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ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLYING APPARATUS, ELECTRIC POWER
SUPPLYING METHOD, INVERTER, AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE
BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates to an electric power
supplying apparatus which is capable of utilizing an A.C.
(alternating current) electric power from an external
electric power system and an output electric power from
an electric storage device, an electric power supplying
method used in the same, an inverter used in the same,
and an electric vehicle including the same.
When an amount of electric power supply from an
external electric power system (referred to as "a
commercial utility power source, a grid or the like") is
reduced due to an accident or the like, or an electric
power demand is seasonally increased, the fear that the
electric power demand is increased for the amount of
electric power supply, and thus a sudden electric power
outage is caused is generated in some cases. In addition
thereto, it is supposed that the electric power outage is
caused due to a disaster such as torrential rain or
lightning stoke.
Heretofore, it is known to use an Uninterruptable
Power Supply (UPS) which supplies an electric power to a
peripheral apparatus such as a computer when an electric
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addition thereto, there is caused the fear that the
electric power demand in the home is increased to exceed
a contracted electric power contracted with an electric
power provider, and thus a breaker is actuated to cut out
the electric power. In such a case, an output electric
power from the electric storage device is supplied,
thereby making it possible to avoid such a case as for
the in-home electric power to exceed the contracted
electric power.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-223731 describes
that a system for supplying an A.C. electric power of an
external electric power system to a load, and a system
for outputting an A.C. electric power into which an
output electric power from an electric storage device is
converted by an inverter are switched over to each other.
Also, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-083060 describes
that an output electric power from a solar cell, and an
output electric power from an electric storage device are
mixed with each other, and the resulting output electric
power is outputted.
In addition, recently, a power generating apparatus
utilizing a recyclable energy from a solar power
generation system, a wind power generation system, or the
like is installed in homes in many cases. The electric
storage device can be charged with the electricity from
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an electric power generation output from this sort of
electric power generating apparatus. In the case of the
solar electric power generation system, a purchase system
in which the electric power provider purchases the
generated electric power is widely operated. The purchase
system is classified into a full amount purchase system
for purchasing a full amount of electric power by the
solar power generation, and a purchase system for
purchasing a remaining electric power (referred to as "a
surplus electric power") which is obtained by subtracting
an amount of consumed electric power from an amount of
electric power by the solar electric power generation.
The surplus electric power purchase system is the current
Japanese system.
Therefore, a use application of the generated
electric power by the solar electric power generation
system includes a use application in which the generated
electric power by the solar electric power generation
system is submitted together with the system electric
power for the at-home electric power, a use application
in which the generated electric power by the solar
electric power generation system is submitted for the
charging electric power for the electric storage device,
and a use application in which the generated electric
power by the solar electric power generation system is
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subjected to the reverse electric power flow to be
submitted for the electric power selling. In the related
art as well, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-172334
describes that a charging current value for a battery is
limited based on a remaining capacity of the battery, a
load-used electric power pattern, and an electric power
generation estimating pattern, whereby the battery is
prevented from being charged with the electricity from an
excessive charging current value.
SUMMARY
Although Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-083060
describes that the output electric power from the solar
cell, and the electric power formed from the electric
storage device are mixed with each other, and the
resulting electric power is supplied to the load, it is
not described that the mixture ratio is positively
controlled. That is to say, in the case of the electric
storage device, when the discharge is carried out
although the remaining capacity is less, the electric
storage device suffers the over discharge and thus the
battery is damaged. In addition, in the.case where the
external electric power system and the electric storage
device are used in combination, when it is feared that
the in-home electric power is increased to exceed the
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contracted electric power contracted with the electric
power provider, it is necessary to supply the output
electric power from the electric storage device to the
load. In such a manner, it may be impossible to treat the
A.C. electric power of the external electric power system
the same way as the output electric power from the solar
cell.
Moreover, although Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2011-172334 describes that the electric storage device is
charged with the electricity by both of the external
electric power system and the electric power generating
apparatus, the control as to how the charging is carried
out by using both of the external electric power system
and the electric power generating apparatus is not
described.
The present disclosure is desirable to provide an
electric power supplying apparatus which is capable of
suitably controlling mixture processing when an A.C.
electric power of an external electric power system, and
an output electric power from an electric storage device
are mixed with each other, and also suitably charging the
electric storage device with electricity by both of the
external electric power system and an electric power
generating apparatus such as a solar cell, an electric
power supplying method used in the same, an inverter used
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in the same, and an electric vehicle including the same.
In order to solve the above problems, according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is
provided an electric power supplying apparatus including:
an electric storage device; and a control portion
configured to control processing for mixing an output
from the electric storage device, and an electric power
of an external electric power system with each other in
accordance with at least one of a peak shift command, a
load electric power, and a remaining capacity of the
electric storage device, wherein an alternating current
electric power is formed in the mixing processing.
According to another embodiment of the present
disclosure, there is provided an electric power supplying
method including: executing processing for mixing an
output from an electric storage device, and an electric
power of an external electric power system with each
other, thereby outputting an alternating current electric
power; and controlling a mixture ratio in the mixing
processing in accordance with at least one of a peak
shift command, a load electric power, and a remaining
capacity of the electric storage device.
According to still another embodiment of the
present disclosure, there is provided an inverter,
wherein a direct current electric power formed from an
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electric power of an external electric power system, and
a direct current electric power from an electric storage
device are mixed with each other, and a resulting
electric power is supplied to the inverter, thereby
forming an alternating current electric power.
According to yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure, there is provided an electric vehicle
including: a converter configured to receive an electric
power from an electric storage device, and convert the
electric power into a driving force for the electric
vehicle; and a controller configured to execute
information processing about vehicle control based on
information on the electric storage device, wherein the
electric vehicle executes mixing processing for mixing an
output from the electric storage device, and an electric
power of an external electric power system with each
other, thereby outputting an alternating current electric
power, and controls a mixture ratio in the mixing
processing in accordance with a load electric power, and
a remaining capacity of the electric storage device.
According to a further embodiment of the present
disclosure, there is provided an electric power supplying
apparatus including: a connecting portion configured to
connect an external electric power system dnd an electric
power generating apparatus to each other; an electric
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storage device; and a control portion configured to
control processing for mixing an output from the electric
power generating apparatus, an output from the electric
storage device, and an electric power of the external
electric power system with one another in accordance with
at least one of a peak shift command, a load electric
power, and a remaining capacity of the electric storage
device, wherein an alternating current electric power is
formed in the mixing processing.
According to an even further embodiment of the
present disclosure, there is provided an electric vehicle
including: a converter configured to receive an electric
power from an electric storage device, and convert the
electric power into a driving force for the electric
vehicle; and a controller configured to execute
information processing about vehicle control based on
information on the electric storage device, wherein the
electric vehicle executes processing for mixing an output
from an electric power generating apparatus, an output
from the electric storage device, and an electric power
of an external electric power system with one another,
thereby outputting an alternating current electric power,
and controls a mixture ratio in the mixing processing in
accordance with a load electric power, and a remaining
capacity of the electric storage device.
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According to the embodiments of the present
disclosure, the A.C. electric power of the external
electric power system and the output electric power from
the electric storage device are mixed with each other,
whereby an abrupt change in the premise (indoor) load is
absorbed, thereby making it possible to make the use of
the A.C. electric power of the external electric power
system approximately constant. As a result, it is
possible to reduce the contracted electric power and thus
it is possible to suppress the increase in the electric
power charge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration
of an electric power supplying apparatus according to a
first embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram used in explaining a
first operation mode in an operation of the electric
power supplying apparatus according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram used in explaining a
second operation mode in the operation of the electric
power supplying apparatus according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram used in explaining a
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third operation mode in the operation of the electric
power supplying apparatus according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram used in explaining a
fourth operation mode in the operation of the electric
power supplying apparatus according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram used in explaining a
fifth operation mode in the operation of the electric
power supplying apparatus according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart used in explaining the
operation of the electric power supplying apparatus
according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 8 is a graph used in explaining an example of
the first operation mode according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 9 is a graph used in explaining an example of
the second operation mode according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 10 is a graph used in explaining an example of
the third operation mode according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 11 is a graph used in explaining an example of
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the fourth operation mode according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration
of an electric power supplying apparatus according to a
second embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration
of an electric power supplying apparatus according to a
third embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 14 is a flow chart explaining processing for
determining presence or absence of PV (photovoltaic)
electric power generation and a commercial utility
electric power in the electric power supplying apparatus
according to the third embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 15 is a flow chart explaining processing when
the PV electric power generation is absent according to
the third embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 16 is a flow chart explaining processing when
the PV electric power generation is present according to
the third embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 17 is a flow chart explaining processing for
(the PV electric power generation + a charging priority
mode) in the electric power supplying apparatus according
to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 18 is a flow chart explaining processing for a
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reverse electric power flow priority mode according to
the third embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 19 is a flow chart explaining processing for
(the PV electric power generation + a peak shift mode)
according to the third embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 20 is a flow chart explaining processing for
(the PV electric power generation + a mode in the case of
absence of a commercial utility electric power) according
to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 21 is a flow chart explaining processing for
(the PV electric power generation + a discharging
priority mode) according to the third embodiment of the
present disclosure;
FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a modified
change of the third embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram explaining a first
example of application to which the electric power
supplying apparatus according to the first embodiment of
the present disclosure is applied;
FIGS. 24A to 24F are respectively schematic
diagrams explaining the first example of application to
which the electric power supplying apparatus according to
the first embodiment of the present disclosure is
applied;
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FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram explaining a second
example of application to which the electric power
supplying apparatus according to the first embodiment of
the present disclosure is applied; and
FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram explaining a third
example of application to which the electric power
supplying apparatus according to the first embodiment of
the present disclosure is applied.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described hereinafter. It is noted that although the
embodiments which will be described below are suitable
examples of the present disclosure, and thus various
kinds of limits preferable in technique are added thereto,
in the following description, the scope of the present
disclosure is by no means limited to these embodiments
unless the effect that the present disclosure is limited
is described.
The description of the present disclosure will be
given below in accordance with the following order.
<1. First Embodiment>
<2. Second Embodiment>
<3. Third Embodiment>
<4. Application Example>
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<5. Modified Changes>
<1. First Embodiment>
[Configuration of Electric Power Supplying Apparatus]
An electric power supplying apparatus (power source
system) according to a first embodiment of the present
disclosure will now be described with reference to FIG. 1.
An electric power which is generated in an electric power
plant of an electric power provider is supplied to an
electric energy meter of a home through both of a power
distribution grid and an electric grid (both not shown).
Also, an A.C. electric power is supplied from the
electric energy meter to an input terminal 1 for
(commercial utility electric power of) an external
electric power system shown in FIG. 1. It is noted that
although a description will now be given with respect to
electric power control in a home, the present disclosure
can be applied to an area as long as the area is one,
such as plural homes (community), a building or a factory,
which is laid out in terms of the electric power supply
in addition to the home.
In general, an electric power line is introduced
from an outdoor distribution line to a building through a
leading wire, and the electric power line is connected to
an electric power meter. A distribution board is
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connected to an output side of the electric power meter.
An electronic apparatus is connected to a domestic wiring
extending from the distribution board. For example, the
electric power supplying apparatus according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure is provided between
the electric power meter and the distribution board. In
the case of a general house, a single-phase three-wire
system is adopted, and three electric wires composed of a
central neutral wire and two voltage wires are used. A
voltage of 100 V can be utilized by utilizing both of the
neutral wire and one voltage wire, and a voltage of 200 V
can be utilized by utilizing two voltage wires. It is
noted that the present disclosure can be applied to a
single-phase two-wire system as well.
The commercial utility electric power is supplied
to an A.C. electric power supply terminal 2 through both
of switches SWl and SW2. The switch SWl is a breaker of
the distribution board in some cases. An indoor electric
power grid is connected to the A.C. electric power supply
terminal 2. For example, although not illustrated, the
A.C. electric power is supplied to a distribution
switchboard (including the distribution board). Also, the
electric power is supplied to electronic apparatuses in
an electronic apparatus group through electric power
wires derived from the distribution switchboard, and
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sockets. Examples of the electronic apparatus group are
an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a lighting apparatus,
a washing machine, a television set, and the like.
The commercial utility electric power is supplied
to an AC-DC (alternating current-direct current)
converter 3 through the switch SWl. The AC-DC converter 3
converts the commercial utility electric power into a D.C.
electric power. A D.C. output electric power from the ACDC
converter 3 is supplied to a DC-AC inverter 4. The DCAC
inverter 4 forms an A.C. electric power having the
same level and frequency as those of the commercial
utility electric power. An A.C. output electric power
from the DC-AC inverter 4 is fetched to the A.C. electric
power supply terminal 2 through a switch SW3. The
switches SWl, SW2, and SW3 are controlled so as to be
turned ON or OFF in accordance with control signals,
respectively.
An electric storage device, for example, a battery
module 6 is connected between an output side of the AC-DC
converter 3, and an input side of the DC-AC inverter 4
through a charging circuit 5. As far as the battery
module 6 concerned, it is possible to use a structure in
which, for example, eight cylindrical lithium-ion
secondary batteries are connected in parallel with one
another to structure a battery block, and 16 battery
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blocks are connected in series with one another to be
accommodated in a common case. Other examples of the
battery module 6 are an electric double layer, a largecapacity
capacitor, and the like. The battery module 6 is
charged with the electricity from the D.C. output
electric power from the AC-DC converter 3 through the
charging circuit 5. It is noted that the battery module 6
is by no means limited to stationary type one, but may be
one which is used in an electric vehicle.
The D.C. output electric power from the battery
module 6 is supplied to the DC-AC inverter 4 through a
boosting circuit 7 serving as a discharging circuit. The
boosting circuit 7 boosts the D.C. output voltage from
the battery module 6. The higher voltage can be inputted
to the DC-AC inverter 4 by the boosting circuit 7,
thereby making it possible to enhance an efficiency of
the DC-AC conversion. A DC-DC converter, for example, can
be used as the boosting circuit 7. It is noted that the
provision of the boosting circuit 7 is not essential, but
it is only necessary to provide a discharging path for
the battery module 6.
A controller 8 for controlling the power source
system is provided. The controller 8 mainly includes a
Battery Management Unit (BMU) which controls the
charging/discharging of the battery module 6, and an
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Energy Management Unit (EMU) 10 which receives
information on the load side and generates a control
signal for switching over an operation mode to another
one. The BMU 9 and the EMU 10 include micro-control units,
respectively, and a communication is-made between the BMU
9 and the EMU 10.
The BMU 9 monitors a state (a remaining capacity, a
battery voltage, a battery temperature, and the like) of
the battery module 6. Thus, the BMU 9 controls both of
the charging circuit 5 and the boosting circuit 7 in such
a way that a suitable charging/discharging operation is
carried out. Information, on the remaining capacity of
the battery module 6, which the BMU 9 acquires is
transmitted to the EMU 10, and is used for the switching
of the operation mode of the EMU 10. The EMU 10 controls
the switches SWl, SW2, and SW3, thereby controlling both
of the AC-DC converter 3 and the DC-AC inverter 4. It is
noted that the control for the circuit, for example, is
carried out in accordance with turn-ON/OFF of an
operation power source for the circuit.
A peak shift command is issued to the EMU 10. The
peak shift command is automatically issued in a time zone
in which a total electric power (load electric power) of
the electric power consumed indoors becomes relatively
large. Alternatively, the peak shift command may also be
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issued in a time zone set by a user. Or, a monitoring
portion for monitoring an indoor electric power may be
provided, and the peak shift command may be issued when
almost all the indoor electric power exceeds a
predetermined electric power. As an example, when the
fear that the indoor electric power exceeds the
contracted electric power contracted with the electric
power provider is generated, the peak shift command is
issued. In addition thereto, the peak shift command can
also be issued in accordance with an electric power limit
command issued from an electric power industry company.
It is noted that although in the first embodiment, the
BMU 9 and the EMU 10 are described as being provided
separately from each other, the BMU 9 and the EMU 10 may
also be realized by one microcomputer or the like to be
integrated with each other.
[Operation Modes]
In the first embodiment of the present disclosure,
the following operation modes (running modes) are made
possible in accordance with the control made by the
controller 8.
First operation mode: as shown in FIG. 2, only a
commercial utility electric power ACl which is formed by
passing both of the AC-DC converter 3 and the DC-AC
inverter 4 is supplied to the load. Also, the battery
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module 6 is charged with the electricity from a D.C.
power source DCl outputted from the AC-DC converter 3.
Both of the switches SWl and SW3 are turned ON, and the
switch SW2 is turned OFF. In addition, the charging
circuit 5 is turned ON and the boosting circuit 7 is
turned OFF. In the following description, the first
operation mode will be referred to as "a charging
priority mode."
Second operation mode: as shown in FIG. 3, both of
commercial utility electric power ACl which is formed by
passing both of the AC-DC converter 3 and the DC-AC
inverter 4, and an A.C. electric power AC2 which is
formed by passing the DC-AC inverter 4 after the boosting
of the output from the battery module 6 are mixed with
each other. The mixture is carried out on the output side
of the AC-DC converter 3 based on the D.C. signal. Both
of the switches SWl and SW3 are turned ON, and the switch
SW2 is turned OFF. In addition, the charging circuit 5 is
turned OFF and the boosting circuit 7 is turned ON. In
the following description, the second operation mode will
be referred to as "a charging priority mixture mode."
Third operation mode; as shown in FIG. 4, only the
output from the battery module 6 is used. The A.C.
electric power AC2 which is formed by the DC-AC inverter
4 after the boosting of the output from the battery
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module 6 is used as an A.C. power source output. The same
operation as that in the UPS is carried out in the third
operation mode, and the third operation mode is an
operation mode which is effective in the electric power
outage or the like. In the case as well where the battery
module 6 is charged with the electricity from the
relatively inexpensive electric power like a nighttime
electric power without being limited to the phase of the
electric power outage, the running in the third operation
mode is carried out in accordance with the discharging
command in some cases. Both of the switches SWl and SW3
are turned ON, and the switch SW2 is turned OFF. In
addition, both of the AC-DC converter 3 and the charging
circuit 5 are turned OFF, and both of the DC-AC inverter
4 and the boosting circuit 7 are turned ON. In the
following description, the third operation mode will be
referred to as "a discharging priority mode."
Fourth operation mode: as shown in FIG. 5, a fourth
operation mode is an operation mode in which both of the
charging priority mode and the discharging priority
mixture mode are present in accordance with the load
electric power. That is to say, a threshold value
electric power is previously set. When the load electric
power is less than the threshold value electric power,
only the commercial utility electric power ACl which is
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formed by passing both of the AC-DC converter 3 and the
DC-AC inverter 4 is supplied to the load. Also, the
battery module 6 is charged with the electricity from a
D.C. output DCl from the AC-DC converter 3. On the other
hand, when the load electric power is equal to or more
than the threshold value electric power, the commercial
utility electric power ACl, and the A.C. electric power
AC2 which is formed by passing the DC-AC inverter 4 after
the boosting of the output from the battery module 6 are
mixed with each other. The mixture is carried out on the
output side of the AC-DC converter 3 based on the D.C.
signal. Both of the switches SWl and SW3 are turned ON,
and the switch SW2 is turned OFF. In addition thereto, in
the charging priority mode, the charging circuit 5 is
turned ON, and the boosting circuit 7 is turned OFF. In
the discharging priority mixture mode, the charging
circuit 5 is turned OFF, and the boosting circuit 7 is
turned ON. In the following description, the fourth
operation mode will be referred to as "a peak shift
mode."
Fifth operation mode: as shown in FIG. 6, a fifth
operation mode is an operation mode in which the input
commercial utility electric power ACO is fetched to the
A.C. electric power supply terminal 2 as it is. Both of
the switches SWl and SW2 are turned ON, and the switch
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SW3 is turned OFF. The operation states of the individual
circuits are set as the ON state. In the following
description, the fifth operation mode will be referred to
as "a bypass mode." When some sort of abnormality is
detected, the operation mode is automatically switched
over to the bypass mode. Also, when some sort of
abnormality is dissolved, the operation mode
automatically returns back to the original operation mode,
Exchange of the battery module, and a maintenance
bypass mode for maintenance of checking or the like for a
fan can be carried out as changes of the bypass mode. The
maintenance bypass mode is an operation mode in which the
power source for the individual portions such as the ACDC
converter 3, the DC-AC inverter 4, the charging
circuit 5, and the boosting circuit 7 is tuned OFF, and
the input commercial utility electric power AGO is
fetched to the A.C. electric power supply terminal 2 as
it is.
[Control by Controller]
For the purpose of switching the operation modes
described above over to one another, the controller 8
carries out the control in accordance with a flow chart
shown in FIG. 7. The remaining capacity of the battery
module 6 is present as one factor for the switching of
the operation modes. In FIG. 7, the remaining capacity of
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the battery module 6 is expressed in the form of a State
Of Charge (SOC) . As an example, Capl, Cap2, and Cap3 are
set as the threshold values for the remaining capacity.
In this case, a relationship of (Cap3 > Capl > Cap2) (or
Cap2') holds. The threshold value Cap2, and the threshold
value Cap2' may be the same value or may be different
from each other. In addition, the bypass mode (including
the bypass maintenance mode) is a running mode which is
carried out for the case where the abnormality of the
system is detected, or the maintenance is carried out.
Therefore, predetermined pieces of processing for the
bypass mode are omitted in FIG. 7. Also, predetermined
pieces of processing for the case where the operation
mode becomes the discharging priority mode due to the
detection of the electric power outage are also omitted
in FIG. 7.
The threshold value Cap3, for example, is set to
80%, and the case where the remaining capacity is equal
to or larger than the threshold value Cap3 means that the
remaining capacity is sufficient. Also, the threshold
value Cap2, for example, is set to 30%, and the case
where the remaining capacity is equal to or smaller than
the threshold value Cap2 means that the remaining
capacity is insufficient, and thus the discharge is
inhibited. The information on the remaining capacity is
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transmitted from the BMU 9 to the EMU 10.
When an operation is started in processing in Step
SI, the operation proceeds to processing in Step S2 for
determination.
Processing in Step S2: it is determined whether or
not the remaining capacity of the battery module 6 is
equal to or larger than the threshold value Capl.
Processing in Step 531: when the remaining capacity
of the battery module 6 is smaller than the threshold
value Capl, it is determined whether or not the peak
shift command has been received (including whether or not
the peak shift command is being received),
Processing in Step S32: when the peak shift command
has been received, the operation proceeds to processing
for temporal stand-by (processing in Step S32), and the
determination processing in Step S31 is executed. At this
time, since the remaining capacity is less, only the A.C.
electric power which is formed from the commercial
utility electric power is supplied to the load.
Processing in Step S21: when the peak shift command
has not been received, the operation mode becomes the
charging priority mode because it is necessary to charge
the battery module 6 with the electricity.
Processing in Step S3: it is determined whether or
not the peak shift command has been received.
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Processing in Step S4: when it is determined that
the peak shift command has been received, the operation
mode becomes the peak shift mode.
Processing in Step S5: it is determined whether or
not a peak shift release command has been received. For
example, the peak shift command is issued in a time zone
in which the electric power demand which is previously
set by a personal computer of a home controller is much,
and after a lapse of the time zone, the peak shift
command is released. If it is determined that the peak
shift release command has been received, then the
operation returns back to the processing in Step S2
(start).
Processing in Step S6: when the peak shift release
command has not been received, it is determined whether
or not the remaining capacity is equal to or larger than
the threshold value Cap2. When it is determined that the
remaining capacity is equal to or larger than the
threshold value Cap2, the operation returns back to the
processing in Step S4 (peak shift mode).
Processing in Step S7: when it is determined in the
processing in Step S6 that the remaining capacity is
smaller than the threshold value Cap2, it is necessary to
immediately charge the battery module 6 with the
electricity. However, if the peak shift mode is still
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being carried out, then the peak is increased when the
operation mode proceeds to the charging priority mode.
Therefore, it is determined whether or not the peak shift
release command has been received. When it is determined
that the peak shift release command has been received,
the operation returns back to the processing in Step S21
(charging priority mode), and the battery module 6 is
charged with the electricity.
Processing in Step S23: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S7 that the peak shift release
command has not been received, the temporal stand-by is
set. At this time, since the remaining capacity is less,
only the A.C. electric power which is formed from the
commercial utility electric power is supplied to the load.
In this case, the operation mode may be switched over to
the bypass mode, thereby outputting the A.C. electric
power.
Processing in Step S24: after completion of the
temporal stand-by in the processing in Step S23, it is
determined whether or not the load electric power is
smaller than the threshold value electric power LI
previously set. When the load electric power is smaller
than the threshold value electric power LI, the operation
returns back to the processing in Step S4 (peak shift
mode) . On the other hand, when the load electric power is
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equal to or larger than the threshold value electric
power LI, the operation returns back to the processing in
Step S7 (the determination as to presence or absence of
the reception of the peak shift release command).
Processing in Step S21: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S2 that the remaining capacity is
smaller than the threshold value Capl, since it is
necessary to charge the battery module 6 with the
electricity, the operation mode proceeds to the charging
priority mode. The charging priority mode is continuously
carried out until it is determined that the remaining
capacity is equal to or larger than the threshold value
Capl.
Processing in Step Sll: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S3 that the peak shift command has
not been received, it is determined whether or not the
remaining capacity is equal to or larger than the
threshold value Cap3 or the discharging command has been
received. When it is determined that the remaining
capacity is smaller than the threshold value Cap3 or the
discharging command has not been received, the operation
proceeds to the processing in Step S21 (charging priority
mode).
Processing in Step S12: when it is determined that
the remaining capacity is equal to or larger than the
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threshold value Cap3 or the discharging command has been
received, the operation mode proceeds either to the
discharging priority mode or to the discharging priority
mixture mode. Which of the discharging priority mode or
the discharging priority mixture mode is selected is
suitably carried out by the user, an electric power
company or the like.
Processing in Step S13: it is determined whether or
not the remaining capacity is equal to or larger than the
threshold value Cap2' . When it is determined that the
remaining capacity is equal to or larger than the
threshold value Cap2', the discharging priority mode is
continuously carried out. On the other hand, when it is
determined that the remaining capacity is smaller than
the threshold value Cap2', the operation proceeds to the
processing in the charging priority mode in Step 821.
[Example of Charging Priority Mode]
An example of the charging priority mode will now
be described with reference to FIG. 8. In the charging
priority mode, as previously stated with reference to FIG,
2, the commercial utility electric power ACl is supplied
to the load, and the battery module 6 is charged with the
electricity from a D.C. electric power DCl formed from
the commercial utility electric power. In this case,
preferably, the battery module 6 is charged with the
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electricity from the relatively inexpensive electric
power such as the nighttime electric power.
In FIG. 8, an axis of abscissa represents a change
in the load electric power (kW). Also, an axis of
ordinate represents changes in the output electric power
(kW) from the commercial utility power source, an output
electric power (kW) from an inverter, and the output
electric power (kW) from the battery module 6 when the
load electric power is changed. In addition, a straight
line connecting circle dots represents the change in the
commercial utility electric power ACl. A straight line
connecting triangle dots represents the change in the
output electric power (A.C. output electric power) from
the DC-AC inverter 4. Also, a straight line connecting
square dots represents the change in the output electric
power from the battery module 6. The output electric
power from the inverter becomes a value which is obtained
by multiplying the input electric power by an efficiency
(smaller than 1) of the inverter. The fact that the
electric power is shifted to a negative side in the
change in the output electric power from the battery
module 6 represents that the battery module 6 is charged
with the electricity. This also applies to descriptions
given with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 which will be
described later. It is noted that the EMU 10 of the
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controller 8 holds therein a control table which is
expressed in the form of graphs of FIGS. 8 to 11, and
carries out the control for the mode switching or the
like with reference to the control table in accordance
with the load.
The example shown in FIG. 8 is an example in which
the running is carried out with the commercial utility
electric power of 2.5 kVA, and the remaining capacity
(SOC) is 50%. Here, the running which is carried out with
the commercial utility electric power of 2.5 kVA means
the running in which the voltage of 100 V is made
constant, and the current from the commercial utility
power source is selected up to 25 A. Until the current
from the commercial utility power source becomes up to 25
A, the commercial utility electric power is increased in
correspondence to the load electric power, and the
battery module 6 is charged with the electricity from a
given electric power. When the load side output becomes a
predetermined electric power (for example, the input
current becomes up to 25 A), an amount of charging for
the battery module 6 is gradually decreased, and the
increase in the commercial utility electric power is.not
carried out. Although in the example, the control is
carried out with the maximum commercial utility electric
power, at which of the stages the control is carried out
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can be suitably set.
[Example of Discharging Priority Mixture Mode]
An example of the discharging priority mixture mode
will now be described with reference to FIG. 9. In the
discharging priority mixture mode, as previously stated
with reference to FIG. 3, the commercial utility electric
power ACl, and the A.C. electric power AC2 which is
formed from the output from the battery module 6 are
mixed with each other.
The example shown in FIG. 9 is an example in which
the running is carried out with the commercial utility
electric power of 2.5 kVA, and the remaining capacity
(SOC) is 50%. In addition, a ratio of the commercial
utility electric power to the A.C. electric power is set
to 50%. The output electric power from the DC-AC inverter
4 becomes a value which is obtained by adding the
commercial utility electric power and the A.C. electric
power to each other, and the commercial utility electric
power and the A.C. electric power are both increased in .
correspondence to the increase in the load electric power,
It is noted that the mixture ratio of 50% is merely an
example, and thus the mixture ratio can be suitably set.
The mixture ratio is set based on the remaining capacity
of the battery module 6. Thus, when the remaining
capacity of the battery module 6 is less, the rate of the
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A.C. electric power formed from the output from the
battery module 6 becomes low accordingly.
[Example of Discharging Priority Mode]
An example of the discharging priority mode will
now be described with reference to FIG. 10. In the
discharging priority mode, as previously stated with
reference to FIG. 4, only the A.C. electric power AC2
which is formed from the output from the battery module 6
is supplied as the A.C. electric power to the load. In
the discharging priority mode, only the output electric
power from the battery module 6 is outputted. The
discharging priority mode is identical in function to the
so-called UPS, and enables the supply of the electric
power in the phase of the electric power outage to be
carried out. In addition, for the purpose of charging the
battery module 6 with the electricity from the
inexpensive electric power such as the nighttime electric
power, the operation mode is switched over to the
discharging priority mode without being limited to the
phase of the electric power outage. The example shown in
FIG. 10 is an example in which the running is carried out
with the commercial utility electric power of 2.5 kVA,
and the remaining capacity (SOC) is 80%. In this case,
the commercial utility electric power is set to 0 and
thus the discharging electric power of the battery module
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6 becomes 100%.
[Example of Peak Shift Mode]
An example of the peak shift mode will now be
described with reference to FIG. 11. The peak shift mode,
as previously stated with reference to FIG. 5, is the
operation mode in which both of the charging priority
mode and the discharging priority mixture mode are
present in correspondence to the load electric power.
The example shown in FIG. 11 is an example in which
the running is carried out with the commercial utility
electric power of 2.5 kVA, and the remaining capacity
(SOC) is 50%. In addition, in the discharging priority
mixture mode, a ratio of the commercial utility electric
power to the A,C. electric power is set to 50%. That is
to say, until the load electric power becomes equal to
the electric power LI as the threshold value previously
set, the operation mode is continuously set as the
charging priority mode. When the load electric power
exceeds the electric power LI as the threshold value, the
operation mode is switched over to the discharging
priority mixture mode. As an example, the threshold value
electric power LI, for example, is set to a value (0.88
kW) of 50% of 1.75 kW.
In addition, in the charging priority mode, until
the input electric power becomes equal to the
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predetermined value, the commercial utility electric
power is increased so as to correspond to the load
electric power, and the battery module 6 is charged with
the electricity from the given electric power. When the
load electric power becomes equal to the predetermined
electric power, an amount of charging for the battery
module 6 is gradually decreased, and the increase in the
commercial utility electric power is not carried out.
When the load electric power exceeds the threshold value
electric power LI, so that the operation mode proceeds to
the discharging priority mixture mode, the commercial
utility electric power, and the A.C. electric power which
is formed from the output from the battery module 6 are
mixed with each other. The ratio of the mixture is set in
correspondence to the remaining capacity of the battery
module 6.
<2. Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment described above, when a
commercial utility electric power, and an A.C. output
electric power from a battery module 6 are mixed with
each other, the mixture of the D.C. signals is carried
out between the AC-DC converter 3 and the DC-AC inverter
4. In an electric power supplying apparatus according to
a second embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown
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in FIG. 12, the mixture of the A.C. signals is carried
out.
The commercial utility electric power is mixed with
an output electric power from the switch SW3 through the
switch SWl, a voltage detector 11, a frequency/phase
detector 12, and the switch SW2, and the resulting
mixture output electric power is fetched to the A.C.
electric power supply terminal 2. The D.C. output
electric power from the battery module 6 is supplied to
the DC-AC inverter 4 through the boosting circuit 7. Also,
the output A.C. electric power from the DC-AC inverter 4
is mixed with the commercial utility electric power
through the switch SW3.
A detection output from the frequency/phase
detector 12 is supplied to the DC-AC inverter 4, so that
the A.C. electric power generated from the DC-AC inverter
4 agrees in frequency and phase with the commercial
utility electric power. The DC-AC inverter 4, for example,
is composed of a Phase Locked Loop (PLL), a pulse
generator, and a transformer. The commercial utility
electric power is supplied to the PLL, and thus a pulse
signal which is in phase with the commercial utility
electric power is generated by the PLL. In addition,
since the detection output from the voltage detector 11
is supplied to the DC-AC inverter 4, even when the
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voltage level of the commercial utility electric power is
changed, it is possible to previously set the mixture
ratio.
<3. Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure
will now be described. In the first and second
embodiments described above, both of the commercial
utility electric power and the output electric power from
the battery module are mixed with each other, and the
running is carried out with the resulting mixture
electric power. An electric power supplying apparatus
according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure
further uses an electric power generating apparatus which
uses a recyclable energy.
FIG. 13 shows a system configuration of the
electric power supplying apparatus according to the third
embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, in FIG. 13,
constituent elements corresponding to those of the
electric power supplying apparatuses of the first and
second embodiments are designated by the same reference
numerals or symbols, respectively. The commercial utility
electric power is supplied to the input terminal 1, and
is then inputted to a UPS portion 13 surrounded by a
broken line. The UPS portion 13, similarly to the cases
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of the first and second embodiments described above, is
composed of the AC-DC converter 3, the DC-AC inverter 4,
the switch SW2, and the switch SW3. The commercial
utility electric power PI is supplied to the UPS portion
13.
A DC-DC converter 14 is connected between a
connection point, between the output terminal of the ACDC
converter 3 and the input terminal of the DC-AC
inverter 4, and the battery module 6. The DC-DC converter
14 is bidirectional one. That is to say, a D.C. electric
power P2 which is formed from the commercial utility
electric power by the AC-DC converter 3 is supplied as
the charging electric power to the battery module 6
through the DC-DC converter 14. On the other hand, a
discharging electric power P3 from the battery module 6
is supplied to the DC-DC converter 14. The output from
the DC-DC converter 14 is supplied to the DC-AC inverter
4. Also, the A.C. electric power is fetched from the DCAC
inverter 4 to the A.C. electric power supply terminal
2 through the switch SW3. The AC-DC converter 3, the DCAC
inverter 4, the DC-DC converter 14, the switch SW2,
and the switch SW3 compose the UPS portion 13.
A solar cell module 21 is installed in a roof,
outdoors or the like. The solar cell module 21 is
structured in such a way that plural solar cells are
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connected to one another in a panel. The solar cell
module 21 is referred to as a solar panel as well.
Normally, plural sheets of solar cell modules 21 are
arranged and installed, thereby structuring a solar cell
array.
An output electric power P4 from the solar cell
module 21 is supplied to an electric power supply line of
the external electric power system through both of the
DC-DC converter 22 and a power conditioner 23. The power
conditioner 23 includes an electric power converting
portion composed of a DC-DC converter portion and a DC-AC
inverter portion. The DC-DC converter portion boosts the
input D.C. voltage and supplies the resulting D.C.
voltage to the DC-AC inverter portion. The DC-AC inverter
portion converts the D.C. voltage from the DC-DC
conversion portion into an A.C. electric power. In
addition, the power conditioner 23 carries out control
referred to as "Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)."
This control corresponds to a system in which a change in
a generated electric power in the solar cell module 21 is
followed to track a maximum electric power on a
continuous basis.
Since an output terminal of the power conditioner
23 is connected to the electric power supply line of the
external electric power system, a generated electric
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power (surplus electric power) P4 of the solar cell
module 21 is sold. The selling of the surplus electric
power is referred to as reverse electric power flow.
Although not illustrated, a meter for measuring the
electric power of the reverse electric power flow is
connected.
In addition thereto, the output electric power from
the solar cell module 21 is supplied to a PV charger 24.
The PV charger 24 includes a DC-DC converter 25 and a
charging control portion 26. In this case, the output
electric power from the solar cell module 21 is supplied
to the DC-DC converter 25. An output electric power P5
from the charging control portion 25 is supplied to the
UPS portion 13 and is used as a load electric power P8.
Along with this, an output electric power P6 from the
charging control portion 26 is supplied to the battery
module 6. The DC-DC converter 14 of the UPS portion 13
described above is connected to the battery module 6.
Thus, the battery module 6 is charged with the
electricity from any one of the output electric power
from the solar cell module 21 through the PV charger 24,
and a commercial utility electric power P7 from the UPS
portion 13.
It is noted that the battery module 6 is composed
of a lithium-ion secondary battery, and is charged with
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the electricity at constant current (CC)/constant voltage
(CV) in the phase of the charging. That is to say, at
first, when the battery module is charged with the
electricity from a predetermined current up to a
predetermined voltage, the charging mode is switched over
to constant voltage charging. Processing for controlling
a value of a charging current is executed in accordance
with charging control made by the PV charger 24.
The charging control for the battery module 6 is
carried out by the EMU 10 which communicates with the BMU
9. The BMU 9 monitors the state (the remaining capacity,
the battery voltage, the battery temperature, and the
like) of the battery module 6, so that the suitable
charging/discharging operation is carried out.
Information, on the remaining capacity of the battery
module 6, which the BMU 9 acquires is transmitted to the
EMU 10 and is then used for the switching of the
operation mode of the EMU 10. The EMU 10 controls the
switch of the UPS portion 13, thereby controlling both of
the AC-DC converter 3 and the DC-AC inverter 4. The EMU
10 monitors the output electric power from the solar cell
module 21. When the solar cell module 21 is proved to be
equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the
battery module 6 is charged with the electricity from the
output electric power from the PV charger 24. Therefore,
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in the case like the daytime, the battery module 6 is
charged with the electricity by the solar cell module 21.
The peak shift command is issued to the EMU 10.
The peak shift command is automatically issued in a time
zone in which a total electric power (load electric
power) of the electric power consumed indoors becomes
relatively large. Alternatively, the peak shift command
may also be issued in a time zone set by the user. Or, a
monitoring portion for monitoring an indoor electric
power may be provided, and the peak shift command may be
issued when almost all the indoor electric power exceeds
a predetermined electric power. As an example, when the
fear that the indoor electric power exceeds the
contracted electric power contracted with the electric
power provider is generated, the peak shift command is
issued. In addition thereto, the peak shift command can
also be issued in accordance with an electric power limit
command issued from an electric power industry company.
It is noted that although in the third embodiment, the
BMU 9 and the EMU 10 are described as being provided
separately from each other, the BMU 9 and the EMU 10 may
also be realized by one microcomputer or the like to be
integrated with each other.
In the third embodiment, an amount of charging, and
the electric power on the load side are controlled in
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correspondence to an amount of generated electric power
in the solar cell module 21, an amount of electric power
storage in the battery module 6, the load, and the time
zone. In addition, these electric powers are outputted in
a mixture style as may be necessary. According to such a
third embodiment, it becomes possible to carry out the
effective utilization, of the peak shift and the battery
module 6, which corresponds to an amount of generated
electric power in the solar cell module 21.
TABLE 1 shows the operation modes in the third
embodiments of the present disclosure.
TABLE 1
SOC > 80%
80% > SOC > 30%
SOC < 30%
absence of PV
electric power
generation
• discharging
priority mode
second operation
mode
• peak shift mode
• charging
priority mode
• charging
priority mode
presence of PV
electric power
generation
• reverse electric
power flow
priority mode
• PV + discharging
priority mode
• PV + peak shift
mode
load small:
electric power
selling
+ charging
load large:
discharging
• PV + charging
priority
• PV + discharging
priority mode
(when forced
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discharging
command is issued,
PV + discharging
priority)
As shown in TABLE 1, the operation modes are used
differently in accordance with presence or absence of the
amount of generated electric power in the solar cell
module 21. When there is absence of the amount of
generated electric power in the solar cell module 21, the
same operation mode as that in the first embodiment
described above can be carried out. When the SOC (State
Of Charge) is larger than 80%, the operation mode is
switched over to the discharging priority mode. When the
SOC is smaller than 30%, the operation mode is switched
over to the charging priority mode. Also, when the SOC is
equal to or larger than 30%, and is equal to or smaller
than 80%, the operation mode is switched over to the peak
shift operation mode and the charging priority mode.
[Processing For Switching Operation Mode]
Processing for switching the operation mode will
now be described with reference to FIG. 14. The meanings
of the following description, and the descriptions in FIG.
14 are as follows.
PV: the solar cell module.
Pw: an amount of generated electric power in the
solar cell.
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Wl, W2: threshold values used to determine presence
or absence of an amount of generated electric power in
the solar cell module. In this case, a relationship of Wl
> W2 holds.
When an operation for executing processing for
switching the operation mode is started in processing in
Step S41, the operation proceeds to processing in Step
S42 for determination.
Processing in Step S42: presence or absence of the
commercial utility electric power (grid electric power)
is determined.
Processing in Step S43: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S42 that the commercial utility
electric power is absent, it is determined whether or not
the PV electric power amount Pw is larger than the
threshold value Wl.
Processing in Step S44: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S43 that the PV electric power
generation amount Pw is equal to or smaller than the
threshold value Wl, the operation mode is set to the UPS
mode.
In the UPS mode, only the output electric power
from the battery module 6 is used. The A.C. electric
power which is obtained through the D/A conversion in the
DC-AC converter 4 after the boosting of the output
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electric power from the battery module 6 by the DC-DC
converter 14 is set as the A.C. power source output. The
same operation as that in the UPS is carried out, and
thus the UPS mode is an operation mode which is effective
in the phase of the electric power outage or the like. In
this case, the switch SW3 is turned ON, and the switch
SW2 is turned OFF.
Processing in Step S45: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S43 that the PV electric power
generation amount Pw is larger than the threshold value
Wl, the operation mode proceeds to the mode of presence
of PV electric power portion and absence of commercial
utility electric power.
Processing in Step S46: it is determined whether or
not the PV electric power generation amount Pw is smaller
than the threshold value W2. In this case, the
relationship of (Wl > W2) holds. When it is determined in
the processing in Step S46 that the PV electric power
generation amount Pw is not smaller than the threshold
value W2, the operation returns back to the processing in
Step S45. On the other hand, when it is determined in the
processing in Step S46 that the PV electric power
generation amount Pw is smaller than the threshold value
W2, the operation returns back to the processing in Step
S42 (the processing in Step of a determination about
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presence or absence of the commercial utility electric
power). When the number of the threshold values used to
determine presence or absence of the PV electric power
generation is set to 1 (for example, 0 kW), there is
caused a problem that the threshold value is exceeded or
not exceeded. Therefore, the different threshold values
are set, thereby setting the hysteresis.
Processing in Step S47: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S42 that the commercial utility
electric power is present, it is determined whether or
not the PV electric power generation amount Pw is larger
than the threshold value Wl.
Processing in Step S48: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S47 that the PV electric power
generation amount Pw is equal to or smaller than the
threshold value Wl, the operation proceeds to a mode
transition flow in the case of absence of the PV electric
power generation.
Processing in Step S49: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S47 that the PV electric power
generation amount Pw is larger than the threshold value
Wl, the operation proceeds to a mode transition flow in
the case of presence of the PV electric power generation.
Processing in Step S50: it is determined whether or
not the PV electric power generation amount Pw is smaller
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than the threshold value W2. When it is determined in the
processing in Step S50 that the PV electric power
generation amount Pw is not smaller than the threshold
value W2, the operation returns back to the processing in
Step S49. On the other hand, when it is determined in the
processing in Step S50 that the PV electric power
generation amount Pw is smaller than the threshold value
W2, the operation returns back to the processing in Step
S42 (the processing in Step of a determination about
presence or absence of the commercial utility electric
power).
[Mode Transition Flow in Case of Absence of PV Electric
Power Generation]
The processing in Step S48 in FIG. 14, more
specifically, is shown by a flow chart of FIG. 15.
Similarly to the case of the first embodiment, with
regard to the SOC (State Of Change) of the battery module
6, the threshold values Capl, Cap2, and Cap3 are set. In
this case, a relationship of (Cap3 > Capl > Cap2) (or
Cap2') holds. The threshold value Cap2, and the threshold
value Cap2' may be the same value or may be different
from each other.
The threshold value Cap3, for example, is set to
80%, and the case where the remaining capacity is equal
to or larger than the threshold value Cap3 means that the
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remaining capacity is sufficient. Also, the threshold
value Cap2, for example, is set to 30%, and the case
where the remaining capacity is equal to or smaller than
the threshold value Cap2 means that the remaining
capacity is insufficient, and thus the discharging is
inhibited. The information on the remaining capacity is
transmitted from the BMU 9 to the EMU 10.
When an operation is started in processing in Step
S51, the operation proceeds to processing in Step S52 for
determination.
Processing in Step S52: it is determined whether or
not the remaining capacity of the battery module 6 is
equal to or larger than the threshold value Capl.
Processing in Step S91: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S52 that the remaining capacity of
the battery module 6 is smaller than the threshold value
Capl, it is determined whether or not the peak shift
command has been received (including whether or not the
peak shift command is being received).
Processing in Step S92: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S91 that the peak shift command
has been received, the operation proceeds to processing
for temporal stand-by (processing in Step S92), and the
determination processing in Step S91 is executed. At this
time, since the remaining capacity is less, only the A.C.
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electric power which is formed from the commercial
utility electric power is supplied to the load.
Processing in Step 860: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S52 that the remaining capacity is
smaller than the threshold value Capl, it is necessary to
charge the battery module 6 with the electricity.
Therefore, the operation mode is switched over to the
charging priority mode.
Processing in Step S53: it is determined whether or
not the peak shift command has been received.
Processing in Step S54: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S53 that the peak shift command
has been received, the operation mode becomes the peak
shift mode.
Processing in Step S55: it is determined whether or
not a peak shift release command has been received. For
example, the peak shift command is issued ih a time zone
in which the electric power demand which is previously
set by a personal computer of a home controller is much,
and after a lapse of the time zone, the peak shift
command is released. If it is determined in the
processing in Step S55 that the peak shift release
command has been received, then the operation returns
back to the processing in Step S52 (start).
Processing in Step S56: when it is determined in
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the processing in Step S55 that the peak shift release
command has not been received, it is determined whether
or not the remaining capacity is equal to or larger than
the threshold value Cap2. When it is determined in the
processing in Step S56 that the remaining capacity is
equal to or larger than the threshold value Cap2, the
operation returns back to the processing in Step S54
(peak shift mode).
Processing in Step S57: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S56 that the remaining capacity is
smaller than the threshold value Cap2, it is necessary to
immediately charge the battery module 5 with the
electricity. However, if the peak shift mode is still
being carried out, then the peak is increased when the
operation mode proceeds to the charging priority mode.
Therefore, it is determined whether or not the peak shift
release command has been received. When it is determined
in the processing in Step S57 that the peak shift release
command has been received, the operation returns back to
the processing in Step S60 (charging priority mode), and
the battery module 6 is then charged with the electricity.
Processing in Step S58: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S57 that the peak shift release
command has not been received, the temporal stand-by is
set. At this time, since the remaining capacity is less.
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larger than the threshold value Capl.
Processing in Step S61: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S53 that the peak shift command
has not been received, it is determined whether or not
the remaining capacity is equal to or larger than the
threshold value Cap3 or the discharging command has been
received. When it is determined in the processing in Step
S61 that the remaining capacity is smaller than the
threshold value Cap3 or the discharging command has not
been received, the operation proceeds to processing in
Step S60 (charging priority mode).
Processing in Step S62: when it is determined in
the processing in Step 361 that the remaining capacity is
equal to or larger than the threshold value Cap3 or the
forced discharging command has been received, the
operation mode is switched over to the discharging
priority mode. When SOC = 0%, the running is carried out
with a mixture of the output electric power from the
solar cell module 21, and the commercial utility electric
power.
Processing in Step S63: it is determined whether or
not the remaining capacity is equal to or larger than the
threshold value Cap2'. When it is determined in the
processing in Step S63 that the remaining capacity is
equal to or larger than the threshold value Cap2', the
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discharging priority mode is continuously carried out. On
the other hand, when it is determined in the processing
in Step S63 that the remaining capacity is smaller than
the threshold value Cap2', the operation proceeds to the
processing in the charging priority mode in Step S60.
A concrete example of the control which is carried
out based on the mode transition flow in the case of
absence of the PV electric power generation described
above is the same as that in the first embodiment
described above. In the case of the charging priority
mode (the processing in Step S60), the control as
described with reference to FIG. 8 is carried out.
That is to say, when as shown in FIG. 8, the
running is carried out with the commercial utility
electric power of 2.5 kVA, and the remaining capacity
(SOC) is 50%, until the current from the commercial
utility power source becomes up to 25 A, the commercial
utility electric power is increased in correspondence to
the load electric power, and the battery module 6 is
charged with the electricity from a given electric power.
Here, the running which is carried out with the
commercial utility electric power of 2.5 kVA means the
running in which the voltage of 100 V is made constant,
and the current from the commercial utility power source
is selected up to 25 A, When the load side output becomes
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a predetermined electric power (for example, the input
current becomes up to 25 A), an amount of charging for
the battery module 6 is gradually decreased, and the
increase in the commercial utility electric power is not
carried out. Although in the example, the control is
carried out with the maximum commercial utility electric
power, at which of the stages the control is carried out
can be suitably set.
In the case of the discharging priority mode (the
processing in Step S62), the control as described with
reference to FIG. 9 is carried out. That is to say, as
shown in FIG. 9, the commercial electric power ACl, and
the A.C. electric power AC2 which is formed from the
output electric power from the battery module 6 are mixed
with each other. The example shown in FIG. 9 is an
example in which the running is carried out with the
commercial utility electric power of 2.5 kVA, and the
remaining capacity (SOC) is 50%. In addition, a ratio of
the commercial utility electric power to the A.C.
electric power is set to 50%. The output electric power
from the DC-AC inverter 4 becomes a value which is
obtained by adding the commercial utility electric power
and the A.C. electric power to each other, and the
commercial utility electric power and the A.C. electric
power are both similarly increased in correspondence to
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the increase in the load electric power. It is noted that
the mixture ratio of 50% is merely an example, and thus
the mixture ratio can be suitably set. The mixture ratio
is set based on the remaining capacity of the battery
module 6. Thus, when the remaining capacity of the
battery module 6 is less, the rate of the A.C. electric
power which formed from the output from the battery
module 6 becomes low accordingly.
In the case of the peak shift mode (the processing
in Step S54), the control as described with reference to
FIG. 11 is carried out. That is to say, as shown in FIG.
11, the peak shift mode is the operation mode in which
both of the charging priority mode and the discharging
priority mixture mode are present in correspondence to
the load electric power.
The example shown in FIG. 11 is an example in which
the running is carried out with the commercial utility
electric power of 2.5 kVA, and the remaining capacity
(SOC) is 50%. In addition, in the discharging priority
mixture mode, a ratio of the commercial utility electric
power to the A.C. electric power is set to 50%. That is
to say, until the load electric power becomes equal to
the electric power Ll as the threshold value previously
set, the operation mode is continuously set as the
charging priority mode. When the load electric power
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exceeds the electric power Ll, the operation mode is
switched over to the discharging priority mixture mode.
As an example, the threshold value electric power Ll, for
example, is set to a value (0.88 kW) of 50% of 1.75 kW.
In addition, in the charging priority mode, until
the input electric power becomes equal to the
predetermined value, the commercial utility electric
power is increased so as to correspond to the load
electric power, and the battery module 6 is charged with
the electricity from the given electric power. When the
load electric power becomes equal to the predetermined
electric power, an amount of charging for the battery
module 6 is gradually decreased, and the increase in the
commercial utility electric power is not carried out.
When the load electric power exceeds the threshold value
electric power Ll, so that the operation mode proceeds to
the charging priority mixture mode, the commercial
utility electric power, and the A.C. electric power from
the battery module 6 are mixed with each other. The ratio
of the mixture is set in correspondence to the remaining
capacity of the battery module 6.
[Mode Transition Flow in Case of Presence of PV Electric
Power Generation]
The processing in Step S49 in FIG. 14, more
specifically, is shown by a flow chart of FIG. 16.
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When an operation is started in processing in Step
S71, the operation proceeds to processing in Step S72 for
determination.
Processing S72: it is determined whether or not the
remaining capacity of the battery module 6 is equal to or
larger than the threshold value Capl.
Processing in Step SlOl: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S72 that the remaining capacity of
the battery module 6 is smaller than the threshold value
Capl, it is determined whether or not the peak shift
command has been received (including whether or not the
peak shift command is being received).
Processing in Step S102: when it is determined in
the processing in Step SlOl that the peak shift command
has been received, the operation proceeds to processing
for temporal stand-by (the processing in Step S102), and
the determination processing in Step SlOl is executed. At
this time, since the remaining capacity is small, only
the A.C, electric power which is formed from the
commercial utility electric power is supplied to the load.
Processing in Step S80: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S72 that the remaining capacity of
the battery module 6 is smaller than the threshold value
Capl, the operation mode becomes (the PV electric power
generation + the charging priority mode) because it is
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necessary to charge the battery module 6 with the
electricity.
Processing in Step S73: it is determined whether or
not the peak shift command has been received.
Processing in Step S74: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S73 that the peak shift command
has been received, the operation mode becomes (the PV
electric power generation + the peak shift mode).
Processing in Step S75: it is determined whether or
not a peak shift release command has been received. For
example, the peak shift command is issued in a time zone
in which the electric power demand which is previously
set by a personal computer of a home controller is much,
and after a lapse of the time zone, the peak shift
command is released. If it is determined in the
processing in Step S75 that the peak shift release
command has been received, then the operation returns
back to the processing in Step S72 (start).
Processing in Step S76: when the peak shift release
command has not been received, it is determined whether
or not the remaining capacity is equal to or larger than
the threshold value Cap2. When it is determined in the
processing in Step S76 that the remaining capacity is
equal to or larger than the threshold value Cap2, the
operation returns back to the processing in Step S74 (PV
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electric power generation + peak shift mode).
Processing in Step S77: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S76 that the remaining capacity is
smaller than the threshold value Cap2, it is necessary to
immediately charge the battery module 6 with the
electricity. However, if the peak shift mode is still
being carried out, then the peak is increased when the
operation mode proceeds to the charging priority mode.
Therefore, it is determined whether or not the peak shift
release command has been received. When it is determined
in the processing in Step S77 that the peak shift release
command has been received, the operation returns back to
the processing in Step S80 (PV electric power generation
+ charging priority mode), and the battery module 6 is
then charged with the electricity.
Processing in Step S78: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S77 that the peak shift release
command has not been received, the temporal stand-by is
set. At this time, since the remaining capacity is less,
only the A.C. electric power which is formed from both of
the commercial utility electric power and the solar cell
module 21 is supplied to the load (PV electric power +
commercial utility electric power).
Processing in Step S79: after completion of the
temporal stand-by in the processing in Step S78, it is
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determined in processing in Step S79 whether or not the
load electric power is smaller than the threshold value
electric power LI previously set. When it is determined
in the processing in Step S79 that the load electric
power is smaller than the threshold value electric power
LI, the operation turns back to the processing in Step
S74 (PV electric power generation + peak shift mode). On
the other hand, when it is determined in the processing
in Step S79 that the load electric power is equal to or
larger than the threshold value electric power LI, the
operation turns back to the processing in Step S77 (the
determination as to presence or absence of the reception
of the peak shift release command).
Processing in Step S80: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S72 that the remaining capacity is
smaller than the threshold value Capl, since it is
necessary to charge the battery module 6 with the
electricity, the operation mode proceeds to (PV electric
power generation + charging priority mode). (The PV
electric power generation + the charging priority mode)
is continuously carried out until it is determined in the
processing in Step S72 that the remaining capacity is
equal to or larger than the threshold value Capl.
Processing in Step S81: when it is determined in
the processing in Step S73 that the peak shift command
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has not been received, it is determined whether or not
the remaining capacity is equal to or larger than the
threshold value Cap3 or the discharging command has been
received. When it is determined in the processing in Step
881 that the remaining capacity is smaller than the
threshold value Cap3 or the discharging command has not
been received, the operation proceeds to processing in
Step S80 (PV electric power generation + charging
priority mode).
Processing in Step S82: when it is determined in
the processing in Step 881 that the remaining capacity is
equal to or larger than the threshold value Cap3 or the
forced discharging command has been received, the
operation mode is switched over to the reverse electric
power flow priority mode.
Processing in Step 883: it is determined whether or
not the remaining capacity is equal to or larger than the
threshold value Cap2'. When it is determined that the
remaining capacity is equal to or larger than the
threshold value Cap2', the reverse electric power flow
priority mode is continuously carried out. On the other
hand, when it is determined that the remaining capacity
is smaller than the threshold value Cap2', the operation
proceeds to the processing in (the PV electric power
generation + the charging priority mode) in Step 880.
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Concrete examples of the control carried out based
on the mode transition flow in the case of presence of
the PV electric power generation described above will now
be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 21.
[Example of PV Electric Power Generation + Charging
Priority Mode]
An example of (the PV electric power generation +
the charging priority mode) (the processing in Step S80
in FIG. 16) will now be described with reference to FIG.
17. In (the PV electric power generation + the charging
priority mode), the commercial utility electric power is
supplied to the load, and the battery module 6 is charged
with the electricity from the D.C. electric power which
is formed from the commercial utility electric power. In
this case, preferably, the battery module 6 is charged
with the electricity from the relatively inexpensive
electric power such as the nighttime electric power.
In FIG. 17, an axis of abscissa represents the
change in the load electric power (kW), and an axis of
ordinate represents the change in the electric power (kW)
That is to say, a straight line connecting circle dots
represents the change in the commercial utility electric
power ACl when the load electric power is changed. A
straight line connecting triangle dots represents the
change in the output electric power from the DC-AC
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inverter 4. Also, a straight line connecting square dots
represents the change in the output electric power from
the battery module 6. As an example, the PV electric
power generation amount of 1.5 kW is made constant (a
straight line connecting rhombus dots).
The output electric power from the DC-AC inverter
becomes a value which is obtained by multiplying the
input electric power by an efficiency (smaller than 1.0)
of the DC-AC inverter 4. The output electric power from
the DC-AC inverter 4 is obtained by summing up the
commercial utility electric power, and the output
electric power from the battery module 6. It is noted
that the fact that the electric power is shifted to a
negative side in the change in the output electric power
from the battery module 6 represents that the battery
module 6 is charged with the electricity. Also, the fact
that in the change in the output electric power from the
commercial electric power, the electric power is shifted
to the negative side represents the reverse electric
power flow. This also applies to descriptions given with
reference to FIGS. 18 to 21 which will be described later.
It is noted that the EMU 10 of the controller 8 holds
therein a control table which is expressed in the form of
graphs of FIGS. 17 to 21, and carries out the control for
the mode switching or the like with reference to the
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control table in accordance with the load.
The example shown in FIG. 17 is an example in which
the running is carried out with the commercial utility
electric power of 2.5 kVA, and the remaining capacity
(SOC) is 30%. Here, the running which is carried out with
the commercial utility electric power of 2.5 kVA means
the running in which the voltage of 100 V is made
constant, and the current from the commercial utility
power source is selected up to 25 A. Until the current
from the commercial utility power source becomes up to 25
A, the commercial utility electric power is increased in
correspondence to the load electric power, and the
battery module 6 is charged with the electricity from a
given electric power. When the load side output becomes
equal to a predetermined electric power {for example, the
input current becomes up to 25 A), an amount of charging
for the battery module 6 is gradually decreased, and the
increase in the commercial utility electric power is not
carried out. Although in the example, the control is
carried out with the maximum commercial utility electric
power, at which of the stages the control is carried out
can be suitably set.
(The PV electric power generation + the charging
priority mode) is an operation mode in which the battery
module 6 is preferentially charged with the electricity
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from the electric power from the PV electric power
generation. When the PV electric power generation amount
exceeds the maximum charging electric power with the
light load, the surplus electric power is subjected to
the reverse electric power flow. The charging for the
battery module 6 is carried out with the given electric
power. When the load side output exceeds the
predetermined electric power value, the control is
carried out in such a way that the value of the charging
electric power for the battery module 6 is reduced so as
not to be accompanied with the increase in the commercial
utility electric power.
In the example shown in FIG. 17, the PV electric
power generation amount is set constant (for example, 1.5
kW) . For example, in the case of the PV electric power
generation amount of 1.0 kW, a point at which the
charging electric power for the battery module 6 is
reduced is shifted to the left-hand side. Contrary to
this, in the case of the PV electric power generation
amount of 2.0 kW, the point at which the charging
electric power for the battery module 6 is reduced is
shifted to the right-hand side. The PV electric power
generation amount is actually changed so as to correspond
to sunshine hours. Since the speed of the change in the
PV electric power generation amount is on the order of
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minutes, the electric power output/mixture ratio of the
electric power is changed so as to correspond to the
change in the PV electric power generation amount. In any
of other operation modes as well, similarly, the control
corresponding to the PV electric power generation amount
is carried out.
[Example of Reverse Electric Power Flow Priority Mode]
An example of the reverse electric power flow
priority mode (the processing in Step S82 in FIG. 16)
will now be described with reference to FIG. 18. The
example shown in FIG. 18 is an example in which the
running is carried out with the commercial utility
electric power of 2.5 kVA, and the remaining capacity
(SOC) is 80%. The reverse electric power flow priority
mode is an operation mode in which the electric power by
the PV electric power generation is subjected to the
reverse electric power flow as much as possible. The
output electric power from the battery module 6 is
supplied as the output electric power from the DC-AC
inverter 4 to the load. In the range of the light load to
the middle load, almost all the electric power generated
by the solar cell module 21 is subjected to the reverse
electric power flow. An amount of electric power for the
reverse electric power flow is reduced along with the
increase in the load side output electric power. However,
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when the load exceeds a predetermined value, preferably,
the amount of electric power for the reverse electric
power flow is reduced.
[Example of PV Electric Power Generation + Peak Shift
Mode]
An example of (the PV electric power generation +
the peak shift mode) (the processing in Step S74 in FIG.
16) will now be described with reference to FIG. 19. The
example shown in FIG. 19 is an example in which the
running is carried out with the commercial utility
electric power of 2.5 kVA, and the remaining capacity
(SOC) is 50%, and the PV electric power generation amount
is 0.8 kW. The output electric power from the DC-AC
inverter 4 is obtained by adding the commercial utility
electric power and the output electric power from the
battery module 6 to each other. Since the PV electric
power generation amount is added to the peak shift
operation in the case of absence of the PV electric power
generation similar to the case of the first embodiment,
it is possible to further suppress a consumed amount of
commercial utility electric power. In the case of the
time zone in which the load is low, the charging
operation is carried out.
[Example of PV Electric Power Generation + Absence of
Commercial Utility Electric Power Mode]
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An example of (the PV Electric power generation +
absence of the commercial utility electric power mode)
(the processing in Step S45 in FIG. 14) will now be
described with reference to FIG. 20. The example shown in
FIG. 20 is an example in which the running is carried out
with the commercial utility electric power of 2.5 kVA,
and the remaining capacity (SOC) is 50%, and the PV
electric power generation amount is 1.5 kW. The output
electric power from the DC-AC inverter 4 is obtained by
adding the PV electric power generation amount and the
output electric power from the battery module 6 to each
other.
In the case where the commercial utility electric
power is absent, it may be impossible to carry out the
reverse electric power flow. Thus, when the sum of the
charging electric power for the battery module 6, and the
output electric power from the inverter falls below the
PV generated electric power, the surplus electric power
by the PV electric power generation is not surplused.
When the output electric power from the inverter exceeds
the PV generated electric power, the shortfall is
restocked with the discharging of the battery module 6.
Since in the example shown in FIG. 20, when the
load is 0 kW, the PV electric power generation amount is
1.5 kW and the charging electric power of the battery
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module 6 is 0.9 kW, the electric power of 0.6 kW seems to
become surplus. However, the PV electric power generation
amount of 1.5 kW described here shows the maximum output
electric power, and the actual output electric power is
0.9 kW. That is to say, the actual output electric power
is indicated by a dotted line, and the state is provided
in which the electric power of 0.6 kW is not fetched out
as the load.
[Example of PV Electric Power Generation + Discharging
Priority Mode]
An example of (the PV electric power generation +
the discharging priority mode) will now be described with
reference to FIG. 21. The example shown in FIG. 21 is an
example in which the running is carried out with the
commercial utility electric power of 2.5 kVA, the
remaining capacity (SOC) is 80%, and the PV electric
power generation amount is 0.8 kW. The output electric
power from the DC-AC inverter 4 is obtained by adding the
commercial utility electric power and the output electric
power from the battery module 6 to each other.
[Modified Change of Third Embodiment]
A modified change of the third embodiment of the
present disclosure having the solar cell module will now
be described with reference to FIG. 22. Constituent
elements corresponding to those in the third embodiment
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(refer to FIG. 13) are designated by the same reference
symbols, respectively, and a description thereof is
omitted here. In the modified change of the third
embodiment, an energy regenerating apparatus 31 is
provided, and an electric power from the energy
regenerating apparatus 31 is added to both of the
commercial utility electric power, and the generated
electric power of the solar cell module 21. The energy is
recovered to be effectively utilized.
Plural kinds of apparatuses can be used as the
energy regenerating apparatus 31. For example, an
electric power in a phase of a no-load running
(ascending/descending operation) of an at-home elevator
is regenerated in a battery to charge the battery with
the electricity from the electric power through a
bidirectional inverter. In a phase of load activation of
the elevator, the electric power is supplied from the
battery to a windlass through the bidirectional inverter.
As a result, it is possible to reduce the load of the A.C.
electric power.
As another example, there is electric power
regeneration of an at-home air conditioner. After the
exhaust heat is made to turn into the electric power by a
heat pump, the regeneration is carried out for the
battery through the bidirectional inverter to charge the
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battery with the electricity from the regenerated
electric power. In a phase of an operation, the electric
power is supplied from the battery to the air conditioner
through the bidirectional inverter. As a result, it is
possible to reduce the load of the A.C. electric power.
In addition, after high-frequency radiation in a
microwave oven is received by a coil to be made to turn
into an electric power, the resulting electric power is
regenerated in the battery through the bidirectional
inverter to charge the battery with the electricity from
the regenerated electric power. In the phase of the
operation, the electric power is supplied from the
battery through the bidirectional inverter. As a result,
it is possible to reduce the loss of the A.C. electric
power.
As still another example, a synchronous type
electric generator is provided in a rotary shaft of an
exercise bike (for diet or for training) used in a home.
The synchronous type electric generator generates the
electric power while the exercise bike is used. The
electric power is supplied to an electronic apparatus in
the home through the bidirectional inverter. As a result,
a daily training amount is converted into the electric
power, which is an encouragement to the training.
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<4. Application Example>
[Electric Power Selling as Application Example]
In the present Japanese system, when the electric
power (PV electric power) generated by the solar cell
module is temporarily stored in the battery, it may be
impossible to subject that electric power to the electric
power selling (reverse electric power flow). For the
purpose of solving this problem, the PV electric power
and the commercial utility electric power are
distinguished from each other, and thus the PV electric
power is enabled to be sold even when it is temporarily
stored in the battery.
FIG. 23 shows an example of control for electric
power selling. Time elapses from the left-hand side to
the right-hand side in FIG. 23. A PV electric power
generated by a solar cell module 41 is converted into a
commercial utility electric power 43 through the reverse
electric power flow and via a DC-AC inverter 42. On the
other hand, a battery module is charged with the
electricity from the PV electric power through a DC-DC
converter 44. As a result of the charging of the battery
module with the electricity from the PV electric power, a
charging state of the battery module is changed from a
charging state 45a over to a charging state 45b. Here, as
an example, an amount of charging for the battery module
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with the electricity from the commercial utility electric
power is limited to a maximum storage capacity of 50%.
However, such a limit is not set for the charging through
the PV electric power.
Owing to a personal consumption of electricity, the
charging state transits from the charging state 45b to a
charging state 45c. The battery module is charged with
the electricity from the midnight electric power, and as
a result, the charging state transits from the charging
state 45c to a charging state 45d. In this stage, the
electric power for the charging by the PV electric power
is sold. As a result, the charging state transits from
the charging state 45d to a charging state 45e. The
object of the trading electricity in the daytime is the
PV electric power in the previous day, and thus is the
electric power for the surplus electric power charging.
As a result of a personal consumption, the charging
state 45e transits to a charging state 45f. The charging
with the electricity from the PV electric power is
carried out, and as a result, the charging state 45f
transits to a charging state 45g. In this state, the
electric power, for the charging with the electricity
from the PV electric power is sold. As a result, the
charging state 45g transits to a charging state 45h. In
such a manner, even in the case of the PV electric power
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which is temporarily stored in the battery module, an
electric power for the PV electric power can be sold.
As shown in FIGS. 24A to 24F, the output electric
power from the battery module in the phase of the
discharging is limited. In a state in which the battery
module is fully charged with the electricity as shown in
FIG. 24A, or in the case where as shown in FIG. 24B, the
remaining capacity of 50% or more is present, the
discharging of 0.5 C or more becomes possible. It is
noted that 1 C means a current value with which the
electric charges accumulated in the battery cell having a
nominal capacity are discharged at a constant current and
the discharging ends for just one hour.
When as shown in FIG. 24C, the remaining capacity
of 30% or more is present, 0.4 C discharging becomes
possible. When as shown in FIG. 24D, the remaining
capacity of 20% or more is present, 0.3 C discharging
becomes possible. When as shown in FIG. 24E, the
remaining capacity of 10% or more is present, 0.2 C
discharging becomes possible. Also, when as shown in FIG.
24F, the remaining capacity is equal to or smaller than
10%, the discharging is stopped.
[Storage System in House as Application Example]
An example in which the present disclosure is
applied to a storage system for a house will now be
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described with reference to FIG. 25. For example, in an
electric storage system 100 for a house 101, an electric
power is supplied from a centralized electric power
system 102 including thermal power generation 102a,
nuclear power generation 102b, hydraulic power generation
102c, and the like to an electric storage device 103
through an electric power grid 109, an information
network 112, a smart meter 107, a power hub 108, and the
like. Along with this, an electric power is supplied from
an independent power source such as an in-home electric
power generating apparatus 104 to the electric storage
device 103. The electric powers supplied to the electric
storage device 103 are stored. The electric power which
is to be used in the house 101 is fed by using the
electric storage device 103. The similar electric storage
system can also be used not only in the housing 101, but
also in a building.
The house 101 is provided with the electric power
generating apparatus 104, an electric power consuming
apparatus 105, the electric storage device 103, a
controller 110 for controlling the individual apparatuses,
the smart meter 107, and a sensor 111 for acquiring
various kinds of pieces of information. The individual
apparatuses are connected to one another through both of
the electric power grid 109, and the information network
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112. A solar cell, a fuel cell or the like is utilized as
the electric power generating apparatus 104, and the
electric power generated is supplied to the electric
power consuming apparatus 105 and/or the electric storage
device 103. The electric power consuming apparatus 105
includes a refrigerator 105a, an air conditioner 105b, a
television set 105c, a bath 105d, and the like. In
addition, the electric power consuming apparatus 105
includes an electric vehicle 106. The electric vehicle
106 includes an electric car 106a, a hybrid car 106b, and
an electric bike 106c.
The electric storage device 103 is composed of a
secondary battery or a capacitor. For example, the
electric storage device 103 is composed of a lithium-ion
battery. The lithium-ion battery may be stationary type
one or one which is used in the electric vehicle 106. The
smart meter 107 has a function of measuring a used amount
of commercial utility electric power, and transmitting
information on the used amount of commercial utility
electric power thus measured to an electric power company.
For the electric power grid 109, any one or plural ones
of D.C. electric power feeding, A.C. electric power
feeding, and non-contact type electric power feeding may
be combined with one another. The present disclosure can
be applied to the electric power supplying apparatus
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composed of the electric storage device 103 and the
controller 110.
The various kinds of sensors 111, for example, are
a human body sensing sensor, an illuminance sensor, an
object detecting sensor, a consumed power sensor, a
vibration sensor, a contact sensor, a temperature sensor,
an infrared ray sensor, and the like. Information
acquired from the various kinds of sensors 111 is
transmitted to the controller 110. A state of the weather,
a state of the human being, and the like are grasped
based on the information supplied from the various kinds
of sensors 111 to automatically control the electric
power consuming apparatus 105, thereby making it possible
to minimize the energy consumption. In addition, the
controller 110 can transmit information on the house 101
to the external electric power company or the like
through the Internet.
The power hub 108 carries out branching of the
electric power line, and the processing such as the DC-AC
conversion. A communication system for the information
network 112 connected to the controller 110 includes a
method using a communication interface such as a
Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transceiver (UART), and a
method utilizing a sensor network complying with the
wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth
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(registered trademark), ZigBee or Wi-Fi. The Bluetooth
system is applied to a multi-media communication and can
make a communication based on one-to-many connection.
ZigBee uses a physical layer of Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15.4. IEEE 802.15.4
is a name of the short distance wireless network standard
called either a Personal Area Network (PAN) or a Wireless
(W) PAN.
The controller 110 is connected to an external
server 113. The external server 113 may be managed by any
one of the house 101, the electric power company, and a
serviced provider. Information which is
transmitted/received by the server 113, for example, is
consumed electric power information, life pattern
information, an electric power charge, weather
information, natural disaster information, and
information on electric power trade. Although these
pieces of information may be transmitted/received by the
electric power consuming apparatus 105 (such as the
television set) provided inside the home, these pieces of
information may also be transmitted/received by an
apparatus (such as a mobile phone) provided outside the
home. Also, these pieces of information may also be
displayed on an apparatus having a display function, for
example, the television set, the mobile phone, a Personal
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Digital Assistants (PDA) or the like.
The controller 110 for controlling the individual
portions is composed of a Central Processing Unit (CPU),
a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM),
and the like. In this case, the controller 110 is
accommodated in the electric storage device 103. The
controller 110 is connected to the electric storage
device 103, the in-home electric power generating
apparatus 104, the electric power consuming apparatus 105,
the various kinds of sensors 111, and the server 113
through the information network 112. Also, the controller
110 has a function of, for example, adjusting a used
amount of the commercial utility electric power, and an
amount of generated electric power. Note that, the
controller 110 may have a function of carrying out the
electric power trade in the electric power market, and
the like in addition to this function.
As described above, not only the centralized
electric power system 102 such as the thermal power
generation 102a, the nuclear power generation 102b, and
the hydraulic power generation 102c as the electric power,
but also the generated electric power of the in-home
electric power generating apparatus 104 (solar electric
power generation, and the wind force electric power
generation) can be stored in the electric storage device
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103. Therefore, the controller 110 can carry out the
control such that even when the generated electric power
of the in-home electric power generating apparatus 104 is
changed, an amount of electric power fed to the outside
is made constant, or the electric power is discharged as
much as needed. For example, it is possible to use the
electric power in such a way that the electric power
obtained from the solar electric power generation is
stored in the electric storage device 103, the midnight
electric power whose charge is inexpensive is stored in
the electric storage device 103 in the nighttime, and the
electric power electrically stored in the electric
storage device 103 is discharged in the daytime time zone
in which the charge is expensive to be utilized.
It is noted that although in this case, the
description has been given with respect to the example in
which the controller 110 is accommodated in the electric
storage device 103, the controller 110 may be
accommodated in the smart meter 107 or may be configured
independently. In addition, the electric storage system
100 may be used for plural homes in an apartment unit, or
may be used for plural family houses.
[Electric Storage System in Vehicle as Application
Example]
An example in which the present disclosure is
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applied to an electric storage system for a vehicle will
now be described with reference to FIG. 26. FIG. 26
schematically shows an example of a configuration of a
hybrid vehicle adopting a series hybrid system to which
the present disclosure is applied. The hybrid vehicle
adopting a series hybrid system is a car which travels
with an electric power driving force converting device by
using an electric power generated in an electric power
generator which is driven by an engine or an electric
power obtained from the electric power temporarily stored
in a battery.
An engine 201, an electric power generator 202, an
electric power driving force converting device 203, a
dr ive wheel 204a, a drive wheel 204b, a wheel 205a, a
wheel 205b, a battery 208, a vehicle controller 209,
various kinds of sensors 210, a charging inlet 211 are
mounted to the hybrid vehicle 200. The battery 208 is
used as the battery module in each of the electric power
supplying apparatuses of the embodiments of the present
disclosure described above. That is to say, the battery
208 of the electric vehicle is used as the electric power
supplying apparatus for the home or the like.
The hybrid vehicle 200 travels with the electric
power driving force converting device 203 as a source of
power. An example of the electric power driving force
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converting device 203 is a motor. The electric power
driving force converting device 203 is actuated by the
electric power of the battery 208, and a rotative force
of the electric power driving force converting device 203
is transferred to the drive wheels 204a and 204b. It is
noted that DC-AC conversion or reverse conversion (AC-DC
conversion) is used in a necessary portion, whereby an
A.C. motor or a D.C. motor can also be applied to the
electric power driving force converting device 203. The
various kinds of sensors 210 control an engine rotation
numiber through the vehicle controller 209, and control an
aperture (throttle aperture) of a throttle valve (not
shown). The various kinds of sensors 210 include a speed
sensor, an acceleration sensor, an engine rotation number
sensor, and the like.
The rotative force of the engine 201 is transferred
to the electric power generator 202, and thus the
electric power which is generated by the electric power
generator 202 by using the rotative force can be stored
in the battery 208.
When the hybrid vehicle 200 is decelerated by a
braking mechanism (not shown), a resistive force in a
phase of the deceleration is applied as a rotative force
to the electric power driving force converting device 203,
Also, a regenerative electric power which is generated by
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the electric power driving force converting device 203 by
using the rotative force is stored in the battery 208.
The battery 208 is connected to a power source
which is provided outside the hybrid vehicle 200 to
receive the supply of the electric power from the
external power source with the charging inlet 211 as an
input inlet, thereby making it possible to store therein
the electric power thus received.
Although not illustrated, the hybrid vehicle 200
may include an information processor for executing
processing for information on the vehicle control based
on information on a secondary battery. Such an
information processor, for example, includes an
information processor for carrying out battery remaining
capacity display based on information on the remaining
capacity of the battery, and the like.
It is noted that in the above, the description has
been given by exemplifying the series hybrid car which
travels with the motor by using either the electric power
generated by the electric power generator driven by the
engine or the electric power obtained from that electric
power temporarily stored in the battery. However, the
present disclosure can also be effectively suitably
applied to a parallel-hybrid car which switches and uses
suitably three systems: the parallel-hybrid car travels
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with only an engine; the parallel-hybrid car travels with
only a motor; and the parallel-hybrid car travels with
both of the engine and the motor by using an output from
the engine and an output from the motor as a driving
source. In addition, the present disclosure can also be
effectively suitably applied to a so-called electric
vehicle which travels with the drive by only a driving
motor without using an engine.
It is noted that the present disclosure can also
adopt the following constitutions.
(1) An electric power supplying apparatus
including:
an electric storage device; and
a control portion configured to control processing
for mixing an output from the electric storage device,
and an electric power of an external electric power
system with each other in accordance with at least one of
a peak shift command, a load electric power, and a
remaining capacity of the electric storage device,
wherein an alternating current electric power is
formed in the mixing processing.
(2) The electric power supplying apparatus
described in the paragraph (1), wherein a first threshold
value is set for the remaining capacity of the electric
storage device, and when the remaining capacity is
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smaller than the first threshold value, the alternating
current electric power is formed by the external electric
power system and the electric storage device is charged
by the external electric power system.
(3) The electric power supplying apparatus
described in the paragraph (1), wherein a second
threshold value is set for the remaining capacity of the
electric storage device, and when the remaining capacity
is larger than the second threshold value, the
alternating current electric power is formed by a mixture
output of the electric power of the external electric
power system, and the output electric power from the
electric storage device.
(4) The electric power supplying apparatus
described in the paragraph (1), wherein a threshold value
is set for a load electric power, and when the load
electric power is smaller than the threshold value, the
alternating current electric power is formed by the
external electric power system and the electric storage
device is charged by the external electric power system,
while when the load electric power is larger than the
threshold value, the alternating current electric power
is formed by a mixture output of the electric power of
the external electric power system, and the output
electric power from the electric storage device.
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(5) The electric power supplying apparatus
described in the paragraph (4), wherein the threshold
value for the load electric power is set in accordance
with a contracted electric power.
(6) The electric power supplying apparatus
described in any one of the paragraphs (1) to (5),
wherein a processing portion executing the mixture
processing includes a converter converting the electric
power of the external electric power system into a direct
current electric power and an inverter converting a
direct current electric power into an alternating current
electric power, the inverter being connected in series
with the converter;
the electric storage device is connected between
the converter and the inverter; and
an output from the converter, and the output from
the electric storage device are mixed based on a direct
current electric power.
(7) The electric power supplying apparatus
described in the paragraph (6), wherein the electric
storage device is connected between the converter and the
inverter through a charging circuit and a boosting
circuit connected in parallel with each other.
(8) The electric power supplying apparatus
described in the paragraph (1), further including
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an inverter configured to convert the output from
the electric storage device into an alternating current
electric power,
wherein an alternating current electric power is
formed by the inverter so as to agree in frequency and
phase with the electric power of the external electric
power system, and is mixed with the electric power of the
external electric power system to be outputted.
(9) An electric power supplying method including:
executing processing for mixing an output from an
electric storage device, and an electric power of an
external electric power system with each other, thereby
outputting an alternating current.electric power; and
controlling a mixture ratio in the mixing
processing in accordance with at least one of a peak
shift command, a load electric power, and a remaining
capacity of the electric storage device.
(10) The electric power supplying method described
in the paragraph (9), wherein the mixture ratio is
controlled in accordance with the peak shift command.
(11) An inverter, wherein a direct current electric
power formed from an electric power of an external
electric power system, and a direct current electric
power from an electric storage device are mixed with each
other, and a resulting electric power is supplied to the
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inverter, thereby forming an alternating current electric
power.
(12) An electric vehicle including:
a converter configured to receive an electric power
from an electric storage device,-and convert the electric
power into a driving force for the electric vehicle; and
a controller configured to execute information
processing about vehicle control based on information on
the electric storage device,
wherein the electric vehicle executes mixing
processing for mixing an output from the electric storage
device, and an electric power of an external electric
power system with each other, thereby outputting an
alternating current electric power, and controls a
mixture ratio in the mixing processing in accordance with
a load electric power, and a remaining capacity of the
electric storage device.
(13) An electric power supplying apparatus
including:
a connecting portion configured to connect an
external electric power system and an electric power
generating apparatus to each other;
an electric storage device; and
a control portion configured to control processing
for mixing an output from the electric power generating
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apparatus, an output from the electric storage device,
and an electric power of the external electric power
system with one another in accordance with at least one
of a peak shift command, a load electric power, and a
remaining capacity of the electric storage device,
wherein an alternating current electric power is
formed in the mixing processing.
(14) The electric power supplying apparatus
described in the paragraph (13) ,
wherein a processing portion configured to execute
the mixture processing includes a converter converting
the electric power of the external electric power system
into a direct current electric power, and an inverter
configured to convert a direct current electric power
into an alternating current electric power, the inverter
being connected in series with the converter;
the electric power generating apparatus and the
electric storage device are connected in parallel with
each other between the converter and the inverter; and
an output from the converter, an output from the
electric power generating apparatus, and the output from
the electric storage device are mixed with one another
based on a direct current electric power.
(15) The electric power supplying apparatus
described in any one of the paragraphs (13) and (14),
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wherein the electric storage device is charged by
an electric power of the electric power generating
apparatus; and
when the electric power of the electric power
generating apparatus is larger than a maximum charging
electric power of the electric storage device, a surplus
electric power is subjected to reverse electric power
flow.
(16) The electric power supplying apparatus
described in any one of the paragraphs (13) and (14),
further including
a charging portion configured to charge the
electric storage device by an electric power of the
electric power generating apparatus,
wherein the control is carried out in such a way
that when an electric power on a load side is equal to or
larger than a predetermined value, the electric power
used to charge the electric storage device is reduced,
(17) The electric power supplying apparatus
described in any one of the paragraphs (13) and (14),
further including
a charging portion configured to charge the
electric storage device by an electric power of the
electric power generating apparatus,
wherein almost all the electric power of the
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electric power generating apparatus is subjected to
reverse electric power flow to the external electric
power system by the charging portion.
(18) The electric power supplying apparatus
described in any one of the paragraphs (13) and (14),
wherein a threshold value is set for a load electric
power, and when the load electric power is smaller than
the threshold value, the alternating current electric
power is formed by the electric power of the external
electric power system and the electric power of the
electric power generating apparatus, and the electric
storage device is charged by the electric power of the
external electric power system and the electric power of
the electric power generating apparatus, while when the
load electric power is larger than the threshold value,
the alternating current electric power is formed by a
mixture output of the electric power of the external
electric power system, and the output electric power from
the electric storage device.
(19) The electric power supplying apparatus
described in any one of the paragraphs (13) and (14),
wherein when the external electric power system is absent,
a total electric power of the electric power of the
electric power generating apparatus, and the electric
power of the electric storage device is set as the
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alternating current electric power.
(20) An electric vehicle including:
a converter configured to receive an electric power
from an electric storage device, and convert the electric
power into a driving force for the electric vehicle; and
a controller configured to execute information
processing about vehicle control based on information on
the electric storage device,
wherein the electric vehicle executes processing
for mixing an output from an electric power generating
apparatus, an output from the electric storage device,
and an electric power of an external electric power
system with one another, thereby outputting an
alternating current electric power, and controls a
mixture ratio in the mixing processing in accordance with
a load electric power, and a remaining capacity of the
electric storage device.
<5. Modified Changes>
Although the present disclosure has been mainly
concretely described based on the embodiments so far, the
present disclosure is by no means limited thereto, and
thus various kinds of modified changes based on the
technical idea of the present disclosure can be made. For
example, the electric power for the charging of the
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electric storage device may be formed by the electric
power generating equipment (such as the solar cell or the
wind force electric power generation) utilizing the
renewable energy.
The present disclosure contains subject matter
related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent
Application JP 2012-087378 and JP 2012-220150 filed in
the Japan Patent Office on April 6, 2012 and October 2,
2012, respectively, the entire content of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.

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WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. An electric power supplying apparatus
comprising:
an electric storage device; and
a control portion configured to control processing
for mixing an output from said electric storage device,
and an electric power of an external electric power
system with each other in accordance with at least one of
a peak shift command, a load electric power, and a
remaining capacity of said electric storage device,
wherein an alternating current electric power is
formed in the mixing processing.
2. The electric power supplying apparatus
according to claim 1, wherein a first threshold value is
set for the remaining capacity of said electric storage
device, and when the remaining capacity is smaller than
the first threshold value, the alternating current
electric power is formed by said external electric power
system and said electric storage device is charged by
said external electric power system.
3. The electric power supplying apparatus
according to claim 1, wherein a second threshold value is
set for the remaining capacity of said electric storage
device, and when the remaining capacity is larger than
the second threshold value, the alternating current
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electric power is formed by a mixture output of the
electric power of said external electric power system,
and the output electric power from said electric storage
device.
4. The electric power supplying apparatus
according to claim 1, wherein a threshold value is set
for a load electric power, and when the load electric
power is smaller than the threshold value, the
alternating current electric power is formed by said
external electric power system and said electric storage
device is charged by said external electric power system,
while when the load electric power is larger than the
threshold value, the alternating current electric power
is formed by a mixture output of the electric power of
said external electric power system, and the output
electric power from said electric storage device.
5. The electric power supplying apparatus
according to claim 4, wherein the threshold value for the
load electric power is set in accordance with a
contracted electric power.
6. The electric power supplying apparatus
according to claim 1,
wherein a processing portion executing the mixture
processing includes a converter converting the electric
power of said external electric power system into a
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direct current electric power and an inverter converting
a direct current electric power into an alternating
current electric power, said inverter being connected in
series with said converter;
said electric storage device is connected between
said converter and said inverter; and
an output from said converter, and the output from
said electric storage device are mixed based on a direct
current electric power.
7. The electric power supplying apparatus
according to claim 6, wherein said electric storage
device is connected between said converter and said
inverter through a charging circuit and a boosting
circuit connected in parallel with each other.
8. The electric power supplying apparatus
according to claim 1, further comprising
an inverter configured to convert the output from
said electric storage device into an alternating current
electric power,
wherein an alternating current electric power is
formed by said inverter so as to agree in frequency and
phase with the electric power of said external electric
power system, and is mixed with the electric power of
said external electric power system to be outputted.
9. An electric power supplying method comprising:
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executing processing for mixing an output from an
electric storage device, and an electric power of an
external electric power system with each other, thereby
outputting an alternating current electric power; and
controlling a mixture ratio in the mixing
processing in accordance with at least one of a peak
shift command, a load electric power, and a remaining
capacity of said electric storage device.
10. The electric power supplying method according
to claim 9, wherein the mixture ratio is controlled in
accordance with the peak shift command.
11. An inverter, wherein a direct current electric
power formed from an electric power of an external
electric power system, and a direct current electric
power from an electric storage device are mixed with each
other, and a resulting electric power is supplied to said
inverter, thereby forming an alternating current electric
power.
12. An electric vehicle comprising:
a converter configured to receive an electric power
from an electric storage device, and convert the electric
power into a driving force for said electric vehicle; and
a controller configured to execute information
processing about vehicle control based on information on
said electric storage device.
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wherein said electric vehicle executes mixing
processing for mixing an output from said electric
storage device, and an electric power of an external
electric power system with each other, thereby outputting
an alternating current electric power, and controls a
mixture ratio in the mixing processing in accordance with
a load electric power, and a remaining capacity of said
electric storage device.
13. An electric power supplying apparatus
comprising:
a connecting portion Configured to connect an
external electric power system and an electric power
generating apparatus to each other;
an electric storage device; and
a control portion configured to control processing
for mixing an output from said electric power generating
apparatus, an output from said electric storage device,
and an electric power of said external electric power
system with one another in accordance with at least one
of a peak shift command, a load electric power, and a
remaining capacity of said electric storage device,
wherein an alternating current electric power is
formed in the mixing processing.
14. The electric power supplying apparatus
according to claim 13,
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wherein a processing portion configured to execute
the mixture processing includes a converter converting
the electric power of said external electric power system
into a direct current electric power, and an inverter
configured to convert a direct current electric power
into an alternating current electric power, said inverter
being connected in series with said converter;
said electric power generating apparatus and said
electric storage device are connected in parallel with
each other between said converter and said inverter; and
an output from said converter, an output from said
electric power generating apparatus, and the output from
said electric storage device are mixed with one another
based on a direct current electric power.
15. The electric power supplying apparatus
according to claim 13,
wherein said electric storage device is charged by
an electric power of said electric power generating
apparatus; and
when the electric power of said electric power
generating apparatus is larger than a maximum charging
electric power of said electric storage device, a surplus
electric power is subjected to reverse electric power
flow.
16. The electric power supplying apparatus
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according to claim 13, further comprising
a charging portion configured to charge said
electric storage device by an electric power of said
electric power generating apparatus,
wherein the control is carried out in such a way
that when an electric power on a load side is equal to or
larger than a predetermined value, the electric power
used to charge said electric storage device is reduced.
17. The electric power supplying apparatus
according to claim 13, further comprising
a charging portion configured to charge said
electric storage device by an electric power of said
electric power generating apparatus,
wherein almost all the electric power of said
electric power generating apparatus is subjected to
reverse electric power flow to said external electric
power system by said charging portion.
18. The electric power supplying apparatus
according to claim 13, wherein a threshold value is set
for a load electric power, and when the load electric
power is smaller than the threshold value, the
alternating current electric power is formed by the
electric power of said external electric power system and
the electric power of said electric power generating
apparatus, and said electric storage device is charged by
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the electric power of said external electric power system
and the electric power of said electric power generating
apparatus, while when the load electric power is larger
than the threshold value, the alternating current
electric power is formed by a mixture output of the
electric power of said external electric power system,
and the output electric power from said electric storage
device.
19. The electric power supplying apparatus
according to claim 13, wherein when said external
electric power system is absent, a total electric power
of the electric power of said electric power generating
apparatus, and the electric power of said electric
storage device is set as the alternating current electric
power.
20. An electric vehicle comprising:
a converter configured to receive an electric power
from an electric storage device, and convert the electric
power into a driving force for said electric vehicle; and
a controller configured to execute information
processing about vehicle control based on information on
said electric storage device,
wherein said electric vehicle executes processing
for mixing an output from an electric power generating
apparatus, an output from said electric storage device.
.. • SP337000 •
' -. ' 104 • -
and an electric power of an external electric power
system with one another, thereby outputting an • •
alternating current electric power, and controls a
mixture ratio in the mixing processing in accordance with
a load electric-power, and a remaining capacity of said. .
electric storage device.