided, and only advisories are provided. The weather information is updated as needed. The weather information acquisition unit 16W accesses the server that provides weather information sequentially to acquire the updated weather information. As an example, the weather information acquisition unit 16W accesses the server at intervals of about 15 minutes to acquire weather information.

[0031] In an embodiment equipped with a weather information acquisition unit 16W, when the weather information acquisition unit 16W acquires information related to the issuance of disaster prevention weather information, the remaining battery capacity setting unit 16R assumes that the power supply from the grid 21 will be cut off, i.e., a power outage will occur as the worst-case scenario. Then, it sets the emergency remaining battery capacity to be stored in the battery 13 according to the level of alert, such as a special warning, warning, and advisory.

[0032] If disaster prevention weather information is acquired along with information related to the occurrence of an earthquake, the storage amount setting unit 16R may adopt the larger of the storage amount corresponding to the occurrence of the earthquake and the storage amount corresponding to the alert level of the disaster prevention weather information as the emergency storage amount. That is, the storage amount setting unit 16R has separate setting values ​​for the storage amount corresponding to the occurrence of an earthquake and the storage amount corresponding to the disaster prevention weather information. The storage amount corresponding to the disaster prevention weather information may be a storage amount corresponding to the type and alert level of the disaster prevention weather information.

[0033] The battery level setting unit 16R applies the amount of battery level corresponding to the earthquake as the emergency battery level from the time information related to the earthquake is acquired until the earthquake information sharing period has elapsed. On the other hand, during the period from when disaster prevention weather information is issued until it is lifted (weather information sharing period), the battery level setting unit 16R applies the amount of battery level corresponding to the issued disaster prevention weather information as the emergency battery level. If the earthquake information sharing period and the weather information sharing period overlap, the battery level setting unit 16R should apply the larger of the battery level corresponding to the earthquake and the battery level corresponding to the issued disaster prevention weather information as the emergency battery level.

[0034] The optional self-sustaining operation period setting unit 16T sets how long the charge / discharge control system 10 will continue to supply power from the battery 13 and solar cell module 11 to the load from each point in time when information related to an earthquake is acquired, or when disaster prevention weather information is issued, if the weather information acquisition unit 16W is provided. In the embodiment where the self-sustaining operation period is a period that cannot be fixed, the self-sustaining operation period setting unit 16T does not exist. The optional battery charge setting unit 16B accepts user settings for the amount of battery charge to be stored in the battery 13. This may include setting an emergency reserve amount to be stored in the battery 13 when disaster prevention weather information is issued. It may also include setting an emergency reserve amount to be stored in the battery 13 when information related to an earthquake is acquired. There is also a configuration in which the battery charge setting unit 16B sets the emergency reserve amount in the event of an earthquake, without a self-sustaining operation period setting unit 16T.

[0035] The optional earthquake information linkage period setting unit 16L sets how long the remaining capacity setting unit 16R will continue to set the emergency remaining capacity from the time the information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired. The charge / discharge control unit 16C also sets how long the charge / discharge control unit 16C will continue to control the charging and discharging of the battery 13 to maintain the set emergency remaining capacity.

[0036] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a weather and earthquake linkage setting screen provided by the charge / discharge control device 16 and displayed on the operation unit 18. The operation unit 18 shown in Figure 2 is a mobile communication terminal. The weather and earthquake linkage setting screen 19 shown in Figure 2 has a setting display area 19a at the top that displays the currently selected weather linkage function. In the example shown in Figure 2, the weather information linkage, thunderstorm warning linkage, and earthquake information linkage functions are enabled. Each of these functions can be selected and deselected by the user in the settings described later within the weather / earthquake linkage settings screen 19. A home icon is located at the far right of the settings display area 19a. When the home icon is tapped, the user transitions from the weather / earthquake linkage settings screen 19 shown in Figure 2 to the home screen 20 (described later) shown in Figure 3. Below the setting display area 19a, the regional setting 19b is located. The regional setting 19b is a screen for setting the region from which the weather information acquisition unit 16W should acquire weather information. This item is for setting the region in which the charge / discharge control system 10 is installed. In the example in Figure 2, the regional setting is accepted by postal code.

[0037] Below the regional setting 19b, the weather information linkage setting 19c is located. The weather information linkage setting 19c accepts individual selections of weather information for which warnings and special warnings will be issued. In the example in Figure 2, in addition to accepting the option to enable or disable the weather information linkage function, it accepts individual selections for various types of weather information such as strong winds, blizzards, heavy rain, floods, storm surges, heavy snow, and high waves. Furthermore, it accepts the option to select the level of alert for the selected weather information, such as whether to target only special warnings or both special warnings and warnings. Lightning strikes are likely to cause power outages in the power grid, but no warnings or special warnings are issued for lightning strikes.

[0038] Therefore, the thunderstorm warning linkage setting 19d is placed below the weather information linkage setting 19c. The thunderstorm warning linkage setting 19d accepts the option to enable or disable the thunderstorm warning linkage function, separate from the weather information linkage function described above. In the example shown in Figure 2, for the weather information linkage setting 19c, only warnings and special warnings, which are of a higher level of caution than warnings, are set as options for weather information such as storm, blizzard, heavy rain, flood, storm surge, heavy snow, and high waves. As a variation, warnings may also be included as options.

[0039] The thunderstorm warning linkage setting 19d accepts a setting to enable or disable the thunderstorm warning linkage function, as well as a setting for the holding time. The holding time setting is displayed below the setting for enabling or disabling the thunderstorm warning linkage function. The holding time related to the setting is the holding time that the remaining battery capacity setting unit 16R applies as the remaining battery capacity corresponding to the thunderstorm warning when the thunderstorm warning linkage function is enabled and a thunderstorm warning has been issued. Therefore, for example, if the weather information linkage function and earthquake information linkage function are disabled, the thunderstorm warning linkage function is enabled, and a thunderstorm warning has been issued, the remaining battery capacity setting unit applies the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery 13 corresponding to the holding time set in the thunderstorm warning linkage setting 19d (i.e., the period during which independent operation is possible) as the emergency remaining battery capacity. Alternatively, if the weather information linkage function, earthquake information linkage function, and thunderstorm warning linkage function are enabled, but a thunderstorm warning has been issued and no other weather information has been issued and no information related to earthquake occurrence has been acquired, the remaining battery capacity corresponding to the holding time set in the thunderstorm warning linkage setting 19d will be applied as the emergency remaining battery capacity. Please note that the holding time set in the lightning warning linkage setting 19d is a target value for charge / discharge control and is not guaranteed. This is because the remaining charge corresponding to the set holding time is based on a prediction of power consumption and may contain errors.

[0040] Below the lightning warning linkage setting 19d, the earthquake information linkage setting 19e is located. The earthquake information linkage setting 19e accepts a selection of whether to enable or disable the control that stores the emergency reserve amount corresponding to the information related to the occurrence of an earthquake in the storage battery 13. Furthermore, the earthquake information linkage setting 19e accepts a setting of the retention time. The retention time setting is displayed below the setting for enabling or disabling the earthquake information linkage function. The retention time set is the retention time that the reserve amount setting unit 16R applies as the reserve amount corresponding to the information related to the occurrence of an earthquake when the earthquake information linkage function is set to enabled and information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired. Therefore, when the weather information linkage function and the lightning warning linkage function are disabled, the earthquake information linkage function is set to enabled, and information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired, the reserve amount setting unit applies the reserve amount of the storage battery 13 corresponding to the retention time set in earthquake information linkage setting 19e (i.e., the period during which independent operation is possible) as the emergency reserve amount. Note that the retention time set in earthquake information linkage setting 19e is a target value for charge / discharge control and is not guaranteed. This is because the reserve amount corresponding to the set retention time may contain errors, as it is based on a prediction of power consumption.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 2, a predetermined retention time is applied to weather information linkage, and user settings are not accepted. However, the weather information linkage setting 19c may also accept retention time settings, similar to the lightning warning linkage setting 19d and earthquake information linkage setting 19e. Furthermore, retention time settings may be accepted for different levels of alert, corresponding to, for example, the type of weather information or the difference between warnings and special warnings. In addition, minimum retention time settings may be accepted for each type of weather information, and these may be combined. Furthermore, while the unit for setting the target holding time is hours in the examples shown in 19d and 19e in Figure 2, it is not limited to hours. For example, it may be in half-hour units, 15-minute units, or 10-minute units. In addition, in addition to or instead of setting the target holding time, it may be possible to set the battery 13 to be fully charged or to set a numerical value for the remaining charge.

[0042] Below the earthquake information linkage setting 19e, there are two operation buttons 19f. When the "Set" button is pressed, the charge / discharge control device 16 confirms the settings from the regional setting 19b to the earthquake information linkage setting 19e shown on the weather / earthquake linkage setting screen 19 in Figure 2 and executes charge / discharge control. On the other hand, if the "Cancel" button is pressed, the weather / earthquake linkage settings screen 19 will revert to its state before the settings were made, without confirming the aforementioned settings. The above is an explanation of the weather and earthquake linkage settings screen 19 shown in Figure 2.

[0043] Next, I'll briefly describe the home screen. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing examples of the home screen and remaining battery details screen provided by the charge / discharge control device 16 or HEMS server 22 and displayed on the operation unit 18. (a) shows the home screen, and (b) shows the remaining battery details screen. The home screen 20 is a screen displayed by the operation unit 18 in response to a tap on the home icon, for example, displayed in the upper right corner of the weather / earthquake linkage settings screen 19. The home screen 20 displays the current power flow and amount of power, such as whether the charge / discharge control system 10 is currently buying or selling electricity. Furthermore, it displays the current generated power, power consumed, charging or discharging power of the storage battery, and power received or transmitted from the power grid 21 (not shown in Figure 3). In addition, if information related to the occurrence of an earthquake has been acquired and the earthquake information linkage function is enabled, a banner 20a is displayed as shown in Figure 3. When the user taps the displayed banner, the operation unit 18 responds by switching the home screen 20 to the remaining charge details screen 30. The remaining charge details screen 30 is a screen that displays the energy stored in the storage battery 13, i.e., the remaining charge, in a graph (remaining charge trend 30c shown in Figure 3(b)). The remaining battery details screen 30 is basically a screen that informs the user of the current remaining battery level trend 30c, but it also has day selection buttons 30a and 30b that allow the user to select a date to be displayed by going back in time. Users can easily check the remaining charge level 30c from the home screen 20 with simple operations, allowing them to easily see the change in the remaining charge level of the storage battery 13.

[0044] Thus, in this embodiment, appropriate charging and discharging control of the storage battery 13 based on earthquake occurrence information and disaster prevention weather information can be presented or accepted in a manner that is easy for the user to understand. The amount of electricity to be supplied from the battery 13 to the load in the event of a power outage depends on the magnitude of the load and the duration of the outage, and it is not easy to predict the duration of future power outages and the magnitude of the load during such outages. However, if an error is acceptable, predictions can be made based on history. The duration of a power outage and the magnitude of the load during such outages are parameters that are not usually considered by the average electricity consumer. It is not easy for users to check or set an appropriate remaining battery capacity based on these parameters. According to this embodiment, by setting the target retention time in the lightning warning linkage setting 19d and the earthquake information linkage setting 19e, the user can easily set an appropriate emergency battery capacity based on earthquake-related information and lightning warnings.

[0045] In this embodiment, the charge / discharge control system 10 is connected to an external power grid 21. Furthermore, the charge / discharge control system 10 is connected to the HEMS server 22 via a network NW. The power grid 21 is a power grid that supplies electricity to power-consuming facilities and is provided by power generators, grid operators, etc. This electricity supply is usually for a fee (purchase). Conversely, it is also possible to supply electricity generated by the charge / discharge control system 10 to the power grid 21 (reverse power flow) and have that electricity purchased by power generators, grid operators, etc. (sale of electricity). The HEMS server 22 is a server that acquires and manages power information from the charge / discharge control system 10. Power consumers can access the HEMS server 22 using the operation unit 18 to check the power generation status, etc.

[0046] <<Battery charging and discharging control based on information related to earthquake occurrence>> Next, an example of charge / discharge control by the charge / discharge control device 16 shown in Figure 1 will be described. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of charge / discharge control by the charge / discharge control device 16. Note that the charge / discharge control in Figure 4 focuses only on the earthquake information linkage function, and ignores the weather information linkage function and the lightning warning linkage function. In Figure 4, the X-axis represents the passage of time. Specifically, it shows the period from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. It is assumed that the earthquake early warning was received at 10:00 AM on the same day. In the example shown in Figure 4, the remaining capacity setting unit 16R sets the emergency remaining capacity based on past power consumption data. The curve in Figure 4 shows the predicted power consumption trend from 7:00 to 22:00 based on the history. The Y-axis represents the magnitude of power consumption (predicted value). The remaining capacity of the battery 13 at 7:00, 10:00, and 18:00 is also illustrated.

[0047] To provide highly accurate predictions, similarities in weather conditions and seasonal power consumption patterns may be considered. Furthermore, when calculating the emergency reserve, a margin may be added by multiplying past normal power consumption figures by a predetermined percentage or by adding a predetermined amount of power. The history data may be held and managed by the charge / discharge control device 16, or it may be held and managed by an external device capable of communication, and the remaining charge setting unit 16R may acquire it from the external device. In this embodiment, the HEMS server 22 holds and manages past performance data, and the HEMS server 22 provides a predicted value of acquired power consumption in response to a request from the remaining charge setting unit 16R.

[0048] The remaining energy storage setting unit 16R requests the HEMS server 22 to provide a predicted value for the amount of power consumed from the present until the period of independent operation has elapsed. Alternatively, the remaining energy storage setting unit 16R may periodically acquire predicted values ​​for a period longer than the period of independent operation. For example, it may repeatedly acquire predicted values ​​for today and tomorrow at a predetermined time on the previous day. When the HEMS server 22 obtains a predicted value for power consumption, the remaining energy storage unit 16R derives an amount of stored energy sufficient to cover the predicted power consumption up to 3 hours later, which is the period during which independent operation is possible, as the emergency remaining energy storage amount. Furthermore, if the power consumption is not predicted based on the history of the remaining amount setting unit 16R, for example, if a certain remaining amount is set as the emergency remaining amount, it can be considered the same as when the power consumption trend based on the history shown in Figure 4 is constant at any time on the X axis.

[0049] At 7:00 AM, battery 13 is fully charged using nighttime electricity, meaning its remaining capacity is 100%. At the same time, no earthquake early warning has been issued. In this case, the operating mode is the normal operating mode, either economy mode or clean mode. The remaining capacity is set to the minimum remaining capacity, which is 20% of the total capacity of battery 13. As long as the remaining capacity of the battery 13 exceeds 20% of the minimum retained capacity, the charge / discharge control unit 16C supplies the power stored in the battery 13 to the load based on the normal operating mode. That is, as long as the remaining capacity of the battery 13 exceeds the minimum retained capacity, the charge / discharge control unit 16C controls the battery 13 to discharge during power purchase.

[0050] In the example shown in Figure 4, the reserve amount setting unit 16R sequentially updates the emergency reserve amount corresponding to the period of independent operation at 15-minute update intervals from the time an earthquake early warning is issued and the issued earthquake early warning is acquired until the earthquake information sharing period has elapsed. The update interval is just an example and is not limited to this. For example, the emergency reserve amount may be derived and updated every 5 minutes, or every half hour.

[0051] At 10:00, the remaining battery capacity setting unit 16R updates the remaining battery capacity. An earthquake early warning is issued precisely at 10:00, and the earthquake information acquisition unit 16E is assumed to have acquired the earthquake early warning. That is, the charge / discharge control device 16 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 13 with the earthquake information linkage function enabled (earthquake information linkage state) until the earthquake information linkage period has elapsed. In response to the issuance of the earthquake early warning, the remaining battery capacity setting unit 16R calculates an emergency remaining battery capacity that matches the predicted power consumption for the period from 10:00 when the warning was issued until 13:00, three hours later, which is the period during which independent operation is possible. It derives a value of 30% of the total capacity of the battery 13 as the emergency remaining battery capacity that matches the calculated power consumption (predicted value) from 10:00 to 13:00. Then, the remaining battery capacity setting unit 16R updates the remaining battery capacity to the emergency remaining battery capacity derived from the minimum remaining battery capacity under normal conditions up to that point (see Figure 4). Furthermore, if the emergency reserve amount corresponding to the calculated power consumption (predicted value) falls below the minimum reserve amount, the minimum reserve amount will be set as the emergency reserve amount.

[0052] Assume that the remaining charge of battery 13 at 10:00 is 60%. Since the remaining charge of battery 13 exceeds the emergency retention level, the charge / discharge control unit 16C continues to control the discharge of battery 13 during power purchase. The charge / discharge control unit 16C continuously detects the remaining charge of battery 13 and compares it with the emergency retention level. In the example shown in Figure 4, the charge / discharge control unit 16C detects the remaining charge of battery 13 every 15 minutes. The charge / discharge control unit 16C stops discharging battery 13 to prevent the remaining charge of battery 13 from falling below the emergency retention level. If the remaining charge of battery 13 falls below the emergency retention level, charging is performed to prevent it from falling below the emergency retention level. The same process as at 10:00 will be used by the remaining emergency storage capacity setting unit 16R to derive and update the remaining emergency storage capacity every 15 minutes from 10:00 onwards.

[0053] As time passes and it reaches 17:00, the remaining capacity setting unit 16R updates the emergency remaining capacity. The predicted power consumption from 17:00 to 20:00, which is the end of the 3-hour period of independent operation, is greater than the predicted power consumption at earlier times due to the peak power consumption between 18:00 and 21:30. The remaining capacity setting unit 16R updates the emergency remaining capacity to 45% of the total capacity of the battery 13, which corresponds to the minimum holding time. On the other hand, the remaining charge of the battery 13 at 17:00 is 40%. The remaining charge of the battery 13 is below 45% of the emergency reserve amount that was updated at 17:00. Therefore, the charge / discharge control unit 16C switches the charge / discharge control to a charging mode that prioritizes charging the battery 13 and charges the battery 13.

[0054] When the remaining charge of the storage battery 13 reaches 45%, which is the emergency retention level, the charge / discharge control unit 16C stops the charging mode, which prioritizes charging the storage battery 13. If it is daytime and the solar cell module 11 is generating power, the charge / discharge control unit 16C then stores the surplus power generated by the solar cell module 11 in the storage battery 13, and as long as the remaining charge exceeds the emergency retention level, it controls the system to discharge the storage battery 13 during power purchase, similar to the economic mode or clean mode. However, in the example in Figure 4, the charging mode stops at the earliest sometime in the evening or at night, somewhat later than 5 PM. Considering the peak power consumption from 6 PM to 9:30 PM, this is during the nighttime. Therefore, after the charging mode stops, the solar cell module 11 does not generate power, and no surplus power is stored in the storage battery 13.

[0055] ≪Operating Mode State Transitions≫ The earthquake information linkage function starts operation when it acquires information related to the occurrence of an earthquake. However, starting operation with the earthquake information linkage function does not automatically mean that the battery 13 is charged in charge mode. That is, if the remaining charge of the battery 13 falls below the predicted value of power consumption, the charge / discharge control unit 16C switches to charge mode and starts charging the battery 13, but if the remaining charge of the battery 13 is equal to or greater than the predicted value of power consumption, it continues in economy mode or clean mode. The same applies when the system is combined with the weather information linkage function and the thunderstorm warning linkage function. This can be considered equivalent to changing the minimum remaining charge in normal operation mode to the emergency remaining charge.

[0056] The following describes an example of state transitions in which the charge / discharge control unit 16C switches the charge / discharge control of the battery 13 when the weather information linkage function, lightning warning linkage function, and earthquake information linkage function are all set to be enabled, based on the issuance and cancellation of disaster prevention weather information, acquisition of information related to earthquake occurrence, and the end of the earthquake information linkage period. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of state transitions in the charge / discharge control performed by the charge / discharge control unit shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the charge / discharge control takes on four states. The first state is the "Weather Information, Thunderstorm Warning, and Earthquake Warning Non-Coordination State," which corresponds to a state in which none of the weather information coordination function, thunderstorm warning coordination function, or earthquake information coordination function is functioning. Hereinafter, this will be abbreviated as the non-coordination state. The second state is the "Thunderstorm Warning Coordination State," where only the thunderstorm warning coordination function is functioning. The third state is the "Weather Information Coordination State," where only the weather information coordination function is functioning. The fourth state is the "Earthquake Information Coordination State," where only the earthquake information coordination function is functioning. In this embodiment, the four states take on different levels of alert, and the charge / discharge control of the battery 13 by the charge / discharge control unit 16C takes on one of the four states. The events that cause a state transition from one state to another are the issuance and cancellation of disaster prevention weather information with different levels of alert, the acquisition of information related to earthquake occurrence, and the end of the earthquake information coordination period.

[0057] The non-coordination state corresponds to a zero alert level. This state occurs when weather information coordination is disabled in the weather information coordination setting 19c shown in Figure 2, or when it is enabled but no selected warnings or special warnings related to the selected weather information have been issued. Furthermore, when lightning warning coordination is disabled in the lightning warning coordination setting 19d, or when it is enabled but no lightning warning has been issued. In addition, no information related to earthquake occurrences has been acquired, and the earthquake information coordination period has ended. In the non-coordination state, the charge / discharge control unit 16C controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery 13 in either economy mode or clean mode.

[0058] The lightning warning linkage state is a low alert level state. That is, the alert level is higher than the non-linkage state, but lower than the earthquake information linkage state and the weather information linkage state. This state is when weather information linkage is disabled in the weather information linkage setting 19c shown in Figure 2, or even if it is enabled, the selected warning or special warning related to the selected weather information has not been issued. Furthermore, in the earthquake information linkage setting 19e, earthquake information linkage is disabled, or even if it is enabled, information related to the occurrence of an earthquake has not been acquired and it is outside the earthquake information linkage period. And, in the lightning warning linkage setting 19d, lightning warning linkage is enabled and a lightning warning has been issued. In the lightning warning linkage state, the charge / discharge control unit 16C charges the battery 13 if the remaining charge of the battery 13 falls below the emergency holding charge corresponding to the guideline holding time set in the lightning warning linkage setting 19d. However, if the remaining charge of the storage battery 13 exceeds the emergency retention charge, the charge / discharge control unit 16C controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery 13 in the same way as in the economy mode or clean mode when the system is not connected.

[0059] The earthquake information linkage status is a medium alert level. That is, the alert level is higher than the non-linkage status and the thunderstorm warning linkage status, but lower than the weather information linkage status. This status corresponds to a state where weather information linkage is disabled in the weather information linkage setting 19c shown in Figure 2, or even if it is enabled, no selected warnings or special warnings related to the selected weather information have been issued. Furthermore, the thunderstorm warning linkage is disabled in the thunderstorm warning linkage setting 19d, or even if it is enabled, no thunderstorm warning has been issued. In addition, information related to the occurrence of an earthquake has been acquired and the earthquake information linkage period is underway. In the earthquake information linkage status, the charge / discharge control unit 16C charges the battery 13 if the remaining charge of the battery 13 falls below the emergency retention amount corresponding to the guideline retention time set in the earthquake information linkage setting 19e. However, if the remaining charge of the battery 13 exceeds the emergency retention amount, the charge / discharge control unit 16C controls the charging and discharging of the battery 13 in the same way as the economy mode or clean mode in the non-linkage status.

[0060] The weather information linkage status is a high alert level. That is, it is a higher alert level than any of the non-linkage, thunderstorm warning linkage, and earthquake information linkage statuses. This status corresponds to the state in which weather information linkage is enabled in the weather information linkage setting 19c shown in Figure 2 and a selected warning or special warning related to the selected weather information has been issued. Furthermore, the state in which thunderstorm warning linkage is disabled in the thunderstorm warning linkage setting 19d, or even if enabled, no thunderstorm warning has been issued. And the state in which earthquake information linkage is enabled in the earthquake information linkage setting 19e, information related to the occurrence of an earthquake has been acquired, and the earthquake information linkage period has started. In the earthquake information linkage status, the charge / discharge control unit 16C charges the battery 13 if the remaining charge of the battery 13 falls below the emergency retention amount corresponding to the guideline retention time set in the earthquake information linkage setting 19e. However, if the remaining charge of the battery 13 exceeds the emergency retention amount, the charge / discharge control unit 16C controls the charging and discharging of the battery 13 in the same way as the economy mode or clean mode in the non-linkage status.

[0061] This section describes events related to state transitions. In the non-coordination state, if lightning warning coordination is enabled and a lightning warning is issued, the charge / discharge control unit 16C transitions the state from the non-coordination state to the lightning warning coordination state. Also, in the non-coordination state, if weather information coordination is enabled and a selected warning or special warning related to selected weather information is issued, the charge / discharge control unit 16C transitions the state from the non-coordination state to the weather information coordination state. Furthermore, in the non-coordination state, if earthquake information coordination is enabled and information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired, the charge / discharge control unit 16C transitions the state from the non-coordination state to the earthquake information coordination state.

[0062] In the weather information linkage state, if the selected warning or special warning is canceled or the weather information linkage is disabled, and information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired during the earthquake information linkage period, the charge / discharge control unit 16C transitions the state from the weather information linkage state to the earthquake information linkage state. Also, in the weather information linkage state, if the selected warning or special warning is canceled or the weather information linkage is disabled, and it is outside the earthquake information linkage period, and the thunderstorm warning linkage is active and a thunderstorm warning is in effect, the charge / discharge control unit 16C transitions the state from the weather information linkage state to the thunderstorm warning linkage state. In the weather information linkage state, if the selected warning or special warning is canceled or the weather information linkage is disabled, and it is outside the earthquake information linkage period, and a thunderstorm warning is not in effect or the thunderstorm warning linkage is disabled, the state transitions to the non-linkage state.

[0063] In the earthquake information linkage state, if weather information linkage is enabled and a selected warning or special warning related to the selected weather information is issued, the charge / discharge control unit 16C transitions its state from the non-linkage state to the weather information linkage state. Also, in the earthquake information linkage state, if the earthquake information linkage period has ended and thunderstorm warning linkage is enabled and a thunderstorm warning is in effect, the charge / discharge control unit 16C transitions its state from the earthquake information linkage state to the thunderstorm warning linkage state. In the earthquake information linkage state, if the earthquake information linkage period has ended and no selected warning or special warning has been issued, or if weather information linkage is disabled, and no thunderstorm warning has been issued, or if thunderstorm warning linkage is disabled, the system transitions to the non-linkage state.

[0064] In the thunderstorm warning linkage state, if weather information linkage is enabled and a selected warning or special warning related to the selected weather information is issued, the charge / discharge control unit 16C transitions to the weather information linkage state. Also, in the thunderstorm warning linkage state, if earthquake information linkage is enabled and information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired, the charge / discharge control unit 16C transitions from the non-linkage state to the earthquake information linkage state. Furthermore, in the thunderstorm warning linkage state, if the thunderstorm warning is canceled or the thunderstorm warning linkage is disabled, if the selected warning or special warning has not been issued or weather information linkage is disabled, and it is outside the earthquake information linkage period, the state transitions to the non-linkage state. The above describes the state transitions related to the charge and discharge control of the battery 13.

[0065] Thus, in this embodiment, when different types of weather information are issued simultaneously with the same or different levels of alert, the charging and discharging of the storage battery can be appropriately controlled by taking those weather information into consideration. For example, the weather information issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency includes information on various weather conditions such as heavy rain, heavy snow, and strong winds, and different types of weather information are often issued simultaneously. Furthermore, for each type of weather information, special warnings, warnings, and advisories are issued according to the level of alert. For the same type of weather condition, special warnings, warnings, and advisories are issued interchangeably, but for some types of weather conditions, only advisories are specified and special warnings and warnings are not issued, or only advisories and warnings are specified and special warnings are not issued. In this embodiment, by setting the weather information linkage function and the thunderstorm advisory linkage function, when different types of weather information are issued simultaneously with the same or different levels of alert, the charging and discharging of the storage battery can be appropriately controlled by taking those weather information into consideration. Furthermore, by setting the earthquake information linkage function, the charging and discharging of the storage battery can be appropriately controlled from the time information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired until the end of the earthquake information linkage period.

[0066] Flowchart The following describes an example of the process performed by the charge / discharge control device 16, with reference to the flowchart. Figures 6 to 9 are flowcharts showing an example of charge / discharge control performed by the charge / discharge control device shown in Figure 1. Here, charge / discharge control in the earthquake information linked state is described as a representative example. The processing in the non-linked state, the lightning warning linked state, and the weather information linked state can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art from the processing in the earthquake information linked state. The processes shown in Figures 6 to 9 are executed sequentially.

[0067] In Figure 6, the CPU of the charge / discharge control device 16 checks whether the earthquake information linkage mode is enabled (step S11). That is, it checks the setting of the earthquake information linkage setting 19e shown in Figure 2. If the earthquake information linkage function is disabled (No. in step S11), it determines that there is no earthquake information linkage state to be taken (there is no processing to be executed) and terminates the process. If the earthquake information sharing function is enabled (Yes in step S11), check whether the weather information sharing function is disabled, or if it is enabled but the selected warnings, etc. related to the selected weather information have been canceled (step S13). This is because the weather information sharing function has a higher level of alert than the earthquake information sharing function and should be processed with priority. If the weather information sharing function is enabled and the selected warnings, etc. related to the selected weather information have been issued (No in step S13), the system transitions to the weather information sharing state, which has a higher priority than the earthquake information sharing state, and executes the processing. At this point, it is determined that there is no processing to be executed in the earthquake information sharing state and the processing is terminated.

[0068] If the weather information linkage function is disabled, or even if it is enabled but no selected warnings or other alerts related to the selected weather information have been issued (Yes in step S13), the CPU of the charge / discharge control device 16 checks whether information related to the occurrence of an earthquake has been received (step S15). An example of information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is an earthquake early warning. Another example is earthquake information such as seismic intensity reports, information on the epicenter, and information on seismic intensity in various locations. Since earthquake early warnings are issued only for earthquakes expected to have a seismic intensity of 5 or higher, if you are preparing for a smaller earthquake, you should acquire earthquake information such as seismic intensity reports. Although not shown in the earthquake information linkage setting 19e in Figure 2, if the earthquake information acquisition unit 16E acquires information related to the occurrence of an earthquake, the remaining capacity setting unit 16R may decide whether or not to start the earthquake information linkage function based on the seismic intensity included in the acquired earthquake information. The threshold for that seismic intensity may be set by the user as one of the setting items in the earthquake information linkage setting 19e. For example, the threshold may be set to seismic intensity 3 or higher, seismic intensity 4 or higher, etc. If no information regarding the occurrence of an earthquake has been obtained (No. in step S17), the CPU of the charge / discharge control device 16, acting as the charge / discharge control unit 16C, will perform charge / discharge control of the storage battery in the same manner as in the non-cooperative operating mode (step S19), and will terminate the processing of the earthquake information cooperation state.

[0069] If, in the determination in step S17, information regarding the occurrence of an earthquake has been acquired, the charge / discharge control device 16 may, depending on the situation, notify the user of the start of the earthquake information linkage state (step S21). Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification provided by the charge / discharge control device 16 or the HEMS server 22 and displayed on the operation unit 18. The notification may be displayed on the screen of the operation unit 18, or it may be an audio notification, for example. An example of a notification displayed on the operation unit 18 is, "There has been a major earthquake in your area. Please ensure your safety. You can check the remaining battery level here. If a power outage has already occurred, you can also simulate the remaining discharge time. For the next three days, the battery will be automatically controlled in preparation for aftershocks." Links showing the remaining battery level and remaining discharge time may also be displayed next to the notification. It is also conceivable that a power outage may have already occurred at the time when the system is communicating with an external server to acquire information regarding the occurrence of an earthquake and preparing the notification, or when the user later checks this notification. When the user clicks the "Check Battery Level" button located next to (below) the notification shown in Figure 10, the charge / discharge control device 16 or HEMS server 22 displays the current battery level 13 on the operation unit 18. Furthermore, it may also display the remaining discharge time calculated from the predicted power consumption value described later. The voice notification should be simpler and easier for the user to understand than the screen display. An example would be, "There has been a major earthquake in your area. We will maintain the battery level in preparation for a power outage." Then, the CPU of the charge / discharge control device 16 checks whether the power grid 21 is operational, that is, whether a power outage has occurred (step S23). If no power outage has occurred and the power grid 21 is operational (Yes in step S23), the CPU of the charge / discharge control device 16, acting as the self-sustaining operation period setting unit 16T, acquires an estimated retention time based on the settings in the earthquake information linkage setting 19e in Figure 2 (step S25). The estimated retention time corresponds to the self-sustaining operation period.

[0070] The charge / discharge control device 16, acting as the remaining charge setting unit 16R, then acquires a predicted value for power consumption from the present until the period of independent operation has elapsed (step S27 in Figure 7). The predicted value for power consumption may be based on history. The data related to the history may be stored in the charge / discharge control device 16. However, the history data may also be stored in an external device (e.g., a HEMS server 22) via the communication interface circuit 17. In that case, the charge / discharge control device 16, acting as the remaining charge setting unit 16R, acquires the history data from the external device. The predicted values ​​may be provided using, for example, AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology, and may also be provided based on the history of multiple electricity consumers, not just one.

[0071] Furthermore, the charge / discharge control device 16, acting as the remaining capacity setting unit 16R, determines the emergency remaining capacity of the battery based on the predicted power consumption during the period of independent operation (step S29). Then, the charge / discharge control device 16, acting as the charge / discharge control unit 16C, controls the charging and discharging of the battery 13 to ensure that the determined emergency remaining capacity is secured (step S31). Details of the charge / discharge control in this step will be described later.

[0072] Next, the charge / discharge control device 16 confirms that the earthquake information linkage period is still ongoing (step S33). If the earthquake information linkage period has ended (No. in step S33), it cancels the earthquake information linkage state and transitions to another state (step S35). At this time, the user may be notified that the earthquake information linkage has been canceled. The notification may be displayed on the screen of the operation unit 18, or it may be an audio notification, for example. An example of a notification, both on the screen and as an audio notification, is as follows: "The battery has been returned to the operating mode it was in before the earthquake early warning was issued."

[0073] On the other hand, if the determination in step S33 indicates that the earthquake information linkage period is continuing (Yes in step S33), the charge / discharge control device 16 then checks whether weather information linkage is disabled or, even if enabled, whether the selected warnings, etc., for the selected weather information have not been issued (step S37). If a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous acquisition of weather information, weather information is acquired again at this point. If weather information linkage, which triggers a transition to a weather information linkage state with a higher alert level than the earthquake information linkage state, is enabled and the selected warnings, etc., for the selected weather information have been issued (No in step S37), the earthquake information linkage state is canceled (step S35), and the system transitions to the weather information linkage state that should be prioritized. At that time, the user may be notified that the earthquake information linkage function has been canceled.

[0074] If weather information linkage is disabled, or if it is enabled but no selected warnings or alerts for the selected weather information have been issued (Yes in step S37), the charge / discharge control device 16 then performs the following checks. First, it checks whether the earthquake information linkage period is continuing in the earthquake information linkage setting 19e (Yes in step S39). Then, it checks whether the power grid 21 is operational, i.e., whether a power outage has occurred (step S41). Furthermore, if the earthquake information sharing period has ended as determined in step S39 (No. in step S39), the earthquake information sharing state is canceled and the system is transitioned to another state (step S35).

[0075] If the power grid 21 is operational and no power outage has occurred (Yes in step S41), the charge / discharge control device 16 then makes the following determination: whether a predetermined period (15 minutes in this embodiment) has elapsed since the predicted value of power consumption was obtained in step S27, and whether it is time to update the emergency reserve (step S43).

[0076] If it is determined that the time has not yet come (No. in step S43), the charge / discharge control device 16 returns to step S31 and, as the charge / discharge control unit 16C, repeats the charge / discharge control of the storage battery 13. Furthermore, the process described above following step 31 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is time to update the emergency storage capacity (Yes in step S43), the charge / discharge control device 16 returns to step S25 (see Figure 6) and repeats the process of determining the updated emergency storage capacity based on the predicted minimum storage time and power consumption.

[0077] If, in either step S23 in Figure 6 or step S41 in Figure 7, the system power grid 21 is determined to be inactive, i.e., a power outage has occurred, the charge / discharge control device 16 proceeds to step S51 shown in Figure 8 and starts the system's independent operation. Depending on the situation, the user may be notified when independent operation begins (step S53). The notification may be displayed on the screen of the control unit 18, or it may be an audio notification, for example. An example of a notification, both on the screen and by audio, is as follows: "The battery system has switched to independent operation. There is a possibility of a power outage. Please check the situation at your home."

[0078] During independent operation, the charge / discharge control device 16, acting as the charge / discharge control unit 16C, checks whether the power outage in the grid 21 has been restored (step S55). If the power outage has not been restored (No. in step S55), the charge / discharge control device 16, acting as the charge / discharge control unit 16C, continues independent operation (step S57). Then, it returns to step S55 and continues monitoring for power restoration. On the other hand, if power is restored (Yes in step S55), the charge / discharge control device 16 deactivates the system's independent operation (step S61). Depending on the situation, the user may be notified of the deactivation of independent operation (step S63). The notification may be displayed on the screen of the operation unit 18, or it may be an audio notification, for example. An example of a notification, both on the screen and as an audio notification, is as follows: "Power has been restored. Independent operation of the battery system has been deactivated." The charge / discharge control device 16 returns to step S11 in Figure 6 and executes the subsequent processes.

[0079] Finally, we will describe the details of the charge and discharge control in step S31 (see Figure 7). In step S31, the charge / discharge control device 16, acting as the charge / discharge control unit 16C, acquires the current remaining charge of the storage battery 13 (step S71 in Figure 9). Then, it compares the acquired remaining charge with the target emergency storage charge (step S73). If the remaining charge of the storage battery 13 is less than the target emergency retention charge (Yes in step S73), the CPU of the charge / discharge control device 16, acting as the charge / discharge control unit 16C, performs an operation to charge the storage battery 13 (step S75), and terminates the process in step S31. On the other hand, if the remaining charge of the storage battery 13 is equal to or greater than the target emergency retention charge (No. in step S73), the charge / discharge control device 16 performs charge / discharge control of the storage battery in the same manner as in the non-cooperative operating mode (economic mode or clean mode) (step S77), and terminates the process in step S31. The above describes the processes that the charge / discharge control device 16 performs when the earthquake information is linked.

[0080] (Embodiment 2) This embodiment describes the case where information regarding a new earthquake is acquired during the earthquake information sharing period. In Embodiment 1, the earthquake information sharing state transitions to a weather information sharing state with a higher alert level, or the earthquake information sharing period ends. However, it is possible that information regarding aftershocks may be acquired during the earthquake information sharing period. That is, the earthquake information acquisition unit 16E may acquire information regarding a new earthquake after the start of the earthquake information sharing period.

[0081] According to this embodiment, if new earthquake information is acquired during the earthquake information sharing period, the remaining capacity setting unit 16R updates the earthquake information sharing period with the time when the new earthquake information was acquired as the new starting point and continues to calculate the emergency remaining capacity. The charge / discharge control unit 16C controls the charging and discharging of the battery 13 to ensure the emergency remaining capacity is secured during the extended earthquake information sharing period. If aftershocks continue and information regarding new earthquakes is repeatedly acquired during the earthquake information sharing period, the earthquake information sharing period will be repeatedly extended.

[0082] In Embodiment 1, it was stated that when information related to an earthquake occurs, the decision of whether or not to start the earthquake information linkage function is made based on the seismic intensity included in the information related to the earthquake that was obtained. Furthermore, it was stated that the threshold for that seismic intensity may be set by the user. The seismic intensity threshold for information related to a new earthquake that triggers an extension of the earthquake information sharing period may be different from the seismic intensity threshold used to start the earthquake information sharing period. For example, the seismic intensity threshold for information related to the first earthquake is seismic intensity 5-minus, and the acquisition of an earthquake early warning is used as the trigger to start the earthquake information sharing period. In that case, when the earthquake information sharing period starts due to the acquisition of an earthquake early warning, the remaining amount setting unit 16R will extend the earthquake information sharing period during that period, even if the seismic intensity is smaller than seismic intensity 5-minus (for example, seismic intensity 3), assuming that there is a risk of power outage. In this way, even if the seismic intensity is smaller than the seismic intensity at the start of the earthquake information sharing period, if aftershocks continue, the earthquake information sharing period will be extended in preparation for power outages.

[0083] (Embodiment 3) In the example shown in Figure 2, it was stated that regional setting 19b is the region where the charge / discharge control system 10 is installed. However, it may also be possible to set other regions. Other regions include, for example, the regions where major facilities of the power grid 21 are located. Power generation and transmission facilities may be located outside the area where the charge / discharge control system 10 is installed. Even if the area where the charge / discharge control system 10 is installed is only slightly affected by an earthquake, power generation and transmission facilities may be damaged by the earthquake, potentially leading to a power supply shortage warning. To prepare for such a situation, the system accepts pre-configured settings for areas where power generation and transmission facilities are located, in addition to the area where the charge / discharge control system 10 is installed. When information regarding an earthquake is obtained for any of the registered areas, the remaining capacity setting unit 16R calculates and updates the emergency remaining capacity until the period of independent operation has elapsed. The charge / discharge control unit 16C controls the charging and discharging of the battery 13 to ensure that the emergency remaining capacity is secured, preparing for a power outage.

[0084] As stated above, (i) The charge / discharge control device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a charge / discharge control unit for controlling the charging and discharging of a storage battery, an earthquake information acquisition unit for acquiring information related to the occurrence of an earthquake from an external source, and a storage capacity setting unit for setting an emergency storage capacity so that the storage battery can operate independently using the power stored in it even if a power outage occurs, when the information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired, wherein the charge / discharge control unit starts an earthquake information linkage state in which it controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery in order to secure the emergency storage capacity when the information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired, and ends the earthquake information linkage state when a preset earthquake information linkage period has elapsed.

[0085] In this invention, the battery stores energy and supplies the stored energy as electricity. The type and configuration of the battery are not limited. Information related to earthquake occurrences includes, specifically, earthquake information and earthquake early warnings. In other words, in this specification, information related to earthquake occurrences includes earthquake information relating to seismic intensity above a certain level. Furthermore, if earthquake-related information is improved or changed in the future due to advances in earthquake observation and analysis technology, the improved or changed information will be included.

[0086] Earthquake information is information that is released sequentially as data related to an earthquake becomes available after the earthquake occurs. Earthquake information is a general term for several pieces of information, including seismic intensity reports, information on the epicenter, information on seismic intensity in various locations, and other information. Seismic intensity reports announce the names of the areas that observed a seismic intensity of 3 or higher and the time the shaking was detected, approximately 1.5 minutes after the earthquake occurs. Information on the epicenter announces the epicenter and magnitude when a seismic intensity of 3 or higher is observed. Information on seismic intensity in various locations announces the locations that observed a seismic intensity of 1 or higher, as well as the epicenter and magnitude. An earthquake early warning system is a piece of information that is issued as quickly as possible immediately after an earthquake occurs, predicting the arrival time and intensity of strong shaking in various locations, when a maximum seismic intensity of 5-minus or higher is expected at two or more seismic observation points.

[0087] Information related to earthquake occurrences may include, but is not limited to, emergency earthquake warnings and earthquake information issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency; it may also include information provided by weather information service providers or other entities. Furthermore, the independent operation period is a predetermined period during which, in the event of a power outage, the system can operate independently using the power stored in the battery even if the power outage continues. For example, if the independent operation period is 3 hours, the charge / discharge control unit will store power in the battery so that independent operation is possible for 3 hours after a power outage occurs. The starting point of the independent operation period is not a fixed specific time. It is the time at the time the charge / discharge control unit sets the emergency reserve amount, which is the starting point each time the setting is made.

[0088] The battery may be charged using electricity supplied from the power grid, or it may be charged using one or more types of power generation devices that utilize renewable energy. A specific example of a power generation device that utilizes renewable energy is a solar cell module, but it is not limited to this; wind power generation and other power generation devices may also be used. The solar cell module in the above-described embodiment is included in the device that charges the battery according to this invention.

[0089] Furthermore, the charge / discharge control unit controls the charging and discharging of the battery. A specific example of such a unit is one that has a hardware configuration centered on a CPU and memory, and the function of charge / discharge control is realized by the CPU executing a control program stored in memory. The earthquake information sharing period refers to a predetermined period from the time the earthquake information acquisition unit acquires information related to the occurrence of an earthquake. Upon acquiring information related to the occurrence of an earthquake, the remaining battery capacity setting unit sets an emergency remaining battery capacity that allows for independent operation even if a power outage occurs. The charge / discharge control unit controls the charging and discharging of the battery to maintain the set emergency remaining battery capacity, and the earthquake information sharing period indicates how long this control will continue. Therefore, the starting point of the earthquake information sharing period can be said to be the time when information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired.

[0090] During the period of earthquake information sharing, the remaining battery capacity setting unit sequentially sets the emergency remaining battery capacity, and the charge / discharge control unit controls the charging and discharging of the battery to ensure the set emergency remaining battery capacity is maintained. For example, if the charge / discharge control unit determines at some point during the earthquake information sharing period that the current battery capacity is less than the set emergency remaining battery capacity, it switches the charge / discharge control mode to charging mode and charges the battery until it reaches the emergency remaining battery capacity.

[0091] Furthermore, preferred embodiments of this invention will be described. (ii) The charge / discharge control device of embodiment 2 is a charge / discharge control device of embodiment 1 in which the retained remaining amount setting unit sets and sequentially updates the emergency retained amount based on the power load predicted from each point in time until a predetermined independent operation period ends, from the time the information related to the occurrence of the earthquake is acquired until the earthquake information linkage period has elapsed, and the charge / discharge control unit controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery to secure the set and updated emergency retained amount. According to this embodiment, the remaining charge setting unit can appropriately control the charging and discharging of the storage battery based on information regarding the earthquake that occurred. Power load predictions may be made, for example, based on historical data, and this history may be that of multiple consumers, not just one. This history may be stored by the charge / discharge control device, or it may be obtained from an external device connected via communication.

[0092] (iii) The charge / discharge control device of embodiment 3 is a charge / discharge control device of embodiment 2 in which, when information relating to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired, the retained amount setting unit predicts a power load that is larger than that during normal times when information relating to the occurrence of an earthquake is not acquired, and sets and updates the emergency retained amount based on that prediction. Because earthquakes are difficult to predict, electricity consumers tend to be more vigilant than they are with predictable disaster prevention weather information. In this configuration, if information regarding an earthquake is obtained, it is possible to secure a larger reserve of battery power than usual.

[0093] (iv) The charge / discharge control device of embodiment 4 further comprises an operation unit that accepts operations by a user, in addition to the charge / discharge control device of embodiment 2 or embodiment 3, and the retained remaining amount setting unit may include at least one of the following: an earthquake information linkage period setting unit that sets the earthquake information linkage period by operation via the operation unit, and an independent operation period setting unit that sets the independent operation period by operation via the operation unit. According to this configuration, the user can set the period during which the system can operate independently and the period during which earthquake information can be shared, based on the user's wishes and circumstances. (v) The charge / discharge control device of Embodiment 5 further comprises an operation unit that accepts user operations in the charge / discharge control device of Embodiment 1, and the retained remaining charge setting unit may set at least one of the earthquake information linkage period or the emergency retained remaining charge of the storage battery by operation via the operation unit. According to this embodiment, the user can set either the earthquake information linkage period or the emergency retained remaining charge of the storage battery based on the user's will and according to the user's circumstances.

[0094] (vi) The charge / discharge control device of embodiment 6 further comprises a weather information acquisition unit that acquires one or more disaster prevention weather information, in addition to the charge / discharge control device of embodiment 1 to embodiment 5, and the retained remaining amount setting unit sets the emergency retained amount according to the type or level of alert of the acquired earthquake information and disaster prevention weather information, until the weather information linkage period and the earthquake information linkage period have both elapsed, and the charge / discharge control unit controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery to secure the set emergency retained amount until the earthquake information linkage period and the weather information linkage period have both elapsed. Weather information is information about the weather, including various atmospheric phenomena such as heavy rain, heavy snow, and strong winds. Disaster prevention weather information is particularly relevant to severe strong winds, blizzards, heavy rain, floods, storm surges, heavy snow, and high waves that could cause power outages in the grid. Unlike information related to earthquake occurrences, this disaster prevention weather information is predictable and can therefore be canceled based on predictions. The weather information linkage period is the period from when disaster prevention weather information is acquired until it is canceled. Disaster prevention weather information is provided as special warnings, warnings, and advisories depending on the level of alert. Weather information may include, but is not limited to, various advisories, warnings, and special warnings issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency; it may also include information provided by weather information service providers or other entities. According to this configuration, in addition to information related to earthquake occurrences, disaster prevention weather information is acquired, and the remaining storage capacity setting unit sets the emergency storage capacity according to the type of weather information or the level of alert, in addition to the information related to earthquake occurrences, in order to prepare for a power outage.

[0095] (vii) In the charge / discharge control device of embodiment 7, in the charge / discharge control device of embodiment 6, if the earthquake information acquisition unit has acquired one or more types of disaster prevention weather information in addition to the earthquake occurrence information, the retained amount setting unit may set the largest retained amount among the earthquake occurrence information and the retained amounts corresponding to each weather information as the emergency retained amount. According to this embodiment, the storage capacity setting unit sets a storage capacity corresponding to the occurrence of an earthquake, as well as a storage capacity corresponding to disaster prevention weather information, and then sets the largest of these storage capacities as the emergency storage capacity. Therefore, even if weather information of different types and levels of alert are acquired in addition to information related to the occurrence of an earthquake, an appropriate emergency storage capacity can be set.

[0096] (viii) The charge / discharge control device of embodiment 8 is a charge / discharge control device of embodiment 1 to embodiment 7, in which the charge / discharge control unit may, if it obtains information relating to an earthquake of a predetermined magnitude 1 or higher outside of the earthquake information linkage period, start control during the earthquake information linkage period, and if it obtains information relating to a new earthquake of a predetermined magnitude 2 or higher during the earthquake information linkage period, extend the earthquake information linkage period based on the time of acquisition of the information relating to the new earthquake. According to this embodiment, if aftershocks of magnitude 2 or higher continue during the earthquake information sharing period, the charge / discharge control unit extends the earthquake information sharing period using the time when information regarding the occurrence of the earthquake for that aftershock is acquired as a new starting point, and continues to control the charging and discharging of the storage battery to secure the emergency storage capacity. Therefore, if aftershocks continue, the charging and discharging control of the storage battery can be appropriately controlled based on the extended earthquake information sharing period.

[0097] (ix) In the charge / discharge control device of embodiment 9, the second seismic intensity may be smaller than the first seismic intensity in the charge / discharge control device of embodiment 8. According to this configuration, even if aftershocks occur with a seismic intensity smaller than that of the initial earthquake, which was acquired outside of the earthquake information sharing period, the charge / discharge control unit can extend the earthquake information sharing period to continue control to secure the emergency reserve capacity, thereby appropriately controlling the charging and discharging of the battery.

[0098] (x) The charge / discharge control device of embodiment 10 is a charge / discharge control device of embodiment 1 to embodiment 9, in which the earthquake information acquisition unit may accept a setting to acquire information on earthquake occurrences in other regions in addition to the region in which the charge / discharge control device is installed. According to this embodiment, it is possible to acquire not only information regarding earthquake occurrences in the area where the charge / discharge control device is installed, but also information regarding earthquake occurrences in the area where the power plant is located, for example, in order to prepare for a tightening of power supply and demand due to damage to the power plant.

[0099] (xi) The charge / discharge control device of embodiment 11 is a charge / discharge control device of any of embodiments 1 to 10, which includes an operation unit that accepts operations by the user, and when the earthquake information acquisition unit acquires information related to the occurrence of an earthquake, it may notify the user via the operation unit of at least one of the following: the start of the earthquake information linkage state, the remaining battery charge, or the remaining dischargeable time. This configuration allows users to be notified when the system starts operating, providing them with peace of mind. In the event of a power outage, users can update and monitor information such as the remaining battery charge and remaining discharge time at their own discretion. The remaining discharge time corresponds to the period during which the system can operate independently, and therefore may be notified as the period during which independent operation is possible. Furthermore, after notification, users may be able to update the remaining battery charge (emergency reserve) and the remaining discharge time (independent operation period) while the system is linked to earthquake information.

[0100] (xii) One aspect of the present invention includes a charge / discharge control method comprising: a control unit that controls the charging and discharging of a storage battery, the steps of: acquiring information relating to the occurrence of an earthquake from an external source;, when the information relating to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired, setting an emergency reserve capacity so that the storage battery can operate independently for a predetermined independent operation period even if a power outage occurs; starting an earthquake information linkage state in which the charging and discharging of the storage battery is controlled to secure the emergency reserve capacity when the information relating to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired; and ending the earthquake information linkage state when a preset earthquake information linkage period has elapsed.

[0101] Embodiments of this invention also include combinations of any of the embodiments described above. In addition to the embodiments described above, various modifications of this invention are possible. These modifications should not be considered outside the scope of this invention. This invention should include the meaning of the claims and equivalents and all variations within that scope. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 10: Charge / discharge control system, 11: Solar cell module, 12: Power conditioner, 13: Storage battery, 14: Distribution board, 15: Smart meter, 16: Charge / discharge control device, 16B: Storage battery level setting unit, 16C: Charge / discharge control unit, 16E: Earthquake information acquisition unit, 16L: Earthquake information linkage period setting unit, 16R: Retained battery level setting unit, 16T: Standalone operation period setting unit, 16W: Weather information acquisition unit, 17: Communication interface circuit, 18: Operation unit, 19: Weather / earthquake linkage setting screen, 19a: Setting display area, 19b: Region setting, 19c: Weather information linkage setting, 19d: Lightning warning linkage setting, 19e: Earthquake information linkage setting, 19f: Operation buttons, 20: Home screen, 20a: Banner, 21: Grid power grid, 22: HEMS server, 23: Electrical equipment, 30: Battery level details screen, 30a, 30b: Day selection button, 30c: Battery level trend NW: Network

Claims

1. A charge / discharge control unit that controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery, An earthquake information acquisition unit that obtains information related to earthquake occurrences from external sources, When information regarding the occurrence of the aforementioned earthquake is obtained, the system includes a reserve reserve setting unit that sets an emergency reserve reserve so that the system can operate independently using the power stored in the battery even if a power outage occurs, The charge / discharge control unit initiates an earthquake information linkage state in which it controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery to secure the emergency storage capacity when information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired, and terminates the earthquake information linkage state when a predetermined earthquake information linkage period has elapsed from the time the information related to the occurrence of an earthquake is acquired.

2. The reserve reserve setting unit sets and sequentially updates the emergency reserve reserve based on the predicted power load from each point in time until the predetermined independent operation period ends, from the time the information related to the earthquake is acquired until the earthquake information sharing period has elapsed. The charge / discharge control device according to claim 1, wherein the charge / discharge control unit controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery to ensure a set and updated emergency storage capacity.

3. The charge / discharge control device according to claim 2, wherein the retained amount setting unit predicts a power load greater than that during normal times when information regarding the occurrence of an earthquake has not been obtained, and sets and updates the emergency retained amount based on that prediction.

4. It further includes an operating unit that accepts user input, The charge / discharge control device according to claim 2, wherein the retained remaining amount setting unit comprises at least one of a self-sustaining operation period setting unit for setting a self-sustaining operation period by operation via the operation unit, and an earthquake information linkage period setting unit for setting an earthquake information linkage period by operation via the operation unit.

5. It further includes an operating unit that accepts user input, The charge / discharge control device according to claim 1, wherein the retained remaining capacity setting unit sets at least one of the earthquake information linkage period or the emergency retained remaining capacity of the storage battery by operation via the operation unit.

6. It is further equipped with a weather information acquisition unit that acquires one or more disaster prevention weather information items. When disaster prevention weather information is acquired in addition to the information related to the occurrence of the earthquake, the reserve amount setting unit sets the emergency reserve amount according to the type or level of alert of the acquired earthquake information and disaster prevention weather information until the weather information linkage period until the disaster prevention weather information is canceled and the earthquake information linkage period have both elapsed. The charge / discharge control device according to claim 1, wherein the charge / discharge control unit controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery to ensure a set emergency storage capacity until the earthquake information sharing period and the weather information sharing period have both elapsed.

7. The charge / discharge control device according to claim 6, wherein, if the earthquake information acquisition unit has acquired one or more types of disaster prevention weather information in addition to the information relating to the occurrence of an earthquake, the retained amount setting unit sets the largest retained amount among the retained amounts corresponding to the information relating to the occurrence of an earthquake and each of the weather information as the emergency retained amount.

8. If the charge / discharge control unit obtains information regarding an earthquake of a predetermined magnitude 1 or higher outside of the earthquake information sharing period, it will start control during the earthquake information sharing period. If it obtains information regarding a new earthquake of a predetermined magnitude 2 or higher during that earthquake information sharing period, it will start control during the new earthquake sharing period. The charge / discharge control device according to claim 1, which extends the earthquake information linkage period based on the time of acquisition of the information.

9. The charge / discharge control device according to claim 8, wherein the second seismic intensity is smaller than the first seismic intensity.

10. The charge / discharge control device according to claim 1, wherein the earthquake information acquisition unit accepts a setting to acquire information on earthquake occurrences in other regions in addition to the region where the charge / discharge control device is installed.

11. It further includes an operating unit that accepts user input, The charge / discharge control device according to claim 1, wherein when the earthquake information acquisition unit acquires information relating to the occurrence of an earthquake, it notifies the operator via the operation unit of at least one of the following: the start of the earthquake information linkage state, the remaining battery charge, and the remaining dischargeable time.

12. The control unit that controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery, Steps include obtaining information related to the occurrence of an earthquake from external sources, If information regarding the occurrence of the aforementioned earthquake is obtained, the step of setting the emergency reserve capacity so that even if a power outage occurs, the battery can operate independently for a predetermined period using the power stored in the battery, The steps include: initiating an earthquake information linkage state in which, upon acquisition of information relating to the occurrence of the earthquake, the charging and discharging of the storage battery is controlled to secure the emergency reserve capacity; A charge / discharge control method comprising the step of terminating the earthquake information sharing state when a predetermined earthquake information sharing period has elapsed since the time when information related to the occurrence of the earthquake was acquired.

Images