Power control apparatus, system, and method

Abstract

To reduce a total power amount consumed by users in consideration of variation of a market price of power.SOLUTION: A power control apparatus includes: a first setting part setting a first threshold value starting reduction control of a total power amount in users based on a market price of power; a second setting part obtaining a reference value of a total power amount predicted to be consumed by the users in a target time zone; and a third setting part setting a reduction amount of power reducible from the reference value per target time zone with respect to the users when the market price is equal to or more than the first threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power control device, system, and method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, efforts have been attracting attention to suppress power demand at a timing when a peak in power demand is expected to occur and to wisely change power demand according to the power supply situation.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that measures the power consumption status of a consumer, estimates the power consumption based on the measured power consumption status, and plans the charge and discharge of a storage battery. In this system, the storage battery is discharged when the market price of power is high and charged when it is low.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, when the power available to the consumer increases due to the discharge of the storage battery, it is considered that there is a surplus in the power that can be consumed, and the total power consumed by the consumer is not reduced. If the total power consumed is not reduced, the amount of electricity purchased by the consumer does not change. Also, since the amount of discharge from the storage battery is added to the power consumption, the total amount of power consumed by the consumer increases.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the total amount of power consumed by a consumer in consideration of fluctuations in the market price of power.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The characteristic configuration of the power control device for solving the above problems is a power control device, comprising: a first setting unit that sets a first threshold value for starting the reduction control of the total power amount in a consumer based on the market price of power; a second setting unit that obtains a reference value of the total power amount predicted to be consumed by the consumer in a target time period; and a third setting unit that, when the market price is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, sets, for each target time period, a reduction amount of power that can be reduced from the reference value for the consumer.

[0008] Also, the characteristic configuration of the method for solving the above problems is a method, comprising: a first setting step of setting a first threshold value for starting the reduction control of the total power amount in a consumer based on the market price of power; a second setting step of obtaining a reference value of the total power amount predicted to be consumed by the consumer in a target time period; and a third setting step of setting, for each target time period, a reduction amount of power that can be reduced from the reference value for the consumer when the market price is greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. One embodiment of the present disclosure has the following configuration.

[0011] 〔Configuration 1〕 The characteristic configuration of the power control device for achieving the above object is a power control device, which includes a first setting unit (11) that sets a first threshold value for starting the reduction control of the total amount of electric power in the consumer (a) based on the market price (M) of electricity, a second setting unit (12) that obtains a reference value (B) of the total amount of electric power predicted to be consumed by the consumer in the target time period, and a third setting unit (14) that sets, for the consumer, a reduction amount (D) of the electric power that can be reduced from the reference value for each target time period when the market price is equal to or higher than the first threshold value (S).

[0012] 〔Configuration 2〕 Another characteristic configuration of the power control device according to the present disclosure is that when the market price is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, the third setting unit is set to increase the reduction amount in response to the increase in the market price up to a predetermined upper limit (L) (S52).

[0013] 〔Configuration 3〕 Another characteristic configuration of the power control device according to the present disclosure is that when the market price is equal to or higher than a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value, the third setting unit sets the reduction amount to be constant at the predetermined upper limit (L) (S52).

[0014] 〔Configuration 4〕 Another characteristic configuration of the power control device according to the present disclosure is that when the sensor data value obtained by measuring the measured customer environment exceeds a preset range, the third setting unit adjusts the reduction amount (S54).

[0015] 〔Configuration 5〕 Another characteristic configuration of the power control device according to the present disclosure is that when the measured customer environment indicates deterioration of the customer environment, the third setting unit decreases the reduction amount, and when the measured customer environment indicates improvement of the customer environment, the third setting unit increases the reduction amount to adjust the reduction amount.

[0016] 〔Configuration 6〕 Another characteristic configuration of the power control device according to the present disclosure is that the reference value is the predicted power demand of the target time period obtained from the weather forecast and the actual value of the total past power consumption of the customer.

[0017] 〔Configuration 7〕 Another characteristic configuration of the power control device according to the present disclosure is that the reference value is further obtained by correcting the power demand.

[0018] 〔Configuration 8〕 Another characteristic configuration of the power control device according to the present disclosure is that the correction of the power demand is based on the measured power consumption of the customer measured in a plurality of time periods immediately before the time when the market price becomes equal to or higher than the first threshold value, and the predicted power demand in the plurality of time periods.

[0019] 〔Configuration 9〕 Another characteristic configuration of the system according to the present disclosure is a system including the power control device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a management device (22) provided in the customer's home, and the management device controls the operation of the controlled devices (20, 21) provided in the customer's home according to the reduction amount.

[0020] 〔Configuration 10〕 Another characteristic configuration of the system according to the present disclosure is that the controlled devices include a device (20) that charges and discharges power and a device (21) that consumes power.

[0021] 〔Configuration 11〕 Another characteristic configuration of the system according to the present disclosure is that the system further includes a sensor (24) for measuring the customer environment.

[0022] 〔Configuration 12〕 The characteristic configuration of the method for achieving the above object is a method including: a first setting step (step S1) of setting a first threshold value for starting reduction control of the total power amount at a customer based on the market price of electricity; a second setting step (step S2) of obtaining a reference value of the total power amount predicted to be consumed at the customer in a target time period; and a third setting step (step S5) of setting, for each target time period, a reduction amount of power that can be reduced from the reference value for the customer when the market price is greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0023] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description is merely an example and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the following embodiments. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are assigned the same or similar reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions regarding the same or similar elements may be omitted in the description of each embodiment. Also, the features shown in each embodiment are applicable to other embodiments as long as they do not conflict with each other. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited to such aspects. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the present disclosure can take various aspects included in the scope defined in the claims.

[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. [Configuration of Power Control System] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a power control system 50 including a power control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the power control system 50 includes a power control device 1 and a plurality of customers a to d. The customers a to d and the power control device 1 are connected via a network (NW) such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The power control device 1 is also connected to a wholesale power exchange 3 via a network (not shown).

[0025] Customers a to d are facilities such as stores, offices, and buildings that receive and use electricity. Customers a to d each include equipment 20, 21 for using energy, a management device 22, a communication device 23, and a sensor 24. The equipment 20 is a storage battery that discharges the energy stored in the equipment 21 of customers a to d or charges the energy generated by self-generation or purchased from an electric power company. The equipment 21 is a device that consumes energy within the facilities of customers a to d. For example, the equipment 21 includes air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and refrigeration equipment. In the present embodiment, among the equipment 20 and 21, specific equipment is registered in advance as a target of power control. For example, a storage battery is registered in advance as the equipment 20 that is the target of power control, and at least one of air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and refrigeration equipment is registered in advance as the equipment 21 that is the target of power control.

[0026] The management device 22 acquires various sensor data acquired from various sensors 24 that measure the customer environment arranged in each customer building. The various sensors 24 are temperature sensors, humidity sensors, etc. In addition, the management device 22 can manage the setting states of the equipment 20 and 21, and manage and measure the power storage amount and discharge amount of the equipment 20 and the energy consumption amount of the equipment 21.

[0027] Furthermore, the management device 22 controls the operations of all the equipment 20, 21 to be controlled, which are acquired from the power control device 1, based on various control values 31 (such as the reference value (B), reducible power amount (D), target value (P), etc., which will be described later) regarding the reduction amount of the total power for all the equipment 20, 21 to be controlled, in a certain time period. For example, the management device 22 starts or stops the charge and discharge of the equipment 20, and suppresses or stops the operation of the equipment 21.

[0028] The communication device 23 is provided with a communication interface and transmits various sensor data acquired by the management device 22 and information on the equipment 20, 21 measured by the management device 22 to the power control device 1 via the network (NW). Also, the communication device 23 transmits various data for managing the power consumption of the equipment 20, 21 to be controlled from the power control device 1 to the management device 22.

[0029] The power control system 50 according to the present disclosure is provided in an energy management system (EMS) that manages power for each of the consumers a to d according to the usage situation. In the energy management system (EMS), the power supply and demand balance is optimized for each of the consumers a to d so as not to exceed the demanded power according to the contract with the retail electricity provider, the grid operator, etc.

[0030] The power control system 50 can individually set the power consumption amounts of each of the consumers a to d according to the fluctuations in the spot market price 33 obtained from the wholesale power exchange 3. When the market price of electricity is rising, the power control system 50 suppresses the power consumption amounts of each of the consumers a to d, and as a result, suppresses the electricity costs of each of the consumers a to d. Since the market price fluctuates greatly in 30-minute units, by controlling the power consumption amounts of each consumer in short time units according to the fluctuations in the market price, the running cost of the equipment can be effectively reduced.

[0031] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the market price (M) in the spot market determined the previous day and the threshold values (S, T) set for the management of the equipment 20, 21 (equipment to be controlled) to be controlled in a certain consumer. The vertical axis of the graph shown in Figure 2 represents the market price of electricity (yen / kWh), and the horizontal axis represents (hour: minute). The market price varies depending on the season and the time zone. As shown in Figure 2, the market price varies in 30-minute units. For example, during the daytime when demand increases, the price is high, and during the nighttime when demand is low, the market price of electricity is low. In recent years, due to solar power generation, the market price may be the lowest during the daytime. The value indicated by the symbol (S) in Figure 2 represents the first threshold value, and the value indicated by the symbol (T) represents the second threshold value higher than the first threshold value. In the illustrated example, the first threshold value (S) is 32 yen / kWh, and the second threshold value (T) is 50 yen / kWh.

[0032] When the market price exceeds the first threshold value (S), the power control device 1 starts the reduction control of the power consumed by the equipment to be controlled. Also, when the market price of electricity is higher than the set first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, the power control device 1 can increase the reduction amount of the power consumption according to the increase in the market price. Further, when the market price exceeds the second threshold value (T), the power control device 1 can keep the reduction amount of the power consumption of the equipment to be controlled constant at a predetermined upper limit (L) without increasing it. Furthermore, the power control device 1 can adjust the reduction amount of the power consumption according to the measured consumer environment (for example, the indoor temperature of the consumer).

[0033] 〔Functional Blocks of the Control Device〕 Next, the functional blocks of the power control device 1 will be described. The power control device 1 shown in Figure 1 includes a first setting unit 11, a second setting unit 12, a determination unit 13, a third setting unit 14, a transmission / reception unit 15, and a storage unit 16. The power control device 1 can control the power consumption for each consumer. In the following example, the case where the power control device 1 controls the power consumption of consumer a will be described. In the following example, the case where the power control device 1 includes all the functional units will be described, but a part of the functional units may be provided in the management device 22.

[0034] The first setting unit 11 sets a first threshold value (S) and stores it in the storage unit 16. The first setting unit 11 may further set a second threshold value (T). The values of the first threshold value (S) and the second threshold value (T) may be specified in advance by the consumer, or may be set according to the spot market price 33 of the electricity of the previous day obtained from the wholesale power exchange 3.

[0035] The second setting unit 12 obtains a reference value (B) from the predicted power demand of the consumer a in the target time period and stores it in the storage unit 16. The power demand that is predicted to be originally used by the consumer a is the power consumption assumed when the consumer a does not perform power saving, and can be calculated for each target time period from the weather forecast and the actual performance values of the past power consumption of the consumer a. The power demand may be calculated by an arbitrary method such as the High4of5 method that is used as a standard baseline. The power control device 1 can reduce the power used by the consumer a based on the value of the reference value (B).

[0036] The reference value (B) may be the power demand, or may be a value obtained by correcting the power demand. Specifically, the reference value can be corrected using the actual power consumption measured in a plurality of time periods immediately before the time when the power control system 50 operates (that is, the market price becomes equal to or higher than the first threshold value) and the predicted power demand in the plurality of time periods. For example, calculate the difference between the actual power consumption measured one hour ago and the power demand (predicted value) one hour ago, and the difference between the actual power consumption measured 30 minutes ago and the power demand (predicted value) 30 minutes ago, and obtain the average of these differences. Using this average difference as a correction value, it can be added to the predicted power demand of the target time period to obtain the corrected reference value (B). For subsequent target time periods, the reference value is corrected using the obtained correction value and the predicted value of the power demand. The correction value is calculated using the value before the power control system 50 operates, and once obtained, the same correction value is used to obtain the reference value (B) for each target time period.

[0037] Note that the predicted required power consumption originally used by the consumer a consists of the controllable power (C) of the object to be controlled and the uncontrollable power (U). Here, the controllable power (C) of the object to be controlled refers to the power that can vary depending on external environments such as weather, season, and time zone among the power used by the consumer a. This controllable power of the object to be controlled is the power consumed by the equipment 21 of the object to be controlled registered in advance and the power charged and discharged by the equipment 20. The equipment 21 of the object to be controlled includes air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, refrigeration equipment, etc. In this embodiment, in particular, the case where the equipment 21 is air conditioning equipment will be described.

[0038] The uncontrollable power (U) is power that is not assumed to vary depending on external environments such as season and time zone with respect to the controllable power of the object to be controlled. The uncontrollable power (U) can be said to be the power essential for the consumer a to conduct business activities such as store operations and should be excluded from the targets of control for reducing power. Examples of the uncontrollable power (U) include the store's system, monitoring system, and external lights. Thus, the controllable power of the object to be controlled can be considered as the power obtained by excluding the uncontrollable power from all the power used by the consumer a.

[0039] The determination unit 13 determines whether the market price exceeds the first threshold value (S). When the market price exceeds the first threshold value, the power control device 1 can start various controls on the controllable devices 20 and 21 in the consumer.

[0040] The third setting unit 14 calculates the reducible power amount (D) from the reference value (B). The reducible power amount can be calculated according to the market price and the consumer environment. Details of the calculation method of the reducible power amount will be described later. Further, the third setting unit 14 calculates, as the target value (P), a value obtained by subtracting the calculated reducible power amount (D) from the reference value (B) calculated by the second setting unit 12. The target value (P) is the target value of the total power consumed by the controllable devices in the consumer.

[0041] The transmission / reception unit 15 can transmit various control values 31 (reference value (B), reducible power amount (D), target value (P), etc.) calculated by the second setting unit 12 and the third setting unit 14 to the consumer a. Further, the transmission / reception unit 15 can receive measurement data 32 (sensor data measured by various sensors 24, measured values such as the energy consumption of the equipment to be controlled) from the consumer.

[0042] The transmission / reception unit 15 can also receive the spot market price 33 of electric power from the wholesale power exchange 3 or receive a weather forecast 34 from a weather forecasting company (not shown).

[0043] The storage unit 16 can store various control values 31 related to the power control of consumers a to d and measurement data 32. The various control values 31 can include the reducible power amount (D), reference value (B), target value (P) of the required power, the measured value of the past power consumption of the consumer, etc. The measurement data 32 includes sensor data measured by various sensors 24 arranged in the consumer building and data such as the measured energy consumption of the equipment to be controlled. Further, the storage unit 16 stores the spot market price 33 received from the wholesale power exchange 3 and the weather forecast 34 obtained from the weather forecasting company.

[0044] When the management device 22 of the consumer a receives control values 31 related to power control such as the reference value (B), reducible power amount (D), target value (P) from the transmission / reception unit 15, it can control the operations of the equipment 20, 21 to be controlled based on these values.

[0045] [Hardware Configuration of Power Control Device] FIG. 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration for realizing the power control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the power control device 1 can be realized by, for example, a computer including a processor 102, a main memory device 103, a communication interface 104, an auxiliary storage device 105, and an input / output I / O 106 connected via a bus 101, and a program for controlling these hardware resources. Further, the power control device 1 may include a display device 107 (not shown) connected via the bus 101.

[0047] In the main memory device 103, programs for the processor 102 to perform various controls and operations are stored in advance. The functions of the power control device 1, such as the first setting unit 11, the second setting unit 12, the determination unit 13, the third setting unit 14, and the transmission / reception unit 15 shown in FIG. 1, are realized by the processor 102 and the main memory device 103.

[0048] The communication interface 104 is an interface circuit for network-connecting the power control device 1 and various external electronic devices. From the communication interface 104, sensor data obtained by measuring the customer environment, management information of the equipment 20 and 21 to be controlled, and power measurement values, etc. from the management device 22 of the customer a described in FIG. 1 can be received. Also, the amount of power reduction (kWh) of the customer a determined by the third setting unit 14 is transmitted from the communication interface 104 to the management device 22 of the customer a via the network 2. Further, the spot market price 33 is received from the wholesale power exchange 3 by the communication interface 104. Furthermore, weather information is received from a weather forecasting company (not shown) by the communication interface 104.

[0049] The auxiliary storage device 105 is composed of a readable / writable storage medium and a driving device for reading and writing various information such as programs and data to and from the storage medium. As the storage medium, a semiconductor memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory can be used in the auxiliary storage device 105.

[0050] The auxiliary storage device 105 has a program storage area for storing the power control program executed by the power control device 1. Further, the auxiliary storage device 105 has an area for storing a program for calculating a predicted value of the demand power and a reduction amount that can be reduced from the power of the control target. The storage unit 16 described with reference to FIG. 1 is realized by the auxiliary storage device 105.

[0051] The input / output I / O 106 is composed of I / O terminals for inputting signals from external devices and outputting signals to external devices.

[0052] [Operation of Power Control Device] Next, the operation of the power control device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a flow 400 of the operation of the power control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] First, in step S1, the first setting unit 11 sets a first threshold value (S) and a second threshold value (T) higher than the first threshold value. The first threshold value (S) and the second threshold value (T) may be specified by the consumer or may be set by multiplying different ratios with respect to the maximum value of the spot market price 33 of the power acquired from the wholesale power exchange 3 (for example, 30% of the maximum value of the spot market price is the first threshold value and 70% is the second threshold value). The first setting unit 11 can set specific values such as setting the first threshold value to 32 (yen / kWh) and the second threshold value to 50 (yen / kWh). Different values may be set for the first threshold value and the second threshold value for each season.

[0054] Next, in step S2, the second setting unit 12 calculates the total amount of power demand (total) predicted to be used by all the control target devices of the consumer in the target time period based on the weather forecast acquired from the weather forecast company and the actual value of the past total power consumption of the consumer a. The total power consumption refers to the total of the power consumed by all the control target devices in the consumer a in the past target time period.

[0055] Furthermore, in step S2, the second setting unit 12 calculates a reference value (B) of the total power consumption from the required power consumption. The required power consumption may be used as the reference value (B), or a value obtained by correcting the required power consumption with the above-described correction means may be used as the reference value (B).

[0056] Next, in step S3, the determination unit 13 determines whether the spot market price 33 of the power in the target time period is equal to or higher than the first threshold value (S). In step S3, if the answer is NO, that is, when the market price is less than the first threshold value, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the second setting unit 12 sets the reference value (B) obtained in step S2 as the target value (P) of the power consumption by the consumer a.

[0057] On the other hand, in step S3, if the determination unit 13 determines that the market price is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0058] In step S5, the third setting unit 14 calculates the reducible power consumption of each consumer. The details of the calculation of the value (D) of the reducible power consumption will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

[0059] Next, in step S6, the third setting unit 14 calculates the target value (P) of the power consumption from the reference value (B) obtained in step S2 and the reduction amount (D) of the reducible power consumption obtained in step S5. Specifically, the value (D) of the reducible power consumption is subtracted from the reference value (B) to calculate the target value (P) of the power consumption by the consumer a.

[0060] Next, in step S7, the transmission / reception unit 15 transmits various data (reference value (B), reducible power consumption (D), target value (P), etc.) obtained in the power control device 1 to the management device 22 of the consumer via the NW2. The management device 22 determines, for each target time period, the amount of power to be individually allocated to the controlled devices based on the received power reduction amount, etc., and performs operations such as starting, stopping, and suppressing the operation of the controlled devices.

[0061] Steps S2 to S7 are repeatedly executed for all target time periods (for example, in 30 - minute units). Therefore, for all target time periods, a reference value (B), an amount of power (D) that can be reduced in power consumption, a target value (P), etc. are calculated.

[0062] In the present disclosure, the amount of power that can be reduced and the target value are set for all the controlled devices in the consumer a, rather than for each controlled device. Therefore, even if the power available for use increases due to some of the controlled devices (for example, the discharge of a storage battery), the power control device 1 does not determine that there is a surplus in the available power and stop the power consumption reduction control of the controlled devices. Regardless of the operation of some of the controlled devices (for example, the presence or absence of the discharge of a storage battery), the power control device 1 continues the power consumption reduction control for all the controlled devices in the consumer, so that the total amount of power consumed by the consumer can be reduced.

[0063] In a power supply contract, the basic charge is set based on the peak of the power consumption measured every 30 minutes. A so - called demand controller is a device that controls so that the amount of power consumed by each consumer does not exceed this peak. When the power available for use increases due to the discharge of a storage battery, the demand controller may consider that there is a surplus in the available power and cancel the power consumption reduction control of the controlled devices (for example, air - conditioning equipment). If the power consumption reduction control is cancelled, the amount of power purchased by the consumer remains unchanged while the amount of discharge from the storage battery is added, so that the power consumed by the consumer increases. The power reduction control according to the present disclosure is activated when the market price exceeds a threshold value. Therefore, even if the power available for use increases due to the discharge of a storage battery, the total amount of power consumed by the consumer can be reduced to set the target value of the power purchase amount.

[0064] Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, the determination process of the power consumption reduction amount (D) will be described. The reduction amount of the reducible power consumption is determined based on the relationship between the market price and the first threshold value and the second threshold value. Further, the reduction amount of the reducible power consumption may be determined according to the environment of the consumer (for example, the environment such as the temperature and humidity inside the consumer's room) in addition to the market price.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows a flow 500 of a process for obtaining a reduction amount of power consumption according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The flow 500 of the process shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to step S5 shown in FIG. 4.

[0066] First, in step S51, the transmission / reception unit 15 acquires sensor data measured by various sensors 24 provided in the customer building via the NW2 and holds it in the storage unit 16.

[0067] Next, in step S52, the third setting unit 14 calculates a reduction amount (D) of the power amount based on the market price.

[0068] Hereinafter, details of a method for calculating the reducible power amount in step S52 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the market price (M) (upper part), the reduction amount of power consumption (middle part), and the reducible power amount (lower part) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] In step S52, the reduction amount of power consumption is determined based on the relationship between the market price (M), the first threshold value (S), and the second threshold value (T).

[0071] When the market price (M) is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (S) and less than the second threshold value (T), the third setting unit 14 changes the reduction amount (D) of the power amount according to the increase or decrease of the market price. Specifically, the third setting unit 14 calculates the reduction amount so as to gradually increase to the set upper limit value as the market price rises. The third setting unit 14 linearly increases the reduction amount of power consumption (middle part) to a predetermined upper limit value as the market price rises (upper part). Alternatively, as the market price decreases, the reduction amount is linearly decreased until the market price reaches the first threshold value.

[0072] When the market price (upper row) is equal to or higher than the second threshold value (T), the third setting unit 14 sets the reduction amount of power consumption (middle row) to be constant at a preset upper limit value. The soaring of the market price means that the demand for electricity is high. When the demand for electricity is high and the market price (M) soars above the second threshold value, if the reduction amount of power consumption is linearly increased in response to the increase in the market price, the environment of the consumers may deteriorate. For this reason, an upper limit value is provided for the reduction amount of power consumption. The upper limit value of the reduction amount can be preset by the consumers, and for example, it can be set to 30% of the maximum power consumption used by the consumers. In FIG. 6, the calculated reduction amount (D) is shown in a grid pattern, and the target value (P) is shown by a dotted line.

[0073] Next, the relationship between the reducible power consumption (middle row) and the reference value, target value, etc. (lower row) will be described. The lower row of FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the reference value (B) of the total power consumption originally predicted to be used by the consumers, the power consumption (C) to be controlled, the non-controllable power (U), the reduction amount (D) of the reducible power consumption in the consumers, and the target value (P). The reference value (B) is composed of the power consumption (C) to be controlled and the non-controllable power (U). The value obtained by subtracting the reduction amount (D) of the reducible power consumption in the consumers from the reference value (B) is the target value (P) of the power consumption in the consumers. The target value (P) is shown by a broken line. As shown in FIG. 6, the reduction amount (D) of the reducible power consumption in the consumers shown in the lower row corresponds to the reduction amount (D) (middle row) of the power consumption shown in the middle row of FIG. 6.

[0074] Returning to FIG. 5, in step S53, the third setting unit 14 reads the sensor data measured by the various sensors 24 from the storage unit 16, and determines whether the value of the read sensor data is within a preset range. When the equipment 21 is an air conditioning equipment, the consumers can preset the temperature range (for example, from 26°C to 28°C) and humidity range of the room where the air conditioning equipment is installed. Note that the management device 22 side may be configured to perform the processes of, for example, step S53 and step S54 using the measured sensor data.

[0075] In step S53, when it is determined that the value of the read sensor data is within a preset range, the reduction amount (D) obtained in step S52 is set as the final reduction amount, and the process ends.

[0076] On the other hand, in step S53, when it is determined that the value of the read sensor data is not within the preset range, the process proceeds to step S54. In step S54, the third setting unit 14 adjusts the reduction amount (D) calculated in step S52.

[0077] In addition to the market price, the third setting unit 14 can adjust the reduction amount (D) of power consumption according to the sensor data value. If the market price remains high or continues to rise over a long period (for example, 3 hours), and the power supplied to the controlled device is continuously reduced, the customer environment may deteriorate. Therefore, the third setting unit 14 monitors the customer environment (for example, the indoor temperature in the case of an air conditioner) by the sensor 24, and when the sensor data of the customer environment deteriorates beyond the set range, the reduction amount (D) is adjusted. This can prevent the deterioration of the customer environment. Also, when the customer environment improves beyond the set range, the third setting unit 14 can increase the reduction amount (D) of power consumption. Thereby, the power consumption of the customer can be further reduced.

[0078] The determination of the deterioration or improvement of the customer environment differs depending on the value of the sensor data obtained by measuring the customer environment and the season. For example, when the indoor temperature measured in summer exceeds the upper limit Rth of the set range, it is determined that the customer environment has deteriorated, and the third setting unit 14 reduces the reduction amount to increase the amount of power available for use in the air conditioning equipment. On the other hand, when the indoor temperature measured in summer is less than the lower limit Rtl of the set range, it is determined that the customer environment has improved, and the third setting unit 14 increases the reduction amount to reduce the amount of power consumed by the air conditioning equipment.

[0079] Also, when the indoor air temperature measured in winter is lower than the lower limit Rtl of the set range, it is determined that the customer environment has deteriorated, and the third setting unit 14 reduces the reduction amount to increase the amount of power that can be used by the air conditioning equipment. On the other hand, when the indoor air temperature measured in winter exceeds the upper limit Rth of the set range, it is determined that the customer environment has improved, and the third setting unit 14 increases the reduction amount to reduce wasteful power consumption.

[0080] In FIG. 7, the vertical axis of the graph represents the indoor air temperature (°C) actually measured in winter for each customer, and the horizontal axis represents the reduction ratio (%) of the power used for air conditioning. The plotted circles represent each customer. FIG. 7 shows that the lower the indoor air temperature, the greater the reduction ratio of the power used for air conditioning in the customer. According to FIG. 7a, the relationship between the indoor air temperature y and the reduction ratio x of the power used for air conditioning on a day colder than normal years is represented by an approximate formula of a linear function y = -0.0263x + 0.0461. According to FIG. 7b, the relationship between the indoor air temperature y and the reduction ratio x of the power used for air conditioning when the temperature is normal is represented by an approximate formula of a linear function y = -0.0089x - 0.3537. As can be seen from the graph of FIG. 7, the magnitude of the influence of power reduction on the indoor air temperature varies for each customer. Also, it can be seen that even if the power is reduced by about 20%, the influence on the indoor air temperature change in the customer is small, but when the power is reduced by 60% or more, the influence on the indoor air temperature change becomes large. Therefore, it is necessary to set an appropriate power reduction amount for each customer while monitoring the customer environment.

[0081] FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the market price (M) of power (upper), the indoor air temperature (summer) (middle), and the adjusted reducible power amount (lower).

[0082] The middle part of FIG. 8 shows the indoor air temperature 812 in summer and the range of the set temperature set by the customer. The upper limit of the set temperature is indicated by Rth, and the lower limit of the set temperature is indicated by Rtl.

[0083] The lower part of FIG. 8 shows the adjusted reduction amount (D’). For example, in summer, when the indoor temperature exceeds the upper limit Rth of the set temperature, the use of air conditioning equipment increases and the power reduction amount decreases. The white pattern 802 shown in the lower part of FIG. 8 indicates the reduced adjustment amount. On the other hand, in summer, when the indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit Rtl of the set temperature, the use of air conditioning equipment decreases and the power reduction amount increases. The hatched pattern 804 shown in the lower part of FIG. 8 indicates the increased adjustment amount. The adjusted reduction amount (D’) is indicated by the grid pattern and the hatched pattern 804, and the adjusted target value (P) is indicated by the dashed line.

[0084] Also, the adjustment amount of the reduction amount (white pattern 802, hatched pattern 804) is set larger as the deviation between the lower limit Rtl or the upper limit Rth of the set range and the value 812 of the customer environment measured by the sensor 24 is larger.

[0085] Specifically, when the indoor temperature 812 measured in summer exceeds the upper limit (Rth) of the set range, the larger the difference between the indoor temperature 812 and the upper limit of the set range, the larger the adjustment amount, and as a result, the power reduction amount decreases (for example, at point 806 in FIG. 8, the adjustment amount is the largest). Therefore, the power purchase amount of the customer increases. On the other hand, when the indoor temperature measured in summer is lower than the lower limit (Rtl) of the set range, the larger the difference between the indoor temperature 812 and the lower limit of the set range, the larger the adjustment amount, and as a result, the power reduction amount increases (for example, at point 808 in FIG. 8, the adjustment amount is the largest). Therefore, the power purchase amount of the customer will decrease. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to optimize the power purchase amount while preventing the deterioration of the indoor environment.

[0086] Alternatively, when the indoor temperature measured in winter is higher than the upper limit (Rth) of the set range, the larger the difference between the indoor temperature and the upper limit of the set range, the smaller the adjustment amount, and as a result, the power reduction amount increases. On the other hand, when the indoor temperature measured in winter is lower than the lower limit (Rtl) of the set range, the larger the difference between the indoor temperature and the upper limit of the set range, the larger the adjustment amount, and as a result, the power reduction amount decreases.

[0087] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the above-described embodiments of the invention are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from its gist, and it goes without saying that equivalents of the present invention are included therein. Further, any combination of embodiments and modifications is possible within the scope of solving at least a part of the above-described problems or achieving at least a part of the effects, and any combination or omission of each component described in the claims and the specification is possible.

Explanation of Signs

[0088] a~d... Consumers B... Reference value D... Reduction amount P... Target value 1... Power control device 2... Network 3... Wholesale power exchange 11... First setting unit 12... Second setting unit 13... Determination unit 14... Third setting unit 15... Transmission / reception unit 16... Storage unit 20... Facility equipment (battery) 21... Facility equipment (air conditioning equipment, etc.) 22... Management device 23... Communication device 50... Power control system 101... Bus 102... Processor 103... Main memory device 104... Communication interface 105... Auxiliary storage device

Claims

1. A power control device, comprising: a first setting unit that sets a first threshold value for starting reduction control of the total power consumption in a consumer based on the market price of electricity; a second setting unit that obtains a reference value of the total power consumption predicted to be consumed by the consumer in a target time period; a third setting unit that, when the market price is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, sets, for each target time period, a reduction amount of power that can be reduced from the reference value for the consumer; A power control device comprising the above.

2. The power control device according to claim 1, wherein when the market price is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, the third setting unit sets the reduction amount to increase in response to an increase in the market price up to a predetermined upper limit.

3. The power control device according to claim 2, wherein when the market price is equal to or higher than a second threshold value that is higher than the first threshold value, the third setting unit sets the reduction amount to be constant at the predetermined upper limit.

4. The power control device according to claim 3, wherein the third setting unit further adjusts the reduction amount when a sensor data value obtained by measuring the measured consumer environment exceeds a preset range.

5. The third setting unit: decreases the reduction amount when the measured consumer environment indicates deterioration of the consumer environment; The power control device according to claim 4, wherein the reduction amount is adjusted by increasing the reduction amount when the measured consumer environment indicates improvement of the consumer environment.

6. The reference value is the predicted power demand in the target time period obtained from the weather forecast and the actual value of the past total power consumption of the consumer, and the reference value is obtained by correcting the power demand. The power control device according to claim 5.

7. The correction of the power demand is: Based on the measured power consumption of the consumer measured in a plurality of time periods immediately before the time when the market price becomes equal to or higher than the first threshold value, and the predicted power demand in the plurality of time periods. The power control device according to claim 6.

8. A system, comprising: The power control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; A management device provided in the consumer; The management device controls the operation of the controlled devices provided in the consumer according to the reduction amount.

9. A method, comprising: A first setting step of setting a first threshold value for starting reduction control of the total power consumption in a household based on the market price of electricity; A second setting step of obtaining a reference value of the total power consumption predicted to be consumed in the household in the target time period; A third setting step of setting, for each target time period, a reduction amount of power that can be reduced from the reference value for the household when the market price is greater than or equal to the first threshold value; A method comprising the above.

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