Power demand adjustment method and system

Abstract

To provide a power demand adjustment method and system for enabling a data center to stably provide adjustment power.SOLUTION: A power demand adjustment method adjusts power demand in a data center 3000 including a plurality of commercial electric apparatuses by a computer. The computer executes a first step and a second step. In the first step, when an adjustment request of power is received, the computer uses adjustment distribution information in which an adjustment amount of power demand is preset based on an operation state of the data center and an adjustment request to calculate the adjustment amount for each of the plurality of commercial electric apparatuses owned by the data center. In the second step, a control rule to be applied to at least part of the commercial electric apparatuses of the plurality of electric apparatuses is determined based on a control rule set in advance for achieving the adjustment amount and the calculated adjustment amount for each of the plurality of commercial electric apparatuses.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power demand regulation method and system. [Background technology]

[0002] The use of renewable energy is increasing as a measure against climate change. Traditionally, the general method of procuring renewable energy was to purchase certificates such as non-fossil certificates. In recent years, aiming to increase the amount of renewable energy in circulation, there has been an increase in cases where renewable energy is purchased directly from power generation companies through power purchase agreements (PPAs) and environmental value is acquired through the transfer of certificates that accompany the purchase. This trend is also seen among consumers who consume large amounts of electricity. Procurement of electricity through PPAs is becoming more common even among data centers (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as DC), which are large consumers of electricity.

[0003] Furthermore, some leading companies are working to increase their renewable energy utilization rate from an annual renewable energy utilization rate to an hourly renewable energy utilization rate that matches the generation and consumption of renewable energy on an hourly basis. In this way, renewable energy targets are diversifying depending on the company.

[0004] Here, it is expected that datacenters will be utilized as a balancing power for renewable energy, whose energy supply is unstable. By controlling distributed energy resources (hereinafter sometimes referred to as DER (Distributed Energy Resources)) such as IT (Information Technology) equipment, air conditioning equipment, and power supply equipment owned by datacenters, it is required to adjust the large amount of electricity consumed by datacenters to the power grid according to the situation.

[0005] On the other hand, since the power consumption of a data center depends on the amount of calculation processing performed at the data center, it is necessary to control the amount of calculation processing at the data center in accordance with the supply status of renewable energy and the adjustment request for power demand. In Patent Document 1, the task execution location is adjusted using the task execution priority set for each data center based on the supply and demand information of renewable energy. In this way, Patent Document 1 adjusts the power consumption of the data center. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-52529 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In Patent Document 1, it is difficult to fully respond to detailed power consumption adjustment requests, such as increasing or decreasing power consumption by time. Since there may not be enough tasks that can be adjusted to meet the adjustment request, the adjustment request cannot be met depending on the task status. This causes a problem that it is difficult for data centers to stably provide adjustment power.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a power demand adjustment method and system that enables a data center to stably provide adjustment power. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, a power demand adjustment method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a power demand adjustment method in which a computer adjusts power demand in a data center equipped with multiple commercial electrical equipment, in which, upon receiving a power adjustment request, the computer executes a first step of calculating an adjustment amount for each of multiple commercial electrical equipment equipped in the data center using adjustment distribution information in which the adjustment amount of power demand is preset based on the operating status of the data center and the adjustment request, and a second step of determining a control rule to be applied to at least some of the multiple commercial electrical equipment based on a control rule preset to realize the adjustment amount and the calculated adjustment amount for each of the multiple commercial electrical equipment. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to calculate an adjustment amount for each of a plurality of commercial electrical appliances and determine a control rule to be applied to at least some of the plurality of commercial electrical appliances, thereby contributing to the stable provision of power adjustment requests. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a DER management system according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows the logical configuration of the DER management computer. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows the logical configuration of the DC equipment management computer. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the logical configuration of the IT device management computer. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an example of data managed in the DC facility control rule table. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an example of data managed in the adjustment allocation definition table. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing the overall processing executed by a computer program for creating a power demand adjustment plan. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a process for controlling the power demand of IT devices. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing a process for controlling power demand in a DC facility. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a screen that provides information regarding power demand adjustment to the user. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing details of some of the steps in FIG. 7 according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The power demand adjustment method described in the present disclosure can adjust the power demand in a data center (provisionally abbreviated as DC) in accordance with the requirement for adjustment power.

[0013] In the present disclosure, an adjustment amount is allocated to a plurality of business electric devices owned by a data center, and a control rule is set for at least some of the plurality of business electric devices, thereby contributing to the achievement of an adjustment amount request. In the present disclosure, an adjustment allocation definition table is defined in advance as "adjustment allocation information" based on past control performance data and the operating status of each DC. Then, an adjustment amount on an hourly basis in IT equipment or DC facilities is determined using an adjustment request for power demand (also called power consumption) and the adjustment allocation definition table. In the present disclosure, a control rule table for managing "control rules" is prepared in advance. In the present disclosure, a control method for realizing the allocated adjustment amount is determined using the adjustment amount for which allocation has been determined and the control rule table.

[0014] The data center is equipped with a first electrical equipment and a second electrical equipment as examples of "commercial electrical equipment." The first electrical equipment is a commercial electrical equipment used to realize the value of the services provided by the data center. The second electrical equipment is a commercial electrical equipment used to support the operation of the first electrical equipment. For example, the second electrical equipment is equipment for maintaining an environment in which the first electrical equipment can operate normally, such as the room temperature of the data center.

[0015] For example, an information processing service executed in a data center corresponds to a "service." In this case, the first electrical device is an "information processing device." The information processing device is, for example, a server, storage, or network device used for information processing. In this case, the second electric device is, for example, an air conditioning system, a power storage device (power storage facility), a power supply device, a lighting device, an elevator, or the like.

[0016] A data center to which the present disclosure is applied may provide both goods and services. When indicating both or either of goods and services, it may be called "goods, etc." All of the multiple devices exemplified as the first electric device need not be used in the data center, as long as some of them are used. Similarly, all of the multiple devices exemplified as the second electric device need not be used in the data center, as long as some of them are used.

[0017] In the present disclosure, power derived from renewable energy is supplied to a data center. The data center can consume power derived from renewable energy as necessary. The data center can also consume both power derived from renewable energy and power from a conventional power supply system. Here, "renewable energy" refers to energy produced by, for example, hydroelectric power generation, photovoltaic power generation, solar thermal power generation, geothermal power generation, wave power generation, tidal power generation, wind power generation, biomass power generation, fuel cell power generation, and the like. A power generation system that generates power using renewable energy can supply power to a data center via a power transmission and distribution network. Alternatively, a power generation system that generates power using renewable energy may supply power directly to a data center without going through a power transmission and distribution network.

[0018] In the present disclosure, when distributing an adjustment request to a first electric device and a second electric device, the adjustment amount for the second electric device may be set to be larger than the adjustment amount for the first electric device. This allows the adjustment request to be met while prioritizing the provision of value by the data center. The adjustment amount for the second electric device may also be set to be smaller than the adjustment amount for the first electric device.

[0019] In the present disclosure, when a control policy preset in a data center matches a power adjustment request for the data center, the power demand in the data center may be adjusted.

[0020] The control policies include, for example, a policy that prioritizes the realization of an adjustment request, a policy that prioritizes a reduction in electricity costs predicted when the adjustment request is realized, and a policy that prioritizes an increase in the amount of power consumption derived from renewable energy predicted when the adjustment request is realized. In the present disclosure, it is sufficient that at least one of these control policies is included. The control policy may be set individually for each data center, or may be set on a group basis by treating multiple data centers as a group. The control policy set for a data center can also be changed midway. A control policy other than the above-mentioned control policies may be adopted.

[0021] In the present disclosure, the adjustment amount calculated when an adjustment request is received and the adjustment amount calculated after adjusting the power demand in response to the adjustment request can be balanced so that a power demand plan preset in the first electric device is satisfied. For example, if the adjustment amount at the start of adjustment calculated when an adjustment request is received is larger than the initial power demand, the adjustment amount after adjusting the power demand in response to the adjustment request can be made smaller than the initial power demand to achieve balance. This makes it possible to meet the power adjustment request (realize the power adjustment request) without significantly changing the value provided by the data center within a specified period of time.

[0022] In the present disclosure, constraint conditions that define restrictions on combinations of control rules are prepared in advance. In the present disclosure, a combination of control rules to be applied to the second electric device is calculated based on the constraint conditions, and adjustment distribution information can be generated according to the calculated combination of control rules. For example, since it is not possible to supply power beyond the capacity of the power supply device of the data center, there is a limit to the type and number of second electric devices that can be used simultaneously. When lowering the temperature inside the facility in response to an increase in air temperature, it is necessary to increase the operating rate or number of operating air conditioning equipment. In this case, it is not possible to limit the power supply to the air conditioning equipment. In this way, constraint conditions may be set between the second electric devices.

[0023] On the other hand, the constraint condition may be determined from the operating status of the first electric device. For example, when the number of operating first electric devices is large, the surrounding temperature rises. If this temperature rise is left unchecked, the capacity of the first electric device may decrease. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to increase the operating rate or the number of operating air conditioning equipment, which is an example of the second electric device. The operating rate of the air conditioning equipment changes with a change in the set temperature.

[0024] In the present disclosure, when only a portion of the adjustment amount indicated in the power adjustment request can be satisfied, an inquiry is made to the issuer of the adjustment request, and when approval is obtained from the issuer, the adjustment amount indicated in the adjustment request can be changed. A power adjustment request is given for each data center, but since the circumstances of each data center are various, it is not always possible to completely satisfy the given adjustment request. In the present disclosure, even when an adjustment request cannot be completely satisfied, the adjustment request is not rejected, but it is possible to confirm with the issuer of the adjustment request whether it is acceptable to realize a portion of the adjustment request. In this way, in the present disclosure, each data center can respond to the power adjustment request to the extent possible.

[0025] In the present disclosure, it is also possible to visualize changes in the power demand plan in response to an adjustment request and provide the visualized changes to the power demand plan to a user.

[0026] The information provision screen provides the user with the degree of contribution to the adjustment request, the use of electricity derived from renewable energy, and the like.

[0027] The information providing screen includes, for example, a first display section, a second display section, and a third display section. The first display section shows a predicted value for each hour of power demand when the power demand at the data center is not adjusted based on the adjustment request. The second display section displays a planned value for each hour when the power demand at the data center is adjusted based on the adjustment request, and the predicted value. The third display section displays an actual value, a predicted value, and a planned value for each hour of power demand realized at the data center based on the adjustment request. At least one of the first to third display sections can also display a value of the amount of power derived from renewable energy and available at the data center by hour. EXAMPLES

[0028] A first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. The embodiment described below does not limit the invention according to the claims, and all of the elements and combinations thereof described in the embodiment are not necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0029] In the following explanation, various types of information may be explained using the expression "aaa table", but the various types of information may be expressed in a data structure other than a table. To indicate independence from the data structure, the "aaa table" may be called "aaa information". In addition, in the following explanation, processes may be explained using a computer as the subject, but this indicates that these processes are executed by a processor (e.g., a CPU (Central Processing Unit)) possessed by a control device equipped in the computer.

[0030] Similarly, when a process is described simply with an apparatus as the subject, it indicates that the process is being executed by a controller provided in the apparatus. At least one of the control device and the controller may be a processor itself, or may include a hardware circuit that performs part or all of the process performed by the control device or the controller. A program may be installed in each computer or apparatus from a program source. The program source may be, for example, a program distribution server or a storage medium.

[0031] In the following description, an ID may be used as identification information for an element, but other types of identification information may be used instead of or in addition to the ID.

[0032] The first embodiment discloses an example of a method for formulating a DER control plan for the data center power demand adjustment plan program 2430 to adjust the power consumption (power demand) of the data center 3000. Furthermore, the first embodiment discloses an example of presenting an action plan related to the control of power demand by the visualization program 2440.

[0033] 1 shows the overall configuration of the DER management system of Example 1. An aggregation coordinator (hereinafter also referred to as AC) 2050 receives a request for power demand control from a power transmission and distribution system / power market system 5000. The AC 2050 receives a supply plan for power generated by renewable energy (also referred to as a renewable energy supply plan) from the power transmission and distribution system / power market system 5000 or the power generation system 4000.

[0034] The AC2050 responds to the request by controlling the power demand in the data center in which it is involved. Alternatively, the AC2050 adjusts supply and demand according to a renewable energy supply plan. The AC2050 cooperates with a resource aggregator (hereinafter also referred to as RA) 1500, a data center (DC) 3000, a power transmission and distribution network 6000, and a power generation system 4000.

[0035] In the example shown in Fig. 1, a DC 3000 and an RA 1500 are provided for each power distribution network 6100 included in the power transmission and distribution network 6000. One AC 2050 manages a plurality of DCs 3000 and RAs 1500. However, the DER management system as an example of the "power demand adjustment system" is not limited to the example in Fig. 1.

[0036] When the AC 2050 receives a request for power demand control (power adjustment request), it requests power demand control to one or more RAs 1500. The RA 1500 further requests power demand control to the DC 3000 it is responsible for. The AC 2050 and the RA 1500 create a demand control plan using the DER management computer 2000. The DER management computer 2000 acquires information on power supply and demand of the DC 3000 from the DC 3000 and the power generation system 4000, which is a power generation company.

[0037] The DC 3000 and the power generation system 4000 are connected by a power transmission and distribution network 6000, and power is supplied from the power generation system 4000 to the DC 3000. In the figure, the connection forms indicated by the lines other than the power transmission and distribution network 6000 are communication forms such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The communication form is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1. A configuration in which data communication is performed using the power transmission and distribution network 6000 may also be used.

[0038] The DER management computer 2000 is distributed and arranged in the AC2050 and the RA1500. That is, the DER management computer 2000(1) is arranged in the AC2050, and the DER management computer 2000(2) is arranged in each RA1500. However, this embodiment is not limited to the illustrated form. For example, the DER management computer 2000 can be aggregated in any server, and the aggregated DER management computer 2000 can collectively manage the power supply and demand of all data centers. The DER management computer 2000 can be installed in the DC3000, and the DC3000 can receive a request for power demand control directly from the power transmission and distribution system / power market system 5000 without going through the AC2050 and the RA1500.

[0039] Alternatively, a configuration in which one of the DER management computers 2000 provided in each RA 1500 is set as a master, and the other DER management computers 2000 are set as slaves for operation may be used.

[0040] The DC 3000, for example, comprises a DC facility management computer 3100 and an IT equipment management computer 3200. Details of these management computers 3100, 3200 will be described later.

[0041] 2 shows an example of the configuration of a DER management computer 2000. The DER management computer 2000 comprises, for example, a management network interface 2100, a processor 2200, an input / output device 2300, a local disk 2400, and a memory 2500. These devices 2100-2500 are interconnected by a communication line 2600.

[0042] The management network interface 2100 connects the DER management computer, the DC equipment management computer 3100, the IT equipment management computer 3200, the power generation system 4000, the power transmission and distribution system / power market system 5000, and the like.

[0043] The input / output device 2300 is, for example, a user interface device such as a monitor display, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. Although not shown in the drawings, the DER management computer 2000 may be configured to be operated in a virtual space.

[0044] The local disk 2400 is a storage device with a relatively large capacity, and non-temporarily stores various data and computer programs. The local disk 2400 stores, for example, a DC facility control rule table 2410, an adjustment allocation definition table 2420, a DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430, a visualization program 2440, and a renewable energy supply plan 2450.

[0045] The equipment control rule table 2410 and the adjustment allocation definition table 2420 are included in the management information. The renewable energy supply plan 2450 is also included in the management information. Some of the management information and the corresponding processes described below, such as the equipment control rule table 2410 and the processes related to the equipment control rules, may be omitted. The renewable energy supply plan 2450 shows a supply plan for power derived from renewable energy.

[0046] The DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 and the visualization program 2440 are loaded into the memory 2500 and executed by the processor 2200. The processing of the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 and the processing of the visualization program 2440 will be described later.

[0047] The adjustment distribution definition table 2420 and the equipment control rule table 2410 are loaded into the memory 2500 and used by the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430. The details of these tables will be described later.

[0048] The DER management computer 2000 may be a physical computer system (one or more physical computers) or a system constructed on a group of computing resources (multiple computing resources) such as a cloud infrastructure. The computer system or the group of computing resources includes one or more interface devices, one or more storage devices (including, for example, a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device), and one or more arithmetic devices.

[0049] When a function is realized by executing a program by a computing device, the defined process is performed using a storage device and / or an interface device, etc., as appropriate, and therefore the function may be considered to be at least a part of the computing device. A process described using a function as the subject may be considered to be a process performed by the computing device or a system having a processor thereof.

[0050] The program may be installed from a program source. The program source may be, for example, a program distribution computer or a computer-readable storage medium MM (for example, a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium). The description of each function is an example, and multiple functions may be combined into one function, or one function may be divided into multiple functions.

[0051] Fig. 3 shows an example of the configuration of an IT equipment management computer 3200. Since computer hardware resources are common, common reference numerals are used for the computer hardware resources in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

[0052] The IT device management computer 3200 is communicably connected to the other systems described with reference to Fig. 1 via the management network interface 2100. The local disk 2400 stores an IT device control program 3210.

[0053] The IT device control program 3210 is loaded into the memory 2500 and executed by the processor 2200. The IT device control program 3210 controls the operation of an IT device 3211 as an example of a "first electric device" or an "information processing device". The IT device 3211 is, for example, a server, a storage device, a network device, etc. The processing of the IT device control program 3210 will be described later.

[0054] The IT equipment management computer 3200 may be a physical computer system (one or more physical computers), or may be a system built on a group of computing resources (multiple computing resources) such as a cloud platform. The computer system or the group of computing resources includes one or more interface devices, one or more storage devices (including, for example, a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device), and one or more arithmetic devices. It is also possible to transmit and receive a part or all of a computer program or data to and from a storage medium MM.

[0055] 4 shows an example of the configuration of a DC equipment management computer 3100. The DC equipment management computer 3100 is connected to the other systems described in FIG.

[0056] The local disk 2400 stores a power consumption prediction program 3120 and a DC equipment control program 3110. The power consumption prediction program 3120 and the DC equipment control program 3110 are loaded into the memory 2500 and executed by the processor 2200. The DC equipment control program 3110 controls the operation of DC equipment 3111 as an example of a "second electric device" or "equipment". The DC equipment 3111 is, for example, an air conditioning equipment, a power storage equipment, a power supply device, etc. The processing of the DC equipment control program 3110 will be described later.

[0057] The power consumption prediction program 3120 predicts the power consumption of the IT devices 3211 and the DC facilities 3111 in the DC 3000, and outputs the prediction results. This prediction result is used by the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 and the visualization program 2440 of the DER management computer 2000.

[0058] The IT equipment management computer 3200 may be a physical computer system (one or more physical computers), or may be a system built on a group of computing resources (multiple computing resources) such as a cloud platform. The computer system or the group of computing resources includes one or more interface devices, one or more storage devices (including, for example, a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device), and one or more arithmetic devices. It is also possible to transmit and receive a part or all of a computer program or data to and from a storage medium MM.

[0059] 5 shows a DC equipment control rule table 2410, which is an example of information including a “control rule.” This table 2410 is defined for each DC 3000 under the management of the DER management computer 2000, and includes pattern information of adjustment power that can be provided by equipment in each DC 3000.

[0060] The information on the adjustment capability is defined from the actual value of the power consumption of the IT devices 3211 in the DC3000 and the actual value of the power consumption of the DC facility devices 3111. For example, consider a case where the observed value of the power consumption when 80% of the total number of IT devices 3211 in the DC3000 are operating is 300 kW, and the observed value of the power consumption when 50% of the total number of IT devices 3211 are operating is 200 kW. In this case, by reducing the number of operating IT devices 3211 from 80% to 50%, it is possible to suppress the power consumption by minus 100 kW.

[0061] For the DC facility devices 3111 as well, for example, based on information such as the operating status of a server, the outside air temperature, and the set temperature, and on information on the relationship with power consumption, a change in power consumption of the DC facility 3111 due to a set value can be defined as a pattern as the adjustment capability that can be provided. The data on the adjustment capability may be defined from the catalog performance regarding power consumption of the IT devices 3211 or the DC facility 3111. There is no restriction on the method for creating the table 2410.

[0062] Column 2411 indicates the ID of an equipment control rule. Column 2412 indicates the ID of a data center related to the rule. Column 2413 indicates an adjustment amount. The adjustment amount is power consumption (power demand). Column 2414 indicates the ID of the equipment that provides the adjustment amount. Column 2415 indicates a command for controlling the equipment.

[0063] Each line in Fig. 5 indicates an equipment control rule for providing an arbitrary adjustment amount. For example, line 241A indicates that the rule ID is "1", the data center ID is "1", the adjustment amount provided by the rule is "1 kW", the ID of the equipment to be controlled by the rule is "1", and the control command for the equipment is "lower the set temperature by 2°C".

[0064] Row 241B indicates that the rule ID is “2”, the data center ID is “1”, the adjustment amount provided by the rule is “1 kW”, the ID of the equipment to be controlled by the rule is “2”, and the control command for the equipment is “Charge the storage battery at 1 kW”.

[0065] Line 241C indicates that the rule ID is "5", the data center ID is "2", the adjustment amount provided by the rule is "-20kW", the ID of the equipment to be controlled by the rule is "3", and the control command for the equipment is "turn off the power to PDUs (Power Distribution Units) with IDs 1, 2, 3, and 4 to turn off the power to the IT equipment."

[0066] 6 shows an adjustment allocation definition table 2420, which is an example of the “adjustment allocation information.” This table 2420 includes pattern information of available adjustment capacity, defined for each DC 3000 under the management of the DER management computer 2000.

[0067] The pattern information of the adjustment capability can be generated based on the information stored in the DC equipment control rule table 2410. For example, an adjustment amount that can be provided by the entire DC is defined as a combination of adjustment amounts that can be provided by a plurality of pieces of equipment defined in the equipment control rule table 2410.

[0068] An example of a method for creating a combination of control rules defined in the DC facility control rule table 2410 will be described. For example, an arbitrary adjustment amount (2423) may be defined, and DC facility control rules may be selected in ascending order of the adjustment amount (2413 in FIG. 5) for the target data centers (reference numbers 2412, 2422 in FIG. 5) until the adjustment amount is satisfied. Conversely, the adjustment amount 2423 in the adjustment allocation definition table 2420 may be defined from the total amount of adjustment amount (2413) that can be provided by any data center (2412, 2422). Methods other than these may also be used.

[0069] When combining multiple DC equipment control rules, the system checks whether they conflict with the constraint conditions for simultaneous control, and selects combinations that do not conflict with the constraint conditions. For example, a constraint condition is "if the number of operating servers is between A and B, the temperature setting of the air conditioner can be set from C to D degrees." Only combinations that satisfy such constraint conditions are selected, and the adjustment allocation definition table 2420 is created.

[0070] Column 2421 indicates the ID of an adjustment pattern. Column 2422 indicates the ID of a data center having the adjustment pattern. Column 2423 indicates the adjustment amount of the pattern. Column 2424 indicates the proportion of the adjustment amount provided by the IT equipment 3211 out of the adjustment amount. Column 2425 indicates the proportion of the adjustment amount provided by the DC equipment 3111 out of the adjustment amount.

[0071] Each row of the table 2420 indicates information on an adjustment pattern. For example, row 242A indicates that the pattern ID is "1", the ID of the data center that is the target of the pattern is "1", the adjustment amount provided by the pattern is "100 kW", and among the adjustment amounts, the adjustment amount provided by the IT equipment 3211 is "40 kW", and the adjustment amount provided by the DC equipment 3111 is "60 kW".

[0072] The adjustment amount provided by the IT equipment 3211 may be realized by controlling to turn off the power on an IT equipment basis, as exemplified in row 241C of the DC equipment control rule table 2410. Alternatively, as a method other than the above, adjustment power may be provided by varying the amount of calculation processing run on the IT equipment 3211. The latter method is provided by the IT equipment control program 3210 of the IT equipment management computer 3200. Details will be described later.

[0073] 6, the adjustment amount for the DC facility 3111 is set to be larger than the adjustment amount for the IT equipment 3211. This makes it possible to respond to adjustment requests while maintaining the value (value of information processing service) provided by the DC 3000 as much as possible. Conversely, it is also possible to make the adjustment amount for the second electric device smaller than the adjustment amount for the first electric device. For example, in the case of the DC 3000 where temperature management is efficient, the adjustment amount allocated to the DC 3000 can be realized by increasing the adjustment amount for the IT equipment 3211, which is more numerous than the DC facility 3111.

[0074] Fig. 7 is a flow diagram of processing executed by the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430. Fig. 7 shows a flow in which the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 creates a control plan for each of the devices 3111, 3211 of the DC 3000 to realize the requested adjustment capacity, triggered by an event for providing adjustment capacity.

[0075] Step S1:

[0076] The DC power demand adjustment planning program 2430 monitors and analyzes the power transmission and distribution system and the power market system 5000, and based on the results, begins creating a plan for providing adjustment power (S1).

[0077] Triggers for creating an adjustment reserve provision plan include a case where a request is received directly from the power transmission and distribution system, a case where the price of electricity in the electricity market falls below a threshold, etc. A trigger for creating an adjustment reserve provision plan may be a case other than the above cases.

[0078] The adjustment request includes, for example, the time period during which the power demand is to be adjusted and the value of the amount of power to be adjusted, such as "increase power consumption by 100 kW from 14:00 to 16:00 the next day."

[0079] Step S2:

[0080] The DC power demand adjustment planning program 2430 checks the control policy of the DC3000 at the base that it manages (S2). The control policy of the DC3000 is a constraint on a request for adjustment capacity provision, and is a judgment condition for whether to accept the request. The contents of the control policy will be described later in step S3. If the answer in step S2 is "prioritize adjustment capacity", proceed to step S4. If the answer in step S2 is "prioritize cost, or maximize the use of renewable energy", proceed to step S3.

[0081] Step S3:

[0082] The DC power demand adjustment planning program 2430 determines whether the response to the request for adjustment power provision satisfies the condition of a control policy that prioritizes cost or a control policy that prioritizes maximizing renewable energy use (S2). If the result of checking in step S2 indicates that the control policy is cost-prioritized, the program calculates the electricity bill that will change due to the provision of adjustment power, and determines whether it satisfies the budget for power consumption set for an arbitrary period (S3). On the other hand, if the result of checking in step S2 indicates that the control policy is to maximize the use of renewable energy, the program calculates the renewable energy utilization rate that will change due to the provision of adjustment power, and determines whether it satisfies the target renewable energy utilization rate set for an arbitrary period (S3).

[0083] Datacenters (DCs) may use renewable energy as electricity to achieve decarbonization. There are two ways to procure renewable energy: in-house generation, where the datacenter generates and uses renewable energy itself, and procurement from electricity retailers. In either case, by matching the amount of renewable energy generated with the amount of electricity consumed on an hourly basis, electricity derived from renewable energy can be consumed without waste, and the use of renewable energy can be promoted throughout society. This initiative is led by the United Nations and is called 24 / 7 Carbon Free Energy.

[0084] Toward this end, DC3000 may also aim to improve the renewable energy utilization rate on an hourly basis. The supply status of the renewable energy used by DC3000 and the power adjustment request detected in step S1 occur independently. When an adjustment request for an increase in power consumption in a certain time period is received in step S1, if the increase in power consumption due to the adjustment request exceeds the amount of power generated by the renewable energy in that time period, it may not be possible to achieve the target renewable energy utilization rate in that time period. Therefore, if a control policy that maximizes the utilization of renewable energy is set in DC3000, the result of the determination is that this condition is not met (S3: NO).

[0085] If the answer to step S3 is "YES", proceed to step S4. If the answer to step S3 is "NO", the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 ends this process. If the confirmation results in steps S2 and S3 show that a portion of the requested adjustment amount can be provided, the adjustment capacity requester may be responded to as to whether or not they can contribute to a portion of the adjustment capacity, and may be inquired as to whether or not to change the adjustment capacity. If the result of this inquiry is "YES", the portion of the adjustment capacity may be requested, and the process may proceed to step S4, which will be described later. Other examples of cases in which a portion of the adjustment request can be contributed to will be described later.

[0086] Step S4:

[0087] The DC power demand adjustment planning program 2430 refers to the adjustment allocation definition table 2420 and determines an arbitrary pattern corresponding to the requested adjustment capacity (S4). The DC power demand adjustment planning program 2430 selects one pattern from among the patterns (2421) having an adjustment amount (2423) that matches the requested adjustment amount. This allows the adjustment amount of the IT equipment 3211 and the adjustment amount of the DC facility 3111 to be calculated for each specified time period.

[0088] Step S5:

[0089] The DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 judges (S5) whether the adjustment capacity constituting the pattern determined in step S4 includes an IT equipment adjustment amount (2424) or a DC equipment adjustment amount (2425). If the answer to step S5 is "YES", proceed to step S6. If the answer to step S5 is "NO", proceed to step S7.

[0090] Step S6:

[0091] The DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 transmits the adjustment amount by the IT equipment 3211 confirmed in step S5 to the IT equipment control program 3210 of the IT equipment management computer 3200 (S6).

[0092] Step S7:

[0093] The DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 refers to the equipment control rule table 2410 and selects an equipment control command (2415) that can provide the adjustment amount by the DC equipment 3111 confirmed in step S5 (S7). For example, if the adjustment amount by the DC equipment 3111 is 60 kW, the control rule to be applied to the target DC is selected by referring to the DCID (2412) and the adjustment amount (2413) until the adjustment amount of 60 kW is satisfied. The adjustment amount of the DC equipment 3111 may be selected in descending order, or a combination that satisfies the required adjustment amount may be selected by an optimization method, or other methods may be used. The method of selecting the control rule (rule for controlling the DC equipment) is not important.

[0094] Step S8:

[0095] The DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 transmits all of the control rules of the DC facility 3111 confirmed in step S7 to the DC facility control program 3110 of the DC facility management computer 3100 (S8).

[0096] Step S9:

[0097] The DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 determines (S9) whether ack data has been received from the IT equipment control program 3210 or the DC equipment control program 3110. If the answer to step S9 is "YES", the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 displays an information provision screen in step S10 and ends this process.

[0098] If the answer to step S9 is "NO", return to step S4. A new arbitrary pattern is selected for the adjustment request to be processed, and the processing from step S5 onwards is executed again. In other words, if the response is that the specified control cannot be executed at the target date and time, an attempt is made to create a demand adjustment plan using another control method (control rule).

[0099] Although not shown in the figure, if the answer to step S9 is "NO", the process may proceed to step S7, where a new arbitrary control rule may be selected for the adjustment request to be processed, and the process from step S8 onwards may be carried out. If an arbitrary rule that satisfies the adjustment request cannot be selected, the process may proceed to step S4, where a new arbitrary adjustment allocation may be selected for the adjustment request, and the process from step S5 onwards may be carried out.

[0100] The above-described process makes it possible to meet the requested adjustment capacity. Step S4 corresponds to an example of the "first step". Step S7 corresponds to an example of the "second step". Steps S101-S105 and S201-S205 described in Figs. 8 and 9 correspond to an example of the "third step". Step S10 corresponds to an example of the "fourth step".

[0101] In the above, the process of creating a power demand adjustment plan for an arbitrary time period has been described. However, since a request for adjustment capacity may be made for a plurality of time periods, in such a case, the above-described process is carried out for each time period.

[0102] In the above explanation, examples of methods for controlling the power consumption of IT equipment 3211 are given, namely, a method for controlling the power supply of the IT equipment itself and a method for controlling the calculation processing running on the IT equipment. However, in the latter case, if the total amount of calculation processing by IT equipment 3211 decreases, there is a risk that it will not be possible to enjoy the benefits generated as a result of the calculation processing that was originally scheduled to be performed.

[0103] Therefore, a constraint condition may be defined such that the total of the increase and decrease in the power demand adjustment for the IT equipment 3211 is zero, and the above-mentioned process may be performed to satisfy this constraint condition. For example, the adjustment allocation for each time slot is determined such that the total of the adjustment amount of the IT equipment 3211 determined in step S4 for each time slot is zero. The method for determining the adjustment allocation for each time slot may be selected by a combinatorial optimization method, or may be another method.

[0104] 8 is a flow diagram of processing executed by the IT equipment control program 3210. The IT equipment control program 3210 receives a request from the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 and formulates a plan for controlling the IT equipment 3211.

[0105] Step S101:

[0106] The IT equipment control program 3210 receives a control request for IT equipment from the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 (S101). That is, the IT equipment control program 3210 receives the time period and adjustment amount specified in step S6 of FIG.

[0107] Step S102:

[0108] The IT device control program 3210 judges whether or not the adjustment capacity requested by the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 can be satisfied (S102). If the answer to step S102 is "YES", the process proceeds to step S103. If the answer to step S102 is "NO", the process proceeds to step S104.

[0109] The determination of whether or not a request from the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 can be accommodated may be made based on a prediction of the state of the IT equipment 3211 in the specified time period, or may be made by other methods. The state of the IT equipment 3211 may be, for example, the utilization rate of the computing resources. If it is predicted that there are few remaining computing resources in the specified time period, there may be cases where all of the expected computing processes cannot be processed.

[0110] Step S103:

[0111] The IT device control program 3210 transmits ack data to the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 (S103).

[0112] Step S104:

[0113] The IT equipment control program 3210 transmits error data to the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 (S104).

[0114] Step S105:

[0115] The IT device control program 3210 adds the adjustment amount requested by the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 to the target power consumption to create a control plan for the IT device 3211 (S105). The IT device control program 3210 creates, for example, an execution plan for a computation process that satisfies the target power consumption. The execution plan for a computation process may be created by scheduling the computation process, or may be created by another method.

[0116] By carrying out the steps described above, it is possible to respond to the adjustment power allocated to the IT device 3211.

[0117] 9 shows a flowchart of the DC facility control program 3110. The DC facility control program 3110 receives a request from the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 and formulates a plan for controlling the DC facility 3111.

[0118] Step S201:

[0119] The DC facility control program 3110 receives a DC facility control request (S201) from the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430. The DC facility control program 3110 receives, for example, the time period and the control command designated in the above-mentioned step S8.

[0120] Step S202:

[0121] The DC equipment control program 3110 judges whether the requested control command can be executed in the specified time period (S202). If the answer to step S202 is "YES", proceed to step S203. If the answer to step S202 is "NO", proceed to step S204. The judgment of whether the control command (content of the control rule) specified by the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 can be executed may be made based on a prediction of the state of the DC equipment 3111 in the specified time period, or may be made by other methods. The state of the DC equipment 3111 may include, for example, the charging state of the storage battery. If the amount of charge is predicted to be low in the specified time period, there may be a case where the storage battery cannot be discharged. Conversely, if the storage battery is predicted to be fully charged in the specified time period, there may be a case where the storage battery cannot be charged.

[0122] Step S203:

[0123] The DC facility control program 3110 transmits ack data to the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 (S203).

[0124] Step S104:

[0125] The DC facility control program 3110 transmits error data to the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 (S204).

[0126] Step S205:

[0127] The DC facility control program 3110 sets, for each DC facility, a control command designated by the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 (S205). The control command may be set by a scheduling definition of the control command, or may be set by another method.

[0128] By carrying out the steps described above, it is possible to respond to the adjustment power allocated to the DC facility 3111.

[0129] FIG. 10 shows an example of the change over time in power consumption of the DC 3000 visualized by the visualization program 2440. In FIG.

[0130] A GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen G1, which is an example of an “information provision screen”, is an example of a screen that the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 presents to the AC 2050 and RA 1500, which are users.

[0131] Screen G1 includes three types of information: a predicted value GP11 of power consumption when power demand is not adjusted, a predicted value GP12 of power consumption including a planned value for adjusting power demand, and data GP13 in which the predicted value GP12 of power consumption including a planned value for adjusting power demand has been overwritten with actual values.

[0132] These three types of information are visualized as bar graphs for each time period. The horizontal axis represents time, and each bar graph shows the average amount of electricity consumed for each hour. The solid line box E2 represents power consumption, which is electricity demand. The dashed line box E1 represents the amount of renewable energy supply, which is electricity supply. When the top of each bar graph is a solid line, it indicates that electricity demand exceeds the amount of renewable energy supply, and when the top is a dashed line, it indicates the opposite.

[0133] In the power consumption forecast value GP12, which includes the power demand adjustment plan value, the black box E3 indicates the amount of power to be adjusted. An upward arrow in a black box indicates an adjustment to increase power, and a downward arrow indicates an adjustment to decrease power. In the case of an upward arrow, the top side of the black box E3 indicates the amount of power demand. In the case of a downward arrow, the bottom side of the black box E3 indicates the amount of power demand.

[0134] In data GP13 in which actual values ​​have been overwritten onto predicted values ​​GP12 of power consumption, including power demand adjustment plan values, the shaded area E4 is the actual value.

[0135] The example of screen G1 shown above allows the user to easily visually understand to what extent power consumption is tracking with the supply of renewable energy, when power demand adjustments will be made, and what the actual power consumption has been.

[0136] Although omitted in the example screen of Fig. 10, numerical information on power may also be displayed. Three types of information, a predicted value GP11 of power consumption when power demand is not adjusted, a predicted value GP12 of power consumption including a planned value for adjusting power demand, and data GP13 in which the predicted value GP12 of power consumption including a planned value for adjusting power demand has been overwritten with actual values, may be superimposed and displayed in a form that makes it easy to compare.

[0137] According to this embodiment configured as described above, it becomes easy to create a plan for responding to power adjustment requests in a data center that uses a plurality of types of commercial electrical equipment.

[0138] According to this embodiment, the data center can respond to requests for power adjustment by controlling the operation of a plurality of business electric appliances.

[0139] According to this embodiment, by combining control of a first electrical device used to realize the value of the services provided by the data center with control of a second electrical device used to support the operation of the first electrical device, it is possible to realize adjustment requests while maintaining the value provided by the data center.

[0140] According to this embodiment, a control policy can be set to proactively utilize power generated by renewable energy sources, which can contribute to decarbonization of data centers.

[0141] In this embodiment, the adjustment amount for the DC facility 3111 is set to be larger than the adjustment amount for the IT device 3211. This makes it possible to respond to adjustment requests while maintaining the value provided by the DC 3000 (the value of the information processing service) as much as possible.

[0142] In this embodiment, when the adjustment request matches a control policy preset in the DC 3000, a plan is made to adjust the power demand of the DC 3000. This makes it possible to prevent the creation of a power demand plan that goes against the purpose of installing the DC 3000, improving usability. EXAMPLES

[0143] The second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the details of step S1 in Fig. 7.

[0144] The DC power demand adjustment planning program 2430 monitors and analyzes (S11) the power transmission and distribution system / power market system 5000, and detects a power adjustment request (S12). If the result of step S12 is "NO", the process returns to step S11.

[0145] If the result of the determination in step S12 is "YES", the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 determines whether the entire requested adjustment amount can be realized only by the DC under its management (S13).

[0146] If the adjustment request can be realized by only the DC 3000 under management (if the adjustment request can be met), the determination in step S13 is "YES", and this process ends.

[0147] If the adjustment request cannot be realized by the DC 3000 under its management alone (S13: NO), the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 inquires of the issuer of the adjustment request whether partial cooperation is acceptable (S14). Partial cooperation means that only a part of the adjustment amount initially requested will be accommodated.

[0148] If the issuer of the adjustment request agrees to the inquiry, the DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 changes the requested adjustment amount (S15). The DC power demand adjustment plan program 2430 can use the currently possible adjustment amount as the requested adjustment amount.

[0149] The present embodiment thus configured also provides the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0150] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are included. For example, the above-mentioned embodiment has been described in detail to easily explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. In addition, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration. Furthermore, each embodiment can be appropriately combined as long as there is no obvious contradiction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0151] 1500: Resource aggregator, 2000: DER management computer, 2050: Aggregation coordinator, 3000: Data center, 3100: DC facility management computer, 3200: IT equipment management computer, 4000: Power generation system, 5000: Power transmission and distribution system / power market system, 6000: Power transmission and distribution network

Claims

1. A power demand adjustment method for adjusting power demand in a data center having a plurality of commercial electrical devices by a computer, comprising: The computer includes: a first step of calculating, upon receiving a power adjustment request, an adjustment amount for each of the plurality of commercial electrical devices included in the data center by using adjustment distribution information in which an adjustment amount for power demand is preset based on an operation status of the data center and the adjustment request; a second step of determining a control rule to be applied to at least a part of the commercial electrical appliances among the plurality of commercial electrical appliances based on a control rule preset for realizing the adjustment amount and the calculated adjustment amount for each of the plurality of commercial electrical appliances; A method for adjusting power demand.

2. Following the second step, a third step is performed to adjust the power demand of the data center according to either the calculated adjustment amount or the determined control rule. The power demand regulating method according to claim 1 .

3. the plurality of business electric devices include a first electric device used to realize a value provided by the data center, and a second electric device used to support an operation of the first electric device; The control rule is applied to the second electrical device. The power demand regulating method according to claim 2 .

4. The first electrical device is an information processing device, and the second electrical device is a facility for maintaining an operating environment of the first electrical device. The power demand regulating method according to claim 3.

5. The first electrical device includes at least one of a server, a storage device, and a network device; The second electrical device includes at least one of an air conditioning device, a power storage device, and a power supply device. The power demand regulating method according to claim 4.

6. The power supplied to the data center includes at least power derived from renewable energy. The power demand regulating method according to claim 2 .

7. The adjustment distribution information is set so that an adjustment amount for the second electric device is greater than an adjustment amount for the first electric device. The power demand regulating method according to claim 3.

8. When the adjustment request matches a control policy preset in the data center, the first to third steps are executed. The power demand regulating method according to claim 2 .

9. The control policy includes at least one of a policy that prioritizes realization of the adjustment request, a policy that prioritizes a reduction in electricity charges predicted when the adjustment request is realized, and a policy that prioritizes an increase in the consumption of electricity derived from renewable energy predicted when the adjustment request is realized. The power demand regulating method according to claim 8.

10. The first step balances an adjustment amount calculated when the adjustment request is received with an adjustment amount calculated after adjusting the power demand in response to the adjustment request so that a power demand plan preset for the first electric device is satisfied. The power demand regulating method according to claim 3.

11. A combination of control rules to be applied to the second electric device is calculated based on a constraint condition that specifies a restriction on the combination of the control rules, and the adjustment allocation information is generated in accordance with the calculated combination of the control rules. The power demand regulating method according to claim 3.

12. The constraint is determined based on an operating status of the first electrical device. The power demand regulating method according to claim 11.

13. The first step is to inquire of an issuer of the adjustment request when only a part of the adjustment amount indicated in the adjustment request can be satisfied, and to change the adjustment amount indicated in the adjustment request when approval is obtained from the issuer. The power demand regulating method according to claim 1 .

14. The method further comprises a fourth step executed after the third step, In the fourth step, an information providing screen for providing information to a user is outputted; The information providing screen includes: a first display unit that displays a predicted value of the power demand for each hour in a case where the power demand in the data center is not adjusted based on the adjustment request; a second display unit that displays a planned value for each hour for adjusting the power demand in the data center based on the adjustment request and the predicted value; a third display unit that displays an actual value of the power demand realized in the data center for each hour based on the adjustment request, the predicted value, and the planned value, At least one of the display units also displays the amount of power available at the data center, which is derived from renewable energy, by hour. The power demand regulating method according to claim 2 .

15. A power demand adjustment system that adjusts power demand in a data center having a plurality of commercial electrical devices, a first step of calculating, upon receiving a power adjustment request, an adjustment amount for each of the plurality of commercial electrical devices included in the data center by using adjustment distribution information in which an adjustment amount for power demand is preset based on an operation status of the data center and the adjustment request; a second step of determining a control rule to be applied to at least a part of the commercial electrical appliances among the plurality of commercial electrical appliances based on a control rule preset for realizing the adjustment amount and the calculated adjustment amount for each of the plurality of commercial electrical appliances; A power demand adjustment system that implements the above.

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