Power saving guarantee system, power saving guarantee program and power saving guarantee method

Abstract

To provide a power saving guarantee system for guaranteeing an effect of power saving by a power saving controller.SOLUTION: A power saving guarantee system 10 includes a power saving control data acquisition unit 1 that acquires power saving control data representing a power saving effect from a power saving controller 12 that controls a target device 11 to operate in a power saving manner, an electricity charge acquisition unit 2 that acquires electricity charge data representing electricity charges during an evaluation target period of a facility 100 that uses the target device 11, an effect determination unit 4 that uses the power saving control data and the electricity charge data to determine whether or not the power saving effect by the power saving controller 11 has reached a target, and a guarantee amount determination unit 5 that determines a guaranteed amount of power savings to be paid to a user of the power saving controller 11 when it is determined that the power saving effect has not reached the target.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer system for ensuring power saving. [Background technology]

[0002] Controllers have been developed that control devices that consume electricity to operate them with reduced power consumption. For example, Japanese Patent No. 6434910 (Patent Document 1) describes a refrigerant-based system that controls the temperature of a solvent (e.g., gas or liquid) in an enclosed space. In this system, a processor controls the on / off of the compressor using the solvent temperature, compressor operating time, and heat exchanger temperature. This allows for efficient control of the refrigerant temperature and reduces costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6434910 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When introducing a power-saving control device to existing equipment, it is necessary to estimate that the cost savings from power saving will be greater than the cost of installation. As a result, the decision to install the device and its implementation may be delayed due to long-term testing before deciding on installation. This results in lost opportunities. If there was a system that could guarantee the power-saving effects of installing a power-saving control device, such lost opportunities could be prevented.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a power saving guarantee system, program and method for guaranteeing the effect of power saving achieved by a power saving controller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (Configuration 1) The power saving guarantee system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a power-saving control data acquisition unit that acquires, from a power-saving controller that is attached to a target device that operates by consuming power, power-saving control data that indicates the power-saving effect of the target device due to the control of the power-saving controller, and that controls the target device to operate in a power-saving manner; an electricity rate acquisition unit that acquires electricity rate data indicating electricity rates for a period to be evaluated for a facility that uses the target device; an effect determining unit that determines whether or not the power saving effect achieved by the power saving controller has reached a target, using the power saving control data and the electricity rate data; The power saving controller further includes a guarantee amount determination unit that determines a guarantee amount for power saving to be paid to a user of the power saving controller when it is determined that the power saving effect has not reached a target.

[0007] In the system of configuration 1 above, it is determined whether the power saving effect has reached a target based on the power saving control data acquired from the power saving controller and the electricity rate data indicating the electricity rate of the facility where the target equipment is used. This makes it possible to accurately determine the power saving effect achieved by the power saving controller in order to reduce costs. If the power saving effect has not reached the target, a guaranteed amount is determined. Therefore, the guaranteed amount is determined based on an accurate determination of the power saving effect. As a result, it is possible to guarantee the power saving effect achieved by the power saving controller.

[0008] The power-saving control data may be data indicating a power-saving effect based on the operation records of at least one of the target device and the power-saving controller. As an example, the power-saving effect data may include a comparison result between the operation record when the target device operates for a certain period of time under the control of the power-saving controller and the operation record when the target device operates for a certain period of time without the control of the power-saving controller.

[0009] The power-saving control data may be data indicating a power-saving effect based on the operation results of at least one of the target device and the power-saving controller during the evaluation period. For example, the power-saving control data acquisition unit may acquire the power-saving control data from the power-saving controller during the evaluation period.

[0010] The electricity rate data may include, for example, at least one of the amount of the electricity rate for the evaluation period (e.g., the billed amount) or the amount of electricity usage that is the basis for calculating the electricity rate. For example, in addition to the amount of the electricity rate, the electricity rate data may also include, for example, at least one of the maximum demand power, the basic charge, the amount of electricity usage, the energy rate charge, the fuel cost adjustment amount, and the renewable energy power generation promotion levy.

[0011] The electricity rate data acquisition unit may further acquire electricity rate data for a non-introduction period that indicates electricity rates for the facility during a period in which control by the power saving controller is not introduced (hereinafter referred to as a non-introduction period).

[0012] The effect assessment unit can determine whether to pay a power-saving deposit to a user of the power-saving control device by determining whether the power-saving effect has reached a target. The effect assessment unit can determine that the power-saving effect has reached the target, for example, if the amount of power saved indicated by the power-saving control data has reached the target, and the amount of reduction in power usage determined based on the electricity rate indicated by the electricity rate data has reached the target. In this case, the effect assessment unit can determine that the power-saving effect has not reached the target, if the amount of power saved indicated by the power-saving control data has not reached the target, and the amount of reduction in power usage determined based on the electricity rate indicated by the electricity rate data has not reached the target.

[0013] The amount of power saved indicated by the power saving control data may be, for example, a reduction in the amount of power consumed when the target device operates for a certain period of time under the control of a power saving controller compared to the amount of power consumed when the target device operates for a certain period of time without the control of a power saving controller. The power consumption of the target device may be expressed, for example, by the amount of operation of the target device.

[0014] The reduction in power consumption determined based on the electricity rate indicated by the electricity rate data may be, for example, the reduction in power consumption during the evaluation period compared to the power consumption during the non-implementation period. Here, the power consumption may be calculated using at least one of the electricity rate amount and the amount of power consumption included in the electricity rate data. Furthermore, the reduction in power consumption may be calculated using at least one of the maximum power demand, the base charge, the amount of power consumption, the energy rate charge, the fuel cost adjustment amount, and the renewable energy generation promotion levy.

[0015] (Configuration 2) In the above configuration 1, the power-saving guarantee system may further include a measured power acquisition unit that acquires power measured by a meter installed on a power supply line of a facility where the target device is used. The effect determination unit may further use the power measured by the meter to determine whether the power-saving effect achieved by the power-saving controller has reached a target. This allows for more accurate determination of the power-saving effect.

[0016] The effect assessment unit may determine whether a reduction amount in power consumption of the target device determined by the power measured by the meter has reached a target. In this case, the effect assessment unit can determine that the power saving effect has reached the target if the power saving control amount indicated by the power saving control data has reached the target, the reduction amount in power usage determined based on the electricity rate data has reached the target, and the reduction amount in power consumption determined by the power measured by the meter has reached the target.

[0017] The amount of reduction in power consumption determined by the power measured by a measuring instrument may be, for example, the amount of reduction in power (ON period power) measured by the measuring instrument during a period (ON period) when the target device operates under the control of the power-saving controller relative to the amount of reduction in power (OFF period power) measured by the measuring instrument during a period (OFF period) when the target device operates without the control of the power-saving controller.

[0018] If the effect assessment unit determines that the reduction in power consumption determined by the power measured by the measuring device does not reach the target, the measured power acquisition unit may acquire ON-period power measured over a longer ON period and OFF-period power measured over a longer OFF period. In this case, the effect assessment unit repeatedly determines whether the reduction in ON-period power relative to the OFF period reaches the target.

[0019] The effect determining unit may use other data in addition to the power saving control data and the electricity rate data to determine whether the power saving effect achieved by the power saving controller has reached a target.

[0020] The effect assessment unit may make the above assessment, for example, by further using environmental data indicating the environment of the target device during the evaluation period. The environment of the target device may be, for example, temperature. As an example, the environmental data may include the temperature of the environment of the facility where the target device is used. The effect assessment unit may be allowed to determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target if the environment indicated by the environmental data satisfies a predetermined condition, and may not determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target if the environment does not satisfy the predetermined condition. This makes it possible to prevent external factors such as the environment from affecting the assessment of the power saving effect by the power saving controller.

[0021] The effect assessment unit may make the above assessment, for example, by further using setting data indicating the operation settings of the target device during the evaluation period. The operation settings of the target device may be, for example, settings of operation target values ​​of the target device. The effect assessment unit may be allowed to determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target if the operation settings of the target device indicated by the setting data satisfy a predetermined condition, and may not determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target if the operation settings of the target device do not satisfy the predetermined condition. This makes it possible to prevent the operation settings of the target device from affecting the assessment of the power saving effect by the power saving controller.

[0022] The power saving guarantee program in an embodiment of the present invention causes a computer to execute the following processes: a power saving control data acquisition process that acquires, from a power saving controller that is attached to a target device that consumes power to operate and controls the target device to operate in a power-saving manner, power saving control data indicating the amount of power saved by the target device as a result of the control of the power saving controller; an electricity rate data acquisition process that acquires electricity rate data indicating the electricity rates for the evaluation period of the facility that uses the target device; an effect determination process that uses the power saving control data and the electricity rate data to determine whether the power saving effect achieved by the power saving controller has reached a target; and a guarantee amount determination process that determines the guaranteed amount of power saving to be paid to the user of the power saving controller if it is determined that the power saving effect has not reached the target.

[0023] An energy-saving guarantee method according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the following steps, executed by a computer: a power-saving control data acquisition step of acquiring, from an energy-saving controller attached to a target device that operates by consuming power, energy-saving control data indicating the amount of energy saved by the target device as a result of the control of the energy-saving controller, the energy-saving controller controlling the target device to operate in an energy-saving manner, an electricity rate data acquisition step of acquiring electricity rate data indicating the electricity rates for a period to be evaluated for a facility that uses the target device, an effect assessment step of using the energy-saving control data and the electricity rate data to determine whether the energy-saving effect achieved by the energy-saving controller has reached a target, and a guarantee amount determination step of determining a guaranteed amount of energy savings to be paid to a user of the energy-saving controller when it is determined that the energy-saving effect has not reached the target. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a power-saving guarantee system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the power saving guarantee system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] A diagram showing examples of electricity rate data and non-introduction period electricity rate data, and an example of determining the amount of power consumption reduction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. In order to make the description easier to understand, the drawings referred to below show simplified or schematic configurations, and some components are omitted.

[0026] (System configuration example) Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an energy-saving guarantee system according to this embodiment. The energy-saving guarantee system 10 shown in Fig. 1 determines whether the energy-saving effect of an energy-saving controller 12 attached to a target device 11 has reached a target, and if the target has not been reached, determines a guaranteed amount of energy savings. The energy-saving guarantee system 10 includes an energy-saving control data acquisition unit 1, an electricity rate data acquisition unit 2, a measured power acquisition unit 3, an effect determination unit 4, and a guaranteed amount determination unit 5.

[0027] The target device 11 is installed in a facility 100. Power is supplied to the facility 100 from a power grid. The target device 11 operates by consuming this power. The power saving controller 12 controls the target device 11 to operate in a power-saving manner.

[0028] The target device 11 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an air conditioning device. As an example, the target device 11 may be an air conditioner (air conditioner) that adjusts the temperature and / or humidity inside a room in the facility 100. If the target device 11 is an air conditioner, the power-saving controller 12 may be configured to control the compressor of the air conditioner. In this case, the power-saving controller 12 may have a sensor that detects at least one of the operation of the compressor, the temperature of the air conditioned by the air conditioner, the temperature of the refrigerant, and the temperature of the heat exchanger. The power-saving controller 12 controls the compressor according to the detected value of the sensor, thereby improving the efficiency of adjusting the room temperature and / or humidity to the set value. This allows the air conditioner to operate with reduced power consumption. Note that a single facility 100 may have multiple combinations of target devices 11 and power-saving controllers 12.

[0029] In this way, the power saving controller 12 controls the target device 11 to reduce power consumption while maintaining operational performance. The power saving controller 12 may be configured to be additionally attached to the target device 11. Alternatively, the power saving controller 12 may be part of the target device 11 and may be built in at the time of product shipment.

[0030] The power-saving control data acquiring unit 1 acquires power-saving control data from the power-saving controller 12. The power-saving control data acquiring unit 1 may acquire the power-saving control data from, for example, a storage unit 20 that stores the power-saving control data output by the power-saving controller 12. The power-saving control data is data indicating the amount of power saved in the target device 11 due to the control of the power-saving controller 12. The amount of power saved may be the amount of reduction in power consumption of the target device 11 due to the control of the power-saving controller 12. The amount of power saved may be, for example, the difference between the power consumption when the target device operates under control by the power-saving controller 12 and the power consumption when the target device operates under the same conditions without control by the power-saving controller 12. Here, the power consumption may be expressed as the value of the power consumption itself, or may be expressed as the operating amount of the target device 11 (for example, the operating rate of a compressor).

[0031] The electricity rate data acquiring unit 2 acquires electricity rate data. The electricity rate data is data indicating the electricity rate for an evaluation period (e.g., an evaluation month) of the facility 100 that uses the target device 11. At least a part of the period during which control by the power saving controller 12 is implemented is set as the evaluation period. The electricity rate data acquiring unit 2 may acquire the electricity rate data, for example, from a storage unit 20 that stores electricity rate data. The electricity rate data may include at least one of the amount of the electricity rate (bill amount) for the evaluation period and the amount of power usage that forms the basis of the electricity rate. The electricity rate data may be, for example, data on an electricity bill issued by an electricity supplier. The electricity rate data may be automatically stored in the storage unit 20, or may be stored in the storage unit 20 by a human input operation.

[0032] The electricity rate data acquiring unit 2 may further acquire non-introduction period electricity rate data. The non-introduction period electricity rate data is data indicating the electricity rates of the facility 100 during a period (non-introduction period) when control by the power saving controller 12 is not introduced. Using the electricity rate data and the non-introduction period electricity rate data, it is possible to calculate the amount of reduction in power usage due to the control of the power saving controller 12. Alternatively, it is possible to calculate the amount of reduction in power usage due to the control of the power saving controller 12 by calculating the difference between the amount of the electricity rate or the amount of power usage indicated by the electricity rate data and a predetermined reference value.

[0033] The non-introduction period electricity rate data may be, for example, data indicating the electricity rate for the same month more than one year prior to the evaluation month of the electricity rate data. Alternatively, the non-introduction period electricity rate data may be data indicating an electricity rate calculated based on electricity rates for multiple months in the non-introduction period. The non-introduction period electricity rate data may be automatically stored in the storage unit 20, or may be stored in the storage unit 20 by a human input operation.

[0034] The measured power acquiring unit 3 acquires the power (measured power) measured by the measuring instrument 13. The measuring instrument 13 is installed on a power supply line of the facility 100 that uses the target device 11. That is, the measuring instrument 13 is provided on a line that supplies power to the target device 11. For example, the measuring instrument 13 may be provided on a power supply line between the target device 11 and a breaker 14 of a distribution board of the facility 100. The measuring instrument 13 may be, for example, a clamp meter, a tester, or other detector that measures power consumption. The measured power acquiring unit 3 may acquire the measured power from, for example, a storage unit 20 that stores data on measured power. The measured power measured by the measuring instrument 13 may be automatically stored in the storage unit 20, or may be stored in the storage unit 20 by a human input operation.

[0035] The measured power acquisition unit 3 may acquire, as the measured power, the power measured by the measuring instrument 13 during a period (power saving control period) when the target device 11 operated under the control of the power saving controller 12, and the power measured by the measuring instrument 13 during a period (no power saving control period) when the target device 11 operated without control by the power saving controller 12. Alternatively, the measured power acquisition unit 3 may acquire, as the measured power, the amount of reduction in the amount of power measured during the power saving control period compared to the amount of power measured during the no power saving control period.

[0036] The effect determining unit 4 uses the power-saving control data, electricity rate data, and measured power to determine whether the power-saving effect achieved by the power-saving controller 12 has reached a target. If the power-saving effect has not reached the target, a guarantee is paid to the user, i.e., the installer, of the power-saving controller 12 to guarantee cost reductions due to power saving. Therefore, in other words, the effect determining unit 4 determines whether or not to pay a guarantee for power saving to the user of the power-saving controller 12.

[0037] When the effect determining unit 4 determines that the power saving effect has not reached the target, the guarantee amount determining unit 5 determines the guarantee amount for power saving to be paid to the user of the power saving controller 12. The guarantee amount to be determined may be a predetermined fixed amount or may be an amount that varies depending on the degree of the power saving effect.

[0038] The power saving guarantee system 10 is implemented by one or more computers. The power saving control data acquisition unit 1, the electricity charge data acquisition unit 2, the measured power acquisition unit 3, the effect assessment unit 4, and the guarantee amount determination unit 5 are realized by the computer processor executing a predetermined program. Such programs and non-transitory storage media storing the programs are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The storage unit 20 is configured by a storage device (storage or memory) accessible by the computers constituting the power saving guarantee system 10.

[0039] The configuration of the power saving guarantee system 10 is not limited to the above example. For example, the measured power acquisition unit 3 may be omitted from the power saving guarantee system 10 of FIG. 1 . The power saving guarantee system 10 may also be configured to further acquire at least one of environmental data and setting data. The environmental data and setting data may be stored in the storage unit 20. The environmental data is, for example, data indicating the environment (temperature, humidity, wind speed, weather, topography, etc.) around the target device 11 during the evaluation period. The setting data indicates the operation settings of the target device during the evaluation period. The setting data may include, for example, setting values ​​that are targets for the operation of the target device 11. The effect assessment unit 4 may use at least one of the environmental data and the setting data in the process of determining whether the power saving effect has reached the target.

[0040] (System operation example) FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the power saving guarantee system 10 shown in FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 2, the power saving guarantee system 10 acquires setting data indicating the operation settings of the target device 11 during the evaluation period (S1). It is determined whether the operation settings of the target device 11 indicated by the setting data satisfy predetermined setting conditions (S2). The setting conditions may be, for example, that a setting value is within a predetermined range. For example, if the target device 11 is an air conditioner, the setting data may include the set temperature of the air conditioner. The setting conditions may be that the set temperature has not been changed from a predetermined temperature or temperature range.

[0041] If the setting does not satisfy the conditions (NO in S2), the process ends. In this case, it is determined that no security deposit is to be paid. For example, if the set temperature has been changed since the power saving controller 12 was introduced (installed), it can be determined that no security deposit is to be paid as an exemption from liability.

[0042] The energy saving guarantee system 10 acquires environmental data (S3) and determines whether a value indicating the environment for the evaluation period included in the environmental data satisfies a predetermined condition (S4). For example, it may be determined whether the value indicating the environment for the evaluation period is within a predetermined range relative to a reference value. As an example, if the value indicating the environment is temperature, it may be determined whether a representative temperature value (e.g., average temperature or maximum temperature) for the evaluation period is within a predetermined range relative to a representative temperature value for the same period of the previous year. As a specific example, if the average temperature for a given month of the evaluation period has risen by a predetermined amount (e.g., 2 degrees) or more from the average temperature for the same month of the previous year, it may be determined to be outside the predetermined range. Furthermore, if there are five or more days in a given month of the evaluation period where the maximum temperature exceeds the maximum temperature for the same day in the same month of the previous year, it may be determined to be outside the predetermined range.

[0043] If the environment does not satisfy the predetermined conditions (NO in S4), the process ends. In this case, it is determined that the security deposit should not be paid. For example, if the value indicating the environment is outside a predetermined range, it can be determined that the exemption is due to an external factor and that the security deposit should not be paid.

[0044] If the answer is YES in S2 and YES in S4, the electricity rate data acquisition unit 2 acquires electricity rate data (S5). The electricity rate data acquisition unit 2 or the effect assessment unit 4 uses the electricity rate data to determine a value indicating the amount of reduction in electricity usage (amount of power saved) during the evaluation period (S6). For example, the amount of reduction in electricity usage can be calculated using at least two of the amount of electricity usage during the evaluation period, the breakdown of the electricity rate, and the amount of electricity usage that forms the basis of the electricity rate. The effect assessment unit 4 determines whether the amount of reduction in electricity usage determined in S5 has reached the target (S7).

[0045] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing examples of electricity rate data and non-introduction period electricity rate data, and an example of determining the amount of power consumption reduction based on the electricity rate data. In the example of Fig. 3, the electricity rate data and non-introduction period electricity rate data each include maximum power demand, base charge, power factor discount rate, amount of power used, power rate charge, fuel cost adjustment amount, renewable energy power generation promotion levy, and electricity rate (billed amount). The effect determination unit 4 can use at least two of these to determine whether the amount of power consumption reduction determined based on the electricity rate data has reached the target.

[0046] Equations (1) to (4) in Table T1 are examples of equations used in the process of determining whether the amount of power consumption reduction due to the control of power-saving controller 12 in the evaluation month has reached the target. For example, if any of equations (1) to (4) in Table T1 is true, it can be determined that power-saving controller 12 is operating normally. In other words, if any of equations (1) to (4) is true, it can be determined that the amount of power consumption reduction due to the control of power-saving controller 12 has reached the target.

[0047] The determination process using formula (1) is an example of a process that determines whether the amount of reduction in power usage has reached a target using the basic charge and the amount of the electricity fee (bill amount). The determination process using formula (2) is an example of a process that determines whether the amount of reduction in power usage has reached a target using the power factor discount rate and the amount of the electricity fee. The determination process using formula (3) is an example of a process that determines whether the amount of reduction in power usage has reached a target using the amount of power usage, the energy fee, and the amount of the electricity fee. Formula (4) is an example of a process that determines whether the amount of reduction in power usage has reached a target using the fuel cost adjustment amount and the electricity fee.

[0048] If the effect determination unit 4 determines that the amount of reduction in power consumption determined based on the electricity rate data has reached the target (YES in S7 of Figure 2), it determines that the power saving effect achieved by the power saving controller 12 has reached the target (S14), and terminates the processing.

[0049] If the result of S7 is NO, the power-saving control data acquiring unit 1 acquires power-saving control data (S8). As an example, the power-saving control data acquiring unit 1 changes the operation mode of the power-saving controller 12 to a test mode or another operation mode for checking the amount of power consumption reduction. In this operation mode, an ON period in which the control of the target device 11 by the power-saving controller 12 is ON and an OFF period in which the control is OFF continue for a certain period of time. The amount of reduction in the operation amount of the target device 11 during the ON period relative to the operation amount of the target device 11 during the OFF period is acquired as the power-saving control data. For example, the amount of reduction in the operation amount (e.g., operation rate) of the compressor during the ON period relative to the operation amount (e.g., operation rate) of the compressor during the OFF period may be included in the power-saving control data.

[0050] The effect determining unit 4 determines whether the amount of power saving indicated by the power saving control data has reached the target (S9). That is, the effect determining unit 4 determines whether the amount of reduction in power consumption due to the control of the power saving controller 12 has reached the target. As an example, it may be determined whether the amount of reduction in the operation of the target device 11 during the ON period relative to the amount of operation of the target device 11 during the OFF period has reached a predetermined amount. For example, if the reduction amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio (e.g., 20%) of the operation amount during the OFF period, it may be determined that the amount of reduction in power consumption due to the power saving control has reached the target. That is, if the reduction amount reaches the predetermined amount, it may be determined that the power saving controller 12 is operating normally.

[0051] If the effect determination unit 4 determines that the amount of power saving indicated by the power saving control data has reached the target (YES in S9), it determines that the power saving effect achieved by the power saving controller 12 has reached the target (S14), and terminates the processing.

[0052] In addition, if there are multiple combinations of target devices 11 and power-saving controllers 12, the power-saving control data may be acquired and a determination may be made as to whether the reduction amount has reached the target for each of the multiple power-saving controllers 12 in turn.

[0053] If the result of S9 is NO, the measured power acquisition unit 3 acquires the measured power measured by the measuring instrument 13 (S10). The measured power acquisition unit 3 acquires the measured power from the measuring instrument 13. The measuring instrument 13 may be, for example, a clamp meter installed on the breaker 14 of the target device 11. As an example, the measured power acquisition unit 3 acquires, as measured power, the power measured during a certain period when the control of the target device 11 by the power saving controller 12 is ON (ON period power) and the power measured during a certain period when the control is OFF (OFF period power). The length of this certain period is defined as the first period length. Note that the measured power acquisition unit 3 may control the power saving controller 12 to operate in an ON state for a certain period and in an OFF state for a certain period of the same length.

[0054] The effect determining unit 4 or the measured power obtaining unit 3 determines the amount of power consumption reduction using the measured power obtained in S10 (S11). The effect determining unit 4 determines whether the amount of power consumption reduction has reached the target (S12). As an example, if the amount of reduction in ON period power relative to OFF period power has reached a predetermined amount (e.g., 20% of OFF period power), the effect determining unit 4 determines that the amount of power consumption reduction determined using the measured power has reached the target. In other words, if the amount of reduction in ON period power relative to OFF period power has reached a predetermined amount, it is determined that the power saving controller 12 is operating normally.

[0055] If the effect determination unit 4 determines that the amount of power saving indicated by the power saving control data has reached the target (YES in S12), it determines that the power saving effect achieved by the power saving controller 12 has reached the target (S14), and terminates the processing.

[0056] If the answer is NO in S12, the effect determining unit 4 determines that the power saving effect achieved by the power saving controller 12 has not reached the target (S13). In this case, the guarantee amount determining unit 5 determines a guarantee amount for guaranteeing the cost reduction achieved by the power saving (S15). The guarantee amount may be, for example, an amount equivalent to the usage fee for the power saving controller 12 during the evaluation period. Once the guarantee amount is determined, the guarantee amount is paid to the user. In this example, the usage fee for the power saving controller 12 is refunded. In this case, the power saving controller 12 may be replaced.

[0057] As a modification of S10 to S12, if the first S12 result is NO, i.e., if it is determined that the reduction amount based on the measured power does not reach the target, the measured power acquisition unit 3 may acquire ON-period power measured during an ON period longer than the first ON period (first period length) and OFF-period power measured during an OFF period longer than the first OFF period. The effect assessment unit 4 determines whether the reduction amount of OFF-period power relative to ON-period power has reached the target. In other words, if the first S12 result is NO, the processes of S10 to S12 may be executed again for longer ON periods and OFF periods. This re-execution of S10 to S12 may be repeated until the lengths of the ON periods and OFF periods reach their upper limit lengths.

[0058] For example, the first time, S10 to S12 may be executed with the ON period and OFF period lengths set to 1 hour, the second time S10 to S12 may be executed with the ON period and OFF period lengths set to 24 hours, the third time S10 to S12 may be executed with the ON period and OFF period lengths set to 7 days, and the fourth time S10 to S12 may be executed with the ON period and OFF period lengths set to 30 days. In this case, if the fourth time S12 is also judged as NO (reduction amount does not reach the target), the effect judging unit 4 judges that the power saving effect does not reach the target (S13), and the guarantee amount determining unit 5 determines the guarantee amount (S15). In this way, by repeatedly executing S10 to S12 when it is judged that the reduction amount does not reach the target, the power saving effect can be judged more accurately.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the operation example shown in Fig. 2, at least one of the processes S1 and S2 using the setting data and the processes S3 and S4 using the environmental data may be omitted. Also, the processes S10 to S12 using the measured power may be omitted.

[0060] The target equipment is not limited to air conditioning equipment, but may be, for example, liquid temperature adjusting equipment, refrigerators, lighting equipment, heating equipment, machine tools, presses, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, or other equipment that consumes electricity. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1: Power saving control data acquisition unit, 2: Electricity charge data acquisition unit, 3: Measured power acquisition unit, 4: Effect judgment unit, 5: Guarantee amount determination unit, 10: Power saving guarantee system, 11: Target device 11: Power saving controller, 13: Measuring instrument

Claims

1. a power-saving control data acquisition unit that acquires, from a power-saving controller that is attached to a target device that operates by consuming power, power-saving control data indicating the amount of power saved by the target device under the control of the power-saving controller, the power-saving controller controlling the target device to operate in a power-saving manner; an electricity rate data acquisition unit that acquires electricity rate data indicating electricity rates for a facility that uses the target device during an evaluation period; an effect determining unit that determines whether or not the power saving effect achieved by the power saving controller has reached a target, using the power saving control data and the electricity rate data; a guarantee amount determination unit that determines a guaranteed amount of power savings to be paid to a user of the power saving controller when it is determined that the power saving effect has not reached a target.

2. 2. The power saving guarantee system according to claim 1, a measured power acquisition unit that acquires power measured by a meter installed on a power supply line of a facility where the target device is used; The effect determining unit further uses the power measured by the measuring device to determine whether the power saving effect achieved by the power saving controller has reached a target.

3. a power-saving control data acquisition process for acquiring, from a power-saving controller attached to a target device that operates by consuming power, power-saving control data indicating the amount of power saved by the target device under the control of the power-saving controller, the power-saving controller controlling the target device to operate in a power-saving manner; an electricity rate data acquisition process for acquiring electricity rate data indicating electricity rates for the evaluation period of the facility using the target device; an effect determination process that determines whether or not the power saving effect achieved by the power saving controller has reached a target, using the power saving control data and the electricity rate data; and a guarantee amount determination process for determining a guaranteed amount of power saving to be paid to a user of the power saving control device when it is determined that the power saving effect has not reached a target.

4. A computer-implemented power saving guarantee method, comprising: a power-saving control data acquisition step of acquiring, from a power-saving controller attached to a target device that operates by consuming power, power-saving control data indicating the amount of power saved by the target device under the control of the power-saving controller, the power-saving controller controlling the target device to operate in a power-saving manner; an electricity rate data acquisition step of acquiring electricity rate data indicating electricity rates for a period to be evaluated for a facility using the target device; an effect determining step of determining whether or not the power saving effect achieved by the power saving controller has reached a target, using the power saving control data and the electricity rate data; a guarantee amount determination step of determining a guaranteed amount of power saving to be paid to the user of the power saving controller when it is determined that the power saving effect has not reached a target.

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