DESCRIPTION
POWER DISTRIBUTION DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for recovering electric power from a
total blackout using storage batteries and also to a technique regarding load leveling using
storage batteries.
5
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] JP-A-2009-183086 (patent literature 1) exists as a background technique for the
present technical field. In this publication, there is disclosed a technique regarding a power
supply system which provides an overall management of the ownership of a plurality of storage
10 batteries when electric power is supplied from a PHEV or the like to an electric power system
while eliminating any arbitrary decision of the owner of the storage batteries such that electric
power is supplied stably, thus securing reliability. In this publication, there is disclosed a
technique which, when electric discharging is done from a plurality of storage batteries (storage
batteries installed in an electric vehicle) to an electric power system, stabilizes the supplied
15 electric power by identifying the storage batteries installed in the electric vehicle according to
excess or deficiency of electric power and giving an instruction to stop the supply of electric
power to the electric power system by means of electric power matching means.
CITATION LIST
20 PATENT LITERATURE
[0003] Patent literature 1: JP-A-2009-183086
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
25 [0004] However, the technique of patent reference 1 assumes a condition where there are
only two values, i.e., whether identified storage batteries are used or not. To provide control
using such two values is to use 100% discharging and 0% discharging (no discharging). Such
extreme discharging control will lead to degradation of batteries such as lithium ion batteries.
30 SOLUTION TO PROBLEM
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[0005] The present application includes a plurality of means that solves the abovedescribed
problem. One example thereof solves the foregoing problem by adjusting the amount
of electric power released according to the amount of electric power stored in storage batteries.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTI5 ON
[0006] The use of the invention of the present application allows for supply of electric
power from storage batteries to a system while suppressing degradation of the storage batteries.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
10 [0007]
FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of power distribution device.
FIG. 2 is one example employing the first embodiment of power distribution
device.
FIG. 3 is one example of connection configuration on the storage battery side in
15 the power distribution device.
FIG. 4 is one example of facility configuration on the customer"s side in the power
distribution device.
FIG. 5 is one example of the configuration of a secondary storage device.
FIG. 6 is one example of flowchart of a safety checking program in the secondary
20 storage device.
FIG. 7 is one example of data obtained from storage batteries.
FIG. 8 is one example of processing of a matrix switching program in the
secondary storage device.
FIG. 9 is one example of demand variation.
25 FIG. 10 is one example of explanatory diagram of a Lagrange’s method of
undetermined multipliers.
FIG. 11A is one example of risk matrix.
FIG. 11B is one example of table showing orders of priority of loads.
FIG. 12 is one example of risk matrix.
30 FIG. 13 is one example of configuration of a secondary storage device.
FIG. 14A is one example of method of calculating a green power index.
FIG. 14B is mathematical formula (1) used in FIG. 14A.
FIG. 14C is mathematical formula (2) used in FIG. 14A.
FIG. 15 is one example of flowchart for calculation of a green power index.
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FIG. 16A is one example of input data and output data for calculation of a green
power index.
FIG. 16B is one example of input data and output data for calculation of a green
power index.
FIG. 16C is one example of input data and output data for calculation of a gree5 n
power index.
FIG. 17 is one example of data needed when electric power is bought and sold by
a customer.
FIG. 18 is a second embodiment of power distribution device.
10 FIG. 19 is an embodiment when the second embodiment of power distribution
device is actually applied.
FIG. 20 is one example of flow of processing in the second embodiment of power
distribution device.
FIG. 21 is a third embodiment of power distribution device.
15 FIG. 22 is an embodiment when the third embodiment of power distribution
device is actually applied.
FIG. 23 is one example of configuration of a secondary storage device in the third
embodiment of power distribution device.
FIG. 24 is one example of flowchart of a safety checking program in the
20 secondary storage device.
FIG. 25 is one example of processing of a matrix switching program in the
secondary storage device.
FIG. 26 is one example of accounting.
FIG. 27 is a fourth embodiment of power distribution device.
25 FIG. 28 is an embodiment when the fourth embodiment of power distribution
device is actually applied.
FIG. 29 is one example of flowchart of a safety checking program in a secondary
storage device.
FIG. 30 is one example of processing of a matrix switching program in a
30 secondary storage device.
FIG. 31 is one example of processing of a matrix switching program in a
secondary storage device.
FIG. 32 is one fourth embodiment of power distribution device.
FIG. 33 is one example of processing of a matrix switching program in a
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secondary storage device.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0008] Embodiments are hereinafter described with reference to the drawings.
5
EMBODIMENT 1
[0009] FIG. 1 is a first configuration for achieving a power distribution device of the
present invention. In the first embodiment, a system configuration has a plurality of devices
equipped with storage batteries and a plurality of consumers of electricity which are connected
10 with the power distribution device. The system configuration controls the outputs of the
storage batteries in real time following the demand from the consumers that varies from moment
to moment so as to minimize deterioration of the batteries. The power distribution device, 11,
of the present embodiment is composed of I/Fs 132 for connection with the storage batteries,
switches 131 mounted between the I/Fs and the modules of the power distribution device when
15 the storage batteries are connected, a power control module 102 for efficiently distributing
electric power discharged from the storage batteries to the load side, a DC/AC conversion
module 103 which, when the electric power delivered from the storage batteries are a DC power,
converts it into an AC power used as a general load, a starting storage battery 104 for starting up
the power distribution device even in the event of a total blackout, a CPU & memory 105 for
20 driving the power distribution device, a secondary storage device 106 in which a program and a
database for driving the power distribution device are stored, I/Fs 122 for connection with
equipment on the load side, and switches 121 disposed between the I/F of the equipment on the
load side and modules within the power distribution device. The secondary storage device 106,
CPU & memory 105, starting storage battery 104, power control module 102, DC/AC
25 conversion module 103, storage battery side switches 131, and the customer side switches 121
are connected by communication lines.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows an example in which storage batteries and customers are connected
using the power distribution device. In the present embodiment, movable electric vehicles and
plug-in hybrid vehicles are exemplified as storage batteries. Of course, stationary storage
30 batteries may be used. Any one of the storage battery side I/Fs 132 of the power distribution
device and any one of storage batteries 151-a to 151-c are connected by a cable. On the other
hand, any one of customer side I/Fs 122 and any one of customers 152-a to 152-e are connected.
Here, they can be connected in any arbitrary order on the storage battery side and on the
customer side.
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[0011] As shown in FIG. 3, in a case where the storage batteries are an electric vehicle,
there may be a control box 133 having an earth leakage breaker 135 and an overcurrent
interrupting breaker 136 between the storage batteries 151-a to 151-c and the storage battery side
I/Fs 132 of the power distribution device 11.
[0012] As shown in FIG. 4, the customers 152 connect the customer side I/5 /Fs 122 with
customer side watt-hour meters 156 using cables in order to connect the power distribution
device and the customers. In the present example, a distribution board 155 is mounted behind
the watt-hour meters 156 (on the rear side as viewed from the system) and incorporates a
contracted power circuit breaker 157, an earth leakage breaker 158, and secondary switches 159.
10 Loads are connected to the subsequent stage of the secondary switches 159 and normally
consume electric power.
[0013] Details of the secondary storage device 106 in FIG. 1 are described by referring to
FIG. 5. The secondary storage device 106 has a database 111, a matrix switching program 108,
a real time priority determining program 109, a safety checking program 107, and a charge
15 calculating program 115. As described later, information obtained from the storage batteries,
information intrinsic to the storage batteries, or the like is stored in the database 111. For a
matrix switching function, a combination of storage batteries is achieved to minimize
deterioration of the batteries when the storage batteries are discharged using real-time
information from the storage batteries. The real time priority determining program 109
20 determines the priorities of distribution to the customers depending on the types of loads of the
customers.
[0014] The operation of the power distribution device in the present embodiment is next
described. In the power distribution device, the safety checking program 107 first makes a
decision as to whether the connection of the storage batteries and the connection with the
25 customers are made correctly.
[0015] A procedure for making a decision as to whether the connection of the storage
batteries and the connection with the customers are made correctly is described by referring to
the flowchart of FIG. 6. First, at processing 341, detection is made if the storage batteries and
customers have been connected with the power distribution device. At processing 342, a check
30 is made if all the connections have ended. For this purpose, various methods can be employed.
An available typical detection method consists of using information already recorded in a
memory, the information indicating predetermined storage batteries and customers to be
connected. Another detection method is that the connecting I/Fs of the power distribution
device are all in operation. If connections have not ended, control waits until storage batteries
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and customers to be connected at 341 become connected with the power distribution device 11.
If connections have ended, control proceeds to the next processing. If storage batteries or
customers not connected at the beginning are added, control copes with the situation within the
processing of a matrix switching program (described later). After the aforementioned
connections of the storage batteries and customers have ended, at processing 343, the switche5 s
131 on the storage battery side are turned ON. Then, at processing 344, an ACK signal
indicating whether these switches have been turned ON is obtained. If ACK indicating that the
switches have been correctly turned ON is returned from the switches 131 at processing 345,
control goes to a later stage of processing 348. If an ACK signal from the switches is not
10 correctly returned, at processing 346, an instruction for disconnecting the switches 131 is issued.
At processing 347, processing for disconnecting devices connected with the downstream side of
the abnormal switch 131 is performed. If the decision at processing 345 is that there is no
abnormality, data indicating the SOH (State Of Health) value of each storage battery, SOC (State
of Charge) value, and upper and lower limits of constraints on each storage battery (maximum
15 and minimum amounts of charging electric power) is obtained from the output I/Fs 132
(processing 348). A value delivered from a controller (not shown) for the storage batteries is
used as the SOH value. If any value is not directly output from the controller for the storage
batteries, the value may be found in a simplified manner from the capacity of the storage
batteries and from the amount of electric power under a full charge condition. Furthermore,
20 regarding the SOC value, a value output from the controller for the storage batteries is used
similarly. After obtaining data, at processing 349, an instruction for trial power transmission is
sent from the CPU to the power control module 102, and a trial power transmission is carried
out. Here, the trial power transmission is effected by turning the switches 121 from OFF state
to ON state under an instruction from the CPU. During the trial power transmission, passing
25 current values and voltage values directed for the customers are measured by a sensor attached to
the switches 121. The values are stored in the database 111 in the secondary storage device 106
via communication lines. After the end of the trial power transmission, a decision is made as to
whether electrical leakage and eddy currents are produced, using values measured by the
aforementioned sensor as well as the earth leakage breaker 135 and overcurrent breaker 136
30 within FIG. 3. If it is determined at processing 351 using these values that neither electrical
leakage nor eddy current occurs and if safety is ensured, the program within the secondary
storage device 106 is executed at processing 354, thus providing control of supply and demand
of the electric power. If no safety is ensured at processing 354, it is required at processing 352
that the equipment be inspected on the storage battery side and on the customer side. At
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processing 353, a decision is made as to whether the state in which the equipment is being
inspected is in progress. When the equipment inspection ends, control returns to processing
350 and subsequent processing is continued.
[0016] One example of a database obtained from the storage batteries is shown at 140 in
FIG. 7. In the illustrated example, the data obtained from the storage batteries consists 5 ts of an
identification number 141 of each storage battery, the battery temperature 142 of each storage
battery, date and time 143 at which the data was derived, SOC 144 indicating the amount of
charging power, degree of deterioration 145 of the battery indicative of SOH, possible charging
and discharging electric power 146 indicative of a maximum electric power capable of being
10 stored in the storage battery, and a rated capacity 147. These data are output from the controller
for the storage batteries as described previously. Among these values, the battery degree of
deterioration 145 can be found from the possible charging and discharging electric power 146
and rated capacity 147. Furthermore, physical indices regarding the batteries other than
indicated in the database 140 can also be stored in the database.
15 [0017] A characteristic matrix switching function in the present embodiment is described
by referring to the flowchart of FIG. 8. When storage batteries and customers are connected
with a configuration as shown in FIG. 2, control of the storage battery outputs suffers from the
problem that they must follow rapid load variations on the customer side due to recent spread of
various kinds of domestic electrical appliances as described in the "Solution to Problem".
20 [0018] Before describing the present processing, rapid load variations on the customer
side are first described. In the graph within FIG. 9, the horizontal axis indicates elapsed time
while the vertical axis indicates the amount of load on a customer. Within intervals 401 and
403 in the figure, the load increases mildly together with minute variations and, therefore,
control presents no great problems. However, when great load variations occur as in an interval
25 402, the battery output needs to quickly follow the variations. In this case, it is technically
important what output is required from what battery in real time and whether an output is
provided in practice. Especially, in the case where the supplier power supply is a battery, if the
cost of the battery is considered, it is desired to charge and discharge the battery such that
deterioration progresses minimally. Especially, when a lithium ion battery is preserved at full
30 charge, it deteriorates severely as generally said. Furthermore, as the battery is charged and
discharged at higher temperature, the battery tends to deteriorate more quickly. Accordingly, in
order to suppress deterioration, it is necessary to minimize the time for which the battery is at
full charge and to charge and discharge the battery at somewhat low level of temperature. The
battery needs to be charged and discharged while taking account of such deterioration elements.
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Based on this way of thinking, the operation of matrix switching program 108 (one example of
processing of computation for distribution of battery outputs) enabling a selection or a
combination of storage batteries which reduces deterioration of the storage battery side even if
there is a rapid demand for electric power from the load side is described by referring back to
FIG. 5 . 8.
[0019] First, at processing 321, data about the values of SOH, SOC value, constraint
conditions, and so on shown in the database 140 and regarding the storage batteries with which
the connector is connected are obtained from the database 111. Then, at processing 322, a
check is made as to whether the number of storage batteries increases or decreases with the
10 passage of time as compared with one earlier time point of computation. If the number of
storage batteries connected with the power distribution device 11 does not vary, at processing
323, an amount of electric power demanded is obtained from a connected customer through the
output I/F 122 on the customer side of the switches 121. If there is an increase or decrease in
the number of storage batteries, updated data is again read in by processing 321 and then
15 processing 323 is performed. Then, at step 324, a maximum amount of supply is calculated
based on the SOC values and rated capacities of the connected storage batteries already obtained
from the database 111. Based on these values, at processing 325, a check is made whether
supply and demand is balanced between the storage batteries connected with the power
distribution device and the loads from customers. If the decision at processing 325 is that there
20 is no shortage, the time is reset at processing 327 and control goes to processing 328. If the
decision at processing 325 is that the supply and demand relationship of the electric power is
tight, the connected customers are asked to save on electricity at processing 326. After a power
saving requirement is made, control proceeds to processing 327. Then, at processing 328, a
check is made as to whether there is a great change in the amount of demand variation. which
25 is a parameter indicative of a great variation in the demand and which appears at processing 328
is determined prior to activation of the power distribution device. When the amount of
variation is equal to or less than , i.e., there is no rapid load variation, the deterioration factor of
each storage battery is computed based on the SOH value of each storage battery at processing
329. A parameter for determining the output is calculated based on deterioration of batteries
30 encountered in normal use. The deterioration factor of storage batteries referred to herein is a
parameter used in an economical load dispatching method that generally determines the outputs
of plural power generators while likening storage batteries shown later to power generators. It
is set using a function that reduces the output of a storage battery with increasing the parameter
value. If the decision at processing 328 is that the amount of variation in demand is greater
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than and thus there is a rapid variation, data 140 about the temperatures of the storage batteries
are obtained from the previously stored database 111. The battery deterioration factors of the
batteries are computed from the temperatures of the storage batteries in order to select storage
batteries which are at low temperatures and have relatively large capacities of electricity, thus
reducing deterioration of the storage batteries. The battery deterioration factor referred 5 d to
herein is also a parameter used to determine the amount of discharge from each storage battery
by a generally stated economical load dispatching method while likening the storage batteries to
power generators as described previously. This is set using a function that lowers the output of
each storage battery with increasing the battery temperature. Based on the parameter varied
10 whether the demand variation is large or small, computations of the outputs from batteries are
carried out at processing 331 using a Lagrange’s method of undetermined multipliers while
regarding the problem as a problem equivalent to an economical load dispatching of power
generators. An example of computations of the outputs from storage batteries using a
Lagrange"s method of undetermined multipliers in the present embodiment is given below.
15 Here, each storage battery is regarded as a power generator. A method of economical load
dispatching is applied while taking the degree of deterioration of each storage battery and the
temperatures of the storage batteries as parameters as described previously. The purpose of
using this method is to determine the outputs so as to minimize the whole deterioration of the
storage batteries while maintaining the supply and demand balance.
20 [0020] Let PL be the total load required by customers. Let P1, P2, ..., PN be the outputs
from storage batteries. The demand and supply balance is given by
[0021] [mathematical formula 1]
[mathematical formula 1] L N P P P P 1 2 (where N is the number of
storage batteries)
25 [0022] Therefore, letting F be the degree of deterioration (deterioration factor) of each
storage battery, the total battery deterioration factor f is given by
[0023] [mathematical formula 2]
[mathematical formula 2] N N f F P F P  F P 1 1 2 2
[0024] The problem is to find the outputs of storage batteries minimizing f. If this is
30 solved by a Lagrange’s method of undetermined multipliers, an optimum storage battery output
distribution is determined by the following equation (FIG. 10).
[0025] [mathematical formula 3]
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[mathematical formula 3]
N
N
dP
dF
dP
dF
dP
dF

2
2
1
1
[0026] After calculating the amounts of outputs from the storage batteries as described
previously, the results of computations are stored in the database 111 at processing 331. A
notice that the database has been updated is given to the power controlling function 102.
Preparations are made to control the output values of storage batteries using the compute5 d
values. A decision is made at processing 332 as to whether a constraint condition, e.g., the
capacity of the connected cable is not exceeded or discharging is done beyond the performance
of each storage battery, is satisfied. That is, a decision is made at processing 332 as to whether
constraint conditions not included in the constraint conditions of the Lagrange"s method of
10 undetermined multipliers used at processing 331 are satisfied. If a violation of the constraint
conditions is found, the corresponding storage batteries are excluded at processing 333. A
check is made at processing 334 as to whether the supply of electric power is sufficient for the
demand. Then, control returns to processing 328, where the distribution of the outputs from the
storage batteries is computed. If there is no violation of the constraint conditions, a decision is
15 made at processing 336 as to whether the constraints of the upper and lower limits of the storage
batteries are satisfied. If satisfied, the SWes 131 from the storage batteries and SWes 121 to
customers" devices are controlled at processing 337. Actual electric power control is performed
through control of the power control module 102. When DC/AC conversion is needed at this
time, a signal for electric power conversion is output to the DC/AC converting function 103 such
20 that the signal is converted into a desired electric power form. When the SWes 121 to
customers" devices are controlled and when electric power is recovered, for example, from a total
blackout using the power distribution device shown in the present embodiment, if a load such as
medical devices to which electric power needs to be transmitted preferentially is included in the
customers" devices, then it is necessary to supply electric power to such a kind of loads
25 preferentially and in real time. Such a decision is carried out by a real time priority setting
function. With the real time priority setting function 108, when customers" loads are connected
via the SWes 121 and I/Fs 122, information indicating what kind of customers" devices are
connected is stored in the database 111 using a communication means such as PLC (Power Line
Communication). One example of the database is shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. In FIG. 11A
30 (data 160), data corresponding to number 161 given to a connected load, date and time 162 at
which there was a request for power transmission from the load, the type of the load 163, and a
requested amount of electric power 164 is sent from the load side. Depending on the type of
the load, an order of priority 165 is set using the function of the database 111.
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[0027] Examples of orders of priority are shown in FIG. 11B (data 166). In the present
embodiment, an example is given in which orders of priority are previously classified into three
stages: high, middle, and low stages. In the example 166, some definitions are established.
As a load of a high priority order, a medical-related load is connected, and a load activating a
device that directly affects the life support is connected. As a load of a moderate priority order5 ,
a load (e.g., a load associated with communications) is connected which sustains the
infrastructure operated with electric power and which activates a device that indirectly affects the
life support. As a load of a low priority order, a load that affects the life support with low
possibility directly or indirectly such as demand from an electric light is connected. One
10 example of method of setting these priority orders is a classification shown at 166. Besides, a
risk map can be created as shown in FIG. 12. For example, inverter loads are connected,
depending on the types of the connected loads. The frequency at which an instantaneous
outage occurs is plotted on the vertical axis. The degree to which life is endangered
concomitantly is plotted on the horizontal axis. A label sets forth a level at an intersection in
15 the map. Based on such labels, priority orders can be given. Loads are controlled based on
the priorities by issuing a control signal from a communication module and providing
intermittent or continuous control of the SWes 121 on the customer side based on the signal.
[0028] As shown thus far, a system shown in the first embodiment of the present
invention and operating to distribute electric power by connecting customers" devices and storage
20 batteries has the power control module, DC/AC conversion module, starting storage battery,
CPU& memory, secondary storage device having the matrix switching function, real time
priority selecting program, and database, I/Fs and switches for connected devices. If large
variations occur in the loads on the connected customers" devices, a discharging pattern for the
storage batteries is computed so as to minimize deterioration of the performance of the storage
25 batteries by varying the control according to the variations. Electric power can be supplied
safely and stably according to the priorities of customers" devices. Furthermore, safe electric
power, which prevents storage batteries from causing electrical leakage or eddy currents if
electrical power from a system is not supplied, can be supplied stably to the connected
customers" devices.
30
EMBODIMENT 2
[0029] In the first embodiment of the present invention, supply of electric power within a
geographical region is accomplished by causing the owners of storage batteries to offer the
storage batteries when the electric power from a system is lost due to a disaster or the like and
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providing control at that time such that deterioration of the storage batteries is reduced to a
minimum. In the present embodiment, storage batteries are discharged in such a way that
deterioration of the storage batteries is suppressed to a minimum. In addition, this embodiment
of the power distribution device is designed such that incentives offered to the owners of the
storage batteries are taken into consideration. For example, the owners of the storage batterie5 s
may experience financial benefits or electric power discharged from the storage batteries is
known as green power, i.e., containing a minimum amount of electric power derived from fossil
fuels. To achieve such incentives, in this embodiment, the secondary storage device 106 is
configured as shown in FIG. 13. In the present embodiment, an incentive calculating program
10 110 exists in the secondary storage device 106 shown in FIG. 5. The program reads in data
stored in the database 111 and stores the results of calculations in the database 111.
Conceivable incentive indices include electricity price when discharging from storage batteries is
done and electricity green index of electricity. Other incentive indices may also be used.
[0030] A method of finding an incentive index using a green electricity index as one
15 example of incentive index is described by referring to FIG. 14.
[0031] The principle on which a green electricity index is found is sought using a
sensitivity coefficient indicating to what extent does the load vary when any arbitrary one of
power generators represented as current sources is varied minutely, using an electricity equation
shown in FIG. 14B (602) when the power generator and load of a subject electric power system
20 are represented in terms of electrical currents as shown in FIG. 14A (601).
[0032] A specific method of calculation is described by referring to FIG. 15. With
respect to a green electricity index, the configuration of an electric power system or power
distribution system of a subject (not shown) is modeled into a device. Data created by the
device about this electric power system of the subject is read in at processing 651. Based on
25 this data, an admittance matrix is created at processing 652. At processing 653, a determinant
shown in FIG. 14B (formula (1)) is created. Then, at processing 654, bus voltages occurring
when only one current source out of the plural power generator nodes is mounted is calculated.
At processing 655, tidal state of current generated by each power supply is calculated using the
bus voltages and admittance matrix. Finally, at processing 656, distribution of load from the
30 kth power generator to bus line i is calculated using FIG. 14C (formula (2)) from the currents and
bus voltages. A CO2-derived amount at each load, i.e., a green electricity index, is found by
multiplying the found electricity derivation of the power generator by a CO2 exhaust factor
defined for each type of power generation. One example of input data necessary to find a green
electricity index is shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 16A (data 701) shows the end points and starting
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points of connections of power transmission lines, power distribution lines, and transformers that
are known as branches of an electric power system from which a green electricity index should
be found, as well as their parameters. The resistive components, inductive components, and
capacitive components of the branches and tap ratios (in a case where each branch is a tap) are
shown as examples. As another example of input data, a data example showing 5 power
generator outputs, known as nodes, and amounts of electricity consumption of loads is shown at
702. FIG. 16B (data 702) shows examples of data consisting of facility names of nodes, a flag
indicating whether it is a power generator node, a specified value of voltage, initial value of
voltage needed because a computation of a green electricity index uses a method of tidal stream
10 calculation employing a general Newton method and thus repetitive calculation is used.
Furthermore, other examples of data are shown. These are a specified amount of generated
electricity of active power (PG) for each node, a specified amount of generated electricity of
reactive power (QG), a specified amount of load of the active power (PL), a specified amount of
load of the reactive power (QL), and an amount of introduced phase modifiers (such as static
15 capacitors and shunt reactors). By using these input data, in the processing for calculating a
green power index, the green power index can be found by converting into a green power index
of each power generator and classifying the indices into fossil fuel electric power generation and
renewal energy-derived as shown in the example of FIG. 16C (data 703).
[0033] Electricity price is shown as an incentive index in FIG. 17. The database 702 is
20 composed of customer name, an amount of electricity purchased in a case where battery storages
are charged, the amount being previously determined among customers managed by a power
distribution device and the owners of the storage batteries, a unit price of purchased electricity,
an amount of electricity sold in a case where discharging is done from the storage batteries, a
unit price of electricity purchased, and a transaction period. Of course, additional items may be
25 added to the shown example. Also, some items may be omitted.
[0034] The incentive calculating program has a function of synthesizing such incentive
indices into one parameter. A parameter referred to herein synthesizes a function indicative of
the degree of deterioration of each battery in the matrix switching program using the
aforementioned Lagrange’s method of undetermined multipliers.
30 [0035] [mathematical formula 4]
[mathematical formula 4] The function is given by
deterioration ,greenlevel ,price , i i i i F P G P P P
deterioration(Pi): deterioration factor of storage battery i
greenlevel(Pi): green power level factor of storage battery i
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price(Pi): price of electricity purchased and sold for storage battery i
[0036] The result of the synthesis is stored in the database 111. For other processing,
when the matrix switching program in the first embodiment is executed, mathematical formulas
2 and 3 in the first embodiment may be calculated while using the function of the abovedescribed
mathematical formula 4 as a deterioration factor for storage batteries. Of course5 ,
when the number of incentive indices is increased or reduced and the matrix switching program
is executed, a discharging pattern of storage batteries can be computed so as to maximize the
incentive to the owners of storage batteries while suppressing the deterioration of performance of
the storage batteries to a minimum by varying the function of the above-described mathematical
10 formula 4 and, if great variations occur in the loads of the connected customers" devices, by
varying the control according to the produced variations.
[0037] As shown thus far, a system shown in the second embodiment of the present
invention and operating to distribute electric power by connecting customers" devices and storage
batteries has the power control module, DC/AC conversion module, starting storage batteries,
15 CPU& memory, secondary storage device having the matrix switching program, real time
priority selecting program, incentive calculating program and database, I/Fs and switches for
connected devices. If large variations occur in the loads on the connected customers" devices, a
discharging pattern for the storage batteries is computed so as to maximize the incentive to the
owners of the storage batteries while suppressing deterioration of the performance of the storage
20 batteries to a minimum by varying the control according to the variations. Electric power can
be supplied safely and stably according to the priorities of customers" devices. Furthermore,
safe electric power, which prevents storage batteries from causing electrical leakage or eddy
currents if electrical power from a system is not supplied, can be supplied stably to the connected
customers" devices.
25
EMBODIMENT 3
[0038] In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, supply of electric
power within a geographic region of interest is achieved if the electric power from a system is
lost due to a disaster or the like by causing the owners of storage batteries to offer the storage
30 batteries and providing control such that deterioration of the storage batteries is minimized and
the incentive is maximized at this time. In the first and second embodiments, a power
distribution device judges the connections between the storage batteries and customers and
controls the storage batteries such that deterioration of the storage batteries is minimized or the
incentive that the owners of the storage batteries want is maximized without external triggers.
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In contrast, in the present embodiment, or the third embodiment of the present invention, storage
batteries are controlled by an external trigger.
[0039] FIG. 18 shows an example of configuration of a power distribution device that
achieves the above-described function of the present embodiment. The difference of the power
distribution device, 12, in FIG. 18 with FIG. 1 is that there is provided an externa5 l
communication device 112. The external communication module 112 is connected with an
external network, receives a control instruction signal from the outside, executes a program
within a secondary storage device according to the state of the signal, transfers the calculated
control value to a power control module, and distributes electric power between storage batteries
10 and equipment creating a demand.
[0040] FIG. 19 shows an example of control using the present embodiment. One series
of power generators in a general, well-known power generation plant is indicated by 801-a to
801-c. The body of a power generator is indicated by 811. Indicated by 812 is an auxiliary
electric motor. Indicated by 806 are portions referred to as auxiliary machinery. Indicated by
15 815 is central equipment of the power generation plant. Indicated by 12 is the power
distribution device in the present embodiment. 12 and 815 are connected by a network 816.
An I/F 122 on the customer side within the power distribution device is connected to the rear
stage of a switch located in a stage preceding the auxiliary machinery 806 of each power
generation plant. The auxiliary machinery operates in lieu of a power supply for activating the
20 power generation plant 811 and acts to supply electric power. Because of this configuration, if
the electric power system causes a blackout due to a disaster or the like, the time taken to cold
start the power generators can be shortened. Generally, if the electric power system causes a
blackout, all the power generation plants come to a stop, and electric power supplied is not
available, then the circumstances of the facilities are checked. Then, electric power is
25 generated by natural energy such as by hydropower generation. The electric power is
transmitted to a power generation plant, thus activating the auxiliary 812 in the power generation
plant. This starts the auxiliary machinery 806. The power generator 811 is activated by the
produced electric power. This series of works is time consuming. Therefore, to hasten
recovery of the power generation plant, the auxiliary machinery in the power generation plant is
30 quickly activated with electric power from the power distribution device using storage batteries.
The electricity infrastructure can be quickly recovered.
[0041] The flow of processing in the present embodiment is described by referring to
FIG. 20. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that storage batteries are an electric vehicle.
When a blackout occurs and a complete electrical outage takes place, the central equipment 815
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issues a request for supply of electric power to the electric vehicles 151. A notice of the request
for supply of electric power is given to a previously registered user of the vehicle via a
navigation system or via a mobile terminal (1201). The user of the electric vehicle sends a
notice indicating whether or not this request is accepted to the central equipment 815 (1202).
At the same time, the user of the electric vehicle who complies with the request connects 5 ts the
electric vehicle with the power distribution device (1203). After a lapse of a given time, the
power distribution device 12 sends a signal indicative of completion of the connection of the
electric vehicle to the central equipment (1204). If the connection of the electric vehicle can be
checked in the central equipment 815, the central equipment 815 checks the operation of
10 switches 121 and 131 of the power distribution device (1205). A decision is made depending
on whether there is a response by transmitting a signal to each switch. The power distribution
device 12 sends an operation checking signal to the central equipment 815 (1206). The central
equipment senses whether the power distribution device operates normally. On the other hand,
the power distribution device 12 transmits a signal for asking for acquisition of information
15 about the storage batteries shown in FIG. 7 to the controller for the storage batteries which are
installed in the connected electric vehicle (1207). After the power distribution device 12
obtains information about the storage batteries from the controller for the storage batteries
(1209), the central equipment 815 transmits an amount of electricity required by the auxiliary
machinery to the power distribution device 12 (1209). Based on data collected at 1208 and
20 1209, the power distribution device 12 makes a decision as to whether there is a strained supply
and demand relationship with the storage batteries connected with the auxiliary machinery 806.
The result is transmitted to the central equipment 815 (1210). Based on the result, the central
equipment 815 sends an instruction to the power distribution device to start a trial transmission
of electricity (1211). The power distribution device 12 receiving the signal turns ON the I/F
25 switches 131 for the electric vehicle and the I/F switch 121 for the auxiliary machinery of the
power generator, thus carrying out the trial transmission of electricity (1212, 1213). After the
execution of the trial transmission of electricity, the power distribution device 12 receives an
ACK signal from the electric vehicles 151 and auxiliary machinery 806 to know whether the
transmission has been performed normally (1214, 1215). At the same time, the switches 121
30 and 131 are turned OFF. If ACK returns normally, the central equipment 815 issues an
instruction for starting control to the power distribution device (1216). If this signal is received
by the power distribution device 12, the switches 131 being I/Fs for the electric vehicle and the
switches 121 being I/Fs for the auxiliary machinery are turned ON (1217, 1218). Transmission
of electricity is carried out (1219). Here, transmission of electricity is performed using the
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matrix switching program shown in the first and second embodiments. The real time priority
determining program executes the program by making identical the priorities of all units of
auxiliary machinery. When a given time has passed, when the electric power from the storage
batteries have fallen below a given level, or when the electric power is recovered, the central
equipment 815 transmits an instruction for ending the control to the power distribution 5 on device 12
(1220). The power distribution device 12 receiving this signal turns OFF the switches 121 and
131 (1221, 1222). Then, the central equipment 815 gives an instruction for transmitting
information about the amount of electricity released from the electric vehicles 151 to the power
distribution device 12 as ending processing (1223). After obtaining the information (1224), the
10 data is stored in the database within the central equipment to perform accounting or other
processing.
[0042] As shown thus far, the power distribution system shown in the third embodiment
of the present invention and operating to quickly recover power generators from a blackout by
connecting the auxiliary machinery of the power generation plant and storage batteries and
15 supplying electric power to the auxiliary machinery has the power control module, DC/AC
conversion module, starting storage batteries, CPU& memory, secondary storage device having
the matrix switching program, real time priority selecting program, incentive calculating
program, and database, and I/Fs and switches for connected devices. If large variations occur in
the loads of the connected auxiliary machinery, a discharging pattern for the storage batteries is
20 computed so as to maximize the incentive to the owners of the storage batteries while
suppressing deterioration of the performance of the storage batteries to a minimum by varying
the control according to the variations. Furthermore, when electric power from the system is
not supplied due to a disaster or the like, the power generator output can be recovered quickly by
activating the auxiliary machinery of the power generators under a safe condition where the
25 storage batteries are prevented from causing electrical leakage or eddy currents. Electric power
can be supplied stably in this geographic region.
EMBODIMENT 4
[0043] In the first through third embodiments, the power distribution device controls the
30 flow of electric power in one direction between the power supply side and the consumer side via
an I/F. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, supply of electric power
is secured stably independent of external power systems by controlling the flows of electric
power in both directions between the supplier side and the consumer side.
[0044] An example of configuration of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 21.
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The power distribution device of the present embodiment interchanges electric power in real
time with minimum deterioration of the storage batteries owned by the customers between
storage batteries, for example, located below pole-mounted transformers and plural customers
having any load facility or equipped with only load facilities when supply of electric power is
totally interrupted. Alternatively, in this embodiment, if supply of electric power is not totall5 y
interrupted, electric power stored nighttime can be used in the daytime. Therefore, the
embodiment can be used for peak shifting. An example of configuration of the power
distribution device in the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 21. The power distribution
device, 13, of the present embodiment consists of I/Fs 132 for connection with customers,
10 switches 131 mounted between the I/Fs and modules of the power distribution device when
connections are made with the customers, a power control module 102 for distributing electric
power released from the storage batteries located within the customers to the load side, a DC/AC
conversion module 103 for converting electric power delivered from the storage batteries into
AC power used as a general load when the delivered electric power is AC power, a starting
15 storage battery 104 for starting the power distribution device even in the event of a total
blackout, a CPU & memory 105 for driving the power distribution device, a secondary storage
device 106 in which a program and a database for driving the power distribution device are
stored, an outage detecting sensor for detecting whether an outage occurs in an external electric
power system, and an external communication module 112 for performing communications with
20 an external communication device. The secondary storage device 106, CPU & memory 105,
starting storage batteries 104, power control module 102, DC/AC conversion module 103,
storage battery side switch 131, and outage detecting sensor 113 are connected by
communication lines.
[0045] FIG. 22 shows an example of realization using the power distribution device 13 in
25 the fourth embodiment. The power distribution device 13 juxtapositionally mounted in the
pole-mounted transformer is connected with customers by electricity distribution lines. In the
present embodiment, communication signals typified by PLC (Power Line Communication)
signals are superimposed on the distribution lines as well as electric power. The customers 152
have storage batteries. Alternatively, in the case of customers owning electric vehicles, they
30 may have the electricity meters 156 for purchase of electricity and electricity meters 161 for
selling of electricity as outdoor facilities. An indoor distribution board 155 exists as an indoor
facility. An interconnected ELB (earth leakage breaker) 162 and a control switch 163 exist as
facilities on the side of storage batteries. A controller 160 interconnects the indoor distribution
board 155 and the storage battery facilities. Electric power used indoors is coupled to branch
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breakers 159 via the contracted power circuit breaker 157 and the earth leakage breaker 158.
From here, electric power is supplied to the general load. An outage detecting sensor included
in the power distribution device 13 is monitoring the measured value of a current sensor or
power sensor secured to or in the pole-mounted transformer that is juxtapositionally mounted.
When an outage occurs, the resulting variations in the state are stored in the database 5 within the
secondary storage device of the power distribution device. At normal times, the power
distribution device 13 operates using the electric power from the electric power system. On the
other hand, when the electric power from the electric power system is interrupted, the power
distribution device is operated normally using the starting storage battery 104. As shown in
10 FIG. 23, the secondary storage device 106 has a database 111, a matrix switching program 108, a
real time priority determining program 109, an incentive calculating program 110, a load
estimating program 114, a safety checking program 107, and a charge calculating program 115.
The programs are connected with the database 111. The load estimating program is a program
which takes a moving average, for example, based on amounts of current or amounts of
15 electricity taken at regular intervals by an outage detecting sensor and is stored in the database
111 and which thus estimates future amounts of load in the geographical region to which the
present device is connected.
[0046] The contents of processing performed by the safety checking program 107 in the
present embodiment are described by referring to FIG. 24. In the safety checking program 107,
20 if the outage detecting module 113 detects generation of an outage at processing 371, a power
supply within the power distribution device is secured from a starting storage battery 104 within
the power distribution device at processing 372 in order to activate the inoperative functions of
the power distribution device. At the same time, all the switches 131 directed for customers
and connected with the power distribution device 13 are turned ON. At processing 373, a
25 check is made as to whether all the switches 131 are abnormal. If any switch is abnormal, the
corresponding switch 131 is turned OFF at processing 375. At processing 376, processing for
excluding the customer of the abnormal switch is performed. If no abnormality is found at
processing 373, a decision is made as to whether the meter 156 for purchase of electricity and the
meter 161 for selling of electricity are connected with each customer at processing 374. If there
30 is the meter for purchase of electricity, it is shown that there is equipment for supplying electric
power to the outside. Conversely, if there is no meter for selling of electricity, it can be seen
that the customer is merely a load. Then, at processing 377, an attempt is made to activate the
controller 160 of the customer connected by PLC communications for the customer having the
meter for selling of electricity. If the controller operates correctly and is activated at processing
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378, the interconnected ELB 162 and control switch 163 installed on the storage battery side are
electrically energized and their operation is checked at processing 381. If the operation of the
controller is abnormal at processing 378, the controller of the customer is turned OFF at
processing 379. At processing 380, processing for excluding the customer for which an
abnormality has been detected from the subject is performed. Then, at processing 5 382, if the
operation of the control switch is judged to be normal, at processing 383, information about
whether the storage battery located downstream of the interconnected ELB 162 is connected is
obtained. If it is connected, information about the storage battery and shown in FIG. 7 is
obtained. If there is any customer having the control switch whose operation is not normal at
10 processing 382, processing for excluding the storage battery for which an abnormality has been
detected from the subject of control is performed at processing 384. After the end of processing
383, the safety of the insulation of the storage battery is checked at processing 385. This is
carried out by temporarily turning ON the control switch 163 and detecting whether the electric
power detected by the controller falls within a preset normal range. If the decision at
15 processing 386 is that the state of insulation is normal, the controller 160 is controlled at
processing 387. An instruction is sent to the controller 160 and control switch 163 to
electrically charge from the storage battery to the power control module 102 on a trial basis, and
trial charging is carried out. If any abnormality in the state of insulation is detected at
processing 386, processing for excluding the storage battery having a detected abnormality from
20 the subject is performed at processing 388. Excluding the storage battery having a detected
abnormality from the subject at processing 384 and processing 388 is realized by turning OFF
the associated switch 163 and controller 160. When trial charging is done at processing 387, a
check is performed at processing 389 as to whether the equipment on the customer side has
electrical leakage by measuring the current or electric power passing through the controller 160.
25 After checking that there is no electrical leakage and the condition is normal at processing 390,
electric power is controlled using matrix switching. If electrical leakage in the equipment of
the customer is detected at processing 390, the customer is asked to check the equipment at
processing 392. If the check of the equipment has ended at processing 393, control again
returns to processing 389, where the processing is continued. The operation of the safety
30 checking program in the present embodiment has been described so far.
[0047] The operation of the matrix switching program in the present embodiment is
described by referring to FIG. 25. First, at processing 1251, parameters and constraint
condition values (shown in FIG. 7) for the storage battery connected with the customer are
obtained from the database 111. A decision is made as to whether the number of storage
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batteries of the subject is increased or reduced at processing 1252. In a case where an electric
vehicle is assumed to be a storage battery, a situation where the electric vehicle will return to the
customer while electric power is being transmitted in the power distribution device or a situation
where the electric vehicle will leave the customer because there is an urgent business when the
power distribution device is carrying out transmission of electric power is dealt with. If 5 f the
decision at processing 1252 is that the number of storage batteries is increased or reduced as
compared with the previous time cycle, control returns to processing 1251, where the processing
is continued. If the decision at processing 1252 is that the number of storage batteries does not
vary, the time counter is reset at processing 1253. Then, at processing 1254, the amount of
10 electric power demanded on the contracted power circuit breaker 157 is obtained from the
controller 160 of each customer. At this instant of time, the total demand of the customers
under control of the power distribution device is calculated. Alternatively, if precise values
cannot be detected from the controller, the total demand may be computed using the load
estimating program 114. If the decision at processing 1256 is that the total capacity of the
15 storage batteries (obtained at processing 1251) capable of being discharged is smaller than the
total capacity of the electric power load found at 1255, the customers are asked to save on
electricity at processing 1257, and then control returns to processing 1254. If the decision at
processing 1256 is that the demand and supply relationship is tight, a decision is made at
processing 1258 as to whether the amount of variation of the demand is greater than a preset
20 value . If it is smaller than , the battery deterioration factor of each storage battery is found
from parameters obtained at processing 1251 regarding the storage batteries at processing 1259.
Then, as shown in the first embodiment, a calculation for determining the output of each battery
by a Lagrange’s method of undetermined multipliers is performed. If the decision at processing
1258 is that the amount of variation of the demand is greater than , it follows that there is a
25 rapid load variation and so the temperatures of the storage batteries need to be taken into account
when the electric powers of the storage batteries are computed at that time. Therefore, at
processing 1260, the battery deterioration factors of the storage batteries are calculated from the
temperatures of the storage batteries. Then, at processing 1261, a calculation of the outputs of
the storage batteries is determined by a Lagrange"s method of undermined multipliers. If the
30 found outputs of the storage batteries do not violate the upper and lower limit constraints, a
control instruction is sent to the power control module 102 at processing 1266. The calculated
output instructions for the storage batteries are sent to the controller for the storage batteries. If
the decision at processing 1262 is that the upper and lower limit constraints of the storage
batteries are violated, the corresponding storage batteries are excluded at processing 1263.
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Then, at processing 1264, a decision is made as to whether the power supply and demand
conditions are satisfied. If electric power demand and supply relationship is balanced, a
decision is made at processing 1265 as to whether storage battery constraint conditions are
satisfied. If the conditions are satisfied, the outputs of the storage batteries are again calculated
by a Lagrange"s method of undermined multipliers, and then control goes to processing 5 1266.
If the decision at processing 1264 is that the electric power demand and supply is not balanced,
the customers are asked to save on electricity at processing 1257. Control starts again at
processing 1254. If the decision at processing 1265 is that the storage battery constraint
conditions are not satisfied, control also returns to processing 1257. Similar processing is
10 performed. When one cycle of processing described so far has ended, a time counter is added
at processing 1267. A decision is made at processing 1268 as to whether the initial scheduled
control time is exceeded. If the scheduled control time is exceeded, the processing is ended.
If not exceeded, control returns to processing 1254, and the processing is repeated.
[0048] The accounting calculating program in the secondary storage device 106 is next
15 described by referring to FIG. 26. After the outage detecting sensor 113 detects a recovery from
an outage or a time parameter t existing in the explanation of the matrix switching program has
exceeded a preset value, the amounts of electric power purchased or sold by the customers
during outage are obtained from the electricity meters 156 for purchase of electricity and from
the electricity meter 161 for selling of electricity, at processing 1001. Then, at processing 1003,
20 the electricity charges during an outage are calculated from the unit price of electricity purchased
and sold for each customer, the unit price being present in the data 702 within the database 111.
The calculated electricity charges are stored in the database 111 at processing 1004. Finally, at
processing 1005, information about the electricity charges is sent from the external
communication module 112 to an accounting center (not shown).
25 [0049] As shown thus far, when a total power interruption occurs between storage
batteries under control of a power distribution device located, for example, below a polemounted
transformer and as shown in the fourth embodiment of the present invention and a
plurality of customers each being any type of load equipment or equipped with only load
equipment, a quick decision is made as to whether electrical leakage or eddy currents are
30 produced within the customers, using an outage detecting sensor. Deterioration of the storage
batteries under the control of the power distribution device is suppressed to a minimum. Stable
supply of electric power can be secured in real time independent of external electric power
systems.
[0050] Furthermore, the provision of the incentive calculating apparatus in the secondary
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storage device within the fourth embodiment of the present invention makes it possible, if great
load variations occur in the connected customers" devices, to calculate a storage battery
discharging pattern so as to maximize the incentive to the owners of the storage batteries while
suppressing deterioration of the performance of the storage batteries to a minimum by varying
the control according to the variations and to supply electric power safely and stably according 5 to
the priorities of the customers" devices as shown in the second embodiment of the present
invention. In addition, if electric power from a system is not supplied to the connected
customers" devices, electric power can be secured safely and stably without the storage batteries
producing electrical leakage or eddy currents independent of external electric power systems.
10
EMBODIMENT 5
[0051] In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, stable supply of electric power is
secured in cooperation with an external power distribution device under an instruction from an
external host power monitoring control system by controlling bidirectional flows of electric
15 power on the supplier side and on the consumer side.
[0052] An example of configuration of a power distribution device that realizes the
present embodiment is described by referring to FIG. 27. The power distribution device, 14, of
the present embodiment consists of I/Fs 132 for connection with customers, switches 131
mounted between the I/Fs and the modules of the power distribution device when connections
20 with the customers are made, a power control module 102 for distributing electric power released
from the storage batteries located within the customers to the load sides, a DC/AC conversion
module 103 for converting the electric power delivered from the storage batteries into AC
electric power used as a general load when the delivered electric power is AC power, a starting
storage battery 104 for starting the power distribution device even in the event of a total
25 blackout, a CPU & memory 105 for driving the power distribution device, a secondary storage
device 106 in which a program for driving the power distribution device and a database are
stored, and an external communication module 112 for performing communications with an
external communication device. The secondary storage device 106, CPU & memory 105,
starting storage battery 104, power control module 102, DC/AC conversion module 103, and
30 customer side switches 131 are connected by communication lines.
[0053] An actual example of realization using the power distribution device 14 in the
fifth embodiment is shown in FIG. 28. The power distribution device 14 mounted on a polemounted
transformer in a juxtapositional relation thereto is connected with a host power control
monitoring system 175 via a network 176. Data such as a charging and discharging asking
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signal from the host power control monitoring system to the power distribution device and
amounts of charging and discharging required is sent and received to and from this network.
The power distribution system 14 is connected to the customers by power distribution lines in the
same way as in the fourth embodiment. The customers 152 are also designed in the same way
as in the fourth embodiment. The secondary storage device 106 is similar 5 r to the fourth
embodiment. In the present embodiment, the contents of a safety checking program and a
matrix switching program which are different in processing with the fourth embodiment are
chiefly described.
[0054] The contents of processing of the safety checking program 107 in the present
10 embodiment are described by referring to FIG. 29. In the safety checking program 107, if a
request for charging and discharging arrives from the host power monitoring control system via
an external communication device at processing 1371, the power supply within the power
distribution device is secured from the starting storage battery 104 within the power distribution
device at processing 1372 to activate the functions of the deactivated power distribution device
15 14. The signal derived via the external communication device in this example is not restricted
to a host power system monitoring apparatus. In a circumstance where power distribution
devices operate in an autonomous and distributed manner, a signal from other power distribution
device is permitted.
[0055] The above-described circumstance is shown in FIG. 32. The switches 131 for all
20 the customers connected with the power distribution device 14 are turned ON simultaneously
when the power supply is secured. A check is performed at processing 1373 as to whether none
of the switches (SWes) 131 are abnormal. Regarding any faulty switch, the corresponding
switch 131 is turned OFF at processing 1375. At processing 1376, processing for excluding the
customers having the abnormal switches is performed. If no abnormality is found at processing
25 1373, a decision is made at processing 1374 as to whether an electricity meter 156 for purchase
of electricity and an electricity meter 161 for selling of electricity are connected with each
customer. If there is an electricity meter for selling of electricity, it is shown that there is a
facility for supplying electric power to the outside. Conversely, if there is no electricity meter
for selling of electricity, it can be seen that the customer consists only of a load. Then, at
30 processing 1377, it is attempted to activate the controller 160 of each customer connected by
PLC communications for customers having electricity meters for selling of electricity. If the
decision at processing 1378 is that the controller operates correctly and is activated, the
interconnected ELB 162 and control switch 163 mounted on the storage battery side are
electrically energized and their operation is checked at processing 1381. If the decision at
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processing 1378 is that the operation of the controller is abnormal, the controller of this customer
is turned OFF at processing 1379. At processing 1380, processing for excluding the customers
having the detected abnormalities from the subject is performed. If the decision at processing
1382 is that the operation of the control switch is normal, information indicating whether the
storage batteries connected downstream of the interconnected ELB 162 are connected 5 ted is obtained
at processing 1383. If connected, information about the storage batteries shown in FIG. 7 is
obtained. If the decision at processing 1382 is that there is a customer having a control switch
whose operation is not normal, processing for excluding the storage battery having a detected
abnormality from the subject of control is carried out at processing 1384. After the end of
10 processing 1383, the safety of the insulation of the storage batteries is checked at processing 385.
This is carried out by checking whether the electric power detected by the controller falls within
a preset normal range when the control switch 163 is temporarily turned ON. If the decision at
processing 1386 is that the checked state of insulation is normal, the controller 160 is controlled
at processing 1387. An instruction for tentatively charging from the storage batteries to the
15 power control module 102 is sent to the controller 160 and control switch 163. Then, trial
charging is carried out. If the decision at processing 1386 is that the state of the insulation is
abnormal, processing for excluding storage batteries having detected troubles from the subject is
carried out at processing 1388. Excluding the storage batteries having the detected troubles
from the subject at processing 1384 and at processing 1388 is accomplished by turning OFF the
20 associated switch 163 and controller 160. At processing 389, a check is performed whether
there is electrical leakage from the equipment on the customer side by measuring the current or
electric power passing through the controller 160 when the trial charging is done at processing
1387. After checking at processing 1390 that there is no electrical leakage and the state is
normal, the electric power is controlled using matrix switching. If electrical leakage from the
25 equipment on the customer side is detected at processing 1390, the customer is asked to check
the equipment at processing 1392. If the check of the equipment ends at processing 1393,
control again returns to processing 1389. The processing is continued. The operation of the
safety checking program in the present embodiment has been described so far.
[0056] The operation of the matrix switching program in the present embodiment is
30 described by referring to FIG. 30. First, at processing 1101, parameters and constraint condition
values of the storage batteries connected with customers and shown in FIG. 7 are obtained from
the database 111. A decision is made at processing 1102 as to whether the number of storage
batteries of interest is increased or reduced to cope with a situation where the electric vehicle
will return to the customer while transmission of electric power is being conducted by the power
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distribution device or with a situation where the electric vehicle will leave the customer because
there is an urgent business when the power distribution device is carrying out transmission of
electric power on the assumption that the electric vehicle is a storage battery. If the decision at
processing 1102 is that the number of storage batteries is increased or reduced compared with the
previous cycle of time, control returns to processing 1101. The processing is continued. If 5 the
decision at processing 1102 is that the number of storage batteries is not increased or reduced, a
decision is made at processing 1103 as to whether the request from the host power monitoring
control system is electric power discharging under control of the power distribution device. In
the case of electric power charging, control goes to processing 1131. In the case of electric
10 power discharging, control proceeds to processing 1100. At processing 1100, an achievable
total amount of electricity discharged is calculated from the information about the storage
batteries, the information being obtained at processing 1101. A decision is made as to whether
the required amount of electricity discharged and the total load of the customers under control of
the power distribution device are not greater than the total amount of electricity capable of being
15 released from the storage batteries, based on the results of calculation performed by the load
estimating program 114 using the load data obtained during the trial charging by the safety
checking program. If the decision at processing 1100 is that electricity can be released, a
calculation is performed at processing 1104 in which the required amount of electricity is added
as a fixed value to the total load under control of the power distribution device. If the decision
20 at processing 1100 is that electricity cannot be delivered, a notice that it is impossible to comply
with a requirement from the outside is given to the host power monitoring control system via a
network. Control goes to processing 1104 while neglecting the requirement from the outside.
At processing 1104, the time counter is reset. Then, at processing 1105, the amounts of electric
power demanded on the side of the contracted power circuit breakers 157 are obtained from the
25 controllers 160 of the customers. At this instant of time, the total demand of the customers
under control of the power distribution device is computed. If accurate values cannot be
detected from the controllers, the total demand may be calculated using the load estimating
program 114. At processing 1106, the amount of supply in this geographic region is calculated
from the SOC values and rated capacities of the connected storage batteries. If the decision at
30 processing 1107 is that the total capacity of electricity which can be delivered from the storage
batteries and which is obtained at processing 1101 is smaller than the total capacity of the
electric power load found at 1105, the customers are asked to save on electricity at processing
1108. Then, control returns to processing 1105. If the decision at processing 1107 is that the
supply and demand relationship of electric power is not tight, a decision is made at processing
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1109 as to whether the amount of variation of the demand is greater than a preset value . If
smaller than , the battery deterioration factors of the storage batteries are found from the
parameters (obtained at processing 1101) regarding the storage batteries at processing 1110.
Then, a calculation for determining the outputs of the batteries by a Lagrange"s method of
undetermined multipliers as shown in the first embodiment is performed. If the decision 5 on at
processing 1109 is that the amount of variation of demand is greater than , it follows that there
is a rapid load variation. In calculating the electric powers of the storage batteries under such a
condition, it is necessary to take account of the temperatures of the storage batteries. Therefore,
at processing 1111, the battery deterioration factors of the storage batteries are computed from
10 the temperatures of the storage batteries. Then, at processing 1112, calculation of the outputs of
the storage batteries by a Lagrange"s method of undetermined multipliers is determined. If the
found outputs of the storage batteries do not violate the upper and lower limit constraints, a
control instruction is transmitted to the power control module 102 at processing 1118. An
instruction about the calculated outputs of the storage batteries is transmitted to the controllers of
15 the storage batteries. If the decision at processing 1113 is that the upper and lower limit
constraints of each storage battery are violated, corresponding storage batteries are excluded at
processing 1114. Then, at processing 1115, a decision is made as to whether the power demand
and supply requirement is balanced. If the power demand and supply relationship is balanced,
the outputs of the storage batteries are recalculated by a Lagrange"s method of undetermined
20 multipliers. A decision is made at processing 1117 as to whether the storage battery constraint
conditions are satisfied. If the conditions are satisfied, control proceeds to processing 1118. If
the decision at processing 1115 is that the power demand and supply relationship is tight, the
customers are asked to save on electricity at processing 1116. Processing is again started from
processing 1105. If the decision at processing 1117 is that the storage battery constraint
25 conditions are not satisfied, control returns to processing 1116, and similar processing is
performed. When one cycle of processing described so far ends, a time counter is added at
processing 1119. A decision is made at processing 1120 as to whether the initial scheduled
control time has elapsed. If the scheduled control time has elapsed, processing is ended. If
not so, control returns to processing 1105, and the processing is repeated.
30 [0057] FIG. 31 shows a flowchart in a case where the decision at processing 1103 in FIG.
30 is that the external request is electric power charging. At processing 1131, using the load
estimating program 114, the total amount of load of the customers under control of the power
distribution device is estimated. In this estimation method, as described previously, the
estimation is made by summing current values or electric power values obtained from sensors
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when trial charging is done by the safety checking program 107. Then, at processing 1132, a
decision is made as to whether the amount of charging required by an external power monitoring
controller is smaller than the amount of total load estimated at processing 1131. If the decision
is that the amount is smaller, processing steps 1133 to 1146 are performed. These processing
steps are similar to the processing steps 1104 to 1120 shown in FIG. 30 except that processi5 ng
1134 is added. The processing 1134 is needed to serve the total load of the customers under
control of the power distribution device by the amount of electricity required to be charged and
the outputs from the storage batteries under control of the power distribution device. If the
decision at processing 1132 is that the amount of charging required by the external power
10 monitoring controller is greater than the amount of total load estimated at processing 1131,
control goes to processing 1161 in FIG. 33. At processing 1161 of FIG. 33, a net amount of
electricity charged is found by removing the estimated amount of load from the amount of
charged electricity required by the outside. Then, at processing 1162, an achievable capacity of
the storage batteries capable of being charged is calculated from data 140 within the database.
15 Based on the results, at processing 1163, a decision is made as to whether there is an extra
charging capacity. If there is no extra charging capacity, a message to the effect that "charging
is not allowed" is sent either to an external host system or to other power distribution system at
processing 1164. Then, at processing 1165, control returns to processing 1104 of FIG. 30. If
the decision at processing 1163 is that there is an extra charging capacity, the time counter is
20 reset at processing 1166. At processing 1167, a calculation for removing the amount of
required load from the amount of electricity required to be charged per unit time is performed.
Then, at processing 1169, the amounts of distribution to the storage batteries are calculated based
on the value found at processing 1167. In determining the amounts of distribution, the amount
of distribution per unit time is determined in proportion to the residual amount of each storage
25 battery. Then, at processing 1170, the storage batteries are charged with the amounts of
distribution found at processing 1169. At processing 1171, it is detected whether there is any
storage battery reaching the upper limit of the amount of charge at this instant of time. If there
is any storage battery reaching the upper limit of the amount of storage, processing for excluding
this storage battery from the next time cycle of control is performed at 1172. If there is no
30 storage battery to be excluded, the time counter is incremented at processing 1173. If the
decision at processing 1174 is that the upper limit of the end time is not exceeded, control returns
to processing 1167. The processing is repeated. Otherwise, the processing is ended.
[0058] In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, when supply of electric power is
totally interrupted between storage batteries which are under control of a power distribution
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device and which are located, for example, below pole-mounted transformers and a plurality of
customers having any one of loading facilities or only loading facilities, a host power monitoring
control system issues a charging/discharging instruction to the storage batteries under control of
the power distribution device to cooperate with an external power distribution device. A quick
decision is made as to whether electrical leakage or eddy currents are produced in the custome5 rs.
If there are great variations in the loads of the connected customers" devices, deterioration of the
storage batteries under control of the power distribution device is suppressed to a minimum by
varying control according to the variations. If there are great variations in electric power load,
supply of electric power can be secured stably in real time in cooperation with an external
10 electric power system.
[0059] Furthermore, the provision of an incentive calculating apparatus within the
secondary storage medium in the fifth embodiment of the present invention makes it possible, if
great variations in loads of the connected customers" devices are produced, to calculate a
discharging pattern of the storage batteries such that the incentive to the owners of the storage
15 batteries is maximized while suppressing deterioration of the performance of the storage
batteries to a minimum by varying the control according to the variations and to supply electric
power safely and stably according to the priorities of the customers" devices as shown in he
second embodiment of the present invention. If electric power from a system is not supplied to
the connected customers" devices, safe and stable electric power can be secured without the
20 storage batteries producing electrical leakage or eddy currents while cooperating with an external
electric power system.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0060] 11-14: power distribution devices; 102: power control module; 103: DC/AC
25 conversion module; 104: starting storage battery; 105: CPU & memory; 106: secondary storage
device; 107: safety checking program; 108: matrix switching program; 109: real time priority
determining program; 110: incentive calculating program; 111: database; 112: external
communication module; 113: outage detecting sensor; 114: load estimating program;
121: switches; 131: switches; 140: storage battery data; 151: storage batteries or electric
30 vehicles; 152: customers; 135: earth leakage breaker; 136: overcurrent detecting sensor;
155: indoor distribution board; 156: electricity meters for purchase of electricity;
157: contracted power circuit breaker; 158: earth leakage breaker; 160: controller;
162: interconnected leakage breaker; 163: control switch; 175: host electric power system
monitoring controller; 176: network; 801: power generation plant; 815: power generation plant
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control center; 816: network
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WE CLAIM:
[CLAIM 1] A power distribution device connected with a plurality of storage batteries and
with a load device consuming electric power and operative to distribute electric power from the
storage batteries to the load device, said power distribution device comprising:
an acquisition portion for acquiring deterioration degree information indicating
degrees of deterioration of the storage batteries from the storage batteries;
a decision portion for making a decision as to which of the storage batteries is
discharged first out of the plurality of storage batteries, based on the acquired deterioration
degree information; and
a transmission portion for issuing an instruction for electrical discharge to the
storage battery decided to be discharged first.
[CLAIM 2] The power distribution device according to claim 1,
wherein there is further provided a second acquisition portion for communicating
information with said load device,
wherein said second acquisition portion acquires amounts of load of the load
device, and
wherein said decision portion judges amounts of variation of the acquired
amounts of load and, if the amounts of variation do not exceed a given value, determines which
of the storage devices is discharged first out of said plurality of storage batteries based on said
acquired deterioration degree information.
[CLAIM 3] The power distribution device according to claim 2, wherein said acquisition
portion further acquires temperature information about said storage batteries, and wherein said
decision portion determines which of said plurality of storage batteries is discharged first out of
the storage batteries based on the acquired temperature information.
[CLAIM 4] The power distribution device according to claim 3, wherein said decision portion
determines which of said plurality of storage batteries is discharged first out of the storage
batteries such that deterioration of a whole one of said plurality of storage batteries is minimized.
[CLAIM 5] The power distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein said load device is plural in number,
wherein the loading devices have respective determined priorities indicating
orders of priority in which electric power is supplied to these loading devices, and
wherein said decision portion determines, based on the priorities, which of said
plurality of storage batteries is discharged first out of the storage batteries into which of the
loading devices.
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[CLAIM 6] The power distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
there is further provided a calculating portion for calculating incentive to owners possessing said
storage batteries, and wherein said decision portion determines into which of the loading devices
is electricity discharged, based on results of the calculating portion.
[CLAIM 7] A method of distributing electric power from a plurality of storage devices to a
load device consuming electric power, being connected with the storage batteries and with the
load device, said method comprising the steps of:
acquiring deterioration degree information indicating degrees of deterioration of
the storage batteries from the plurality of storage batteries;
determining which of the plurality of storage batteries is discharged first out of
the plurality of storage batteries, based on the acquired deterioration degree information; and
issuing an instruction to cause the determined storage battery to electrically
discharge.
[CLAIM 8] The method of distributing electric power according to claim 7, further
comprising the step of acquiring amounts of loads of said load device from the load device, and
wherein during said step of determining which of the plurality of storage batteries is discharged
first, amounts of variation in the acquired amounts of load are judged and, if the amounts of
variation do not exceed a given value, it is determined which of the plurality of storage batteries
is discharged first out of the plurality of storage batteries based on the acquired deterioration
degree information.
[CLAIM 9] The method of distributing electric power according to claim 8, further
comprising the step of acquiring temperature information about said storage batteries, and
wherein during said step of determining which of the plurality of storage batteries is discharged
first, if the acquired amounts of variation exceed a given value, it is determined which of the
plurality of storage batteries is discharged first out of the plurality of storage batteries based on
the acquired temperature information.
[CLAIM 10] The method of distributing electric power according to claim 9, wherein during
said step of determining which of the plurality of storage batteries is discharged first, it is
determined which of the plurality of storage batteries is discharged first out of the plurality of
storage batteries such that deterioration of a whole one of said plurality of storage batteries is
reduced to a minimum.
[CLAIM 11] The method of distributing electric power according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
wherein said load device is plural in number,
wherein the loading devices have respective determined priorities indicating
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orders of priority in which electric power is supplied to these loading devices, and
wherein during said step of determining which of said plurality of storage
batteries is discharged first, it is determined, based on the priorities, which of said plurality of
storage batteries is discharged first out of the storage batteries into which of the load devices.
[CLAIM 12] The method of distributing electric power according to any one of claims 7 to 11,
further comprising the step of calculating incentive to owners possessing said storage batteries,
wherein during said step of determining which of the storage batteries is discharged first, it is
determined into which of the loading devices is electricity delivered based on results of the step
of calculating the incentive.
[CLAIM 13] A power distribution device connected with a controller that manages storage
batteries and a load device consuming electric power, the power distribution device being
operative to distribute electric power from the storage batteries to the loading device, said
controller being plural in number, said power distribution device comprising:
an acquisition portion for acquiring deterioration degree information indicating
degrees of deterioration of the storage batteries from the storage batteries via the controllers;
a decision portion for making a decision as to which of the storage batteries is
discharged first out of the storage batteries, based on the acquired deterioration degree
information; and
a transmission portion for issuing an instruction for electrical discharge to the
storage battery decided to be discharged first via the controller.
[CLAIM 14] The power distribution device according to claim 13, further comprising an
interface capable of being connected with other power distribution device.