Power management device, power management method, power management program, and data structure

Abstract

To more appropriately select an electric energy adjustment target and stabilize the supply and demand balance of power.SOLUTION: A power management device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires power management information; a selection unit that performs selection processing of selecting, from a first group and a second group including a plurality of adjustment targets whose electric energy is to be adjusted and in which the order of selection of the plurality of adjustment targets is defined, one or more of the adjustment targets as management targets on the basis of the power management information acquired by the acquisition unit; and an instruction unit that transmits instruction information to the management targets selected by the selection unit. The order of selection in the first group includes selection of the second group. In the second group, an upper limit of an adjustable amount is set, which is the adjustable amount of power. The selection unit selects the adjustment targets within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit in the selection processing imposed on the second group.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power management device, a power management method, a power management program, and a data structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, technologies related to adjusting power consumption or adjusting power supply to a power system have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2020-184881 A) discloses the following energy management system. That is, the energy management system is an energy management system that manages power supply and demand based on an operation plan, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires a current power supply and demand state and output power for a power facility including a target facility that is one or more devices of at least one type of a power generation device and a power storage device, and a control unit that executes a process of calculating an output command value of the target facility that is as close as possible to the planned value of the operation plan based on the acquired current power supply and demand state and the output power, using an integrated algorithm that does not distinguish between the types of the target facility. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-184881 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When requesting an adjustment of the amount of power to an electric power demand facility, it is required to stabilize the balance of power supply and demand. However, for example, when there are a plurality of electric power demand facilities where a discrepancy occurs between the amount of power adjustment planned in advance and the actual amount of adjustment, or when the discrepancy is significantly large in a certain electric power demand facility, the balance of power supply and demand in the entire electric power system is lost. There is a demand for a technology that can more appropriately select the adjustment target of an electric power demand facility, etc., for which an adjustment of the amount of power is requested, and stabilize the balance of power supply and demand.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a power management device, a power management method, a power management program, and a data structure that are capable of more appropriately selecting targets for power adjustment and stabilizing the balance between power supply and demand. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The power management device of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires power management information related to power consumption or power supply to a grid, a selection unit that performs a selection process to select one or more of the adjustment targets as management targets based on the power management information acquired by the acquisition unit from a first group and a second group, the first group and second group including a plurality of adjustment targets that are targets for adjusting power amount, and a selection order for the plurality of adjustment targets being specified, and an instruction unit that transmits instruction information related to the power consumption or the power supply to the management targets selected by the selection unit, wherein the selection order for the first group includes selection of the second group, and an upper limit value for an adjustable amount, which is an adjustable amount of power, is set in the second group, and the selection unit selects the adjustment targets in the selection process for the second group within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure can be realized not only as a power management device having such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the power management device, or as a system that includes the power management device. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to more appropriately select targets for power amount adjustment and stabilize the balance between power supply and demand. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circle list created in a list creation process by the power management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a selection process performed by a power management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another example of the selection process performed by the power management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an update process performed by a power management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an addition process performed by a power management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when the power management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs the selection process. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart that defines an operation procedure when the power management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs the update process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart that defines an operation procedure when the power management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs an additional process. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circle list created in a list creation process in the power management device according to the first modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection process performed by the power management device according to the first modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circle list created in a list creation process in the power management device according to the second modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14]FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection process performed by the power management apparatus according to the second modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) A power management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires power management information related to power consumption or power supply to a grid, a selection unit that performs a selection process to select one or more of the adjustment targets as management targets based on the power management information acquired by the acquisition unit from a first group and a second group, the first group and the second group including a plurality of adjustment targets that are targets for adjusting power amount, and a selection order for the plurality of adjustment targets being defined, and an instruction unit that transmits instruction information related to the power consumption or the power supply to the management targets selected by the selection unit, wherein the selection order for the first group includes selection of the second group, and an upper limit value for an adjustable amount, which is an adjustable amount of power, is set in the second group, and the selection unit selects the adjustment targets in the selection process for the second group within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value.

[0011] In this way, by selecting an adjustment target for which power amount adjustment is requested from among a first group and a second group into which a plurality of adjustment targets are classified in a predetermined order, and setting an upper limit of the adjustment amount in the second group, for example, if the plurality of adjustment targets are classified so that the first group contains adjustment targets with a small deviation between the pre-planned adjustment amount and the actual adjustment amount, the adjustment targets contained in the first group can be selected with priority over the adjustment targets contained in the second group, thereby stabilizing the balance between the power consumption amount and the power supply amount in the entire power system. Also, by selecting an adjustment target from the second group within a range in which the adjustment amount does not exceed the upper limit, it is possible to prevent the selection of many adjustment targets from the second group when high-priority adjustment targets are classified into the first group and low-priority adjustment targets are classified into the second group in order to stabilize the balance of power supply and demand.

[0012] Furthermore, by selecting an adjustment target from the first group in a predetermined order, for example, when the first group includes multiple adjustment targets, the probability that each adjustment target will be selected in the first group can be made more equal than in the second group in which an upper limit on the adjustable amount is set, ensuring fairness among the adjustment targets. This makes it possible to more appropriately select the adjustment target for the amount of power, and stabilize the balance between power supply and demand.

[0013] (2) In the above (1), when it is a turn to select the second group in the selection process for the first group, the selection unit may provisionally select one or more of the adjustment targets from the second group in accordance with the selection order, and when a total value of the adjustable amounts of the one or more adjustment targets provisionally selected from the second group exceeds the upper limit value, the selection unit may select the adjustment target from the first group without selecting the adjustment target last provisionally selected from the second group as the management target.

[0014] With this configuration, the probability of selecting an adjustment target from the first group is increased. For example, by including in the first group an adjustment target with a small deviation between the pre-planned adjustment amount and the actual adjustment amount, it is possible to more reliably achieve a stable balance between supply and demand of electricity.

[0015] (3) In the above (1) or (2), the upper limit value may be less than a total value of the adjustable amounts of the multiple adjustment targets included in the second group.

[0016] With this configuration, for example, if high priority adjustment targets are classified into a first group and low priority adjustment targets are classified into a second group, it is possible to prevent the selection of all of the investigation targets in the second group in the selection process for the second group, thereby more reliably achieving a stable balance between supply and demand of electricity.

[0017] (4) In the above (1), the selection unit may perform the selection process to select one or more of the adjustment targets from among the first group, the second group, and a third group, each of which includes the plurality of adjustment targets and has a defined selection order, based on the power management information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the selection order in the second group may include selection of the third group, and an upper limit value for the adjustable amount may be set in the third group, and when it is the selection unit's turn to select the third group in the selection process for the second group, the selection unit may select the adjustment target from the third group in accordance with the selection order, within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value of the third group.

[0018] With this configuration, the adjustment targets can be classified into more detailed groups, thereby further improving the adjustment target selection function.

[0019] (5) In any of (1) to (4) above, an upper limit value of the adjustable amount may be set in the first group, and when a total value of the adjustable amounts of one or more of the adjustment targets provisionally selected from the first group in accordance with the selection order exceeds the upper limit value of the first group, the selection unit may select the adjustment target from the second group without selecting the adjustment target last provisionally selected from the first group as the management target.

[0020] With this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the probability that an adjustment target included in the first group is selected as a management target, thereby improving fairness between the first group and the second group.

[0021] (6) In any of (1) to (5) above, the selection unit may further store in a memory unit final selection information indicating the adjustment target last selected in the selection process, and when the selection unit performs the selection process anew, the selection unit may first select the adjustment target next in order to the adjustment target indicated by the final selection information stored in the memory unit.

[0022] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a specific adjustment target from being disproportionately selected as a management target when multiple selection processes are performed sequentially, thereby further improving fairness among multiple adjustment targets.

[0023] (7) In any of (1) to (6) above, the power management device may further include an update unit that, when a new adjustment target is added, adds the new adjustment target to the first group as a candidate for the management target.

[0024] With such a configuration, it is possible to increase the probability that the added adjustment target will be selected as the object to be managed, and therefore, for example, if the added adjustment target is a valid adjustment target, it is possible to more reliably achieve a stable balance between supply and demand of electricity.

[0025] (8) In any of (1) to (7) above, the power management device may further include a monitoring unit that monitors the ratio of the actual value of the power adjustment amount to the adjustable amount for each of the adjustment targets included in the first group and the second group, and an update unit that performs an update process to swap the adjustment targets between the first group and the second group based on a monitoring result of the monitoring unit.

[0026] With this configuration, the adjustment targets can be automatically switched between the first group and the second group depending on the actual values, thereby eliminating the need for an aggregator that manages power management devices to update the first group and the second group.

[0027] (9) In the above (8), when the proportion of first adjustment targets that are the adjustment targets included in the first group is smaller than the proportion of second adjustment targets that are the adjustment targets included in the second group, the update unit may swap the first adjustment targets and the second adjustment targets between the first group and the second group in the update process.

[0028] With this configuration, the first group and the second group can be updated so that adjustment targets with a small deviation between the adjustable amount and the actual adjustment amount are included in the first group, thereby making it possible to more reliably achieve a stable balance between supply and demand of electricity.

[0029] (10) A power management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a power management method in a power management device, comprising the steps of: acquiring power management information related to power consumption or power supply to a power grid; performing a selection process to select one or more of the adjustment targets as management targets based on the acquired power management information from a first group and a second group, the first group and the second group including a plurality of adjustment targets for adjusting power amount, and a selection order for the plurality of adjustment targets being defined; and transmitting instruction information related to the power consumption or the power supply to the selected management target, wherein the selection order for the first group includes selection of the second group, and an upper limit value for an adjustable amount, which is an adjustable amount of power, is set in the second group, and in the step of performing the selection process for the second group, the adjustment targets are selected within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value.

[0030] In this way, by selecting an adjustment target for which power amount adjustment is requested from among a first group and a second group into which a plurality of adjustment targets are classified in a predetermined order and setting an upper limit value of the adjustment amount in the second group, for example, if the plurality of adjustment targets are classified so that the first group contains adjustment targets with a small deviation between the pre-planned adjustment amount and the actual adjustment amount, the adjustment targets contained in the first group can be selected with priority over the adjustment targets contained in the second group, thereby stabilizing the balance between the power consumption amount and the power supply amount in the entire power system. Also, by selecting an adjustment target from the second group within a range in which the adjustment amount does not exceed the upper limit value, it is possible to prevent the selection of many adjustment targets from the second group when high-priority adjustment targets are classified into the first group and low-priority adjustment targets are classified into the second group in order to stabilize the power supply and demand balance.

[0031] Furthermore, by selecting an adjustment target from the first group in a predetermined order, for example, when the first group includes multiple adjustment targets, the probability that each adjustment target will be selected in the first group can be made more equal than in the second group in which an upper limit on the adjustable amount is set, ensuring fairness among the adjustment targets. This makes it possible to more appropriately select the adjustment target for the power amount and stabilize the power supply and demand balance.

[0032] (11) A power management program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a power management program used in a power management device, and causes a computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires power management information related to power consumption or power supply to a power grid, a selection unit that performs a selection process to select one or more of the adjustment targets as management targets based on the power management information acquired by the acquisition unit from a first group and a second group, the first group and the second group including a plurality of adjustment targets that are targets for adjusting power amount, and a selection order for the plurality of adjustment targets being defined, and an instruction unit that transmits instruction information related to the power consumption or the power supply to the management targets selected by the selection unit, wherein the selection order for the first group includes selection of the second group, and an upper limit value for an adjustable amount, which is an adjustable amount of power, is set in the second group, and the selection unit selects the adjustment targets in the selection process for the second group within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value.

[0033] In this way, by selecting an adjustment target for which power amount adjustment is requested from among a first group and a second group into which a plurality of adjustment targets are classified in a predetermined order, and setting an upper limit of the adjustment amount in the second group, for example, if the plurality of adjustment targets are classified so that the first group contains adjustment targets with a small deviation between the pre-planned adjustment amount and the actual adjustment amount, the adjustment targets contained in the first group can be selected with priority over the adjustment targets contained in the second group, thereby stabilizing the balance between the power consumption amount and the power supply amount in the entire power system. Also, by selecting an adjustment target from the second group within a range in which the adjustment amount does not exceed the upper limit, it is possible to prevent the selection of many adjustment targets from the second group when high-priority adjustment targets are classified into the first group and low-priority adjustment targets are classified into the second group in order to stabilize the balance of power supply and demand.

[0034] Furthermore, by selecting an adjustment target from the first group in a predetermined order, for example, when the first group includes multiple adjustment targets, the probability that each adjustment target will be selected in the first group can be made more equal than in the second group in which an upper limit on the adjustable amount is set, ensuring fairness among the adjustment targets. This makes it possible to more appropriately select the adjustment target for the amount of power, and stabilize the balance between power supply and demand.

[0035] (12) A data structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a data structure for information used in a selection process by a power management device to select an adjustment target for adjusting power amount, the data structure including a first group and a second group including a plurality of the adjustment targets and a selection order of the plurality of adjustment targets defined, and a pointer pointing to the adjustment targets, the pointer moving in accordance with the selection order in the selection process, the selection order in the first group including the selection of the second group, an upper limit value for an adjustable amount, which is an adjustable amount of power, is set in the second group, and the power management device, in the selection process for the second group, moves the pointer in accordance with the selection order within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value, to select the adjustment target.

[0036] In this way, with a data structure including a first group and a second group into which a plurality of adjustment targets are classified, and an upper limit value of the adjustable amount is set in the second group, for example, when the plurality of adjustment targets are classified such that the first group includes adjustment targets with a small deviation between the pre-planned adjustable amount and the actual value of the adjustment amount, the power management device can select adjustment targets included in the first group in preference to adjustment targets included in the second group, thereby stabilizing the balance between the power consumption amount and the power supply amount in the entire power system. Also, since the power management device can select adjustment targets from the second group within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value, in order to stabilize the balance of power supply and demand, it is possible to suppress the selection of many adjustment targets from the second group when high-priority adjustment targets are classified into the first group and low-priority adjustment targets are classified into the second group.

[0037] Furthermore, by selecting an adjustment target from the first group in a predetermined order, the power management device can ensure fairness among the adjustment targets by making the probability of each adjustment target being selected more equal in the first group, for example when the first group includes multiple adjustment targets, compared to the second group in which an upper limit on the adjustable amount is set. This makes it possible to more appropriately select the adjustment target for the amount of power, and stabilize the balance between power supply and demand.

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, at least some of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0039] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG 1, a power management system 201 includes a power company server 101, a power management device 102, and a plurality of customer devices 151.

[0040] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the power management system 201 includes customer device 151, which is customer device 151A to 151H.

[0041] The power management system 201 is not limited to a configuration including eight customer devices 151, and may be a configuration including two to seven customer devices 151, or nine or more customer devices 151.

[0042] The power management system 201 manages at least one of power consumption in the power system and power supply to the power system.

[0043] More specifically, for example, in the power management system 201, when the supply and demand of power is tight or when there is a risk of the supply and demand of power being tight, it is possible for each consumer to issue a demand response (DR) to adjust power consumption, i.e., a DR to reduce power consumption.

[0044] Alternatively, for example, in the power management system 201, when there is an excessive supply of electricity generated by a solar power generation device to the power grid, or when there is a risk of an excessive supply of the electricity to the grid, the manager of the solar power generation device, specifically each consumer and renewable energy business operator, can issue a PV output adjustment request to adjust the power supply to the grid, i.e., a PV output adjustment request to suppress the power supply to the grid.

[0045] The power company server 101 is operated by a power company that supplies power. For example, the power company server 101 transmits power management information indicating the contents of an event related to the adjustment of power consumption or the adjustment of power supply to the power system to the power management device 102 according to the power supply and demand situation in the power system. The power company is, for example, a power generation company, a power retailer, or a power transmission and distribution company. Note that the adjustment of power consumption means reducing or increasing the amount of power consumption. Also, the adjustment of power supply to the power system means reducing or increasing the amount of power supply to the power system.

[0046] The power management information indicates, for example, the period during which an event is held (hereinafter referred to as the "event period") and a command value for the amount of adjustment of power consumption or a command value for the amount of adjustment of power supply to the grid during the event period. In the following description, the power management information indicates the event period related to the adjustment of power consumption and a command value for the amount of adjustment of power consumption during the event period.

[0047] The customer device 151 is provided in an electric power demand facility such as a building, a factory, or a general home that receives electric power from a power company. One customer device 151 may be provided for each electric power demand facility, or multiple customer devices 151 may be provided for each electric power demand facility.

[0048] Customer device 151 can control one or more loads in an electric power demanding facility. The loads are electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid cars that use secondary batteries as their energy source, as well as electric appliances such as lighting, televisions, and air conditioners.

[0049] The consumer device 151 is a device used in a system such as a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) or a Home Energy Management System (HEMS) for reducing power consumption by controlling the operation of electrical appliances, and is introduced by, for example, an aggregator.

[0050] Alternatively, the customer device 151 can control a small- to medium-sized power generation device in an electric power demanding facility. The small- to medium-sized power generation device is, for example, a small- or medium-sized solar power generation device, and includes a power conversion device such as a PCS (Power Conditioning System) that operates according to the control of the customer device 151. Note that the small- to medium-sized power generation device is not limited to a solar power generation device, and may be a wind power generation device or the like.

[0051] The power management device 102 is operated by, for example, an aggregator, and communicates with a plurality of consumer devices 151 to manage the amount of power in each consumer device 151. Specifically, for example, the power management device 102 controls power consumption in a power demanding facility, or the supply of power generated by a small- to medium-scale power generation device to a power grid. That is, the consumer device 151 is an example of a target for which the amount of power is adjusted (hereinafter also referred to as an "adjustment target"). The power management device 102 is, for example, a server.

[0052] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to Fig. 2, the power management device 102 includes an acquisition unit 11, a processing unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The processing unit 12 includes a list creation unit 21, a selection unit 22, an instruction unit 23, an update unit 24, and a monitoring unit 25. One or both of the acquisition unit 11 and the processing unit 12 are realized, for example, by a processing circuit including one or more processors. The storage unit 13 is, for example, a non-volatile memory included in the processing circuit.

[0053] The acquisition unit 11 acquires power management information from the power supplier. More specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 11 receives power management information from the power company server 101, and outputs the received power management information to the list creation unit 21, the selection unit 22, and the monitoring unit 25.

[0054] The list creation unit 21 performs a list creation process to create a circle list S (hereinafter also referred to as "circle list S1") having a first hierarchical level L1 and a second hierarchical level L2 including a plurality of consumer devices 151. In the first hierarchical level L1 and the second hierarchical level L2, a selection order of the plurality of consumer devices 151 is specified. The second hierarchical level L2 is a level lower than the first hierarchical level L1. The first hierarchical level L1 is an example of a first group, and the second hierarchical level L2 is an example of a second group. The circle list S1 is an example of a data structure.

[0055] More specifically, for example, when the list creation unit 21 receives power management information from the acquisition unit 11, it transmits to each consumer device 151 request information indicating the event period indicated by the power management information and a request to transmit the amount of power that can be adjusted during the event period (hereinafter also referred to as the "adjustable amount").

[0056] The storage unit in each customer device 151 stores, for example, the adjustable amount for each event period. The adjustable amount is registered or updated in the customer device 151 by, for example, the customer.

[0057] When each consumer device 151 receives request information from the power management apparatus 102, it acquires from its own storage an adjustable amount for the same event period as the event period indicated by the request information, from among multiple adjustable amounts stored in its own storage. Then, each consumer device 151 transmits adjustment amount information indicating the acquired adjustable amount to the power management apparatus 102.

[0058] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circle list created in a list creation process by the power management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, when the list creation unit 21 in the power management device 102 receives adjustment amount information from each consumer device 151, it stores the received multiple pieces of adjustment amount information in the memory unit 13 and performs a list creation process using the multiple pieces of adjustment amount information.

[0060] Specifically, for example, the storage unit 13 stores an upper limit value of an adjustable amount that can be allocated in the first hierarchical layer L1 (hereinafter, also referred to as an "allocation amount A1"). The allocation amount A1 is registered in the storage unit 13 in advance by, for example, the aggregator.

[0061] When the list creation unit 21 receives adjustment amount information from each customer device 151, the list creation unit 21 determines the customer device 151 to be included in the first hierarchical layer L1, using the multiple adjustable amounts indicated by the multiple pieces of received adjustment amount information and the allocation amount A1 stored in the memory unit 13. Specifically, for example, the list creation unit 21 determines the customer device 151 to be included in the first hierarchical layer L1 from the customer device 151A to 151H in order from the customer device 151 corresponding to the adjustable amount with the largest value, such that the total value of the adjustable amounts does not exceed the allocation amount A1.

[0062] After determining the customer equipment 151 to be included in the first hierarchical layer L1, the list creation unit 21 determines the remaining customer equipment 151 from the customer equipment 151A to 151H as customer equipment 151 to be included in the second hierarchical layer L2.

[0063] In the example shown in Fig. 3, the first hierarchical level L1 includes customer devices 151A, 151E, 151F, and 151C. The second hierarchical level L2 includes customer devices 151B, 151D, 151G, and 151H.

[0064] After determining the multiple customer devices 151 to be included in the first hierarchical layer L1 and the multiple customer devices 151 to be included in the second hierarchical layer L2, the list creation unit 21 determines a selection order of the multiple customer devices 151 in the first hierarchical layer L1 and a selection order of the multiple customer devices 151 in the second hierarchical layer L2. For example, the list creation unit 21 randomly determines a selection order C1, which is the selection order in the first hierarchical layer L1, and a selection order C2, which is the selection order in the second hierarchical layer L2.

[0065] Specifically, for example, the selection order C1 is the selection of customer device 151A, selection of customer device 151E, selection of customer device 151F, selection of customer device 151C, and selection of customer device 151 included in the second hierarchical layer L2 (hereinafter also referred to as "L2 selection").

[0066] The selection order C2 is the order of selection of customer device 151D, selection of customer device 151G, selection of customer device 151H, and selection of customer device 151B.

[0067] The list creation unit 21 is not limited to a configuration in which the selection orders C1, C2 are randomly determined, and may be a configuration in which the selection orders C1, C2 are determined based on the adjustable amount of the customer device 151. In this case, the list creation unit 21 determines the selection orders C1, C2 such that, for example, a customer device 151 with a large adjustable amount is preferentially selected.

[0068] Furthermore, the list creation unit 21 sets the adjustable amount of each customer device 151 on the first hierarchical level L1 in the storage unit 13. Specifically, for example, the list creation unit 21 sets the adjustable amount indicated by the adjustment amount information received from each of the customer devices 151A, 151E, 151F, and 151C to the first hierarchical level L1. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the adjustable amounts of the customer device 151A, the customer device 151E, the customer device 151F, and the customer device 151C are "120" kWh, "80" kWh, "60" kWh, and "100" kWh, respectively.

[0069] Furthermore, the list creation unit 21 sets the adjustable amount of each customer device 151 on the second hierarchical level L2 in the storage unit 13. Specifically, for example, the list creation unit 21 sets the adjustable amount indicated by the adjustment amount information received from each of the customer devices 151B, 151D, 151G, and 151H to the second hierarchical level L2. The adjustable amounts of the customer device 151B, the customer device 151D, the customer device 151G, and the customer device 151H are "50" kWh, "50" kWh, "40" kWh, and "30" kWh, respectively.

[0070] The circle list S1 further includes a pointer P that points to the customer device 151. The pointer P moves according to the selection order in a selection process by the selection unit 22, which will be described later. For example, the selection unit 22 moves the pointer P according to the selection order to select the customer device 151.

[0071] Specifically, for example, the circle list S1 includes a pointer P1 which is a pointer P on the first layer L1, and a pointer P2 which is a pointer P on the second layer L2.

[0072] When the list creation unit 21 determines the selection orders C1, C2, it sets the position of the pointer P1 in the first hierarchical level L1 and the position of the pointer P2 in the second hierarchical level L2 in the list creation process.

[0073] Specifically, for example, when the list creation unit 21 determines the selection order C1, it sets the position of the pointer P1 to the position of the customer device 151A, which is the first customer device 151 in the selection order C1.

[0074] Furthermore, when the list creation unit 21 determines the selection order C2 in the second hierarchical layer L2, it sets the position of the pointer P2 to the position of the customer device 151D, which is the first customer device 151 in the selection order C2.

[0075] When the list creation unit 21 completes the list creation process, it stores the created circle list S1 in the storage unit 13, and outputs to the selection unit 22 a creation completion notice indicating that the list creation process has been completed.

[0076] (Selection section) The selector 22 performs a selection process of selecting one or more customer devices 151 as targets of management from the first hierarchical layer L1 and the second hierarchical layer L2 based on the power management information acquired by the acquirer 11.

[0077] More specifically, for example, when the selection unit 22 receives power management information from the acquisition unit 11 and receives a creation completion notification from the list creation unit 21, the selection unit 22 reads out the circle list S1 from the storage unit 13. Then, by referring to the circle list S1, the selection unit 22 selects one or more consumer devices 151 until the total value of the adjustable amount reaches the command value indicated by the power management information.

[0078] <Example 1> 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a selection process by a power management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the following FIGS. 4, 5, 12, and 14, for the sake of simplicity, only the reference numeral of the customer device 151 is shown.

[0079] Referring to Figure 4, for example, when the command value indicated by the power management information from the acquisition unit 11 is 200 kWh, the selection unit 22 selects consumer devices 151 according to the selection order C1 in the first hierarchical layer L1 of the circle list S1 until the total value of the adjustable amount reaches 200 kWh.

[0080] 4, the selection unit 22 selects the customer device 151A and the customer device 151E in this order. The selection unit 22 ends the selection process because the total value of the adjustable amount at this stage reaches 200 kWh. That is, the selection unit 22 selects the customer devices 151A and 151E as objects to be managed in the selection process. In this case, the pointer P1 moves from the position of the customer device 151A to the position of the customer device 151E.

[0081] <Example 2> In the second hierarchical layer L2, an upper limit value U2 of the adjustable amount is set. For example, the upper limit value U2 is less than the total value of the adjustable amounts of the multiple customer devices 151 included in the second hierarchical layer L2, i.e., the customer devices 151B, 151D, 151G, and 151H. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the upper limit value U2 is set to "80" kWh in "L2 selection" in the first hierarchical layer L1. The upper limit value U2 is, for example, registered in advance in the storage unit 13 by the aggregator.

[0082] In the selection process for the second hierarchical layer L2, the selector 22 selects customer apparatus 151 within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit U2.

[0083] Specifically, for example, when the selector 22's turn arrives to select the second hierarchical layer L2 in the selection process for the first hierarchical layer L1, the selector 22 provisionally selects one or more customer devices 151 from the second hierarchical layer L2 in accordance with the selection order C2.

[0084] Then, when the total value of the adjustment amounts of one or more customer devices 151 provisionally selected from the second hierarchical layer L2 exceeds the upper limit value U2, the selection unit 22 selects a customer device 151 from the first hierarchical layer L1 without selecting the customer device 151 last provisionally selected from the second hierarchical layer L2 as the object to be managed.

[0085] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another example of the selection process performed by the power management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] 5, when the command value indicated by the power management information from the acquisition unit 11 is 450 kWh, the selection unit 22 selects the consumer device 151A, the consumer device 151E, the consumer device 151F, and the consumer device 151C in this order according to the selection order C1 in the first hierarchical layer L1 of the circle list S1. The selection unit 22 selects "L2 selection" because the total value of the adjustable amount at this stage is 360 kWh and does not reach the command value. In this case, the pointer P1 moves from the position of the consumer device 151A to the position of the consumer device 151E, the position of the consumer device 151F, the position of the consumer device 151C, and the position of the L2 selection in this order.

[0087] Then, the selection unit 22 provisionally selects the customer device 151D according to the selection order C2 in the second hierarchical layer L2. The selection unit 22 provisionally selects the customer device 151G because the total value of the adjustable amount at this stage is 410 kWh, which does not reach the command value, and the adjustable amount of the customer device 151D is smaller than the upper limit value U2 of the second hierarchical layer L2. In this case, the pointer P2 moves from the position of the customer device 151D to the position of the customer device 151G.

[0088] Because the total value of the adjustable amounts of consumer devices 151D and 151G at the stage of provisionally selecting consumer device 151G is 90 kWh, which is greater than the upper limit U2 of the second tier L2, selection unit 22 selects consumer device 151D while not selecting consumer device 151G, and selects consumer device 151 from the first tier L1. That is, selection unit 22 newly performs a selection process for the first tier L1. Specifically, for example, selection unit 22 first selects consumer device 151A in the selection process in accordance with the selection order C1 in the first tier L1.

[0089] (Memorizing the position of pointer P) Referring again to FIG. 2, for example, the selector 22 stores in the storage unit 13 the position of the pointer P indicating the customer device 151 last selected in the selection process as final selection information.

[0090] Then, for example, when the selector 22 performs a new selection process, the selector 22 first selects the customer device 151 next in order to the customer device 151 indicated by the final selection information stored in the memory 13 .

[0091] 4, the selector 22 stores the position of the pointer P1 indicating the customer device 151E last selected in the selection process for the first hierarchical layer L1 as final selection information in the storage unit 13. When the selector 22 performs a new selection process, the selector 22 first selects the customer device 151F next in order to the customer device 151E in the first hierarchical layer L1.

[0092] 5, the selection unit 22 stores the position of the pointer P2 indicating the customer device 151G last selected in the selection process for the second hierarchical layer L2 as final selection information in the storage unit 13. Then, the selection unit 22 performs a new selection process for the first hierarchical layer L1, and when the selection unit 22's turn to select the second hierarchical layer L2 in the selection process arrives, the selection unit 22 first selects the customer device 151H on the second hierarchical layer L2 that is next in order after the customer device 151G.

[0093] (instruction section) The instruction unit 23 transmits instruction information related to power consumption or power supply to the grid to the managed object selected by the selection unit 22. Here, it is assumed that the instruction unit 23 transmits instruction information related to power consumption to the managed object selected by the selection unit 22.

[0094] More specifically, for example, when the selection unit 22 completes the selection process, it outputs to the instruction unit 23 selection completion information indicating the consumer device 151 selected in the selection process and the event period indicated by the power management information from the acquisition unit 11.

[0095] When the instruction unit 23 receives the selection completion information from the selection unit 22, the instruction unit 23 transmits information including the event period indicated by the selection completion information as instruction information to the customer device 151 indicated by the selection completion information.

[0096] When consumer device 151 receives instruction information from power management device 102, consumer device 151 controls the operation of electrical equipment in the power demanding facility in which it is installed according to the instruction information. Specifically, for example, consumer device 151 reduces power consumption by performing control such as increasing the temperature setting of an air conditioner during an event period indicated by the instruction information from power management device 102.

[0097] (Monitoring Department) For example, the monitor 25 monitors the ratio F of the actual value of the adjustment amount of power to the adjustable amount for each of the customer devices 151 included in the first hierarchical layer L1 and the second hierarchical layer L2.

[0098] More specifically, for example, when the monitoring unit 25 receives power management information from the acquisition unit 11, after the event period indicated in the power management information has elapsed, the monitoring unit 25 transmits to each consumer device 151 performance request information indicating the event period and a request for a report of the actual value of the adjustment amount of power consumption during the event period.

[0099] When each consumer device 151 receives result request information from the power management apparatus 102, the consumer device 151 transmits to the power management apparatus 102 adjustment result information indicating a result value of the adjustment amount of power consumption during the event period indicated by the received result request information.

[0100] When the monitoring unit 25 in the power management apparatus 102 receives adjustment result information from each consumer device 151, the monitoring unit 25 reads the circle list S in the storage unit 13. Then, for each consumer device 151, the monitoring unit 25 calculates a ratio F of the result value indicated in the received adjustment result information to the adjustment possible amount indicated in the circle list S.

[0101] The monitoring unit 25 outputs monitoring result information indicating the ratio F in each customer device 151 to the updating unit 24.

[0102] (Update section) For example, the update unit 24 performs an update process to switch the customer device 151 between the first hierarchical layer L1 and the second hierarchical layer L2 based on the monitoring result of the monitor unit 25.

[0103] More specifically, for example, when the update unit 24 receives monitoring result information from the monitoring unit 25, the update unit 24 checks whether the monitoring result information satisfies a predetermined condition (hereinafter also referred to as an "update condition").

[0104] The update condition is, for example, that, among the multiple customer devices 151 indicated by the monitoring result information from the monitoring unit 25, a proportion F of customer devices 151 (hereinafter also referred to as "replacement targets") that is smaller than the proportion F of customer devices 151 included in the second hierarchical layer L2 is present in the first hierarchical layer L1.

[0105] For example, if the monitoring result information from the monitoring unit 25 does not satisfy the update condition, the update unit 24 does not perform the update process.

[0106] On the other hand, for example, the update unit 24 performs an update process when the monitoring result information from the monitoring unit 25 satisfies an update condition. In the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the proportion F of customer devices 151D included in the first hierarchical layer L1 is smaller than the proportion F of customer devices 151F included in the second hierarchical layer L2. The customer device 151D is an example of a first adjustment target, and the customer device 151F is an example of a second adjustment target.

[0107] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an update process performed by a power management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0108] 6, when the proportion F of consumer device 151D is smaller than the proportion F of consumer device 151F, the update unit 24 reads out the circle list S in the storage unit 13. Then, the update unit 24 replaces the consumer device 151D with the consumer device 151F in the first hierarchical level L1 and the second hierarchical level L2 of the circle list S. In this case, in the circle list S1 after the update process by the update unit 24, the first hierarchical level L1 includes the consumer devices 151A, 151E, 151D, and 151C, and the second hierarchical level L2 includes the consumer devices 151B, 151F, 151G, and 151H.

[0109] When there are multiple replacement targets on the first hierarchical layer L1, the update unit 24 may be configured to replace the multiple replacement targets with multiple customer equipment 151 on the second hierarchical layer L2 in the update process. When there are multiple replacement targets on the first hierarchical layer L1, the update unit 24 may be configured to replace some of the multiple replacement targets, for example, the replacement target with the smallest ratio F, with customer equipment 151 on the second hierarchical layer L2 in the update process.

[0110] In addition, the update unit 24 may be configured to calculate a statistical value of the ratio F for each of the multiple customer devices 151 included in the first hierarchical layer L1 and the second hierarchical layer L2, and to switch the customer devices 151 between the first hierarchical layer L1 and the second hierarchical layer L2 based on the calculation results.

[0111] Specifically, for example, every time the monitoring unit 25 receives power management information from the acquisition unit 11, the monitoring unit 25 outputs the monitoring result information to the update unit 24.

[0112] When updating unit 24 receives monitoring result information from monitoring unit 25, it stores the monitoring result information in storage unit 13. Then, updating unit 24 acquires the multiple pieces of monitoring result information accumulated in storage unit 13 and deletes the multiple pieces of monitoring result information from storage unit 13 every time a certain time has elapsed since its own power management device 102 was started up.

[0113] The updating unit 24 uses the acquired multiple pieces of monitoring result information to calculate a statistical value of the ratio F for each consumer device 151. Specifically, for example, the updating unit 24 calculates a representative value of the ratio F as the statistical value for each consumer device 151. In the present embodiment, an example of the representative value is the average value of the ratio F. Note that the updating unit 24 may calculate another representative value of the ratio F, such as the mode or median, as the statistical value for each consumer device 151, instead of the average value of the ratio F.

[0114] After calculating the average value G for each consumer device 151, the update unit 24 checks whether the average value G of the consumer device 151 included in the second hierarchical layer L2 and the average value G of the consumer device 151 included in the first hierarchical layer L1 satisfy an update condition. In this case, the update condition is that a consumer device 151 having an average value G smaller than the average value G of the consumer device 151 included in the second hierarchical layer L2 exists in the first hierarchical layer L1. Then, if the update condition is satisfied, the update unit 24 performs an update process.

[0115] Furthermore, for example, when a new customer device 151 is added, the update unit 24 performs an addition process of adding the new customer device 151 to the first hierarchical layer L1 as a candidate for a management target.

[0116] 7 is a diagram for explaining the addition process by the power management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 illustrates an example in which a customer device 151J is added as a new customer device 151 to the first hierarchical layer L1 in the addition process.

[0117] 2 and 7, for example, the acquiring unit 11 further acquires additional information indicating the customer device 151J that is the target of the adding process.

[0118] Specifically, for example, when the acquisition unit 11 receives additional information from the power company server 101, the acquisition unit 11 outputs the received additional information to the update unit 24.

[0119] When the update unit 24 receives the additional information from the acquisition unit 11, the update unit 24 reads out the circle list S in the storage unit 13. Then, the update unit 24 adds, to the first hierarchical level L1 included in the circle list S, the customer device 151J indicated by the additional information.

[0120] Specifically, for example, the update unit 24 adds a selection of the customer device 151J between the selection of the customer device 151C and the selection of L2 in the first hierarchical layer L1.

[0121] Also, for example, the update unit 24 sets the adjustable amount of the customer device 151J in the first hierarchical layer L1 after the addition process.

[0122] More specifically, for example, when the update unit 24 receives power management information from the acquisition unit 11, it transmits request information indicating the event period indicated by the power management information and a request to transmit an adjustable amount during the event period to the consumer device 151J indicated by the additional information.

[0123] When the customer device 151J receives the request information from the power management device 102, the customer device 151J transmits the above-mentioned adjustment amount information to the power management device 102.

[0124] When the update unit 24 in the power management apparatus 102 receives adjustment amount information from the consumer device 151J, the update unit 24 registers the adjustable amount indicated by the adjustment amount information in association with the consumer device 151J included in the first hierarchical layer L1 after the addition process. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the adjustable amount of the consumer device 151J is "80" kWh.

[0125] The power company server 101 may, for example, add the additional information to the power management apparatus 102 and transmit it to a terminal device owned by the aggregator. In this case, the aggregator may change the allocation amount A1 stored in the storage unit 13 of the power management apparatus 102.

[0126] [Operation flow] FIG. 8 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when the power management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs the selection process.

[0127] 8, first, power management apparatus 102 waits for the arrival of power management information from power company server 101 (NO in step S101).

[0128] Then, when the power management device 102 receives power management information from the power company server 101 (YES in step S101), it transmits request information to each consumer device 151 requesting the transmission of an adjustable amount for the event period indicated by the received power management information (step S102).

[0129] Next, the power management apparatus 102 receives adjustment amount information indicating the amount of adjustment possible during the event period from each customer apparatus 151, and stores the adjustment amount information in the storage unit 13 (step S103).

[0130] Next, the power management apparatus 102 performs a list creation process to create a circle list S1 having a first hierarchical level L1 and a second hierarchical level L2 including a plurality of consumer devices 151. For example, as described above, when the power management apparatus 102 receives adjustment amount information from each consumer device 151, the power management apparatus 102 determines which consumer device 151 to include in the first hierarchical level L1 from among the consumer devices 151A to 151H, using a plurality of adjustable amounts indicated by the plurality of received adjustment amount information, respectively, and the allocation amount A1 stored in the memory unit 13. Then, the power management apparatus 102 determines, from among the consumer devices 151A to 151H, the consumer device 151 other than the consumer device 151 determined to be included in the first hierarchical level L1 as the consumer device 151 to be included in the second hierarchical level L2 (step S104).

[0131] Next, the power management apparatus 102 performs a selection process to select one or more customer devices 151 as management targets from among the first hierarchical layer L1 and the second hierarchical layer L2, based on the power management information from the power company server 101. For example, as described above, when performing the selection process for the second hierarchical layer L2, the power management apparatus 102 selects customer devices 151 in the second hierarchical layer L2 within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value U2 (step S105).

[0132] Next, the power management apparatus 102 transmits instruction information regarding power consumption to the selected consumer apparatus 151 (step S106).

[0133] Next, power management apparatus 102 waits for the arrival of new power management information from power company server 101 (NO in step S101).

[0134] FIG. 9 is a flowchart that defines an operation procedure when the power management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs the update process.

[0135] Referring to FIG. 9, first, after an event period indicated by the power management information from the power company server 101 has elapsed, the power management device 102 transmits to each consumer device 151 performance request information indicating the event period and requesting a report of the actual value of the adjustment amount of power consumption during the event period (step S201).

[0136] Next, the power management apparatus 102 receives adjustment result information indicating the result value of the adjustment amount of power consumption from each consumer apparatus 151 (step S202).

[0137] Next, the power management apparatus 102 calculates the ratio F of the actual value of the adjustment amount of power consumption to the adjustable amount for each of the multiple customer devices 151 included in the first hierarchical layer L1 and the second hierarchical layer L2 (step S203).

[0138] Next, the power management apparatus 102 checks whether the proportion F of consumer devices 151 included in the first hierarchical layer L1 and the proportion F of consumer devices 151 included in the second hierarchical layer L2 satisfy the update condition. For example, as described above, the update condition is that the proportion F of consumer devices 151 present in the first hierarchical layer L1 is smaller than the proportion F of consumer devices 151 included in the second hierarchical layer L2 (step S204).

[0139] Then, when the update condition is satisfied (YES in step S204), the power management apparatus 102 performs the update process. Here, it is assumed that the proportion F of customer devices 151F included in the first hierarchical layer L1 is smaller than the proportion F of customer devices 151D included in the second hierarchical layer L2. In this case, the power management apparatus 102 replaces the customer devices 151F included in the first hierarchical layer L1 with the customer devices 151D included in the second hierarchical layer L2 in the update process (step S205).

[0140] On the other hand, if the update condition is not met (NO in step S204), the power management apparatus 102 does not perform the update process.

[0141] FIG. 10 is a flowchart that defines an operation procedure when the power management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs an additional process.

[0142] 10, first, power management apparatus 102 waits for the arrival of additional information from power company server 101 (NO in step S301).

[0143] Then, when the power management apparatus 102 receives the additional information from the power company server 101 (YES in step S301), it performs an addition process to add the new customer apparatus 151 indicated by the received additional information to the first hierarchical layer L1 (step S302).

[0144] Next, power management apparatus 102 waits for the arrival of new additional information from power company server 101 (NO in step S301).

[0145] [Variation 1] The power management apparatus 102 may be configured to create a circle list S having three or more hierarchical levels in the list creation process.

[0146] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a circle list created in a list creation process by the power management device according to the first modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 11 shows a circle list S2, which is a circle list S having three hierarchical levels.

[0147] 2 and 11, in the first modification, the list creator 21 creates a circle list S2 including a plurality of customer devices 151 and having a first hierarchical level L1, a second hierarchical level L2, and a third hierarchical level L3.

[0148] More specifically, for example, the storage unit 13 stores an upper limit value of the adjustable amount that can be allocated in the second hierarchical layer L2 (hereinafter also referred to as "allocation amount A2") in addition to the allocation amount A1.

[0149] When the list creation unit 21 determines the customer equipment 151 to be included in the first hierarchical layer L1, it determines the customer equipment 151 to be included in the second hierarchical layer L2 from among the customer equipment 151A to 151H other than the customer equipment 151 to be included in the first hierarchical layer L1, in order from the customer equipment 151 corresponding to the adjustable amount with the largest value, such that the total value of the adjustable amount does not exceed the allocated amount A2.

[0150] After determining the customer equipment 151 to be included in the second hierarchical layer L2, the list creation unit 21 determines the remaining customer equipment 151 from the customer equipment 151A to 151H as customer equipment 151 to be included in the third hierarchical layer L3.

[0151] 11, the first hierarchical level L1 includes customer equipment 151A, 151E, and 151C. The second hierarchical level L2 includes customer equipment 151B, 151D, and 151F. The third hierarchical level L3 includes customer equipment 151H and 151G.

[0152] After determining the multiple customer devices 151 to be included in each of the first hierarchical layer L1, the second hierarchical layer L2, and the third hierarchical layer L3, the list creation unit 21 determines the selection order of the multiple customer devices 151 in the first hierarchical layer L1, the selection order of the multiple customer devices 151 in the second hierarchical layer L2, and the selection order of the multiple customer devices 151 in the third hierarchical layer L3.

[0153] 11, the selection order C1 on the first hierarchical layer L1 is the order of selection of customer device 151A, selection of customer device 151E, selection of customer device 151C, and selection of L2. The selection order C2 on the second hierarchical layer L2 is the order of selection of customer device 151B, selection of customer device 151D, selection of the third hierarchical layer L3 (hereinafter also referred to as "L3 selection"), and selection of customer device 151F. The selection order C3 on the third hierarchical layer L3 is the order of selection of customer device 151H, and selection of customer device 151G.

[0154] For example, the circle list S2 has a pointer P3, which is a pointer P in the third hierarchical level L3, in addition to the pointers P1 and P2.

[0155] When the list creation unit 21 determines the selection order C3, it sets the position of the pointer P3 in the third hierarchical level L3 in the list creation process.

[0156] In the example shown in FIG. 11, the list creation unit 21 sets the position of the pointer P3 to the position of the customer device 151H, which is the first customer device 151 in the selection order C3.

[0157] For example, an upper limit value U3 of the adjustable amount is set in the third hierarchical layer L3. Specifically, for example, the upper limit value U3 is less than the total value of the adjustable amounts of the multiple customer devices 151 included in the third hierarchical layer L3, i.e., the customer devices 151H and 151G. In the example shown in Fig. 11, the upper limit value U3 is set to "60" kWh in "L3 Selection" in the second hierarchical layer L2.

[0158] Also, for example, an upper limit value U2 of the adjustable amount is set in the second hierarchical layer L2. Specifically, for example, the upper limit value U2 is less than the total value of the adjustable amounts of the multiple customer devices 151 included in the second hierarchical layer L2, i.e., the customer devices 151B, 151D, and 151F. In other words, the upper limit value U3 of the "L3 selection" included in the second hierarchical layer L2 is not used to set the upper limit value U2.

[0159] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection process performed by the power management device according to the first modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0160] Referring to Figures 2 and 12, for example, when the selector 22's turn arrives to select the third hierarchical layer L3 in the selection process for the second hierarchical layer L2, the selector 22 selects one or more customer devices 151 from the third hierarchical layer L3 in accordance with a selection order C3 within the range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value U3 of the third hierarchical layer L3.

[0161] More specifically, for example, when the command value indicated by the power management information from the acquisition unit 11 is 430 kWh, the selection unit 22 selects the consumer device 151A, the consumer device 151E, and the consumer device 151C in this order according to the selection order C1 in the first hierarchical level L1 of the circle list S2. The selection unit 22 selects "L2 selection" because the total value of the adjustable amount at this stage is 300 kWh and does not reach the command value. In this case, the pointer P1 moves from the position of the consumer device 151A to the position of the consumer device 151E, the position of the consumer device 151C, and the position of the L2 selection in this order.

[0162] Then, the selection unit 22 selects customer device 151B and customer device 151D in this order according to the selection order C2 in the second hierarchical layer L2. The selection unit 22 selects "L3 selection" because the total value of the adjustable amount at this stage is 400 kWh and has not reached the command value indicated by the power management information from the acquisition unit 11. In this case, the pointer P2 moves from the position of customer device 151B to the position of customer device 151D, and then to the position of L3 selection, in this order.

[0163] Then, the selection unit 22 selects the customer device 151H according to the selection order C3 in the third hierarchical layer L3. The selection unit 22 ends the selection process because the total value of the adjustable amount at this stage has reached the command value indicated by the power management information from the acquisition unit 11 and the adjustable amount of the customer device 151H has not exceeded the upper limit value U3.

[0164] [Variation 2] An upper limit U1 of the adjustable amount may be set in the first hierarchical level L1 of the circle list S1.

[0165] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circle list created in a list creation process in the power management device according to the second modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0166] 2 and 13, in Modification 2, first hierarchical level L1 includes customer devices 151A, 151E, and 151C. The adjustable amounts of customer device 151A, customer device 151E, and customer device 151C are "100" kWh, "80" kWh, and "70" kWh, respectively.

[0167] The second tier L2 includes customer equipment 151B, 151D, 151F, 151G, and 151H. The adjustable amounts of customer equipment 151B, customer equipment 151D, customer equipment 151F, customer equipment 151G, and customer equipment 151H are “60” kWh, “60” kWh, “50” kWh, “50” kWh, and “40” kWh, respectively.

[0168] The selection order C1 on the first hierarchical layer L1 is the order of selection of customer device 151A, selection of customer device 151E, selection of customer device 151C, and selection of L2. The selection order C2 on the second hierarchical layer L2 is the order of selection of customer device 151B, selection of customer device 151D, selection of customer device 151F, selection of customer device 151G, and selection of customer device 151H.

[0169] An upper limit value U1 and an upper limit value U2 are set in the first hierarchical layer L1 and the second hierarchical layer L2, respectively. The upper limit value U1 is less than the total value of the adjustable amounts of the multiple consumer devices 151 included in the first hierarchical layer L1, i.e., the consumer devices 151A, 151E, and 151C. In other words, the upper limit value U2 of "L2 selection" included in the first hierarchical layer L1 is not used to set the upper limit value U1. Here, the upper limit value U1 and the upper limit value U2 are assumed to be 150 kWh and 180 kWh, respectively.

[0170] For example, if the total value of the adjustable amounts of one or more customer equipment 151 provisionally selected from the first hierarchical layer L1 according to the selection order C1 exceeds the upper limit value U1 of the first hierarchical layer L1, the selection unit 22 selects a customer equipment 151 from the second hierarchical layer L2 without selecting the customer equipment 151 provisionally selected last from the first hierarchical layer L1 as the object to be managed.

[0171] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection process performed by the power management apparatus according to the second modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0172] 14, when the command value indicated by the power management information from the acquisition unit 11 is 200 kWh, the selection unit 22 provisionally selects the customer device 151A in accordance with the selection order C1 in the first hierarchical layer L1. The selection unit 22 provisionally selects the customer device 151E because the adjustable amount at this stage is 100 kWh, which has not reached the command value and is smaller than the upper limit value U1. In this case, the pointer P1 moves from the position of the customer device 151A to the position of the customer device 151E.

[0173] Because the total value of the adjustable amounts of consumer devices 151A and 151E at the stage of provisionally selecting consumer device 151E is 180 kWh, which is greater than the upper limit value U1 of the first tier L1, the selection unit 22 selects consumer device 151A while not selecting consumer device 151E, and instead selects consumer device 151 from the second tier L2.

[0174] Specifically, the selection unit 22 provisionally selects the customer device 151B and the customer device 151D in this order according to the selection order C2 in the second hierarchical layer L2. The selection unit 22 ends the selection process because the total value of the adjustable amount at this stage reaches the command value of 200 kWh and is smaller than the upper limit value U2 of the second hierarchical layer L2. That is, the selection unit 22 selects the customer devices 151A, 151B, and 151D as the management targets in the selection process. In this case, the pointer P2 moves from the position of the customer device 151B to the position of the customer device 151D.

[0175] In the power management system 201 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the power management device 102 is configured to provisionally select a consumer device 151 from the second hierarchical layer L2 in accordance with the selection order C2, and if the total value of the adjustable amounts of the provisionally selected consumer devices 151 exceeds the upper limit value U2, select a consumer device 151 from the first hierarchical layer L1 without selecting the provisionally selected consumer device 151 last, but this is not limited thereto. The power management device 102 may be configured to provisionally select all consumer devices 151 in the second hierarchical layer L2, and release the provisional selection of the consumer devices 151 based on a command value from the power company server 101 and the upper limit value U2. The power management device 102 may also be configured as follows. That is, when the total value of adjustable amounts of provisionally selected consumer devices 151 exceeds the upper limit value U2, the power management device 102 allocates, to the consumer device 151 provisionally selected last, an amount of power obtained by subtracting the total value of adjustable amounts of each provisionally selected consumer device 151 other than the provisionally selected consumer device 151 in the second hierarchical L2 from the upper limit value U2. The power management device 102 may be configured to allocate, to one or more consumer devices 151 not selected in the first hierarchical L1, an amount of power obtained by subtracting from the command value the sum of the total value of adjustable amounts of consumer devices 151 already selected in the first hierarchical L1 and the upper limit value U2. That is, the power management device 102 may be configured to select the consumer device 151 provisionally selected last in the second hierarchical L2 as a management target.

[0176] In addition, in the power management system 201 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper limit value U2 is configured to be less than the total value of the adjustable amounts of the multiple consumer devices 151 included in the second hierarchical layer L2, but this is not limited thereto. The upper limit value U2 may be equal to or greater than the total value of the adjustable amounts of the multiple consumer devices 151 included in the second hierarchical layer L2. In this case, the power management device 102 provisionally selects consumer devices 151 from the second hierarchical layer L2 until the total value of the adjustable amounts reaches a command value from the power company server 101, and if the total value of the adjustable amounts at the stage where all consumer devices 151 in the second hierarchical layer L2 have been provisionally selected does not exceed the command value, the power management device 102 selects all consumer devices 151 in the second hierarchical layer L2 and then selects a consumer device 151 from the first hierarchical layer L1.

[0177] In addition, in the power management system 201 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the power management apparatus 102 is configured to store the position of the pointer P indicating the consumer device 151 last selected in the selection process in the storage unit 13 as final selection information, but this is not limited to this. The power management apparatus 102 may be configured not to store the final selection information in the storage unit 13. In this case, the power management apparatus 102 first selects, for example, a specific consumer device 151 in a new selection process.

[0178] In addition, in the power management system 201 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when a new customer device 151 is added, the power management apparatus 102 is configured to add the new customer device 151 to the first hierarchical layer L1, but this is not limited thereto. The power management apparatus 102 may be configured to add the new customer device 151 to the second hierarchical layer L2.

[0179] In addition, in the power management system 201 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the power management apparatus 102 is configured to monitor the respective proportions F of the multiple customer devices 151 included in the first hierarchical layer L1 and the second hierarchical layer L2, and perform an update process to switch the customer devices 151 between the first hierarchical layer L1 and the second hierarchical layer L2 based on the monitoring results, but this is not limited to the above. The power management apparatus 102 may be configured not to perform an update process to switch the customer devices 151 between the first hierarchical layer L1 and the second hierarchical layer L2. Alternatively, the power management apparatus 102 may be configured to periodically switch some of the customer devices 151 between the first hierarchical layer L1 and the second hierarchical layer L2.

[0180] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the power management apparatus 102 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided by cloud computing. That is, the power management apparatus 102 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be a cloud server configured by a plurality of servers.

[0181] Incidentally, when requesting adjustment of the amount of power to the consumer device 151, it is required to stabilize the balance between supply and demand of power. For example, it is required to guarantee a simultaneous equal amount that matches the amount of power consumed with the amount of power supplied. However, for example, when there are multiple consumer devices 151 in which a discrepancy occurs between the adjustable amount and the actual value of the adjustment amount, or when the discrepancy is significantly large in a certain consumer device 151, it is not possible to guarantee the simultaneous equal amount. There is a demand for a technology that more appropriately selects adjustment targets such as power demand facilities that are requested to adjust the amount of power, and guarantees the simultaneous equal amount.

[0182] In contrast, the power management apparatus 102 and the power management method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, with the configuration and method described above, can more appropriately select the customer apparatus 151 and ensure simultaneous equalization.

[0183] The above-described embodiments should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0184] Each process (each function) in the above-mentioned embodiment is realized by a processing circuit including one or more processors. The processing circuit may be configured as an integrated circuit or the like in which one or more memories, various analog circuits, and various digital circuits are combined in addition to the one or more processors. The one or more memories store programs (instructions) that cause the one or more processors to execute each of the above processes. The one or more processors may execute each of the above processes according to the programs read from the one or more memories, or may execute each of the above processes according to a logic circuit designed in advance to execute each of the above processes. The processor may be various processors suitable for computer control, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The physically separated processors may execute each of the above processes in cooperation with each other. For example, the processors mounted on each of a plurality of physically separated computers may cooperate with each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, etc. The program may be installed in the memory from an external server device or the like via the network, or may be distributed in a state stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or a semiconductor memory, and installed in the memory from the recording medium.

[0185] The above description includes the following additional features. [Appendix 1] an acquisition unit that acquires power management information related to power consumption or power supply to a power grid; a selection unit that performs a selection process to select one or more of the adjustment targets as management targets based on the power management information acquired by the acquisition unit from a first group and a second group, the first group and the second group including a plurality of adjustment targets that are targets for adjusting power amount, and a selection order of the plurality of adjustment targets being defined; an instruction unit that transmits instruction information related to the power consumption or the power supply to the managed object selected by the selection unit, the selection order in the first group includes a selection in the second group; In the second group, an upper limit of an adjustable amount, which is an adjustable amount of power, is set, the selection unit selects the adjustment target in the selection process for the second group within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value, The power management device further comprises: a monitoring unit that monitors a ratio of an actual value of the adjustment amount of the power to the adjustable amount for each of the adjustment targets included in the first group and the second group; an update unit that performs an update process to switch the adjustment target between the first group and the second group based on a monitoring result of the monitoring unit, The update unit calculates a statistical value of the ratio for each of the adjustment targets included in the first group and the second group based on a monitoring result of the monitoring unit; and The power management device, wherein, when the statistical value of a first adjustment target that is the adjustment target included in the first group is smaller than the statistical value of a second adjustment target that is the adjustment target included in the second group, the update unit swaps the first adjustment target and the second adjustment target between the first group and the second group in the update process described above.

[0186] [Appendix 2] A processing circuit is provided, The processing circuitry includes: Obtaining power management information regarding power consumption or power supply to the grid; performing a selection process of selecting, from a first group and a second group including a plurality of adjustment targets for which power amount is to be adjusted and in which a selection order of the plurality of adjustment targets is defined, one or a plurality of the adjustment targets as management targets based on the acquired power management information; Sending instruction information regarding the power consumption or the power supply to the selected managed device; the selection order in the first group includes a selection in the second group; In the second group, an upper limit of an adjustable amount, which is an adjustable amount of power, is set, the power management device, in the selection process for the second group, selecting the adjustment target within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value. [Explanation of symbols]

[0187] 11 Acquisition Department 12 Processing section 13 Storage section 21 List Creation Department 22 Selection section 23 Instruction section 24 Update section 25 Monitoring Department 101 Power company server 102 Power management device 151, 151A to 151H, 151J Customer equipment 201 Power Management System L1 1st layer L2 2nd layer L3 3rd layer P,P1,P2,P3 pointers S, S1, S2 Circle List

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires power management information related to power consumption or power supply to a power grid; a selection unit that performs a selection process to select one or more of the adjustment targets as management targets based on the power management information acquired by the acquisition unit from a first group and a second group, the first group and the second group including a plurality of adjustment targets that are targets for adjusting power amount, and a selection order of the plurality of adjustment targets being defined; an instruction unit that transmits instruction information related to the power consumption or the power supply to the managed object selected by the selection unit, the selection order in the first group includes a selection in the second group; In the second group, an upper limit of an adjustable amount, which is an adjustable amount of power, is set, The selection unit selects the adjustment target in the selection process for the second group within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value.

2. when a turn to select the second group has arrived in the selection process for the first group, the selection unit provisionally selects one or more of the adjustment targets from the second group in accordance with the selection order; 2. The power management device of claim 1, wherein when a total value of the adjustable amounts of the one or more adjustment targets provisionally selected from the second group exceeds the upper limit value, the selection unit selects the adjustment target from the first group without selecting the adjustment target last provisionally selected from the second group as the management target.

3. The power management device according to claim 1 , wherein the upper limit value is less than a total value of the adjustable amounts of the plurality of adjustment targets included in the second group.

4. the selection unit performs the selection process of selecting one or more of the adjustment targets from the first group, the second group, and a third group, each of which includes the plurality of adjustment targets and in which the selection order is defined, based on the power management information acquired by the acquisition unit; the selection order in the second group includes a selection of the third group; In the third group, an upper limit value of the adjustable amount is set, 2. The power management device of claim 1, wherein when the turn to select the third group arrives in the selection process for the second group, the selection unit selects the adjustment target from the third group in accordance with the selection order, within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value of the third group.

5. In the first group, an upper limit value of the adjustable amount is set, 3. The power management device of claim 1, wherein when the total value of the adjustable amount of one or more of the adjustment targets provisionally selected from the first group in accordance with the selection order exceeds the upper limit value of the first group, the selection unit selects the adjustment target from the second group without selecting the adjustment target last provisionally selected from the first group as the management target.

6. The selection unit further stores final selection information indicating the adjustment target last selected in the selection process in a storage unit, 3. The power management device according to claim 1, wherein when the selection unit performs the selection process anew, the selection unit first selects the adjustment target next in order to the adjustment target indicated by the final selection information stored in the memory unit.

7. The power management device further comprises: 3 . The power management device according to claim 1 , further comprising an update unit that, when a new adjustment target is added, adds the new adjustment target to the first group as a candidate for the management target. 4 .

8. The power management device further comprises: a monitoring unit that monitors a ratio of an actual value of the adjustment amount of the power to the adjustable amount for each of the adjustment targets included in the first group and the second group; 3 . The power management device according to claim 1 , further comprising: an update unit that performs an update process of switching the adjustment target between the first group and the second group based on a monitoring result of the monitor unit.

9. 9. The power management device of claim 8, wherein the update unit swaps the first adjustment targets and the second adjustment targets between the first group and the second group in the update process when the proportion of first adjustment targets that are the adjustment targets included in the first group is smaller than the proportion of second adjustment targets that are the adjustment targets included in the second group.

10. A power management method in a power management device, comprising: obtaining power management information relating to power consumption or power supply to a grid; performing a selection process of selecting one or more of the adjustment targets as management targets based on the acquired power management information from a first group and a second group, the first group and the second group including a plurality of adjustment targets that are targets for adjusting power amounts and having a selection order of the plurality of adjustment targets defined; transmitting instruction information relating to the power consumption or the power supply to the selected managed device; the selection order in the first group includes a selection in the second group; In the second group, an upper limit of an adjustable amount, which is an adjustable amount of power, is set, a step of selecting the adjustment target within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value in the step of performing the selection process on the second group;

11. A power management program for use in a power management device, Computer, an acquisition unit that acquires power management information related to power consumption or power supply to a power grid; a selection unit that performs a selection process to select one or more of the adjustment targets as management targets based on the power management information acquired by the acquisition unit from a first group and a second group, the first group and the second group including a plurality of adjustment targets that are targets for adjusting power amount, and a selection order of the plurality of adjustment targets being defined; an instruction unit that transmits instruction information regarding the power consumption or the power supply to the managed object selected by the selection unit; It is a program to function as the selection order in the first group includes a selection in the second group; In the second group, an upper limit of an adjustable amount, which is an adjustable amount of power, is set, The selection unit selects the adjustment target in the selection process for the second group within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value.

12. A data structure of information used in a selection process by a power management device to select an adjustment target for adjusting power amount, a first group and a second group including a plurality of adjustment targets, and a selection order of the plurality of adjustment targets is defined; a pointer indicating the adjustment target, the pointer being moved in accordance with the selection order in the selection process; the selection order in the first group includes a selection in the second group; In the second group, an upper limit of an adjustable amount, which is an adjustable amount of power, is set, A data structure in which, in the selection process for the second group, the power management apparatus moves the pointer in accordance with the selection order within a range in which the adjustable amount does not exceed the upper limit value, and selects the adjustment target.

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