Energy-saving effect estimation apparatus

Abstract

To provide an energy-saving effect estimation apparatus capable of facilitating formal introduction of energy-saving equipment in a store that is considering introduction of the energy-saving equipment.SOLUTION: An energy-saving effect estimation apparatus 1 includes a control unit 2, a storage unit 3, and input means 4. The storage unit 3 stores a numerical calculation model for a store that has already introduced energy-saving equipment. The numerical calculation model is formed based on the volume of the space in the store, performance of air-conditioning equipment in the store, and actual reduction of power consumed by the air-conditioning equipment due to introduction of the energy-saving equipment, and represents a relation between the volume of the space, the performance of the air-conditioning equipment, and the actual reduction of the power consumption. The input means 4 receives, as input, the volume of space in a store that is considering introduction of the energy-saving equipment, and performance of the air-conditioning equipment of the store. The control unit 2 estimates, using the numerical calculation model stored in the storage unit 3, energy-saving effect for power consumption of the air-conditioning equipment in the store that is considering the introduction, the effect being produced by introducing the energy-saving equipment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an energy saving effect estimation device that estimates the energy saving effect of introducing energy saving equipment into a store that is planning to newly introduce the energy saving equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an example of this type of energy-saving effect calculation device is an energy-saving effect calculation system disclosed in Patent Document 1. This energy-saving effect calculation system includes a calculation means for calculating the energy consumption of a complex system in a store, a storage means for storing a plurality of energy-saving methods in advance, an estimation means for estimating the energy consumption of an energy-saving system designed by selecting the energy-saving methods stored in the storage means, and an estimation means for calculating the energy-saving effect based on the calculation result of the calculation means and the estimation result of the estimation means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4228539 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional energy-saving effect calculation system is designed to select each piece of equipment to be directly or indirectly linked in a complex system in which multiple air conditioners, freezers, lighting equipment, etc. are mixed within the same store, reduce the energy consumption of the complex system, design an optimized energy-saving system, and estimate the energy-saving effect of such an energy-saving system.

[0005] For this reason, in the past, the only way to estimate the energy-saving effects of introducing energy-saving equipment that focuses only on the air conditioning equipment in stores that have not previously installed energy-saving equipment was to conduct demonstration tests in a real environment and estimate the energy-saving effects.

[0006] This demonstration test requires the installation of energy-saving equipment as well as the collection of data over a certain period of time, which is preventing stores that are planning to introduce energy-saving equipment from officially installing them in their stores. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, a storage unit that stores a numerical calculation model that is created based on the volume of a space in a store where energy-saving equipment has been installed, the capacity of an air-conditioning equipment installed in the store, and a record of reduction in power consumption of the air-conditioning equipment due to the introduction of the energy-saving equipment, and that represents the relationship between the volume, the capacity, and the reduction record; an input means for inputting the volume or information related to the volume of the store in which the energy-saving equipment is to be newly installed, and the capacity of the air-conditioning equipment used in the store; a calculation means for calculating an energy-saving effect of introducing energy-saving equipment into the store to which the energy-saving equipment is to be introduced, based on the volume or information related to the volume and the capacity of the store to which the energy-saving equipment is to be introduced, which are input by the input means, using a numerical calculation model stored in a storage unit; We have constructed an energy saving effect estimation device equipped with the above.

[0008] According to this configuration, a numerical calculation model representing the relationship between the volume, the capacity, and the reduction in power consumption of the air conditioning equipment in a store where energy-saving equipment has already been installed is stored in a memory unit, and the model is created based on the volume of the space within the store where energy-saving equipment has already been installed, the capacity of the air-conditioning equipment installed in the store where energy-saving equipment has already been installed, and by inputting the volume or information related to the volume of a store where energy-saving equipment is to be newly installed and the capacity of the air-conditioning equipment used in the store into the input means, the estimation means can estimate the energy-saving effect of introducing the energy-saving equipment in terms of power consumption of the air-conditioning equipment in the store where energy-saving equipment is to be installed.

[0009] Therefore, the energy-saving effects of introducing energy-saving equipment can be estimated without conducting demonstration tests in a real environment, which is an obstacle to the formal introduction of energy-saving equipment in stores that are planning to introduce energy-saving equipment in the first place. This makes the installation work for the energy-saving equipment and the collection of data for a certain period of time unnecessary, which promotes the formal introduction of energy-saving equipment in stores that are planning to introduce energy-saving equipment in the first place.

[0010] The present invention also provides a method for producing a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: a numerical calculation model is created based on at least one of the volume, the capacity, and the reduction record, a geographical region in which the store where the system has been introduced is located, a direction in which the building of the store where the system has been introduced is located, and an estimated amount of solar radiation incident on the store where the system has been introduced, and represents a relationship between the volume, the capacity, the reduction record, and at least one of the region, the direction, and the estimated amount of solar radiation; An input means inputs at least one of the area, the direction, and the estimated solar radiation of the store to be introduced in addition to the volume or information related to the volume and the capacity of the store to be introduced; A calculation means uses a numerical calculation model stored in a storage unit to calculate an energy saving effect from the volume or information related to the volume of the store to be introduced, which are input by an input means, the capacity, and at least one of the area, the direction, and the estimated amount of solar radiation of the store to be introduced. It is characterized by:

[0011] According to this configuration, the energy saving effect of introducing energy saving equipment in the store where the equipment is to be installed is estimated by creating a numerical calculation model based on at least one of the volume of the space within the store, the capacity of the air conditioning equipment installed in the store, the geographical region in which the store is located, the direction in which the store building is located, and the estimated amount of solar radiation entering the store, and the numerical calculation model is used to estimate the energy saving effect by the estimation means, thereby improving the accuracy of the estimated energy saving effect.

[0012] The present invention also provides a method for producing a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: An input means inputs plan information of the building of the store to be introduced as information related to the volume, The estimation means calculates the volume of the planned store from the drawing information inputted to the input means. It is characterized by:

[0013] According to this configuration, by inputting plan information of the building of the store where the energy-saving equipment is to be installed into the input means as information related to the volume, the volume of the space within the store where the energy-saving equipment is to be installed is automatically calculated by the estimation means. This eliminates the need to calculate the volume of the space within the store where the energy-saving equipment is to be installed, and further promotes the formal installation of the energy-saving equipment.

[0014] The present invention also provides a method for producing a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: An input means inputs photographing information of the interior of the store where the system is to be introduced, taken with a 360° camera, as information related to the volume, The estimation means calculates the volume of the store where the device is to be introduced from the photographing information input to the input means. Characterized by

[0015] According to this configuration, by inputting the photographic information of the interior of the store where the energy-saving equipment is to be installed, taken by a 360° camera, into the input means as information related to the volume, the volume of the interior space of the store where the energy-saving equipment is to be installed is automatically calculated by the estimation means. This eliminates the need to calculate the volume of the interior space of the store where the energy-saving equipment is to be installed, and further promotes the formal introduction of the energy-saving equipment.

[0016] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the energy-saving equipment is a demand control device, and produces energy savings by distributing the power usage of the air-conditioning equipment in the store where the device is to be installed across various time periods and suppressing the maximum power demand of the air-conditioning equipment.

[0017] According to this configuration, by using the demand control device, the power consumption of the air conditioning equipment is distributed and leveled out over each time period, and the maximum power demand of the air conditioning equipment is suppressed, which not only saves energy but also lowers the contracted power, making it possible to reduce the electricity bill borne by the store. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an energy-saving effect estimation device that can promote the formal introduction of energy-saving equipment in stores that are planning to newly introduce energy-saving equipment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer constituting an energy-saving effect estimation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Next, an embodiment for carrying out the energy saving effect estimation device according to the present invention will be described.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer that constitutes an energy saving effect estimation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The energy saving effect estimation device 1 comprises a control unit 2 constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) etc., a storage unit 3 including various memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Readable and Write Memory), an input means 4 for inputting data to the control unit 2, a display unit 5 for displaying on a screen the contents processed by the control unit 2, and an output unit 6 such as a printer for printing the processing results of the control unit 2. Furthermore, it comprises a communication unit 8 for communicating with other computers etc. via a network 7.

[0023] Many stores equipped with air conditioning systems have adopted demand control devices as energy-saving equipment to conserve energy. By using a demand control device, it is possible to level out the power usage for each time period and suppress the maximum power demand, thereby lowering the contracted power with the power company and reducing electricity bills.

[0024] The memory unit 3 stores a numerical calculation model for a store that has already installed the demand control device as an energy-saving device. This numerical calculation model is created based on the volume of the space within the store where the demand control device has been installed, the capacity of the air conditioning equipment installed in the store where the demand control device has been installed, and the actual reduction in power consumption of the air conditioning equipment due to the introduction of the demand control device. This numerical calculation model represents the relationship between the volume of the space within the store where the demand control device has been installed, the capacity of the air conditioning equipment installed in the store where the demand control device has been installed, and the actual reduction in power consumption of the air conditioning equipment due to the introduction of the demand control device.

[0025] The actual reduction in power consumption by air conditioning equipment due to the introduction of demand control devices is determined by reference to, for example, the reduction results from several years in the past, the reduction results for a specified number of stores that have introduced demand control devices, and the reduction results for a specified number of air conditioning equipment whose maximum demand power has been reduced by a demand control device.

[0026] The volume of the space within a store where a demand control device is to be newly installed, or information related to the volume of the space within the store, and the capacity of the air conditioning equipment used in the store where a demand control device is to be installed, are input to the input means 4. One method of inputting the volume of the space within the store using the input means 4 is to input the volume of the space within the store where a demand control device is to be installed as a numerical value using the keyboard 4a or mouse 4b.

[0027] Another input method is to read the building plan information of the store where the demand control device is to be installed as information related to the volume of the space inside the store with the scanner 4c, or to import the information stored in a USB memory via the USB port 4d. Another input method is to import the photographed information of the inside of the store where the demand control device is to be installed with a 360° camera as information related to the volume of the space inside the store.

[0028] The control unit 2 constitutes an estimation means for estimating the energy-saving effect of introducing a demand control device with respect to the power consumption of the air-conditioning equipment in the store to which the demand control device is to be installed. This estimation means is realized by the control unit 2 reading out from the storage unit 3 a computer program for executing the estimation stored in the storage unit 3 and executing it. The execution of this computer program is performed by the control unit 2 using the above-mentioned numerical calculation model stored in the storage unit 3 to estimate the energy-saving effect of introducing a demand control device with respect to the power consumption of the air-conditioning equipment in the store to which the demand control device is to be installed, in accordance with the computer program, from the volume of the space in the store to which the demand control device is to be installed or information related to the volume, which are input by the input means 4, and the capacity of the air-conditioning equipment used in the store to which the demand control device is to be installed.

[0029] When information related to the volume of the space within the store where the demand control device is to be installed is input as building drawing information by the input means 4 instead of the volume of the space within the store where the demand control device is to be installed, the control unit 2 constituting the estimation means calculates the volume of the space within the store where the demand control device is to be installed from the drawing information input to the input means 4.

[0030] In addition, when information related to the volume of the space within the store where the demand control device is to be installed is input by the input means 4 as photographic information obtained by photographing the interior of the store with a 360° camera instead of the volume of the space within the store where the demand control device is to be installed, the control unit 2 constituting the estimation means calculates the volume of the space within the store where the demand control device is to be installed from the photographic information input to the input means 4.

[0031] The control unit 2 refers to the calculation results of these volumes and uses the above-mentioned numerical calculation model stored in the storage unit 3 to estimate the energy saving effect by introducing the demand control device.

[0032] This trial calculation is performed by creating a model that simulates the effect of introducing a demand control device based on the above-mentioned numerical calculation model stored in the storage unit 3 and executing the model, and various patterns are created for this simulation model. For example, a simulation model pattern that expects a high energy saving effect, a simulation model pattern that expects a minimum energy saving effect rather than a very large energy saving effect, a simulation model pattern that expects an energy saving effect intermediate between these patterns, and the like can be envisioned. By verifying the energy saving effect of the demand control control of such various patterns, it is possible to realize the optimal energy saving effect in the actual store where the demand control device is to be introduced.

[0033] The results of the calculation of the energy saving effect of introducing the demand control device in the store where it is planned to be introduced, calculated by the control unit 2, are displayed on the screen of the display unit 5 or printed on paper by the output unit 6 under the control of the control unit 2. Alternatively, the results are sent from the communication unit 8 via the network 7 to the store where it is planned to be introduced, and the calculation results are confirmed on a computer or the like in the store where the introduction of the demand control device is approved.

[0034] According to the energy saving effect estimation device 1 of this embodiment, a numerical calculation model expressing the relationship between the volume of the space within a store where a demand control device has already been installed, the capacity of the air conditioning equipment in that store, and the actual reduction in power consumption due to the introduction of a demand control device is stored in the memory unit 3, and the volume of the space within a store where a demand control device is to be newly installed or information related to that volume, and the capacity of the air conditioning equipment used in the store where the device is to be installed are input into the input means 4, and the control unit 2 can estimate the energy saving effect of introducing a demand control device into the power consumption of the air conditioning equipment in the store where the device is to be installed.

[0035] In this embodiment, since the energy-saving device is a demand control device, the energy saving effect is produced by distributing the power usage of the air conditioning equipment in the store where the demand control device is to be installed to each time period and suppressing the maximum power demand of the air conditioning equipment. In other words, by using the demand control device, the power usage of the air conditioning equipment is distributed and leveled to each time period and the maximum power demand of the air conditioning equipment is suppressed, which not only saves energy but also makes it possible to lower the contract power and reduce the electricity bill borne by the store.

[0036] Therefore, the energy saving effect of introducing a demand control device can be estimated without conducting a demonstration test in an actual environment, which is an obstacle to the formal introduction of a demand control device in a store that is planning to newly introduce the device. This eliminates the need for installation work of the demand control device and data collection for a certain period of time, which promotes the formal introduction of the demand control device in a store that is planning to newly introduce the device. This improves the speed of introduction of the demand control device in a store that is planning to introduce the device, and also improves the speed of the expansion of the introduction of the demand control device to multiple stores.

[0037] It also prevents wasteful installation in stores where energy-saving effects are not expected. In other words, it reduces the number of cases where the installed equipment is removed because it is determined that the cost-effectiveness is not expected as a result of the demonstration test, thereby reducing the installation costs of the equipment in the demonstration test. It is also expected that the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from stores that plan to install demand control devices will be reduced, contributing to the social issue of curbing global warming.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the energy saving effect estimation device 1 of this embodiment, by inputting plan information of the building of a store where a demand control device is to be installed as information related to the volume of the space inside the store to the input means 4, the volume of the space inside the store where the device is to be installed is automatically calculated by the control unit 2. This eliminates the need to calculate the volume of the space inside the store where the device is to be installed, and further promotes the formal installation of a demand control device.

[0039] Furthermore, with the energy saving effect estimation device 1 according to this embodiment, by inputting photographic information of the interior of a store where a demand control device is to be installed, photographed by a 360° camera, into the input means 4 as information related to the volume of the interior space of the store where the device is to be installed, the volume of the interior space of the store where the device is to be installed is automatically calculated by the control unit 2. This eliminates the need to calculate the volume of the interior space of the store where the device is to be installed, and further promotes the formal installation of the demand control device.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the numerical calculation model stored in the storage unit 3 was created based on the volume of the space in the store where the demand control device has been installed, the capacity of the air conditioning equipment installed in the store where the demand control device has been installed, and the reduction in power consumption of the air conditioning equipment due to the introduction of the demand control device. However, the numerical calculation model stored in the storage unit 3 may be configured to be created based on at least one of the geographical region in which the store where the demand control device has been installed is located, the direction in which the building of the store where the demand control device has been installed is located, and the estimated amount of solar radiation incident on the store where the demand control device has been installed, in addition to the volume of the space in the store where the demand control device has been installed, the capacity of the air conditioning equipment installed in the store, and the reduction in power consumption of the air conditioning equipment due to the introduction of the demand control device.

[0041] In this case, the numerical calculation model represents the relationship between the volume of the space within the store where the demand control device has been installed, the capacity of the air conditioning equipment installed in the store where the demand control device has been installed, the track record of reducing power consumption of the air conditioning equipment by introducing the demand control device, and at least one of the geographical region in which the store where the demand control device has been installed is located, the direction in which the building of the store where the demand control device has been installed is located, and the estimated amount of solar radiation incident on the store where the demand control device has been installed.

[0042] The geographical region in which a store is located, for example, will have different operating times and temperature settings for air conditioning equipment depending on whether the area is warm or cold, and this will affect the power consumption of the air conditioning equipment. Therefore, using this as a factor in the numerical calculation model is expected to contribute to improving the accuracy of energy-saving effect calculations.

[0043] In addition, if the direction in which the store building is located faces south, for example, it receives good sunlight and the indoor temperature rises in the summer, so the power consumption of the air conditioning equipment in the summer increases. In addition, if the store building faces west, the western sun is stronger in the evenings, so the power consumption of the air conditioning equipment in the evenings increases. Therefore, it is believed that using the direction in which the store building is located as a factor in the numerical calculation model will contribute to improving the accuracy of the energy saving effect calculation.

[0044] In addition, because the estimated amount of solar radiation entering a store directly affects the room temperature inside the store, it is believed that using it as a factor in the numerical calculation model will contribute to improving the accuracy of energy-saving effect calculations. The estimated amount of solar radiation can be easily estimated, for example, by using satellite images from the Himawari 8 and 9 meteorological satellites to access "real-time data on estimated solar radiation at any point or across an area near Japan" online using a solar radiation estimation service provided by the Japan Weather Association.

[0045] When such a numerical calculation model is used, the input means 4 inputs at least one of the volume or volume-related information of the space within the store where the demand control device is to be installed, the direction in which the building of the store where the demand control device is to be installed is located, and the estimated amount of solar radiation incident on the store where the demand control device is to be installed, in addition to the volume or volume-related information of the space within the store where the demand control device is to be installed and the capacity of the air conditioning equipment installed in the store where the demand control device is to be installed. The control unit 2 constituting the estimation means uses the above numerical calculation model stored in the memory unit 3 to estimate the energy saving effect from at least one of the volume or volume-related information of the space within the store where the demand control device is to be installed, the direction in which the building of the store where the demand control device is to be installed is located, and the estimated amount of solar radiation incident on the store where the demand control device is to be installed, which are input by the input means 4.

[0046] According to a modified example of the energy-saving effect calculation device 1 having such a configuration, the energy-saving effect of introducing a demand control device in a store where the device is to be introduced is estimated by creating a numerical calculation model based on at least one of the volume of the space within the store, the capacity of the air-conditioning equipment installed in the store, the geographical area in which the store is located, the direction in which the store building is located, and the estimated amount of solar radiation entering the store, and the control unit 2 uses this numerical calculation model to estimate the energy-saving effect, thereby improving the accuracy of the estimated energy-saving effect.

[0047] Furthermore, in the modified example of the energy-saving effect calculation device 1 described above, if information related to the volume of the space within the store where the demand control device is to be installed is input by the input means 4 as drawing information of the building of the store where the demand control device is to be installed or photography information taken of the inside of the store by a 360° camera, instead of the volume of the space within the store where the demand control device is to be installed, the effort of calculating the volume of the space within the store where the demand control device is to be installed can be eliminated, and the same effect as the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0048] In addition, in the above embodiment and the above modified example, the energy saving device is a demand control device, but the energy saving device is not limited to this and may be other devices that can save energy in the air conditioning equipment. In this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are achieved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Energy saving effect calculation device 2...Control section (calculation means) 3...Storage section 4. Input method 5...Display section 6. Output section 7. Network 8…Communications Department

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores a numerical calculation model that is created based on the volume of a space in a store where energy-saving equipment has been introduced, the capacity of an air-conditioning equipment installed in the store, and the reduction record of power consumption of the air-conditioning equipment due to the introduction of the energy-saving equipment, and that represents the relationship between the volume, the capacity, and the reduction record; an input means for inputting the volume or information related to the volume of the store in which the energy-saving device is to be newly installed, and the capacity of the air-conditioning equipment used in the store; a calculation means for calculating an energy saving effect of introducing the energy saving device into the planned store based on the volume or information related to the volume of the planned store inputted by the input means, using the numerical calculation model stored in the storage unit; and An energy saving effect calculation device equipped with

2. the numerical calculation model is created based on at least one of the volume, the capacity, and the reduction record, a geographical region in which the store is located, a direction in which the building of the store is located, and an estimated amount of solar radiation incident on the store, and represents a relationship between the volume, the capacity, the reduction record, and at least one of the region, the direction, and the estimated amount of solar radiation; The input means inputs at least one of the area, the direction, and the estimated amount of solar radiation of the store to be introduced in addition to the volume or information related to the volume and the capacity of the store to be introduced; The estimation means estimates the energy saving effect using the numerical calculation model stored in the storage unit, from the volume or information related to the volume of the store to be introduced, input by the input means, the capacity, and at least one of the area, the direction, and the estimated amount of solar radiation of the store to be introduced.

2. The energy saving effect estimation device according to claim 1 .

3. The input means inputs plan information of the building of the store to be introduced as information related to the volume, The estimation means calculates the volume of the planned store from the drawing information input to the input means.

2. The energy saving effect estimation device according to claim 1 .

4. The input means inputs photographing information of the interior of the store where the system is to be introduced, the photographing information being taken with a 360° camera, as information related to the volume, The estimation means calculates the volume of the planned introduction store from the photography information input to the input means.

2. The energy saving effect estimation device according to claim 1 .

5. The energy-saving effect estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the energy-saving equipment is a demand control device, and the energy-saving effect is produced by distributing the power usage of the air-conditioning equipment in the store to be introduced to each time period to suppress the maximum demand power of the air-conditioning equipment.

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