Whole-building air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide a whole-building air conditioning system that can stably continue air conditioning for at least one of the rooms in a predetermined period even when surplus power varies, in a residence including a photovoltaic generation system.SOLUTION: A whole-building air conditioning system includes: an air conditioner; a main duct connected to the air conditioner; a plurality of branch ducts branching from the main duct and reaching a plurality of rooms; a damper for switching the branch ducts into either open state or closed state; and an air-conditioning control unit. The air-conditioning control unit calculates a power generation amount by a photovoltaic generation system in a predetermined period and available electric energy for air conditioning of the residual electric energy of a storage battery without purchasing electricity and controls opening and closing of the damper so as to be capable of continuing air conditioning for at least one of the rooms including a predetermined room within a range of the predetermined period and the available electric energy for air conditioning, thereby not providing any discomfort to a user whenever the user moves to the predetermined room.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a central air conditioning system that uses a single air conditioner to air condition multiple partitioned spaces within a home. [Background technology]

[0002] A central air conditioning system is a system that cools the entire house by installing a single high-output air conditioner in the house instead of installing individual air conditioners in each room. The air conditioner then distributes the conditioned air from an outlet through ducts connected to each room, including living rooms, toilets, and dressing rooms. Such central air conditioning systems are also beneficial for health, as they can reduce heat shock, which is common in winter. Meanwhile, homes that use renewable energy, such as solar power generation systems, have become increasingly common in recent years. Furthermore, when surplus electricity is generated by a solar power generation system, there is a tendency to consume it internally rather than selling it at a low price. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an air conditioning system controller that uses surplus electricity to operate an air conditioning system.

[0003] The air conditioning system controller described in Patent Document 1 calculates surplus power from the difference between the current power generation status of the solar power generation system and the current power consumption in the house, and uses the surplus power to control the air conditioning of occupied rooms where people are present to create a target air conditioning environment.If there is further surplus power, it changes the air conditioning conditions for unoccupied rooms where no one is present to conditions that have a lower energy load than the target air conditioning environment, thereby providing a highly energy-efficient air conditioning control system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7022906 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 controls air conditioning using surplus power, which is the difference between the current power generation status and the current power consumption, which poses a problem of uncertainty as to whether the target air conditioning environment of the room can be maintained in the future. Specifically, the power generation status of solar power generation is affected by the weather, so surplus power fluctuates. However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 controls air conditioning in multiple rooms without taking future fluctuations in surplus power into consideration, which may result in many rooms being unable to maintain the target air conditioning environment due to fluctuations in surplus power. In other words, the technology described in Patent Document 1 poses a problem of difficulty in maintaining stable air conditioning using surplus power alone.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a whole-house air conditioning system in a home equipped with a solar power generation system that can stably continue air conditioning at least one room for a specified period of time, even when surplus electricity fluctuates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the whole-building air conditioning system disclosed herein includes an air conditioner that can operate using power generated by a solar power generation system or remaining power in a storage battery, a main duct connected to the air conditioner, multiple branch ducts branching from the main duct and leading to multiple rooms, a damper provided in at least one of the multiple branch ducts and switching the branch duct between an open state and a closed state, and an air conditioning control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioner and the switching state of the damper. The air conditioning control unit calculates the amount of power that can be used for air conditioning during the specified period from the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system and the remaining power in the storage battery during the specified period from a first time point to a second time point, without purchasing power, and controls the opening and closing of the damper so that air conditioning can continue in at least one of the multiple rooms, including a predetermined room, during the specified period and within the range of the amount of power that can be used for air conditioning. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, in a house equipped with a solar power generation system, it is possible to achieve an effect of stably continuing air conditioning of at least one room for a predetermined period of time even when surplus power fluctuates. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which the central air-conditioning system according to the first embodiment is applied to a house; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of an indoor unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a variable air volume device; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an air conditioning control unit of a central air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a damper control unit of a central air-conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the damper control unit. [Figure 7] A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the damper control unit. [Figure 8] A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the damper control unit. [Figure 9] A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the damper control unit. [Figure 10] A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the damper control unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a hardware configuration for realizing an air conditioning control unit of a central air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a central air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a central air-conditioning system according to the first embodiment when applied to a house. The central air-conditioning system 100 uses a single air conditioner 10 to adjust the room temperatures of multiple partitioned spaces within a house 210, which is a building. The partitioned spaces within the house 210 may be completely separated by walls or may be partially open. The partitioned spaces include rooms 211a-211d and a corridor connecting the rooms 211a-211d to each other. For ease of explanation, the partitioned spaces are referred to as rooms in this specification. Although the central air-conditioning system 100 air-conditions the living room, kitchen, and living rooms as well as the washroom and toilet, FIG. 1 shows an example in which the central air-conditioning system 100 is applied to a single-story house 210 having four rooms 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d, for simplicity of explanation. Here, a house 210 is taken as an example of a building, but the building does not have to be a house 210 as long as it has rooms inside.

[0012] The central air-conditioning system 100 includes an air conditioner 10, a main duct 14, four branch ducts 15a-15d, four dampers 16a-16d, and four variable air volume devices 17a-17d.

[0013] The air conditioner 10 is a device for air-conditioning the interior of a house 210, and is capable of operating using power generated by a solar power generation system or the remaining power of a storage battery 33. The air conditioner 10 draws air through an underfloor air intake 213 provided in a floor 212 of the house 210, heats or cools the drawn air, and blows it out to a main duct 14. The air conditioner 10 has an indoor unit 11, an outdoor unit 12, and flexible piping 13. The outdoor unit 12 is installed outdoors the house 210. The indoor unit 11 is installed in a space other than the living space inside the house 210, for example, in a space 216 between an exterior wall 214 and an interior wall 215 that separates a room 211a. The flexible piping 13 is a flexible piping that connects the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 and passes through the exterior wall 214. Inside the flexible piping 13, there are arranged refrigerant piping that circulates refrigerant between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12, a power supply line that supplies power from the indoor unit 11 to the outdoor unit 12, and a communication line that exchanges signals between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12. The indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 form a refrigerant circuit through which the refrigerant circulates. The indoor unit 11 has a heat exchanger (not shown) of the refrigerant circuit. The outdoor unit 12 has a compressor, expansion valve, heat exchanger, four-way valve, and fan (not shown) of the refrigerant circuit. The heat pump is realized by operating the refrigerant circuit.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of an indoor unit. Indoor unit 11 includes a heat exchanger 112 and a blower fan 113 housed within a housing 111. Housing 111 has an intake port 114 and an outlet port 115. The blower fan 113 is driven by a motor (not shown) to generate an airflow from intake port 114 to outlet port 115. The blower fan 113 used in central air-conditioning system 100 has a higher output than the blower fans used in air conditioners installed individually in each room. Refrigerant piping 116 incorporated within heat exchanger 112 passes through flexible piping 13 and is connected to outdoor unit 12. Heat exchanger 112 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through refrigerant piping 116 and the air flowing from intake port 114 to outlet port 115. When air conditioner 10 performs cooling operation, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air in heat exchanger 112, thereby cooling the air. When the air conditioner 10 performs heating operation, the air is heated by the refrigerant dissipating heat to the air in the heat exchanger 112. The outlet 115 is connected to a main duct 14, which serves as the main air passage for sending the heat-exchanged air to each of the rooms 211a-211d.

[0015] Returning to FIG. 1 , main duct 14 is connected to air conditioner 10 and branches into multiple branch ducts 15a-15d in attic space 217. The multiple branch ducts 15a-15d branch off from main duct 14 and lead to multiple rooms 211a-211d. Specifically, the multiple branch ducts 15a-15d are connected to multiple variable air volume devices 17a-17d that are provided in openings in ceiling 218 of the multiple rooms 211a-211d, respectively. Air flowing through main duct 14 is diverted by branch ducts 15a-15d and supplied to each of rooms 211a-211d from outlets 174a-174d of variable air volume devices 17a-17d.

[0016] Multiple dampers 16a-16d are provided in branch ducts 15a-15d corresponding to rooms 211a-211d, respectively, and switch branch ducts 15a-15d between an open state and a closed state. That is, damper 16a is provided in branch duct 15a and opens and closes the air passage of branch duct 15a. Damper 16a is normally kept open so that air is blown from air conditioner 10 through main duct 14 and branch duct 15a and out of outlet 174a into room 211a. Damper 16b is provided in branch duct 15b and opens and closes the air passage of branch duct 15b. Damper 16b is normally kept open so that air is blown from air conditioner 10 through main duct 14 and branch duct 15b and out of outlet 174b into room 211b.

[0017] Furthermore, damper 16c is installed in branch duct 15c and opens and closes the air passage of branch duct 15c. Damper 16c is normally open so that air is blown from the air conditioner 10 through the main duct 14 and branch duct 15c and then through outlet 174c into room 211c. Furthermore, damper 16d is installed in branch duct 15d and opens and closes the air passage of branch duct 15d. Damper 16d is normally open so that air is blown from the air conditioner 10 through the main duct 14 and branch duct 15d and then through outlet 174d into room 211d. The opening and closing of each of dampers 16a-16d is controlled by an air conditioning control unit 50, which will be described later. Note that dampers 16a-16d may be installed in at least one of the multiple branch ducts 15a-15d. A branch duct provided for a room that is always air-conditioned, such as a room requiring air conditioning (described later), does not need to be provided with a damper.

[0018] Underfloor exhaust vents 219a-219d are provided in the floor 212 of the rooms 211a-211d, respectively. Underfloor air intake vents 213 provided in the floor 212 of the space 216 in which the indoor unit 11 is installed are connected to each of the rooms 211a-211d via the underfloor 220. In other words, the air in each of the rooms 211a-211d is guided by the blower fan 113 of the indoor unit 11 through the underfloor exhaust vents 219a-219d, the underfloor 220, and the underfloor air intake vent 213 to the indoor unit 11, main duct 14, and branch ducts 15a-15d, and is then blown out from the outlets 174a-174d of the variable air volume devices 17a-17d into each of the rooms 211a-211d, and the conditioned air circulates inside the house 210.

[0019] Each of the variable air volume devices 17a-17d adjusts the volume of air that has undergone heat exchange by the air conditioner 10 in order to control the temperature of each of the rooms 211a-211d. Each of the variable air volume devices 17a-17d is provided on the side of the attic space 217 of an opening provided in the ceiling 218 of each of the rooms 211a-211d. Each of the variable air volume devices 17a-17d adjusts the volume of air blown into each of the rooms 211a-211d.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a variable air volume device. Each of variable air volume devices 17a-17d includes a housing 171, a branch duct connector 172, a damper 173, and outlets 174a-174d. One of branch ducts 15a-15d is connected to branch duct connector 172. Damper 173 is supported by a support rod 173a within branch duct connector 172. A drive mechanism is provided on support rod 173a, which rotates in response to commands from air conditioning control unit 50, enabling the opening area of ​​the air passage to be controlled in multiple stages. When the temperature difference between the set temperature and rooms 211a-211d is large, the position of damper 173 is controlled to increase the opening area, thereby increasing the volume of air blown into rooms 211a-211d. Furthermore, as the temperatures of rooms 211a-211d approach the set temperatures, the position of damper 173 is controlled so that the opening area becomes smaller, thereby reducing the amount of air blown into rooms 211a-211d. Housing 171 changes the direction of the air path from branch duct connection part 172 to air outlet 174.

[0021] 1, the central air-conditioning system 100 further includes remote controllers 18a-18d corresponding to the rooms 211a-211d. Hereinafter, the remote controllers 18a-18d will be referred to as remote controls 18a-18d. A user of the central air-conditioning system 100 can set the temperature of each room 211a-211d from the remote controls 18a-18d.

[0022] The house 210 is equipped with a solar power generation system that generates electricity using sunlight. That is, the solar power generation system may be connected to the central air-conditioning system 100. The solar power generation system includes a solar cell panel 31, a power conversion device 32, and a storage battery 33.

[0023] The solar cell panel 31 is installed on the roof 221 of the house 210 and generates power using sunlight. The power conversion device 32 is known as a PV-PCS (Photovoltaic-Power Conditioning Subsystem).

[0024] The power converter 32 is connected to the solar cell panel 31, converts the power generated by the solar cell panel 31, and supplies the power to the rooms 211a-211d through the distribution board .

[0025] The storage battery 33 stores the power generated by the solar cell panel 31. When the power generated by the solar cell panel 31 is greater than the power used in the house 210, the surplus power is sold to the commercial power grid 40 or charged into the storage battery 33. When the power generated by the solar cell panel 31 is less than the power used in the house 210, the shortage of power is made up for by the commercial power grid 40 or the storage battery 33.

[0026] The central air-conditioning system 100 further includes an air-conditioning control unit 50. The air-conditioning control unit 50 is a control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioner 10 and the switching states of the dampers 16a-16d. The air-conditioning control unit 50 is preferably installed in a room that is easy for the resident of the house 210, i.e., the user of the central air-conditioning system 100, to operate. One example of a room that is easy for the resident to operate is a living room, which is a room that all residents can easily enter and exit. Here, it is assumed that the air-conditioning control unit 50 is installed in room 211d. Power to operate the air-conditioning control unit 50 is normally supplied from the commercial power grid 40, and is supplied from the storage battery 33 in the event of a power outage. In addition, part of the power received by the indoor unit 11 under normal circumstances may be supplied to the air-conditioning control unit 50 as operating power. The air conditioning control unit 50 communicates bidirectionally with the indoor unit 11, sets the operation mode of the air conditioner 10, outputs control commands to control the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 10, and outputs air volume commands to control the air volume of the blower fan 113 of the indoor unit 11. Examples of operation modes of the air conditioner 10 are cooling operation, heating operation, and other operation.

[0027] The air conditioning control unit 50 is connected to a weather information providing device 45 via a network 41. The network 41 is, for example, a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, but may also be a local area network (LAN). The weather information providing device 45 provides weather information for the location where the central air conditioning system 100 is installed. The weather information is information used to predict power generation in a solar power generation system, and may include information on solar radiation and temperature from the present time to a predetermined time. As an example, the weather information may be the global numerical forecast model GPV (Grid Point Value) provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency. As an example, the weather information providing device 45 is a server of the Japan Meteorological Agency or a server of a weather information providing company. The air conditioning control unit 50 obtains the weather information distributed by the weather information providing device 45.

[0028] In the first embodiment, the air conditioning control unit 50 calculates the amount of power that can be used for air conditioning without purchasing electricity during a predetermined period from a first time point to a second time point based on the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system and the remaining amount of power in the storage battery 33. The air conditioning control unit 50 then controls the opening and closing of the dampers 16a-16d so that air conditioning can be continued in at least one room among the rooms 211a-211d, including a predetermined room, within the range of the predetermined period and the amount of power that can be used for air conditioning. In one example, the predetermined period is a period during which electricity can be generated by the photovoltaic power generation system and during which sunlight is irradiated onto the solar cell panel 31. An example of such a predetermined period is the period from 8:00 a.m., which is the first time point, to 4:00 p.m., which is the second time point. In the following, an example is given in which the first time point is the current time point at which a room in which air conditioning will continue without purchasing electricity is determined and a process is executed to control the continuation of air conditioning in that room.

[0029] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an air conditioning control unit of the central air conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. In the following description, each of rooms 211a-211d will be referred to as room 211, the remote controller 18a-18d corresponding to room 211 will be referred to as remote controller 18, the branch duct 15a-15d corresponding to room 211 will be referred to as branch duct 15, the damper 16a-16d corresponding to room 211 will be referred to as damper 16, and the variable air volume device 17a-17d corresponding to room 211 will be referred to as variable air volume device 17.

[0030] The air conditioning control unit 50 includes a weather information acquisition unit 51, a weather information storage unit 52, an input device 53, a solar cell capacity storage unit 54, a power generation prediction unit 55, a power generation information storage unit 56, and a power generation prediction learning unit 57.

[0031] The weather information acquisition unit 51 acquires weather information from the weather information providing device 45 via the network 41. The acquired weather information is, for example, a global numerical weather forecast model GPV, and includes solar radiation and temperature information for each time period from the present to several time periods in the future. It is desirable to acquire the acquired weather information periodically, for example, every three hours, and update it to the latest weather information. By acquiring the latest weather information, the accuracy of calculating the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system can be improved. The weather information storage unit 52 stores the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 51.

[0032] The input device 53 is a device for inputting information to the air conditioning control unit 50. An example of the input device 53 is an operation button. Here, the input device 53 is assumed to be used when inputting the rated capacity of the solar cell panel 31. Of course, other information can also be input from the input device 53.

[0033] The solar cell capacity storage unit 54 stores the rated capacity of the solar cell panel 31 set by the user of the central air-conditioning system 100 via the input device 53.

[0034] The power generation prediction unit 55 predicts the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system for a predetermined period based on weather information including the amount of solar radiation and temperature information for the predetermined period. Specifically, the power generation prediction unit 55 acquires weather information from the weather information storage unit 52 and the rated capacity from the solar cell capacity storage unit 54, and predicts the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system based on the acquired weather information and rated capacity. The amount of power generated by the solar power generation system can be calculated by multiplying the rated capacity of the solar cell panel 31 by the amount of solar radiation by the loss coefficient. The power generation prediction unit 55 holds the set loss coefficient. The power generation prediction unit 55 holds the latest loss coefficient acquired from the power generation prediction learning unit 57. Hereinafter, the predicted amount of power generation will be referred to as a power generation prediction value.

[0035] The power generation amount information storage unit 56 stores the power generation amount data output from the power conversion device 32 together with date and time information. The power generation amount data is information indicating the amount of power actually generated by the solar cell panel 31. As a result, the power generation amount information storage unit 56 accumulates power generation amount data from the past.

[0036] The power generation prediction learning unit 57 corrects the loss coefficient used to predict the power generation amount in order to improve the accuracy of the prediction made by the power generation prediction unit 55. Specifically, the power generation prediction learning unit 57 acquires power generation amount data from the power generation amount information storage unit 56 when the past amount of solar radiation and temperature were close to the current amount of solar radiation and temperature in the same season as the current one, and compares the past power generation amount data with the power generation amount predicted by the power generation prediction unit 55. The power generation prediction learning unit 57 reflects the difference between the past power generation amount data and the predicted power generation amount in the loss coefficient, thereby bringing the loss coefficient closer to the actual measured value.

[0037] The learning function for predicting the amount of power generation may be provided as needed, i.e., the power generation amount information storage unit 56 and the power generation amount prediction learning unit 57 may be provided as needed.

[0038] When a learning function for predicting the amount of power generation is provided, the weather information acquisition unit 51 stores the acquired weather information together with the acquisition date and time in the weather information storage unit 52. That is, the weather information storage unit 52 accumulates acquired past weather information. The power generation amount information storage unit 56 stores the power generation amount data together with the date and time when the data was acquired from the power conversion device 32. This makes it possible to associate the weather information stored in the weather information storage unit 52 with the power generation amount data stored in the power generation amount information storage unit 56 by date and time. The power generation amount prediction learning unit 57 then searches the information stored in the weather information storage unit 52 for past insolation and temperature that are close to the current insolation and temperature, and acquires from the power generation amount information storage unit 56 past power generation amount data that corresponds to the acquisition date and time of the searched past insolation and temperature.

[0039] The remote control 18 provided in the room 211 includes an input device 181, a temperature sensor 182, an air volume control unit 183, and a communication unit 184.

[0040] The input device 181 is, for example, an operation button, and is operated by a user of the central air-conditioning system 100 to set the temperature of the room 211. The temperature of the room 211 set by the input device 181 becomes the set temperature.

[0041] The temperature sensor 182 measures the temperature of the room 211 in which the remote control 18 is installed. The temperature of the room 211 measured by the temperature sensor 182 is referred to as the measured temperature.

[0042] The air volume control unit 183 controls the air volume of the room 211 in which the remote control 18 is installed. When the air volume control unit 183 receives an opening area command for the variable air volume device 17 from the air conditioning control unit 50 via the communication unit 184, it controls the opening area of ​​the damper 173 of the variable air volume device 17 in accordance with the opening area command received via the communication unit 184. In other words, the air volume control unit 183 transmits the received opening area command to the variable air volume device 17 via the communication unit 184.

[0043] The communication unit 184 transmits and receives signals between the air conditioning control unit 50 and the variable air volume device 17 via wired or wireless communication. In this example, the communication unit 184 transmits the set temperature set by the input device 181 and the measured temperature measured by the temperature sensor 182 to the air conditioning control unit 50. The communication unit 184 also receives an opening area command from the air conditioning control unit 50, passes it to the air volume control unit 183, and transmits the opening area command to the variable air volume device 17 in accordance with the instruction from the air volume control unit 183. As a result, the variable air volume device 17 controls the opening area of ​​the damper 173 in accordance with the opening area command. As a result, an air volume according to the opening area command is realized.

[0044] The air conditioning control unit 50 further includes a set temperature acquisition unit 61 , a set temperature storage unit 62 , a room temperature acquisition unit 63 , a room temperature storage unit 64 , an air conditioner control unit 65 , and a command transmission unit 66 .

[0045] The set temperature acquisition unit 61 acquires the set temperature of the room 211 from the remote control 18, and stores the acquired set temperature in the set temperature storage unit 62. The set temperature storage unit 62 stores, for each room 211, the set temperature associated with the acquisition date and time.

[0046] The room temperature acquisition unit 63 acquires the measured temperature of the room 211 from the remote control 18, and stores the acquired measured temperature in the room temperature storage unit 64. The room temperature storage unit 64 stores, for each room 211, the measured temperature associated with the acquisition date and time.

[0047] The air conditioner control unit 65 generates commands to control the operation of the air conditioner 10 and the damper 173 of the variable air volume device 17 provided in the room 211. Specifically, the air conditioner control unit 65 acquires the set temperature and measured temperature of the room 211 from the set temperature memory unit 62 and the room temperature memory unit 64, respectively, and generates a control command to the air conditioner 10 so that the measured temperature of the room 211 that requires air conditioning becomes the set temperature, and generates an opening area command for the damper 173 of the variable air volume device 17 to the air volume control unit 183 of the remote control 18. Whether the room 211 requires air conditioning can be determined based on damper state information that indicates the open / closed state of each damper 16 transmitted from the damper control unit 84, which will be described later. That is, air conditioning is required in a room 211 corresponding to an open damper 16, and air conditioning is not required in a room 211 corresponding to a closed damper 16. In this way, the air conditioner control unit 65 controls the output of the air conditioner 10 according to the number of rooms to be air-conditioned based on the damper state information, and controls the air volume of the rooms 211 that require air conditioning.

[0048] The command sending unit 66 sends the control command generated by the air conditioner control unit 65 to the air conditioner 10, and sends the opening area command to the remote control 18. The air conditioner 10 that received the control command adjusts the operating capacity during cooling and the operating capacity during heating based on the control command. The air volume control unit 183 of the remote control 18 that received the opening area command adjusts the opening area of ​​the damper 173 of the variable air volume device 17 based on the opening area command.

[0049] The air conditioning control unit 50 further includes an outdoor unit power consumption acquisition unit 71 , an outdoor unit power consumption storage unit 72 , an air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73 , and an air conditioning power consumption prediction learning unit 74 .

[0050] The outdoor unit power consumption acquisition unit 71 acquires power consumption information from the outdoor unit 12 and stores the acquired power consumption information in the outdoor unit power consumption storage unit 72. The power consumption information indicates the power consumed by the outdoor unit 12. The outdoor unit power consumption storage unit 72 stores the power consumption information acquired by the outdoor unit power consumption acquisition unit 71.

[0051] The air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73 obtains the set temperature of the current room 211 from the set temperature storage unit 62 and the measured temperature of the current room 211 from the room temperature storage unit 64, and predicts the amount of power required for air conditioning of the room 211 based on the obtained set temperature and measured temperature. That is, the air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73 predicts the power required for air conditioning for each of the rooms 211a-211d. Specifically, the air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73 calculates the difference between the set temperature and the measured temperature in each of the rooms 211a-211d and calculates the air conditioning capacity required for each of the rooms 211a-211d from the difference. The relationship between the difference and the required air conditioning capacity is set in advance. The air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73 then predicts the power required for air conditioning of each of the rooms 211a-211d from the obtained air conditioning capacity of each of the rooms 211a-211d. The air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73 then predicts the amount of power required for air conditioning from the predicted power required for air conditioning. In one example, the air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73 predicts the amount of power required for air conditioning in each of the rooms 211a-211d during a predetermined period from the present, which is a first point in time, to a second point in time. In another example, the air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73 predicts the amount of power required for air conditioning in each of the rooms 211a-211d for each of multiple time periods into which the predetermined period is divided, for example, for each hour. Hereinafter, the power required for air conditioning predicted by the air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73 will be referred to as the predicted air conditioning power consumption value.

[0052] The air conditioning power consumption prediction learning unit 74 corrects the coefficients used to predict the predicted air conditioning power consumption values ​​in order to improve the accuracy of the predictions made by the air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73. Specifically, the air conditioning power consumption prediction learning unit 74 acquires from the weather information storage unit 52 the date and time of a past temperature close to the current temperature in the same season as the current one. The air conditioning power consumption prediction learning unit 74 also acquires from the set temperature storage unit 62 the date and time of a past set temperature close to the current set temperature in the same season as the current one. The air conditioning power consumption prediction learning unit 74 also acquires from the room temperature storage unit 64 the date and time of a past measured temperature close to the current measured temperature in the same season as the current one. The air conditioning power consumption prediction learning unit 74 then acquires the past date and time of a past temperature close to the current temperature, the past set temperature close to the current set temperature, and the past measured temperature close to the current measured temperature that match, and acquires past power consumption information corresponding to the matching past date and time from the outdoor unit power consumption storage unit 72. That is, the air conditioning power consumption prediction learning unit 74 acquires past power consumption information for the same season as the current one when the past temperature, set temperature, and measured temperature were close to the current temperature, set temperature, and measured temperature from the outdoor unit power consumption storage unit 72. The air conditioning power consumption prediction learning unit 74 then compares the past power consumption information with the predicted air conditioning power consumption value predicted by the air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73. The air conditioning power consumption prediction learning unit 74 reflects the difference between the past power consumption information and the predicted air conditioning power consumption value in the coefficients, thereby bringing the coefficients used to calculate the predicted air conditioning power consumption value closer to the actual measured values.

[0053] The learning function for predicting power consumption may be provided as needed. That is, the outdoor unit power consumption storage unit 72 and the air conditioning power consumption prediction learning unit 74 may be provided as needed.

[0054] When a learning function for predicting power consumption is provided, the weather information acquisition unit 51 stores the acquired weather information in the weather information storage unit 52 together with the acquisition date and time. That is, the weather information storage unit 52 accumulates acquired past weather information. The set temperature acquisition unit 61 stores the set temperature acquired from the remote control 18 in the set temperature storage unit 62 together with the acquisition date and time. That is, the set temperature storage unit 62 accumulates acquired past set temperatures. The room temperature acquisition unit 63 stores the measured temperature acquired from the remote control 18 in the room temperature storage unit 64 together with the acquisition date and time. That is, the room temperature storage unit 64 accumulates acquired past measured temperatures. The outdoor unit power consumption acquisition unit 71 stores power consumption information acquired from the outdoor unit 12 in the outdoor unit power consumption storage unit 72 together with the acquisition date and time. That is, the outdoor unit power consumption storage unit 72 accumulates acquired past power consumption information. This makes it possible to associate the weather information stored in the weather information storage unit 52, the set temperature stored in the set temperature storage unit 62, the measured temperature stored in the room temperature storage unit 64, and the power consumption information stored in the outdoor unit power consumption storage unit 72 by date and time. The air conditioning power consumption prediction learning unit 74 then searches for past temperatures, set temperatures, and measured temperatures that are close to the current air temperature, set temperature, and measured temperature from the information stored in the weather information storage unit 52, the set temperature storage unit 62, and the room temperature storage unit 64, and obtains from the outdoor unit power consumption storage unit 72 past power consumption information that corresponds to the acquisition date and time of the searched past temperatures, set temperatures, and measured temperatures.

[0055] The air conditioning control unit 50 further includes a battery remaining power monitor 81, a power consumption monitor 82, a power consumption storage unit 83, and a damper control unit 84.

[0056] The battery remaining power monitor 81 monitors the remaining amount of power in the battery 33 .

[0057] The power consumption monitoring unit 82 calculates power consumption information, which is the power consumption consumed in each of the rooms 211a-211d, based on the voltage and current values ​​acquired from the voltage sensor 341 and the current sensor 342, and stores the calculated power consumption information together with date and time information in the power consumption storage unit 83. Here, the power consumption information is assumed to be the power consumption in each of the rooms 211a-211d for each specified time period. The voltage sensor 341 and the current sensor 342 are installed in each of the breakers connected to the rooms 211a-211d, and measure the voltage and current values ​​supplied to each of the rooms 211a-211d. The four breakers are integrated in the distribution board 34 shown in FIG. 1. The power consumption calculated by the power consumption monitoring unit 82 does not include the power consumed by the air conditioner 10. Therefore, the power consumption calculated by the power consumption monitoring unit 82 can be used to determine the power used for purposes other than air conditioning.

[0058] The power consumption storage unit 83 stores power consumption information. The power consumption information is information indicating the power consumption for each time period of each room 211a-211d calculated by the power consumption monitoring unit 82. The power consumption for each time period is expressed as the average power obtained by dividing the amount of power consumed in that time period by the time. The power consumption storage unit 83 accumulates power consumption information for each room 211a-211d from the past.

[0059] The damper control unit 84 controls the opening and closing of each of the dampers 16a-16d. The damper control unit 84 is configured by a user to set priorities for air conditioning between rooms requiring air conditioning (rooms requiring air conditioning) and rooms not requiring air conditioning (rooms other than the rooms requiring air conditioning). In one example, priority information indicating the priority for air conditioning for each of the rooms 211a-211d is stored in the damper control unit 84 through user operation via the input device 53. The priority information includes a classification of rooms requiring air conditioning from rooms other than the rooms requiring air conditioning and the priority of air conditioning for the rooms other than the rooms requiring air conditioning. The damper control unit 84 controls the opening and closing of dampers 16a-16d corresponding to the rooms other than the rooms requiring air conditioning based on the set priority information, the predicted power generation amount from the power generation amount prediction unit 55, the remaining power in the storage battery 33 from the battery remaining power monitoring unit 81, the power consumption information from the power consumption storage unit 83, and the predicted air conditioning power consumption from the air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73, so that air conditioning can continue without purchasing electricity.

[0060] That is, the damper control unit 84 calculates the amount of energy available for air conditioning without purchasing power during a predetermined period from the present time (first time point) to the predetermined time point (second time point) based on the remaining energy in the storage battery 33, the amount of energy generated by the energy generation amount prediction unit 55, and the predicted values ​​of the energy consumption other than that of the air conditioner 10 in the house 210 having multiple rooms 211a-211d. The damper control unit 84 also controls the opening and closing of each of the dampers 16a-16d so that air conditioning can be continued for the predetermined period in at least one room among the multiple rooms 211a-211d, including a predetermined room, within the range of the predetermined period and the amount of energy available for air conditioning. Note that even if the rooms to continue air conditioning are determined using the amount of energy available for air conditioning during the predetermined period, which is obtained from the predicted values ​​of the remaining energy and energy generation amount in the storage battery 33 and the predicted values ​​of the energy consumption other than that of the air conditioner 10, there is a possibility that the amount of energy available for air conditioning may not be enough to air-condition all of the determined rooms during a certain time period. For this reason, as will be described later, it is desirable to divide a set period into multiple time slots and determine whether it is possible to continuously air-condition all rooms determined based on the amount of power available for air-conditioning in all time slots. The length of a time slot can be set to 1 hour, 30 minutes, etc., but if the length is too short, the calculation load on the damper control unit 84 will increase, so it is desirable to determine a time slot length that does not impose a calculation load.

[0061] Furthermore, the damper control unit 84 transmits damper state information, which is information indicating the open / closed state of each damper 16, to the air conditioner control unit 65. The air conditioner control unit 65 adjusts the operating capacity of the air conditioner 10 according to the open / closed state of each damper 16.

[0062] On the other hand, for rooms requiring air conditioning, the damper control unit 84 maintains the damper among dampers 16a-16d corresponding to the room requiring air conditioning in an open state, regardless of the predicted power generation amount value from the power generation amount prediction unit 55 and the predicted air conditioning power consumption value from the air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73. In other words, the damper control unit 84 controls the air conditioning of rooms other than the room requiring air conditioning by opening and closing the dampers so that the air conditioning of the room requiring air conditioning can continue.

[0063] Note that even if all dampers in rooms other than those requiring air conditioning are closed, if there is a time period in which the predicted power generation amount of the solar power generation system and the amount of power available to the air conditioner 10 out of the remaining power in the storage battery 33 are less than the predicted air-conditioning power consumption of the rooms requiring air conditioning, i.e., if it is not possible to maintain air conditioning in a predetermined room requiring air conditioning for a predetermined period of time, the damper control unit 84 will purchase power because it is difficult to continue air conditioning without purchasing power. In this case, the damper control unit 84 outputs an alarm from the notification device 85 (described below). Alternatively, the damper control unit 84 may generate information notifying the user that power will be purchased and display the generated information on the display device 86 (described below). At this time, the damper control unit 84 may calculate the amount of power to be purchased using the amount of power available to the air conditioner 10 and the predicted air-conditioning power consumption of the rooms requiring air conditioning, and include the amount of power to be purchased in the information and display it on the display device 86. Alternatively, the damper control unit 84 may calculate the time during which air conditioning can be maintained without purchasing power and display the calculation result on the display device 86. This allows the user of the central air-conditioning system 100 to recognize that the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system alone is not enough to maintain the air conditioning on that day. Also, by displaying the amount of purchased power, the user can know how much power needs to be purchased, giving the user peace of mind regarding the cost burden incurred by purchasing power. Furthermore, by displaying the time for which air conditioning can be maintained without purchasing power, the user can intuitively grasp the ratio of the cost burden incurred by purchasing power to the time for which air conditioning can be maintained without purchasing power.

[0064] Since dampers 16 correspond to rooms 211, setting a room requiring air conditioning can be said to be setting a damper corresponding to the room requiring air conditioning. Also, setting a priority for air conditioning among rooms other than the room requiring air conditioning can be said to be setting a priority for air conditioning among the dampers corresponding to the rooms other than the room requiring air conditioning.

[0065] The air conditioning control unit 50 further includes an alarm device 85 and a display device 86. The alarm device 85 is a device that outputs audio information, and is, for example, a speaker. The alarm device 85 issues an alarm based on a command from the damper control unit 84, and notifies the user that power will be purchased if it is difficult to continue air conditioning without purchasing power. However, instead of the alarm device 85, an alarm device (not shown) included in the remote control 18 may be configured to issue an alarm based on a command from the damper control unit 84. The display device 86 is a device that displays information, and is, for example, an LCD monitor. The display device 86 displays the time during which air conditioning is possible without purchasing power, the amount of power purchased, etc., based on a command from the damper control unit 84. However, instead of the display device 86, a display device (not shown) included in the remote control 18 may be configured to display the time during which air conditioning is possible without purchasing power, the amount of power purchased, etc.

[0066] 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the damper control unit of the central air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. The damper control unit 84 includes an available power prediction unit 841, a power consumption prediction unit 842, an air-conditioning available power prediction unit 843, and a damper open / close determination unit 844.

[0067] The available power prediction unit 841 predicts the amount of power that can be used without purchasing power, based on the predicted power generation amount value predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit 55 and the remaining power amount in the storage battery 33 monitored by the storage battery remaining power monitoring unit 81. The available power prediction unit 841 predicts the amount of power that can be used for each predetermined time period, for example, for each hour, from the predicted amount of power that can be used without purchasing power. The amount of power that can be used for each time period predicted by the available power prediction unit 841 is also referred to as the predicted available power value.

[0068] The power consumption prediction unit 842 predicts the amount of power to be used for purposes other than air conditioning based on the current power consumption obtained from the power consumption monitoring unit 82 and the past power consumption amounts stored in the power consumption storage unit 83. The power consumption prediction unit 842 predicts the amount of power to be used for purposes other than air conditioning for each predetermined time period, for example, for each hour, from the predicted amount of power consumption to be used for purposes other than air conditioning. The amount of power consumption predicted by the power consumption prediction unit 842 for each time period for purposes other than air conditioning is referred to as the predicted value of power consumption other than air conditioning.

[0069] The air conditioning usable power prediction unit 843 predicts the amount of power usable for air conditioning under the condition that no power is purchased by subtracting the predicted power consumption value other than air conditioning predicted by the power consumption prediction unit 842 from the predicted usable power value predicted by the usable power prediction unit 841 for each predetermined time period. The amount of power usable for air conditioning means the amount of power that can be consumed by the air conditioner 10. The amount of power usable for air conditioning under the condition that no power is purchased, predicted by the air conditioning usable power prediction unit 843, is referred to as the predicted air conditioning usable power value.

[0070] The damper open / close determination unit 844 compares the predicted air conditioning available power value predicted by the air conditioning available power prediction unit 843 with the predicted air conditioning power consumption value predicted by the air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73, and determines which of the dampers 16a-16d to close based on the comparison result. The damper open / close determination unit 844 transmits commands to the air conditioner control unit 65, the notification device 85, and the display device 86 based on the comparison result. Specifically, when changing the open / close state of each of the dampers 16a-16d, the damper open / close determination unit 844 outputs a damper state change command to the dampers 16a-16d. The damper open / close determination unit 844 outputs damper state information indicating the open / close state of each of the dampers 16a-16d to the air conditioner control unit 65. When it is difficult to continue air conditioning without purchasing power, the damper open / close determination unit 844 outputs a command to the notification device 85 to notify the user that power will be purchased. The damper open / close determination unit 844 outputs a command to the display device 86 to display the time when air conditioning is possible without purchasing power, the amount of power purchased, etc. Furthermore, the priority information input from the input device 53 is stored in the damper open / close determination unit 844.

[0071] In the central air-conditioning system 100 configured as described above, the control by the air-conditioning control unit 50 that continues air-conditioning without purchasing power for a predetermined period from the present will be described. FIGS. 6 to 10 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the damper control unit. The following describes an example of predicting the power required for air-conditioning without purchasing power every hour from 8:00 to 16:00, when the solar power generation system is generating power as of 8:00. Also, it is assumed that the room requiring air-conditioning is room 211a, and priority information is set in the damper control unit 84 such that the priority for air-conditioning among rooms other than the room requiring air-conditioning is room 211b > room 211c > room 211d.

[0072] First, the available power prediction unit 841 calculates an available power prediction value a, which is the amount of power that can be used without purchasing power, for each time slot from 8:00 to 16:00, based on the predicted power generation amount for each time slot up to eight hours ahead as of 8:00, predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit 55, and the current amount of power stored in the storage battery 33, monitored by the storage battery remaining power monitoring unit 81 (step S11). In one example, the time slots can be set in one-hour increments. In this case, the predetermined period can be divided into eight slots: a first slot from 8:00 to 9:00, a second slot from 9:00 to 10:00, a third slot from 10:00 to 11:00, a fourth slot from 11:00 to 12:00, a fifth slot from 12:00 to 13:00, a sixth slot from 13:00 to 14:00, a seventh slot from 14:00 to 15:00, and an eighth slot from 15:00 to 16:00. The predicted available power value a for each time slot up to eight hours ahead indicates the amount of available power in each of these eight time slots.

[0073] Next, the power consumption prediction unit 842 acquires the power consumption amounts for each of the first to eighth time slots for the previous day, which are stored in the power consumption storage unit 83 (step S12). The power consumption prediction unit 842 also acquires the current power consumption from the power consumption monitoring unit 82 (step S13). The power consumption prediction unit 842 calculates a difference between the power consumption amount for the first time slot for the previous day and a converted value of the power consumption for the current time slot, i.e., the first time slot for today (step S14). The converted value of the power consumption for the first time slot for today can be calculated using the current power consumption acquired from the power consumption monitoring unit 82. Thereafter, the power consumption prediction unit 842 acquires a non-air-conditioning power consumption predicted value b, which is the amount of power to be used for purposes other than air conditioning, for each time slot from 8:00 to 16:00 today, from the converted value of the current power consumption and the sum of the calculated difference value and the power consumption amounts for each of the second to eighth time slots for the previous day, which are acquired from the power consumption storage unit 83 (step S15). The voltage and current values ​​measured by the voltage sensor 341 and the current sensor 342 do not include the voltage and current values ​​supplied to the air conditioner 10. For this reason, the predicted power consumption value b other than air conditioning calculated by the power consumption prediction unit 842 is taken as a predicted value of the amount of power consumed other than for air conditioning in each time slot from the second time slot to the eighth time slot, based on the present. In other words, the predicted power consumption value b other than air conditioning for each time slot is calculated assuming that the difference between the amount of power consumed in the first time slot and the amount of power consumed the previous day also applies to each time slot. In addition, by using the converted value of the power consumption obtained from the current power consumption as the predicted power consumption value b other than air conditioning, which is the amount of power consumed other than for air conditioning in the first time slot, based on the present, the predicted power consumption value b other than air conditioning is prepared, which is the amount of power consumed other than for air conditioning from the first time slot to the eighth time slot of today, based on the present.

[0074] Next, the air conditioning available power prediction unit 843 performs a process for each time slot up to eight hours in the future to subtract the predicted power consumption value b for power other than air conditioning calculated by the power consumption prediction unit 842 from the predicted available power value a calculated by the available power prediction unit 841, and obtains the predicted air conditioning available power value c that can be used for air conditioning without purchasing power for each time slot from 8:00 to 16:00 (step S16). The predicted air conditioning available power value c can be expressed as the predicted available power value a - the predicted power consumption value other than air conditioning b.

[0075] Thereafter, the damper open / close determination unit 844 acquires the predicted air conditioning power consumption values ​​for each of the rooms 211a-211d predicted by the air conditioning power consumption prediction unit 73 (step S17). The predicted air conditioning power consumption values ​​are predicted values ​​of power required for air conditioning in each of the rooms 211a-211d for each time period. The damper open / close determination unit 844 selects the room 211a that has been set in advance as an air-conditioned room in the priority information (step S18). The damper open / close determination unit 844 compares the predicted air conditioning usable power values ​​c for each of the first to eighth time periods predicted by the air conditioning usable power prediction unit 843 with the predicted air conditioning power consumption value A for the selected room 211a (step S19). The damper open / close determination unit 844 then determines whether there is even one time period in which the predicted air conditioning power consumption value A for the selected room 211a is equal to or greater than the predicted air conditioning usable power value c (step S20). Here, we have used an example where there is one room requiring air conditioning, but if there are multiple rooms requiring air conditioning, the predicted air conditioning power consumption value A will be the sum of the predicted air conditioning power consumption values ​​of each of the selected rooms.

[0076] If there is at least one time slot among the first through eighth time slots in which the predicted air-conditioning power consumption value A for the selected room 211a is equal to or greater than the predicted air-conditioning available power value c (Yes in step S20), the damper open / close determination unit 844 controls the dampers 16b-16d corresponding to the rooms 211b-211d other than the selected room 211a to close (step S21). This stops air conditioning for the rooms 211b-211d other than the rooms requiring air conditioning, while continuing air conditioning for the room 211a requiring air conditioning. In addition, the damper open / close determination unit 844 transmits damper status information specifying the open / closed states of the dampers 16b-16d to the air conditioner control unit 65 (step S22). Upon receiving the damper status information from the damper open / close determination unit 844, the air conditioner control unit 65 controls the air conditioner 10 to reduce its operating capacity to a level necessary to air-condition only the room 211a.

[0077] In this case, even if the air conditioning of rooms 211b-211d other than the rooms requiring air conditioning is stopped, there are time periods during which it is difficult to continue air conditioning of the rooms requiring air conditioning without purchasing power, and so power will be purchased during these time periods. The damper opening / closing determination unit 844 controls the alarm device 85 to issue an alarm indicating that power will be purchased (step S23). This causes the alarm device 85 to notify the user that power will be purchased. At this time, the damper opening / closing determination unit 844 may control the display device 86 to display the time during which air conditioning is possible without purchasing power, the amount of power to be purchased, etc. This completes the processing.

[0078] In step S20, if there is no time slot among the first to eighth time slots in which the predicted air-conditioning power consumption value A of the selected room 211a is equal to or greater than the predicted air-conditioning usable power value c (No in step S20), the damper opening / closing determination unit 844 selects the room 211b with the highest priority among the rooms other than the rooms requiring air conditioning in the priority information (step S24). In addition, the damper opening / closing determination unit 844 calculates, for each time slot, a predicted remaining usable power value cA, which is the value obtained by subtracting the predicted air-conditioning power consumption value A of the room 211a from the predicted air-conditioning usable power value c (step S25). The damper opening / closing determination unit 844 compares the predicted remaining usable power values ​​cA of the first to eighth time slots with the predicted air-conditioning power consumption value B of the selected room 211b (step S26). Then, the damper opening / closing determining unit 844 determines whether there is even one time period in which the predicted air conditioning power consumption value B of the selected room 211b is equal to or greater than the predicted remaining available power value cA (step S27).

[0079] If there is at least one time slot among the first to eighth time slots in which the predicted air conditioning power consumption value B of the selected room 211b is equal to or greater than the predicted remaining available power value cA (Yes in step S27), the damper opening / closing determination unit 844 controls the dampers 16b-16d corresponding to the selected room 211b and the remaining unselected rooms 211c and 211d to close (step S28). As a result, air conditioning is stopped in rooms 211b-211d other than the rooms requiring air conditioning, and air conditioning of room 211a requiring air conditioning is continued.

[0080] In addition, the damper open / close determination unit 844 transmits damper state information specifying the open / close states of the dampers 16b-16d to the air conditioner control unit 65 (step S29). Upon receiving the damper state information from the damper open / close determination unit 844, the air conditioner control unit 65 controls the air conditioner 10 to reduce its operating capacity to the level required to air-condition only the room 211a. In this case, only the room 211a, which is the room requiring air conditioning, can continue air-conditioning until 4:00 PM using the power generated by the solar power generation system and the remaining power in the storage battery 33, while the rooms 211b-211d, which are not rooms requiring air conditioning, will continue to have their air-conditioning stopped until 4:00 PM. This prevents air-conditioning in the rooms requiring air conditioning from being stopped while the solar power generation system is operating, allowing for stable air-conditioning to continue. Furthermore, the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system is predicted until 4:00 PM, and air conditioning in rooms 211b-211d other than the rooms requiring air conditioning is stopped based on this prediction, so even if the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system decreases, it does not affect the continuation of air conditioning in the rooms requiring air conditioning, and it becomes possible to maintain air conditioning. This completes the process.

[0081] In step S27, if there is no time slot among the first to eighth time slots in which the predicted air-conditioning power consumption value B of the selected room 211b is equal to or greater than the predicted remaining available power value cA (No in step S27), the damper opening / closing determination unit 844 selects the room 211c with the next highest priority among the rooms other than the rooms requiring air conditioning in the priority information (step S30). In addition, the damper opening / closing determination unit 844 calculates, for each time slot, a predicted remaining available power value cAB, which is the value obtained by subtracting the predicted air-conditioning power consumption value B of the room 211b from the predicted remaining available power value cA (step S31). The damper opening / closing determination unit 844 compares the predicted remaining available power values ​​cAB for each of the first to eighth time slots with the predicted air-conditioning power consumption value C of the selected room 211c (step S32). Then, the damper opening / closing determining unit 844 determines whether there is even one time period in which the predicted air conditioning power consumption value C of the selected room 211c is equal to or greater than the predicted remaining available power value cAB (step S33).

[0082] If there is at least one time slot among the first to eighth time slots in which the predicted air conditioning power consumption value C of the selected room 211c is equal to or greater than the predicted remaining available power value cAB (Yes in step S33), the damper opening / closing determination unit 844 controls the dampers 16c and 16d corresponding to the selected room 211c and the remaining unselected room 211d to close (step S34). As a result, air conditioning is stopped for rooms 211c and 211d other than the rooms requiring air conditioning, and air conditioning is continued for room 211a, which is the room requiring air conditioning, and room 211b, which is not a room requiring air conditioning.

[0083] In addition, the damper open / close determination unit 844 transmits damper state information specifying the open / close states of the dampers 16c and 16d to the air conditioner control unit 65 (step S35). Upon receiving the damper state information from the damper open / close determination unit 844, the air conditioner control unit 65 controls the air conditioner 10 to reduce its operating capacity to the level required to air-condition only the rooms 211a and 211b. In this case, only the room 211a, which is a room requiring air conditioning, and the room 211b, which is not a room requiring air conditioning, can continue air-conditioning until 4:00 PM using the power generated by the solar power generation system and the remaining power in the storage battery 33. In the rooms 211c and 211d, which are not rooms requiring air conditioning, air conditioning is stopped until 4:00 PM. This prevents air conditioning from stopping while the solar power generation system is operating in the room 211a, which is a room requiring air conditioning, and the room 211b, which is not a room requiring air conditioning, and allows stable air-conditioning to continue. Furthermore, the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system is predicted until 4 p.m., and air conditioning in rooms 211c and 211d other than the rooms requiring air conditioning is stopped based on this prediction result, so that air conditioning in room 211a, which is an air-conditioned room, and room 211b other than the rooms requiring air conditioning can be maintained even if the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system decreases.

[0084] In step S33, if there is no time slot among the first to eighth time slots in which the predicted air-conditioning power consumption value C of the selected room 211c is equal to or greater than the predicted remaining available power value cAB (No in step S33), the damper opening / closing determination unit 844 selects the room 211d with the next highest priority among the rooms other than the rooms requiring air conditioning in the priority information (step S36). In this case, the selected room 211d is the room with the lowest priority among the rooms other than the rooms requiring air conditioning in the priority information. In addition, the damper opening / closing determination unit 844 calculates, for each time slot, a predicted remaining available power value cABC, which is the value obtained by subtracting the predicted air-conditioning power consumption value C of the room 211c from the predicted remaining available power value cAB (step S37). The damper opening / closing determination unit 844 compares the predicted remaining available power values ​​cABC for each of the first to eighth time slots with the predicted air-conditioning power consumption value D of the selected room 211d (step S38). Then, the damper opening / closing determining unit 844 determines whether there is even one time period in which the predicted air-conditioning power consumption value D of the selected room 211d is equal to or greater than the predicted remaining available power value cABC (step S39).

[0085] If there is at least one time slot among the first to eighth time slots in which the predicted air conditioning power consumption value D of the selected room 211d is equal to or greater than the predicted remaining available power value cABC (Yes in step S39), the damper opening / closing determination unit 844 controls the damper 16d corresponding to the selected room 211d to close (step S40). As a result, air conditioning of room 211d, one of the rooms other than the rooms requiring air conditioning, is stopped, and air conditioning of room 211a, which is the room requiring air conditioning, and rooms 211b and 211c, which are not the rooms requiring air conditioning, is continued.

[0086] In addition, the damper open / close determination unit 844 transmits damper state information specifying the open / close state of the damper 16d to the air conditioner control unit 65 (step S41). Upon receiving the damper state information from the damper open / close determination unit 844, the air conditioner control unit 65 controls the air conditioner 10 to reduce its operating capacity to the level required to air-condition only the rooms 211a-211c. In this case, only the room 211a requiring air conditioning and the other rooms 211b and 211c can continue air-conditioning until 4:00 PM using the power generated by the solar power generation system and the remaining power in the storage battery 33, while the other room 211d continues to have its air-conditioning stopped until 4:00 PM. This prevents air-conditioning from stopping while the solar power generation system is operating for the room 211a requiring air conditioning and the other rooms 211b and 211c requiring air conditioning, allowing stable air-conditioning to continue. Furthermore, the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system is predicted until 4:00 PM, and air conditioning in room 211d other than the room requiring air conditioning is stopped based on this prediction result, so that air conditioning in room 211a, which is the room requiring air conditioning, and rooms 211b and 211c other than the room requiring air conditioning can be maintained even if the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system decreases.

[0087] In step S39, if there is no time slot among the first through eighth time slots in which the predicted air-conditioning power consumption value D for the selected room 211d is equal to or greater than the predicted remaining available power value cABC (No in step S39), the operating state of the central air-conditioning system 100 at the start point is maintained without change. In this case, it is possible to continue air-conditioning all rooms 211a-211d until 4:00 PM using the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system and the remaining power in the storage battery 33. This prevents air-conditioning from stopping during the operation of the photovoltaic power generation system for room 211a, which requires air conditioning, and rooms 211b-211d other than the rooms requiring air conditioning, and allows stable air-conditioning to continue. Furthermore, the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system is predicted until 4:00 PM, and air-conditioning is stopped in rooms 211d other than the rooms requiring air conditioning based on this prediction. This makes it possible to maintain air-conditioning in all rooms 211a-211d even if the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system decreases. This completes the process.

[0088] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration for realizing the air conditioning control unit 50 of the central air conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 11 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a hardware configuration for realizing the air conditioning control unit of the central air conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. The air conditioning control unit 50 can be realized by a processing circuit 500 shown in Fig. 11.

[0089] The processing circuit 500 has a processor 501, a memory 502, an input circuit 503, and an output circuit 504. The processor 501 is a CPU (also called a central processing unit, processing device, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, processor, or DSP (digital signal processor)), a system LSI (large scale integration), etc. The memory 502 is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (random access memory), a ROM (read only memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (erasable programmable read only memory), or an EEPROM (registered trademark) (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a minidisk, a DVD (digital versatile disk), etc.

[0090] The air conditioning control unit 50 can be realized by reading a corresponding program from memory 502 and executing it with processor 501. The input circuit 503 is used to receive information to be processed by processor 501 and information stored in memory 502 from the outside. The output circuit 504 is used to output information generated by processor 501 and information stored in memory 502 to the outside.

[0091] As described above, the whole-building air conditioning system 100 according to the first embodiment comprises an air conditioner 10 that can operate using power generated by a solar power generation system or the remaining power of the storage battery 33, a main duct 14 connected to the air conditioner 10, a plurality of branch ducts 15a-15d that branch off from the main duct 14 and lead to a plurality of rooms 211a-211d, dampers 16a-16d that are provided in at least one of the plurality of branch ducts 15a-15d and that switch the branch ducts 15a-15d between an open state and a closed state, and an air conditioning control unit 50 that controls the operation of the air conditioner 10 and the switching state of the dampers 16a-16d. The air conditioning control unit 50 calculates the amount of power available for air conditioning during a predetermined period from the first time point to the second time point based on the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system and the remaining power in the storage battery 33, without purchasing power. The air conditioning control unit 50 then controls the opening and closing of the dampers 16a-16d so that air conditioning can be continued in at least one room among the multiple rooms 211a-211d, including a predetermined room, within the range of the determined period and the amount of power available for air conditioning. That is, the air conditioning control unit 50 calculates the number of rooms that can be air-conditioned based on the calculated amount of power available for air conditioning without purchasing power, continues air conditioning in a pre-set high-priority room, and stops air conditioning in the other rooms. This allows air conditioning in at least one room to be maintained at a temperature set by the user without purchasing power. This has the effect of enabling stable air conditioning in at least one room during a predetermined period in a house 210 equipped with a solar power generation system, even when surplus power fluctuates.

[0092] A solar power generation system can generate power during the day, although this varies depending on the weather. Therefore, there is a demand for power supply to the residence 210 during the daytime within the range of power generated by the solar power generation system without purchasing electricity, and in some cases, within the range of the combined power generated by the solar power generation system and the remaining power in the storage battery 33. In such a case, in the first embodiment, by setting the rooms for which air conditioning is desired to continue as rooms requiring air conditioning, it is possible to continue air conditioning at least in the rooms requiring air conditioning while the solar power generation system is generating electricity. Specifically, air conditioning in particularly important rooms of the residence 210, such as the living room, kitchen, toilet, and washroom, can be continued without purchasing electricity during the period when the solar power generation system is generating electricity. As a result, these rooms are set to a comfortable temperature by the occupants, i.e., users of the central air-conditioning system 100, and users can use these rooms whenever they like during a specified period without experiencing discomfort.

[0093] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be combined with other known technologies, and parts of the configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0094] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0095] [Appendix 1] an air conditioner that can operate using power generated by a solar power generation system or remaining power in a storage battery; a main duct connected to the air conditioner; a plurality of branch ducts branching from the main duct and leading to a plurality of rooms; a damper provided in at least one of the plurality of branch ducts, for switching the branch duct between an open state and a closed state; an air conditioning control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioner and the switching state of the damper; Equipped with The air conditioning control unit calculates the amount of electricity that can be used for air conditioning without purchasing power during a predetermined period from a first point in time to a second point in time, out of the amount of electricity generated by the solar power generation system and the remaining amount of electricity in the storage battery, and controls the opening and closing of the damper so that air conditioning can continue in at least one room among the plurality of rooms, including a predetermined room, within the range of the predetermined period and the amount of electricity that can be used for air conditioning. [Appendix 2] The air conditioning control unit a power generation amount prediction unit that predicts the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system during the determined period based on meteorological information including the amount of solar radiation and temperature information during the determined period; a damper control unit that calculates the amount of power that can be used for air conditioning without purchasing power during the determined period from the remaining power amount of the storage battery, the amount of power generated predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit, and a predicted value of the amount of power consumed by devices other than the air conditioner in the building having the plurality of rooms, and controls opening and closing of the damper so that air conditioning can be continued during the determined period in at least one room including a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms, within the determined period and the range of the amount of power that can be used for air conditioning; 2. The central air-conditioning system according to claim 1, comprising: [Appendix 3] The damper control unit is an available power prediction unit that calculates an available power prediction value, which is the amount of available power in each of a plurality of time periods when the period from the first time point to the second time point is divided into a plurality of time periods, based on the remaining power amount and the predicted power generation amount; a power consumption prediction unit that predicts a power consumption other than air conditioning predicted value, which is the amount of power consumption used for purposes other than air conditioning, for each of the plurality of time periods based on past power consumption in the building; an air conditioning available power prediction unit that predicts an air conditioning available power prediction value by subtracting the non-air conditioning power consumption prediction value from the available power prediction value for each of the plurality of time periods; a damper opening / closing determination unit that determines at least one room, including a predetermined room, among the plurality of rooms for which air conditioning will continue during the determined period using an air conditioning power consumption prediction value, which is the amount of power consumption predicted by the air conditioner for each of the plurality of time periods, and the air conditioning available power prediction value, and controls the opening / closing of the damper so that air conditioned by the air conditioner is blown out only to the determined room; 3. The central air-conditioning system according to claim 2, comprising: [Appendix 4] The air conditioning control unit further includes an air conditioner control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioner, the damper open / close determination unit transmits damper state information indicating an open / close state of the damper to the air conditioner control unit; The central air conditioning system described in Appendix 3, characterized in that the air conditioner control unit controls the output of the air conditioner according to the number of rooms to be air-conditioned based on the damper status information. [Appendix 5] The whole-building air conditioning system described in any one of Appendices 2 to 4, characterized in that the damper control unit determines at least one room, including the predetermined room, as a room in which air conditioning can be continued within the determined period and the amount of electricity available for air conditioning, based on priority information including a classification of the plurality of rooms as rooms requiring air conditioning and rooms other than the rooms requiring air conditioning, and the priority of air conditioning for the rooms other than the rooms requiring air conditioning. [Appendix 6] The air conditioning control unit further includes an alarm device that outputs audio information, The whole-building air conditioning system described in any one of Appendices 2 to 5, characterized in that the damper control unit outputs an alarm from the alarm device if it is unable to maintain air conditioning in the predetermined room for the specified period. [Appendix 7] The air conditioning control unit further includes a display device for displaying information, The central air-conditioning system according to claim 6, wherein the damper control unit displays the amount of purchased power on the display device. [Appendix 8] The air conditioning control unit further includes a display device for displaying information, The central air conditioning system described in Appendix 6, wherein the damper control unit calculates the time that air conditioning can be maintained without purchasing electricity and displays the calculated result on the display device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 10 air conditioner, 11 indoor unit, 12 outdoor unit, 13 flexible piping, 14 main duct, 15, 15a-15d branch duct, 16, 16a-16d, 173 damper, 17, 17a-17d variable air volume device, 18, 18a-18d remote control, 31 solar panel, 32 power conversion device, 33 storage battery, 34 distribution board, 40 commercial power supply, 41 network, 45 weather information providing device, 50 air conditioning control unit, 51 weather information acquisition unit, 52 weather information memory unit, 53, 181 input device, 54 solar cell capacity memory unit, 55 power generation amount prediction unit, 56 power generation amount information memory unit, 57 power generation amount prediction learning unit, 61 set temperature acquisition unit, 62 set temperature memory unit, 63 room temperature acquisition unit, 64 room temperature memory unit, 65 air conditioner control unit, 66 Command transmission unit, 71 outdoor unit power consumption acquisition unit, 72 outdoor unit power consumption memory unit, 73 air conditioning power consumption prediction unit, 74 air conditioning power consumption prediction learning unit, 81 storage battery remaining power monitoring unit, 82 power consumption monitoring unit, 83 power consumption memory unit, 84 damper control unit, 85 alarm device, 86 display device, 100 whole-building air conditioning system, 111, 171 housing, 112 heat exchanger, 113 blower fan, 114 air intake port, 115 discharge port, 116 refrigerant piping, 172 branch duct connection unit, 173a support rod, 174, 174a-174d outlet, 182 temperature sensor, 183 air volume control unit, 184 communication unit, 210 house, 211, 211a-211d room, 212 floor, 213 underfloor air intake port, 214 Exterior wall, 215 interior wall, 216 space, 217 attic, 218 ceiling, 219a-219d underfloor exhaust vent, 220 underfloor, 221 roof, 341 voltage sensor, 342 current sensor, 500 processing circuit, 501 processor, 502 memory, 503 input circuit, 504 output circuit, 841 available power prediction unit, 842 power consumption prediction unit, 843 air conditioning available power prediction unit, 844 damper opening / closing determination unit.

Claims

1. an air conditioner that can operate using power generated by a solar power generation system or remaining power in a storage battery; a main duct connected to the air conditioner; a plurality of branch ducts branching from the main duct and leading to a plurality of rooms; a damper provided in at least one of the plurality of branch ducts, for switching the branch duct between an open state and a closed state; an air conditioning control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioner and the switching state of the damper; Equipped with The air conditioning control unit calculates the amount of electricity that can be used for air conditioning without purchasing power during a predetermined period from a first point in time to a second point in time, out of the amount of electricity generated by the solar power generation system and the remaining amount of electricity in the storage battery, and controls the opening and closing of the damper so that air conditioning can continue in at least one room among the plurality of rooms, including a predetermined room, within the range of the predetermined period and the amount of electricity that can be used for air conditioning.

2. The air conditioning control unit a power generation amount prediction unit that predicts the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system during the determined period based on meteorological information including the amount of solar radiation and temperature information during the determined period; a damper control unit that calculates the amount of power that can be used for air conditioning without purchasing power during the specified period from the remaining power amount of the storage battery, the amount of power generated predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit, and a predicted value of the amount of power consumed by devices other than the air conditioner in the building having the multiple rooms, and controls the opening and closing of the damper so that air conditioning can be continued during the specified period in at least one room including a predetermined room among the multiple rooms, within the range of the specified period and the amount of power that can be used for air conditioning; 2. The central air-conditioning system according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The damper control unit is an available power prediction unit that calculates an available power prediction value, which is the amount of available power in each of a plurality of time periods when the period from the first time point to the second time point is divided into a plurality of time periods, based on the remaining power amount and the predicted power generation amount; a power consumption prediction unit that predicts a power consumption other than air conditioning predicted value, which is the amount of power consumption used for purposes other than air conditioning, for each of the plurality of time periods based on past power consumption in the building; an air conditioning available power prediction unit that predicts an air conditioning available power prediction value by subtracting the non-air conditioning power consumption prediction value from the available power prediction value for each of the plurality of time periods; a damper opening / closing determination unit that determines at least one room, including a predetermined room, among the plurality of rooms for which air conditioning will continue during the determined period using an air conditioning power consumption prediction value, which is the amount of power consumption predicted by the air conditioner for each of the plurality of time periods, and the air conditioning available power prediction value, and controls the opening / closing of the damper so that air conditioned by the air conditioner is blown out only to the determined room; 3. The central air-conditioning system according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. The air conditioning control unit further includes an air conditioner control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioner, the damper open / close determination unit transmits damper state information indicating an open / close state of the damper to the air conditioner control unit; The central air-conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein the air-conditioner control unit controls the output of the air-conditioner in accordance with the number of rooms to be air-conditioned based on the damper state information.

5. The whole-building air conditioning system of claim 2, characterized in that the damper control unit determines at least one room, including the predetermined room, as a room in which air conditioning can be continued within the determined period and the range of the amount of electricity available for air conditioning, based on priority information including a classification of the plurality of rooms as rooms requiring air conditioning and rooms other than the rooms requiring air conditioning, and the priority of air conditioning for the rooms other than the rooms requiring air conditioning.

6. The air conditioning control unit further includes an alarm device that outputs audio information, The central air conditioning system of any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the damper control unit outputs an alarm from the notification device when it is unable to maintain air conditioning in the predetermined room for the specified period.

7. The air conditioning control unit further includes a display device for displaying information, The central air-conditioning system according to claim 6, wherein the damper control unit displays the amount of purchased power on the display device.

8. The air conditioning control unit further includes a display device for displaying information, 7. The central air-conditioning system according to claim 6, wherein the damper control unit calculates a time period during which the air conditioning can be maintained without purchasing electricity, and displays the calculated result on the display device.

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