Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power budget
control device configured to, if the power supply amount of
a power supplying facility is determined to be smaller than
the total power consumption amount of a plurality of house
groups, disconnect power supply routes leading to one or
more house groups in a predetermined sequence.
Background of the Invention
A diesel generator or a photovoltaic generator has
been conventionally used as a power generation means in an
area where it is difficult to draw a H1gh-voltage line from
a power plant or in an area where it is difficult to draw a
low-voltage line from a H1gh-voltage line.
However, a power generation facility such as a diesel
generator or a photovoltaic generator and a power storage
facility such as a battery for storing the electric power
generated from the power generation facility have
limitations in the power generation capacity or the power
storage capacity thereof. This poses a problem in that it
is hard to supply a sufficient amount of electric power to
the entire power consuming area.
In the event that the power supply amount which can be
supplied by the power generation facility and the power
storage facility becomes smaller than the total power
consumption amount in the power consuming area, there may
occur a situation that the power consuming area suffers from
power outage.
As stated above, a small-sized power generation
facility such as a diesel generator or a photovoltaic
generator and a power storage facility for storing the
electric power generated from the power generation facility
have limitations in the power generation capacity or the
power storage capacity thereof. This makes it difficult to
supply a sufficient amount of electric power to the whole
power consuming area. If the power supply amount falls
short, power outage may be generated in the whole power
consuming area. This may cause inconvenience to all the
dwellers in the power consuming area.
Summary of the Invention
In view of the above, the present invention provides a
power budget control apparatus capable of preventing all the
house groups from simultaneously undergoing power outage
even when the power supply amount becomes smaller than the
power consumption amount.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention,
there is a power budget control apparatus, including: a
power measuring unit for measuring electric power inputted
through a power input route extending from a power supplying
facility and electric power supplied through power supply
routes leading to a plurality of house groups; a memory unit
for storing data including power data on the electric power
consumed by the house groups in the past; and a control unit
for disconnecting the power supply routes in a predetermined
sequence if it is determined, based on the electric powers
measured by the power measuring unit and the power data
stored in the memory unit and a power supply amount of the
power supplying facility, that the power supply amount of
the power supplying facility is smaller than a power
consumption amount of the house groups.
The power budget control apparatus may include a
communication unit for receiving information on the power
supply amount from the power supplying facility.
The control unit may be configured to estimate the
power supply amount by simulation.
The memory unit may be configured to store weighted
values applied to the house groups and the control unit is
configured to adjust time periods for disconnection of the
power supply routes depending on the weighted values.
The control unit may be configured to calculate
required outage time periods for the house groups, prepare
an power outage schedule based on the number of the power
supply routes and the required outage time periods and
disconnect the power supply routes according to the power
outage schedule.
The memory unit may be configured to store the
frequency of power outages occurring in addition to the
power outage performed according to the power outage
schedule and the control unit is configured to adjust the
required outage time periods depending on the frequency of
the power outages.
The control unit may be configured to change the
predetermined sequence if one of the house groups is
repeatedly subjected to power outage in the same time slot
for a predetermined time period.
The control unit may be configured to prepare the power
outage schedule so that a consecutive outage time period of
each of the house groups does not exceed a predetermined
maximum consecutive outage time period.
The control unit may be configured to prepare the power
outage schedule so that the power outage schedule has a
concentration time slot during which the electric power is
supplied to all the house groups.
The control unit may be configured to previously notify
dwellers in the house groups of imminent power outage prior
to disconnecting the power supply routes.
In the power budget control apparatus according to the
present invention, the power supply routes leading to the
house groups are disconnected in a predetermined sequence,
if such a need arises. This makes it possible to prevent
all the house groups from simultaneously undergoing power
outage which may otherwise be caused by the shortage in the
power supply amount.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description of
embodiments, given in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a power supply
system according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
Figs. 2A and 2B are views for explaining the power
outage performed according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a power supply system
according to a second embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a power supply system
according to a third embodiment;
Fig. 5 is a table showing examples of weighted values
applied to four house groups in accordance with a fourth
embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a table showing a power outage schedule
which can be executed according to a fifth embodiment;
Fig. 7 is a table showing a power outage schedule
which can be executed according to a sixth embodiment in
the event that the respective house groups differ in
average outage time from one another;
Fig. 8 is a table showing an example of a power outage
schedule which can be executed according to a seventh
embodiment in the event that the number of house groups is
four and the required outage time period per house group is
six hours;
Fig. 9 is a table showing a power outage schedule
according to the seventh embodiment, in which schedule the
required outage time periods of the respective house groups
are changed under the same conditions as shown in Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a table showing a power outage schedule
which can be executed according to an eighth embodiment in
the event that the number of house groups is three and the
required outage time period per house group is eight hours;
and
Fig. 11 is a table showing a power outage schedule
according to the eighth embodiment, in which schedule the
maximum consecutive outage time period is set equal to two
hours in the event that the required outage time period per
house group is eight hours as in the schedule shown in Fig.
10.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will
now be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. Identical
or similar components throughout the drawings will be
designated by like reference symbols and redundant
description thereof will be omitted.
(First Embodiment)
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a power supply
system according to a first embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the power supply system of
the first embodiment includes a power supplying facility 10
and a power budget control apparatus 20. The power budget
control apparatus 20 includes a power measuring unit 21, a
memory unit 22, a control unit 23 and a remote switching
unit 24.
The power supplying facility 10 is configured to
include a power generation facility such as a diesel
generator or a photovoltaic generator and a power storage
facility for storing the electric power generated by the
power generation facility. The power supplying facility 10
serves to supply electric power to the power budget control
apparatus 20.
The power measuring unit 21 is configured to measure
the electric power inputted through a power input route
extending from the power supplying facility 10 and the
electric power supplied through power supply routes leading
to a plurality of (m) house groups H1 through Hm. The
electric power thus measured is stored in the memory unit
22 to be described later. In this regard, each of the
house groups includes a single house or a plurality of (n)
houses.
The memory unit 22 is configured to store setting
values such as an outage execution sequence in which to
perform power outage with respect to the house groups and
data on the available electric power of the power supplying
facility 10.
The control unit 23 reads the data on the available
electric power of the power supplying facility 10 from the
memory unit 22 and reads the current power consumption
amount of each of the house groups H1 through Hm from the
power measuring unit 21. Moreover, the control unit 23
compares the power supply amount of the power supplying
facility 10 with the total power consumption amount of the
house groups H1 through Hm and determines whether the power
supply amount is smaller than the total power consumption
amount.
If the power supply amount of the power supplying
facility 10 is determined to be smaller than the total
power consumption amount of the house groups H1 through Hm,
the control unit 23 sequentially disconnects the power
supply route leading to selected ones of the house groups
and performs power outage with respect to the selected
house groups.
In this regard, the control unit 23 refers to the
outage execution sequence of the house groups stored in the
memory unit 22 and disconnects the power supply route
pursuant to the outage execution sequence. In case where
the power supply amount of the power supplying facility 10
is determined to be quite smaller than the total power
consumption amount of the house groups H1 through Hm, the
control unit 2 3 can simultaneously disconnect the power
supply routes leading to two or more house groups.
Under the control of the control unit 23, the remote
switching unit 2 4 connects or disconnects the power supply
routes leading to the respective house groups H1 through
Hm.
Figs. 2A and 2B are views for explaining the power
outage performed according to the first embodiment in the
event that the power generation amount of the power
supplying facility 10 is 2 kW per hour and the respective
house groups differ in power consumption amount per hour
from one another.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2A and 2B, the power measuring
unit 21 measures the total sum (4 kW) of the power amounts
used in all the house groups for a specified time period
(e.g., one hour). Since the total sum (4 kW) of the power
amounts thus measured is larger than the available power
amount (2 kW per hour in Figs. 2A and 2B) of the power
supplying facility 10 stored in the memory unit 22, the
control unit 23 controls the remote switching unit 24 to
disconnect the power supply routes leading to the selected
house groups, thereby performing power outage with respect
to the selected house groups so that the power consumption
amount can be smaller than the power supply amount.
After a predetermined time period (e.g., one hour) has
lapsed from the initiation of the power outage, the control
unit 2 3 controls the remote switching unit 24 to connect
the power supply route and to disconnect the power supply
route leading to other selected house groups.
By disconnecting the power supply routes in sequence,
it is possible to maintain the balance between power
consumption and power supply while minimizing the
inconvenience which may be caused to the dwellers of the
respective house groups.
Even if the house groups differ in power consumption
amount from one another, the power supply routes can be
disconnected in the above-described manner.
For example, if the information on the maximum power
consumption amount of the house groups is stored in the
memory unit 22, the power consumption amount of the
respective house groups H1 through Hm is usually smaller
than the maximum power consumption amount. In view of
this, by considering about 20% of the available power
supply amount of the power supplying facility 10 as a
safely margin power, the control unit 23 can control the
remote switching unit 24 to disconnect the power supply
routes in sequence so that the maximum power consumption
amount of the house groups can be equal to or smaller than
12 0% of the available power supply amount of the power
supplying facility 10.
Referring to Fig. 2A, the maximum power consumption
amount (estimated value) of the house groups 1 through 6 is
4 kW which is far greater than 2 kW, the available power
supply amount of the power supplying facility 10. In this
case, there is a need to disconnect the power supply routes
leading to the house groups 1 through 3 so that the maximum
power consumption amount at the demand side can be equal to
or smaller than 2.4 kW, 12 0% of the available power supply
amount of the power supplying facility 10. Since the total
maximum power consumption amount of the house groups 1
through 3 is 2.1 kW, the power consumption amount at the
demand side becomes equal to or smaller than 2.4 kW upon
disconnecting the power supply routes leading to the house
groups 1 through 3.
Referring to Fig. 2B, if the power supply routes
leading to the house groups 1 through 3 are disconnected by
the power budget control apparatus 20 of the first
embodiment, the maximum power consumption amount at the
demand side becomes 1.9 kW which is smaller than 2.4 kW.
After a predetermined outage time period (e.g., one
hour) has lapsed, the power supply routes leading to the
house groups 4 and 5 are disconnected and the power supply
routes leading to the house groups 1 through 3 are
connected so that, for the next one hour, the maximum power
consumption amount at the demand side can be equal to or
smaller than 12 0% of the available power supply amount of
the power supplying facility 10. In the event that the
maximum power consumption amount at the demand side does
not become equal to or smaller than 120% of the available
power supply amount of the power supplying facility 10
despite the disconnection of the power supply routes
leading to the house groups 4 and 5, it is necessary to
disconnect the power supply route leading to the house
group 6.
With the present embodiment, the power supply routes
leading to the respective house groups H1 through Hm are
disconnected in a predetermined sequence. Accordingly,
even if power shortage occurs in the power supplying
facility 10, it is possible to avoid a situation that all
the house groups suffer from power outage at the same time.
In this regard, the sequence may be set in the order of ID
numbers allotted to the respective house groups H1 through
Hm.
(Second Embodiment)
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a power supply system
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in
that the power budget control apparatus 2 0 further includes
a communication unit 25 for directly receiving information
on the power supply amount from the power supplying
facility 10.
Referring to Fig. 3, the power supply system of the
second embodiment includes a power supplying facility 10
and a power budget control apparatus 20. The power budget
control apparatus 20 includes a power measuring unit 21, a
memory unit 22, a control unit 23, a remote switching unit
24 and the communication unit 25.
The power measuring unit 21, the memory unit 22, the
control unit 23 and the remote switching unit 2 4 of the
present embodiment have the same functions as the functions
of those in the first embodiment.
The communication unit 25 acquires the information on
the power supply amount of the power supplying facility 10
by making periodic communication with the power supplying
facility 10. Accordingly, the power budget control
apparatus 20 of the second embodiment can accurately grasp
the power supply amount of the power supplying facility 10
through the use of the communication unit 25. This makes
it possible to prevent the house groups H1 through Hm from
suffering from power outage at the same time due to the
power shortage at the supply side.
(Third Embodiment)
Fig. 4 shows a power supply system according to a
third embodiment of the present invention. In the present
embodiment, the power supply amount is estimated by
simulation. Unlike the second embodiment, there is no need
to employ the communication unit 25.
Referring to Fig. 4, the power supply system of the
third embodiment includes a power supplying facility 10 and
a power budget control apparatus 20. The power budget
control apparatus 20 includes a power measuring unit 21, a
memory unit 22, a control unit 23, a remote switching unit
2 4 and a weather estimating device 26.
The power measuring unit 21, the memory unit 22, the
control unit 23 and the remote switching unit 2 4 of the
present embodiment have the same functions as the functions
of those in the first embodiment. The weather estimating
device 2 6 can be independently provided outside the power
budget control apparatus 20.
With the present embodiment, the power supply amount
measured by the power measuring unit 21 and the weather
information are stored in the memory unit 22.
Upon acquiring estimated weather information from the
weather estimating device 2 6, the control unit 23 searches
the memory unit 22 to find out the same weather as the
estimated weather from the past weather information stored
in the memory unit 22. Based on the power generation
amount in the estimated weather, the control unit 23
estimates the power supply amount in the future.
More specifically, if the information on the estimated
tomorrow weather is inputted into the power budget control
apparatus 20 from the weather estimating device 26, the
control unit 23 searches the memory unit 22 to find out the
same weather as the estimated tomorrow weather from the
past weather information stored in the memory unit 22. The
control unit 23 reads the power generation amount in the
estimated tomorrow weather from the memory unit 22. Based
on the power generation amount in the estimated tomorrow
weather, the control unit 23 controls the power supply
amount to the house groups H1 through Hm.
The weather estimating device 26 may estimate the
weather by detecting the varying physical quantity from the
weather information such as the atmospheric pressure and
the like.
(Fourth Embodiment)
The power budget control apparatus 2 0 of the present
embodiment can vary the outage time depending on the power
supply routes leading to the respective house groups H1
through Hm. In other words, different weighted values are
applied to the power supply routes and are stored in the
memory unit 22. The outage time is adjusted pursuant to
the weighted values stored in the memory unit 22. In this
regard, the weighted values can be decided by the power
consumption amounts and the billing amounts of the
respective house groups H1 through Hm.
With the fourth embodiment, the outage time of the
respective house groups H1 through Hm can be changed
pursuant to the weighted values. Accordingly, it is
possible to supply electric power in conformity with the
dwelling situations in the respective house groups H1
through Hm.
Fig. 5 is a table showing examples of weighted values
applied to four house groups in accordance with the fourth
embodiment. Referring to Fig. 5, the weighted values can
be set such that the weighted value of the house group 1
becomes equal to 1, the weighted value of the house group 2
becomes equal to 1, the weighted value of the house group 3
becomes equal to 2 and the weighted value of the house
group 4 becomes equal to 2. For example, if the available
power supply amount of the power supplying facility 10 is 3
kW and if the power consumption amount of each of the house
groups measured by the power measuring unit 21 is 1 kW,
there occurs shortage in the power supply amount. In case,
the outage time is set equal to one hour to solve the
problem of shortage in the power supply amount, the house
group 1 is subjected to power outage for the first one
hour. The house group 2 is subjected to power outage for
the next one hour. Since the weighted value of the house
group 3 is equal to 2, the house group 3 can be subjected
to power outage for two hours. Similarly, the house group
4 can be subjected to power outage for two hours because
the weighted value of the house group 4 is equal to 2.
(Fifth Embodiment)
In the power budget control apparatus 2 0 of the
present embodiment, the power supply amount of the power
supplying facility 10 for a specified time period is
compared with the power consumption amount of the house
groups H1 through Hm for the specified time period. If it
is expected that power shortage occurs in the future, a
power outage schedule is prepared so that the power
shortage should not cause power outage in the whole house
groups. In this regard, the power outage schedule is
prepared based on the number of the power supply routes
leading to the house groups H1 through Hm and the required
outage time periods for the respective power supply routes.
In addition, the required outage time periods are
calculated using the deficient power amount, which is
calculated based on the power supply amount and the power
consumption amount, and the number of the power supply
routes.
With the fifth embodiment, the power outage is
deliberately performed using the power outage schedule.
This enables the dwellers of the respective house groups H1
through Hm to know the scheduled outage time in advance.
If the required outage time periods for the respective
power supply routes are increased due to the power supply
shortage when preparing the power outage schedule based on
the number of the power supply routes and the required
outage time periods for the respective power supply routes
in the fifth embodiment, one or more house groups are
consecutively subjected to power outage in a specified time
slot.
The outage time can be calculated as follows. First,
it is assumed that the required outage time periods for the
respective house groups are equal to one another. If there
is established an inequality mxts, a "p" value is calculated using an
equation (mxt-s)/m=p (where "p" is a round-up integer).
The respective house groups are subjected to power outage
for the time period "t" from the outage initiation time
point, in which case the power outage needs to be performed
with an overlap for the time period "p" between one house
group and another house group.
Fig. 6 shows a power outage schedule that can be
executed in the event that the number of house groups is 7,
the required outage time period for each of the house
groups is four hours and the unit time number for one day
is 24. Referring to Fig. 6, the p value is equal to 1
because there is established an inequality 4x7>24.
Assuming that the outage initiation time point is 0 o'clock
as shown in Fig. 6, power outage is performed on a four-
hour basis from 0 o'clock with an overlap of one hour
existing between the power outage of one house group and
the power outage of another house group. In this manner,
it is possible to prepare a suitable power outage schedule.
Next, if the required outage time periods for the
respective house groups differ from one another, the
necessity of overlapping power outage • and the time for
overlapping power outage can be determined and calculated
using the total sum St (m) of the required outage time
periods t (m) of the respective house groups in place of
mxt.
Fig. 7 shows a power outage schedule that can be
executed in the event that the number of house groups is 5,
the required outage time periods t1, t2, t3, t4 and t5 for
the respective house groups are 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the unit
time number for one day is 2 4 and the maximum consecutive
outage time is two hours. Since there is established an
inequality St(m)=30>s=24, the p value can be represented by
an equation p=St(m)/s=l.2. Thus the round-up p value is
equal to 2. Assuming that the outage initiation time point
is 0 o'clock as shown in Fig. 7, power outage for two
hours, the maximum consecutive outage time, is cyclically
performed with respect to the respective house groups from
0 o'clock. Pursuant to the p value, the power outage is
performed with an overlap of two hours existing between the
power outage of one house group and the power outage of
other house groups. This makes it possible to prepare a
power outage schedule so that the power outage can be
cyclically performed until the required outage time periods
for the respective house groups are satisfied.
(Sixth Embodiment)
The power budget control apparatus 2 0 according to the
present embodiment is configured to adjust the outage time
periods of the respective house groups by reflecting the
frequency of the power outage occurring in addition to the
power outage performed according to the power outage
schedule prepared in the fifth embodiment. In case of the
fifth embodiment, the power supply amount of the power
supplying facility 10 for a specified time period is
compared with the power consumption amount of the house
groups H1 through Hm for the specified time period. If it
is expected that power shortage occurs in the future, a
power outage schedule is prepared so that the power
shortage should not cause power outage in the whole house
groups. However, if the power supply amount falls short
despite the power outage performed according to the power
outage schedule of the fifth embodiment, there is a need to
perform the power outage in the same sequence as in the
first embodiment.
In case where the frequency of the power outage
pursuant to the sequence of the first embodiment occurring
in addition to the power outage performed according to the
power outage schedule is H1gh, the outage time periods for
one or more house groups are increased. If the power
outage other than the power outage performed according to
the power outage schedule does not occur for a specified
time period, it can be determined that the electric power
supplied by the power supplying facility 10 is larger than
the electric power consumed by the house groups. In this
case, it is preferable to reduce the outage time periods
for one or more house groups.
With the sixth embodiment, it is possible to easily
and optimally adjust the required outage time periods
without having to change the power outage schedule in
response to the power supply-consumption fluctuation caused
by, e.g., the seasonal change, the increase of household
appliances at the demand side or the increase of the power
supply amount.
More specifically, the power budget control apparatus
20 according to the sixth embodiment can determine the
propriety of the current power outage schedule and adjust
the required outage time periods with ease without having
to calculate the outage time periods pursuant to the
weather forecast data or the small change in the power
supply/consumption amounts.
For example, if the power outage performed by the
forced disconnection of the power supply routes on account
of the power shortage does not occur for several
consecutive days (e.g., one week) except the three-hour
power outage for each of the house groups H1 through Hm
performed according to the power outage schedule, it is
determined that the three-hour power outage for each of the
house groups H1 through Hm will suffice in the future. In
this case, it is possible to newly prepare a power outage
schedule by which to make the required outage time period
shorter than the past one.
If the power outage performed by the forced
disconnection of the power supply routes on account of the
power shortage occurs once or a specified number of times
less than A times for several consecutive days (e.g., one
week) in addition to the power outage performed according
to the power outage schedule, it is possible to prepare a
power outage schedule by which to increase the current
cyclic outage time period for the respective house groups,
e.g., by one hour. If the power outage performed by the
forced disconnection of the power supply routes occurs A
times or more, it is determined that the power shortage
amount is increased. In this case, it is possible to
prepare a power outage schedule by which to increase the
outage time period, e.g., by two hours.
On the contrary, if the forced power outage other than
the power outage performed according to the power outage
schedule does not occur for several consecutive days (e.g.,
one week), it is possible to prepare a power outage
schedule by which to reduce the outage time period, e.g.,
by one hour.
With the sixth embodiment described above, it is
possible to prepare a power outage schedule having an
optimal required outage time period without having to
estimate the required outage time periods for the
respective house groups.
(Seventh Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the outage time periods for
the respective house groups H1 through Hm are changed if a
house group consecutively undergoes power outage in the
same time slot everyday for a specified time period.
Through this change, it is possible to prevent the
complaint of dwellers in a house group in which power
outage always occurs in the same time slot, e.g., at six
o'clock through eight o'clock, p.m..
Fig. 8 is a table showing an example of a power outage
schedule which can be executed according to the seventh
embodiment in the event that the number of house groups is
four and the required outage time period per house group is
six hours. Fig. 9 is a table showing a power outage
schedule according to the seventh embodiment, in which
schedule the required outage time periods of the respective
house groups H1 through Hm are changed under the same
conditions as shown in Fig. 8.
Referring first to Fig. 8, the house groups 1 through
4 are cyclically subjected to three-hour power outage in
sequence according to the power outage schedule shown in
Fig. 8 in the event that the number of house groups is four
and the required outage time period per house group is six
hours. With this power outage schedule, power outage
always occurs at seven o'clock through ten o'clock, p.m.,
in the house group 3. For that reason, the dwellers in the
house group 3 are unable to use electric power in the time
slot where the use of electric power is most needed.
If this phenomenon is repeated for a specified time
period, it is necessary to forcedly adjust the outage
occurrence sequence in the power outage schedule.
For example, the power outage schedule shown in Fig. 8
may be changed to the power outage schedule shown in Fig. 9
after the power outage schedule shown in Fig. 8 is
maintained for one month. With the power outage schedule
shown in Fig. 9, the outage time periods of the house group
3 are changed to, e.g., four o'clock through seven o'clock,
a.m., or four o'clock through seven o'clock, p.m.. This
makes it possible to prevent the power outage from
consistently occurring in the same time slot, e.g., at
seven o'clock through ten o'clock, p.m., as in the power
outage schedule shown in Fig. 8.
(Eighth Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the outage time slots can
be dispersed by setting a maximum consecutive outage time
period. In case of using the power outage schedule of the
fifth embodiment, one specific house group consistently
undergoes power outage in the activity time slot where an
increased amount of electric power is used. If the maximum
consecutive outage time period is set according to the
eighth embodiment, the supply of the electric power is
resumed at the end of the maximum consecutive outage time
period even when the power outage occurs in the activity
time slot. This makes it possible to prevent the
inconvenience caused by the inability to use the electric
power in the activity time slot.
Fig. 10 is a table showing an power outage schedule
which can be executed in the event that the number of house
groups is three and the required outage time period per
house group is eight hours. Fig. 11 is a table showing an
power outage schedule in which the required outage time
period per house group is eight hours as in the schedule
shown in Fig. 10 and in which the maximum consecutive
outage time period is set equal to two hours according to
the eighth embodiment.
The eight embodiment will be described in detail with
reference to Figs. 10 and 11. If the power supply amount
is small, the outage time period of each of the house
groups becomes necessarily longer.
If the power outage schedule is prepared as shown in
Fig. 10, the house group 2 undergoes power outage for eight
hours from nine o'clock, a.m., to five o'clock, p.m., which
is the main activity time slot. This necessarily causes
severe inconvenience to the dwellers in the house group 2.
In the power outage schedule shown in Fig. 11, the
required outage time period per house group is eight hours
but the maximum consecutive outage time period is set equal
to two hours. Therefore, the respective house groups H1
through Hm undergo power outage every two hours in
sequence. According to the eighth embodiment, it is
possible to disperse the outage time slots while keeping
the required outage time period per house group, eight
hours, unchanged. In the power outage schedule shown in
Fig. 10, the house group 2 is consecutively subjected to
power outage for eight hours in the activity time slot. In
the power outage schedule shown in Fig. 11, however, the
house group 2 undergoes power outage at nine o'clock
through eleven o'clock, a.m., and at three o'clock through
five o'clock, p.m. and can use electric power in other time
slots. This makes it possible to remove the inconvenience
caused to the dwellers.
(Ninth Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a power use concentration
time slot is set and stored in the memory unit 22. In the
concentration time slot, deliberate power outage is
performed by preparing a power outage schedule so that no
house group undergoes power outage and all the house groups
can use electric power in the concentration time slot.
With the present embodiment, there exists no house
group that always undergoes power outage in the morning
time slot or an evening time slot where an increased amount
of electric power is consumed by the respective house
groups. For example, the concentration time slot may be
five hours in total, including two hours from four o'clock
to six o'clock in the morning and three hours from eighteen
o'clock to twenty one o'clock in the evening.
The concentration time slot may be limited to, e.g.,
six hours in total among 24 hours of one day.
In the event that the concentration time slot is set
according to the ninth embodiment, it is preferable to
prepare a power outage schedule so that all the house
groups can use electric power in the concentration time
slot with power outage performed in the time slots other
than the concentration time slot. Deliberate power outage
is performed according to the power outage schedule thus
prepared.
(Tenth Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the imminent power outage
is notified to the dwellers of the respective house groups
H1 through Hm before the power outage is performed
according to an power outage schedule. In case of
subjecting one or more house groups to power outage, the
imminent power outage is notified to the dwellers of the
house groups a specified time earlier than the
disconnection of the power supply routes by a voice, a
siren sound, a light beam or the like so that the dwellers
in the house groups can be aware of the imminent power
outage.
With the tenth embodiment, there is provided an effect
that the dwellers in the house groups can make preparation
for the imminent power outage before the power outage is
performed.
In the event that the imminent power outage to be
performed according to the power outage schedule of the
fifth embodiment is notified by a siren sound, it is
possible to let, e.g., the dwellers of the house group 3,
know the imminent power outage by making three short siren
sounds five minutes earlier than the imminent power outage.
In case where power shortage is generated during the
scheduled power outage and the power outage of the house
group 3 according to the first embodiment is performed
instead of the scheduled power outage pursuant to the power
outage schedule, it may be possible to make one long siren
sound and then three short siren sounds five minutes
earlier than the power outage. By changing the types of
siren sounds in this manner, it is possible to notify the
dwellers of the imminent power outage and to let the
dwellers know what kind of power outage (the scheduled
power outage or the forced sequential power outage) is to
be performed and which of the house groups is to be
subjected to the power outage.
In the embodiment described above, the imminent power
outage is notified by a siren sound. Alternatively, the
notification of the imminent power outage may be made
through the use of a voice or a light beam. In the further
alternative, the imminent power outage may be notified by
sending a message to the wireless communication terminal of
the dwellers via a wireless communication network or by
sending an e-mail to the dwellers via the Internet
communication network.
The embodiments of the present invention described
above may be combined with one another. While the invention
has been shown and described with respect to the
embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
following claims.
We claim:
1. A power budget control apparatus, comprising:
a power measuring unit for measuring electric power
inputted through a power input route extending from a power
supplying facility and electric power supplied through power
supply routes leading to a plurality of house groups;
a memory unit for storing data including power data on
the electric power consumed by the house groups in the past;
and
a control unit for disconnecting the power supply
routes in a predetermined sequence if it is determined,
based on the electric powers measured by the power measuring
unit and the power data stored in the memory unit and a
power supply amount of the power supplying facility, that
the power supply amount of the power supplying facility is
smaller than a power consumption amount of the house groups.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a communication unit for receiving information on the
power supply amount from the power supplying facility.
3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit is
configured to estimate the power supply amount by
simulation.
4. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the memory unit is
configured to store weighted values applied to the house
groups and the control unit is configured to adjust time
periods for disconnection of the power supply routes
depending on the weighted values.
5. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit is
configured to calculate required outage time periods for the
house groups, prepare a power outage schedule based on the
number of the power supply routes and the required outage
time periods and disconnect the power supply routes
according to the power outage schedule.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the memory unit is
configured to store the frequency of power outages occurring
in addition to the power outage performed according to the
power outage schedule and the control unit is configured to
adjust the required outage time periods depending on the
frequency of the power outages.
7. The device of claim 5, wherein the control unit is
configured to change the predetermined sequence if one of
the house groups is repeatedly subjected to power outage in
the same time slot for a predetermined time period.
8. The device of claim 5, wherein the control unit is
configured to prepare the power outage schedule so that a
consecutive outage time period of each of the house groups
does not exceed a predetermined maximum consecutive outage
time period.
9. The device of claim 5, wherein the control unit is
configured to prepare the power outage schedule so that the
power outage schedule has a concentration time slot during
which the electric power is supplied to all the house
groups.
10. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit is
configured to previously notify dwellers in the house groups
of imminent power outage prior to disconnecting the power
supply routes.

ABSTRACT

A power budget control apparatus includes a power measuring unit for measuring electric power inputted
through a power input route extending from a power supplying facility and electric power supplied
through power supply routes leading to a plurality of house groups, a memory unit for storing data
including power data on the electric power consumed by the house groups in the past, and a control unit
for disconnecting the power supply routes in a predetermined sequence if it is determined, based on the
electric powers measured by the power measuring unit and the power data stored in the memory unit and
a power supply amount of the power supplying facility, that the power supply amount of the power
supplying facility is smaller than a power consumption amount of the house groups.