Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device cable of supporting operation so as to suppress energy consumption of an air conditioning heat source system.SOLUTION: In an air conditioning heat source system 201 of a central heat source method to be an object for supporting operation, cold water pumps CHP 1 to 3 are connected to respective heat source machines ITR1, RH1, RH2, respectively. These cold water pumps CHP 1 to 3 transport cold water to a primary forward header IH1, and transport it to a secondary side through a secondary forward header IH2. The cold water used for heat exchange on the secondary side is returned to water through a primary homeward header MH1 and a second homeward header IH2. An operation support device predicts a thermal load condition required for the air conditioning heat source system 201 from weather data, searches a combination of optimal operation conditions with each apparatus including the respective heat source machines ITR1, RH1, RH2, and the respective cold water pumps CHP 1 to 3 as an object so as to satisfy the predicted thermal load condition, and plans an operation schedule.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A facility is usually provided with an air conditioning heat source system for heating or cooling. In large-scale facilities, a central heat source system in which all heat source devices are centrally controlled is usually adopted. In an air conditioning heat source system that employs a central heat source method, an operator (operation manager) must operate the air conditioning heat source system according to the required heat load. To make the operation easier, an operation schedule according to the heat load (building load) is also drawn up. Combination patterns of heat source machines are set, and an operation schedule is drawn up for each combination pattern (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Even with the same heat load, the energy consumption including the power consumption of the air-conditioning heat source system, the running costs, and the CO2 emissions change depending on the combination pattern. Therefore, by setting the combination pattern, the air-conditioning heat source system can be operated in a manner that prioritizes one of the indicators such as the energy consumption, the running costs, and the CO2 emissions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-2112 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional operation schedules are created by determining the operation state of each heat source machine at time intervals, for example, every hour. The operation state is selected from, for example, operation in which the heat source machine is operated, stop in which the heat source machine is not operated, or permission to operate or stop the heat source machine according to load fluctuations. As a result, the created operation schedule is basically an operation number plan that determines the number of heat source machines to be operated among all the heat source machines.

[0006] It is said that the proportion of energy consumed by air conditioning heat source systems in large facilities accounts for about half of the total energy consumed by the facility. Because this is such a large amount of energy consumption, it is important to find ways to reduce the energy consumed by air conditioning heat source systems.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device capable of supporting the operation of an air-conditioning heat source system so as to further reduce the energy consumption of the air-conditioning heat source system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing device of one embodiment of the present disclosure is assumed to be an information processing device for supporting the operation of a central heat source type air conditioning heat source system installed in a facility in which one or more pumps are connected to each heat source unit, and is equipped with a condition acquisition means for acquiring prerequisites for the operation of the air conditioning heat source system within a specified designated period, and an operation support means for dividing the designated period into set time intervals and calculating each control value for the operation of each heat source unit and pump for each time interval based on the prerequisites. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present invention can assist the operation of an air-conditioning heat source system so as to further reduce the energy consumption of the system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a network system constructed using an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an air-conditioning heat source system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of an air-conditioning heat source system. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a driving assistance device according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration realized on a driving assistance device according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for generating an operation schedule. [Figure 7] 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration realized on a PLC according to an embodiment of the system control device of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this. Various modified examples are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a network system constructed using an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, this information processing device 1 is realized as an operation support device that supports the operation of a central heat source type air-conditioning heat source system 201 installed in each of a plurality of facilities 2. For this reason, hereinafter, the information processing device 1 is also referred to as an "operation support device 1."

[0013] The facility 2 is, for example, a building in which one or more companies reside. The type of the facility 2 is not particularly limited. The air conditioning heat source system 201 installed in the facility 2 is operated under the control of a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) 202. An operator panel 203 that an operator (operation manager) uses for various settings, monitoring, and the like is connected to the PLC 202. Note that the device that controls the operation of the air conditioning heat source system 201 is not particularly limited, including a combination of devices. For the sake of convenience in the explanation, it is assumed here that the operation control and status monitoring of the air conditioning heat source system 201 are performed by one PLC 202. This PLC 202 is a system control device in this embodiment. A network 3 is directly or indirectly connected to the PLC 202. The driving support device 1 is also directly or indirectly connected to the network 3. This allows the PLC 202 and the driving support device 1 to transmit and receive various information via the network 3.

[0014] A weather data distribution service company 4 is connected to the network 3, which provides a service of distributing weather data via the network 3. The distributed weather data mainly represents a weather forecast. This weather forecast indicates the expected weather, outside temperature, and humidity by time. The driving assistance device 1 uses the weather data distributed by the distribution service company 4 to plan a recommended operation schedule for the air-conditioning heat source system 201 for each facility 2, and provides a service of transmitting the planned operation schedule to the facility 2.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an air-conditioning heat source system. The configuration example shown in Fig. 2 is an excerpt of a portion (primary side) used to produce cold heat and hot heat in the air-conditioning heat source system 201. For the sake of convenience, the following description will focus on the portion used to produce cold heat. 2 shows a variable-speed turbo chiller ITR1 and two absorption-type hot and cold water generators RH1 and RH2 as heat source machines used to produce cold energy. The number of heat source machines installed, the types of heat source machines, and their combinations are not particularly limited. Unless otherwise specified, the heat source machines are used as a general term for the variable-speed turbo chiller ITR1 and the two absorption-type hot and cold water generators RH1 and RH2.

[0016] The solid arrows pointing to each heat source unit indicate that each heat source unit is not only subject to control by the PLC 202, but can also be subject to control by the operation conditions (control values) represented by the operation schedule. Other solid arrows similarly point to devices that are subject to control by the PLC 202 and can also be subject to control by the operation schedule. Meanwhile, dashed arrows point to sensors from which sensor information is acquired by the PLC 202 for, for example, status monitoring of the air-conditioning heat source system 201. In FIG. 2, only a temperature sensor TS and a flow meter RK are shown as sensors. Other sensors from which sensor information is acquired by the PLC 202 include a temperature sensor for measuring the outside air temperature, a humidity sensor for measuring humidity, and multiple watt-hour meters for measuring the amount of power consumed by each device including each heat source unit.

[0017] Each heat source unit uses water (chilled water) as a medium for heat exchange. One or more chilled water pumps CHP1-3 are connected to each heat source unit. As a result, the chilled water cooled by each heat source unit is transported by one of the chilled water pumps CHP1-3 to the primary forward header IH1, and then sent to the secondary side via the secondary forward header IH2. The chilled water sent to the secondary side returns to each heat source unit again via the primary return header MH1 and the secondary return header MH2. Note that, unless there is a need to be particularly limited, it will be referred to as a "chilled water pump CHP." The chilled water in the primary supply header IH1 is transported by one or more chilled water pumps NP to the secondary supply header IH2, then transported within facility 2 and used for heat exchange in an air conditioner (not shown) installed within facility 2. This heat exchange allows the air conditioner to blow chilled air. The chilled water from the air conditioner is transported to the primary return header MH1, and then transported to the secondary return header MH2. A temperature sensor TS and a flow meter RK are arranged between the primary return header MH1 and the secondary return header MH2.

[0018] A pipe that enables the movement of cold water is provided between the primary forward header IH1 and the secondary return header MH2. In addition, a motor valve MV4 is connected between the primary forward header IH1 and the secondary forward header IH2. This motor valve MV4 enables the movement of cold water on the secondary side between the primary forward header IH1 and the secondary forward header IH2. As a result, the motor valve MV4 can be used to adjust the pressure of the cold water in the primary forward header IH1 and the cold water in the secondary forward header IH2. Therefore, it is subject to control by the PLC 202.

[0019] Cooling water is used to remove heat generated in each heat source machine. One or more cooling water pumps CDP1-3 are connected to each heat source machine for circulating the cooling water. The cooling water transported by the cooling water pumps CDP1-3 is sent to one of the cooling towers CT1-3 and cooled. Motor valves MV1-3 are connected between the inlet and outlet piping of each cooling tower CT1-3. Each of the motor valves MV1-3 can be used to adjust the temperature of each cooling water in the outlet piping so that it does not fall below the lower limit temperature of the cooling water of each heat source machine. Therefore, each of the motor valves MV1-3 is also subject to control by the PLC202. The inlet side is the side where the cooling water (fluid) flows into the cooling tower, and the outlet side is the side where the cooling water flows out. This is the same for the other cooling towers.

[0020] Each of the cooling towers CT1 to CT3 is provided with a fan (not shown). The cooling performance obtained by rotating the fan varies depending on the heat load of the heat source unit, the outside air temperature, etc. Therefore, each of the cooling towers CT1 to CT3 is also subject to the control of the PLC 202.

[0021] The configuration of the air conditioning heat source system 201 is not particularly limited. For example, even if only the secondary side is considered, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is one example. The secondary side may have one forward header IH instead of the primary forward header IH1 and the secondary forward header IH2, as shown in FIG. 3. In such a secondary side configuration, the motor valve MV4 may be connected between the forward header IH and the secondary return header MH2 and used to adjust the pressure of the chilled water. The configuration of the primary side, that is, the number of heat source units, the type of each heat source unit, and the like, are also not particularly limited.

[0022] The heat load required of the air conditioning heat source system 201 in each facility 2 mainly depends on the outside air temperature. For this reason, in this embodiment, the heat load required of the air conditioning heat source system 201 is predicted as a heat load condition using weather data provided by the weather data distribution service company 4, and operating conditions that satisfy the predicted heat load are searched for. The search for operating conditions is performed by simulation (simulation experiment). This weather data corresponds to the prerequisite in this embodiment.

[0023] As the operating conditions, not only the number of operating units including combinations of heat source units to be operated among the heat source units, but also the flow rate of chilled water from the chilled water pump CHP connected to the heat source unit to be operated are searched for. Not only the power consumption and efficiency of the chilled water pump CHP change depending on the flow rate of chilled water, but also the heat load, power consumption, and efficiency required of the heat source unit change. For this reason, when operating conditions that target devices other than the heat source unit are searched for, it is possible to support the operation of the air conditioning heat source system 201 in a manner that better satisfies the requirements of the facility 2. For example, it is possible to support the operation of the air conditioning heat source system 201 that satisfies the heat load while suppressing energy consumption. Here, the energy includes not only electricity but also fuel used in the heat source unit.

[0024] The heat source machines shown in Fig. 2 are two types: a variable-speed turbo chiller ITR1 and two absorption type chilled and hot water generators RH1 and RH2. The variable-speed turbo chiller ITR1 is a type that uses electricity to cool chilled water, while the absorption type chilled and hot water generators RH1 and RH2 are types that burn fuels such as gas, heavy oil, or kerosene. The inverter-speed turbo chiller ITR1 consumes more power per unit of heat, while the absorption type chilled and hot water generators RH1 and RH2 generate more CO2 per unit of heat.

[0025] The amount of power consumption and the amount of CO2 generated are both important indices. Not only is it expected that the indices that are emphasized will differ depending on the facility 2, but it is also expected that the indexes that are emphasized will change depending on the situation. For example, even if emphasis is placed on reducing the amount of power consumption in summer and winter, when the peak of power consumption is likely to be large, emphasis may be placed on reducing the amount of CO2 generated outside of these seasons, i.e., in spring and autumn. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is possible to set conditions for searching for operating conditions. This allows the system to search for operating conditions that more fully satisfy the requirements of the facility 2. Hereinafter, these conditions will be referred to as "constraint conditions". Information that specifies these constraint conditions is constraint condition information.

[0026] The heat source equipment and the chilled water pump CHP are primary side equipment. As secondary side equipment, the operating conditions of the chilled water pump NP are also searched for. The primary side chilled water pressure, secondary side chilled water pressure, and the flow rate of cooling water to each cooling tower CT1 to CT3 are also searched for as operating conditions. In this way, the operating conditions that are considered to be optimal while satisfying the search conditions are searched for.

[0027] The searched operating conditions are output as control values ​​for operating the air conditioning heat source system 201. For example, for each heat source unit and each chilled water pump CHP, for example, the flow rate of chilled water and the outlet temperature of the chilled water of the heat source unit are output as control values. As a result, each chilled water pump CHP is controlled so that the flow rate matches the flow rate designated as the control value, and each heat source unit is controlled so that the outlet temperature of the chilled water flowing at that flow rate matches. The control method is not particularly limited, but for example, PI (Proportional Integral) control may be adopted.

[0028] In this embodiment, the heat load is predicted, for example, by time, i.e., at one-hour intervals, using weather data for one day, and the operation conditions that satisfy the predicted heat load are searched for, to create an operation schedule for one day. The search results for the operation conditions by time are expressed as a control value group. Such an operation schedule (control value group) is transmitted from the operation support device 1 to the PLC 202 of each facility 2.

[0029] By transmitting such an operation schedule, each facility 2 can operate the air conditioning heat source system 201 according to the planned operation schedule for one day. The PLC 202 of each facility 2 can control the operation of the air conditioning heat source system 201 according to the received operation schedule. When a deviation from the predicted results represented by the weather data occurs, the operator can change the setting of the control value according to the deviation. Therefore, the operation schedule further reduces the burden on the operator who manages the operation of the air conditioning heat source system 201, and supports easier operation of the air conditioning heat source system 201.

[0030] In addition, one day set as a period of the operation schedule corresponds to a specified period in this embodiment. One hour dividing the one day corresponds to a set time interval. The specified period and the time interval are not particularly limited. They may be calculation conditions that can be arbitrarily set by an operator or a system administrator at any time.

[0031] In this embodiment, various control values, including those of devices other than the heat source device, are determined by searching for operating conditions. It has been confirmed that this embodiment can reduce energy consumption by about 10 to 15% compared to a case where the control values ​​of devices other than the heat source device are fixed and the number of operating devices including the combination of heat source devices is controlled. It is said that the energy consumption of the air-conditioning heat source system 201 accounts for about half of the entire facility 2. For this reason, even if the energy consumption is reduced by about 10 to 15%, the operating costs of the facility 2 can be significantly reduced. From this fact, controlling devices other than the heat source device is effective in significantly reducing the operating costs of the facility 2. Another advantage is that the operating costs can be further reduced without replacing each device, including the heat source device, that constitutes the air-conditioning heat source system 201.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a driving support device according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention. Next, with reference to Fig. 4, a specific hardware configuration example of an information processing device that can be used as the driving support device 1 will be described. Note that this configuration example is just one example, and the hardware configuration of the information processing device that can be used as the driving support device 1 is not limited to this.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the driving assistance device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a memory unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0034] The CPU 11 executes, for example, programs recorded in the ROM 12 and / or programs loaded from the storage unit 18 to the RAM 13 to realize various processes. The programs loaded from the storage unit 18 to the RAM 13 include, for example, an OS (Operating System) and various application programs that run on the OS. The various application programs include one or more programs developed to cause the information processing device to function as the driving assistance device 1. Hereinafter, this developed application program will be referred to as a "developed application."

[0035] The RAM 13 also stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes as appropriate. The data includes various programs executed by the CPU 11. The various programs are read into the RAM 13 and executed by the CPU 11.

[0036] The CPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 are connected to one another via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to the bus 14. An output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20 are connected to the input / output interface 15.

[0037] The output unit 16 includes a display such as a liquid crystal display. The output unit 16 displays various images or various screens under the control of the CPU 11. The output unit 16 may be mounted on the driving support device 1, or may be connected as necessary. As a result, the output unit 16 is not an essential component.

[0038] The input unit 17 includes various hardware buttons such as a keyboard. The input unit 17 may include one or more pointing devices such as a mouse. An operator, for example, a system administrator, can input various information via the input unit 17. The input unit 17 may also be mounted on the driving assistance device 1, or may be connected as necessary. As a result, the input unit 17 is not an essential component.

[0039] The storage unit 18 is, for example, a hard disk device or an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive). Data with a large amount of data is stored in the storage unit 18. The communication unit 19 is, for example, a communication device. The communication unit 19 enables communication not only with the PLC 202 of each facility 2 and the weather data distribution service company 4, but also with other information processing devices via the network 3. The communication with the weather data distribution service company 4 is actually communication with, for example, a server installed for weather data distribution. The communication unit 19 may be a group of communication devices including a plurality of communication devices with different communication methods.

[0040] The drive 20 is a device to which a removable medium 25, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory card, can be attached. The drive 20 can, for example, read information from the attached removable medium 25 and write information to the removable medium 25. As a result, the program recorded in the removable medium 25 can be stored in the storage unit 18 via the drive 20. In addition, the removable medium 25 attached to the drive 20 can be used as a copy destination or a movement destination of various data stored in the storage unit 18.

[0041] The development application has been developed on the assumption that an information processing device will function as the driving assistance device 1. This development application may be recorded on a removable medium 25 and distributed. It may also be possible to distribute it via the network 3. For this reason, the recording medium on which the development application is recorded may be one that is mounted or attached to an information processing device that is directly or indirectly connected to the network 3, or one that is mounted or attached to an external device that can be accessed.

[0042] The hardware resources of the information processing device 1 are controlled by various programs including application programs. As a result, the information processing device 1 functions as an operation support device 1 that supports an operator to more easily operate the air-conditioning heat source system 201 of each facility 2 that provides a service, including planning an operation schedule.

[0043] 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration realized on a driving support device according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention. Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of a functional configuration realized on the driving support device 1 will be described in detail.

[0044] 5, a setting registration unit 111, a weather data acquisition unit 112, an operation performance information acquisition unit 113, a calculation management unit 114, a request reception unit 115, a heat load condition generation unit 116, a simulation calculation unit 117, a constraint condition monitoring unit 118, and an output control unit 119 are realized as functional components on the CPU 11 of the driving support device 1. The CPU 11 transmits and receives data to and from the PLC 202 of each facility 2 and the weather data distribution service company 4 via the communication unit 19.

[0045] These are realized by executing various programs including the development application by the CPU 11. As a result, in the memory unit 18, a calculation condition information storage unit 181, a system configuration information storage unit 182, an equipment characteristic information storage unit 183, a constraint condition information storage unit 184, a weather data storage unit 185, an operation performance information storage unit 186, a condition generation result storage unit 187, a calculation result storage unit 188, and a monitoring result storage unit 189 are secured for storing information.

[0046] The setting registration unit 111 mainly corresponds to various settings made by a system administrator. Information stored by various settings includes calculation condition information, system configuration information, device characteristic information, and constraint condition information. These pieces of information are stored in a calculation condition information storage unit 181, a system configuration information storage unit 182, a device characteristic information storage unit 183, and a constraint condition information storage unit 184 secured in the memory unit 18, respectively.

[0047] The calculation condition information mainly relates to the planning of operation schedules. Specifically, it specifies the period of the operation schedule to be planned, how to divide the period, the timing of planning the operation schedule, the timing of obtaining weather data, the area where the weather data should be obtained, etc. By storing such calculation condition information for each facility 2, an operation schedule according to the area where each facility 2 is located will be automatically planned (generated) in accordance with the request of each facility 2.

[0048] The system configuration information makes it possible to identify the configuration of the air conditioning heat source system 201, that is, the type of installed equipment, the installation position, the connection relationship between the equipment, etc., for each facility 2. This system configuration information allows the operation assistance device 1 to individually handle the air conditioning heat source system 201 installed in each facility 2. The equipment characteristic information is also information prepared for each facility 2. The equipment characteristic information, for example, constitutes the air-conditioning heat source system 201, and indicates the characteristics of each equipment to be controlled. For example, in the case of a heat source machine, it makes it possible to identify the type of energy used to generate heat, the amount of energy consumed depending on the magnitude of the heat load, the amount of CO2 emissions, efficiency, etc. Such equipment characteristic information makes it possible to search for more desirable operating conditions.

[0049] Constraint condition information is also prepared for each facility 2. The constraint condition information specifies the conditions (constraints) that the operating conditions must satisfy. Constraint conditions are, for example, a peak in power consumption, a specified period, for example, an upper limit on power consumption in one day, a peak in CO2 emissions, a specified period, for example, an upper limit on CO2 emissions in one day, or an index that should be prioritized in searching for operating conditions. Based on such constraint condition information, optimal operating conditions are searched for and an operating schedule is created in a manner that satisfies the requirements of the facility 2.

[0050] The meteorological data acquisition unit 112 acquires meteorological data for a region specified by the calculation condition information from the meteorological data distribution service company 4 at a timing specified by the calculation condition information. The region is a region in which the facility 2 is located. The acquired meteorological data is stored in the meteorological data storage unit 185 secured in the memory unit 18.

[0051] The operation performance information acquisition unit 113 acquires operation performance information that indicates the operation performance of the air conditioning heat source system 201 for a predetermined period for each facility 2. The acquired operation performance information is stored in the operation performance information storage unit 186 secured in the memory unit 18. This operation record information is, for example, a group of information that indicates various control values, outdoor temperature, and humidity that are actually set for the air conditioning heat source system 201 by time. In this embodiment, it is automatically acquired every time the operation for the time is completed. The acquisition may be automatically performed, for example, after the facility 2 ends the operation of the air conditioning heat source system 201.

[0052] In many facilities 2, it is common to see a tendency for the number of facility users (or visitors) to increase or decrease depending on the day of the week. Depending on the number of facility users, the amount of heat generated by human bodies and the amount of heat generated by lighting and equipment increase or decrease with changes in facility usage patterns. In a facility 2 in which the number of facility users tends to increase or decrease depending on the day of the week, for example, the heat load can be predicted taking into account changes in the number of facility users depending on the day of the week based on the operation performance information for the most recent seven days. The actual heat load represented by the operation performance information can be calculated using each control value. For example, for one heat source unit, the heat load borne by the heat source unit can be calculated from the temperature difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of the chilled water, the flow rate, and the specific heat of the water. For this reason, in this embodiment, the actual heat load is calculated by time from the acquired operation performance information. In addition, actual weather data is generated from the actual outside temperature and humidity by time. In this way, the operation performance information acquisition unit 113 generates the actual heat load calculated by time and the actual weather data, and stores them in the operation performance information storage unit 186. The thermal load results calculated by time are hereinafter referred to as “thermal load result information” in order to distinguish them from the operation result information acquired from the PLC 202 .

[0053] The calculation management unit 114 manages calculations for formulating an operation schedule. The thermal load condition generating unit 116 generates thermal load conditions predicted to be required for each time. In order to generate thermal load conditions in accordance with the thermal load record information, in this embodiment, AI (Artificial Intelligence) based on learning is adopted as the thermal load condition generating unit 116. The generated thermal load record information is used as a target variable, and the day of the week and actual weather data (weather data for each actual time) are used as explanatory variables. As a result, the thermal load condition generating unit 116 learns so as to be able to output thermal load record information from the day of the week and the actual weather data. The calculation management unit 114 manages the learning in the thermal load condition generating unit 11, the generation of thermal load conditions after learning, and the planning of an operation schedule after the generation of the thermal load conditions. Note that the process for realizing the AI ​​may be performed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) instead of the CPU 11. As a result, the driving assistance device 1 may be configured to include one or more CPUs 11 and one or more GPUs.

[0054] The days of the week for which an operation schedule should be created and the acquired weather data are input as explanatory variables to the learned thermal load condition generation unit 116. As a result, the thermal load condition generation unit 116 outputs thermal load conditions that reflect the tendency of the facility 2 for which an operation schedule is created, that is, the operator's way of thinking, in addition to the input days of the week and weather data. These thermal load conditions are stored in the condition generation result storage unit 187 secured in the memory unit 18.

[0055] The simulation unit 117 performs a simulation using the thermal load conditions stored in the condition generation result storage unit 187. This simulation is performed, for example, by calculating the values ​​of various indices such as the amount of power consumption and the amount of CO2 generated for each combination of control values ​​while sequentially changing various control values ​​so as to satisfy the thermal load conditions. In order to calculate the values ​​of the various indices, various pieces of equipment characteristic information stored in the equipment characteristic information storage unit 183 are referenced. Optimal operating conditions are searched for by this simulation. The results of the simulation are stored in the calculation result storage unit 188 secured in the memory unit 18.

[0056] The values ​​of various indices for each combination of control values ​​are calculated for each time. The constraint condition information specifies the constraint conditions that the operating conditions must satisfy. A combination of control values ​​is selected, for example, for each time, so as to satisfy the specified constraint conditions. This selection generates an operation schedule that is considered optimal for satisfying the constraint conditions. For example, if the constraint conditions specify that power consumption should be minimized, an operation schedule that minimizes power consumption will be generated. The simulation calculation unit 117 generates an operation schedule by selecting a combination of control values ​​for each time, and stores the generated operation schedule in the calculation result storage unit 188.

[0057] The operation schedule stored in the calculation result storage unit 188 is transmitted by the output control unit 119 to the PLC 202 of the corresponding facility 2. By receiving the operation schedule, the PLC 202 can operate the air-conditioning heat source system 201 in accordance with the operation schedule. The transmission of data via the communication unit 19 is performed by the output control unit 119.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for generating an operation schedule. 6, in this embodiment, first, a thermal load is predicted, that is, a thermal load required for each time is set (step S1). This thermal load is set by the thermal load condition generating unit 116. As a result, the condition generation result storage unit 187 stores the thermal load conditions that are the results of the thermal load setting.

[0059] Next, a simulation is performed to calculate the value of each index while changing the operating conditions of each device so as to satisfy the heat load for each time represented by the heat load conditions (step S2). The optimal combination of operating conditions for each device is unknown. Therefore, the operating conditions for each device are changed by trial and error. For example, the operating conditions for each device may be changed at a set interval within a range set for each device. For example, for the flow rate, a maximum flow rate and a minimum flow rate may be set, and a range within which the flow rate is changed may also be set.

[0060] By performing simulation calculations while changing the operating conditions of each device for each time, the value of each index is calculated for each combination of operating conditions of each device. It is also confirmed whether the combination satisfies the heat load, for example, whether the amount of heat supply actually expected matches the heat load within an allowable range. As a result, a combination of operating conditions of each device that is considered optimal from the specified constraint conditions is extracted from the combinations of operating conditions of each device that satisfy the heat load, and an operation schedule is generated and output from the extracted combination (step S3). FIG. 6 shows that the power consumption is specified as the constraint condition, and a combination of operating conditions of each device that minimizes the power consumption is extracted. The simulation calculation and generation of the operation schedule are performed by the simulation calculation unit 117, and the generated operation schedule is output by the output control unit 119. As a result, step S2 is realized by the simulation calculation unit 117, and step S3 is realized by the simulation calculation unit 117 and the output control unit 119.

[0061] The extraction of a combination of operating conditions for each device is not always performed appropriately. For example, if an upper limit and a peak of power consumption are specified as constraint conditions, the total power consumption may exceed the upper limit even if the power consumption at each time is below the peak. If the total power consumption exceeds the upper limit, a combination of operating conditions for each device with a lower power consumption is further extracted at each time. In this way, by regenerating the operation schedule as necessary, the operation schedule finally generated satisfies the specified constraint conditions, or takes the constraint conditions into consideration to the maximum extent possible even if the constraint conditions are not satisfied.

[0062] The request receiving unit 115 is capable of responding to requests sent from each facility 2. One of the requests is a request for presentation of operating conditions. This presentation request is for a combination of control values ​​that are desirable at the present time or in the very near future to be presented as operating conditions. This combination of control values, that is, a combination of operating conditions for each device, will hereinafter be referred to as a "pinpoint operating condition."

[0063] The weather data acquired from the weather data distribution service company 4 is a prediction result, and at least one of the outside temperature and humidity indicated by the weather data may differ relatively greatly from the actual one. For example, in the summer, there may be a thunderstorm and the outside temperature may be lower than expected. In such a case, the operator needs to operate the air-conditioning heat source system 201 in accordance with the actual outside temperature and humidity. In this embodiment, in response to such a case, it is possible to support the operation of the air-conditioning heat source system 201 in accordance with the actual outside temperature and humidity.

[0064] The information processing device that transmits this presentation request is not particularly limited. However, since this is an information request for operation control of the air-conditioning heat source system 201, it is desirable that the request be received by a system control device that controls the operation of the air-conditioning heat source system 201, such as the PLC 202. For this reason, it is assumed here that the PLC 202 transmits the presentation request when the operator operates the operator panel 203.

[0065] In this presentation request, for example, at least the actual outside temperature and humidity are stored as data. When this presentation request is received, the request receiving unit 115 passes, for example, the outside temperature and humidity in the presentation request to the thermal load condition generating unit 116 and instructs the generation of thermal load conditions. In response to this instruction, the thermal load condition generating unit 116 generates thermal load conditions predicted from the given outside temperature and humidity. The generated thermal load conditions are passed to the simulation calculation unit 117. Note that the presentation request may be capable of storing the outside temperature and humidity as data for a number of consecutive times. The outside temperature and humidity stored in the presentation request also correspond to the preconditions in this embodiment.

[0066] Even in the case of pinpoint driving conditions, it is necessary to consider whether the specified constraint conditions are satisfied. The constraint condition monitoring unit 118 is a function provided for this purpose. This is also the reason why the driving performance information is acquired at each time. The constraint condition monitoring unit 118 refers to the operation result information acquired at each time, for example, to calculate the values ​​of each index such as the power consumption and CO2 generation amount of each device for each device, and accumulates the calculation results. The calculated accumulated values ​​of each index are passed to the simulation calculation unit 117. By passing these accumulated values, the simulation calculation unit 117 can extract a combination of operation conditions of each device that is considered to be optimal according to the margin to the upper limit to be considered when the upper limit of the power consumption or the upper limit of the CO2 generation is specified as a constraint condition. The extracted combination is transmitted to the PLC 202 by the output control unit 119 as a response to the request for presentation of the operation conditions. The actual power consumption and CO2 generation amount of each device may be acquired from the PLC 202 as operation result information. The accumulated values ​​of the actual power consumption and CO2 generation amount of the entire air-conditioning heat source system 201 may be acquired.

[0067] The PLC 202 presents the contents of this response, that is, the pinpoint operating conditions, to the operator in the form of, for example, arranging them on a system configuration diagram of the air-conditioning heat source system 201. That is, such an image is displayed on the operator panel 203. The configuration diagram example shown in Fig. 2 shows an example of presenting pinpoint operating conditions. In Fig. 2 (and Fig. 3), "SP23.5°C" and "25.4°C" are written near the temperature sensor TS arranged on the chilled water outlet side of the variable-speed centrifugal chiller ITR1. "25.4°C" is the temperature currently measured by the temperature sensor TS, or the temperature as a control value represented by the operation schedule. In contrast, "SP23.5°C" is the temperature represented as a control value by the pinpoint operation conditions. "SP" is a symbol representing a target value. Since the temperature represented by the pinpoint operation conditions is lower, it can be inferred that the outside air temperature is higher than expected or that the number of facility users is higher than expected. Note that pinpoint operation conditions usually represent multiple control values. However, here, for convenience, only one temperature is shown in Fig. 2 as the recommended control value.

[0068] By showing the control values ​​on the system configuration diagram, the operator can visually and easily identify the equipment for which the control values ​​should be changed. Therefore, the operator can more easily and reliably set each control value outside the operation schedule. The method of presenting the contents of the pinpoint operation conditions is not particularly limited. However, it is desirable to enable the operator to more easily determine the appropriateness of the control value settings.

[0069] 5, the weather data acquisition unit 112 and the request reception unit 115 both correspond to the condition acquisition means in this embodiment. The weather data and the data stored in the presentation request for the operating conditions both correspond to the prerequisites. The thermal load condition generating unit 116, the simulation calculation unit 117, and the output control unit 119 correspond to the operation support means in this embodiment. The condition generating means, the calculation means, and the condition determining means constituting the operation support means correspond to the thermal load condition generating unit 116 and the simulation calculation unit 117, respectively. The calculation means and the condition determining means both correspond to the simulation calculation unit 117. The driving performance information acquiring unit 113 corresponds to the performance information acquiring means in this embodiment. The setting registration unit 111 corresponds to the constraint condition acquiring means in this embodiment.

[0070] 7 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration realized on a PLC according to an embodiment of the system control device of the present invention. Next, with reference to FIG. 7, an example of a functional configuration realized on the PLC 202 will be described in detail. The system control device is an information processing device related to the operation of the air-conditioning heat source system 201, and the PLC 202 is one example. The system control device may be an information processing device different from the PLC 202, for example, a DDC (Direct Digital Controller). Taking into consideration data transmission and reception with the driving support device 1, the system control device may be a newly installed information processing device.

[0071] 7, an information processing device that can be used as the PLC 202 includes, as hardware, a CPU 61, a storage unit 62, a communication unit 63, and an I / O (Input / Output) group 64. Although not shown, the information processing device also includes other hardware including a RAM and a ROM. The air conditioning heat source system 201 includes a heat source machine group 2011, a pump group 2012, other devices group 2013, and a sensor group 2014. The I / O group 64 is a collection of I / O for controlling these or acquiring necessary information. The PLC 202 can control the operation of the air conditioning heat source system 201 using the I / O group 64, and can monitor the state of the air conditioning heat source system 201 using information obtained from the sensor group 2014.

[0072] 7, the operator panel 203 is shown as transmitting and receiving data to and from the PLC 202 via the communication unit 63. It is assumed that the operator panel 203 is thereby connected to a network, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), installed in the facility 2. However, the operator panel 203 may communicate via an IFC (Interface Controller) (not shown) mounted on the PLC 202. The operator panel 203 is also an information processing device, and is provided with or can be connected to a display device and an operation panel operated by an operator. It is assumed here that it is provided with both of these.

[0073] The storage unit 62 stores various programs including an application program (hereinafter, referred to as a "cooperation application") developed to enable cooperation with the driving support device 1. The program including the cooperation application is read into the RAM and executed by the CPU 61. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, a request receiving unit 611, an image generating unit 612, a control value acquiring unit 613, a sensor information acquiring unit 614, a status monitoring unit 615, a device control unit 616, and a transmission control unit 617 are realized as functional configurations on the CPU 61. Note that this configuration example is merely an example, and the hardware configuration of an information processing device usable as the PLC 202 is not particularly limited.

[0074] The cooperative application may be recorded on a removable medium and distributed in the same manner as the development application, and may be distributed via the network 3. Therefore, the recording medium on which the cooperative application is recorded may be one mounted or attached to an information processing device directly or indirectly connected to the network 3, or one mounted or attached to an external device that can be accessed. Meanwhile, in the memory unit 62, a system configuration information storage unit 621, a control value storage unit 622, a sensor information storage unit 623, a monitoring result storage unit 624, and an operating performance information storage unit 625 are secured for storing information.

[0075] The request receiving unit 611 responds to operations on the operator panel 203. For example, an operating condition presentation request is generated by the request receiving unit 611 processing a command (request) input by an operator's operation on the operator panel 203, and is transmitted to the driving support device 1 by the transmission control unit 617 via the communication unit 63. Depending on the command to be processed, the request receiving unit 611 also causes the operator panel 203 to display a configuration diagram of the air-conditioning heat source system 201 as shown in Fig. 2. Here, to avoid confusion, a request from the operator panel 203 is referred to as a "command."

[0076] The system configuration information stored in the system configuration information storage unit 621 secured in the memory unit 62 makes it possible to identify the configuration of the air-conditioning heat source system 201, that is, the types of installed equipment, the installation positions, the connections between the equipment, etc. The system configuration information also includes image data for displaying a configuration diagram as shown in FIG.

[0077] The image generation unit 612 generates image data for display according to an instruction from the request reception unit 611, and requests the transmission control unit 617 to transmit the generated image data. This allows the PLC 202 to display a configuration diagram as shown in Fig. 2 on the operator panel 203. It is also possible to arrange control values ​​recommended as targets. To enable this arrangement, for example, identification information that enables a target device, system, etc. to be uniquely identified is associated with the control value.

[0078] The driving schedule is a combination of control values ​​expressed for each time. The pinpoint driving conditions returned as a response from the driving assistance device 1 in response to the transmission of the driving condition presentation request are also a combination of control values. The control value acquisition unit 613 responds to reception of these. The control value acquisition unit 613 stores the received combination of control values ​​in the control value storage unit 622 secured in the memory unit 62.

[0079] The sensor information acquisition unit 614 is responsible for acquiring sensor information obtained from each sensor constituting the sensor group 2014. The various sensors constituting the sensor group 2014 include a plurality of temperature sensors TS, one or more humidity sensors, a plurality of flow meters RK, and a plurality of watt-hour meters. The sensor information obtained from the various sensors is stored in a sensor information storage unit 623 secured in the memory unit 62.

[0080] The status monitoring unit 615 monitors the status of the air conditioning heat source system 201 by referring to each sensor information stored in the sensor information storage unit 623. The status monitoring unit 615 checks whether the power consumption of the entire air conditioning heat source system 201 is below a set peak, whether the CO2 generation amount is below a peak, and so on. The status monitoring unit 615 also performs processing to issue a warning to an operator according to the degree of margin with respect to any peak. The warning is issued, for example, using the image generation unit 612 and the transmission control unit 617.

[0081] The equipment control unit 616 controls the operation of each equipment using a combination of control values ​​stored in a control value storage unit 622 or a combination of control values ​​set by an operator. The heat source equipment group 2011, the pump group 2012, and the other equipment group 2013 are all included in each equipment. The cooling towers CT1-3 and the motor valves MV1-4 all correspond to the equipment constituting the other equipment group 2013. The combination of control values ​​used to control the operation of each equipment is stored as operation performance information by time in an operation performance information storage unit 625 secured in the memory unit 62. Sensor information of the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor TS and the temperature and humidity measured by the humidity sensor is also stored as operation performance information in the operation performance information storage unit 625.

[0082] As described above, the pinpoint operation conditions can be presented on the configuration diagram of the air-conditioning heat source system 201. The control values ​​specified on the configuration diagram are passed to the equipment control unit 616, and the control values ​​are used to control the operation of the corresponding equipment. The operator can change the control values ​​on the configuration diagram as desired. As a result, not only the pinpoint operation conditions but also the combination of control values ​​represented by the operation schedule are used as is for the operation control of each equipment only when approved by the operator.

[0083] The combination of control values ​​stored in the driving performance information storage unit 625 is transmitted to the driving support device 1 by the transmission control unit 617, either automatically or by the request receiving unit 611 processing a request transmitted from the driving support device 1. This enables the driving support device 1 to generate thermal load conditions and also to generate an operation schedule that takes into account the specified constraint conditions.

[0084] In the functional configuration exemplified in FIG. 7, the control value acquisition unit 613 corresponds to the control value acquisition means in this embodiment. 2 in which the recommended control values ​​are arranged is displayed on the operator panel 203 by the request receiving unit 611, the image generating unit 612, and the transmission control unit 617. Thus, the operator panel 203 corresponds to the display device in this embodiment, and the request receiving unit 611, the image generating unit 612, and the transmission control unit 617 correspond to the display control means in this embodiment.

[0085] In this embodiment, AI (thermal load condition generating unit 116) is used to generate the thermal load conditions, but the thermal load conditions may be generated without using AI. For example, one or more pieces of operating performance information in a situation close to the temperature change by time represented by the weather data may be extracted, and the extracted operating performance information may be analyzed or reused and processed as necessary to generate the thermal load conditions.

[0086] The control values ​​may be selected according to the device that is the subject of the operation control, and therefore the combination of the control values ​​is not particularly limited. Although examples of the constraint conditions by time and by day have been given, the period assumed by the constraint conditions is not limited to by time and by day. The period may be by week or month. The method of selecting the constraint conditions and combinations of control values ​​to be adopted, or the method of response, etc. may be determined according to the length of the period. In addition, the constraint conditions applied to the generation of the operation schedule and the pinpoint operation conditions may be different. The constraint conditions to be applied may be selected according to the period or conditions to be applied. Thereby, the index to be prioritized among the power consumption amount and the CO2 generation amount may be changed according to, for example, the temperature or the season. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 Operation support device, 2 Facility, 3 Network, 4 Weather data distribution service company, 11, 61 CPU, 18, 62 Memory unit, 19, 63 Communication unit, 64 I / O group, 111 Setting registration unit, 112 Weather data acquisition unit, 113 Operation performance information acquisition unit, 114 Calculation management unit, 115 Request reception unit, 116 Heat load condition generation unit, 117 Simulation calculation unit, 118 Constraint condition monitoring unit, 119 Output control unit, 181 Calculation condition information storage unit, 182, 621 System configuration information storage unit, 183 Equipment characteristic information storage unit, 184 Constraint condition information storage unit, 185 Weather data storage unit, 186, 625 Operation performance information storage unit, 187 Condition generation result storage unit, 188 Calculation result storage unit, 189 Monitoring result storage unit, 201 Air conditioning heat source system, 202 PLC, 203 An operator panel, 611, a request receiving unit, 612, an image generating unit, 613, a control value acquiring unit, 614, a sensor information acquiring unit, 615, a state monitoring unit, 616, a device control unit, 617, a transmission control unit, 622, a control value storage unit, 623, a sensor information storage unit, 624, a monitoring result storage unit

Claims

1. An information processing device for supporting the operation of a central heat source type air conditioning heat source system installed in a facility, in which one or more pumps are connected to each heat source device, comprising: A condition acquisition means for acquiring prerequisites for operation of the air-conditioning heat source system within a specified period; an operation support means for dividing the designated period into set time intervals and calculating each control value for operation of each of the heat source units and the pump for each of the time intervals based on the preconditions; An information processing device comprising:

2. When the pumps connected to each of the heat source machines are primary pumps and one or more secondary pumps are installed in the air conditioning heat source system, the operation support means calculates the control value of the secondary pump for each of the time intervals. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. Further comprising a performance information acquisition means for acquiring operation performance information representing past operation performance of the air conditioning heat source system, The driving support means further uses the driving performance information to calculate each of the control values ​​for each of the time intervals. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. The driving assistance means includes: A condition generating means for generating a heat load condition required for the air-conditioning heat source system by learning using the operation record information and inputting the prerequisites; A calculation means for outputting an operation control value and an evaluation value in response to input of each operating condition of each of the heat source machines and each of the pumps; and a condition determination means for determining each operating condition in which the evaluation value for each time interval is an optimal solution based on the thermal load condition. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. The air conditioning system further includes a constraint information acquisition means for acquiring constraint information representing operational constraints of the air conditioning heat source system, The driving support means further uses the constraint information to calculate each of the control values ​​for each of the time intervals. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. A system control device for operating a central heat source type air conditioning heat source system installed in a facility and having one or more pumps connected to each heat source device, A control value acquisition means for acquiring each control value for operation of each of the heat source machines and each of the pumps connected to each of the heat source machines, the control value being calculated by the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; a display control means for displaying each of the control values ​​on a display device based on a determined setting; A system control device comprising:

7. An information processing device for supporting the operation of a central heat source type air conditioning heat source system installed in a facility and having one or more pumps connected to each heat source device, Acquire preconditions for the operation of the air-conditioning heat source system within a specified period; Dividing the designated period into set time intervals, and calculating each control value for operation of each of the heat source machines and the pump for each of the time intervals based on the preconditions. An information processing method for executing a process.

8. An information processing device for supporting the operation of a central heat source type air conditioning heat source system installed in a facility and having one or more pumps connected to each heat source device, Acquire preconditions for the operation of the air-conditioning heat source system within a specified period; Dividing the designated period into set time intervals, and calculating each control value for operation of each of the heat source machines and the pump for each of the time intervals based on the preconditions. A program that executes a process.

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