Information processing apparatus

Abstract

An information processing apparatus is provided. A pre-request processing step excludes one or more business premises presumed to be non-working days from a pool of candidates for sending cooperation requests to respond to demand on the following day. Based on a forecast of electricity demand in the power grid for the following day, one or more of the business premises presumed to be working days are selected as destinations for sending cooperation requests to respond to demand on the following day. For the selected one or more business premises, the cooperation request to respond to demand on the following day is sent during the current day.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference of related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-066329, filed on April 14, 2025, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to information processing devices. Background Technology

[0004] As an energy management system for business premises, a system is known that has the function of determining the daily operating status of the business premises. For example, this system determines whether the business premises are operating days or non-operating days. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-126193 discloses an information evaluation method. This method classifies the daily operating status of the business premises within a certain period based on the electricity consumption data of the business premises over that period. This eliminates the need for manual input of the business premises' operating status and allows for the establishment of a correlation between the daily operating status of the business premises and the electricity consumption data.

[0005] By establishing such correlations, the accuracy of electricity demand forecasting can be improved. Furthermore, based on the forecasted electricity demand, collaborative requests for demand response can be made. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Methods for solving problems

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an information processing apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to perform estimation processing and advance request processing to adjust the balance between electricity demand and supply in a power grid of an energy management system. The power grid includes multiple business premises. The estimation processing estimates that the current day is a working day and the duration of multiple working days is less than a predetermined period for business premises that the next day is a working day. The estimation processing also estimates that the current day is a non-working day and that the duration of multiple working days is greater than or equal to the predetermined period for business premises that the next day is a non-working day. The advance request processing excludes one or more of the business premises estimated to be non-working days from a pool of candidates for sending cooperation requests to respond to the next day's demand. Based on a forecast of the electricity demand in the power grid for the next day, the advance request processing selects one or more of the business premises estimated to be working days for the next day as the destination for sending cooperation requests to respond to the next day's demand. The prior request processing sends a collaboration request for the next day's demand response to one or more of the selected business locations during the day.

[0008] The aforementioned information processing device eliminates the hassle of manually inputting workday / non-workday information in advance. It can also reduce the likelihood of unnecessary demand forecasting and requests, while implementing collaboration requests the day before the requested date.

[0009] An energy management system is required to be able to make collaboration requests the day before the target date. However, the information evaluation methods described in the aforementioned literature can determine the past operating status of a business location, but cannot determine whether the next day is a working day or a non-working day for that location. Without knowing whether the next day is a working day or a non-working day, collaboration requests may be made to the business location even in scenarios where no collaboration is needed. Requests for collaboration in unnecessary scenarios may increase the system's operating costs and potentially reduce user trust in the system. Furthermore, requiring business locations to input working day and non-working day information in advance increases the burden on users and system administrators. The above structure improves upon this situation. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an energy management system in one embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 The flowchart shows the presumed processing steps performed by the information processing device.

[0012] Figure 3 It means Figure 1 The flowchart shows the processing steps of the first correction process performed by the information processing device.

[0013] Figure 4 It means Figure 1 The flowchart shows the processing steps of the second correction process performed by the information processing device.

[0014] Figure 5 It means Figure 1 The flowchart shows the processing steps of the prior request processing performed by the information processing device.

[0015] Figure 6 It means Figure 1 The flowchart shows the processing steps for handling daily requests executed by the information processing device.

[0016] Figure 7 It means Figure 1 A table showing examples of the results of the information processing device's presumption processing, correction processing, and advance request processing. Detailed Implementation

[0017] <Overall Structure of the Energy Management System>

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the Energy Management System 10 (EMS) includes an information processing unit 100. Furthermore, the Energy Management System 10 includes multiple business premises 200. The Energy Management System 10 adjusts the balance between electricity demand and supply in the power grid encompassing the multiple business premises 200.

[0019] The information processing device 100 includes a processing circuit 110, a storage device 120, and a communication device 130. The processing circuit 110 includes one or more processors that execute computer programs (software). The processor includes a CPU, RAM, and ROM, among other memories.

[0020] The storage device 120 is constructed using a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium that is accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. The memory of the processor constituting the processing circuit 110 is similarly constructed. That is, in the information processing device 100, the processing circuit 110 reads the computer program stored in the storage device 120 and executes various processes specified by the computer program.

[0021] The communication device 130 is capable of sending and receiving data via the external network 500. Specifically, the information processing device 100, by utilizing the communication device 130, is capable of receiving data from each of the business premises 200 and sending collaborative requests for demand responses (DRs) to each of the business premises 200. The external network 500 is connected to the information processing device 100, the business premises control devices 240 of each business premises 200 (described later), and the user terminals 300 owned by the managers of the business premises 200.

[0022] Each business premises 200 is equipped with energy storage devices, load devices, and power generation devices. The electricity stored in the energy storage devices of each business premises 200 and the electricity generated by the power generation devices can be used as the electricity consumed by the load devices of that business premises 200. The electricity generated by the power generation devices of each business premises 200 can also be used to charge the energy storage devices of that business premises 200.

[0023] In this embodiment, the business premises 200 includes a charging / discharging station 210 as an energy storage device, an air conditioning unit 220 as a load device, and a solar panel 230 as a power generation device. The charging / discharging station 210 can be connected to an electric vehicle 400. The charging / discharging station 210 charges the battery 410 of the electric vehicle 400 for vehicle operation. Furthermore, the charging / discharging station 210 can also use the electricity stored in the battery 410 as a power source to supply to the business premises 200. The energy storage device is not limited to the charging / discharging station 210 and can also be a battery, etc. The load device is not limited to the air conditioning unit 220 and can also be lighting equipment and production equipment (manufacturing equipment), etc. Furthermore, the power generation device is not limited to the solar panel 230 and can also be a wind power generation device, a hydropower generation device, or a thermal power generation device, etc.

[0024] The power grid managed by the information processing device 100 includes multiple business premises 200. Here, the power grid refers to a system in which the various business premises 200 can collaboratively implement the supply, distribution, and control of electricity. Within the power grid, the electricity stored in the energy storage devices at the first business premises and the electricity generated by the power generation equipment at the first business premises can be used to charge the energy storage devices at the second business premises, or can be used as electricity consumed by the load equipment at the second business premises.

[0025] The demand response measures for business premises 200 disclosed herein include increasing DR and decreasing DR. Increasing DR refers to measures taken to temporarily increase the electricity consumption of each business premises 200 when there is a surplus of electricity generation in the power grid, through the operation of load equipment at each business premises 200 and the charging of energy storage devices. Decreasing DR refers to measures taken to temporarily reduce the electricity consumption of each business premises 200 when there is a shortage of demand in the power grid, through the control of load equipment at each business premises 200 and the discharge of energy storage devices. By implementing increasing and decreasing DR, the overall supply and demand balance of the power grid can be adjusted. As a result, a stable power supply is maintained.

[0026] Requests to increase DR include, for example, requests to increase the output of the air conditioning unit 220 and / or requests to make the battery 410 capable of charging by connecting the electric vehicle 400 to the charging / discharging station 210. Requests to decrease DR include, for example, requests to reduce the output of the air conditioning unit 220 and / or requests to make the battery 410 capable of discharging by pre-connecting the electric vehicle 400 to the charging / discharging station 210.

[0027] Each business location 200 is equipped with a business location control device 240. Similar to the information processing device 100 described above, the business location control device 240 includes processing circuitry, storage devices, and communication devices. The communication devices of the business location control device 240 and the communication devices 130 of the information processing device 100 can communicate with each other via an external network 500.

[0028] The business premises control device 240 is connected to the energy storage devices, load devices, and power generation devices of each business premises 200. The business premises control device 240 manages the energy storage devices, load devices, and power generation devices of each business premises 200. Specifically, the business premises control device 240 transmits the operating data of the energy storage devices, load devices, and power generation devices of the business premises 200 to the information processing device 100 via the external network 500. In addition, the business premises control device 240 receives control commands for the energy storage devices, power generation devices, and load devices of the business premises 200 from the information processing device 100 via the external network 500. The business premises control device 240 then sends the received control commands to the energy storage devices, power generation devices, and load devices of the business premises 200.

[0029] Each business premises 200 has working days and non-working days. A working day is a day on which production activities and / or service provision are carried out at the business premises 200. A non-working day is a day on which neither production activities nor service provision are carried out at the business premises 200. On working days, the business premises 200 consume more electricity. On non-working days, the business premises 200 consume less electricity.

[0030] Each business location 200 is equipped with a notification device 250. The notification device 250 is a device capable of notifying the manager of the business location 200 of a cooperation request sent from the information processing device 100 in response to a demand from the business location 200. The notification device 250 may be, for example, a display device such as a monitor connected to the business location control device 240. The notification device 250 is not limited to the above and may also be a user terminal 300 owned by the manager of the business location 200. This user terminal 300 is connected to the information processing device 100 via an external network 500.

[0031] <Presumed processing performed by processing circuit 110>

[0032] Next, the presumed processing performed by the processing circuit 110 of the information processing device 100 will be described. Figure 2This is a flowchart illustrating the processing steps of the estimated processing performed by the processing circuit 110 of the information processing device 100. The processing circuit 110 performs estimated processing on each business location 200. The processing circuit 110 performs estimated processing on each business location 200 once a day at a predetermined time. For example, the processing circuit 110 performs estimated processing on each business location 200 at 4 PM. In the following description, the processing circuit 110 will... Figure 1 The presumed processing performed at one of the multiple business premises 200 shown, namely business premises 200A.

[0033] In the following description, the date on which the processing circuit 110 performs the processing is recorded as "today". In addition, one day before the date on which the processing circuit 110 performs the processing is recorded as "the previous day", and one day after the date on which the processing circuit 110 performs the processing is recorded as "the next day". In addition, the date on which each processing to be performed by the processing circuit 110 is recorded as "the current day".

[0034] In step S101, the processing circuit 110 determines whether the business premises 200A is a working day based on the result of the estimation process. If the day is a working day (S101: Yes), the processing circuit 110 proceeds to step S102. If the day is not a working day (S101: No), the processing circuit 110 proceeds to step S104.

[0035] In step S102, the processing circuit 110 determines whether the number of consecutive working days in the business premises 200A is less than a predetermined number of days. The predetermined number of days is, for example, 5 days. The number of consecutive working days includes the current day. That is, if the previous day was a non-working day and the current day is a working day, the number of consecutive working days is 1 day. If the number of consecutive working days is less than the predetermined number of days (S102: Yes), the processing circuit 110 proceeds to step S103. If the number of consecutive working days is more than or equal to the predetermined number of days (S102: No), the processing circuit 110 proceeds to step S104.

[0036] In step S103, the processing circuit 110 assumes that the business premises 200A will also be a working day on the next day. That is, the processing circuit 110 assumes that the business premises 200 where the current day is a working day (S101: Yes) and the duration of multiple working days is less than a specified period (S102: Yes) will be a working day on the next day.

[0037] In step S104, the processing circuit 110 determines that the next day of business premises 200A is a non-working day. That is, the processing circuit 110 determines that the next day of business premises 200A is a non-working day if the current day is a non-working day (S101: No) or if the duration of multiple working days is more than a specified period (S102: No).

[0038] <Correction processing performed by processing circuit 110>

[0039] Next, the correction process performed by the processing circuit 110 of the information processing device 100 will be described. The correction process is a process that corrects the estimation results of the estimation process performed the previous day based on the power consumption of the current day. Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing steps of the first correction process performed by the processing circuit 110 of the information processing device 100. Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing steps of the second correction process performed by the processing circuit 110 of the information processing device 100. The processing circuit 110 performs the following steps on a day that is estimated to be a non-working day by the aforementioned estimation process. Figure 3 The first correction process is shown. Additionally, processing circuit 110 executes the following on a day that is presumed to be a workday based on the presumption process performed the previous day: Figure 4 The second correction process is shown. In the following description, the processing circuit 110 is described in the same manner as the presumed process. Figure 1 The correction process performed on business premises 200A, one of the multiple business premises 200 shown.

[0040] First, the first correction process will be explained. For example... Figure 3 As shown, in step S201, the processing circuit 110 determines whether the power consumption of business premises 200A is above a first threshold. If the power consumption is above the first threshold (S201: Yes), the processing circuit 110 proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the processing circuit 110 corrects the current day to a working day for business premises 200A. That is, if the current day is presumed to be a non-working day for business premises 200A, and the current day's power consumption of business premises 200A exceeds the first threshold (S201: Yes), the processing circuit 110 corrects the current day to a working day for business premises 200A. Based on the completion of step S202, the processing circuit 110 ends the first correction process.

[0041] If the power consumption of business premises 200A is less than a first threshold (S201: No), processing circuit 110 ends the first correction process. If step S202 is not executed, processing circuit 110 repeats the first correction process every predetermined time interval T1. The predetermined time T1 is, for example, 1 minute. Here, the power consumption used in the determination in step S201 can be the maximum power consumption during the predetermined time T1 from the end of the previous first correction process to the beginning of the current first correction process. The predetermined time T1 and the power consumption used for the determination in step S201 can be appropriately changed. For example, the predetermined time T1 can be 1 second or 1 hour. Alternatively, the power consumption used in the determination in step S201 can also be the average power consumption over the predetermined time T1.

[0042] Next, the second corrective process will be explained. For example... Figure 4 As shown, in step S301, the processing circuit 110 determines whether the power consumption of the business premises 200A is below a second threshold. If the power consumption is below the second threshold (S301: Yes), the processing circuit 110 proceeds to step S302. If the power consumption is greater than the second threshold (S301: No), the processing circuit 110 proceeds to step S305.

[0043] In step S302, the processing circuit 110 increments the low-consumption count by "1". Then, the processing circuit 110 proceeds to step S303. The low-consumption count is a variable processed by the processing circuit 110. At the end of each pre-set day, the processing circuit 110 resets the low-consumption count to "0".

[0044] In step S303, the processing circuit 110 determines whether the low consumption count is above a predetermined value P. If the low consumption count is above the predetermined value P (S303: Yes), the processing circuit 110 proceeds to step S304. In step S304, the processing circuit 110 corrects the current day as a non-working day for business premises 200A. If the low consumption count is below the predetermined value P (S303: No), the processing circuit 110 ends the second correction process.

[0045] In step S305, the processing circuit 110 resets the low-power count to "0". Then, the processing circuit 110 ends the second correction process.

[0046] Without executing step S304, the processing circuit 110 repeats the second correction process every predetermined time T2. The predetermined time T2 is, for example, 1 hour. At this time, the power consumption used in the determination in step S301 can be the maximum power consumption during the predetermined time T2 from the end of the previous second correction process to the beginning of the current second correction process. At this time, for every hour the maximum power consumption in business premises 200A remains below the second threshold, the low power consumption count increases by "1". If the predetermined value P of the low power consumption count used in step S303 is "5", and the maximum power consumption in business premises 200A remains below the second threshold for 5 hours, the processing circuit 110 corrects the day as a non-working day for business premises 200A. That is, if the day is presumed to be a working day for business premises 200, and the duration for which the power consumption in business premises 200 is below the second threshold for the day exceeds a predetermined time, the processing circuit 110 corrects the day as a non-working day for business premises 200.

[0047] The predetermined time T2 and the power consumption used for the determination in step S301 can be appropriately changed. For example, the predetermined time T2 can be 1 second or 3 hours. In addition, the power consumption used in the determination in step S301 can also be the average power consumption over the predetermined time T2.

[0048] In this embodiment, the processing circuit 110 initiates the second correction process at the start time of work when the business premises 200 is a workday. The timing of initiating the second correction process is not limited to the above. For example, the processing circuit 110 may also initiate the second correction process several hours before the start time of work when the business premises 200 is a workday. Furthermore, the processing circuit 110 may also initiate the second correction process at the time of date change.

[0049] Alternatively, after correcting the current day to a working day through step S202 in the first correction process, the processing circuit 110 may begin the second correction process. Alternatively, after correcting the current day to a non-working day through step S304 in the second correction process, the processing circuit 110 may begin the first correction process.

[0050] <Pre-request processing performed by processing circuit 110>

[0051] Next, the prior request processing performed by the processing circuit 110 of the information processing device 100 will be described. Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing steps of the pre-request processing performed by the processing circuit 110 of the information processing device 100. As described below, the processing circuit 110 performs the pre-request processing at a predetermined time after performing the estimated processing once a day.

[0052] like Figure 5 As shown, in step S401, the processing circuit 110 of the information processing device 100 estimates whether a demand response is needed the following day. That is, in step S401, it estimates whether a demand response is needed as a scheduled demand response for the following day. The information processing device 100 estimates whether a demand response is needed based on the forecast of the electricity demand for the following day in the power grid managed by the information processing device 100. For example, the information processing device 100 can estimate whether a demand response is needed based on the forecast of the electricity consumption of each of the multiple business premises 200 for the following day. The information processing device 100 may also add the following day's weather data and the following day's power plant work schedule to the estimation of whether a demand response is needed. If it is estimated that a demand response is needed the following day (S401: Yes), the processing circuit 110 proceeds to step S402. If it is estimated that a demand response is not needed the following day (S401: No), the processing circuit 110 terminates the advance request processing.

[0053] In step S402, the processing circuit 110 sends a cooperation request for responding to the next day's demand to the business premises 200 that are presumed to have the next day as a working day. Specifically, the information processing device 100 excludes business premises 200 that are presumed to have the next day as a non-working day from the candidate destinations for sending cooperation requests for responding to the next day's demand. Then, based on the predicted electricity demand in the power grid for the next day, the information processing device 100 selects the business premises 200 presumed to have the next day as a working day as the recipients of the cooperation requests for responding to the next day's demand. The information processing device 100 sends the cooperation request for responding to the next day's demand to the selected business premises 200 on the same day. After step S402 is completed, the processing circuit 110 ends the pre-request processing.

[0054] Processing circuit 110 executes advance request processing at a predetermined time each day. Advance request processing can be executed before the closing time of each business location 200. Alternatively, advance request processing can be executed after the time required for correction based on the determination of the first and second correction processes has elapsed.

[0055] <Today's request processing executed by processing circuit 110>

[0056] Next, the processing of the daily request executed by the processing circuit 110 of the information processing device 100 will be described. Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing steps of the daily request processing executed by the processing circuit 110 of the information processing device 100.

[0057] Processing circuit 110 determines, based on the electricity consumption in the power grid today, whether to send a cooperation request for today's demand response to business premises 200 that have presumed today to be a working day. That is, today's demand response is the demand response requested today. For example... Figure 6 As shown, in step S501, the processing circuit 110 of the information processing device 100 determines whether a demand response is needed based on the current power consumption in the power grid. For example, if the current power consumption exceeds a threshold used to determine that the current power consumption is too high relative to the power supply, it is determined that the demand response (DR) needs to be reduced. For example, if the current power consumption is below a threshold used to determine that the current power consumption is too low relative to the power supply, it is determined that the demand response (DR) needs to be increased. If a current demand response is needed (S501: Yes), the processing device proceeds to step S502. If a current demand response is not needed (S501: No), the processing device terminates the processing of the day's demands.

[0058] In step S502, the processing circuit 110 sends a cooperation request for responding to demand to the business premises 200 where today is a working day. That is, when the processing circuit 110 determines that a cooperation request for responding to demand for today is required (S501: Yes), it sends a cooperation request for responding to demand for today to the business premises 200 that have been presumed to be a working day.

[0059] Processing circuit 110 repeats the daily request processing every predetermined time T3. The predetermined time T3 is, for example, 30 minutes. Processing circuit 110 may also end the repetition of daily request processing after step S502 is completed. Alternatively, processing circuit 110 may also repeat the daily request processing after step S502 is completed. After sending the cooperation request in step S502, processing circuit 110 may also perform daily request processing every predetermined time T4, which is longer than the predetermined time T3.

[0060] <The function of this implementation method>

[0061] Reference Figure 7 This explains the function of the information processing device 100. Figure 7 Table 600 shows the daily work status, estimated processing, corrective processing, and results of advance request processing in business premises 200A. The "Estimated Results of Previous Day" column in Table 600 indicates the results implemented on the previous day. Figure 2 The above shows the presumption results in the presumption processing. The "Actual Operating Status" column indicates the actual operating status of business premises 200A on that day. The "Correction Processing Result" column indicates the results of the corrections. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The following sections detail the determination of the work status for the day following the first and second corrective actions. If the previous day's presumed result is not corrected, a hyphen ("-") is recorded in the "Correction Result" column. The "Workday Duration" column records the number of consecutive workdays including the current day. The "Presumed Result for the Next Day" column indicates the results implemented on that day. Figure 2 The results of the presumed processing are shown. That is, the content of the "Presumed Result of the Previous Day" column is the same as the content of the "Presumed Result of the Next Day" column. The "Prior Request Processing" column indicates whether the current day is a day for which prior request processing is requested. If the current day is a day for which prior request processing is requested, the column will record "Yes". If the current day is not a day for which prior request processing is requested, the column will record "No".

[0062] The first day in Table 600, Day 1, is Monday. Business premises 200A generally operate on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and non-working days (Saturday and Sunday). Day 12 and Day 17 are Friday and Wednesday respectively, but since business premises 200A are temporarily closed, they are non-working days. Additionally, Day 27 is Saturday, but since business premises 200A are temporarily open, it is a working day. In the following explanations, sometimes business premises 200A's working / non-working days will be simply listed as working / non-working days.

[0063] In business premises 200A, Figure 2 In the estimated process shown, the number of days in step S102 is set to 5 days. That is, if the number of consecutive working days is 5 or more, the processing circuit 110 causes the process to proceed from step S102 to step S104. Here, it is assumed that the first day, Day 1, in Table 600 is estimated to be a working day.

[0064] On Day 1, for business premises 200A, the previous day was presumed to be a working day, and it was indeed a working day. Therefore, Figure 4 In the second correction process shown, the low-consumption count remains below the specified value P. Therefore, the presumed result is not corrected. Therefore, Day 1 is a workday, and thus processing circuit 110 treats business premises 200A as... Figure 6 The requested object shown is the one that was processed for the request on that day.

[0065] Additionally, on Day 1, the continuous number of working days for business premises 200A is 1 day. Therefore, processing circuit 110 in Figure 2 In step S103 of the estimated processing shown, the next day, Day 2, is estimated as a workday. Since the next day, Day 2, is estimated to be a workday, the processing circuit 110 treats the business premises 200A as the day 1 for execution. Figure 5 The requested object shown is the one that requires prior processing.

[0066] On Days 2 through 4, processing circuit 110 performs the same processing as on Day 1. That is, on Days 2 through 4, processing circuit 110 does not revise the previous day's estimated result and estimates the next day as a working day. Therefore, processing circuit 110 treats business premises 200A as the requested object for same-day request processing on Days 2 through 4. Additionally, processing circuit 110 treats business premises 200A as the requested object for pre-request processing performed on Days 2 through 4. On Day 4, the duration of a working day is 4 days.

[0067] On Day 5, for business premises 200A, it is presumed that the previous day, Day 4, was a working day. On Day 5, business premises 200A is also a working day. Therefore, on Day 5, the number of working days for business premises 200A is 5 days. Thus, processing circuit 110... Figure 2 In step S102 of the estimation process shown, it is determined that the number of consecutive working days for business premises 200A exceeds a specified number of days (S102: No). As a result, in step S104 of the estimation process, processing circuit 110 estimates the next day, Day 6, as a non-working day. Therefore, processing circuit 110 excludes business premises 200A from the requested objects of the pre-request processing performed on Day 5. Specifically, processing circuit 110 excludes business premises 200A from the candidate destinations for sending cooperation requests to respond to the needs of the next day.

[0068] Since Day 6 is a Saturday, business premises 200A are effectively closed on a non-working day. Therefore, in Figure 3 In step S201 of the first correction process shown, power consumption is maintained below a first predetermined value. Therefore, the estimated result for the previous day, Day 5, is not corrected. Since Day 6 is a non-working day, the processing circuit 110 excludes business premises 200A from the list of requests to be processed on Day 6. Specifically, the processing circuit 110 excludes business premises 200A from... Figure 6 The collaborative request for a response to the requested request in the daily request processing is excluded from the candidate destination. Furthermore, since Day 6 is a non-working day, processing circuit 110... Figure 2 In step S104 of the estimated processing shown, the next day, Day 7, is estimated to be a non-working day. Therefore, the processing circuit 110 excludes the business premises 200A from the requested objects of the pre-request processing implemented on Day 6.

[0069] Since Day 7 is Sunday, business premises 200A is also a non-working day. Therefore, processing circuit 110 excludes business premises 200A from the list of requests processed on Day 7. Furthermore, since Day 7 is a non-working day, processing circuit 110 presumes Day 8 to be a non-working day.

[0070] On Day 8, for business premises 200A, it was presumed to be a non-working day based on the presumption process implemented on the previous day, Day 7. However, on Day 8, business premises 200A is actually a working day. Therefore, the electricity consumption of business premises 200A on Day 8, which is a working day, becomes... Figure 3The first threshold in step S201 of the first correction process shown is above the threshold. Therefore, the processing circuit 110 corrects the working status of the business premises 200A on Day 8 from a non-working day as estimated on the previous day, Day 7, to a working day. In this way, the processing circuit 110 can correct the determination to the correct working status even if the estimated result is different from the actual working status. The processing circuit 110 corrects Day 8 to a working day, and therefore estimates the next day, Day 9, to be a working day. The subsequent processing on Day 8 is the same as the processing performed by the processing circuit 110 on Day 1, so the description is omitted.

[0071] On Days 9 through 11, processing circuit 110 performs the same processing as on Day 1. That is, on Days 9 through 11, the estimation result of the previous day is not revised, and the next day is estimated as a working day. Therefore, processing circuit 110 treats business premises 200A as the requested object for pre-request processing on Days 9 through 11. On Day 11, the number of working days for business premises 200A is 4.

[0072] On Day 12, business premises 200A were presumed to be a working day based on the presumption process implemented on the previous day, Day 11. However, on Day 12, business premises 200A is actually a non-working day. At some point on Day 12, Figure 4 In the second correction process shown, the low consumption count becomes a predetermined value P or higher. Therefore, in step S304, processing circuit 110 corrects the current day, Day 12, as a non-working day. Consequently, processing circuit 110 excludes business premises 200A from the list of requests processed on Day 12. Because Day 12 is corrected as a non-working day, processing circuit 110... Figure 2 In step S104 of the estimated process shown, the next day, Day 12, is estimated to be a non-working day.

[0073] Since Day 13 is a Saturday, business premises 200A are effectively closed on a non-working day. Therefore, in Figure 3 In step S201 of the first correction process shown, power consumption is maintained below a first predetermined value. Therefore, the estimated result for the previous day, Day 12, is not corrected. In Day 13 and Day 12, the processing circuit 110 performs the same processes as Day 6 and Day 7, respectively, and therefore descriptions are omitted.

[0074] Since the processing performed by processing circuit 110 on Day 15 and Day 16 is the same as that on Day 8 and Day 9, its description is omitted. On Day 17, for business premises 200A, it was presumed to be a working day through the presumption processing performed on the previous day, Day 16. However, on Day 17, business premises 200A is actually a non-working day. Therefore, similar to the processing on Day 12, processing circuit 110 corrects this day, Day 17, to a non-working day. Processing circuit 110 changes business premises 200A from... Figure 6 The requested objects for processing on the same day are excluded. Since Day 17 is a non-working day, the processing circuit 110 assumes that the next day, Day 18, is a non-working day.

[0075] On Day 18, business premises 200A were presumed to be a non-working day based on the presumption process implemented on the previous day, Day 17. However, on Day 18, business premises 200A is actually a working day. Therefore, processing circuit 110, similar to the processing on Day 8, will correct the presumption of the non-working day as a working day on Day 18. On Day 18, the number of working days is 1, so processing circuit 110 presumes Day 19 as a working day. Day 19 is also a working day. On Day 19, the number of working days is 2. Therefore, on Day 19, processing circuit 110 presumes the next day, Day 20, as a working day.

[0076] On Day 20, business premises 200A were presumed to be a working day due to the presumption process implemented on the previous day, Day 19. However, on Day 20, business premises 200A is actually a non-working day. Therefore, similar to the processing on Day 12, processing circuit 110 corrects Day 20 to a non-working day. Processing circuit 110 then changes business premises 200A from [the previous day's date] to a non-working day on Day 20. Figure 6 The requested objects shown in the daily request processing are excluded. Since Day 20 is modified to a non-working day, processing circuit 110... Figure 2 In step S104 of the estimation process shown, the next day, Day 21, is estimated to be a non-working day. Afterwards, the processing circuit 110 performs the same process as Day 6, so its explanation is omitted. Furthermore, the processing circuit 110 performs the same process as Day 7 for Day 21, so its explanation is also omitted.

[0077] Since the processing for Days 22 to 26 is the same as that for Days 1 to 5, the explanation is omitted. On Day 26, the number of working days is 5. Therefore, processing circuit 110 estimates Day 27 as a non-working day.

[0078] On Day 27, business premises 200A were presumed to be a non-working day based on the presumption process implemented on the previous day, Day 26. However, on Day 27, business premises 200A is actually a working day. Therefore, processing circuit 110, similar to the processing on Day 8, will correct the determination from a non-working day presumed on the previous day, Day 26, to a working day on the current day, Day 27. Here, the number of working days on Day 27 is 6, so processing circuit 110 presumes Day 28 as a non-working day. Therefore, processing circuit 110 excludes business premises 200A from the requested objects of the prior request processing implemented on Day 27. Day 28 is also actually a non-working day.

[0079] <Effects of this implementation method>

[0080] (1) The information processing device 100 estimates whether the next day is a working day or a non-working day for the target business premises 200, based on information that the current day is a working day or a non-working day for the target business premises 200 and the number of consecutive working days for the target business premises 200. The information processing device 100 excludes business premises 200 that are estimated to be non-working days from the candidate destinations for sending cooperation requests to respond to the next day's demand. In addition, based on the forecast results of the power demand in the power grid for the next day, the information processing device 100 selects business premises 200 that are estimated to be working days for the next day from the business premises 200 that are estimated to be working days for the next day as the recipients of the cooperation requests to respond to the next day's demand. The information processing device 100 performs advance request processing on the selected business premises 200. In the advance request processing, the cooperation request to respond to the next day's demand is sent on the current day.

[0081] Based on this structure, businesses 200 that are presumed to be both working days can request adjustments to their electricity supply and demand for the following day. This allows for effective adjustment of the balance between electricity supply and demand.

[0082] Furthermore, for non-working days where requests cannot be responded to, and the day before a non-working day where no power supply and demand adjustments are required, no prior request processing is performed. This eliminates the hassle of inputting working / non-working day information in advance and mitigates increased operational costs caused by implementing unnecessary demand forecasting and coordination requests.

[0083] Furthermore, if a request is made to adjust the power supply and demand at business premises 200 on a non-working day, users' reliance on the system may decrease, or users may have to comply with the request even on a non-working day. In this regard, this embodiment does not make requests to adjust the power supply and demand at business premises 200 where the next day is presumed to be a non-working day. As a result, the likelihood of decreased user reliance on the system or users having to comply with requests on non-working days can be reduced.

[0084] (2) The processing circuit 110 performs a correction process based on the power consumption of the day to correct the estimation results of the estimation process performed the previous day. Thus, even if the estimation results of the previous day are different from the actual working state of the day, the working state of the day can be correctly corrected based on the power consumption of the day. As a result, the decrease in the accuracy of demand forecasting can be suppressed.

[0085] (3) If the processing circuit 110 has already determined that today is a non-working day for the business premises 200, and the power consumption of the business premises 200 on today is above a first threshold, then the processing circuit 110 will modify today to a working day for the business premises 200. Alternatively, if the processing circuit 110 has already determined that today is a working day for the business premises 200, and the duration for which the power consumption of the business premises 200 on today is below a second threshold is a predetermined time or longer, then the processing circuit 110 will modify today to a non-working day for the business premises 200. According to this structure, the deviation between the power consumption detection estimation result for the day and the actual working state can be corrected.

[0086] (4) The processing circuit 110 determines, based on the electricity consumption in the power grid today, whether to make a cooperation request for responding to today's demand for business premises 200 that are presumed to be working days. If the processing circuit 110 determines that a cooperation request for responding to today's demand is to be made, it performs the daily request processing on the business premises 200 that are presumed to be working days. The daily request processing makes a cooperation request for responding to today's demand for business premises 200 that are presumed to be working days. Thus, it is possible to send a cooperation request for responding to today's demand to business premises 200 that are working days. Therefore, it is possible to suppress cooperation requests for responding to demand in unnecessary scenarios and adjust the balance between electricity demand and supply.

[0087] <Example of Change>

[0088] The above-described embodiments can be implemented by modification as follows. The above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical inconsistency.

[0089] • The correction processing performed by the processing circuit 110 is not limited to the above. For example, the correction of the estimation result of the estimation processing can also be manually performed by the manager of the business premises 200.

[0090] The processing steps for the first and second correction processes are not limited to those described above. For example, the first correction process may also correct the day to a working day for the business premises 200 if the duration for which the daily electricity consumption of the business premises 200 exceeds a first threshold is a predetermined time or longer. Furthermore, the second correction process may, for example, correct the day to a non-working day for the business premises 200 if the electricity consumption at a certain predetermined time is below a second threshold.

[0091] • The information processing device may also choose not to process the request for the day.

[0092] The information processing apparatus is not limited to a device equipped with a CPU and memory to perform software processing. For example, the information processing apparatus may also include dedicated hardware circuitry such as an ASIC to perform hardware processing on at least a portion of the software processing performed in the above embodiments. That is, the information processing apparatus may include a processing circuit having any of the structures described in (a) to (c) below: (a) A processing circuit comprising: one or more processing devices that execute all of the above processing according to a program; and one or more program storage devices such as a ROM that store a program. (b) A processing circuit comprising: one or more processing devices that execute a portion of the above processing according to a program and one or more program storage devices; and one or more dedicated hardware circuitry that executes the remaining processing. (c) A processing circuit comprising one or more dedicated hardware circuitry that executes all of the above processing. The program storage device, i.e., the computer-readable medium, includes all available media accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

Claims

1. An information processing device, comprising a processing circuit, wherein, The processing circuitry is configured to perform estimated processing and pre-request processing to adjust the balance between electricity demand and supply in the power grid of the energy management system, which has multiple operating locations. The estimation process includes the following steps: For business premises where today is a working day and the duration of multiple working days is less than a specified period, the following day shall be presumed to be a working day; and Business premises where today is a non-working day and business premises where the duration of multiple working days is longer than the specified period are presumed to have the next day as a non-working day. The prior request processing includes the following steps: One or more of the aforementioned business locations that have been presumed to be non-working days are excluded from the candidate destinations for sending collaboration requests for next day demand response, i.e., next day demand response. Based on the forecast of electricity demand in the power grid for the next day, one or more of the business premises that have been presumed to be a working day for the next day are selected as the destination for sending the cooperation request in response to the demand for the next day. and For one or more of the selected business locations, send the collaboration request for the next day's demand on this day.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The processing circuit is configured to perform a correction process that, based on the power consumption of the day, corrects the estimation result of the estimation process performed the previous day.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The processing circuit is configured to perform the following processing: If today is presumed to be a non-working day for the business premises, and the said electricity consumption at the business premises on today exceeds a first threshold, then today will be revised to a working day for the business premises; and If today is presumed to be a working day for the business premises, and the duration for which the electricity consumption of the business premises on today is below the second threshold is more than a specified period, today will be modified to be a non-working day for the business premises.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The processing circuit is configured to perform the following processing: Based on the electricity consumption in the power grid today, determine whether to send a cooperation request for today's demand response (i.e., today's demand response) to the business premises that have been presumed to be working days; and If it is determined that a collaboration request is made in response to the day's demand, the business premises that have been presumed to be on a working day shall be subject to same-day request processing, which includes processing the collaboration request in response to the day's demand.

Images