Demand response management device and demand response management method

Abstract

To manage the power demand of each power consumer so as to enable an aggregator to respond to requests of a power grid operator while also respecting the intent of the power consumer.SOLUTION: Provided is a demand response management device for managing the demand and response of a plurality of power consumers having a power generation device based on renewable energy, a storage battery, and a power adjustment circuit, and the demand response management device includes an adjustment unit for adjusting a first group of members responding to a demand response request. When it is assessed that, for only the first group of members selected on the basis of a first index and expected to respond to the demand response request it will be impossible to respond to the request, the adjustment unit includes some of a second group of members for adjustment purpose in the first group of members on the basis of a second index.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for managing responses to requests for demand response from a plurality of power consumers. [Background technology]

[0002] The concept of a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is known, which integrates small-scale renewable energy power generation equipment, storage batteries, fuel cells, and other equipment owned by multiple power consumers, and a network system that manages power demand, and controls them as if they were a single power plant. This allows each power consumer with the above equipment to control power supply and demand individually, but also to appropriately control the power supply and demand of the entire power system. Demand response (hereinafter also referred to as DR) is applied as a mechanism for controlling the power supply and demand of the entire power system. Demand response is a mechanism in which each power consumer adjusts the power demand during the implementation period in response to a request for power demand adjustment from the power transmission and distribution company that operates the power system (hereinafter referred to as the power system operator). Power demand adjustment includes not only adjustment to suppress power demand (which also increases the amount of power sold by power consumers, also called down DR) but also adjustment to increase power demand (which also suppresses the amount of power sold by power consumers, also called up DR).

[0003] In response to the demand response, the power consumer participating in the DR notifies the power grid operator of the power demand (baseline) and adjustable power (adjustable amount) in the case of no adjustment during the implementation period (for example, the time period from 0:00 to 23:59 on the day) before the implementation period (for example, the day before). In response to the notification, the power grid operator returns an adjustment command value. The power consumer calculates a target value from the baseline and the command value, and adjusts the power demand so that the power demand for the implementation period on that day matches the target value. At a certain interval during the implementation period or after the implementation period ends, the power consumer notifies the electric utility of the actual adjustment value. The power grid operator gives an economic incentive to the power consumer for the adjustment made. However, if the actual value does not reach the target value, the incentive may be reduced, and a penalty (negative incentive) may be imposed depending on the situation.

[0004] In addition, DR-related transactions between the power system operator and each power consumer are conducted hierarchically, and an aggregator is usually interposed between the power utility and each power consumer. The power system operator interacts with multiple aggregators (which may be aggregators operated by the power utility), and each power consumer enters into a contract with one of the aggregators and participates in DR through that aggregator. In some cases, aggregators are configured hierarchically. In this configuration, there is a higher-level aggregator that conducts DR-related transactions with the power utility, and a lower-level aggregator that conducts DR-related transactions with the higher-level aggregator. A configuration in which a middle-level aggregator is interposed between the higher-level aggregator and the lower-level aggregator is also possible. Each power consumer is assumed to enter into a contract with a lower-level aggregator.

[0005] The following technology is known for managing multiple small-scale power consumers in DR. In consumers such as general homes, the introduction of storage batteries is being promoted along with the introduction of power generation equipment using renewable energy, and this technology is for effectively managing the charging and discharging of multiple storage batteries owned by multiple consumers. A business (aggregator) that trades with a parent aggregator operates a device (power management device) that manages the charging and discharging of each storage battery in multiple consumer facilities that each have a storage battery. The device includes a receiving unit that receives a request for power adjustment at a specified request time from the parent aggregator. The device further includes a selection order determination unit that determines a selection order of each storage battery based on the storage state of each of the multiple storage batteries at the baseline in response to the request received by the receiving unit. The device also includes a control unit that selects one or more storage batteries based on the selection order determined by the selection order determination unit for each specified unit time that is shorter than the request time, and instructs each consumer facility to charge and discharge each selected storage battery. The selection order determination unit then sets a group consisting of one or more storage batteries so as to satisfy the request, and determines a selection order for each set group. Furthermore, when a group that does not satisfy the request is identified, the storage batteries that are not assigned to any group are assigned to the group that does not satisfy the request, and the groups are reconfigured (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6936096 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The method of Patent Document 1 does not disclose a method for creating a group in response to a request from a parent aggregator. It is preferable for the aggregator to reflect the intentions of the consumers (power consumers) when creating a group. There are cases where the power management device should respond to the request of the parent aggregator regardless of the consumers' intentions, but even in such cases, it is preferable to control the charging and discharging of each storage battery based on an index that is easy to convince the consumers (power consumers). The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a method for managing the power demand of each power consumer so that the aggregator can respond to requests from a power system operator while respecting the intention of each power consumer who may participate in DR via the aggregator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a demand response management device that manages demand response for a plurality of electricity consumer having a renewable energy power generation device, a storage battery, and a power adjustment circuit, and is equipped with an adjustment unit that adjusts the members of a first group that will respond to the demand response request, and when the adjustment unit determines that the request cannot be met by the candidate members of the first group that are selected based on a first indicator and are scheduled to respond to the demand response request, it includes any of the members of a second group used for adjustment as members of the first group based on a second indicator. The present invention also provides a demand response management device that manages demand responses of a plurality of electricity consumer having a renewable energy power generation device, a storage battery, and a power adjustment circuit, and includes an adjustment unit that adjusts the members of a first group that will respond to the demand response request, and when the adjustment unit determines that only a portion of the member candidates of the first group that were selected based on a first indicator and are scheduled to respond to the demand response request can meet the demand response request, the adjustment unit does not make any of the member candidates of the first group members of the first group based on a second indicator.

[0009] Also, from a different perspective, the present invention provides a demand response management method, which is a process executed by a processor of an apparatus that manages demand response for a plurality of power demanders having a renewable energy power generation device, a storage battery, and a power adjustment circuit, and includes the steps of: selecting, from the power demanders, candidate members of a first group who are scheduled to respond to a request for demand response, based on a first indicator; and, when it is determined that the request cannot be met by the candidates of the first group alone, including any of the members of a second group for adjustment as members of the first group, based on a second indicator.

[0010] The present invention further provides a demand response management device that manages demand responses of a plurality of electricity consumer having a renewable energy power generation device, a storage battery, and a power adjustment circuit, the demand response management device comprising: a registration unit that accepts and registers in advance from each electricity consumer an application for a minimum unit price related to an incentive to be obtained by responding to the request as a condition for each electricity consumer to become a member of a first group that responds to the demand response request; an adjustment unit that determines, before the demand response is implemented, electricity consumer whose pre-registered minimum unit price is lower than or the same as the incentive unit price related to the incentive to be obtained by responding to the request as members of the first group; a history memory unit that stores as a history the incentive unit prices when past requests were received and responded to; a prediction unit that predicts the incentive unit price for the current request based on the history; and a minimum unit price update unit that updates the pre-registered minimum unit price based on the prediction. Effect of the Invention

[0011] In the demand response management device of the present invention, when the adjustment unit determines that the request for demand response cannot be met by the candidate members of the first group selected based on a first indicator and scheduled to respond to the request for demand response, the adjustment unit includes any of the members of a second group for adjustment in the members of the first group based on a second indicator, so that the power demand of each power consumer can be managed so that the aggregator can respond to the request of the power system operator while respecting the wishes of the power consumer. The demand response management method according to the present invention also provides the same advantageous effects. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to DR among an electric utility, an aggregator, and an electric power consumer in an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for transmitting and receiving a demand in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of advance registration and how first group members are determined based on the advance registration in the second embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of advance registration and determination of first group members based thereon, different from that in FIG. 3A, in the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on a communication terminal of a control device used by an electric power consumer for a prior application in the second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of each power consumer pre-registered using a DR application application and a state in which first group members are determined in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen on which a DR application application notifies a communication terminal of a determined incentive unit price in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an electricity consumer who changes his / her advance registration in accordance with a determined incentive unit price in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen on which a DR application application accepts settings for automatically increasing the amount of a pre-application in a history in the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0014] <Basic configuration and interaction procedures related to DR> The receipt and response of a demand in this embodiment will now be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration related to DR of an electric utility, an aggregator, and an electric power consumer in this embodiment. The upper and lower hierarchies shown in Fig. 1 indicate hierarchies of those that transmit and receive transactions related to demand response. The top aggregation coordinator 10 indicates a server or the like operated by an electric power transmission and distribution business operator or the like that is the source of a request related to demand response.

[0015] In FIG. 1, there are aggregation servers 11A, 11B, and 11C under an aggregation coordinator 10. The aggregation server 11 shown in FIG. 2 described later is shown as a representative of these. The aggregation server 11 is a server operated by an operator (aggregator) that adjusts the power supply and demand of the power system. It can be called a higher-level aggregator because it directly communicates with the power system operator. One aggregation coordinator 10 communicates with multiple aggregation servers regarding demand response. Although three aggregation servers 11A, 11B, and 11C are clearly shown in FIG. 1, this number is merely an example.

[0016] In FIG. 1, there are a plurality of HEMS servers 12A, 12B, and 12C under the aggregation server 11B. Although not shown, the same is true for the aggregation server 11C and the aggregation server 11A. The HEMS server 12 shown in FIG. 2 described later is shown as a representative thereof. The HEMS server 12 is a server operated by a business providing a power control system including, for example, a photovoltaic power generation device and a storage battery to provide services to its customers. One aggregation server 11 communicates with a plurality of HEMS servers regarding requests. Although three HEMS servers 12A, 12B, and 12C are clearly shown in FIG. 1, the number is merely an example. As shown in FIG. 1, the HEMS server 12A includes a demand response management device 14A. Similarly, the HEMS server 12B includes a demand response management device 14B, and the HEMS server 12C includes a demand response management device 14C.

[0017] In FIG. 1, there are a plurality of power control systems 13A, 13B, and 13C under the HEMS server 12B. The same is true for the HEMS server 12C and the HEMS server 12A, although they are not shown. The power control system 13 shown in FIG. 2 described later is shown as a representative of them. One HEMS server 12 communicates with a plurality of power control systems regarding requests. Although three power control systems 13A, 13B, and 13C are clearly shown in FIG. 1, the number is merely an example. The power control systems 13A, 13B, and 13C each include, for example, a small-scale power generation device such as a solar power generation device, a storage battery, a power conditioning circuit (also called a Power Conditioning System, PCS), a power load, a control device, and a communication terminal. In this embodiment, the control device 15A corresponds to a Home Energy Management System (HEMS) related to monitoring and setting of the power control system 13A, and the communication terminal is a communication unit of the power control system 13A, and communicates with the control device 15A and the HEMS server 12A. The control device 15B corresponds to a HEMS related to monitoring and setting of the power control system 13B, and the communication terminal is a communication unit of the power control system 13B. The control device 15C corresponds to a HEMS related to monitoring and setting of the power control system 13C, and the communication terminal is a communication unit of the power control system 13C.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure of transmission and reception related to demand in this embodiment. In FIG. 2, time progresses from left to right in the horizontal direction. The DR implementation period shown in FIG. 2 indicates the implementation period related to demand response, and in this embodiment, corresponds to the entire period of the day (today) on which DR is to be implemented. At a time point (in one example, 14:00 on the previous day) that is a predetermined period prior to the start of the implementation period of the day (0:00 on the day in one example), the power control system performs a prior declaration of the baseline. That is, the power transmission and reception with the power grid predicted for the implementation period of the day in the case where no adjustment is performed is transmitted to the demand response management device 14 of the HEMS server 12. Furthermore, the adjustable amount by which the demand power can be adjusted from the baseline is calculated, and transmitted to the demand response management device 14.

[0019] The demand response management device 14, which has received the baselines and adjustable amounts from the power control systems 13, compiles the baselines and adjustable amounts reported from each power control system and sends them to the aggregation server 11. The aggregation server 11, which has received a report from the demand response management device 14 of the HEMS server 12, compiles the baselines and adjustable amounts reported from each HEMS server and sends them to the aggregation coordinator 10.

[0020] The aggregation coordinator 10, which has received the advance notification of the baseline and the adjustable amount, judges whether or not it is necessary to send a request based on the predicted power supply and demand situation. If it is judged that a request should be sent, it sends an adjustment command value to the aggregation server 11 at a time point that goes back a predetermined period from the start of the implementation period of the day (for example, 4:00 p.m. on the previous day). This is a request (demand) related to demand response. The aggregation server 11, which has received a request from the aggregation coordinator 10, assigns an adjustment amount to the demand response management device of any of the HEMS servers and sends each command value (request). The demand response management device 14, which has received a request from the aggregation server 11, determines which power control system 13 among multiple power control systems should respond to the DR request, assigns an adjustment amount to the determined power control system 13, and sends each command value (request).

[0021] The power control system 13, which has received a request from the demand response management device 14, uses the control device 15 to calculate a target value from the baseline and command value, and changes the power storage schedule related to the baseline for the implementation period of the day to a power storage schedule corresponding to the target value. Then, it controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery on that day so as to achieve the power supply and demand of the target value. However, there are cases in which the actual values ​​of the power generation amount of the power generation device (e.g., solar power generation device) and the power consumption amount of the load of the power control system on that day differ from the prediction. In such cases, the charging and discharging are adjusted to the extent possible. At a certain interval during the implementation period of the day or after the implementation period ends (for example, at 0:00 the next day), the power control system 13 reports the actual performance value of the day to the demand response management device 14.

[0022] The demand response management device 14 receives reports of performance values ​​from each power control system, consolidates them, and sends them to the aggregation server 11. The aggregation server 11, which receives reports from each demand response management device, consolidates them and sends them to the aggregation coordinator 10. The aggregation coordinator 10, which receives reports from each aggregation server, determines an incentive (it may also impose a penalty depending on the situation) to be given to each power control system according to the adjustment performance.

[0023] In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the demand response management device 14 is included in the HEMS server 12 that manages each power consumer. The business operator that operates the HEMS server 12 corresponds to a lower aggregator, and the lower aggregator is the operator of the demand response management device 14. However, it is possible that the HEMS server that collectively manages a plurality of power consumers can be regarded as one equivalent power consumer. From this viewpoint, the aggregation server shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is not excluded from the target of the demand response management device 14. In other words, the middle level aggregator is not excluded from the operator of the demand response management device 14. Similarly, it is possible that the aggregation server can be regarded as one equivalent power consumer. From this viewpoint, it is not excluded that the aggregation coordinator shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 has the demand response management device 14. In other words, the aggregation coordinator, which corresponds to a higher-level aggregator, is not excluded from the operator of the demand response management device 14.

[0024] The demand response management device 14 uses the processor, memory, communication circuit, etc., of the HEMS server 12 as hardware resources. A processing program for the demand response management device 14 is stored in advance in the memory of the HEMS server 12. The processor of the HEMS server 12 executes the processing program and uses the above-mentioned hardware resources to realize the function of the demand response management device 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the demand response management device 14 includes a registration unit 21, a command acquisition unit 22, and an adjustment unit 23. The registration unit 21 accepts and registers applications from each power consumer in advance, as described in detail below. The command acquisition unit acquires a command value related to a DR request from the upper aggregation server 11.

[0025] <Management of each electricity consumer using a demand response management device> In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the power control system 13 adjusts the power demand to match the target value calculated by the control device 15 based on the command value and the baseline sent from the HEMS server 12 functioning as a demand response management device. Incidentally, the current Feed-in Tariff (FIT) system is a system in which power generated by renewable energy such as solar power generation is purchased at a fixed price for a specified period (10 years). In the FIT system, double power generation, which simultaneously reverses power from solar power generation or the like and a storage battery, reduces the purchase price (power selling price) compared to reverse power flow only from solar power generation or the like. This is because the act of charging a storage battery with cheap power at night and reverse power flowing during the daytime to earn a profit goes against the purpose of the FIT system, which is to encourage power consumers to save power by self-consumption of renewable energy and to purchase surplus power at a high price.

[0026] To prevent this double power generation, each power control system is usually provided with an RPR (Reverse Power Relay) sensor that blocks output (reverse power flow) from the storage battery to the power grid. Renewable energy has a characteristic that the amount of power generated is likely to fluctuate depending on the weather, time of day, etc., and a configuration that does not allow reverse power flow from the storage battery, which can level this out, limits the adjustment ability of the power control system from the perspective of DR. Therefore, the demand response management device 14 determines the power control system 13 that should respond to the DR request so that it can respond to the request from the aggregation server 11. In making this determination, the demand response management device 14 performs the following process.

[0027] (Embodiment 1) In this embodiment, each power consumer applies to become either a candidate of the first group that responds to a demand response request or a candidate of the second group that does not respond to the request. Here, a power consumer that plans to participate in DR applies to become a candidate of the first group, and a power consumer that plans not to participate in DR applies to become a candidate of the second group. The application may be made when at least one of the baseline and the adjustable amount is sent to the demand response management device in the example shown in FIG. 2. The registration unit 21 of the demand response management device 14 accepts applications for the power control system 13 from each power consumer, classifies them into candidates of the first group or the second group, and stores them in the memory. This is pre-registration.

[0028] FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of pre-registration according to this embodiment and the state of first group member determination based thereon. In FIG. 3A, it is assumed that six power consumers A to F have applied to be the first group candidate 31 at the pre-registration stage. The other six power consumers G to L have applied to be the second group candidate 32. With this application, the six power consumers A to F become candidates for members of the first group that respond to the demand response request, and the six power consumers G to L become members of the second group for adjustment. The registration unit 21 that has accepted the application from each power consumer transmits to the aggregation server 11 the total value of each candidate of the baseline predicted during the DR implementation period and the total value of each candidate of the adjustable amount for the first group candidate 31. Here, the adjustable amount can be said to be a value obtained by subtracting the power demand when DR is performed from the baseline, simply speaking. Specifically, it is assumed that the power control system 13 can sell surplus power during the implementation period or store it in a storage battery, and performs adjustment depending on whether or not to sell the surplus power.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, before the DR implementation period, the command acquisition unit 22 receives a command value related to the request from the aggregation server 11. The adjustment unit 23 determines the power control system 13 to respond to the request during the implementation period and determines the respective command values. According to this embodiment, each power consumer applies to be a candidate for either the first group or the second group based on the will of each power consumer. Furthermore, the conditions for becoming a member of the first group may be applied for based on the will of each power consumer. The demand response management device 14 accepts the application and pre-registers it, and gives priority to the pre-registration when determining the members of the first group. However, the adjustment unit 23 ultimately determines whether or not to become a member of the first group.

[0030] For example, the adjustment unit 23 of the demand response management device 14 determines the members of the first group and their respective command values ​​30 minutes before the DR implementation period. If the total actual value of the surplus power of the members of the first group at that time differs from the total predicted value of the surplus power at the time when the baseline and the adjustable amount were applied for the previous day, it is determined that an error should be expected in the DR implementation period. In addition, if the supply and demand situation of the power system becomes tighter than expected, a request for a high command value may be received from the aggregation server 11 to resolve the situation. In such a case, considering the current surplus power, that is, the actual value of the adjustable amount, it may be predicted that the total surplus power will be insufficient with only the candidates of the first group to perform adjustment according to the command value. Conversely, it may be predicted that the total surplus power will be met with only a part of the candidates of the first group.

[0031] Therefore, when the adjustment unit 23 determines that the command value cannot be reached by the total surplus power of the first group candidates alone, it includes any of the members of the second group candidates 32 as members of the first group in addition to the members of the first group candidates 31. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, two power consumers I and K (i.e., corresponding power control systems) among the second group candidates 32 are included as first group members 33 together with the power consumers A to F (i.e., corresponding power systems) who are the first group candidates 31. On the other hand, when it is determined that the command value can be reached by the total surplus power of only some of the members of the first group candidates 31, it does not include any of the first group candidates 31 as members 33 of the first group. That is, it sets any of the first group candidates 31 as second group members 34. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, it sets the first group members 33 except for the power consumer F (i.e., corresponding power control system) among the first group candidates 31. Furthermore, the power consumer F (i.e., the corresponding power control system) among the first group candidates 31 is set as a second group member 34 together with the power consumers G to L (i.e., the corresponding power systems) that are the second group candidates 32. The adjustment unit 23 assigns command values ​​to the members of the first group thus determined, and transmits the assigned command values ​​to the power control system 13 that is a member of the first group. In this manner, the demand response management device 14 determines the members of the first group so that adjustments can be made according to the command values ​​while respecting applications based on the will of each power consumer. According to this embodiment, an error is obtained at a predetermined time point before the start of the implementation period of the demand response, and the power consumer who responds to the DR request is determined according to the magnitude of the error.

[0032] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 23 may calculate the error between the total actual value and the total predicted value of the surplus power of the members of the first group every time a predetermined time (30 minutes, for example) elapses during the DR implementation period, and update the members of the first group. That is, the adjustment unit 23 calculates the error every predetermined time, and when it is determined that the total surplus power does not reach the command value with only the current candidates of the first group, it includes one of the candidates of the second group as a member of the first group. On the other hand, when it is determined that the total surplus power reaches the command value with only some of the candidates of the current first group, it removes one of the members of the current first group from the first group and moves it to the second group. According to this embodiment, it is possible to calculate the error at a predetermined time point after the start of the implementation period of the demand response, and update the members who respond to the DR request accordingly.

[0033] As described above, the adjustment unit 23 of the demand response management device 14 adjusts the members of the first group so as to reach the command value while respecting the application based on the will of each power consumer. In order to enable and facilitate this adjustment, it is preferable to adopt the following aspect. That is, the demand response management device 14 gives the incentive with a higher unit price to the power consumer who was preregistered as a candidate for the first group among the members of the first group than the power consumer who was preregistered as a candidate for the second group and was subsequently included in the members of the first group. According to this aspect, a power consumer who applied to respond to a DR request from the beginning can obtain a higher unit price incentive than a power consumer who applied not to respond to the request from the beginning. As a result, a power consumer is motivated to actively apply to become a candidate for the first group.

[0034] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the registration unit 21 accepts and preregisters an application by each power consumer to become a candidate for the first group or the second group. In addition, in this embodiment, an application for conditions for becoming a member of the first group is accepted by each power consumer. An incentive unit price is a typical example of a condition for becoming a member of the first group. When a power consumer pre-applies to become a candidate for the second group, the power consumer pre-applies for a lower limit unit price indicating how much incentive the consumer is willing to receive to become a member of the first group as a condition for being included in the first group in order to reach a command value related to a DR request. In this embodiment, the power consumer can select and apply for one of a plurality of unit prices (lower limit unit prices). Here, the incentive unit price for a pre-applicant to become a candidate for the first group is a uniform price, and the unit price is set higher than any lower limit unit price that can be selected when a pre-applicant to become a candidate for the second group is applied for.

[0035] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen of a communication terminal (HEMS controller) that communicates with the control device 15 used by an electric power consumer for a pre-application. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the communication terminal is a smartphone on which a DR application application 41 is installed, or a smartphone on which an internet screen for a DR application can be viewed. As shown in FIG. 4, selection buttons 42 to 45 related to the application are displayed on the operation screen of the DR application application 41. When applying for a first group candidate, the selection button 42 is operated. When applying for a second group candidate, one of the selection buttons 43 to 45 with different incentive unit prices is operated. The selection button 43 is related to the selection of the lowest incentive unit price, and the selection button 45 is related to the highest incentive unit price. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of each electric power consumer pre-registered using the DR application application 41 and a state in which the first group members are determined. The incentive unit prices 51 to 53 shown in FIG. 5 correspond to the incentive unit prices (lower limit unit prices) that can be applied for using the selection buttons 43, 44, and 45 shown in FIG. 4. The incentive unit price 51 corresponds to the lowest amount, and the incentive unit price 53 corresponds to the highest unit price. The electricity consumers who applied for each incentive price are shown in vertical columns.

[0036] When the command acquisition unit 22 acquires a command value from the aggregation server 11, the adjustment unit 23 determines the members of the first group, and at that time, prioritizes the power consumers preregistered as candidates for the first group. Then, when it is determined that the total surplus power of the first group candidates alone does not reach the command value, the power consumers of the second group candidates preregistered with a low lower limit unit price are included in the members of the first group in order. Then, when the total surplus power of the members of the first group reaches the command value, the members of the first group are confirmed. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the power consumers A to G up to the tip of the arrow are confirmed members 54 of the first group. According to this embodiment, each power consumer who applies as a candidate for the second group is made to preregister a lower limit unit price related to an incentive as a condition for becoming a member of the first group. In this way, when it becomes necessary to include a second group candidate in the members of the first group, it is possible to determine which second group candidate should be selected based on the preregistered lower limit unit price.

[0037] (Embodiment 3) In the second embodiment, the incentive unit price is uniform when applying in advance for a candidate of the first group. In this embodiment, however, the first group candidate is also selected and applied for from a plurality of unit prices (lower limit unit prices). However, any selectable lower limit unit price is set higher than any lower limit unit price selectable by the second group candidate. When the demand response management device 14 determines that the total surplus power reaches the command value only for some of the candidates of the first group, it decides not to make the candidates of the first group that are preregistered with a high lower limit unit price as members of the first group. Then, it determines the members of the first group with the limit number of members that would cause the total surplus power to not reach the command value if the number of members of the first group is further reduced. According to this aspect, when it becomes necessary to make only some of the candidates of the first group members as members of the first group, it is possible to determine which first group candidate should be selected based on the lower limit unit price registered in advance.

[0038] (Embodiment 4) In the first to third embodiments, the registration unit 21 accepts in advance an application from each power consumer to become a candidate for the first group or the second group. In this embodiment, each power consumer does not apply in advance to become a candidate for either group. However, the power consumer applies for the conditions for becoming a member of the first group. In this manner, the intention of each power consumer is expressed. An incentive unit price is a typical example of the conditions for becoming a member of the first group. Each power consumer applies in advance for a minimum unit price indicating how much incentive is required for becoming a member of the first group. In this embodiment, the power consumer can select and apply for one of a plurality of unit prices (minimum unit price). The registration unit 21 accepts the application and registers it in advance.

[0039] When the command acquisition unit 22 acquires a command value from the aggregation server 11, the adjustment unit 23 determines the members of the first group, starting with the electricity consumer that is preregistered with the lowest minimum unit price. Then, when the total surplus electricity of the members of the first group reaches the command value, the members of the first group are finalized. According to this embodiment, the minimum unit price related to the incentive is preregistered as a condition for each electricity consumer to become a member of the first group. In this way, it is possible to determine which electricity consumer should be a member of the first group based on the preregistered minimum unit price.

[0040] (Embodiment 5) In the fourth embodiment, the members of the first group are determined in the order of pre-registration with the lowest lower limit unit price. However, there may be a plurality of power consumers pre-registered with the same lower limit unit price. There may be a case where some of the plurality of electric power suppliers should be the members of the first group. In this embodiment, the process that the adjustment unit 23 may perform in such a case will be described. The incentive unit price in the fourth embodiment can be said to be a first index when determining the members of the first group. In this embodiment, if the members of the first group cannot be determined by the first index alone, the adjustment unit 23 determines the members by using the second index. Examples of the second index include the surplus power amount of each power consumer during the DR implementation period, the rated charge / discharge power of the storage battery, the rated output of the power adjustment circuit, the remaining capacity of the storage battery during the DR implementation period, and the location information of each power consumer. Any of them may be used to determine the members of the first group, and if the members cannot be narrowed down by only one second index alone, multiple second indexes may be used to determine the members. It may be appropriately determined according to the situation which of the above-mentioned second indexes to apply and which to prioritize when multiple second indexes are used.

[0041] When applying the amount of surplus energy of each power consumer as the second index, power consumers with large amounts of surplus energy are given priority as members of the first group and allowed to sell electricity. In a downward DR, if a power consumer with a large actual value of surplus energy does not respond to the request, it means that more surplus energy must be stored in the storage battery than if a power consumer with a small amount of surplus energy did not respond. If this happens, there is a high possibility that the surplus energy will not be able to be stored in the storage battery during the implementation period. To prevent this, priority is given to power consumers with large amounts of surplus energy.

[0042] When applying the rated charge / discharge power of a storage battery as the second indicator, priority is given to electricity consumers with a small rated charge / discharge power as members of the first group. A small rated charge / discharge power of a storage battery means that the battery has a small capacity to store surplus power, i.e., the amount of adjustment that can be made is small. In a downward DR, if an electricity consumer with a storage battery with a small rated charge / discharge power does not respond to the request, there is a high possibility that the surplus power will not be able to be stored in the storage battery during the implementation period compared to an electricity consumer with a storage battery with a large rated charge / discharge power. To prevent this, priority is given to electricity consumers with a storage battery with a small rated charge / discharge power.

[0043] When the rated output of the power conditioning circuit is applied as the second index, power consumers with a small rated output are given priority as members of the first group. A small rated output of the power conditioning circuit means that there is a limit to the ability to adjust the surplus power when the surplus power fluctuates and a large surplus power occurs. Therefore, the adjustment unit 23, for example, predetermines a threshold value of the rated output of the power conditioning circuit, and gives priority to power consumers having a power conditioning circuit with a rated output equal to or less than the threshold value as members of the first group.

[0044] When the remaining capacity of the storage battery during the DR implementation period is applied as the second index, power consumers with a small margin until the storage battery is fully charged are given priority as members of the first group. A small margin until the storage battery is fully charged means that the storage battery has a small capacity to store surplus power, i.e., a small amount of adjustment is possible. Therefore, the adjustment unit 23 predetermines, for example, a threshold value for the margin until the storage battery is fully charged, and gives priority to power consumers with a margin equal to or less than the threshold value as members of the first group.

[0045] The location information of each power consumer can be, for example, a postal code related to the location of each power consumer. For example, in the case of upward DR, it is highly likely that a request to suppress reverse power flow (output suppression) has been issued from each power consumer. In that case, even if the amount of adjustment of an individual power consumer is limited, if the power demand of other power consumers can be increased, the output will be suppressed overall. However, simply speaking, only power consumers in the jurisdiction of the same substation can offset the power demand. Therefore, the adjustment unit 23 prioritizes power consumers with postal codes in areas where output suppression is predicted to be issued as members of the first group. As described above, according to this embodiment, the first group members are determined using the first index and the second index. In this way, even if there are multiple people who have the same minimum unit price related to the incentive, which is the first index, the members of the first group can be determined by narrowing them down using the second index.

[0046] In the above, it has been described that the first index is the incentive unit price, and the second index is at least one of the above-mentioned surplus power amount, the rated charge / discharge power of the storage battery, the remaining battery capacity during the implementation period, and the location information of the power consumer. However, this embodiment is not limited thereto. The first index may be any one of the surplus power amount, the rated charge / discharge power of the storage battery, the remaining battery capacity during the implementation period, and the location information of the power consumer, and the second index may include the incentive unit price. According to this aspect, when determining which power consumer should be a member of the first group, the first index is not necessarily the lower limit unit price related to the incentive, and may be other information. The members of the first group can be determined by narrowing down the candidates using the second index. Not only in this embodiment, but also in the second and third embodiments, there are cases where only a part of a plurality of electricity consumers who are preregistered with the same lower limit unit price should be selected. In that case, the members of the first group can be determined using a third index similar to the above-mentioned second index. It has been stated that in the second and third embodiments, the first index is the incentive unit price, and the third index may be at least one of the surplus power amount, the rated charge / discharge power of the storage battery, the remaining amount of the storage battery during the implementation period, and the location information of the electricity consumer, similar to the second index. However, this embodiment is not limited thereto. The first index may be any one of the surplus power amount, the rated charge / discharge power of the storage battery, the remaining amount of the storage battery during the implementation period, and the location information of the electricity consumer, and the third index may include the incentive unit price.

[0047] (Embodiment 6) In the first to fifth embodiments, it is not planned to change the contents of the pre-registration. In this embodiment, even if the power consumer pre-registers the lower limit unit price related to the incentive, the pre-registered lower limit unit price can be changed before or during the start of the implementation period of the DR. To make this possible, in this embodiment, the incentive unit price is determined and published before the implementation period, and each power consumer can refer to the published incentive unit price and change the contents of the pre-registration accordingly. The following is an example of the timing when the incentive unit price is determined and published and each power consumer can change the pre-registration. In the example shown in FIG. 2, it is the timing from when the HEMS server 12 collectively reports the baseline and adjustable amount of each power control system 13 to when the HEMS server 12 receives a command value of the request from the aggregation server 11.

[0048] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for notifying the communication terminal of the power control system 13 of the determined incentive unit price in this embodiment. The screen of the DR application application 41 shown in FIG. 6 displays the incentive unit price (lower limit unit price) currently pre-registered by the power consumer and the determined incentive unit price. Selection buttons 62 and 63 are provided on the screen of the DR application application 41. The power consumer is to select either one of them. The selection button 62 is selected when the contents of the pre-registration are changed to match the determined incentive unit price. The selection button 63 is selected when the contents of the pre-registration are to be maintained.

[0049] When the power consumer operates the selection button 62, the DR application application 41 sends the selection to the demand response management device 14 of the HEMS server 12. The registration unit 21 of the demand response management device 14 updates the pre-registered lower limit unit price of the power consumer to the determined incentive unit price. In addition, the adjustment unit 23 of the demand response management device 14 adds the power consumer who has adjusted the incentive unit price to the first group members. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a power consumer who changes the pre-registration in accordance with the determined incentive unit price. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the power consumer J is a person who updated the pre-registered lower limit unit price to the determined incentive unit price, that is, the updated unit price applicant 75. By updating to the determined incentive unit price, the power consumer J who is the updated unit price applicant 75 is added to the confirmed members 74 of the first group. When the command acquisition unit 22 receives a command value related to the request from the aggregation server 11, the adjustment unit 23 determines the command values ​​for the power control systems A to G and J, respectively. According to this aspect, even if the minimum unit price related to the incentive for each power consumer is pre-registered, each power consumer can apply to lower the pre-registered minimum unit price and become a member of the first group (participate in DR).

[0050] (Embodiment 7) This embodiment is similar to the sixth embodiment in that an application for changing the preregistered incentive unit price can be made. However, the manner of the application for change is different from that of the sixth embodiment. In this embodiment, it is assumed that an electricity consumer who is willing to join the first group can apply for a change so that he or she can obtain an incentive with a higher unit price as much as possible. To achieve this, in this embodiment, the demand response management device 14 stores (stores) the incentive unit price when a request was received and responded to in the past as history. In addition, the demand response management device 14 or the HEMS server 12 stores the command value, the temperature and humidity during the implementation period, the weather, and the surplus power when a DR request was received and responded to in the past as history. Each electricity consumer may record its own history, but it is preferable that the history of each electricity consumer who is a customer of the business operator operating the HEMS server 12 is shared. The demand response management device 14 refers to the history. Then, the demand response management device 14 predicts the incentive unit price for the current request based on the history. When the demand response management device 14 predicts that each power consumer can become a first group member at an incentive unit price higher than the incentive unit price registered in advance, the demand response management device 14 automatically updates the lower limit unit price registered in advance. The demand response management device 14 may include a history storage unit that stores the above-mentioned incentive unit prices, etc. as history. Instead of the demand response management device 14, the DR application application 41 or the power control system 13 may refer to the history of the incentive unit price, etc., and predict the incentive unit price for the current request based on the history. In this case, when the DR application application 41 or the power control system 13 predicts that each power consumer can become a first group member at an incentive unit price higher than the incentive unit price registered in advance, the DR application application 41 or the power control system 13 automatically applies for updating the lower limit unit price registered in advance.

[0051] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen on which the DR application application 41 accepts the setting of a function for automatically increasing the amount of a pre-application in the history in this embodiment. The operation screen of the DR application application 41 shown in Fig. 8 is substantially the same as the screen shown in Fig. 4. However, it differs from Fig. 4 in that an automatic unit price application function 81 can be set. When an electricity consumer checks the checkbox of the automatic unit price application function 81 shown in Fig. 8 to enable the function, the DR application application 41 accepts the setting and notifies the demand response management device 14.

[0052] When the unit price automatic application function 81 is enabled, the adjustment unit 23 of the demand response management device 14 refers to the history before the incentive unit price for the DR request is determined. Then, the adjustment unit 23 compares the incentive unit price previously determined in a similar situation with the lower limit unit price preregistered for the power consumer for which the unit price automatic application function 81 is enabled. Then, if the current incentive unit price is predicted to be higher than the preregistered lower limit unit price, the lower limit unit price preregistered for the power consumer for which the unit price automatic application function 81 is enabled is updated to a higher lower limit unit price. According to this embodiment, the preregistered lower limit unit price can be changed to a higher price based on the history of the incentive unit price, etc., and a larger economic effect can be obtained for the current request. If the incentive unit price for the current request has not yet been determined, the registration unit 21 accepts the change of the preregistered lower limit unit price.

[0053] As described above, the demand response management device of the present invention is a device that manages demand responses of multiple electricity consumer having a renewable energy power generation device, a storage battery, and a power adjustment circuit, and is equipped with a registration unit that accepts in advance registration of whether each electricity consumer will be a candidate for a first group that responds to the demand response request or a second group that does not respond to the request, or registration of the conditions under which each electricity consumer will become a member of the first group, a command acquisition unit that acquires a command value for the response based on the baseline and adjustable amount of each member pre-registered as a candidate for the first group, and an adjustment unit that determines the members of the first group and their respective command values ​​based on the error between the target value and actual value, and when the adjustment unit determines that the command value cannot be reached by the pre-registered candidates of the first group alone, it may include any of the candidates of the second group as members of the first group. Furthermore, the adjustment unit may acquire the error at any point between a predetermined time before the start of the implementation period of the request and the start of the period, and determine the members of the first group and their respective command values ​​at the start based on the error. Alternatively, the adjustment unit may obtain the error between the command value, the target value calculated from a baseline, and the actual result at one or more points in time after the start of the implementation period of the request, and update the members of the first group according to the error at that time. In addition, when the adjustment unit determines that the command value is reached with only a portion of the pre-registered candidates of the first group, it may not select any of the candidates of the first group as members of the first group. It should be understood that the present invention also includes any combination of the above-mentioned aspects. In addition to the above-mentioned embodiment, various modifications of the present invention are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not falling within the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include all modifications that are equivalent to the scope of the claims and fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10: aggregation coordinator, 11, 11A, 11B, 11C: aggregation server, 12, 12A, 12B, 12C: HEMS server, 13, 13A, 13B, 13C: power control system, 14, 14A, 14B, 14C: demand response management device, 15, 15A, 15B, 15C: control device, 21: registration unit, 22: command acquisition unit, 23: adjustment unit, 31: first group candidate, 32: second group candidate, 33: first group member, 34: second group member, 41: DR application app, 42, 43 to 45, 62, 63: selection button, 51 to 53: incentive unit price, 54, 74: confirmed member, 75: updated unit price applicant, 81: unit price automatic application function

Claims

1. An apparatus for managing demand response of a plurality of power consumers having a renewable energy power generation device, a storage battery, and a power adjustment circuit, comprising: An adjustment unit that adjusts members of a first group that respond to the demand response request, A demand response management device in which, when the adjustment unit determines that the request for demand response selected based on a first indicator cannot be met by the candidate members of the first group alone, the adjustment unit includes any of the members of a second group for adjustment as members of the first group based on a second indicator.

2. An apparatus for managing demand response of a plurality of power consumers having a renewable energy power generation device, a storage battery, and a power adjustment circuit, comprising: An adjustment unit that adjusts members of a first group that respond to the demand response request, A demand response management device in which, when the adjustment unit determines that only a portion of the member candidates of the first group who are scheduled to respond to the demand response request selected based on a first indicator can respond to the demand response request, the adjustment unit does not select any of the member candidates of the first group as a member of the first group based on a second indicator.

3. A registration unit that receives and registers an application from each power consumer regarding conditions for becoming a candidate for the first group or a member of the first group, The demand response management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first indicator is the application.

4. 3. The demand response management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first indicator includes at least any one of an incentive price, an amount of surplus power, a rated charge / discharge power of the storage battery, a rated output of the power conditioning circuit, a remaining amount of the storage battery during the implementation period of the request, and location information of each power consumer.

5. members of the first group receive an incentive by responding to the request; a registration unit that receives and registers in advance from each power consumer an application for a minimum unit price related to the incentive as a condition for a candidate member of the second group to become a member of the first group, and whether the candidate member of the second group is a candidate for the first group, and 2. The demand response management device according to claim 1, wherein when the adjustment unit determines that the demand response request cannot be met by the pre-registered candidates of the first group alone, the adjustment unit includes any of the candidates of the second group as members of the first group in order of lowest minimum unit price.

6. members of the first group receive an incentive by responding to the request; a registration unit that accepts and registers in advance from each power consumer an application for a minimum unit price related to the incentive as a condition for the candidate of the first group and for the candidate of the first group to become a member of the first group; 3. The demand response management device according to claim 2, wherein when the adjustment unit determines that only a portion of the pre-registered candidates of the first group can respond to the demand response request, the adjustment unit decides not to make the candidates of the first group members of the first group in order of the highest lower limit unit price.

7. members of the first group receive an incentive by responding to the request; a registration unit that accepts an application for a minimum unit price related to the incentive from each power consumer as a condition for becoming a member of the first group and registers the application in advance; The demand response management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment unit selects the member candidates of the first group in ascending order of the lower limit unit price.

8. 8. The demand response management device of claim 7, wherein the second indicator includes at least any one of an amount of surplus power, a rated charge / discharge power of the storage battery, a rated output of the power conditioning circuit, a remaining charge of the storage battery during the implementation period of the request, and location information of each power consumer.

9. members of the first group receive an incentive by responding to the request; a registration unit that accepts an application for a minimum unit price related to the incentive from each power consumer as a condition for becoming a member of the first group and registers the application in advance; the adjustment unit determines a unit price related to the incentive before the start of the implementation period of the request and makes the unit price public to each electricity consumer; After the publication, the registration unit accepts and registers an application from each electricity consumer to lower the lower limit unit price to match the published unit price, The demand response management device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment unit selects as candidates for members of the first group electricity consumers who have applied to lower the minimum unit price after the publication, in addition to electricity consumers who were pre-registered before the publication and whose minimum unit price is the same as or lower than the published unit price.

10. members of the first group receive an incentive by responding to the request; a registration unit that accepts an application for a minimum unit price related to the incentive from each power consumer as a condition for becoming a member of the first group and registers the application in advance; the adjustment unit determines the unit price of the incentive before the start of the implementation period of the request, and sets the unit price of the incentive; The registration unit accepts and registers an application from an electricity consumer to raise the lower limit unit price before the determination, The demand response management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment unit selects, as member candidates of the first group, electric power consumers whose last registered lower limit unit price is lower than or equal to the incentive unit price.

11. A process executed by a processor of a device for managing demand response of a plurality of power consumers having a renewable energy power generation device, a storage battery, and a power adjustment circuit, the process comprising: selecting, from the power demanders, candidate members of a first group who will respond to the request for demand response based on a first indicator; When it is determined that the request cannot be met by the candidates of the first group alone, including any of the members of a second group for adjustment as members of the first group that will respond to the request for demand response based on a second indicator; A demand response management method comprising:

12. An apparatus for managing demand response of a plurality of power consumers having a renewable energy power generation device, a storage battery, and a power adjustment circuit, comprising: a registration unit that accepts and registers in advance from each electric power consumer an application for a minimum unit price related to an incentive that the electric power consumer will obtain by responding to the request for demand response, as a condition for the electric power consumer to become a member of a first group that responds to the request for demand response; an adjustment unit that determines, before the demand response is performed, electric power demanders whose pre-registered lower limit unit price is lower than or equal to an incentive unit price related to an incentive to be obtained by responding to the request, as members of the first group; a history storage unit that stores, as a history, incentive unit prices when responses have been made to requests in the past; a prediction unit for predicting an incentive unit price for a current request based on the history; a lower limit price update unit that updates the preregistered lower limit price based on the prediction; A demand response management device comprising:

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