Demand-response-prepared power control system

Abstract

To secure planning time enough for suppressing power consumption to prepare for a demand and a response as the issuance of the demand and response can be predicted.SOLUTION: A demand-response-prepared power control system 10 comprises: a power use state acquisition unit 12 that acquires information about a power use state of a power company; a weather forecast acquisition unit 14 that acquires information about a weather forecast; a prediction unit 16 that predicts the issuance of a demand and a response on the basis of the information about the power use state and the information about the weather forecast; and a plan making unit 18 that makes a suppression plan of power consumption of a facility so as to meet the issuance of the demand and response predicted by the prediction unit 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a demand response compatible power control system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in order to balance the demand (consumption) and supply (generation) of electricity, a demand response to control power consumption has been issued. As a technique related to the present invention, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply system that supplies power to a load connected to a grid power source, the power supply system including a plurality of storage batteries that are connected between the grid power source and the load and are capable of charging and discharging power from a predetermined supply source, and a control unit that controls the charging and discharging of the storage batteries, the control unit being capable of executing predetermined control during a time period that is the subject of a demand response request, and in the predetermined control, the control unit calculates the number of storage batteries that are requested to be discharged as a number of units requested to be discharged based on an instantaneous value of power purchased from the grid power source, obtains an upper limit value of the amount of power purchased from the grid power source during that time period to satisfy the demand response request as a target amount of power purchased, calculates the number of storage batteries that need to be discharged so that the amount of power purchased from the grid power source during that time period does not exceed the target amount of power purchased, and calculates the number of storage batteries that need to be discharged as a required number of units to be discharged if the number of units requested to be discharged is equal to or less than the required number of units to be discharged, and if the number of units requested to be discharged is greater than the required number of units to be discharged, allows discharge from the storage batteries by the required number of units to be discharged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-80651 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Because demand response is issued three hours before the start of power consumption reduction, there is little preparation time to create a power consumption reduction plan, which means that power consumption cannot be reduced efficiently.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a demand response compatible power control system that makes it possible to secure a sufficient planning time for suppressing power consumption in preparation for demand response. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The demand-response compatible power control system of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a power usage status acquisition unit that acquires information regarding power usage status from a power company, a weather forecast acquisition unit that acquires information regarding weather forecasts, a prediction unit that predicts the issuance of a demand response based on the information regarding the power usage status and the information regarding the weather forecast, and a plan creation unit that creates a plan to reduce power consumption at a facility in response to the issuance of the demand response predicted by the prediction unit.

[0007] In addition, in the demand-response compatible power control system according to the present invention, it is preferable to have a display unit that visualizes and displays the operation plans and predicted power consumption of the air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and facility equipment used in the facility, as well as the work plans of the employees working at the facility.

[0008] In addition, in the demand-response compliant power control system according to the present invention, it is preferable that, when there are multiple pieces of equipment, the plan creation unit adjusts the work plans of the employees so as to reduce the number of pieces of equipment that are in operation.

[0009] In addition, in the demand-response compliant power control system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the plan creation unit adjusts operation of the air conditioning equipment so as to reduce power consumption of the air conditioning equipment in response to the issuance of the demand response.

[0010] In the demand-response compliant power control system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the plan creation unit adjusts operation of the lighting equipment so as to reduce power consumption of the lighting equipment in response to the issuance of the demand response. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, since it is possible to predict the issuance of a demand response, it is possible to ensure a sufficient planning time for suppressing power consumption in preparation for a demand response. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a demand-response compatible power control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a weather forecast owned by a weather information company in the demand-response compatible power control system of the embodiment according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram showing the operation status of each facility in a factory when a demand response is predicted to be issued in a demand response-enabled power control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing a power suppression plan for each facility of a factory when a demand response is predicted to be issued in a demand response-enabled power control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the same elements in all the drawings are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In addition, in the explanation in the text, the reference numerals previously described will be used as necessary.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a demand-response compatible power control system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing weather forecasts owned by a weather information company 6 in the demand-response compatible power control system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation status of each facility of a factory when the issuance of a demand response is predicted in the demand response-enabled power control system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a power suppression plan and the like for each piece of equipment in a factory when the issuance of a demand response is predicted in the demand response-enabled power control system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] The demand-response compatible power control system 10 is a system for preparing a power consumption reduction plan with sufficient time to prepare the plan in preparation for a demand response. The demand-response compatible power control system 10 includes a power usage status acquisition unit 12, a weather forecast acquisition unit 14, a prediction unit 16, a plan preparation unit 18, a display unit 20, and a memory unit 22.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a demand-response power control system 10 is connected to a company 4, a weather information company 6, and a power company 8 via a network 2.

[0019] The power usage status acquisition unit 12 has a function of acquiring information on the power usage status of the power company 8 .

[0020] Here, "information on power usage" refers to "power usage / supply capacity (power usage rate)" based on the latest power usage (power demand) provided by power companies (general power transmission and distribution companies) in each area of ​​Japan in the electricity forecast. The unit of power is MW (megawatts), and the unit of usage rate is percentage.

[0021] The power usage status acquisition unit 12 stores the information on the power usage status acquired from the power company 8 in the storage unit 22. This makes it possible to use the information when the prediction unit 16 makes predictions from the following year onwards.

[0022] The electric power companies in each area of ​​Japan are Hokkaido Electric Power, Tohoku Electric Power, Tokyo Electric Power, Chubu Electric Power, Hokuriku Electric Power, Kansai Electric Power, Chugoku Electric Power, Shikoku Electric Power, Kyushu Electric Power, and Okinawa Electric Power. Each electric power company publishes real-time supply capacity standards, which indicate usage rates based on expected hourly supply capacity values, as well as peak supply capacity standards, which indicate usage rates based on expected maximum supply capacity values ​​for a day.

[0023] The weather forecast acquisition unit 14 has a function of acquiring information related to weather forecasts. "Information related to weather forecasts" refers to weather forecasts that predict how the weather will change in a certain area.

[0024] A weather forecast is a method of collecting information on past and current weather, atmospheric conditions such as air pressure, wind direction, wind speed, temperature, and humidity, and using this information to predict atmospheric conditions such as weather, wind, and temperature, as well as related conditions of water bodies and ground, for a specific region or a wide area, from the present day through several days into the future (some types of forecasts can extend into several months into the future).

[0025] The weather forecast acquisition unit 14 stores, among the information related to the weather forecast, not only the forecast but also meteorological information including the actual weather in the storage unit 22. This allows the prediction unit 16 to use the information when making predictions in the following years.

[0026] The prediction unit 16 has a function of predicting the issuance of a demand response based on information related to the power usage status and information related to the weather forecast. As shown in Fig. 2, the demand response is predicted based on the record of the actual weather (weather data) from August 1, 2021 to August 7, 2021 and the weather forecast from August 1, 2022 to August 7, 2022.

[0027] In the example shown in Figure 2, for example, if the current date is August 3, 2022, and the weather forecast for August 4, 2022 is sunny, the temperature is 39°C, and the power usage is predicted to be 93%, if the weather forecast for the same day last year (August 4, 2021) was also sunny, the temperature was 39°C, and the power usage was 92%, it is determined that there is a high possibility that a demand response will be issued, and it is predicted that a demand response will be issued on August 4, 2022.

[0028] The plan creation unit 18 has a function of creating a power consumption reduction plan for the facility so as to correspond to the issuance of a demand response predicted by the prediction unit 16. Specifically, based on the operation schedule and planned power consumption of the factory equipment, air conditioners, dust collectors, lighting, etc. on the day when the issuance of the demand response is predicted, the plan creation unit 18 adjusts the operation of the equipment, air conditioners, dust collectors, and lighting so as to satisfy the power saving required by the issuance of the demand response.

[0029] When there are multiple pieces of equipment, the plan creation unit 18 adjusts the employee work schedule to reduce the number of pieces of equipment in operation. Specifically, the number of pieces of equipment operating simultaneously is reduced by shifting the operation of multiple pieces of equipment, for example, by shifting the operation of one of the pieces of equipment to nighttime or by having employees work on holidays.

[0030] More specifically, the production management system calculates the equipment with excess production capacity, and then the payroll and working hour management system takes into account factors such as employee overtime and the availability of work on holidays, and adjusts so that the number of pieces of equipment operating at the same time is reduced.

[0031] In addition, when responding to demand response, incentives (rewards) are given according to the amount of energy saved, so it is preferable to optimize this while considering the balance with increased labor costs due to working on holidays and overtime.

[0032] For example, in the case where there are six pieces of equipment, equipment 1 to equipment 6, the plan creation unit 18 can make adjustments such as suspending operation of equipment 1 for the first 3 hours and suspending operation of equipment 2 and equipment 3 for the last 3 hours, as shown in Fig. 3(d). This results in a reduction of 20+10+10=40kW. Here, since there are employees who operate equipment 1 to equipment 6, the working hours of the employees will also be adjusted.

[0033] The plan creation unit 18 adjusts the operation of the air conditioner in response to the issuance of a demand response command so as to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner. Specifically, the plan creation unit 18 adjusts the operation of the air conditioner to an optimal level, taking into consideration the temperature of the space to be cooled by the air conditioner, weather forecasts, etc. It is preferable to control humidity not only by the air conditioner, but also by controlling the humidifier, dehumidifier, and ventilation fan.

[0034] For example, as shown in Fig. 3(a), if there are six air conditioners, air conditioner 1 to air conditioner 6, in the factory, the power consumption of air conditioner 4 and air conditioner 6 are adjusted to be reduced by 20% and 10%, respectively. This contributes to a reduction of, for example, 3.2 + 3.2 = 6.4 kW.

[0035] The plan creation unit 18 adjusts the operation of the dust collector installed in the factory in response to the issuance of a demand response command so as to reduce the power consumption of the dust collector. Specifically, it receives the operation signal of the equipment that generates dust, etc., and automatically controls it to turn off the operation when it is not necessary. In addition, it uses a dust detector, etc., and automatically controls the operation of the dust collector to turn off when it is not needed.

[0036] For example, as shown in Fig. 3(b), when there are six dust collectors, dust collector 1 to dust collector 6, it is possible to adjust the operating rate by increasing or decreasing it. Note that although the dust collectors have been described here as the target, it is also possible to save electricity by adjusting the operation of, for example, ventilation fans. With regard to ventilation fans, the operation of the ventilation fans is adjusted to an optimum level, taking into consideration, for example, a CO2 sensor and the operating rate of the store.

[0037] The plan creation unit 18 adjusts the operation of lighting equipment to reduce the power consumption of lighting equipment in response to the issuance of a demand response. Specifically, it thins out areas where lighting is not required based on information such as the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor, the weather forecast, the time period, and the location (such as the back yard or a work location that requires illuminance).

[0038] For example, as shown in Fig. 3(c), in the case where there are six lights, lights 1 to 6, it is possible to adjust the power consumption by turning off half of the lights 1 and 2 and turning off a quarter of the lights 3 and 4. This contributes to a reduction of, for example, 0.2 + 0.1 + 0.2 + 0.2 = 0.7 kW.

[0039] The display unit 20 has a function of visually displaying the operation plans and expected power consumption of the air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and facility equipment used in the facility, and the work plans of employees working at the facility. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the description and numerical values ​​of each item may be displayed in a list, but they may also be displayed using bar graphs, pie charts, etc. Fig. 4 shows the power consumption of each facility on the day when the demand response is predicted to be issued.

[0040] The storage unit 22 stores meteorological information including not only the forecast but also the actual weather out of the information related to the weather forecast acquired by the weather forecast acquisition unit 14. The storage unit 22 also stores information related to the power usage status acquired by the power usage status acquisition unit 12 from the power company 8.

[0041] Next, the operation of the demand-response compatible power control system 10 configured as above will be described. In recent years, power shortages have become a problem. The main cause of power shortages is the recent rapid climate change. When the demand for air conditioners due to the heatwaves of summer and for heating due to cold waves in winter increases suddenly, power shortages are likely to occur. In addition, there are other issues such as increased power usage at home, shutdowns of power plants, and fuel shortages.

[0042] In order to deal with such a power shortage, a demand response is sometimes issued. Demand response is a mechanism for adjusting the balance between power supply and demand by controlling the demand for electricity.

[0043] There are two types of demand response: electricity rate type and incentive type. The electricity rate type is a mechanism that encourages businesses to reduce electricity demand by setting various electricity rates, such as raising electricity rates during peak demand.

[0044] The incentive type is a mechanism in which businesses and the like receive incentives (rewards) from power companies or third parties to respond to suppression or increases in power demand. A demand response issuance is notified to businesses three hours before the start of power saving. This limits the number of countermeasures that can contribute to power saving, making it difficult to save power effectively. In response to such problems, the demand response-enabled power control system 10 of the embodiment according to the present invention provides a remarkable effect.

[0045] The demand response-enabled power control system 10 can predict the issuance of a demand response based on information on the power usage status and information on a weather forecast. This has the advantage that a power consumption reduction plan can be carefully made since the demand response can be predicted more than three hours, for example, several days, before the actual issuance of the demand response.

[0046] For example, as a power saving measure, reducing the operating rate of equipment 1 to 6 contributes most to reducing power consumption, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. This requires adjusting shifts, such as the work schedules of employees who operate equipment 1 to 6, but by using the function of the prediction unit 16 to predict the issuance of a demand response several days in advance, it is possible to flexibly adjust shifts, etc.

[0047] Here, shift adjustments may result in increased costs, such as employee wages due to overtime or working on holidays, but it is preferable to adjust the amount of compensation so that it exceeds the incentive (remuneration) given when responding to a demand response order.

[0048] Of the power savings required by the issuance of a demand response command, the shortfall in power savings achieved through shift adjustments can be made up by saving power in lighting, dust collectors, and air conditioning equipment, allowing for overall optimization.

[0049] As described above, according to the demand response compatible power control system 10, since the issuance of a demand response can be predicted several days in advance, the remarkable effect is achieved in that the issuance of equipment can be smoothed out by adjusting shifts and the required power saving can be met by combining various equipment devices.

[0050] In the above, the prediction unit 16 has been described as having the function of predicting the issuance of a demand response based on information on the power usage status and information on a weather forecast, but the amount of power generated by each power company may also be taken into consideration as the power usage status. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 2 network, 4 company, 6 weather information company, 8 power company, 10 demand response compatible power control system, 12 power usage status acquisition unit, 14 weather forecast acquisition unit, 16 prediction unit, 18 plan creation unit, 20 display unit, 22 memory unit.

Claims

1. a power usage status acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the power usage status of a power company; a weather forecast acquisition unit for acquiring information related to a weather forecast; a prediction unit that predicts the issuance of a demand response based on the information on the power usage status and the information on the weather forecast; a plan creation unit that creates a plan to suppress power consumption of the facility in response to the issuance of the demand response predicted by the prediction unit; A demand response compatible power control system comprising:

2. 2. The demand response power control system according to claim 1, A demand-response compatible power control system characterized by having a display unit that visualizes and displays the operation plans and predicted power consumption of air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and facility equipment used in the facility, as well as the work plans of employees working at the facility.

3. 3. The demand response power control system according to claim 2, The demand response compatible power control system is characterized in that, when there are multiple pieces of equipment, the plan creation unit adjusts the work plans of the employees so as to reduce the number of pieces of equipment that are in operation.

4. 3. The demand response power control system according to claim 2, The demand response compatible power control system is characterized in that the plan creation unit adjusts operation of the air conditioning equipment so as to reduce power consumption of the air conditioning equipment in response to the issuance of the demand response.

5. 3. The demand response power control system according to claim 2, The demand response-enabled power control system is characterized in that the plan creation unit adjusts operation of the lighting equipment so as to reduce power consumption of the lighting equipment in response to the issuance of the demand response.

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