In-store energy management system and method for managing in-store energy

Abstract

To provide an in-store energy management system that can accurately manage a freezing and cooling storage and an air conditioner and efficiently reduce power consumption, and to provide a method for managing in-store energy.SOLUTION: An in-store energy management system 100 includes a control unit that acquires an actual measurement value of heat treatment amount that indicates cooling capacity of a freezing and cooling storage and an actual measurement value of heat treatment amount that indicates cooling capacity or heating capacity of the air conditioner to optimize power consumption by coordinating the freezing and cooling storage with the air conditioner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-store energy management system and an in-store energy management method, and more particularly to an in-store energy management system and an in-store energy management method including a freezer-cooler and an air conditioner. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, an in-store energy management system including a freezer / cooler and an air conditioner is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses an in-store energy management system including a refrigerated / freezer showcase (freezer / cooler), an air conditioner, and a store equipment centralized management device (controller). In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the air conditioner lowers the temperature around the refrigerated / freezer showcase, thereby increasing the operating efficiency of the refrigerated / freezer showcase and reducing the power consumption of the entire store. In Patent Document 1, the operation of the refrigerated / freezer showcase and the operation of the air conditioner are controlled based on settings for each time period. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6018393 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the in-store energy management system of Patent Document 1, the control unit is configured to perform predetermined operations of the freezer-cooling cabinet and air conditioner based on settings for each time period, but does not take into account the cooling capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner, which change depending on the surrounding environment.As a result, the predetermined operation is performed even when the cooling capacity improves and it is possible to reduce the operation below the predetermined operation, which makes it difficult to accurately manage the freezer-cooling cabinet and air conditioner and efficiently reduce power consumption.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide an in-store energy management system and an in-store energy management method that can accurately manage freezers and coolers and air conditioners and efficiently reduce power consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an in-store energy management system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a freezer-cooler that is placed in the store and includes a first refrigeration cycle with a first evaporator; an air conditioner that is placed in the store and includes a second refrigeration cycle with a second evaporator for performing cooling and heating operations; and a control unit that acquires an actual measured value of the heat treatment amount that indicates the cooling capacity of the freezer-cooler and an actual measured value of the heat treatment amount that indicates the cooling capacity or heating capacity of the air conditioner, in order to optimize power consumption by linking the freezer-cooler and the air conditioner.

[0008] As described above, the in-store energy management system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a control unit that acquires an actual heat throughput value representing the cooling capacity of the freezer-cooling unit and an actual heat throughput value representing the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner in order to optimize power consumption by linking the freezer-cooling unit and the air conditioner. By acquiring the actual heat throughput value representing the cooling capacity of the freezer-cooling unit and the actual heat throughput value representing the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner, the control unit can acquire the cooling capacity of the freezer-cooling unit and the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner at the time of controlling operation, thereby enabling accurate management of the freezer-cooling unit and the air conditioner based on the cooling capacity and the cooling or heating capacity at the time of controlling operation. Furthermore, power consumption can be optimized by linking the freezer-cooling unit and the air conditioner based on the heat throughput value, thereby efficiently reducing power consumption. As a result, power consumption can be efficiently reduced by accurately managing the freezer-cooling unit and the air conditioner.

[0009] The in-store energy management system according to the first aspect preferably further includes a first heat-treatment amount detector provided in the refrigerant flow path at least either upstream or downstream of the first evaporator, or at least one of the inlet side where air flows into the first evaporator or the outlet side where heat-treated air flows out from the first evaporator, for obtaining an actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the freezer / cooler, and a second heat-treatment amount detector provided in the refrigerant flow path at least either upstream or downstream of the second evaporator, or at least one of the inlet side where air flows into the second evaporator or the outlet side where heat-treated air flows out from the second evaporator, for obtaining an actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the air conditioner. With this configuration, the first heat-treatment amount detector can obtain either the state of the refrigerant undergoing heat exchange in the first evaporator or the state of the air, thereby making it possible to accurately obtain the actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the first evaporator based on either the state of the refrigerant undergoing heat exchange in the first evaporator or the state of the air. Furthermore, since the second heat treatment amount detection unit can acquire either the state of the refrigerant undergoing heat exchange in the second evaporator or the state of the air, the actual heat treatment amount of the second evaporator can be accurately acquired based on either the state of the refrigerant undergoing heat exchange in the second evaporator or the state of the air. As a result, the freezer-cooling cabinet and the air conditioner can be accurately managed based on the accurately acquired heat treatment amount, and power consumption can be efficiently reduced.

[0010] In this case, preferably, the first heat-treatment amount detection unit includes a first pressure sensor that detects the refrigerant pressure upstream or downstream of the first evaporator and a first temperature sensor that detects the refrigerant temperature upstream or downstream of the first evaporator, and the second heat-treatment amount detection unit includes a second pressure sensor that detects the refrigerant pressure upstream or downstream of the second evaporator and a second temperature sensor that detects the refrigerant temperature upstream or downstream of the second evaporator, and the control unit is configured to obtain an actual heat treatment amount of the freezer / cooler based on at least the refrigerant pressure obtained by the first pressure sensor and the refrigerant temperature obtained by the first temperature sensor, and to obtain an actual heat treatment amount of the air conditioner based on at least the refrigerant pressure obtained by the second pressure sensor and the refrigerant temperature obtained by the second temperature sensor. With this configuration, the heat treatment amount can be obtained based on the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the first evaporator, thereby more accurately obtaining the actual heat treatment amount of the first evaporator. Furthermore, since the heat treatment amount can be obtained based on the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant undergoing heat exchange in the second evaporator, the actual heat treatment amount of the second evaporator can be obtained more accurately. As a result, the freezer / cooler and the air conditioner can be managed more accurately based on the heat treatment amount obtained more accurately based on the pressure and temperature, and power consumption can be reduced more efficiently.

[0011] In the configuration in which the first heat-treatment-amount detecting unit includes a first pressure sensor and a first temperature sensor, and the second heat-treatment-amount detecting unit includes a second pressure sensor and a second temperature sensor, preferably, the first temperature sensor and the first pressure sensor are provided upstream and downstream of the first evaporator, respectively, and the second temperature sensor and the second pressure sensor are provided upstream and downstream of the second evaporator, respectively. This configuration allows the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the first evaporator to be acquired, thereby enabling the actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the first evaporator to be calculated accurately based on the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant. Furthermore, the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the second evaporator to be acquired, thereby enabling the actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the second evaporator to be calculated accurately based on the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant. As a result, the freezer-cooler and the air conditioner can be more accurately managed based on the heat treatment amount more accurately acquired based on the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant, thereby enabling more efficient power consumption reduction.

[0012] In this case, preferably, the first heat-treatment capacity detection unit further includes a first flow meter provided upstream of the first evaporator, and the second heat-treatment capacity detection unit further includes a second flow meter provided upstream of the second evaporator, and the control unit is configured to obtain an actual heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler based on the refrigerant pressure acquired by the first pressure sensor, the refrigerant temperature acquired by the first temperature sensor, and the refrigerant flow rate acquired by the first flow meter, and to obtain an actual heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner based on the refrigerant pressure acquired by the second pressure sensor, the refrigerant temperature acquired by the second temperature sensor, and the refrigerant flow rate acquired by the second flow meter. With this configuration, the refrigerant flow rate can be acquired in addition to the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the first evaporator, allowing the actual heat treatment capacity of the first evaporator to be calculated based on a heat balance equation. Furthermore, since the flow rate of the refrigerant can be obtained in addition to the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the second evaporator, the actual heat throughput of the second evaporator can be calculated based on the heat balance equation. As a result, the freezer / cooler and air conditioner can be managed with precision based on the heat throughput more accurately obtained based on the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant and the refrigerant flow rate, thereby efficiently reducing power consumption.

[0013] In the above-described configuration including the first heat treatment amount detection unit and the second heat treatment amount detection unit, preferably, the first heat treatment amount detection unit includes a first temperature and humidity sensor that acquires the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator, and the second heat treatment amount detection unit includes a second temperature and humidity sensor that acquires the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator. The control unit is configured to acquire an actual heat treatment amount of the freezer / cooler based on at least the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator acquired by the first temperature and humidity sensor, and to acquire an actual heat treatment amount of the air conditioner based on at least the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator acquired by the second temperature and humidity sensor. With this configuration, the heat treatment amount can be acquired based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-exchanged in the first evaporator, thereby more accurately acquiring the actual heat treatment amount of the first evaporator. Furthermore, the heat treatment amount can be acquired based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-exchanged in the second evaporator, thereby more accurately acquiring the actual heat treatment amount of the second evaporator. As a result, the freezer / cooler and air conditioner can be managed with precision based on the heat treatment amount obtained more accurately based on the temperature and humidity of the heat-exchanged air, thereby efficiently reducing power consumption.

[0014] In this case, preferably, the first temperature and humidity sensor is provided at both the inlet side where air flows into the first evaporator and the outlet side where heat-treated air flows out from the first evaporator, and the second temperature and humidity sensor is provided at both the inlet side where air flows into the second evaporator and the outlet side where heat-treated air flows out from the second evaporator. With this configuration, the first temperature and humidity sensor can acquire temperature and humidity changes of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator, thereby acquiring an actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity of the first evaporator based on the temperature and humidity changes of the air cooled in the first evaporator. Furthermore, the second temperature and humidity sensor can acquire temperature and humidity changes of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator, thereby acquiring an actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity of the second evaporator based on the temperature and humidity changes of the air cooled or heated in the second evaporator. As a result, the freezer / cooler and the air conditioner can be accurately managed based on the heat treatment capacity acquired more accurately based on the temperature and humidity changes of the air, thereby efficiently reducing power consumption.

[0015] In the above-mentioned configuration in which the first heat treatment amount detection unit includes a first temperature and humidity sensor and the second heat treatment amount detection unit includes a second temperature and humidity sensor, preferably, the first heat treatment amount detection unit is provided on the outlet side from which the heat-treated air flows out of the first evaporator and includes a first anemometer that measures the air volume of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator, the second heat treatment amount detection unit is provided on the outlet side from which the heat-treated air flows out of the second evaporator and includes a second anemometer that measures the air volume of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator, and the control unit The system is configured to obtain an actual heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator obtained by the first temperature / humidity sensor and the air volume of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator obtained by the first anemometer, and to obtain an actual heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator obtained by the second temperature / humidity sensor and the air volume of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator obtained by the second anemometer. With this configuration, the air volume can be obtained in addition to the temperature and humidity changes of the air heat-exchanged in the first evaporator, allowing the actual heat treatment capacity of the first evaporator to be calculated based on the heat balance equation. Furthermore, the air volume can be obtained in addition to the temperature and humidity changes of the air heat-exchanged in the second evaporator, allowing the actual heat treatment capacity of the second evaporator to be calculated based on the heat balance equation. As a result, the freezer / cooler and air conditioner can be managed with precision based on the heat treatment amount accurately obtained based on changes in air temperature, humidity, and air volume, thereby efficiently reducing power consumption.

[0016] In the in-store energy management system of the above aspect, the control unit is preferably configured to acquire a total actual heat throughput of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the air conditioner, and to select a heat throughput of the freezer-cooling cabinet and a heat throughput of the air conditioner that is equal to the total actual heat throughput of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the air conditioner and that reduces the total power consumption of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the air conditioner. With this configuration, the control unit can reduce power consumption while maintaining the total heat throughput of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the air conditioner, thereby more efficiently reducing power consumption throughout the store.

[0017] An in-store energy management method according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises the steps of: acquiring an actual measured value of the heat throughput representing the cooling capacity of a freezer-cooler located in the store; acquiring an actual measured value of the heat throughput representing the cooling capacity or heating capacity of an air conditioner located in the store; and controlling the operation of the freezer-cooler and the air conditioner in coordination to optimize power consumption based on the actual measured value of the heat throughput of the freezer-cooler and the actual measured value of the heat throughput of the air conditioner.

[0018] As described above, a store energy management method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the steps of acquiring an actual heat throughput value representing the cooling capacity of a freezer-cooling unit located in the store and acquiring an actual heat throughput value representing the cooling or heating capacity of an air conditioner located in the store. By acquiring the actual heat throughput values ​​of the freezer-cooling unit and the air conditioner, the freezer-cooling unit and the air conditioner can be accurately managed based on the actual heat throughput values. Furthermore, by including the step of controlling the operation of the freezer-cooling unit and the air conditioner in a coordinated manner to optimize power consumption based on the actual heat throughput values ​​of the freezer-cooling unit and the air conditioner, the freezer-cooling unit and the air conditioner can be operated in a coordinated manner based on the heat throughput value, thereby efficiently reducing power consumption. As a result, the freezer-cooling unit and the air conditioner can be accurately managed and power consumption can be efficiently reduced.

[0019] In the in-store energy management method according to the second aspect, the step of controlling the operation of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the air conditioner to optimize power consumption based on the actual measured heat throughput of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the actual measured heat throughput of the air conditioner preferably includes the steps of: acquiring a total measured heat throughput of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the actual measured heat throughput of the air conditioner; selecting a heat throughput of the freezer-cooling cabinet and a heat throughput of the air conditioner that is equal to the total measured heat throughput of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the actual measured heat throughput of the air conditioner and that minimizes the total power consumption of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the air conditioner; controlling the operation of the freezer-cooling cabinet based on the selected heat throughput of the freezer-cooling cabinet; and controlling the operation of the air conditioner based on the selected heat throughput of the air conditioner. This configuration allows power consumption to be reduced while maintaining the total heat throughput of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the air conditioner, thereby more efficiently reducing power consumption throughout the store. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide an in-store energy management system and an in-store energy management method that can accurately manage freezers and refrigerators and air conditioners and efficiently reduce power consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the interior of a store equipped with an in-store energy management system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an in-store energy management system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a first refrigeration cycle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a second refrigeration cycle. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining control of the in-store control device during cooling operation. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining control of the in-store control device during heating operation. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the temperature inside the chamber and the amount of heat treatment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between power consumption and heat treatment amount. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a freezer / cooler according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an air conditioner according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] [First embodiment] The configuration of an in-store energy management system 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0024] (Store) As shown in FIG. 1, an in-store energy management system 100 is used to suppress increases in the amount of power consumed by a store 50. A plurality of freezers / coolers 1 and a plurality of air conditioners 2 are arranged inside the store 50. In addition to the freezers / coolers 1, the store 50 also has product shelves 4 arranged therein. The store 50 may be, for example, a convenience store or a supermarket. As FIG. 1 shows a view from the ceiling, the air conditioners 2 arranged on the ceiling are shown with solid lines, and the freezers / coolers 1 arranged on the floor are shown with dashed lines.

[0025] 1 and 2, the in-store energy management system 100 includes a plurality of freezers / coolers 1, a plurality of air conditioners 2, and an in-store control device 3. The in-store control device 3 is an example of the "control unit" described in the claims.

[0026] (Freezer / cooler) As shown in Figures 1 and 3, freezer-cooling cabinet 1 includes a first refrigeration cycle 10 having a first evaporator 11. Freezer-cooling cabinet 1 is, for example, a showcase. Freezer-cooling cabinet 1 includes a refrigerated showcase and a freezer showcase. Freezer-cooling cabinet 1 operates in cooling operation, defrosting operation, and stopped mode. Freezer-cooling cabinet 1 also includes a separate-type showcase in which an outdoor unit incorporating a first compressor 12, which is part of first refrigeration cycle 10 and mainly serves to compress and discharge refrigerant, is located separately from freezer-cooling cabinet 1, and a built-in showcase in which first compressor 12 is incorporated.

[0027] The first refrigeration cycle 10 includes a first evaporator 11, a first compressor 12, a first condenser 13, and a first expansion section 14. The first compressor 12 is configured to compress a refrigerant. The operation of the first refrigeration cycle 10 is controlled by controlling the drive rotation speed of the first compressor 12. The gas-phase refrigerant compressed by the first compressor 12 is supplied to the first condenser 13. In the first condenser 13, the refrigerant is cooled by imparting heat to air, thereby condensing into a liquid-phase refrigerant. The refrigerant condensed in the first condenser 13 is configured to expand in the first expansion section 14. The first expansion section 14 is configured to adjust the flow rate and pressure of the refrigerant by adjusting its opening. The first evaporator 11 exchanges heat between the air to be cooled and the refrigerant, and cools the air by converting the refrigerant from a liquid phase to a gas phase. The freezer / cooler 1 cools the interior of the freezer / cooler 1 using air cooled by the heat of evaporation of the refrigerant. The first refrigeration cycle 10 has a plurality of first expansion sections 14 and a plurality of first evaporators 11 connected in parallel.

[0028] (Air conditioner) 1 and 4, a plurality of air conditioners 2 are arranged on the ceiling inside a store 50. The air conditioner 2 includes a second refrigeration cycle 20 having a second evaporator 21 for performing cooling operation and heating operation.

[0029] The second refrigeration cycle 20 includes a second evaporator 21, a second compressor 22, a second condenser 23, and a second expansion section 24. The second compressor 22 is configured to compress a refrigerant. The operation of the second refrigeration cycle 20 is controlled by controlling the drive rotation speed of the second compressor 22. The gas-phase refrigerant compressed by the second compressor 22 is supplied to the second condenser 23. In the second condenser 23, the refrigerant is cooled by imparting heat to air, condensing into a liquid-phase refrigerant. The refrigerant condensed in the second condenser 23 is expanded in the second expansion section 24. The second expansion section 24 changes the flow rate and pressure of the refrigerant by adjusting its opening. The second evaporator 21 exchanges heat between the air to be cooled and the refrigerant, and cools the air by converting the refrigerant from a liquid phase to a gas phase. This allows the air conditioner 2 to perform cooling operation. On the other hand, the functions of the second condenser 23 and the second evaporator 21 are interchanged, and the air conditioner 2 performs heating operation.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 2, the in-store control device 3 is configured to control the operation of a plurality of freezers 1 and a plurality of air conditioners 2 arranged inside the store 50. The in-store control device 3 is also configured to control the operation of fixtures and the like other than the freezers 1.

[0031] In order to optimize power consumption by linking the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2, the in-store control device 3 is configured to acquire an actual measured value of the heat throughput, which indicates the cooling capacity of the freezer / cooler 1, and an actual measured value of the heat throughput, which indicates the cooling capacity or heating capacity of the air conditioner 2. The heat throughput of the freezer / cooler 1 indicates the amount of energy used to cool the air inside the freezer / cooler 1 to a set temperature. The heat throughput of the air conditioner 2 indicates the amount of energy used by the air conditioner 2 to cool or heat the air inside the store 50 to a set temperature.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the in-store energy management system 100 includes a first heat treatment amount detection unit 30 and a second heat treatment amount detection unit 40. The first heat treatment amount detection unit 30 is provided at least upstream or downstream of the first evaporator 11 in the refrigerant flow path. The first heat treatment amount detection unit 30 is configured to obtain the heat treatment amount of the freezer / cooler 1. The second heat treatment amount detection unit 40 is provided at least upstream or downstream of the second evaporator 21 in the refrigerant flow path. The second heat treatment amount detection unit 40 is configured to obtain the heat treatment amount of the air conditioner 2.

[0033] The first heat treatment amount detection unit 30 includes a first pressure sensor 31, a first temperature sensor 32, and a first flow meter 33. The first pressure sensor 31 is configured to acquire the pressure of the refrigerant at least either upstream or downstream of the first evaporator 11. The first temperature sensor 32 is configured to acquire the temperature of the refrigerant at least either upstream or downstream of the first evaporator 11. In the first embodiment, the first temperature sensor 32 and the first pressure sensor 31 are provided both upstream and downstream of the first evaporator 11, respectively. The first flow meter 33 is provided upstream of the first evaporator 11. Specifically, the first flow meter 33 is provided upstream of the first expansion section 14. The first flow meter 33 detects the flow rate of the refrigerant. The first pressure sensor 31 is, for example, a piezoelectric sensor. The first flow meter 33 is, for example, a Coriolis flow meter. When there are a plurality of first evaporators 11, the first heat treatment amount detection unit 30 is installed for each of the first evaporators.

[0034] The second heat treatment amount detection unit 40 includes a second pressure sensor 41, a second temperature sensor 42, and a second flow meter 43. The second pressure sensor 41 is configured to acquire the pressure of the refrigerant on at least one of the upstream side and downstream side of the second evaporator 21. The second temperature sensor 42 is configured to acquire the temperature of the refrigerant on at least one of the upstream side and downstream side of the second evaporator 21. In the first embodiment, the second temperature sensor 42 and the second pressure sensor 41 are provided both upstream and downstream of the second evaporator 21, respectively. The second flow meter 43 is provided upstream of the second evaporator 21. Specifically, the second flow meter 43 is provided upstream of the second expansion section 24. The second flow meter 43 detects the flow rate of the refrigerant. The second pressure sensor 41 is, for example, a piezoelectric sensor. The second flow meter 43 is, for example, a Coriolis flow meter. When there are a plurality of second evaporators 21, the second heat treatment amount detection unit 40 is installed for each of the second evaporators.

[0035] The in-store controller 3 is configured to acquire the heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 based on at least the refrigerant pressure acquired by the first pressure sensor 31 and the refrigerant temperature acquired by the first temperature sensor 32, and to acquire the heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner 2 based on at least the refrigerant pressure acquired by the second pressure sensor 41 and the refrigerant temperature acquired by the second temperature sensor 42. The in-store controller 3 is configured to acquire the heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 and the heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner 2 in real time. In this case, for example, the in-store controller 3 is configured to acquire the heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 and the heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner 2 every 30 minutes. When there are multiple first evaporators 11, the heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 is the sum of the heat treatment capacities acquired from each of the multiple first evaporators 11. When there are multiple second evaporators 21, the heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner 2 is the sum of the heat treatment capacities acquired from each of the multiple second evaporators 21.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the in-store control device 3 is configured to obtain the heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 based on the refrigerant pressure obtained by the first pressure sensor 31, the refrigerant temperature obtained by the first temperature sensor 32, and the refrigerant flow rate obtained by the first flow meter 33, and to obtain the heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner 2 based on the refrigerant pressure obtained by the second pressure sensor 41, the refrigerant temperature obtained by the second temperature sensor 42, and the refrigerant flow rate obtained by the second flow meter 43. Specifically, the in-store control device 3 obtains the enthalpy of the inlet side of the first evaporator 11 based on the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor 31 provided at the inlet of the refrigerant flow path of the first evaporator 11, the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 32 provided at the inlet of the refrigerant flow path of the first evaporator 11, and the pH diagram. The enthalpy on the outlet side of the first evaporator 11 is obtained based on the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor 31 provided at the outlet of the refrigerant flow path of the first evaporator 11, the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 32 provided at the outlet of the refrigerant flow path of the first evaporator 11, and the pH diagram.The actual value of the heat throughput of the first evaporator 11 is obtained by multiplying the value obtained by subtracting the enthalpy on the outlet side from the enthalpy on the inlet side of the first evaporator 11 by the flow rate measured by the first flow meter 33.

[0037] The in-store control device 3 also obtains the enthalpy on the inlet side of the second evaporator 21 from the pressure detected by the second pressure sensor 41 provided at the inlet of the refrigerant flow path of the second evaporator 21, the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 42 provided at the inlet of the refrigerant flow path of the second evaporator 21, and the pH diagram. The in-store control device 3 also obtains the enthalpy on the outlet side of the second evaporator 21 from the pressure detected by the second pressure sensor 41 provided at the outlet of the refrigerant flow path of the second evaporator 21, the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 42 provided at the outlet of the refrigerant flow path of the second evaporator 21, and the pH diagram. The actual heat throughput of the second evaporator 21 is then obtained by multiplying the value obtained by subtracting the enthalpy on the outlet side from the enthalpy on the inlet side of the second evaporator 21 by the flow rate measured by the second flow meter 43.

[0038] An example of control performed by the in-store control device 3 based on the actual measured values ​​of the heat throughput of the freezer / cooler 1 and the actual measured values ​​of the heat throughput of the air conditioner 2 will be described.

[0039] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the in-store control device 3 is configured to acquire the total actual heat processing capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2, and to select the heat processing capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2 that is the same as the total actual heat processing capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2, and that results in a smaller total power consumption of the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between power consumption and heat treatment capacity during cooling operation, with the horizontal axis plotting heat treatment capacity (kW) and the vertical axis plotting power consumption (kW). If the measured heat treatment capacity of air conditioner 2 before the change, indicated by the dashed-dotted line, is 4 kW and the measured heat treatment capacity of freezer-cooling chamber 1 is 7 kW, the total measured heat treatment capacity of the measured heat treatment capacity of freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the measured heat treatment capacity of air conditioner 2 is 11 kW. Furthermore, the total power consumption is 14 kW, since air conditioner 2 is 3 kW and freezer-cooling chamber 1 is approximately 11 kW. In this case, as shown by the solid line, the heat treatment capacity of air conditioner 2 is set to 6 kW and the heat treatment capacity of freezer-cooling chamber 1 is set to 5 kW, making the total heat treatment capacity 11 kW, while the power consumption of air conditioner 2 is set to 5 kW and the power consumption of freezer-cooling chamber 1 is set to 8 kW, reducing the total power consumption to 13 kW.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between power consumption and heat treatment capacity during heating operation. The horizontal axis plots heat treatment capacity (kW) and the vertical axis plots power consumption (kW). Note that the heat treatment capacity is a negative value during heating operation. If the actual measured heat treatment capacity of air conditioner 2 before the change, indicated by the dashed-dotted line, is −8 kW and the actual measured heat treatment capacity of freezer-cooling chamber 1 is 7 kW, the total actual measured heat treatment capacity of the actual measured heat treatment capacity of freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the actual measured heat treatment capacity of air conditioner 2 is −1 kW. Furthermore, the total power consumption is 11 kW for air conditioner 2 and 7 kW for freezer-cooling chamber 1, resulting in 18 kW. In this case, as shown by the solid line, the heat treatment capacity of air conditioner 2 is set to −5 kW and the heat treatment capacity of freezer-cooling chamber 1 to 4 kW, resulting in a total heat treatment capacity of −1 kW. Control is then performed to reduce the total power consumption to 12 kW, with the power consumption of air conditioner 2 being 7 kW and the power consumption of freezer-cooling chamber 1 being 5 kW.

[0042] In another example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the in-store control device 3 controls the amount of power consumption to reduce while suppressing an increase in the indoor temperature, based on a graph showing the relationship between the amount of heat treatment, the amount of power consumption, the indoor temperature, and the temperature of the refrigerant at the inlet of the evaporator. The graph in FIG. 7 plots the indoor temperature (°C) on the vertical axis and the amount of heat treatment (kW) on the horizontal axis. The graph in FIG. 8 plots the amount of power consumption (kW) on the vertical axis and the amount of heat treatment (kW) on the horizontal axis. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the larger the amount of heat treatment, the higher the relationship between the amount of power consumption and the indoor temperature. As shown in FIG. 7, the two graphs showing different evaporator inlet temperatures tend to approach each other as the indoor temperature increases. Therefore, a range of the amount of heat treatment that does not increase the indoor temperature even if the refrigerant temperature at the inlet of the evaporator is obtained from FIG. 7, and a heat treatment amount that can suppress an increase in the amount of power consumption in FIG. 8 can be selected based on the range selected based on FIG. 7.

[0043] In yet another example, it can be used to rapidly cool the freezer-cooling compartment 1 after performing a defrosting operation of the freezer-cooling compartment 1. For example, based on the relationship between the heat processing capacity of the air conditioner 2 and the heat processing capacity of the freezer-cooling compartment 1, control may be performed to compare the total amount of power consumed when the air conditioner 2 is increased in operation to assist in cooling the freezer-cooling compartment 1 and when only the freezer-cooling compartment 1 is increased in operation to perform cooling.

[0044] (In-store energy management method) The in-store energy management method will now be described. The in-store energy management method includes a step of acquiring an actual measurement value of the heat throughput that indicates the cooling capacity of a freezer / cooler 1 arranged in store 50, a step of acquiring an actual measurement value of the heat throughput that indicates the cooling capacity or heating capacity of an air conditioner 2 arranged in store 50, and a step of controlling the operation of freezer / cooler 1 and air conditioner 2 so as to optimize power consumption based on the actual measurement value of the heat throughput of freezer / cooler 1 and the actual measurement value of the heat throughput of air conditioner 2.

[0045] The process of acquiring the actual measured value of the heat processing capacity, which represents the cooling capacity of the freezer / cooler 1, is a process of acquiring the actual measured value of the heat processing capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 based on the refrigerant temperature acquired by the first temperature sensor 32, the refrigerant pressure acquired by the first pressure sensor 31, and the refrigerant flow rate acquired by the first flow meter 33.

[0046] The process of acquiring the actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity, which indicates the cooling capacity or heating capacity of the air conditioner 2, is a process of acquiring the actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner 2 based on the refrigerant temperature acquired by the second temperature sensor 42, the refrigerant pressure acquired by the second pressure sensor 41, and the refrigerant flow rate acquired by the second flow meter 43.

[0047] The process of controlling the operation of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the air conditioner 2 to optimize power consumption based on the actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner 2 includes the steps of acquiring the actual measured total heat treatment capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the actual measured total heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner 2, selecting the heat treatment capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner 2 that is the same as the actual measured total heat treatment capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the actual measured total heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner 2 and that reduces the total power consumption of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the air conditioner 2, controlling the operation of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 based on the selected heat treatment capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1, and controlling the operation of the air conditioner 2 based on the selected heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner 2.

[0048] The process of acquiring the total actual heat processing capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2 is a process of calculating the total of the actual heat processing capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 acquired in the process of acquiring the actual heat processing capacity, which represents the cooling capacity of the freezer / cooler 1, and the actual heat processing capacity of the air conditioner 2 acquired in the process of acquiring the actual heat processing capacity of the air conditioner 2.

[0049] The process of selecting the heat processing capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 and the heat processing capacity of the air conditioner 2 so that the total heat processing capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 and the total heat processing capacity of the air conditioner 2 is the same as the total heat processing capacity actual value, and so that the total power consumption of the freezer / cooler 1 and the total power consumption of the air conditioner 2 is small, is a process of obtaining the power consumption for each combination of the heat processing capacity of the air conditioner 2 and the heat processing capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 that is the same as the total heat processing capacity actual value from the relationship between the heat processing capacity and the power consumption, and selecting the combination that results in the smallest power consumption. In this case, if the current combination of power consumption can reduce the total power consumption, the current combination of power consumption is selected.

[0050] In the process of controlling the operation of the freezer-cooler 1 based on the selected heat treatment amount of the freezer-cooler 1, the set temperature etc. of the freezer-cooler 1 is adjusted so that the selected heat treatment amount is achieved. In the process of controlling the operation of the air conditioner 2 based on the selected heat treatment amount of the air conditioner 2, the set temperature etc. of the air conditioner 2 is adjusted so that the selected heat treatment amount is achieved.

[0051] [Effects of the first embodiment] In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0052] In the first embodiment, as described above, the in-store control device 3 is provided to optimize power consumption by linking the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the air conditioner 2. The in-store control device 3 acquires the actual heat throughput, which indicates the cooling capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1, and the actual heat throughput, which indicates the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner 2. Because the in-store control device 3 acquires the actual heat throughput, which indicates the cooling capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1, and the actual heat throughput, which indicates the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner 2, the cooling capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner 2 at the time of controlling operation can be acquired. This allows the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the air conditioner 2 to be accurately managed based on the cooling capacity and the cooling or heating capacity at the time of controlling operation. Furthermore, the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be linked to optimize power consumption based on the heat throughput, thereby efficiently reducing power consumption. As a result, the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be accurately managed and power consumption can be efficiently reduced.

[0053] As described above, the first embodiment further includes a first heat-treatment amount detection unit 30 provided in the refrigerant flow path at least on the upstream side or downstream side of the first evaporator 11, or at least on the inlet side where air flows into the first evaporator 11 or the outlet side where heat-treated air flows out from the first evaporator 11, for acquiring an actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the freezer / cooler 1, and a second heat-treatment amount detection unit 40 provided in the refrigerant flow path at least on the upstream side or downstream side of the second evaporator 21, or at least on the inlet side where air flows into the second evaporator 21 or the outlet side where heat-treated air flows out from the second evaporator 21, for acquiring an actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the air conditioner 2. As a result, the first heat-treatment amount detection unit 30 can acquire either the state of the refrigerant undergoing heat exchange in the first evaporator 11 or the state of the air, so that the actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the first evaporator 11 can be accurately acquired based on either the state of the refrigerant undergoing heat exchange in the first evaporator 11 or the state of the air. Furthermore, because the second heat treatment amount detection unit 40 can acquire either the state of the refrigerant undergoing heat exchange in the second evaporator 21 or the state of the air, it is possible to accurately acquire the actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the second evaporator 21 based on either the state of the refrigerant undergoing heat exchange in the second evaporator 21 or the state of the air. As a result, the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be accurately managed based on the accurately acquired heat treatment amount, and power consumption can be efficiently reduced.

[0054] In the first embodiment, as described above, the first heat treatment amount detection unit 30 includes a first pressure sensor 31 that acquires the pressure of the refrigerant at least upstream or downstream of the first evaporator 11, and a first temperature sensor 32 that acquires the temperature of the refrigerant at least upstream or downstream of the first evaporator 11, and the second heat treatment amount detection unit 40 includes a second pressure sensor 41 that acquires the pressure of the refrigerant at least upstream or downstream of the second evaporator 21, and a second temperature sensor 42 that acquires the temperature of the refrigerant at least upstream or downstream of the second evaporator 21, and the in-store control device 3 is configured to acquire an actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the freezer / cooler 1 based on at least the refrigerant pressure acquired by the first pressure sensor 31 and the refrigerant temperature acquired by the first temperature sensor 32, and to acquire an actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the air conditioner 2 based on at least the refrigerant pressure acquired by the second pressure sensor 41 and the refrigerant temperature acquired by the second temperature sensor 42. This allows the heat treatment amount to be obtained based on the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant undergoing heat exchange in the first evaporator 11, making it possible to more accurately obtain the actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the first evaporator 11. Furthermore, this allows the heat treatment amount to be obtained based on the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant undergoing heat exchange in the second evaporator 21, making it possible to more accurately obtain the actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the second evaporator 21. As a result, the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be more accurately managed based on the heat treatment amount obtained more accurately based on the pressure and temperature, making it possible to more efficiently reduce power consumption.

[0055] In the first embodiment, as described above, the first temperature sensor 32 and the first pressure sensor 31 are provided both upstream and downstream of the first evaporator 11, respectively, and the second temperature sensor 42 and the second pressure sensor 41 are provided both upstream and downstream of the second evaporator 21, respectively. This allows the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the first evaporator 11 to be acquired, thereby enabling the actual measured value of the heat throughput of the first evaporator 11 to be calculated with high accuracy based on the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant. Furthermore, the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the second evaporator 21 to be acquired, thereby enabling the actual measured value of the heat throughput of the second evaporator 21 to be calculated with high accuracy based on the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant. As a result, the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be more accurately managed based on the heat throughput more accurately acquired based on the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant, thereby enabling more efficient reduction in power consumption.

[0056] In the first embodiment, as described above, the first heat-treatment-amount detection unit 30 further includes a first flow meter 33 provided upstream of the first evaporator 11, and the second heat-treatment-amount detection unit 40 further includes a second flow meter 43 provided upstream of the second evaporator 21. The in-store control device 3 is configured to obtain the heat treatment amount of the freezer / cooler 1 based on the refrigerant pressure acquired by the first pressure sensor 31, the refrigerant temperature acquired by the first temperature sensor 32, and the refrigerant flow rate acquired by the first flow meter 33, and to obtain the heat treatment amount of the air conditioner 2 based on the refrigerant pressure acquired by the second pressure sensor 41, the refrigerant temperature acquired by the second temperature sensor 42, and the refrigerant flow rate acquired by the second flow meter 43. This allows the flow rate of the refrigerant to be obtained in addition to the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the first evaporator 11, and therefore the actual heat treatment amount of the first evaporator 11 can be calculated based on the heat balance equation. Furthermore, since the flow rate of the refrigerant can be obtained in addition to the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the second evaporator 21, the actual heat treatment amount of the second evaporator 21 can be calculated based on the heat balance equation. As a result, the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be managed with high precision based on the heat treatment amount more accurately obtained based on the temperature and pressure changes of the refrigerant and the flow rate of the refrigerant, thereby efficiently reducing power consumption.

[0057] In the first embodiment, as described above, the in-store control device 3 is configured to acquire the total actual heat processing amount of the actual heat processing amount of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the air conditioner 2, and to select the heat processing amount of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the air conditioner 2 that is the same as the total actual heat processing amount of the actual heat processing amount of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the air conditioner 2 and that reduces the total power consumption of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the air conditioner 2. This allows the in-store control device 3 to reduce power consumption while maintaining the total heat processing amount of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the air conditioner 2, thereby more efficiently reducing power consumption throughout the store.

[0058] As described above, the first embodiment includes a step of controlling the operation of the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the air conditioner 2 so as to optimize power consumption based on the actual measured value of the heat throughput of the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the actual measured value of the heat throughput of the air conditioner 2. Thus, by acquiring the actual measured value of the heat throughput of the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the actual measured value of the heat throughput of the air conditioner 2, the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be accurately managed based on the actual measured values ​​of the heat throughput. Furthermore, by including a step of controlling the operation of the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the air conditioner 2 in a coordinated manner so as to optimize power consumption based on the actual measured value of the heat throughput of the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the actual measured value of the heat throughput of the air conditioner 2, the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be operated in a coordinated manner based on the heat throughput, thereby efficiently reducing power consumption. As a result, the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be accurately managed and power consumption can be efficiently reduced.

[0059] In the first embodiment, as described above, the process of controlling the operation of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the air conditioner 2 to optimize power consumption based on the actual measured value of the heat processing capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the actual measured value of the heat processing capacity of the air conditioner 2 includes the process of obtaining the actual measured total heat processing capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the actual measured total heat processing capacity of the air conditioner 2, the process of selecting the heat processing capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the heat processing capacity of the air conditioner 2 that is the same as the actual measured total heat processing capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the actual measured total heat processing capacity of the air conditioner 2 and that reduces the total power consumption of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 and the air conditioner 2, the process of controlling the operation of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1 based on the selected heat processing capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet 1, and the process of controlling the operation of the air conditioner 2 based on the selected heat processing capacity of the air conditioner 2. This allows the amount of power consumption to be reduced while maintaining the total heat processing capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2, thereby more efficiently reducing the amount of power consumption in the entire store 50.

[0060] [Second embodiment] Next, the configuration of an in-store energy management system 200 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 9, and 10. In the second embodiment, a first heat processing amount detection unit 30 and a second heat processing amount detection unit 40 are provided in a flow path through which air flows. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0061] As shown by the arrows in Figure 9, the air that cools the inside of the freezer / cooler 1 flows from bottom to top on the back side of the freezer / cooler 1 and blows down from top to bottom on the front side.

[0062] The first heat treatment amount detection unit 30 includes a first temperature / humidity sensor 34 and a first anemometer 35. The first temperature / humidity sensor 34 is configured to acquire the temperature and humidity of air being heat-treated in the first evaporator 11 of the first refrigeration cycle 10. The first temperature / humidity sensor 34 is provided on both the inlet side through which air flows into the first evaporator 11 and the outlet side through which the heat-treated air flows out of the first evaporator 11. The first anemometer 35 is provided on the outlet side through which the heat-treated air flows out of the first evaporator 11 and is configured to measure the air volume of the heat-treated air in the first evaporator 11. Although not shown, the first refrigeration cycle 10 is the same as the first embodiment except that the first heat treatment amount detection unit 30 is not provided.

[0063] The second heat treatment amount detection unit 40 includes a second temperature / humidity sensor 44 and a second anemometer 45. The second temperature / humidity sensor 44 is configured to acquire the temperature and humidity of air being heat-treated in the second evaporator 21 of the second refrigeration cycle 20. The second temperature / humidity sensor 44 is provided on both the inlet side through which air flows into the second evaporator 21 and the outlet side through which the heat-treated air flows out of the second evaporator 21. The second anemometer 45 is provided on the outlet side through which the heat-treated air flows out of the second evaporator 21, and is configured to measure the air volume of the heat-treated air in the second evaporator 21. Although not shown, the second refrigeration cycle 20 is the same as the first embodiment except that the second heat treatment amount detection unit 40 is not provided.

[0064] The in-store control device 3 is configured to obtain the heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 based on the temperature and humidity of the air being heat-treated in the first evaporator 11 obtained by at least the first temperature / humidity sensor 34, and to obtain the heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner 2 based on the temperature and humidity of the air being heat-treated in the second evaporator 21 obtained by at least the second temperature / humidity sensor 44.

[0065] In the second embodiment, the heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 is obtained based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator 11 obtained by the first temperature / humidity sensor 34 and the air volume of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator 11 obtained by the first anemometer 35. Specifically, the enthalpy on the inlet side is obtained from the temperature and humidity detected by the first temperature / humidity sensor 34 provided on the inlet side of the refrigerant flow path of the first evaporator 11 and a pH diagram. The enthalpy on the outlet side is also obtained from the temperature and humidity detected by the first temperature / humidity sensor 34 provided on the air outlet side of the first evaporator 11 and a pH diagram. The actual heat treatment capacity of the first evaporator 11 is then obtained by multiplying the air volume measured by the first anemometer 35 by the value obtained by subtracting the enthalpy on the inlet side from the enthalpy on the outlet side. Here, the air volume measured by the first anemometer 35 refers to a value calculated by multiplying the air speed measured by the first anemometer 35 by the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path and the density of the air.

[0066] The in-store control device 3 is also configured to obtain the heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator 21 obtained by the second temperature / humidity sensor 44 and the wind speed of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator 21 obtained by the second anemometer 45. Specifically, the in-store control device 3 obtains the inlet-side enthalpy from the temperature and humidity detected by the second temperature / humidity sensor 44 provided on the inlet side of the refrigerant flow path of the second evaporator 21 and the pH diagram. The in-store control device 3 also obtains the outlet-side enthalpy from the temperature and humidity detected by the second temperature / humidity sensor 44 provided on the air outlet side of the second evaporator 21 and the pH diagram. The actual heat treatment capacity of the second evaporator 21 is obtained by multiplying the value obtained by subtracting the outlet-side enthalpy from the inlet-side enthalpy of the second evaporator 21 by the air volume measured by the second anemometer 45. The air volume measured by the second anemometer 45 refers to a value calculated by multiplying the air speed measured by the second anemometer 45 by the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path and the air density. Note that other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0067] [Effects of the second embodiment] In the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0068] In the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the in-store control device 3 acquires an actual heat throughput value indicating the cooling capacity of the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and an actual heat throughput value indicating the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner 2 in order to optimize power consumption by coordinating the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the air conditioner 2. Because the in-store control device 3 acquires the actual heat throughput value indicating the cooling capacity of the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the actual heat throughput value indicating the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner 2, the cooling capacity of the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner 2 at the time of controlling operation can be acquired. Therefore, the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be accurately managed based on the cooling capacity and the cooling or heating capacity at the time of controlling operation. Furthermore, the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be coordinated based on the heat throughput value to optimize power consumption, thereby efficiently reducing power consumption. As a result, the freezer-cooling chamber 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be accurately managed and power consumption can be efficiently reduced.

[0069] In the second embodiment, as described above, the first heat treatment amount detection unit 30 includes a first temperature and humidity sensor 34 that acquires the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator 11, and the second heat treatment amount detection unit 40 includes a second temperature and humidity sensor 44 that acquires the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator 21. The in-store control device 3 is configured to acquire the heat treatment amount of the freezer / cooler 1 based on at least the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator 11 acquired by the first temperature and humidity sensor 34, and to acquire the heat treatment amount of the air conditioner 2 based on at least the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator 21 acquired by the second temperature and humidity sensor 44. This allows the heat treatment amount to be acquired based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-exchanged in the first evaporator 11, thereby more accurately acquiring the actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the first evaporator 11. Furthermore, the heat treatment amount can be acquired based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-exchanged in the second evaporator 21, thereby more accurately acquiring the actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the second evaporator 21. As a result, the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be managed with precision based on the heat treatment amount obtained more accurately based on the temperature and humidity of the heat-exchanged air, thereby efficiently reducing power consumption.

[0070] In the second embodiment, as described above, the first temperature and humidity sensor 34 is provided on both the inlet side where air flows into the first evaporator 11 and the outlet side where heat-treated air flows out from the first evaporator 11, and the second temperature and humidity sensor 44 is provided on both the inlet side where air flows into the second evaporator 21 and the outlet side where heat-treated air flows out from the second evaporator 21. As a result, the first temperature and humidity sensor 34 can acquire temperature and humidity changes of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator 11, and therefore the actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the first evaporator 11 can be acquired based on the temperature and humidity changes of the air cooled in the first evaporator 11. Furthermore, the second temperature and humidity sensor 44 can acquire temperature and humidity changes of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator 21, and therefore the actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the second evaporator 21 can be acquired based on the temperature and humidity changes of the air cooled or heated in the second evaporator 21. As a result, the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be managed with precision based on the heat treatment amount obtained more accurately based on changes in air temperature and humidity, thereby efficiently reducing power consumption.

[0071] In the second embodiment, as described above, the first heat treatment amount detection unit 30 is provided on the outlet side through which the heat-treated air flows out from the first evaporator 11 and includes a first anemometer 35 that measures the air volume of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator 11, the second heat treatment amount detection unit 40 is provided on the outlet side through which the heat-treated air flows out from the second evaporator 21 and includes a second anemometer 45 that measures the air volume of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator 21, and the in-store control device 3 detects the first temperature and humidity acquired by the first temperature and humidity sensor 34. The actual heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler 1 is obtained based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the evaporator 11 and the air volume of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator 11 obtained by the first anemometer 35, and the actual heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner 2 is obtained based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator 21 obtained by the second temperature / humidity sensor 44 and the air volume of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator 21 obtained by the second anemometer 45. This makes it possible to obtain the air volume as well as the temperature and humidity changes of the air heat-exchanged in the first evaporator 11, so that the actual heat treatment capacity of the first evaporator 11 can be calculated based on the heat balance equation. Furthermore, since the air volume can be obtained as well as the temperature and humidity changes of the air heat-exchanged in the second evaporator 21, the actual heat treatment capacity of the second evaporator 21 can be calculated based on the heat balance equation. As a result, the freezer / cooler 1 and the air conditioner 2 can be managed with precision based on the heat treatment amount accurately obtained based on the air temperature change, humidity change, and air volume, thereby efficiently reducing power consumption.

[0072] [Variations] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above description of the embodiments, and further includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0073] For example, in the first and second embodiments, the first heat treatment amount detector and the second heat treatment amount detector are provided both upstream and downstream of the first evaporator in the refrigerant flow path, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the first heat treatment amount detector may be provided only upstream or downstream of the first evaporator in the refrigerant flow path.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the first heat treatment amount detection unit includes a first temperature sensor, a first pressure sensor, and a first flow meter, and the second heat treatment amount detection unit includes a second temperature sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a second flow meter. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first heat treatment amount detection unit does not necessarily have to include all of the first temperature sensor, the first pressure sensor, and the first flow meter, and the second heat treatment amount detection unit does not necessarily have to include all of the second temperature sensor, the second pressure sensor, and the second flow meter.

[0075] In the first embodiment, the first heat treatment amount detector includes a first temperature sensor, a first pressure sensor, and a first flow meter, and the second heat treatment amount detector includes a second temperature sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a second flow meter. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first heat treatment amount detector may include a sensor other than the first temperature sensor, the first pressure sensor, and the first flow meter, and the second heat treatment amount detector may include a sensor other than the second temperature sensor, the second pressure sensor, and the second flow meter.

[0076] In the second embodiment, the first heat treatment amount detector includes a first temperature / humidity sensor and a first anemometer, and the second heat treatment amount detector includes a second temperature / humidity sensor and a second anemometer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first heat treatment amount detector does not necessarily have to include both the first temperature / humidity sensor and the first anemometer, and the second heat treatment amount detector does not necessarily have to include both the second temperature / humidity sensor and the second anemometer.

[0077] In the first embodiment, the first heat treatment amount detector includes a first temperature / humidity sensor and a first anemometer, and the second heat treatment amount detector includes a second temperature / humidity sensor and a second anemometer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first heat treatment amount detector may include a detector other than the first temperature / humidity sensor and the first anemometer, and the second heat treatment amount detector may include a detector other than the second temperature / humidity sensor and the second anemometer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 Refrigerator 2. Air conditioners 3 In-store control device (control unit) 10 First refrigeration cycle 11 First evaporator 20 Second refrigeration cycle 21 Second evaporator 30 First heat treatment amount detection unit 31 First pressure sensor 32 First temperature sensor 33 1st flow meter 34 First temperature and humidity sensor 35 1st anemometer 40 Second heat treatment amount detection unit 41 Second pressure sensor 42 Second temperature sensor 43 2nd flow meter 44 Second temperature and humidity sensor 45 Second anemometer 50 stores 100, 200 In-store energy management system

Claims

1. a freezer / cooler arranged in the store and including a first refrigeration cycle having a first evaporator; an air conditioner disposed in the store and including a second refrigeration cycle having a second evaporator for performing cooling operation and heating operation; An in-store energy management system comprising a control unit that acquires an actual measured value of the heat processing amount that indicates the cooling capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet and an actual measured value of the heat processing amount that indicates the cooling capacity or heating capacity of the air conditioner in order to optimize power consumption by linking the freezer-cooling cabinet and the air conditioner.

2. a first heat treatment amount detection unit provided on at least one of the upstream side or downstream side of the first evaporator in the refrigerant flow path, or on at least one of the inlet side where air flows into the first evaporator or the outlet side where heat-treated air flows out from the first evaporator, for acquiring an actual measurement value of the heat treatment amount of the freezer / cooler; 2. The in-store energy management system of claim 1, further comprising a second heat treatment amount detection unit that is provided on at least one of the upstream and downstream sides of the second evaporator in the refrigerant flow path, or on at least one of the inlet side where air flows into the second evaporator and the outlet side where heat-treated air flows out from the second evaporator, and that acquires an actual measured value of the heat treatment amount of the air conditioner.

3. the first heat treatment amount detection unit includes a first pressure sensor that acquires a pressure of the refrigerant on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side of the first evaporator, and a first temperature sensor that acquires a temperature of the refrigerant on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side of the first evaporator, the second heat treatment amount detection unit includes a second pressure sensor that acquires a pressure of the refrigerant on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the second evaporator, and a second temperature sensor that acquires a temperature of the refrigerant on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the second evaporator, The in-store energy management system described in claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to acquire an actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler based on at least the refrigerant pressure acquired by the first pressure sensor and the refrigerant temperature acquired by the first temperature sensor, and to acquire an actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner based on at least the refrigerant pressure acquired by the second pressure sensor and the refrigerant temperature acquired by the second temperature sensor.

4. the first temperature sensor and the first pressure sensor are provided on both the upstream side of the first evaporator and the downstream side of the first evaporator, respectively; The in-store energy management system according to claim 3 , wherein the second temperature sensor and the second pressure sensor are provided both upstream of the second evaporator and downstream of the second evaporator, respectively.

5. the first heat treatment amount detection unit further includes a first flow meter provided upstream of the first evaporator, the second heat treatment amount detection unit further includes a second flow meter provided upstream of the second evaporator, The in-store energy management system of claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to acquire an actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler based on the refrigerant pressure acquired by the first pressure sensor, the refrigerant temperature acquired by the first temperature sensor, and the refrigerant flow rate acquired by the first flow meter, and to acquire an actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner based on the refrigerant pressure acquired by the second pressure sensor, the refrigerant temperature acquired by the second temperature sensor, and the refrigerant flow rate acquired by the second flow meter.

6. the first heat treatment amount detection unit includes a first temperature and humidity sensor that acquires the temperature and humidity of the air that is heat treated in the first evaporator; the second heat treatment amount detection unit includes a second temperature and humidity sensor that acquires the temperature and humidity of the air that is heat treated in the second evaporator; The in-store energy management system of claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to acquire an actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator acquired at least by the first temperature / humidity sensor, and to acquire an actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator acquired at least by the second temperature / humidity sensor.

7. the first temperature and humidity sensors are provided on both an inlet side through which air flows into the first evaporator and an outlet side through which heat-treated air flows out of the first evaporator, 7. The in-store energy management system according to claim 6, wherein the second temperature and humidity sensor is provided on both an inlet side where air flows into the second evaporator and an outlet side where heat-treated air flows out from the second evaporator.

8. the first heat treatment amount detection unit is provided on an outlet side through which the heat-treated air flows out of the first evaporator, and includes a first anemometer that measures the air volume of the heat-treated air in the first evaporator, the second heat treatment amount detection unit is provided on an outlet side through which the heat-treated air flows out of the second evaporator and includes a second anemometer that measures the air volume of the heat-treated air in the second evaporator, The in-store energy management system of claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to acquire an actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity of the freezer / cooler based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator acquired by the first temperature / humidity sensor and the air volume of the air heat-treated in the first evaporator acquired by the first anemometer, and to acquire an actual measured value of the heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner based on the temperature and humidity of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator acquired by the second temperature / humidity sensor and the air volume of the air heat-treated in the second evaporator acquired by the second anemometer.

9. 2. The in-store energy management system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to acquire a total actual heat processing capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the air conditioner, and to select a heat processing capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet and a heat processing capacity of the air conditioner that is equal to the total actual heat processing capacity of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the air conditioner, and that reduces the total power consumption of the freezer-cooling cabinet and the air conditioner.

10. acquiring an actual measurement value of a heat throughput representing the cooling capacity of a freezer / cooler installed in the store; A step of acquiring an actual measurement value of a heat treatment amount indicating the cooling capacity or heating capacity of an air conditioner installed in the store; and controlling the operation of the freezer-cooler and the air conditioner in coordination to optimize power consumption based on an actual measured value of the heat processing capacity of the freezer-cooler and an actual measured value of the heat processing capacity of the air conditioner.

11. The step of controlling the operation of the freezer-cooler and the air conditioner so as to optimize the amount of power consumption based on an actual measurement value of the heat throughput of the freezer-cooler and an actual measurement value of the heat throughput of the air conditioner, A step of acquiring a total actual heat throughput value of the actual heat throughput value of the freezer / cooler and the actual heat throughput value of the air conditioner; a step of selecting a heat treatment capacity of the freezer-cooling chamber and a heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner such that the total heat treatment capacity of the freezer-cooling chamber and the total heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner is equal to the total heat treatment capacity of the freezer-cooling chamber and the total power consumption of the air conditioner is small; Controlling the operation of the freezer / cooler based on the selected heat treatment amount of the freezer / cooler; The in-store energy management method according to claim 10, further comprising: controlling operation of the air conditioner based on the selected heat treatment capacity of the air conditioner.

Images