Power control method, and power control device

Abstract

To provide a power control method capable of more suppressing the increase in power demand after the end of the power demand suppression period of a facility.SOLUTION: The power control method includes: a step of reducing the power consumption of multiple pieces of heat source equipment installed in a facility when a first period begins, during which the power demand in the facility is reduced; and a step of gradually relaxing the restrictions on power consumption of the multiple pieces of heat source equipment so as not to exceed the contracted power of the facility from the first specific time during the first period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power control method and a power control device. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a demand adjustment control system that executes demand adjustment control in response to a demand adjustment request from an electric power company or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-109614 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Contracts with electric power companies and other entities are based on the power demand (demand value). "Power demand" refers to the average power consumption per unit time. This unit time is called the "demand time limit" and is set to, for example, 30 minutes. However, if a facility's power demand is suppressed for a certain period in response to a request from an electric power company or other entity, when that period ends, power demand may suddenly increase as a reaction to the suppression of power demand up to that point. This phenomenon is called "rebound." If a large rebound occurs, there is a risk that power demand will exceed the contracted power.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a power control method and a power control device that can reduce rebound after the end of a period in which power demand at a facility is suppressed more than before. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a power control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the steps of: when a first period for suppressing the power demand of a facility begins, suppressing the power consumption of a plurality of heat source devices installed in the facility; and, from a first specific time point in the first period, gradually relaxing the suppression of the power consumption of the plurality of heat source devices so as not to exceed the contracted power of the facility.

[0007] A power control device of one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communicator that communicates with a control device that controls multiple heat source devices, and a controller that, when the first period for suppressing the power demand of a facility begins, issues an instruction to the control device via the communicator to suppress the power consumption of multiple heat source devices installed in the facility, and also issues an instruction to the control device via the communicator to gradually relax the suppression of power consumption of the multiple heat source devices so that the contract power of the facility is not exceeded from a first specific time during the first period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The power control method and power control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure have the advantage of being able to reduce rebound after the end of a period in which power demand at a facility is suppressed, more than before. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a power control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of predicted values ​​of power demand for a facility. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the actual measured value of the power demand of a facility when no rebound measures are taken. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the power control program of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the power control device (power control method) according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the power control program of the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the power control device (power control method) according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In recent years, factories and other facilities with large electricity consumption have been required to implement demand response. Demand response is a method of adjusting the amount of electricity demand to match the amount of electricity supply, rather than adjusting the amount of electricity supply to match the amount of electricity demand. For example, when a power shortage is feared, a power company or an intermediary business called an aggregator requests the facility to adjust demand, and the facility responds by reducing its power demand for a specified period (for example, a few hours during the day).

[0011] One way to curb the power demand of a facility is to curb the power consumption of heat source equipment used in air conditioners, for example. However, if the curbing of power consumption by heat source equipment is relaxed at the same time as the period of curbing power demand ends, a "rebound" may occur, whereby power demand suddenly increases as a reaction to the previous curbing of power demand. In this case, the facility's power demand may exceed the contracted power.

[0012] Therefore, the power control method of the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a step of suppressing the power consumption of multiple heat source devices installed in the facility when a first period for suppressing the power demand of the facility begins, and a step of gradually relaxing the suppression of the power consumption of the multiple heat source devices from a first specific time point in the first period so that the contracted power of the facility is not exceeded.

[0013] In this method, when a first period for suppressing the facility's power demand begins, the power consumption of multiple heat source devices installed in the facility is first suppressed. This allows the facility's power demand to be suppressed. However, as described above, if the suppression of power consumption of the heat source devices were relaxed simultaneously with the end of the first period, there is a possibility that a rebound in power demand exceeding the facility's contracted power may occur. Therefore, in the power control method of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the suppression of power consumption of the heat source devices is relaxed before the end of the first period. Specifically, from a first specific time point in the first period, the suppression of power consumption of multiple heat and power supply devices is sequentially relaxed so as not to exceed the facility's contracted power. As a result, the suppression of power consumption of the heat source devices is relaxed before the end of the first period, making it possible to reduce the rebound in power demand after the end of the first period more than in the past.

[0014] A power control method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the power control method according to the first aspect, wherein the first specific time is a time when power demand in the facility is predicted to have exceeded its peak.

[0015] According to this method, the suppression of power consumption by heat power supply equipment is gradually relaxed from the time when the facility's power demand is predicted to have exceeded its peak. In other words, the suppression of power consumption by heat source equipment is gradually relaxed from the time when the facility's power demand is predicted not to increase. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the facility's power demand will increase and exceed the contracted power after the suppression of power consumption by heat power supply equipment is relaxed, compared to a case where the suppression of power consumption by heat power supply equipment is gradually relaxed before the time when the facility's power demand is predicted to have exceeded its peak.

[0016] A power control method according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the power control method according to the first or second aspect, wherein suppression of power consumption of the plurality of heat source devices is sequentially relaxed at a rate of one device per unit period of the first period.

[0017] With this method, only one heat source device relaxes power consumption suppression per unit time, which makes it possible to suppress increases in facility power demand compared to when multiple heat source devices relax power consumption suppression per unit time.

[0018] A fourth aspect of the power control method of the present disclosure is the power control method of the second or third aspect, further comprising a step of sequentially relaxing the suppression of power consumption of the plurality of heat source devices based on the difference between the contracted power of the facility and the demand power of the facility.

[0019] According to this method, the suppression of power consumption of a plurality of heat source devices is gradually relaxed based on the difference between the contracted power of the facility and the power demand of the facility. Therefore, it is possible to gradually relax the suppression of power consumption of a plurality of heat source devices while grasping the margin of the facility's power demand before it reaches the contracted power.

[0020] A fifth aspect of the power control method of the present disclosure is the power control method of the fourth aspect, wherein the plurality of heat source devices include a first heat source device and a second heat source device, and when the difference between the contracted power of the facility and the power demand of the facility becomes equal to or greater than the planned amount of relaxation of the power consumption suppression of the first heat source device, the power consumption suppression of the first heat source device is relaxed, and when the difference between the contracted power of the facility and the power demand of the facility after the relaxation becomes equal to or greater than the planned amount of relaxation of the power consumption suppression of the second heat source device, the power consumption suppression of the second heat source device is relaxed.

[0021] According to this method, it is possible to relax the suppression of power consumption of the first heat source equipment and the second heat source equipment while confirming that the equipment's power demand will not exceed the contracted power when the suppression of power consumption of the heat source equipment is relaxed.

[0022] The power control method described above is mainly implemented during the first period. However, if there are still heat source devices for which power consumption suppression has not been relaxed even after the first period has ended, the issue becomes how to relax the power consumption suppression of the remaining heat source devices. For example, if there are many heat source devices for which power consumption suppression has not been relaxed after the first period has ended, relaxing the power consumption suppression of these heat source devices at the same time may result in a rebound that exceeds a certain value.

[0023] Therefore, the sixth aspect of the power control method of the present disclosure is the power control method of the fourth or fifth aspect, in which the power consumption of the at least one heat source device is reduced based on the difference between a power threshold that is smaller than the contracted power of the facility and the power demand of the facility from a second specific time period that is later than the first specific time period.

[0024] In this method, from a second specific time period after the first specific time period, suppression of power consumption by heat source equipment is relaxed based on a "power threshold" that is lower than the facility's contract power, rather than the facility's "contract power." Therefore, if suppression of power consumption by heat source equipment is relaxed based on the difference between the power threshold and the facility's power demand, for example, so that the facility's power demand does not exceed the power threshold, it is possible to prevent a rebound that exceeds the power threshold after the second specific time period.

[0025] A seventh aspect of the power control method of the present disclosure is the power control method of the sixth aspect, in which, when the at least one heat source device is a plurality of heat source devices, the power consumption of the plurality of heat source devices is sequentially reduced from the second specific time period based on the difference between a power threshold that is smaller than the contracted power of the facility and the power demand of the facility.

[0026] In this method, if there are multiple heat source devices whose power consumption suppression has not been relaxed at the second specific time, the power consumption of the remaining multiple heat source devices is relaxed sequentially rather than simultaneously, thereby making it possible to suppress the rebound that may occur after the second specific time to below a certain value.

[0027] An eighth aspect of the power control method of the present disclosure is the power control method of the seventh aspect, wherein the plurality of heat source devices include a third heat source device and a fourth heat source device, and when the difference between the power threshold and the power demand of the facility becomes larger than the planned amount of relaxation of the power consumption suppression of the third heat source device, the power consumption suppression of the third heat source device is relaxed, and when the difference between the power threshold and the power demand of the facility after the relaxation becomes larger than the planned amount of relaxation of the power consumption suppression of the fourth heat source device, the power consumption suppression of the fourth heat source device is relaxed.

[0028] According to this method, it is possible to relax the suppression of power consumption of the third heat source device and the fourth heat source device while confirming that the power demand of the facility does not exceed the power threshold when the suppression of power consumption of the heat source devices is relaxed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the power demand of the facility to be equal to or less than the power threshold when the suppression of power consumption of the third heat source device and the fourth heat source device is relaxed.

[0029] A ninth aspect of the power control method of the present disclosure is a power control method according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, in which the first period starts when the demand power of the facility becomes equal to or greater than a power threshold that is smaller than the contracted power of the facility.

[0030] In this method, the first period can be prevented from starting when the facility power demand is below a power threshold that is lower than the contracted power.

[0031] A power control method of a 10th aspect of the present disclosure is a power control method of any one of aspects 6-9, wherein the second specific period is a period when the demand power of the facility becomes less than a power threshold that is smaller than the contracted power of the facility.

[0032] In this method, the determination of whether to reduce the power consumption of the heat source equipment based on the power threshold is made from the time when the facility's power demand falls below the power threshold, thereby enabling efficient reduction of the power consumption of the heat source equipment.

[0033] An eleventh aspect of the power control device of the present disclosure includes a communicator that communicates with a control device that controls multiple heat source devices, and a controller that, when the first period for suppressing the power demand of a facility begins, issues an instruction to the control device via the communicator to suppress the power consumption of multiple heat source devices installed in the facility, and also issues an instruction to the control device via the communicator to gradually relax the suppression of power consumption of the multiple heat source devices so that the contract power of the facility is not exceeded from a first specific time during the first period.

[0034] According to this device, for the same reason as in the power control method of the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the rebound in power demand after the end of the first period more than in the past.

[0035] Specific examples of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each of the specific examples described below is an example of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, unless otherwise stated in the claims, the shapes, numerical values, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components shown below do not limit the scope of the claims.

[0036] Furthermore, among the components described below, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present disclosure are described as optional components. Furthermore, in the drawings, components with the same reference numerals may not be described in detail. The drawings are schematic illustrations of each component for ease of understanding, and the shapes, dimensional ratios, and the like may not be accurately depicted.

[0037] Furthermore, in the operation of the apparatus, the order of steps may be changed or known steps may be added as necessary.

[0038] (First embodiment) [Device configuration] First, a first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a power control device according to the first embodiment. A power control device 10 according to the first embodiment controls the power demand of a facility 20. Below, the configuration of the facility 20 that is the control target of the power control device 10 will be described, and then the configuration of the power control device 10 will be described.

[0039] <Facility configuration> First, a facility 20 that is the control target of the power control device 10 will be described. The facility 20 is a large facility such as a factory or a commercial facility. Electric power is supplied to the facility 20 from, for example, a power company 30. As shown in FIG. 1 , the facility 20 includes a plurality of heat source devices 21a-21d, a control device 22, and a communication device 23.

[0040] The heat source devices 21a-21d are devices that cool or heat a heat medium. Although the number of heat source devices 21a-21d included in the facility 20 is not limited, the present embodiment will be described assuming that the facility 20 includes four heat source devices 21a-21d. Hereinafter, the four heat source devices 21a-21d will be referred to as the first heat source device 21a, the second heat source device 21b, the third heat source device 21c, and the fourth heat source device 21d, respectively.

[0041] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the heat source devices 21a-21d are the same model and have the same maximum power consumption. However, the heat source devices 21a-21d may be different models and have different maximum power consumption. As an example, the heat source devices 21a-21d are chillers that cool the chilled water used in air conditioners, but are not limited to chillers.

[0042] The control device 22 is a device that controls the heat source devices 21a-21d. The control device 22 may include, for example, a CPU, a volatile memory, and a non-volatile memory. The control device 22 is electrically connected to each of the heat source devices 21a-21d. Note that "electrically connected" in this specification may refer to a wired connection or a wireless connection. The control device 22 can adjust the output of each of the heat source devices 21a-21d and control power consumption by transmitting control signals to each of the heat source devices 21a-21d.

[0043] The communicator 23 is a device for communicating between the control device 22 of the facility 20 and the controller 12 of the power control device 10, which will be described later. The communicator 23 is, for example, an I / O interface. The communicator 23 is electrically connected to the control device 22.

[0044] <Configuration of power control device> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the power control device 10. As described above, the power control device 10 is a device that controls the power demand of the facility 20. In FIG. 1, the power control device 10 is located outside the facility 20, but the power control device 10 may constitute a part of the facility 20.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, the power control device 10 includes a storage unit 11, a controller 12, and a communicator 13.

[0046] The memory 11 is a device that stores various information. The memory 11 is, for example, a non-volatile memory. The memory 11 of this embodiment stores various programs including a power control program described below, as well as various data including a predicted value of power demand for the facility 20, the contracted power of the facility 20, and a power threshold. The predicted value of power demand for the facility 20, the contracted power of the facility, and the power threshold stored in the memory 11 will be described below in order.

[0047] First, the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 will be described. The predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is literally a value that predicts the power demand of the facility 20. The predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 can be calculated, for example, based on the past power demand of the facility 20. The memory 11 may acquire the past power demand of the facility 20 from the power company 30 or the like, or may acquire it from the facility 20. The predicted value of the power demand may also be calculated by the power control device 10.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a predicted value of power demand for facility 20. The horizontal axis of FIG. 2 represents time (hour), and the vertical axis represents power. The values ​​shown by the bar graph in FIG. 2 are predicted values ​​of power demand for facility 20. In FIG. 2, the time range on the horizontal axis is 13 hours including daytime, and the predicted values ​​of power demand for facility 20 are shown for each 30-minute unit time (demand time limit). Note that power demand is the average power consumption during the demand time limit. Although the demand time limit in FIG. 2 is 30 minutes, the demand time limit is not limited to 30 minutes.

[0049] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 gradually increases as time progresses. 16 From t 17 Then, after the peak is passed, the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 gradually decreases as time progresses.

[0050] Next, the contracted power of the facility 20 will be explained. The contracted power of the facility 20 is the upper limit of the power demand of the facility 20 determined between the facility 20 and the electric power company 30 or the like. An example of the contracted power is shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the contracted power of the facility 20 is constant regardless of time. If the power demand of the facility 20 exceeds the contracted power, for example, the electric power company 30 or the like will charge an over-contract fee, so it is desirable that the power demand of the facility 20 does not exceed the contracted power. In the example shown in FIG. 2, from time t6 to t 18 The forecast value of the power demand of the facility 20 exceeds the contracted power at multiple times during the period from

[0051] Next, the power threshold will be described. The power threshold is a threshold that is set to be smaller than the contracted power of the facility 20. An example of the power threshold is shown in FIG. 2. The power threshold in this embodiment is constant regardless of time. The power threshold in this embodiment is used to determine the start and end of a first period, which is a period during which the power demand of the facility 20 is suppressed. Specifically, the first period starts when the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 becomes equal to or greater than the power threshold. Furthermore, after the start of the first period, the first period ends when the predicted value of the facility's power demand becomes less than the power threshold. Furthermore, when the first period ends, the second period starts.

[0052] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the power threshold value during the period from time t4 to t5, so the first period starts at time t4. 21 From t 22 Since the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is less than the power threshold at time t 21 The first period ends and the second period starts at 0. The specific value of the power threshold is not limited, but is, for example, about 80-90% of the contracted power of the facility 20.

[0053] The controller 12 is a device that performs various arithmetic processing. The controller 12 is, for example, a CPU. The controller 12 is electrically connected to the memory 11 and can acquire various programs and the above-mentioned various data from the memory 11. The controller 12 performs arithmetic processing using a volatile memory (not shown) based on the various programs and various data acquired from the memory 11. The power control program executed by the controller 12 in this embodiment will be described later.

[0054] The communicator 13 is a device for communicating between the controller 12 of the power control device 10 and the controller 22 of the facility 20. The communicator 13 is, for example, an I / O interface. The communicator 13 is electrically connected to the controller 12 and also electrically connected to the communicator 23 of the facility 20. The controller 12 transmits control signals to the controller 22 via the communicator 13 of the power control device 10 and the communicator 23 of the facility 20, and issues various instructions to the controller 22.

[0055] [Operation] <Overview of operation> Next, the operation (power control method) of the power control device 10 of this embodiment will be described. First, an overview of the operation of the power control device 10 will be described, and then a specific example of the operation will be described. The power control device 10 suppresses the power demand of the facility 20 in response to a demand adjustment request from, for example, an electric power company. In this embodiment, the power demand of the facility 20 is suppressed by suppressing the power consumption of the heat source equipment 21a-21d included in the facility 20. Note that the demand adjustment request is not a permanent request, but a temporary request such as a demand response. In addition to demand response, the demand adjustment request may also include peak cutting to keep power consumption low during times of peak power demand.

[0056] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the actual measured value of power demand of facility 20 when control to suppress the power demand of facility 20 is executed and rebound countermeasures are not taken. In Fig. 3, the actual measured value of power demand of facility 20 when rebound countermeasures are not taken is superimposed on the predicted value of power demand of facility 20 shown in Fig. 2. The diagonally shaded bar graph in Fig. 3 is the actual measured value of power demand of facility 20 when rebound countermeasures are not taken. Note that rebound is an event in which power demand suddenly increases after the end of a period in which the power demand of facility 20 is suppressed.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, the predicted value of the power demand of facility 20 becomes equal to or greater than the power threshold value from time t4 to t5, so a first period begins from this time, and suppression of the power demand of facility 20 begins. The suppression of the power demand of facility 20 is performed by suppressing the power consumption of each of heat source devices 21a-21d. By suppressing the power consumption of each of heat source devices 21a-21d, as shown in FIG. 3, the actual measured value of the power demand of facility 20 during the first period is lower than the predicted value. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the actual measured value of the power demand of facility 20 during the first period does not exceed the contracted power.

[0058] However, if no rebound measures are taken, the suppression of power consumption of all heat source devices 21a-21d is relaxed at the end of the first period, resulting in a large increase in power consumption of each heat source device 21a-21d. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3, the actual measured value of power demand of facility 20 increases at the end of the first period, causing a large rebound. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the actual measured value of power demand of facility 20 exceeds the contracted power of facility 20 after the end of the first period.

[0059] Therefore, the power control device 10 of this embodiment relaxes the suppression of power consumption of each of the heat source devices 21a-21d one by one before the end of the first period, specifically after the peak power demand of the facility 20 during the first period has passed, to the extent that the power demand of the facility 20 does not exceed the contracted power. This makes it possible to reduce the rebound after the end of the first period compared to the case where no countermeasures are taken. Furthermore, when relaxing the suppression of power consumption of each of the heat source devices 21a-21d after the end of the first period (i.e., during the second period), the suppression of power consumption is also relaxed to the extent that the power demand does not exceed the power threshold.

[0060] <Example of operation> Next, a specific example of the operation of the power control device 10 will be described. Below, a specific example of the operation of the power control device 10 will be described by explaining the flow of a power control program executed by the controller 12. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the power control program. Before executing the power control program, the controller 12 acquires, from the memory 11, a predicted value of power demand for the facility 20, the contracted power of the facility 20, and a power threshold value.

[0061] 4, when the power control program is started, the controller 12 determines whether or not the first period has started (step S1). If it is determined in step S1 that the first period has not started (No in step S1), the controller 12 repeats step S1. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first period has started (Yes in step S1), the controller 12 proceeds to step S2.

[0062] The first period in step S1 is a period during which the power demand of the facility 20 is suppressed. In this embodiment, it is determined that the first period has started when the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 becomes equal to or greater than the power threshold. Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the power control device 10. FIG. 5 is a diagram in which the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 when control to suppress the power demand of the facility 20 shown in FIG. 2 is not being performed, and additional information necessary for explaining the operation of the power control device 10 is added.

[0063] 5, in the period before time t4, the predicted value of the power demand of facility 20 is less than the power threshold, so when the determination in step S1 occurs during this period, controller 12 determines that the first period has not started and repeats step S1. On the other hand, since the predicted value of the power demand of facility 20 is equal to or greater than the power threshold during the period from time t4 to time t5, when the determination in step S1 occurs during this period, controller 12 determines that the first period has started and proceeds to step S2.

[0064] The method for determining whether the first period has started is not limited to the above. For example, the controller 12 may determine that the first period has started when a certain time (clock time) is reached, regardless of the power demand of the facility 20, and may determine that the first period has not started before that time is reached.

[0065] Subsequently, in step S2, the controller 12 suppresses the power consumption of n heat source devices provided in the facility 20. In this embodiment, the power consumption of four heat source devices (the first heat source device 21a, the second heat source device 21b, the third heat source device 21c, and the fourth heat source device 21d) is suppressed. That is, the "n devices" in step S2 is "four devices." However, the number of heat source devices whose power consumption is suppressed in step S2 is not limited. Furthermore, the value of the power consumption to be suppressed in each of the heat source devices 21a-21d is not limited, and may be, for example, 50% of the maximum power consumption of each of the heat source devices 21a-21d or 100% of the maximum power consumption (that is, each of the heat source devices 21a-21d may be stopped). Furthermore, the value of the power consumption to be suppressed may be different for each of the heat source devices 21a-21d.

[0066] Next, in step S3, the controller 12 determines whether or not the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 has exceeded the peak. If it is determined in step S3 that the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 has not exceeded the peak (No in step S3), the controller 12 repeats step S3. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 has exceeded the peak (Yes in step S3), the controller 12 proceeds to step S4.

[0067] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 peaks at time t 16 From t 17 Since the determination in step S3 is at time t 17 If the time is before the time t 17 If it is in the subsequent period, the controller 12 determines that the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 has exceeded the peak, and proceeds to step S4.

[0068] Next, in step S4, the controller 12 determines whether or not it is the start time of the demand time period. If it is determined in step S4 that it is not the start time of the demand time period (No in step S4), the controller 12 repeats step S4. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is the start time of the demand time period (Yes in step S4), the controller 12 proceeds to step S5. The above-mentioned "demand time period" is a time unit when calculating the demand power of the facility 20.

[0069] In the example shown in Figure 5, the period from the left end to the right end of each bar graph corresponds to the demand time limit, so the time corresponding to the left end of each bar graph is the start of the demand time limit. Therefore, in terms of the period after the predicted value of the facility's power demand exceeds the peak, the time t 17 , t 18 , t 19 , ... is the start of the demand time period. Therefore, if the determination time in step S4 is not one of these times, the controller 12 determines that it is not the start of the demand time period and repeats step S4. On the other hand, if the determination time in step S4 is one of these times, the controller 12 determines that it is the start of the demand time period and proceeds to step S5.

[0070] Next, in step S5, the controller 12 determines whether the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the power threshold. If it is determined in step S5 that the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the power threshold (Yes in step S5), the controller 12 proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the power threshold (No in step S5), the controller 12 proceeds to step S11.

[0071] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 exceeds the peak, and the time t 17 , t 18 , t 19 , t 20 In the period immediately after the time t, the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 (the value obtained by adding the relaxation amount to the predicted value of the power demand after step S8) is equal to or greater than the power threshold. Therefore, when the determination in step S5 is made in these periods, the controller 12 determines that the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the power threshold, and proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, at time t 21 In the period immediately after this, the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is less than the power threshold. Therefore, when the determination in step S5 is made at this period, the controller 12 determines that the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the power threshold, and proceeds to step S11.

[0072] Next, in step S6, the controller 12 determines whether the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 (the value obtained by subtracting the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 from the contracted power of the facility 20) is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount. If the controller 12 determines in step S6 that the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount (No in step S6), the controller 12 returns to step S4 and repeats step S4 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if the controller 12 determines that the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount (Yes in step S6), the controller 12 relaxes the suppression of the power consumption of the i-th heat source device (step S7), sets the predicted value of the power demand plus the relaxation amount as a new predicted value of the power demand (step S8), and then increments i to increase the number i by 1 (step S9). The initial value of i is 1.

[0073] Here, steps S6, S7, S8, and S9 will be explained together.

[0074] The "planned relaxation amount" in step S6 is the power that is planned to be relaxed from the power consumption suppressed in step S2. In this embodiment, the planned relaxation amount for each of the heat source devices 21a-21d is the same as the power consumption suppressed in step S2, but it may be a portion of the power consumption suppressed in step S2. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power consumption suppression is relaxed in the order of the first heat source device 21a, the second heat source device 21b, the third heat source device 21c, and the fourth heat source device 21d. Furthermore, the respective planned relaxation amounts are indicated by the height dimensions (vertical dimensions) of the squares numbered 1-4 in FIG. 5. Note that in this embodiment, it is assumed that the planned relaxation amount for each of the heat source devices 21a-21d is the same as the relaxation amount.

[0075] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the determination in step S6 is made at time t 17 , t 18 , t 19 , t 20 The period immediately after t 17 In the period immediately after t , the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 becomes negative.17 If it is the period immediately after this, the controller 12 determines that the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the planned mitigation amount, and returns to step S4 to repeat step S4 and subsequent steps.

[0076] Also, time t 18 In the period immediately after the time t in FIG. 5, i has an initial value of 1. In this period, the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is 18 From t 19 However, the height of this shaded portion is smaller than the height of the square marked with the number 1, which is the planned relaxation amount for the first heat source device 21a. Therefore, the determination in step S6 is made at time t 18 If it is the period immediately after this, the controller 12 determines that the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the planned mitigation amount, and returns to step S4 to repeat step S4 and subsequent steps.

[0077] Also, time t 19 In the period immediately after the time t in FIG. 5, i has an initial value of 1. In this period, the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is 19 From t 20 This corresponds to the height of the shaded portion at time t. The height of this shaded portion is greater than the height of the square marked with the number 1, which is the planned relaxation amount for the first heat source device 21a. Therefore, the determination in step S6 is made at time t 19 If it is the period immediately after this, the controller 12 determines that the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount, and in step S7 relaxes the suppression of power consumption of the first heat source device 21a, which is the "first" heat source device, and in step S8 sets the value obtained by adding the relaxation amount of the first heat source device 21a to the predicted value of the power demand as a new predicted value of the power demand, and then in step S9 sets i to 2.

[0078] Also, time t 20 In the period immediately after t 19Since step S8 is performed immediately after time t, the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is the sum of the initial predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 and the relaxation amount of the first heat source device 21a. 19 In this case, the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is calculated as follows: 20 From t 21 This corresponds to the height of the shaded portion at time t. The height of this shaded portion is greater than the height of the square marked with the number 2, which is the planned relaxation amount for the second heat source device 21b. Therefore, the determination in step S6 is made at time t 20 If it is the period immediately after this, the controller 12 determines that the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount, and in step S7 relaxes the suppression of power consumption of the second heat source device 21b, which is the "second" heat source device, and in step S8 sets the value obtained by adding the relaxation amount of the second heat source device 21b to the predicted value of the power demand as a new predicted value of the power demand, and then in step S9 sets i to 3.

[0079] Next, in step S10, it is determined whether "i" is greater than "n." "n" is the number of heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption has been reduced in step S2, and is "4" in this embodiment. Meanwhile, "i" is a value obtained by adding 1 to the number of heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption reduction has been relaxed in step S9. Therefore, when i is greater than n, this means that the power consumption reduction has been relaxed for all of the heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption has been reduced. Meanwhile, when i is not greater than n, this means that there are still heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption has been reduced that have not had their power consumption reduction relaxed.

[0080] If it is determined in step S10 that i is not greater than n (No in step S10), that is, if there are any heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption has been suppressed but whose power consumption suppression has not been relaxed, the controller 12 returns to step S4 and repeats step S4 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if it is determined that i is greater than n (Yes in step S10), that is, if the power consumption suppression has been relaxed for all of the heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption has been suppressed, the controller 12 ends the power control program.

[0081] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the determination in step S10 is made at time t 19 The period immediately following, or time t 20 By performing step S9 at these times, i becomes 2 and 3, respectively. Furthermore, n in this embodiment is 4. Therefore, when performing step S10 after step S9 at these times, the controller 12 determines that i is not greater than n, and returns to step S4 to repeat step S4 and subsequent steps.

[0082] Next, if the controller 12 determines in step S5 that the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the power threshold (No in step S5) and proceeds to step S11, the controller 12 determines in step S11 whether or not it is the start time of the demand time period. If it is determined in step S11 that it is not the start time of the demand time period (No in step S11), the controller 12 repeats step S11. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is the start time of the demand time period (Yes in step S11), the controller 12 proceeds to step S12.

[0083] The determination method in step S11 is the same as the determination method in step S4. In the example shown in FIG. 5, taking into consideration step S16 to be described later, the time t 21 The time immediately after and time t 22The time immediately following this is the start of the demand time limit. Therefore, if the determination time in step S11 is not one of these times, the controller 12 determines that it is not the start of the demand time limit and repeats step S11. On the other hand, if the determination time in step S11 is one of these times, the controller 12 determines that it is the start of the demand time limit and proceeds to step S12.

[0084] Next, in step S12, it is determined whether the difference between the "power threshold" and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 (the value obtained by subtracting the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 from the power threshold) is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount. In step S12, if it is determined that the difference between the power threshold and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount (No in step S12), the controller 12 returns to step S11 and repeats step S11 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if it is determined that the difference between the power threshold and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount (Yes in step S12), the controller 12 relaxes the suppression of power consumption of the i-th heat source device 21 (step S13), sets the value obtained by adding the relaxation amount to the predicted value of the power demand as a new predicted value of the power demand (step S14), and then increments i to increase the number i by 1 (step S15). The initial value of i is 1, but if it is incremented in steps S9 and S15, this is the number after the increment.

[0085] Here, steps S12, S13, S14, and S15 will be collectively described. The "planned relaxation amount" in step S12 has the same meaning as the planned relaxation amount in step S6.

[0086] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the determination in step S12 is made at time t 21 The time immediately after, time t 22 The period immediately following, or time t 23 The period immediately after this is the time t 21 For the period immediately after time t 20Since step S8 is performed immediately after time t, the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is the value obtained by adding the relaxation amounts of the first heat source device 21a and the second heat source device 21b to the initial predicted value of the facility 20. 20 In this case, the difference between the power threshold and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is 21 From t 22 This corresponds to the height of the shaded portion at time t. The height of this shaded portion is smaller than the height of the square marked with the number 3, which is the planned relaxation amount for the third heat source device 21c. Therefore, the determination in step S12 is made at time t 21 If it is the time immediately after, the controller 12 determines that the difference between the power threshold and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the planned mitigation amount, and returns to step S11 to repeat step S11 and subsequent steps.

[0087] Also, time t 22 For the time immediately after t 20 Since step S8 is performed immediately after time t, the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is the sum of the initial predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 and the relaxation amounts of the first heat source device 21a and the second heat source device 21b. 20 In this case, the difference between the power threshold and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is 22 From t 23 This corresponds to the height of the shaded portion at time t. The height of this shaded portion is greater than the height of the square marked with the number 3, which is the planned relaxation amount for the third heat source device 21c. Therefore, the determination in step S12 is made at time t 22 If it is the period immediately after this, the controller 12 determines that the difference between the power threshold and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount, and in step S13 relaxes the suppression of power consumption of the third heat source device 21c, which is the "third" heat source device, and in step S14 sets the value obtained by adding the relaxation amount of the third heat source device 21c to the predicted value of the power demand as a new predicted value of the power demand, and then in step S15 sets i to 4.

[0088] Also, time t 23 For the time immediately after t 22 Since step S14 is performed immediately after time t, the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is the sum of the initial predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 and the relaxation amounts of the first heat source device 21a, the second heat source device 21b, and the third heat source device 21c. 22 In this case, the difference between the power threshold and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is 23 From t 24 This corresponds to the height of the shaded portion at time t. The height of this shaded portion is greater than the height of the square marked with the number 4, which is the planned relaxation amount for the fourth heat source device 21d. Therefore, the determination in step S12 is made at time t 23 If it is the period immediately after this, the controller 12 determines that the difference between the power threshold and the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount, and in step S13 relaxes the suppression of power consumption of the fourth heat source device 21d, which is the "fourth" heat source device, and in step S14 sets the value obtained by adding the relaxation amount of the fourth heat source device 21d to the predicted value of the power demand as a new predicted value of the power demand, and then in step S15 sets i to 5.

[0089] Next, in step S16, it is determined whether "i" is greater than "n." The determination method in step S16 is the same as the determination method in step S10. If it is determined in step S16 that i is not greater than n (No in step S16), that is, if there are any heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption has been reduced but whose power consumption reduction has not been relaxed, the controller 12 returns to step S11 and repeats step S11 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if it is determined that i is greater than n (Yes in step S16), that is, if the power consumption reduction has been relaxed for all of the heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption has been reduced, the controller 12 terminates the power control program.

[0090] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the determination in step S16 is made at time t 22 The period immediately after, or time t23 The period immediately after t 22 For the period immediately after t, by performing step S15, i becomes 4. Also, n in this embodiment is 4. Therefore, at time t 22 If step S15 is followed by step S16 immediately after that, the controller 12 determines that both i and n are 4 and that i is not greater than n, and returns to step S10 to repeat step S11 and subsequent steps.

[0091] Also, time t 23 For the period immediately after t, i becomes 5 by performing step S15. In addition, n in this embodiment is 4. Therefore, at time t 23 If step S15 is followed by step S16 immediately after that, the controller 12 determines that i is greater than n and ends the power control program. This concludes the description of the first embodiment.

[0092] As described above, in the present embodiment, during the first period, from the time (first specific period) when the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is predicted to exceed the peak, the suppression of the power consumption of the heat source devices 21a-21d is gradually relaxed at a rate of one device per demand deadline (unit time). Furthermore, when the suppression of the power consumption of the heat source devices 21a-21d is relaxed from the time (second specific period) when the first period ends after the first specific period, the suppression of the power consumption of the heat source devices 21a-21d is also gradually relaxed at a rate of one device per demand deadline (unit time). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the rebound after the end of the first period can be reduced more than before.

[0093] Although the facility 20 described above includes four heat source devices 21a-21d, the number of heat source devices included in the facility 20 is not limited. For example, if the facility 20 includes other heat source devices in addition to the above-described 1-4 heat source devices 21a-21d, the power consumption suppression of the other heat source devices may be relaxed in place of the 1-4 heat source devices 21a-21d, or the power consumption suppression of the other heat source devices may be relaxed after the 1-4 heat source devices 21a-21d, or the power consumption suppression of the other heat source devices may be relaxed before the 1-4 heat source devices 21a-21d. Furthermore, the order of the heat source devices for which power consumption suppression is relaxed may be changed based on the difference between the facility's contracted power and the demand power, or the difference between the power threshold and the facility's demand power.

[0094] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the power demand of the facility 20 is controlled mainly using the power demand when control to suppress the power demand of the facility 20 is not being executed. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the power demand of the facility 20 is controlled mainly using the power demand when control to suppress the power demand of the facility 20 is being executed. In this example, the description will be made mainly using the actual measured value of the power demand when control to suppress the power demand of the facility 20 is being executed.

[0095] [Device configuration] The configurations of the power control device 10 and the facility 20 to be controlled according to the second embodiment are basically the same as those of the power control device 10 and the facility 20 to be controlled according to the first embodiment, and therefore illustrations thereof are omitted. However, the controller 12 of the power control device 10 according to the second embodiment can sequentially acquire actual measured values ​​of the power demand of the facility 20 from the facility 20 or the power company 30 via the communication device 13. Furthermore, the memory 11 of the power control device 10 according to the second embodiment does not need to store predicted values ​​of the power demand of the facility 20.

[0096] [Operation] Next, the operation (power control method) of the power control device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described. As with the power control device 10 according to the first embodiment, the power control device 10 according to the second embodiment also relaxes the suppression of power consumption of each of the heat source devices 21a-21d one by one after the peak power demand of the facility 20 during the first period has passed, so long as the power demand of the facility 20 does not exceed the contracted power. Furthermore, when relaxing the suppression of power consumption of each of the heat source devices 21a-21d after the end of the first period (i.e., during the second period), the suppression of power consumption is also relaxed so long as the power threshold is not exceeded.

[0097] A specific example of the operation of the power control device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment as well, a specific example of the operation of the power control device 10 will be described by explaining the power control program executed by the controller 12. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the power control program according to the second embodiment. Before executing the power control program, the controller 12 acquires the contracted power and power threshold of the facility 20 from the memory 11 in advance, and sequentially acquires actual measured values ​​of the power demand of the facility 20 while the power control program is being executed.

[0098] 6, when the power control program of the second embodiment is started, the controller 12 determines whether the first period has started (step S21). If it is determined in step S21 that the first period has not started (No in step S21), the controller 12 repeats step S21. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first period has started (Yes in step S21), the controller 12 proceeds to step S22.

[0099] The first period in step S21 is a period during which the power demand of the facility 20 is suppressed. In the second embodiment, it is determined that the first period has started when the "actual measured value" of the power demand of the facility 20, rather than the "predicted value," becomes equal to or greater than the power threshold. Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the power control device 10 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 when control to suppress the power demand of the facility 20 is executed.

[0100] In the example shown in FIG. 7 , first, since the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is less than the power threshold during the period before time t4, when the determination in step S21 occurs during this period, the controller 12 determines that the first period has not started and repeats step S21. Furthermore, the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the power threshold during the period from time t4 to t5. However, the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 during the period from time t4 to t5 is not determined until time t5. In other words, it is at time t5 that it is determined that the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the power threshold. Therefore, even when the determination in step S21 occurs during the period from time t4 to t5, the controller 12 determines that the first period has not started and repeats step S21. On the other hand, when the determination in step S21 occurs during the period from time t5 to t6, the controller 12 determines that the first period has started and proceeds to step S22.

[0101] Next, in step S22, the controller 12 suppresses the power consumption of n heat source devices 21 provided in the facility 20. Step S22 is the same as step S2 in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the power consumption of four heat source devices 21 (the first heat source device 21a, the second heat source device 21b, the third heat source device 21c, and the fourth heat source device 21d) is suppressed. As a result, the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is suppressed.

[0102] Next, in step S23, the controller 12 determines whether or not the "actual measurement value" of the power demand of the facility 20 has exceeded the peak. In step S23, if it is determined that the actual measurement value of the power demand of the facility 20 has not exceeded the peak (No in step S23), the controller 12 repeats step S23. On the other hand, if it is determined that the actual measurement value of the power demand of the facility 20 has exceeded the peak (Yes in step S23), the controller 12 proceeds to step S24. In step S23, it can be determined that the peak has been exceeded based on the change over time in the actual measurement value of the power demand during the period when the power demand of the facility 20 is predicted to peak. The period when the power demand of the facility 20 is predicted to peak is a period that includes the time when the power demand of the facility 20 is predicted to peak, and in the example shown in FIG. 7, it is determined that the peak has been exceeded based on the change over time in the actual measurement value of the power demand. 15From t 18 This will be the period.

[0103] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the peak of the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 occurs at time t 16 From t 17 Since the determination in step S23 is at time t 17 If the time of determination in step S23 is before time t 17 If it is in the subsequent period, the controller 12 determines that the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 has exceeded the peak, and proceeds to step S24.

[0104] Next, in step S24, the controller 12 determines whether or not it is the start time of the demand time limit. If it is determined in step S24 that it is not the start time of the demand time limit (No in step S24), the controller 12 repeats step S24. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is the start time of the demand time limit (Yes in step S24), the controller 12 proceeds to step S25. The method of determining whether or not it is the start time of the demand time limit is as described in step S4 of the first embodiment.

[0105] In the example shown in Fig. 7, the actual measured value of the facility's power demand exceeds the peak value at time t 17 , t 18 , t 19 , ...and the period immediately thereafter is the start of the demand time period. Therefore, when the determination time in step S24 is not one of these periods, the controller 12 determines that it is not the start of the demand time period and repeats step S24. On the other hand, when the determination time in step S24 is one of these periods, the controller 12 determines that it is the start of the demand time period and proceeds to step S25.

[0106] Next, in step S25, the controller 12 determines whether or not the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the power threshold. If it is determined in step S25 that the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the power threshold (Yes in step S25), the controller 12 proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, if it is determined that the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the power threshold (No in step S25), the controller 12 proceeds to step S30.

[0107] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 exceeds the peak, and the time t 17 , t 18 , t 19 In the period immediately after time t, the predicted value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the power threshold value. Therefore, when the determination in step S25 is made in these periods, the controller 12 determines that the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the power threshold value, and proceeds to step S26. 20 In the period immediately after time t, the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is less than the power threshold. 20 From t 21 The actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 at time t 21 Therefore, the determination in step S25 is made at time t 20 If the determination in step S25 is made immediately after time t 21 If the period is immediately after the power demand, the controller 12 determines that the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the power threshold, and proceeds to step S30.

[0108] Next, in step S26, the controller 12 determines whether the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the "actual measured value" of the power demand of the facility 20 (the value obtained by subtracting the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 from the contracted power of the facility 20) is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount. If the controller 12 determines in step S26 that the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount (No in step S26), the controller 12 returns to step S24 and repeats step S24 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if the controller 12 determines that the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount (Yes in step S26), the controller 12 relaxes the suppression of the power consumption of the i-th heat source device 21 (step S27), and then increments i to increase the number i by 1 (step S28). The initial value of i is 1.

[0109] Steps S26, S27, and S28 will now be described together. The "planned relaxation amount" in step S26 is the power of the power consumption suppressed in step S23 that is planned to be relaxed. In this embodiment, the power consumption suppression is relaxed in the order of the first heat source device 21a, the second heat source device 21b, the third heat source device 21c, and the fourth heat source device 21d, and the planned relaxation amount for each is indicated by the height dimension (vertical dimension) of the squares numbered 1-4 in FIG. 7. Note that when the power consumption suppression of the heat source devices 21a-21d is relaxed, the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 reflects the relaxation amount for the heat source devices 21a-21d. Therefore, the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 can be said to be the power demand of the facility 20 after relaxation.

[0110] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the determination in step S26 is made at time t 17 , t 18 , t 19 , t 20 The period immediately after t 17 For the period immediately after t, i is initially set to 1. However, at time t 17 From t 18 The actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 at time t is unknown. 17 From t 18 The actual measured value of the power demand of facility 20 at time t 18Therefore, in this embodiment, the time t 17 The difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the demand power of the facility 20 at the time immediately after the demand time limit is the time t 16 From t 17 Then, at time t 16 From t 17 The difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the demand power of the facility 20 at time t 16 From t 17 This corresponds to the height of the shaded portion at time t. The height of this shaded portion is smaller than the height of the square marked with the number 1, which is the planned relaxation amount for the first heat source device 21a. Therefore, the determination in step S26 is made at time t 17 If it is immediately after that, the controller 12 determines that the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount, and returns to step S24 to repeat step S24 and subsequent steps.

[0111] Also, time t 18 For the period immediately after , i is initially set to 1. Then, at time t 18 The difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the demand power of the facility 20 at the time immediately after the demand time limit is the time t 17 From t 18 Then, at time t 17 From t 18 The difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the demand power of the facility 20 at time t 17 From t 18 This corresponds to the height of the shaded portion at time t. The height of this shaded portion is greater than the height of the square marked with the number 1, which is the planned relaxation amount for the first heat source device 21a. Therefore, the determination in step S26 is made at time t 18 If it is the period immediately after this, the controller 12 determines that the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount, and in step S27 relaxes the suppression of power consumption of the first heat source device 21a, which is the "first" heat source device, and in step S28 sets i to 2.

[0112] Also, time t 19 For the period immediately after t, i is incremented to 2. Then, at time t 19 The difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the demand power of the facility 20 at the time immediately after the demand time limit is the time t 18 From t 19 Then, at time t 18 From t 19 The difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the demand power of the facility 20 at time t 18 From t 19 This corresponds to the height of the shaded portion at time t. The height of this shaded portion is greater than the height of the square marked with the number 2, which is the planned relaxation amount for the second heat source device 21b. Therefore, the determination in step S26 is made at time t 19 If it is the period immediately after this, the controller 12 determines that the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount, and in step S27 relaxes the suppression of power consumption of the second heat source device 21b, which is the "second" heat source device, and in step S28 sets i to 3.

[0113] Also, time t 20 For the period immediately after t, i is incremented to 3. Then, at time t 20 The difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the demand power of the facility 20 at the time immediately after the demand time limit is the time t 19 From t 20 Then, at time t 19 From t 20 The difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the demand power of the facility 20 at time t 19 From t 20 This corresponds to the height of the shaded portion at time t. The height of this shaded portion is greater than the height of the square marked with the number 3, which is the planned relaxation amount for the third heat source device 21c. Therefore, the determination in step S26 is made at time t 20If it is the period immediately after this, the controller 12 determines that the difference between the contracted power of the facility 20 and the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount, and in step S27 relaxes the suppression of power consumption of the third heat source device 21c, which is the "third" heat source device, and in step S28 sets i to 4.

[0114] Next, in step S29, it is determined whether "i" is greater than "n." As in step S9 in the first embodiment, when i is greater than n, it means that the power consumption reduction has been relaxed for all of the heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption has been reduced. On the other hand, when i is not greater than n, it means that there are still some heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption has been reduced that have not had their power consumption reduction relaxed.

[0115] If it is determined in step S29 that i is not greater than n (No in step S29), that is, if there are any heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption has been suppressed but whose power consumption suppression has not been relaxed, the controller 12 returns to step S24 and repeats step S24 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if it is determined that i is greater than n (Yes in step S29), that is, if the power consumption suppression has been relaxed for all of the heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption has been suppressed, the controller 12 ends the power control program.

[0116] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the determination in step S29 is made at time t 18 The period immediately after, time t 19 The period immediately following, or time t 20 By performing step S28 at these times, i becomes 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Furthermore, n in this embodiment is 4. Therefore, when performing step S29 after step S28 at these times, the controller 12 determines that i is not greater than n, and returns to step S24 to repeat step S24 and subsequent steps.

[0117] Next, if the controller 12 determines in step S25 that the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the power threshold (No in step S25) and proceeds to step S30, the controller 12 determines in step S30 whether or not it is the start time of the demand time limit. If it is determined in step S30 that it is not the start time of the demand time limit (No in step S30), the controller 12 repeats step S30. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is the start time of the demand time limit (Yes in step S30), the controller 12 proceeds to step S31.

[0118] The determination method in step S30 is the same as the determination method in step S24. In the example shown in FIG. 7, taking into consideration step S34 described later, the time t 21 The time immediately after and time t 22 The time immediately following this is the start of the demand time limit. Therefore, if the determination time in step S30 is not one of these times, the controller 12 determines that it is not the start of the demand time limit and repeats step S30. On the other hand, if the determination time in step S30 is one of these times, the controller 12 determines that it is the start of the demand time limit and proceeds to step S31.

[0119] Next, in step S31, it is determined whether the difference between the "power threshold" and the "actual measurement value" of the power demand of the facility 20 (the value obtained by subtracting the actual measurement value of the power demand of the facility 20 from the power threshold) is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount. In step S31, if it is determined that the difference between the power threshold and the actual measurement value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount (No in step S31), the controller 12 returns to step S30 and repeats step S30 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if it is determined that the difference between the power threshold and the actual measurement value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount (Yes in step S31), the controller 12 relaxes the suppression of power consumption of the i-th heat source device 21 (step S32), and then increments i to increase the number i by 1 (step S33). Note that the initial value of i is 1, but if it is incremented in steps S28 and S33, the value is the incremented number.

[0120] Here, steps S31, S32, and S33 will be described together. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the determination in step S31 is made at time t 21 The period immediately after, or time t 22 The period immediately after this is the time t 21 For the period immediately after t, i is incremented to 4. Then, at time t 21 The difference between the power threshold and the actual measured value of the demand power of the facility 20 at the time immediately after the demand time limit is the time t 20 From t 21 Then, at time t 20 From t 21 The difference between the power threshold and the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 at time t 20 From t 21 This corresponds to the height of the shaded portion at time t. The height of this shaded portion is smaller than the height of the square marked with the number 4, which is the planned relaxation amount for the fourth heat source device 21d. Therefore, the determination in step S31 is made at time t 21 If it is the period immediately after this, the controller 12 determines that the difference between the power threshold and the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is not greater than the planned mitigation amount, and the controller 12 returns to step S30 and repeats step S30 and subsequent steps.

[0121] Also, time t 22 For the period immediately following t, i is 4. And for the period immediately following t, i is 4. 22 The difference between the power threshold and the actual measured value of the demand power of the facility 20 at the time immediately after the demand time limit is the time t 21 From t 22 Then, at time t 21 From t 22 The difference between the power threshold and the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 at time t 21 From t 22 This corresponds to the height of the shaded portion at time t. The height of this shaded portion is greater than the height of the square marked with the number 4, which is the planned relaxation amount for the fourth heat source device 21d. Therefore, the determination in step S31 is made at time t 22If it is the period immediately after this, the controller 12 determines that the difference between the power threshold and the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 is equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount, and in step S32 relaxes the suppression of power consumption of the fourth heat source device 21d, which is the "fourth" heat source device, and in step S33 sets i to 5.

[0122] Next, in step S34, it is determined whether "i" is greater than "n." The determination method in step S34 is the same as the determination method in step S29. If it is determined in step S34 that i is not greater than n (No in step S34), that is, if there are any heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption has been reduced but whose power consumption reduction has not been relaxed, the controller 12 returns to step S30 and repeats step S30 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if it is determined that i is greater than n (Yes in step S34), that is, if the power consumption reduction has been relaxed for all of the heat source devices 21a-21d whose power consumption has been reduced, the controller 12 terminates the power control program.

[0123] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the determination in step S34 is made at time t 21 The time immediately after time t 21 Immediately after this, i becomes 5 by performing step S33. In addition, n in this embodiment is 4. Therefore, at time t 22 If step S33 is followed by step S34 immediately after this, the controller 12 determines that i is greater than n and ends the power control program. This concludes the description of the second embodiment.

[0124] As described above, even when the power demand of the facility 20 is controlled using the power demand when control to mainly suppress the power demand of the facility 20 is being executed as in the second embodiment, it is possible to perform control similar to that in the first embodiment, in which the power demand of the facility 20 is controlled using the power demand when control to mainly suppress the power demand of the facility 20 is not being executed. Therefore, in the second embodiment as well, it is possible to reduce the rebound after the end of the first period more than in the past.

[0125] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, if step S30 and subsequent steps were omitted, there is a possibility that the actual measured value of the power demand of the facility 20 would exceed the power threshold during the second period, in which case the condition for starting the first period in step S21 would be met, and the first period would be restarted. However, in the second embodiment, by going through step S30 and subsequent steps, it is possible to prevent the first period from being restarted after the start of the second period (restart of suppression of power consumption by the heat source devices 21a-21d).

[0126] In the second embodiment described above, the "actual measured value" of the power demand when control is being executed to suppress the power demand of the facility 20 is used to control the power demand of the facility 20, but it is also possible to use the "predicted value" of the power demand when control is being executed to suppress the power demand of the facility 20. In this case, the flowchart of the power control program is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0127] The first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined with each other as long as they do not exclude each other. For example, the "predicted value" of the power demand of the facility 20 may be used to determine whether or not it is the first period, and the "actual measured value" of the power demand of the facility 20 may be used to determine whether or not to relax the suppression of the power consumption of the heat source devices 21 a-21 d.

[0128] From the above description, many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present disclosure. Details of the structure and / or function thereof can be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0129] An aspect of the present disclosure can be used in a power control method and a power control device that can reduce rebound after the end of a period of suppressing power demand in a facility more than before. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 10: Power control device 11:Memory 12: Controller 13: Communication device 20: Facilities 21a: 1st heat source equipment 21b:Second heat source equipment 21c: Third heat source equipment 21d: 4th heat source equipment 22: Control device 30: Electric power company

Claims

1. When a first period for suppressing power demand of a facility starts, suppressing power consumption of a plurality of heat source devices provided in the facility; and gradually relaxing the suppression of power consumption of the plurality of heat source devices from a first specific time point in the first period so that the contracted power of the facility is not exceeded.

2. The power control method according to claim 1 , wherein the first specific time period is a time period when power demand in the facility is predicted to exceed its peak.

3. The power control method according to claim 1 , wherein the suppression of power consumption of the plurality of heat source devices is gradually relaxed at a rate of one device per unit period of the first period.

4. The power control method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising the step of sequentially relaxing suppression of power consumption of the plurality of heat source devices based on a difference between a contracted power of the facility and a power demand of the facility.

5. the plurality of heat source devices include a first heat source device and a second heat source device, When a difference between the contracted power of the facility and the power demand of the facility becomes equal to or greater than a planned relaxation amount of the suppression of the power consumption of the first heat source device, the suppression of the power consumption of the first heat source device is relaxed, 5. The power control method according to claim 4, wherein when the difference between the contracted power of the facility and the demand power of the facility after the relaxation becomes equal to or greater than the planned relaxation amount of the suppression of the second heat source equipment, the suppression of the power consumption of the second heat source equipment is relaxed.

6. The power control method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the power consumption of the at least one heat source device is mitigated based on the difference between a power threshold that is smaller than the contracted power of the facility and the power demand of the facility from a second specific time period that is later than the first specific time period.

7. When the at least one heat source device is a plurality of heat source devices, The power control method according to claim 6, wherein the power consumption of the plurality of heat source devices is sequentially reduced from the second specific period based on a difference between a power threshold that is smaller than a contracted power of the facility and a power demand of the facility.

8. the plurality of heat source devices include a third heat source device and a fourth heat source device, When a difference between the power threshold and the power demand of the facility becomes larger than a planned relaxation amount of the suppression of the power consumption of a third heat source device, the suppression of the power consumption of the third heat source device is relaxed; The power control method according to claim 7, wherein when the difference between the power threshold and the demand power of the facility after the relaxation becomes larger than the planned relaxation amount of the suppression of the fourth heat source equipment, the suppression of the power consumption of the fourth heat source equipment is relaxed.

9. The power control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first period is initiated when the power demand of the facility reaches or exceeds a power threshold that is smaller than the contracted power of the facility.

10. The power control method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second specific time is a time when the power demand of the facility falls below a power threshold that is smaller than the contracted power of the facility.

11. a communication device that communicates with a control device that controls a plurality of heat source devices; a controller that, when a first period for suppressing the power demand of a facility begins, issues an instruction to the control device via the communication device to suppress the power consumption of a plurality of heat source devices installed in the facility, and issues an instruction to the control device via the communication device to gradually relax the suppression of the power consumption of the plurality of heat source devices so that the contract power of the facility is not exceeded from a first specific time during the first period.

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