Demand-response-prepared power control system

Abstract

To secure planning time enough for suppressing power consumption to prepare for a demand and a response as the issuance of the demand and response can be predicted.SOLUTION: A demand-response-prepared power control system 10 comprises: a power use state acquisition unit 12 that acquires information about a power use state of a power company; a weather forecast acquisition unit 14 that acquires information about a weather forecast; a prediction unit 16 that predicts the issuance of a demand and a response on the basis of the information about the power use state and the information about the weather forecast; and a plan making unit 18 that makes a suppression plan of power consumption of a facility so as to meet the issuance of the demand and response predicted by the prediction unit 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a demand response power control system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in order to balance the demand (consumption) and supply (generation) of electricity, a demand response to control power consumption has been issued. As a technology related to the present invention, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply system that supplies power to a load connected to a grid power source, the power supply system including a plurality of storage batteries connected between the grid power source and the load and capable of charging and discharging power from a predetermined supply source, and a control unit that controls the charging and discharging of the storage batteries, wherein the control unit is capable of executing predetermined control during a time period that is the target of a demand response request, and in the predetermined control, the control unit calculates the number of storage batteries that are required to be discharged based on an instantaneous value of the power purchased from the grid power source, as a number of storage batteries requested to be discharged, and obtains an upper limit on the amount of power purchased from the grid power source during that time period to satisfy the demand response request as a target amount of power purchased, and calculates the number of storage batteries that need to be discharged so that the amount of power purchased from the grid power source during that time period does not exceed the target amount of power purchased, as a required number of storage batteries.If the number of storage batteries requested to be discharged is equal to or less than the required number of storage batteries, the power supply system allows the storage batteries to be discharged by the required number of storage batteries, and if the number of storage batteries requested to be discharged is greater than the required number of storage batteries, the power supply system allows the storage batteries to be discharged by the required number of storage batteries. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-80651 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Demand response is issued three hours before the start of power consumption reduction, which leaves little time to prepare a power consumption reduction plan, making it difficult to reduce power consumption efficiently.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a demand response compatible power control system that can ensure sufficient planning time for suppressing power consumption in preparation for demand response. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The demand-response compatible power control system of the present invention is characterized by comprising a power usage status acquisition unit that acquires information about the power usage status of a power company; a weather forecast acquisition unit that acquires information about a weather forecast; a prediction unit that predicts the issuance of a demand response based on the information about the power usage status and the information about the weather forecast; a storage unit that can store power generated using solar power; and a storage control unit that causes the storage unit to store power in advance in response to the issuance of the demand response predicted by the prediction unit.

[0007] In the demand-response power control system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the power storage control unit performs control so that power is stored in the power storage unit using at least either commercial power or the generated power.

[0008] Furthermore, in the demand-response compatible power control system according to the present invention, it is preferable to further include a plan creation unit that creates a plan to reduce power consumption at the facility so that the shortfall in power required to respond to the issuance of the demand response predicted by the prediction unit can be covered by the power stored in the power storage unit alone.

[0009] Furthermore, in the demand-response compliant power control system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the plan creation unit calculates operation plans and predicted power consumption of the air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and facility equipment used in the facility, and adjusts the operation of the air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and facility equipment so as to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and facility equipment in response to the issuance of the demand response. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to predict the issuance of a demand response, and therefore it is possible to store electricity in a power storage unit in preparation for a demand response, and to ensure sufficient time for planning power consumption reduction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a demand-response compatible power control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a weather forecast owned by a weather information company in a demand-response power control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing the operating status of each facility in a factory when a demand response is predicted to be issued in a demand response-enabled power control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing a power suppression plan for each facility in a factory when a demand response is predicted to be issued in a demand response-enabled power control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a demand-response compatible power control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing power storage control for a power storage unit and a power suppression plan for each piece of equipment in a factory when a demand response is predicted in a second embodiment of a demand response compatible power control system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, similar elements in all drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, in the description below, previously described reference numerals will be used as necessary.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a demand-response power control system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing weather forecasts owned by a weather information company 6 in the demand-response power control system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operating status of each facility in a factory when the issuance of a demand response is predicted in the demand response enabled power control system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a power suppression plan for each facility of a factory when the issuance of a demand response is predicted in the demand response enabled power control system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The demand-response-enabled power control system 10 is a system for preparing a power consumption reduction plan with sufficient time to create it in preparation for a demand response. The demand-response-enabled power control system 10 includes a power usage status acquisition unit 12, a weather forecast acquisition unit 14, a prediction unit 16, a plan creation unit 18, a display unit 20, and a memory unit 22.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a demand-response power control system 10 is connected to a company 4, a weather information company 6, and a power company 8 via a network 2.

[0018] The power usage status acquisition unit 12 has a function of acquiring information relating to the power usage status of the power company 8 .

[0019] Here, "information on power usage status" refers to "power usage / supply capacity (power usage rate)" based on the latest power usage status (power demand) provided by power companies (general power transmission and distribution companies) in each area of ​​Japan in their electricity forecasts. The unit of power is MW (megawatt), and the unit of usage rate is percentage.

[0020] The power usage status acquisition unit 12 stores the information on the power usage status acquired from the power company 8 in the storage unit 22. This allows the information to be used when the prediction unit 16 makes predictions from the following year onwards.

[0021] The electric power companies in each area of ​​Japan are Hokkaido Electric Power Company, Tohoku Electric Power Company, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Chubu Electric Power Company, Hokuriku Electric Power Company, Kansai Electric Power Company, Chugoku Electric Power Company, Shikoku Electric Power Company, Kyushu Electric Power Company, and Okinawa Electric Power Company, and each electric power company has published real-time supply capacity standards that show usage rates based on estimated hourly supply capacity values, as well as peak supply capacity standards that show usage rates based on estimated maximum supply capacity values ​​for a day.

[0022] The weather forecast acquisition unit 14 has a function of acquiring information related to weather forecasts. "Information related to weather forecasts" refers to weather forecasts that predict how the weather will change in a certain area.

[0023] Weather forecasts collect information on atmospheric conditions such as past and current weather, air pressure, wind direction, wind speed, temperature, and humidity, and based on this, predict the weather, wind, temperature, and other atmospheric conditions, as well as related water and ground conditions, for a specific region or a wide area from the current day through several days into the future (some types can even extend to several months into the future).

[0024] The weather forecast acquisition unit 14 stores, among the information related to the weather forecast, not only the forecast but also meteorological information including actual weather in the storage unit 22. This allows the forecast unit 16 to use the information when making predictions for the following years and thereafter.

[0025] The prediction unit 16 has a function of predicting the issuance of a demand response based on information related to the power usage status and information related to the weather forecast. As shown in Fig. 2, the prediction unit 16 predicts a demand response based on the record of the actual weather (weather data) from August 1, 2021 to August 7, 2021 and the weather forecast from August 1, 2022 to August 7, 2022.

[0026] In the example shown in Figure 2, for example, if the current date is August 3, 2022, and the weather forecast for August 4, 2022 is sunny, the temperature is 39°C, and power usage is predicted to be 93%, and if the weather forecast for the same day last year (August 4, 2021) was also sunny, the temperature was 39°C, and power usage was 92%, it is determined that there is a high possibility that a demand response will be issued, and it is predicted that a demand response will be issued on August 4, 2022.

[0027] The plan creation unit 18 has a function of creating a power consumption reduction plan for the facility in response to the issuance of a demand response predicted by the prediction unit 16. Specifically, based on the operation schedule and planned power consumption of the factory equipment, air conditioners, dust collectors, lighting, etc. on the day when the issuance of a demand response is predicted, the plan creation unit 18 adjusts the operation of the equipment, air conditioners, dust collectors, and lighting so as to satisfy the power saving required by the issuance of the demand response.

[0028] When there are multiple pieces of equipment, the plan creation unit 18 adjusts employee work schedules to reduce the number of pieces of equipment in operation. Specifically, the plan creation unit 18 reduces the number of pieces of equipment operating simultaneously by shifting the operation of multiple pieces of equipment, for example, by shifting the operation of one piece of equipment to nighttime or by having employees work on holidays.

[0029] More specifically, the production management system calculates which equipment has excess production capacity, and the payroll and working hour management system takes into account factors such as whether employees are willing to work overtime or on holidays, and adjusts to reduce the number of pieces of equipment operating at the same time.

[0030] In addition, when responding to demand response, incentives (rewards) are given according to the amount of power saved, so it is preferable to optimize this while balancing it with increased labor costs due to working on holidays and overtime.

[0031] For example, in the case where there are six pieces of equipment, equipment 1 to equipment 6, the plan creation unit 18 can make adjustments such as suspending operation of equipment 1 for the first 3 hours and suspending operation of equipment 2 and equipment 3 for the last 3 hours, as shown in FIG. 3(d). This results in a reduction of 20 + 10 + 10 = 40 kW. Here, since there are employees who operate equipment 1 to equipment 6, the working hours of the employees will also need to be adjusted.

[0032] The plan creation unit 18 adjusts the operation of air conditioners in response to the issuance of demand response commands to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioners. Specifically, it adjusts the operation of the air conditioners optimally, taking into consideration the temperature of the space to be cooled by the air conditioners, weather forecasts, etc. It is preferable to control humidity not only by controlling the air conditioners but also by controlling humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and ventilation fans.

[0033] For example, as shown in Figure 3(a), if there are six air conditioners, air conditioner 1 to air conditioner 6, in the factory, the power consumption of air conditioner 4 and air conditioner 6 are adjusted to be reduced by 20% and 10%, respectively. This contributes to a reduction of, for example, 3.2 + 3.2 = 6.4 kW.

[0034] The plan creation unit 18 adjusts the operation of dust collectors installed in factories in response to the issuance of demand response commands to reduce the power consumption of the dust collectors. Specifically, it receives operation signals from equipment that generates dust and automatically controls the equipment to shut off operation when it is not needed. It also uses a dust detector or the like to automatically control the operation of the dust collectors to shut off when they are not needed.

[0035] For example, as shown in FIG. 3(b), when there are six dust collectors, dust collector 1 to dust collector 6, it is possible to adjust the operating rate by increasing or decreasing it. Note that while the dust collectors have been described here as the target, it is also possible to save energy by adjusting the operation of other devices, such as ventilation fans. For ventilation fans, the operation of the ventilation fans can be adjusted to the optimum level, taking into consideration, for example, CO2 sensors and the store's operating rate.

[0036] The plan creation unit 18 adjusts the operation of lighting equipment to reduce the power consumption of lighting equipment in response to the issuance of a demand response command. Specifically, it thins out areas where lighting is not required based on information such as the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor, the weather forecast, the time period, and the location (such as the back yard or a work area requiring illumination).

[0037] For example, as shown in Figure 3(c), if there are six lights, Lights 1 to 6, it is possible to make adjustments such as turning off half of the lights 1 and 2 and turning off one-quarter of the lights 3 and 4. This will contribute to a reduction of, for example, 0.2 + 0.1 + 0.2 + 0.2 = 0.7 kW.

[0038] The display unit 20 has a function to visualize and display the operation plans and predicted power consumption of the air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and facility equipment used in the facility, as well as the work schedules of the employees working at the facility. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the description and numerical values ​​of each item may be displayed in a list, or they may be displayed using bar graphs, pie charts, etc. Figure 4 shows the power consumption of each piece of equipment on the day when a demand response is predicted to be issued.

[0039] The storage unit 22 stores meteorological information including not only the forecast but also the actual weather out of the information about the weather forecast acquired by the weather forecast acquisition unit 14. The storage unit 22 also stores information about the power usage status acquired by the power usage status acquisition unit 12 from the power company 8.

[0040] Next, the operation of the demand-response power control system 10 configured as described above will be explained. Power shortages have become a problem in recent years. A major cause of power shortages is the recent rapid climate change. A power shortage is likely to occur when demand for air conditioners increases suddenly due to the heatwaves of summer, or when demand for heating increases due to cold waves in winter. In addition, there are other issues such as increased household power consumption, power plant shutdowns, and fuel shortages.

[0041] As a countermeasure to such a power shortage, demand response is sometimes issued. Demand response is a mechanism for adjusting the balance between power supply and demand by controlling the demand for electricity.

[0042] There are two types of demand response: electricity rate type and incentive type. The electricity rate type is a system that encourages businesses to reduce electricity demand by setting various electricity rates, such as raising electricity rates during peak demand times.

[0043] The incentive-based system is a mechanism in which businesses and other entities respond to suppressions or increases in power demand by receiving incentives (rewards) from electric power companies or third parties. Demand response orders are issued to businesses three hours before the start of power saving. This limits the number of countermeasures that can contribute to power saving, making it difficult to achieve effective power saving. In response to these issues, the demand-response-enabled power control system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention provides a significant advantage.

[0044] The demand response-enabled power control system 10 can predict when a demand response will be issued based on information about power usage and information about weather forecasts. This has the advantage that it is possible to predict the actual issuance of a demand response more than three hours in advance, for example, several days in advance, allowing for careful planning of power consumption reductions.

[0045] For example, as a power saving measure, reducing the operating rates of equipment 1 to 6 will contribute most to reducing power consumption, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. This requires adjusting the shifts, such as the work schedules of the employees who operate equipment 1 to 6, but by using the function of the prediction unit 16 to predict the issuance of a demand response several days in advance, it is possible to respond flexibly, such as by adjusting the shifts.

[0046] Here, shift adjustments may result in increased costs, such as employee salaries due to overtime or working on holidays, but it is preferable to adjust the shifts so that the compensation amount exceeds the incentive (remuneration amount) that would be received when responding to a demand response order.

[0047] Of the power savings requested by the issuance of a demand response command, the shortfall in power savings achieved through shift adjustments can be met by saving power on lighting, dust collectors, and air conditioning equipment, allowing for overall optimization.

[0048] As described above, the demand response compatible power control system 10 can predict the issuance of a demand response several days in advance, which has the remarkable effect of smoothing out equipment operation by adjusting shifts and combining various equipment devices to meet the required power saving requirements.

[0049] In the above description, the prediction unit 16 has been described as having the function of predicting the issuance of a demand response based on information on the power usage status and information on the weather forecast, but the amount of power generated by each power company may also be taken into consideration as the power usage status.

[0050] Next, a demand-response power control system 11 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0051] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a demand-response enabled power control system 11 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing power storage control in the power storage unit 24 and a power suppression plan for each piece of equipment in a factory when the issuance of a demand response is predicted in the demand-response enabled power control system 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] The demand-response compatible power control system 11 includes a power usage status acquisition unit 12, a weather forecast acquisition unit 14, a prediction unit 16, a plan creation unit 18, a display unit 20, a memory unit 22, a power storage unit 24, and a power storage control unit 26.

[0053] The only difference between the demand-response enabled power control system 11 and the demand-response enabled power control system 10 is the power storage unit 24 and the power storage control unit 26, and the rest of the configuration is the same, so the differences will be mainly described.

[0054] For example, a lithium ion secondary battery can be used as the power storage unit 24, but of course other secondary batteries, such as a nickel-metal hydride battery, may also be used. The power storage unit 24 can store power using electric power generated by photoelectric conversion using sunlight, and can also store power using electric power supplied from a commercial power source.

[0055] The power storage control unit 26 controls the power storage unit 24 to store power in advance in response to the issuance of a demand response predicted by the prediction unit 16. The power storage control unit 26 controls the power storage unit 24 to store power using at least either commercial power or solar power.

[0056] The power storage control unit 26 can predict the amount of power generated by sunlight for each time period based on the weather forecast provided by the weather forecast acquisition unit 14, and can predict the amount of power to be generated during times when electricity rates are low, such as late at night. This allows for power storage control using commercial power and solar power to ensure the amount of power generated to respond to demand response requests while keeping costs low.

[0057] The plan creation unit 18 creates a power consumption reduction plan for the company 4 so that the power stored in the power storage unit 24 can cover the shortfall in power required to respond to the issuance of a demand response predicted by the prediction unit 16.

[0058] The plan creation unit 18 calculates operation plans and predicted power consumption for the air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and facility equipment used by the company 4, and adjusts the operation of the air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and facility equipment so as to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and facility equipment in response to the issuance of a demand response. The reduction plan in the plan creation unit 18 can be created in the same manner as described in the demand response-enabled power control system 10.

[0059] Next, the operation of the demand-response compatible power control system 11 will be described. Fig. 6 shows power storage control for various patterns. For example, in the example of pattern 3, it is predicted that a demand response will be issued between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM when the temperature is highest, and it is predicted that power usage within the facilities of company 4 will also peak during this time period.

[0060] Under these circumstances, the weather forecast obtained by the weather forecast acquisition unit 14 predicts that the temperatures will be high and clear from 11:00 to 12:00 noon and from 12:00 to 13:00 noon, and that there will be a little leeway in the power usage situation within the facilities of company 4. If the amount of solar power generated at this time is stored at a rate of 5 kWh per hour, a total of 10 kWh of power will be available. Here, the stored power can be output from the power storage unit 24 at 10 kWh, which is the amount of power required to respond to the issuance of a demand response command.

[0061] Next, in the example of Pattern 5, it is predicted that a demand response will be issued between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, when the temperature is at its highest, and it is predicted that power usage within Company 4's facilities will also reach its peak during this time period.

[0062] Under these circumstances, the weather forecast obtained by the weather forecast acquisition unit 14 predicts that the temperatures will be high from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, but the weather will be cloudy, and there will be a small margin of power usage within the facilities of company 4. In pattern 5, unlike pattern 3 above, sufficient solar power generation cannot be expected, and solar power generation can be stored at a rate of 4 kWh per hour, with the remaining power generation being supplemented by storing commercial power. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, power can be stored at a rate of 1 kWh per hour, resulting in a total power margin of 10 kWh. Here, the stored power can be output from the power storage unit 24 at 10 kWh, which is the amount of power required to respond to a demand response command.

[0063] Next, in the example of Pattern 6, it is predicted that a demand response will be issued between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM when the temperature is at its highest, and it is predicted that power usage within Company 4's facilities will also reach its peak during this time period.

[0064] Under these circumstances, the weather forecast obtained by the weather forecast acquisition unit 14 predicts that the temperature will be high from 11:00 to 12:00 noon and from 12:00 to 13:00, but the weather will be cloudy with rain later, and there will be a little leeway in the power usage situation within the facilities of company 4. In pattern 6, as in patterns 3 and 5 above, sufficient solar power generation cannot be expected, and solar power generation can be stored at a rate of 1 kWh per hour, and the remaining power generation can be supplemented by storing commercial power.

[0065] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, 1 KWh of electricity can be stored per hour, resulting in a total power reserve of 4 KWh. Since 4 KWh of electricity is not enough to meet the 10 KWh required to respond to demand response as shown in patterns 3 and 5 above, the plan creation unit 18 creates a power consumption reduction plan for company 4 so that the power stored in the power storage unit 24 can cover the shortfall in power when the power required to respond to the issuance of demand response predicted by the prediction unit 16 is insufficient.

[0066] Specifically, the operation plans and predicted power consumption of the air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and facility equipment used by Company 4 are calculated, and power consumption is reduced through energy conservation measures to cover the shortfall of 6 kWh (10 kWh - 4 kWh). Energy conservation methods include, for example, raising the temperature setting of the air conditioner in the summer, reducing the number of lights when sunlight enters the room during the day, and staggering the operating times of multiple pieces of equipment when they are in operation. If the shortfall of 6 kWh can be secured through such energy conservation measures, the demand response command can be issued.

[0067] According to the demand response compatible power control system 11, demand response can be handled using electricity stored in the power storage unit 24 using solar generated electricity or commercial electricity during tariff hours such as late at night, which has the advantage of being able to handle demand response while minimizing power saving within the facilities of company 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 2 Network, 4 Company, 6 Weather information company, 8 Electric power company, 10,11 Demand response compatible power control system, 12 Power usage status acquisition unit, 14 Weather forecast acquisition unit, 16 Prediction unit, 18 Planning unit, 20 Display unit, 22 Memory unit, 24 Power storage unit, 26 Power storage control unit.

Claims

1. a power usage status acquisition unit that acquires information about the power usage status of a power company; a weather forecast acquisition unit that acquires information related to weather forecasts; a prediction unit that predicts the issuance of a demand response based on the information about the power usage status and the information about the weather forecast; a power storage unit capable of storing power generated using sunlight; a power storage control unit that stores power in advance in the power storage unit in response to the issuance of the demand response predicted by the prediction unit; A demand response compatible power control system comprising:

2. 2. The demand response power control system according to claim 1, The demand-response compatible power control system is characterized in that the power storage control unit controls the power storage unit to store power using at least one of commercial power and the generated power.

3. 2. The demand response power control system according to claim 1, a plan creation unit that creates a power consumption reduction plan for the facility so as to cover the shortfall in power when the power required to respond to the issuance of the demand response predicted by the prediction unit is insufficient using only the power stored in the power storage unit; and A demand response compatible power control system comprising:

4. 4. The demand response power control system according to claim 3, the plan creation unit determines operation plans and predicted power consumption for air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and facility equipment used in the facility; A demand response-enabled power control system characterized by adjusting the operation of the air conditioning equipment, the lighting equipment, and the facility equipment in response to the issuance of the demand response so as to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioning equipment, the lighting equipment, and the facility equipment.

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