Power management device, power management method, power management program, facility, and refrigerator

Abstract

A power management device collects data related to power of a facility including a refrigerator and a power load other than the refrigerator, predicts total power consumption of the facility based on the collected data, and performs control of the refrigerator based on a prediction result. The power management device performs the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than a peak value of power consumption of the refrigerator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power management device, a power management method, a power management program, a facility, and a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a cooling device that includes a cold storage unit having a heat storage material and manually or automatically performs switching between a cold storage operation (which cools the heat storage material) and a stop cold storage operation (which performs cooling by cold storage of the heat storage material). In the cooling device, when the switching is automatically performed in response to the operation of a timer, the cold storage operation is performed in the night time zone during the operation of the timer, and the operation of the cooling device is stopped in other time zones.

[0003] Reference List

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP 2005-201510 A Summary of the invention

[0006] According to a first aspect, a power management device includes: a collector that collects data related to power of a facility, the facility including a chiller and power loads other than the chiller; a predictor that predicts total power consumption of the facility based on the data; and a controller that performs control on the chiller based on a result of the prediction, wherein the controller performs the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the chiller.

[0007] The power management method according to the second aspect includes: collecting data related to power of a facility, the facility including a chiller and power loads other than the chiller; predicting the total power consumption of the facility based on the data; and performing control on the chiller based on the predicted result. Performing the control includes: performing the control to preferentially reduce the peak value of the total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing the peak value of the power consumption of the chiller.

[0008] The power management program according to the third aspect causes a computer to execute: collecting data related to power of a facility including a refrigerator and power loads other than the refrigerator, predicting total power consumption of the facility based on the collected data, and executing control of the refrigerator based on the prediction result. Executing the control includes executing the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the refrigerator.

[0009] The facility according to the fourth aspect includes a refrigerator and an electric load other than the refrigerator. The facility includes: a collector that collects data related to the power of the facility; a predictor that predicts the total power consumption of the facility based on the data; and a controller that performs control on the refrigerator based on the predicted result, wherein the controller performs the control to preferentially reduce the peak value of the total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing the peak value of the power consumption of the refrigerator.

[0010] A chiller according to a fifth aspect includes: a collector that collects data related to power of a facility including a chiller and power loads other than the chiller; a predictor that predicts total power consumption of the facility based on the data; and a controller that performs control of the chiller based on a result of the prediction, wherein the controller performs the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the chiller. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power management system according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a facility according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power management apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 : is a diagram showing the transition of power consumption per day when both the refrigerator control device and the power management device according to the embodiment do not perform the peak reduction control.

[0015] Figure 5 : is a graph showing the transition of power consumption per day when the refrigerator control device according to the embodiment does not perform the peak reduction control.

[0016] Figure 6 : is a diagram showing the transition of power consumption per day when the power management apparatus according to the embodiment does not perform peak reduction control.

[0017] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a power management method of a power management apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining a first modification of the power management system according to the embodiment.

[0019] Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining a second modification of the power management system according to the embodiment.

[0020] Fig.10 is a diagram for explaining a third modification of the power management system according to the embodiment.

[0021] Fig.11 is a diagram for explaining another modification of the power management system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In the related art, since the cooling device (from another perspective, the chiller) performs closed control, there is room for improvement in more effectively controlling the chiller. For example, this technology has limited effect on reducing the peak value of the total power consumption of a facility with a chiller.

[0023] An object of the present disclosure is to enable more efficient control of a refrigerator.

[0024] A power management system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

[0025] Configuration of power management system

[0026] First, refer to Figure 1 The configuration of the power management system according to the embodiment is described. Figure 1 As shown, as facilities provided in the facility 1 , the power management system according to the embodiment includes a distribution board 100 , a refrigerator 200 , a refrigerator control device 300 , a power load 400 , a power generation device 500 , and a power management device 600 .

[0027] The facility 1 is a facility managed by a warehouse company, and is a warehouse facility including a cold storage 20. The facility 1 has a power receiving point 3 connected to the power grid 2, and receives power supplied from the power grid 2 via the power receiving point 3. The flow of power from the power grid 2 to the facility 1 is also called a tidal flow. The facility 1 may be able to reversely flow power to the power grid 2. Reverse power flow refers to the flow of power from the facility 1 to the power grid 2. The power grid 2 is managed by a power company (power enterprise, power generation company, power transmission and distribution company, or power retailer).

[0028] Here, the electricity fee that the storage company pays to the power company can be determined by the instantaneous peak power (kW) of power consumption and the power consumption (kWh) (which is the accumulated value of power consumption). For example, the basic part of the electricity fee can be determined according to the instantaneous peak power (kW), and the pay-per-use part of the electricity fee can be determined according to the power consumption (kWh). In order to alleviate the shortage problem of the power grid 2 and stabilize the power grid 2, it is desirable to reduce the instantaneous peak power (kW) and power consumption (kWh).

[0029] The distribution board 100 is a device that distributes power from the power grid 2 to the refrigerator 200 and the power load 400 via the power line 10. The distribution board 100 includes a sensor 101 for detecting the total power consumption of the facility 1 (that is, the tidal power of the facility 1). The distribution board 100 outputs sensor data obtained by the sensor 101 to the power management device 600.

[0030] The refrigerator 200 is an electrical load that consumes power supplied via the power line 10. The refrigerator 200 is a device for cooling the interior (freezer chamber) of the freezer 20. The refrigerator 200 has a general configuration, including, for example, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator as constituent elements. The compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator constitute a refrigeration cycle. The compressor and the condenser may be disposed in an outdoor unit outside the freezer 20. The expansion valve and the evaporator may be disposed in an indoor unit in the freezer 20. The refrigerator 200 includes a sensor 201 for detecting the temperature of components of the refrigerator 200 and / or the power consumption of the refrigerator 200. The refrigerator 200 outputs sensor data obtained by the sensor 201 to the refrigerator control device 300.

[0031] The freezer 20 is, for example, a warehouse in which storage items such as frozen foods are stored. The freezer 20 includes a sensor 21 and a heat storage material 22 .

[0032] The sensor 21 detects the internal temperature of the freezer 20 and / or the opening and closing of the door of the freezer 20. The sensor 21 may also detect the temperature of the heat storage material 22. The sensor 21 outputs sensor data indicating the detection result to the refrigerator control device 300.

[0033] The heat storage material 22 is used to keep the internal temperature of the freezer 20 constant, and is also called a phase change material (PCM), a refrigerant, or a latent heat storage material. The heat storage material 22 has the characteristics of low thermal resistance and fast heat transfer. The heat storage material 22 has a high specific heat and can store a large amount of cold heat compared to the stored product (e.g., frozen food). The temperature of the heat storage material 22 can be set, and heat is stored and released at a specific temperature generally used in refrigeration and freezing.

[0034] The refrigerator control device 300 is a device for controlling the refrigerator 200. The refrigerator control device 300 can be connected to the communication network and is provided outside the facility 1. The refrigerator control device 300 controls the refrigerator 200 based on the sensor data of the sensor 21 and the sensor data of the sensor 201. The refrigerator control device 300 can control the refrigerator 200 to reduce the peak value of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200. For example, the refrigerator control device 300 performs control to balance (average) the power consumption of the refrigerator 200. However, the refrigerator control device 300 can only perform closed control (i.e., sub-optimization) in the refrigerator 200.

[0035] The power load 400 is a device that consumes power supplied via the power line 10. The power load 400 includes, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of an air conditioner, a lighting device, a carrier, an automation device, and an office device. The power load 400 is controllable from the power management device 600 via a control board. The power load 400 (or the control board) includes a sensor 401 for detecting power consumption and / or an operating state of the power load 400. The sensor 401 outputs sensor data indicating a detection result to the power management device 600.

[0036] The power generation device 500 is a device that generates electricity. The power generation device 500 outputs the generated electricity to the refrigerator 200 and the power load 400 via the power line 10. The power generation device 500 can be, for example, a solar power generation device, a fuel cell facility, a wind power generation device, a geothermal power generation device, and / or a biomass power generation device. In the following, an example in which the power generation device 500 is a photovoltaic power generation device will be mainly described. The power generation device 500 includes a sensor 501 for detecting the power generation amount of the power generation device 500 and / or the operating state of the power generation device 500. The sensor 501 outputs sensor data indicating the detection result to the power management device 600.

[0037] The power management device 600 is a device that manages power in the facility 1. The power management device 600 can be connected to a communication network and is set outside the facility 1. The power management 600 collects various data including sensor data from each device (distribution board 100, refrigerator control device 300, power load 400, and power generation equipment 500) set in the facility 1, and predicts the total power consumption of the facility 1 based on the collected data, and controls each device (especially the refrigerator 200) based on the prediction result. A specific example of such prediction will be described below. Here, the power management device 600 collects sensor data about the freezer 20 and the refrigerator 200 from the refrigerator control device 300. The power management device 600 controls the refrigerator 200 via the refrigerator control device 300.

[0038] As described above, the power management device 600 can achieve overall optimization of the facility 1 by considering the overall situation of each device in the facility 1 (for example, the power usage situation of the power load 400 and the power generation situation of the power generation device 500), rather than local optimization inside the refrigerator 200. Specifically, the power management device 600 performs control to balance (average) the total power consumption of the facility 1. In an embodiment, the power management device 600 controls the refrigerator 200 so that the reduction of the peak value of the total power consumption of the facility 1 takes precedence over the reduction of the peak value of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200.

[0039] Examples of facilities

[0040] Reference Figure 2 An example of a facility 1 according to an embodiment is described. Figure 2 In the example of , facility 1 is a warehouse facility with three temperature zones, and includes a freezer 20, a cold storage 30, and two room temperature storages 40 (40a, 40b). Facility 1 may also include an office / restaurant 50. However, facility 1 is not limited to such a warehouse facility with three temperature zones, and may also be, for example, "only a freezer and a cold storage", "only a freezer", "a freezer in a food factory", "a food processing plant (including a freezer) in a distribution warehouse facility", or "a walk-in freezer installed in a grocery store or a large restaurant".

[0041] The interior of the freezer 20 is cooled by the refrigerator 200a. The heat storage material 22 is arranged in the freezer 20. The refrigerator control device 300 controls the refrigerator 200a while managing the cold storage heat of the heat storage material 22.

[0042] The interior of the refrigerator 30 is cooled by the refrigerator 200b. Although an example is shown in which the heat storage material 22 is not provided in the refrigerator 30, the heat storage material may be provided in the refrigerator 30. The power management device 600 may control the refrigerator 200a in addition to or instead of the refrigerator 200b.

[0043] The interior of the room temperature reservoir 40 ( 40 a , 40 b ) is temperature-controlled by an air conditioner 410 ( 410 a , 410 b ). The air conditioner 410 ( 410 a , 410 b ) is an example of the power load 400 other than the refrigerator 200 . The air conditioner 410 ( 410 a , 410 b ) may be controlled by the power management device 600 .

[0044] The interior of the office / restaurant 50 is temperature-controlled by an air conditioner 410 c. The air conditioner 410 c is an example of the power load 400 other than the refrigerator 200. The air conditioner 410 c can be controlled by the power management device 600.

[0045] The freezer 20, the refrigerator 30, the room temperature store 40 (40a, 40b), and the office / restaurant 50 are each provided with a lighting device 420. The freezer 20, the refrigerator 30, and the room temperature store 40 (40a, 40b) are each provided with a conveyor / automation device 430 (430a to 430d) and the like. Office equipment 450 and the like are provided in the office / restaurant 50. The lighting device 420, the conveyor / automation device 430 (430a to 430d), and the office equipment 450 are examples of the power load 400 other than the refrigerator 200.

[0046] As described above, the facility 1 is provided with various power loads 400 in addition to the refrigerator 200. Therefore, the effect of reducing the peak value of the total power consumption of the equipment 1 is limited only by reducing the peak value of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200. In an embodiment, the power management device 600 controls the refrigerator 200 (and the power load 400) to reduce the peak value of the total power consumption of the facility 1.

[0047] Configuration of power management device

[0048] Reference Figure 3 The configuration of the power management apparatus 600 according to the embodiment is described. Figure 3 As shown, the power management device 600 includes a communicator 610, a manager 620, and a processor 630. The communicator 610, the manager 620, and the processor 630 are connected to each other through a bus 601.

[0049] The communicator 610 performs communication under the control of the processor 630. The communicator 610 may include a transmitter that performs transmission and a receiver that performs reception. For example, the communicator 610 receives sensor data from each device (distribution board 100, refrigerator control device 300, power load 400, and power generation device 500) provided in the facility 1. The communicator 610 may receive auxiliary data for predicting the process from an external server. The communicator 610 sends a message for controlling the device provided in the facility to the facility 1. The message may be a control message for controlling the operation of the device. The message may be an inquiry message for inquiring about the status of the device. For example, the communicator 610 sends a control message for controlling the refrigerator 200 to the refrigerator control device 300.

[0050] The manager 620 includes a storage device 621 that stores sensor data and manages the sensor data. The storage device 621 may include various memories such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and an auxiliary storage device. The storage device 621 also stores a program executed by the processor 630.

[0051] The processor 630 includes at least one processor and executes a program stored in the storage device 621. The at least one processor may be composed of a single integrated circuit (IC), or may be composed of a plurality of circuits (integrated circuits, discrete circuits, etc.) that are communicatively connected. The processor 630 provides the functions of the collector 631, the predictor 632, and the controller 633 by executing the program stored in the storage device 621.

[0052] The collector 631 collects sensor data related to power of the facility 1, which includes the chiller 200 and the power load 400 other than the chiller 200. Specifically, the collector 631 collects the sensor data by communicating with each device via the communicator 610. The collector 631 may collect auxiliary data for the prediction process from an external server via the communicator 610. The collector 631 stores the collected data in the storage device 621.

[0053] The predictor 632 predicts the total power consumption of the facility 1 based on the data collected by the collector 631. The predictor 632 may perform prediction by using machine learning such as reinforcement learning (e.g., knowledge-based, statistics-based, or neural network-based reinforcement learning). For example, the predictor 632 performs machine learning by using the sensor data (and auxiliary information) and the record of the total power consumption of the facility 1 as training data, constructs a learned model for predicting (inferring) the future total power consumption of the facility 1, and predicts the future total power consumption of the facility 1 by using the learned model. The learned model includes, for example, a parameter set of an algorithm constructed by machine learning and / or a neural network.

[0054] The controller 633 controls the refrigerator 200 (and the power load 400) based on the prediction result of the predictor 632. Specifically, the controller 633 creates a power plan including an operation plan of the refrigerator 200 (and the power load 400) according to the prediction result of the predictor 632, and controls the refrigerator 200 (and the power load 400) using the created plan. Specifically, the controller 633 uses the plan to generate a message for controlling the refrigerator 200 (and the power load 400), and sends the message via the communicator 610. The controller 633 can create a power plan for a certain day on the previous day, and appropriately modify the power plan according to the situation of that day.

[0055] For example, the predictor 632 predicts a facility peak time zone based on the data collected by the collector 631, which is a time zone including the peak value of the total power consumption of the facility 1. The time zone may be a time unit of a fixed time length. The time zone may be a time unit of a variable time length, but in the following description, it is assumed that the time zone is a time unit of a variable time length. The controller 633 creates an operation plan for the refrigerator 200 so that the peak value of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 occurs in a predetermined time zone before the predicted facility peak time zone. That is, the controller 633 causes the refrigerator 200 to cool the heat storage material 22 in the predetermined time zone before the predicted facility peak time zone. Therefore, sufficient cold and heat can be stored in the heat storage material 22 of the freezer 20 in the predetermined time zone before the facility peak time zone.

[0056] The controller 633 creates an operation plan of the refrigerator 200 so as to perform operation inhibition for inhibiting the operation of the refrigerator 200 in the predicted facility peak time zone. The inhibiting operation of the refrigerator 200 may be an operation for maintaining the internal temperature of the freezer 20 by using the stored cold released from the heat storage material 22. For example, the inhibiting operation of the refrigerator 200 may be an operation of stopping the refrigerator 200. The inhibiting operation of the refrigerator 200 may be an intermittent operation of the refrigerator 200. In the inhibiting operation of the refrigerator 200, the refrigerator 200 may be operated only when the temperature of the heat storage material 22 and / or the internal temperature of the freezer 20 is lower than a threshold value.

[0057] By this control, the reduction in the peak value of the total power consumption of the device 1 takes priority over the reduction in the peak value of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 , and the refrigerator 200 can be controlled more efficiently.

[0058] Operation of power management system

[0059] refer to Figures 4 to 6 An operation example of the power management system according to the embodiment is described.

[0060] Figure 4 2 shows the daily power consumption transition when both the refrigerator control device 300 and the power management device 600 do not perform the peak reduction control. Figure 4 In the example of , it is assumed that the ratio of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 to the total power consumption of the facility 1 is, for example, about 40%. Note that this ratio is only an example.

[0061] The power consumption of the refrigerator 200 increases with the increase of the outside air temperature, the operation of the facility 1 (e.g., opening and closing of doors for moving in and out, heat from the inventory items carried, heat generated by personnel or forklifts), etc. Figure 4In the example of , the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 starts to increase from the early morning (6:00), and the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 reaches a peak at 14:00. The peak power consumption of the refrigerator 200 is about 300 kW. Thereafter, the state in which the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 is high continues until 18:00, and the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 starts to decrease from 18:00.

[0062] The total power consumption of the equipment 1 is the sum of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 and the power consumption of the power load 400. The total power consumption of the facility 1 changes according to the change in the power consumption of the refrigerator 200, and the peak of the total power consumption of the facility 1 occurs at 14:00. The peak of the total power consumption of the facility 1 is about 700kW. In addition, the state in which the total power consumption of the facility 1 is high continues until 18:00, and the total power consumption of the facility 1 starts to decrease from 18:00. Here, 13:00 to 18:00 (where the peak of the total power consumption of the facility 1 occurs and the state in which the total power consumption is high continues) is set as the facility peak time zone.

[0063] Figure 5 1 shows the power consumption transition every day when the refrigerator control device 300 performs the peak reduction control. In this case, the refrigerator control device 300 controls the refrigerator 200 to reduce the peak value of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200, and equalizes (averages) the power consumption of the refrigerator 200. Therefore, the peak value of the total power consumption of the facility 1 is also reduced. Figure 5 In the example, the peak value of the total power consumption of Facility 1 is about 600 kW, which is Figure 4 However, in the refrigerator control device 300, only the peak reduction control inside the refrigerator 200 can be performed, and the effect of reducing the peak value of the total power consumption of the facility 1 is limited.

[0064] Figure 6 The power consumption transition of each day is shown when the power management device 600 performs the peak reduction control. The power management device 600 controls the chiller 200 so that the reduction of the peak value of the total power consumption of the facility 1 takes priority over the reduction of the peak value of the power consumption of the chiller 200 .

[0065] Specifically, the power management device 600 predicts the facility peak time zone (13:00 to 18:00) and performs control so that the peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 appears in a predetermined time zone before the facility peak time zone. Figure 6 In the example of FIG. 1 , the power management device 600 performs control so that the first peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 appears in the time zone including 12:00, and performs control so that the second peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 appears in the time zone including 6:00. Therefore, when the facility peak time zone starts, the heat storage material 22 can be kept in a state of storing sufficient cold and heat.

[0066] The power management device 600 performs control to perform operation suppression, which is used to suppress the operation of the refrigerator 200 in the facility peak time zone (13:00 to 18:00). Here, the power management device 600 reduces the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 while maintaining the internal temperature of the freezer 20 by using the stored cold released from the heat storage material 22. Therefore, in the facility peak time zone, the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 is significantly reduced. Therefore, in the facility peak time zone, the peak value of the total power consumption of the facility 1 is also significantly reduced. Figure 6 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the peak value of the total power consumption of device 1 is about 530 kW, and Figure 4 In comparison, the peak value of the total power consumption of device 1 is reduced by about 170 kW.

[0067] In an embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, the power management device 600 controls the refrigerator 200 to reduce the peak value of the total power consumption of the facility 1. This is similar to the case where the refrigerator control device 300 controls the refrigerator 200 to reduce the peak value of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 (see Figure 5 ) compared to the above, this can further reduce the peak value of the total power consumption of facility 1.

[0068] Here, in Figure 6 In the example of , the power management device 600 determines the time zone including 6:00 and the time zone including 12:00 as the predetermined time zone, and performs control so that the peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 appears in the determined predetermined time zone. Specifically, in the determined predetermined time zone, the power management device 600 cools the heat storage material 22 through the refrigerator 200, and causes the heat storage material 22 to store cold and heat. As a method of determining such a predetermined time, one of the following methods (a) to (e) or a combination of two or more methods may be used.

[0069] (a) Methods based on outside air temperature and / or humidity

[0070] The predictor 632 of the power management device 600 predicts the external air temperature and / or humidity for each time zone. For example, the predictor 632 of the power management device 600 predicts the external air temperature and / or humidity by hour. As a method for predicting the external air temperature and / or humidity, a learning-based method, a method based on weather forecast data from an external server, etc. can be used. The controller 633 of the power management device 600 performs control so that the peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 occurs in a predetermined time zone in which the predicted external air temperature and / or humidity meets a predetermined standard.

[0071] Generally, the lower the outside air temperature and / or humidity, the higher the efficiency of the refrigerator 200. That is, if the refrigerator 200 is operated when the outside air temperature and / or humidity is low, a higher cooling effect can be obtained with lower power consumption. For example, the controller 633 of the power management device 600 determines the following time zone as a predetermined time zone: before the predicted facility peak time zone, and in which the predicted outside air temperature and / or humidity is the lowest or the predicted outside air temperature and / or humidity is lower than a threshold. Therefore, the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 can be effectively reduced.

[0072] (b) Method based on electricity generation

[0073] The predictor 632 of the power management device 600 predicts the power generation of the power generation equipment 500 for each time zone. For example, the predictor 632 of the power management device 600 predicts the power generation (kWh) by hour. As a method of predicting the power generation, for example, when the power generation equipment 500 is a photovoltaic power generation equipment, a method based on learning, a method based on weather forecast data from an external server, etc. can be used. The controller 633 of the power management device 600 performs control so that the peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 occurs in a predetermined time zone in which the predicted power generation meets a predetermined standard.

[0074] For example, the controller 633 of the power management device 600 determines the following time zone as the predetermined time zone: before the predicted facility peak time zone and when the predicted power generation is maximum or the predicted power generation is greater than a threshold value. Therefore, the power generation of the power generation equipment 500 can be effectively used.

[0075] (c) Method based on CO2 emission factor

[0076] The predictor 632 of the power management device 600 predicts the carbon dioxide emission coefficient for each time zone. The carbon dioxide emission coefficient represents the amount of carbon dioxide emissions emitted when 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity is generated as an emission coefficient. With the popularization of renewable energy, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions is considered to vary depending on the time zone. As a method for predicting the carbon dioxide emission coefficient, a learning-based method, a method based on data from an external server, etc. can be used. The controller 633 of the power management device 600 performs control so that the peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 occurs in a predetermined time zone in which the predicted carbon dioxide emission coefficient meets a predetermined standard.

[0077] For example, the controller 633 of the power management device 600 determines the following time zone as the predetermined time zone: before the predicted facility peak time zone and when the predicted carbon dioxide emission coefficient is the smallest or the predicted carbon dioxide emission coefficient is less than a predetermined value. This helps to suppress the increase in carbon dioxide emissions.

[0078] (d) Method based on wholesale electricity prices

[0079] The predictor 632 of the power management device 600 predicts the wholesale power price for each time zone. The wholesale power price is a transaction price in the power market and varies according to the balance of supply and demand of power. As a method for predicting the wholesale power price, a learning-based method, a method based on data from an external server, etc. can be used. The controller 633 of the power management device 600 performs control so that the peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 occurs in a predetermined time zone in which the wholesale power price meets a predetermined standard.

[0080] For example, the controller 633 of the power management device 600 determines the following time zone as the predetermined time zone: before the predicted facility peak time zone, and the predicted wholesale power price is the lowest or the predicted wholesale power price is lower than the threshold. Therefore, the refrigerator 200 can effectively consume power in the time zone with a large power supply. When the wholesale power price is linked to the electricity fee of the facility 1, the cooling cost of the refrigerator 200 can be reduced.

[0081] (e) Method based on the heat load of the freezer

[0082] The predictor 632 of the power management device 600 predicts the heat load of the freezer 20 for each time zone. The heat load of the freezer 20 refers to the amount of heat required to maintain the internal temperature of the freezer 20 at a constant temperature (and a constant humidity), and can be indicated, for example, by the amount of heat required per unit time (kcal / h). For example, a time zone in which the door of the freezer 20 is opened corresponds to a time zone in which the heat load of the freezer 20 is high. As a method of predicting the heat load of the freezer 20, a learning-based method, a method based on data from an external server, or the like can be adopted.

[0083] The controller 633 of the power management device 600 performs control so that the peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 occurs in a predetermined time zone when the predicted heat load of the freezer 20 meets a predetermined standard. For example, the controller 633 of the power management device 600 determines the following time zone as a predetermined time zone: before the predicted facility peak time zone, and the predicted heat load of the freezer 20 is the lowest or the predicted heat load of the freezer 20 is lower than a threshold. Therefore, the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 can be effectively reduced.

[0084] (f) Electricity pricing method based on time zones

[0085] The collector 631 of the power management device 600 acquires the fixed electricity price for each time zone defined in the contract. The fixed electricity price for each time zone defined by the contract may be defined by the contract between the consumer and the power retailer. The controller 633 of the power management device 600 performs control so that the peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 occurs in a predetermined time zone determined based on the electricity price.

[0086] For example, the controller 633 of the power management device 600 determines the following time zone as the predetermined time zone: before the predicted facility peak time zone and when the power price in each time zone defined in the contract is the lowest. Therefore, the refrigerator 200 can consume power efficiently in the time zone with lower power prices.

[0087] Power management methods

[0088] Reference Figure 7 A power management method performed by the power management apparatus 600 according to the embodiment is described.

[0089] In step S1, the collector 631 of the power management apparatus 600 collects data about power of the facility 1. Specifically, the collector 631 of the power management apparatus 600 collects sensor data by communicating with each device of the facility 1. The collector 631 of the power management apparatus 600 may collect auxiliary data for a prediction process from an external server.

[0090] In step S2, the predictor 632 of the power management device 600 predicts the total power consumption of the facility 1 based on the data collected in step S1. In an embodiment, the predictor 632 of the power management device 600 predicts the facility peak time zone based on the data collected by the collector 631, and the facility peak time zone is a time zone including the peak of the total power consumption of the facility 1. The predictor 632 of the power management device 600 can also predict a parameter for determining a predetermined time zone before the predicted facility peak time zone, such as at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of an outside air temperature, a power generation amount, a carbon dioxide emission factor, a wholesale power price, and a heat load of the freezer 20.

[0091] In step S3, the controller 633 of the power management device 600 creates an operation plan for the refrigerator 200 so that the peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 appears in a predetermined time zone before the facility peak time zone predicted in step S2. The predetermined time zone is determined based on the above parameters. The controller 633 of the power management device 600 creates an operation plan for the refrigerator 200 so as to perform operation suppression for suppressing the operation of the refrigerator 200 in the facility peak time zone predicted in step S2. The controller 633 of the power management device 600 can create an operation plan for the power load 400 to suppress the operation of the power load 400 in the facility peak time zone predicted in step S2.

[0092] In step S4 , the controller 633 of the power management device 600 controls the refrigerator 200 according to the operation plan created in step S3 .

[0093] First modification of the power management system

[0094] Reference Figure 8 A first modification of the power management system according to the above-described embodiment is described.

[0095] like Figure 8 As shown, the power management system according to the present modification does not include the above-mentioned refrigerator control device 300. Specifically, in the present modification, the power management device 600 is provided with the functions of the above-mentioned refrigerator control device 300, and the power management device 600 is configured integrally with the refrigerator control device 300. In this configuration, the power management device 600 can control the refrigerator 200 without using the refrigerator control device 300. The refrigerator 200 can have the functions of the above-mentioned refrigerator control device 300, and the refrigerator 200 can be configured integrally with the refrigerator control device 300.

[0096] Second revision of the power management system

[0097] Reference Fig. 9 A second modification of the power management system according to the above embodiment is described. This modification can be implemented in combination with the above first modification.

[0098] like Fig. 9 As shown, in the power management system according to the present modification, the power management device 600 communicates with the server device 700 via the communication network 5. The server device 700 is an example of an external device, and is, for example, a device (including an aggregator) managed by a power company. The server device 700 requests the power management device 600 to adjust the supply and demand balance of power. Such a request may be referred to as a demand response (DR) request.

[0099] The communicator 610 of the power management device 600 receives a request message from the server device 700 requesting suppression or promotion of power consumption in the facility 1. The request message may include information for specifying a time zone in which suppression or promotion of power consumption in the facility 1 is requested. The request message may include information for specifying an amount of suppression or promotion of power consumption in the facility 1.

[0100] In the present modification, the predictor 632 of the power management device 600 can predict whether to request suppression of power consumption of the facility 1 (so-called reduction of DR) from the server device 700. As a method of this prediction, a method based on learning, a method based on data from an external server, or the like can be used. For example, the predictor 632 of the power management device 600 predicts a time zone in which power shortage in the area to which the facility 1 belongs is predicted as a time zone in which suppression of power consumption in the facility 1 is requested. The controller 633 of the power management device 600 performs control so that a peak of power consumption of the refrigerator 200 occurs in a time zone before a time zone in which the suppression is predicted to be requested (i.e., control is performed so that the refrigerator 200 performs cooling of the heat storage material 22). Here, the time zone in which the peak of power consumption of the refrigerator 200 occurs may be the above-mentioned predetermined time zone.

[0101] In the present modification, the predictor 632 of the power management device 600 can predict whether to request promotion of power consumption of the facility 1 (so-called increase DR) from the server device 700. As a method of this prediction, a method based on learning, a method based on data from an external server, or the like can be used. For example, the predictor 632 of the power management device 600 predicts the time zone in which surplus power is predicted to be generated in the area to which the facility 1 belongs as the time zone in which promotion of power consumption in the facility 1 is requested. The controller 633 of the power management device 600 performs control so that the peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 appears in the time zone in which the promotion is requested (that is, performs control so that cooling of the heat storage material 22 is performed by the refrigerator 200).

[0102] In the present modification, the communicator 610 of the power management device 600 may receive a request message for requesting promotion of power consumption in the facility 1 from the server device 700. When the communicator 610 receives the request message, the controller 633 of the power management device 600 performs control so that the peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 appears in the time zone in which promotion of power consumption is requested by the request message (that is, performs control so that cooling of the heat storage material 22 is performed by the refrigerator 200).

[0103] Power Management System Third Revision

[0104] Reference Fig.10 A third modification of the power management system according to the above-described embodiment is described. This modification may be implemented in combination with the above-described first modification and / or second modification.

[0105] like Fig.10As shown, in the present modification, the facility 1 includes a power storage device (battery) 800. The power storage device 800 is a device for storing power. The power storage device 800 performs a charging operation of storing power supplied from the power grid 2 and / or the power generation device 500 via the power line 10 under the control of the power management device 600. The power storage device 800 performs a discharging operation of outputting power to the refrigerator 200 and the power load 400 via the power line 10 under the control of the power management device 600. The power storage device 800 may include a sensor 801 for detecting the charge / discharge amount and / or the remaining amount of power storage of the power storage device 800. The power storage device 800 outputs sensor data obtained by the sensor 801 to the power management device 600.

[0106] In the present modification, when the refrigerator 200 cannot be controlled (for example, when the refrigerator control device 300 or the refrigerator 200 notifies the power management device 600 of control NG), the controller 633 of the power management device 600 can perform peak reduction control using the power storage device 800. That is, when the facility 1 includes the power storage device 800 and the refrigerator 200 cannot be controlled, the controller 633 of the power management device 600 controls the power storage device 800 so that the peak value of the total power consumption of the facility 1 is reduced.

[0107] As described above, the predictor 632 of the power management device 600 predicts the facility peak time zone, which is a time zone including the peak of the total power consumption of the facility 1, based on the data collected by the collector 631. The controller 633 of the power management device 600 creates an operation plan for the refrigerator 200 so that the peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200 occurs in a predetermined time zone before the predicted facility peak time zone. That is, the controller 633 causes the refrigerator 200 to cool the heat storage material 22 in the predetermined time zone before the predicted facility peak time zone.

[0108] However, for some reason (for example, when the refrigerator control device 300 or the refrigerator 200 notifies the power management device 600 of control NG), the refrigerator 200 may not be controlled. In this case, the controller 633 of the power management device 600 may control the power storage device 800 to perform a charging operation in the above-mentioned predetermined time zone instead of cooling the heat storage material 22 by the refrigerator 200. The controller 633 of the power management device 600 may control the power storage device 800 to perform a discharging operation in the facility peak time zone. Therefore, even in the case where the refrigerator 200 cannot be controlled, the peak reduction effect can be obtained by the control of the power management device 600.

[0109] Other embodiments

[0110] In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example has been mainly described in which the power management device 600 uses the refrigerator 200 to perform peak reduction control on the total power consumption of the facility 1. However, the controller 633 of the power management device 600 may control the refrigerator 200 and the power load 400 so that the reduction of the peak value of the total power consumption of the facility 1 takes precedence over the reduction of the peak value of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200. Specifically, the facility 1 may be a warehouse facility, the power load 400 may include warehouse equipment, and the controller 633 of the power management device 600 may control the refrigerator 200 and the warehouse equipment so that the reduction of the peak value of the total power consumption of the warehouse facility takes precedence over the reduction of the peak value of the power consumption of the refrigerator 200. Such warehouse equipment may be a specific warehouse equipment that is not always used but temporarily used and whose power consumption when used is greater than a predetermined value. For example, the specific warehouse equipment that can be used for peak reduction control may be a pallet washer and / or a forklift charger. The pallet washer is a device for washing pallets in a warehouse facility. The forklift charger is a device for charging a forklift used in a warehouse facility.

[0111] For example, the predictor 632 of the power management device 600 predicts a facility peak time zone based on the data collected by the collector 631, and the facility peak time zone is a time zone including the peak of the total power consumption of the facility 1. The controller 633 of the power management device 600 creates an operation plan for the specific warehouse equipment so that the peak of the power consumption of the specific warehouse equipment appears in a predetermined time zone before the predicted facility peak time zone. That is, the controller 633 of the power management device 600 operates the specific warehouse equipment in the predetermined time zone before the predicted facility peak time zone. The controller 633 of the power management device 600 creates an operation plan for the specific warehouse equipment so as to perform operation suppression for suppressing the operation of the specific warehouse equipment in the predicted facility peak time zone. The suppression operation of the specific warehouse equipment may be to stop the operation of the specific warehouse equipment.

[0112] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been mainly described in which the power management device 600 is provided separately from the refrigerator 200. Fig.11 As shown, the refrigerator 200 may have the function of the power management device 600, and the power management device 600 may be integrated with the refrigerator 200. In this modification, the refrigerator 200 includes the above-mentioned communicator 610, the manager 620, and the processor 630. The processor 630 includes the above-mentioned collector 631, the predictor 632, and the controller 633.

[0113] A program that enables a computer to perform operations according to the above-described embodiments may be provided. The program may be recorded in a computer-readable medium. The use of a computer-readable medium enables the program to be installed on a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-temporary recording medium. Temporary recording media are not particularly limited. For example, recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs may be used. A semiconductor integrated circuit (chip set, SoC (system on chip)) may be configured by integrating circuits that perform the operations performed in the above-described embodiments.

[0114] Unless otherwise expressly stated, the phrases "based on" and "depending on" used in the present disclosure do not mean "based only on" and "depending only on". The phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least in part on". The phrase "depending on" means "depending only on" and "depending at least in part on". The phrases "collect" and "obtain / acquire" may mean obtaining information from stored information, may mean obtaining information from information received from another node, or may mean obtaining the information by generating information. The terms "include" and "comprise" do not mean to include only the listed items, but only the listed items or to include additional items in addition to the listed items. The term "or" used in the present disclosure is not intended to be an "exclusive or". For example, when English articles such as "a", "an" and "the" are added in the present disclosure by translation, these articles include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0115] The embodiments have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to the above configuration, and various design changes may be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0116] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-84154 (filed on May 23, 2022), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0117] Additional Notes

[0118] Features of the above-described embodiments will be additionally described.

[0119] Supplementary Note 1

[0120] A power management device, comprising:

[0121] a collector configured to collect data related to power of a facility, the facility including a chiller and power loads other than the chiller;

[0122] a predictor configured to predict total power consumption of the facility based on the data; and

[0123] A controller is configured to perform control on the refrigerator based on the predicted result, wherein:

[0124] The controller is configured to perform the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the refrigerator.

[0125] Supplementary Note 2

[0126] The power management device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

[0127] The controller is configured to control the chiller and the electrical load to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the chiller.

[0128] Supplementary Note 3

[0129] The power management device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein:

[0130] The facility is a warehouse facility, and the electrical loads include warehouse equipment, and

[0131] The controller is configured to control the refrigeration machine and the warehouse equipment to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the warehouse facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the refrigeration machine.

[0132] Supplementary Note 4

[0133] The power management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein

[0134] The predictor is configured to predict a facility peak time zone based on the data, the facility peak time zone being a time zone including a peak of total power consumption of the facility, and

[0135] The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a predetermined time zone before the facility peak time zone.

[0136] Supplementary Note 5

[0137] The power management device according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein:

[0138] The controller is configured to perform, as the control, an operation inhibition for inhibiting operation of the chiller in a facility peak time zone.

[0139] Supplementary Note 6

[0140] The power management device according to Supplementary Note 4 or 5, wherein:

[0141] The controller is configured to perform the control to cool the heat storage material in the predetermined time zone by the refrigerator.

[0142] Supplementary Note 7

[0143] A power management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 4 to 6, wherein:

[0144] The predictor is configured to predict the outside air temperature and / or humidity for each time zone, and

[0145] The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator occurs in a predetermined time zone in which the outside air temperature and / or the humidity meets a predetermined standard.

[0146] Supplementary Note 8

[0147] A power management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 4 to 7, wherein:

[0148] When the facility includes a power generation device, the forecaster is configured to forecast the power generation amount of the power generation device for each time zone, and

[0149] The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a predetermined time zone in which the power generation amount satisfies a predetermined standard.

[0150] Supplementary Note 9

[0151] A power management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 4 to 8, wherein:

[0152] The predictor is configured to predict a carbon dioxide emission factor for each time zone, and

[0153] The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a predetermined time zone in which the carbon dioxide emission coefficient satisfies a predetermined standard.

[0154] Supplementary Note 10

[0155] A power management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 4 to 9, wherein:

[0156] The forecaster is configured to forecast wholesale electricity prices for each time zone, and

[0157] The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a predetermined time zone in which the wholesale power price meets a predetermined standard.

[0158] Supplementary Note 11

[0159] A power management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 4 to 10, wherein:

[0160] The forecaster is configured to forecast the heat load of the freezers in the facility for each time zone, and

[0161] The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a predetermined time zone in which the heat load satisfies a predetermined standard.

[0162] Supplementary Note 12

[0163] The power management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 11, wherein

[0164] The predictor is configured to predict whether suppression of power consumption in the facility is requested from an external device, and

[0165] The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a time zone before a time zone in which the suppression is requested is predicted.

[0166] Supplementary Note 13

[0167] A power management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 12, wherein:

[0168] The predictor is configured to predict whether to request a promotion of power consumption in the facility from an external device, and

[0169] The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a time zone in which the promotion is predicted to be requested.

[0170] Supplementary Note 14

[0171] The power management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 13, further comprising:

[0172] a communicator configured to receive a request message requesting promotion of power consumption in the facility from an external device, wherein

[0173] The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator occurs in a time zone in which the request message requests the promotion.

[0174] Supplementary Note 15

[0175] A power management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 14, wherein:

[0176] When the facility includes a power storage device and control of the refrigerator cannot be performed, the controller is configured to control the power storage device to reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility.

[0177] Supplementary Note 16

[0178] A power management method, comprising:

[0179] collecting data related to power at a facility, the facility including a chiller and power loads other than the chiller;

[0180] predicting total power consumption of the facility based on the data; and

[0181] The refrigerator is controlled based on the predicted result, wherein:

[0182] Executing the control includes executing the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the refrigerator.

[0183] Supplementary Note 17

[0184] A power management program that causes a computer to:

[0185] collecting data related to power at a facility, the facility including a chiller and power loads other than the chiller;

[0186] predicting total power consumption of the facility based on the data; and

[0187] The refrigerator is controlled based on the predicted result, wherein:

[0188] Executing the control includes executing the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the refrigerator.

[0189] Supplementary Note 18

[0190] A facility comprising a refrigerator and an electrical load other than the refrigerator, wherein:

[0191] The facilities include:

[0192] a collector configured to collect data related to power at the facility;

[0193] a predictor configured to predict total power consumption of the facility based on the data; and

[0194] A controller is configured to perform control on the refrigerator based on the predicted result, wherein:

[0195] The controller is configured to perform the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the refrigerator.

[0196] Supplementary Note 19

[0197] A refrigerator, comprising:

[0198] a collector configured to collect data related to power of a facility, the facility including a chiller and power loads other than the chiller;

[0199] a predictor configured to predict total power consumption of the facility based on the data; and

[0200] A controller is configured to perform control on the refrigerator based on the predicted result, wherein:

[0201] The controller is configured to perform the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the refrigerator.

[0202] Reference numerals

[0203] 1: Facilities

[0204] 2: Power grid

[0205] 3: Power receiving point

[0206] 5: Communication Network

[0207] 10: Power lines

[0208] 20: Freezer

[0209] 21: Sensor

[0210] 22: Heat storage materials

[0211] 30: Cold Storage

[0212] 40: Room temperature library

[0213] 50: Restaurant

[0214] 100: Distribution board

[0215] 101: Sensors

[0216] 200: Refrigerator

[0217] 201: Sensor

[0218] 300: Refrigeration machine control device

[0219] 400: Power load

[0220] 401: Sensor

[0221] 410: Air conditioning

[0222] 420: Lighting Equipment

[0223] 430: Conveyor / Automation Devices

[0224] 450: Office equipment

[0225] 500: Power generation equipment

[0226] 501: Sensor

[0227] 600: Power management device

[0228] 601: Bus

[0229] 610: Communicator

[0230] 620: Manager

[0231] 621: Storage Devices

[0232] 630: Processor

[0233] 631: Collector

[0234] 632: Predictor

[0235] 633: Controller

[0236] 700: Server device

[0237] 800: Power storage equipment.

Claims

1. A power management device, comprising: a collector configured to collect data related to power of a facility, the facility including a chiller and power loads other than the chiller; a predictor configured to predict total power consumption of the facility based on the data; as well as A controller is configured to perform control on the refrigerator based on the predicted result, wherein: The controller is configured to perform the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the refrigerator.

2. The power management device according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to control the chiller and the electrical load to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the chiller.

3. The power management device according to claim 2, wherein: The facility is a warehouse facility, and the electrical loads include warehouse equipment, and The controller is configured to control the refrigeration machine and the warehouse equipment to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the warehouse facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the refrigeration machine.

4. The power management device according to claim 1, wherein: The predictor is configured to predict a facility peak time zone based on the data, the facility peak time zone being a time zone including a peak of total power consumption of the facility, and The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a predetermined time zone before the facility peak time zone.

5. The power management device according to claim 4, wherein: The controller is configured to perform, as the control, an operation inhibition for inhibiting operation of the chiller in a facility peak time zone.

6. The power management device according to claim 4, wherein: The controller is configured to perform the control to cool the heat storage material in the predetermined time zone by the refrigerator.

7. The power management device according to claim 4, wherein: The predictor is configured to predict the outside air temperature and / or humidity for each time zone, and The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator occurs in a predetermined time zone in which the outside air temperature and / or the humidity meets a predetermined standard.

8. The power management device according to claim 4, wherein: When the facility includes a power generation device, the forecaster is configured to forecast the power generation amount of the power generation device for each time zone, and The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a predetermined time zone in which the power generation amount satisfies a predetermined standard.

9. The power management device according to claim 4, wherein: The predictor is configured to predict a carbon dioxide emission factor for each time zone, and The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a predetermined time zone in which the carbon dioxide emission coefficient satisfies a predetermined standard.

10. The power management device according to claim 4, wherein: The forecaster is configured to forecast wholesale electricity prices for each time zone, and The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a predetermined time zone in which the wholesale power price meets a predetermined standard.

11. The power management device according to claim 4, wherein: The forecaster is configured to forecast the heat load of the cold storage in the facility for each time zone, and The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a predetermined time zone in which the heat load satisfies a predetermined standard.

12. The power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The predictor is configured to predict whether suppression of power consumption in the facility is requested from an external device, and The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a time zone before a time zone in which the suppression is requested is predicted.

13. The power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The predictor is configured to predict whether to request a promotion of power consumption in the facility from an external device, and The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of power consumption of the refrigerator appears in a time zone in which the promotion is predicted to be requested.

14. The power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a communicator configured to receive a request message requesting promotion of power consumption in the facility from an external device, wherein The controller is configured to perform the control so that a peak of the power consumption of the refrigerator occurs in a time zone in which the request message requests the promotion.

15. The power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: When the facility includes a power storage device and control of the refrigerator cannot be performed, the controller is configured to control the power storage device to reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility.

16. A power management method, comprising: collecting data related to power at a facility, the facility including a chiller and power loads other than the chiller; predicting total power consumption of the facility based on the data; as well as The refrigerator is controlled based on the predicted result, wherein: Executing the control includes executing the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the refrigerator.

17. A power management program that causes a computer to execute: collecting data related to power at a facility, the facility including a chiller and power loads other than the chiller; predicting total power consumption of the facility based on the data; as well as The refrigerator is controlled based on the predicted result, wherein: Executing the control includes executing the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the refrigerator.

18. A facility comprising a chiller and an electrical load other than the chiller, wherein: The facilities include: a collector configured to collect data related to power at the facility; a predictor configured to predict total power consumption of the facility based on the data; and A controller is configured to perform control on the refrigerator based on the predicted result, wherein: The controller is configured to perform the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the refrigerator.

19. A refrigerator, comprising: a collector configured to collect data related to power of a facility including the chiller and power loads other than the chiller; a predictor configured to predict total power consumption of the facility based on the data; as well as A controller is configured to perform control on the refrigerator based on the predicted result, wherein: The controller is configured to perform the control to preferentially reduce a peak value of total power consumption of the facility rather than reducing a peak value of power consumption of the refrigerator.

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