Method, information processing apparatus and program

Abstract

To improve a technology for adjusting power supply and demand in a target area.SOLUTION: A method executed by an information processing apparatus 10 includes: acquiring power supply and demand prediction information in a target area; determining a sleep schedule of an occupant in the target area so that a target period and a sleep period at least partially overlap based on health information of the occupant when the target period in which power supply and demand in the target area are predicted to be tight is detected based on the supply and demand prediction information; and notifying the occupant of a message proposing the sleep schedule.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method, an information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology for adjusting the supply and demand of electricity in a target area by using, for example, a Community Energy Management System (CEMS). For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an electricity management device that requests electricity consumption reduction requests from electricity consumers belonging to a specific electricity consumer group during a time period when it is necessary to reduce electricity consumption. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-033199 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, simply requesting consumers to reduce their power usage may not provide them with a sufficient motivation to comply with the request. Thus, there is room for improvement in the technology for adjusting the power supply and demand in a target area.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve technology for adjusting electricity supply and demand in a target area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method comprises: A method executed by an information processing device, comprising: Obtaining forecast information on electricity supply and demand in the target area; When a target period in which a power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand forecast information, determining a sleep plan for the resident based on health information of the resident in the target area so that the target period and a sleep period overlap at least in part; The method includes communicating a message to the resident suggesting the sleep plan.

[0007] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: An information processing device including a control unit, The control unit is Obtaining forecast information on electricity supply and demand in the target area, When a target period in which a power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand forecast information, a sleep plan for the resident is determined based on health information of the resident in the target area so that the target period and a sleep period overlap at least in part; The resident is notified of a message suggesting the sleep plan.

[0008] A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: Obtaining forecast information on electricity supply and demand in the target area; When a target period in which a power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand forecast information, determining a sleep plan for the resident based on health information of the resident in the target area so that the target period and a sleep period overlap at least in part; Communicating a message to the resident proposing the sleep plan. The method causes a computer to perform operations including: Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a technique for adjusting power supply and demand in a target area is improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device; [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0012] (Overview of the embodiment) An overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system 1 includes an information processing device 10 and a plurality of terminal devices 20. The information processing device 10 and each of the terminal devices 20 are capable of communicating with each other via a network 30 such as the Internet.

[0013] The information processing device 10 is, for example, a computer such as a server or a PC (Personal Computer). In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 may be capable of communicating with a Community Energy Management System (CEMS) that performs power control in a desired target area, or may constitute a part or all of the CEMS. Typically, the CMES accumulates information on past power supply and demand in the target area, and predicts future power supply and demand in the target area from the accumulated information. The CEMS also performs power control to adjust the power demand and / or power supply in order to maintain a healthy balance between power supply and demand in the target area.

[0014] For example, when it is predicted that the power demand will exceed the power supply, the CEMS may perform a demand response to call on residents and / or businesses in the target area to conserve power, or may supply additional power from a power storage device installed in the target area. Also, when it is predicted that the power supply will exceed the power demand, the CEMS may reduce the supply of power purchased from a power generation company, or may use the surplus power supply to charge a power storage device installed in the target area. However, the contents of the power control in the target area performed by the CEMS are not limited to these examples.

[0015] The terminal device 20 is a computer such as a PC, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a smart speaker, a smart display, a wearable terminal, etc. In this embodiment, the terminal device 20 is used by residents of the target area.

[0016] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The information processing device 10 acquires electricity supply and demand forecast information for a target area. When a target period in which electricity supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand forecast information, the information processing device 10 determines a sleep plan for a resident of the target area based on health information of the resident so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially. Then, the information processing device 10 notifies the resident of the sleep plan.

[0017] Thus, according to the present embodiment, a sleep plan is proposed to the resident, the sleep plan being determined so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially. Here, the probability that the power demand of the resident will be lower during the period in which the resident is in a sleeping state is higher than during the period in which the resident is in an awake state. According to the present embodiment, the probability that the resident will sleep during at least a part of the target period in which the power supply and demand in the target area is predicted to be tight is increased, and as a result, the power demand during the target period can be reduced. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the sleep plan is determined and proposed based on the health information of the resident, for example, by proposing a sleep plan to a resident who has a relatively long continuous awake time, the probability that the resident will accept the proposal can be improved. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the technology for adjusting the power supply and demand in the target area is improved in that the power demand during the target period can be reduced while increasing the probability that the resident will accept the proposal.

[0018] (Configuration of information processing device) 2, a detailed description will be given of each component of the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 13.

[0019] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces for connecting to a network 30 such as the Internet. The communication interface corresponds to a mobile communication standard such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation), a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard.

[0020] The storage unit 12 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, but not limited to, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, optical memories, etc. Each memory included in the storage unit 12 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 10. For example, the storage unit 12 may store system programs, application programs, etc.

[0021] The control unit 13 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit is, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 13 controls the operation of the entire information processing device 10.

[0022] (Operation of information processing device) The operation of the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0023] Step S100: The control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 acquires forecast information on power supply and demand in a target area.

[0024] The "supply and demand forecast information" is information including a forecast value of power supply and demand in a certain future period (i.e., a forecast value of power demand and power supply). Any method can be adopted to acquire the supply and demand forecast information. For example, the control unit 13 may acquire the supply and demand forecast information from the CEMS in the target area via the communication unit 11 and the network 30. Alternatively, the control unit 13 may accumulate the past supply and demand information of power in the target area (i.e., the actual values ​​of power demand and power supply) in the storage unit 12. The control unit 13 may determine the forecast value of future power supply and demand in the target area from the past supply and demand information accumulated in the storage unit 12, for example, by AI (Artificial Intelligence) or a predetermined algorithm. Alternatively, the control unit 13 may acquire the total of the demand power indicated in the demand plan of each consumer in the target area as the forecast value of the demand power. The control unit 13 may also acquire the total of the supply power indicated in the power generation plan of each power generation facility that supplies power to the target area as the forecast value of the supply power.

[0025] Step S101: The control unit 13 determines whether or not a future period in which the power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area (hereinafter also referred to as the "target period") has been detected based on the supply and demand forecast information acquired in step S100. If it is determined that the target period has been detected (step S101-Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if it is determined that the target period has not been detected (step S101-No), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0026] Any method may be used to detect the target period. For example, when a period exists in which the ratio of the predicted value of the power demand to the predicted value of the power supply is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 1) in the demand forecast information, the control unit 13 detects the period as the target period.

[0027] Step S102: If it is determined in step S101 that the target period has been detected (step S101-Yes), the control unit 13 acquires health information of residents in the target area.

[0028] "Health information" includes any information related to the health of a resident. In this embodiment, health information of a resident in an awake state includes information indicating the time when the resident last woke up from sleep (hereinafter also referred to as the first time). Note that health information of a resident in a sleeping state does not need to include information indicating the first time.

[0029] Any method can be adopted to acquire the health information. For example, the information processing device 10 may acquire the health information from the terminal device 20 of the resident. Here, it is assumed that the health information of the resident in an awake state is acquired. Specifically, the terminal device 20 of the resident monitors whether the resident is in a sleeping state or an awake state, for example, using a biosensor and a vibration sensor mounted on the terminal device. When the resident is in an awake state, the terminal device 20 transmits information indicating a first time when the resident last woke up from sleep to the information processing device 10 via the network 30. The control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 acquires the information indicating the first time received from the terminal device 20 via the network 30 and the communication unit 11 as health information.

[0030] Step S103: The control unit 13 determines whether or not the resident satisfies the conditions based on the health information acquired in step S102. If it is determined that the resident satisfies the conditions (step S103-Yes), the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if it is determined that the resident does not satisfy the conditions (step S103-No), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0031] In this embodiment, the "condition" is that the time from the first time to the second time is equal to or greater than a first threshold value th1. The "second time" is, for example, any time included in the target period detected in step S101 (for example, the start time of the target period). Furthermore, the "time from the first time to the second time" refers to the continuous awake time of the resident at the second time, assuming that the resident remains awake without sleeping from the first time to the second time.

[0032] In other words, in step S103, assuming that the resident does not sleep and remains awake from the first time to the second time, if the continuous awake time at the second time is relatively long (i.e., the continuous awake time is equal to or longer than the first threshold th1), the resident is determined to satisfy the condition. On the other hand, if the continuous awake time at the second time is relatively short (i.e., the continuous awake time is less than the first threshold th1), the resident is determined not to satisfy the condition.

[0033] Step S104: If it is determined in step S103 that the resident satisfies the condition (step S103-Yes), the control unit 13 determines the sleep plan of the resident such that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially.

[0034] Step S105: The control unit 13 notifies the resident of a message proposing the sleep plan determined in step S104.

[0035] Specifically, the control unit 13 transmits the message to the terminal device 20 of the resident via the communication unit 11 and the network 30.

[0036] Step S106: The control unit 13 judges whether the resident has accepted the sleep plan proposal. If it is judged that the resident has accepted the proposal (step S106-Yes), the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if it is judged that the resident has not accepted the proposal (step S106-No), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0037] Specifically, the resident inputs a response as to whether or not he or she accepts the sleep plan proposal to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 transmits information indicating the response input by the resident to the information processing device 10. Then, when the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 receives information indicating that the resident accepts the proposal from the terminal device 20, it determines that the resident has accepted the proposal. On the other hand, when the control unit 13 receives information indicating that the resident does not accept the proposal from the terminal device 20 or when the control unit 13 fails to receive information indicating a response from the terminal device 20 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the notification of the message, it determines that the resident has not accepted the proposal.

[0038] Step S107: If it is determined in step S106 that the resident has accepted the proposal (step S106-Yes), the control unit 13 modifies the supply and demand forecast information.

[0039] As described above, the sleep period indicated in the sleep plan overlaps with the target period at least in part. Therefore, when a resident sleeps according to the sleep plan, the power demand in the target area may be reduced in at least a part of the target period. In response to this, the control unit 13 corrects the supply and demand forecast information so as to reduce the power demand in the target area in the sleep period indicated in the sleep plan. Note that when correcting the supply and demand forecast information, the amount of reduction in the power demand may be determined in advance as a specified value. Alternatively, the control unit 13 may calculate the difference between the power demand when the resident is awake and the power demand when the resident is asleep from the past actual values ​​of the power demand of the resident, and set the difference as the amount of reduction in the power demand.

[0040] The above-mentioned steps S102 to S107 may be performed for some or all of the residents of the target area.

[0041] Step S108: The control unit 13 performs power control in the target area based on the supply and demand forecast information.

[0042] Any method can be adopted for power control based on the supply and demand forecast information. For example, there is a high possibility that power supply and demand will be tight during the target period indicated in the supply and demand forecast information. In response to this, the control unit 13 may increase the power supply from resources such as storage batteries installed in the target area only during the target period. In addition, for example, the control unit 13 may request a demand response from consumers in the target area to reduce the power demand during the target period. Note that in this embodiment, power control in the target area may be implemented based on the supply and demand forecast information corrected in step S107. By correcting the supply and demand forecast information, the power demand during the target period may be reduced as described above.

[0043] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment acquires electricity supply and demand forecast information for a target area. When a target period in which electricity supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand forecast information, the information processing device 10 determines a sleep plan for a resident of the target area based on health information of the resident so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially. Then, the information processing device 10 notifies the resident of the sleep plan.

[0044] As described above, such a configuration improves the technology for regulating electricity supply and demand in a target area in that it may reduce electricity demand during a target period while increasing the likelihood that residents will accept proposed sleep plans.

[0045] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0046] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and operation of the information processing device 10 may be distributed among multiple computers that can communicate with each other. Also, for example, an embodiment may be possible in which step S103 described above is omitted and no conditions are imposed on the residents who decide and propose the sleep plan.

[0047] In the above embodiment, for a resident who satisfies the condition that the time from the first time when the resident last woke up from sleep to the second time included in the target period (i.e., the continuous awake time at the second time) is equal to or greater than the first threshold th1, a sleep plan is determined so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially. Here, an embodiment in which the start time of the sleep period is determined according to the length of the time from the first time to the second time is also possible. For example, when the time from the first time to the second time is equal to or greater than the second threshold th2 that is longer than the first threshold th1, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 may determine a sleep plan so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially and the start time of the sleep period is before the start time of the target period. On the other hand, when the time from the first time to the second time is equal to or greater than the first threshold th1 and less than the second threshold th2, the control unit 13 may determine a sleep plan so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially and the start time of the sleep period is after the start time of the target period. With this configuration, residents whose continuous wakefulness time at the second time is equal to or greater than the second threshold th2 are encouraged to go to sleep earlier than residents whose continuous wakefulness time is equal to or greater than the first threshold th1 and less than the second threshold th2, thereby maintaining or improving the health of the residents.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the health information of the resident in the awake state includes information indicating the first time when the resident last woke up from sleep. However, the health information is not limited to this example. For example, an embodiment is possible in which the health information of the resident further includes information indicating the average sleep time or total sleep time of the resident in a predetermined period of the past. For example, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 may determine the length of the sleep period related to the sleep plan based on the average sleep time or the total sleep time when determining the sleep plan. For example, the control unit 13 lengthens the sleep period as the average sleep time or the total sleep time is shorter. According to this configuration, the health of the resident who is sleep deficient is encouraged to ensure a relatively long sleep time, so that the health of the resident can be maintained or improved.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the health information of the resident in the awake state includes information indicating the first time when the resident last woke up from sleep. Then, in step S103, it is determined whether the resident satisfies the condition that the time from the first time to the second time is equal to or greater than the first threshold th1. However, the health information of the resident and the condition of the resident determined in step S103 are not limited to the above example. For example, an embodiment is also possible in which the health information of the resident includes information indicating the average sleep time or total sleep time of the resident in a predetermined period in the past, instead of the information indicating the first time. For example, in the above step S103, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 may determine whether the resident satisfies the condition that the average sleep time or total sleep time is less than a predetermined threshold. According to this configuration, a sleep plan is proposed to a resident who is sleep deficient, so that, as in the above embodiment, the demand for power in the target period can be reduced while improving the probability that the resident will accept the proposal.

[0050] Also, for example, an embodiment is possible in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing device 10 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing contents for realizing each function of the information processing device 10 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores the program.

[0051] Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below as examples. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these examples. [Appendix 1] A method executed by an information processing device, comprising: Obtaining forecast information on electricity supply and demand in the target area; When a target period in which a power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand forecast information, determining a sleep plan for the resident based on health information of the resident in the target area so that the target period and a sleep period overlap at least in part; Communicating a message to the resident proposing the sleep plan. A method comprising: [Appendix 2] 2. The method according to claim 1, comprising: The health information includes information indicating an average sleep time or a total sleep time of the resident during a predetermined period in the past, The method further includes, upon detection of the period of interest, determining a length of the sleep period based on an average sleep time or a total sleep time of the resident. [Appendix 3] 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, the health information includes information indicative of a first time that the resident last woke up from sleep; The method, wherein the information processing device determines the sleep plan when a time from the first time to a second time included in the target period is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. [Appendix 4] 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: The method, wherein, when the time from the first time to the second time is equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is longer than the first threshold value, the information processing device determines the sleep plan such that the target period and a sleep period at least partially overlap and the start time of the sleep period is before the start time of the target period. [Appendix 5] 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: If the resident accepts the sleep plan proposal, modifying the supply and demand forecast information to reduce the demand for power during the sleep period; and Implementing power control in the target area based on the corrected supply and demand forecast information. The method further comprises: [Appendix 6] An information processing device including a control unit, The control unit is Obtaining forecast information on electricity supply and demand in the target area, When a target period in which a power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand forecast information, a sleep plan for the resident is determined based on health information of the resident in the target area so that the target period and a sleep period overlap at least in part; An information processing device that notifies the resident of a message proposing the sleep plan. [Appendix 7] Obtaining forecast information on electricity supply and demand in the target area; When a target period in which a power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand forecast information, determining a sleep plan for the resident based on health information of the resident in the target area so that the target period and a sleep period overlap at least in part; Communicating a message to the resident proposing the sleep plan. A program that causes a computer to perform operations including: [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 System 10. Information processing device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control section 20 Terminal Equipment 30 Network

Claims

1. A method executed by an information processing device, comprising: Obtaining forecast information on electricity supply and demand in the target area; When a target period in which a power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand forecast information, determining a sleep plan for the resident based on health information of the resident in the target area so that the target period and a sleep period overlap at least in part; Communicating a message to the resident proposing the sleep plan. A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1 , The health information includes information indicating an average sleep time or a total sleep time of the resident during a predetermined period in the past, The method further includes, upon detection of the period of interest, determining a length of the sleep period based on an average sleep time or a total sleep time of the resident.

3. 2. The method of claim 1 , the health information includes information indicative of a first time that the resident last woke up from sleep; The method comprises: the information processing device determining the sleep plan when a time from the first time to a second time included in the target period is equal to or greater than a first threshold value.

4. 4. The method of claim 3, The method, wherein, when the time from the first time to the second time is equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is longer than the first threshold value, the information processing device determines the sleep plan so that the target period and a sleep period overlap at least in part and the start time of the sleep period is before the start time of the target period.

5. 2. The method of claim 1 , If the resident accepts the sleep plan proposal, modifying the supply and demand forecast information to reduce the demand for power during the sleep period; and Implementing power control in the target area based on the corrected supply and demand forecast information. The method further comprises:

6. An information processing device including a control unit, The control unit is Obtaining forecast information on electricity supply and demand in the target area, When a target period in which a power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand forecast information, a sleep plan for the resident is determined based on health information of the resident in the target area so that the target period and a sleep period overlap at least in part; An information processing device that notifies the resident of a message proposing the sleep plan.

7. Obtaining forecast information on electricity supply and demand in the target area; When a target period in which a power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand forecast information, determining a sleep plan for the resident based on health information of the resident in the target area so that the target period and a sleep period overlap at least in part; Communicating a message to the resident proposing the sleep plan. A program that causes a computer to perform operations including:

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